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 Click here to listen to the sermon. 8mins

Genesis 15v1-12, 17-18    God’s Covenant with Abram

Phil 3v17-4v1                              Follow the pattern of Christ

Romans 10v8-13.             Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Luke 13v31-35                 Jesus’s sorrow for Jerusalem.

Faithful to the end!

“How often I have longed to gather you together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.” Lk 13v34b.

But you were not willing!

“You will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” Lk 13v35b

(Also found in Mt 23v37-38. Tuesday of Passion Week).

MY FIRST POINT!    34b “How often I have longed to gather you together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.”  But you were not willing!

Notice how intense God’s love is for all his children. (Jew and Gentile, no distinction). Rom 9-10, 10v12. 

His love is equally intense for you!  Did you know that?  Do you believe that? Do you experience that?  Do you trust in that?  Do you live in the promise of that?

·       I once disturbed a Pheasant on the Yorkshire Moors and 13 chicks scattered from under it’s wings.

·       I also heard of another story of a burnt Pheasant found dead on the ground after a scrub fire. When lifted up, it’s chicks were still alive under it’s wings.

Both these stories made a deep impression on me, how they had found security under those wings and how the Pheasant had risked, and given, it’s own life to protect it’s children. (I can’t remember if the Pheasant was male or female).

Ps 57v1  I will take refuge in the shadow of your wing.

Ps 61v4  I long to dwell in your tent forever, and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

We must allow the Holy Spirit to speak into our lives through these verses and experience from creation, God’s creation.  As the Psalmist does!

MY SECOND POINT!   35b “You will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

The Lord is faithful to the end and responds to the faith of His people! 

If you call on the name of the Lord he will respond! 

If you call on the name of the Lord, you will be saved.  (Joel 2v32.  Acts 2v21, Rom 10v13)

It even

says in our communion service page 468, “Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation”.

Zech 12v10.  They will mourn for the one they pierced.

Rev 1v7   Even those who pierced him will see him come.

Isa 45v23   I swear by myself I will bring salvation. (Rom 14v11. Phil 2v10-11.)

Ps 118v26-27.  “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”