Then this evening we wondered just how many there would be here on Friday. We were told that Friday was grocery night, and that's an important night, I assure you. But you've come, and for coming, thank you. I want to read, if I may, a few verses in the seventh chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews. The seventh chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews, if we may please. I would like us to commence reading a little down the chapter, and we will start reading, if we may, please, in verse nineteen. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did, by the which we draw nigh unto God, and inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest, For those priests were made without an oath, but this, with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord swear and will not repent. Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests. because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death. But this man, because he continueth ever half an unchangeable priesthood, wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sin, and then for the peoples? For this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests, which have infirmity. But the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son who is consecrated forevermore. May the Lord just add his blessing to these wonderful words. Oh God and Father, we feel every evening we have to thank thee for Christian fellowship. We're not unmindful that there are many today who are isolated from Christian fellowship. There are some behind the iron curtain and the bamboo curtain in prison today for their love of Christ. How good thou hast been to us. We just want to say thank you. And we thank thee also that thou hast given us a land in which to live and dwell. where thy word can be read and none make us afraid. Thank you, Lord, for an open Bible, for a message that can be howled for us. May it please thee tonight to give to us listening ears and receptive hearts and obedient wills that the word of God being read and preached in our hearing tonight may in our life bring forth fruit. for Jesus' sake. Amen. Amen. The seventh chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews is one of the most interesting chapters, for it brings us, as it were, to a climax. We come across a very simple word that says this. Wherefore? in the light of what has been written and in the light of what has been said. Wherefore? And my first point, if you would have points this evening, my first point would simply be this. The discussion is ended. Wherefore? We have been discussing a little of milk, isn't it? the kingly priest. We have been discussing a little of the many, many priests who have lived and labored among God's earthly people. But now, as we have discussed them, the discussion is ended. Wherefore, But as I look at these verses, I would suggest to you, not only is the discussion ended, but now the deliverer is entered. And into the theme of these chapters, the Christ of God is introduced, and we read together those glorious words, but this man, because he continueth ever half an unchangeable priesthood, wherefore he is able. But if the discussion is ended, and if the deliverer is entered, As we go further down these words, we are bound to acknowledge that the decision is encouraged. Wherefore he is able, he is able to say to the uttermost, Who? Those who come. So I want to remind you with all the solemnity that I can, that my God does not save a man or a woman against their will. If you don't want to be saved, and I say it kindly, if you want to go to hell, the decision is yours. but the decision to come to Christ is encouraged. Wherefore he is able to save to the uttermost them but come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for him. Our hearts are moved, I'm sure, as we read these words. But may I first of all just pass a comment about this first point that the discussion is ended. You are aware of the fact that in the previous verses we are looking at priesthood. We are reminded of the Mount Tisadet priesthood, that kingly priest. We are reminded indeed of the sons of Levi. We are reminded of the priesthood of Aaron. And then we are brought to this fact that while there have been many priests that over hundreds of years, thousands of people have turned to have expected from them a blessing from God. Yet these priests have not continued. They were our leaders. They were the ones that brought us into the presence of the Almighty. Their prayers were precious. Their action was precious. But they didn't continue. And they didn't continue by reason of death. There came a time in their experience when they died. And all our hopes that were pinned in them passed away. But now, says the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews, I want to introduce you to someone. I want to introduce you to someone that death has never and will never take away from us. I want to introduce you to someone who is willing to bless you now and will bless you forever. For he hath an unchangeable priesthood. Please. I don't tonight want to talk necessarily about priesthood, as you will see in a moment. But I do think it's necessary to pass one or two comments for the sake maybe of my younger Christian friends that they may not be confused between the difference, at least at the difference, between atonement and priesthood. Now Jesus Christ died as an atonement. He lives as a priest. The more I read my Bible, the more absolutely persuaded I am that his atonement brings us into relationship with God. That brings us into relationship with God. But his priesthood maintains that relationship with God. I am brought when I trust Christ by his death into relationship with God. But he rose from the dead and he lives today as my great high priest and he maintains that relationship. When I look at my Bible, I'm not unmindful of the fact that his atonement secured salvation for the sinner. His priesthood secure salvation for the saint. When I read my Bible, I'm not unmindful of the fact that in his atonement I think of his death. In his priesthood I think of his life. In his atonement I hear the words ring. It is finished. In his priesthood I am reminded it's continual. that Jesus still has a work to do that's not finished. In his atonement I remember this, that for every believer he shuts the gates of hell. In his priesthood I remember for every believer he opens the gates of heaven. And I thank God that the Lord Jesus is the one who gave his life for our atonement. And he gives his life as our great high priest. Do remember this, and I think this is important, do remember there could be no priesthood before the atonement. And do remember this, please. There was no passageway for the priest until the victim was slain. How many times have you heard our brethren minister to you from the wondrous truths of the tabernacle and the temple? Before any priest could go in to function as a priest before God, there had to be the sacrifice. And Christ died as our atonement, but he lives as our great high priest. And that's why I say this evening, the discussion is ended. Wherefore, because Christ has died, because he has been raised from the dead, and has ascended into glory, there's a man in the glory who's our great high priest, and all other priesthood slips away. If I take that as a starting point, you know, if I take that as a starting point, There's no end, is there? There are men and women in this service, I have little doubt, who, like those folks in the Old Testament, have had your eyes fixed on men. Whether the man has been Melchizedek, or whether the man has been Aaron, or whether it's been any of the sons of Levi, you've had your eyes fixed on a man that that man might bring to you some blessing in life. And it didn't last, did it? There was once a man called Napoleon. Oh, I say he was by millions revered as the person that would bring liberty to the whole of Europe. But he's dead. There was once a man called Hitler, and millions followed him. You can't look at some of these programs that are occurring on your television today, can you, without marveling that so many thousands of people would shout and cheer and follow such a death spot as that. But should I tell you something? Men's eyes were on him, but he's dead. There was in my land. man called Winston Churchill. And in the deepest, darkest parts of the war, he stirred our conscience and stirred our nation and was revered maybe more than any other man. But he's dead. I've been listening with some interest to some of your politicians because would you please permit me to say this? Your politics intrigue me. I don't understand them. I don't think you do either. But that, by the way. But you know one of the things that I've noticed? I've noticed whether it be on one side or on the other side. Both of your candidates are quoting at great length the man you used to have as your president, President Roosevelt. you know i've reached a stage when i'm not sure whether roosevelt was a republican or or what was the other side well whatever it is there were millions in your land that looked up to him but may i say it kindly he's dead i'm not going to go through the religions of the world but there has been over the past few years in the world a great revival among the Islamic faith. They have lifted a man to heights that never, when he lived, did he ever rise. They worshiped the very memory of Muhammad, but he did. But this man. Oh, hallelujah. This man. And as I think of the Lord Jesus, I remember it says, He continueth ever. Why does He continue ever? Because while they took Him and led Him up Calvary's hill, pressing a crown of thorns on His brow and driving spikes to His hands and feet and nailing Him to a cross, while they took him down dead from that cross and laid him in a tomb, God raised him from the dead. And of all the leaders of the world, this is why you cannot be a Christian unless you believe in the resurrection, despite what modern liberal thought says. If you do not believe in the resurrection, sir and madam, Then the one who you look to as Savior is no more than any other Savior the world has known. He's dead. You remember the classic story that every preacher tells, don't you? Of the old farmer brother walking down the road and fell into step with one of these skeptics. The skeptics said, George, they tell me that you believe that Jesus is alive. Yes, said the farmer, I do. Go on, don't be silly. He died nearly two thousand years ago. Do you remember what the old farmer brother said? He stopped and looked at him and said, Don't be daft. I was talking to him half an hour ago. Listen, friends. If you know Jesus Christ is your Savior, they can bring all the arguments against the resurrection that they can think of. And they'll leave you cold. Because you know who you talk to. You know who you live with. You know who's with you. And if you know Jesus Christ is your Savior, then hallelujah. You'll say he continueth forever. I'm very sorry. I have omitted something most important. My good friends, Mr. and Mrs. Ruth, are celebrating their forty-fourth wedding anniversary today. Did they bring you a cake, Mrs. Ruth? Didn't they? No candles? But if afterwards you have a word with them, I know, because I had lunch with them today. They took me to a very high-class restaurant. Penny. Red Lurton. I only know this. You talk with them and they'll tell you that what's made their marriage so happy over forty-four years is that they have had someone with them who's continued forever. The Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus. Oh, my friend, discuss all the priests you will, discuss all the leaders of the world you will, discuss all the politicians that you will, and then say they're dead. But this man continueth forever. The discussion is ended as to who was the greatest of the high priests. For the deliverer has entered, and all how he's entered. He! I like that expression, don't you? He! This man. This man. This man. You know, as I was preparing today for... this evening and I read again that expression this man I almost stopped there I said to myself you know I'm going to preach about that this man there's no need for me to remind you is there the many occasions of that expression this man the man who came to seek and to save that which was lost this man Do you know, last evening there were two of our, maybe I ought to clear this up. Last evening there were two of our dear fellowship here who heard me quote the words of the Creed. Did you remember I quoted these glorious words? I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church. and they came just a little disturbed. Now, would you notice the Creed does not say, I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Roman Catholic Church, but the Holy Catholic Church. And I am sorry, I just quoted those words, and just in case someone had any difficulty about it, you will not forget that the English word Catholic means universal. And you know something? I'm glad that the only Christians in the world are not found in Shannon Gospel Chapel. I'm glad there's a few more somewhere else. I'm glad we got a few over in England. And my brother Bass is glad they've got a few in Africa. And if you've come from any other country, do you know they've got a few down in Augusta, down in Georgia? I believe in the Holy. For, praise God, I have a Savior who makes men holy when he saves them. I believe in the Holy Catholic Universal Church, not the Roman Church. Now, please, you've never heard me because I don't do it. I don't speak against other churches. That's not my word. My job is to preach the truth. But I want to tell you this. Sir, I am a Protestant, and I know what I protest against. I want you to understand there is one verse, one verse that finishes forever. The heresy that sometimes is this taught, and this is the verse, this man, when he had made one sacrifice for sins forever, He sat down in the right hand of God. Not a continual sacrifice. Every time there's a mass that Christ in that bread and wine dies again. No, no, no, no. This man, when he had made one sacrifice for sin, forever, forever sat down. Oh, this man who came to seek and to save, this man who went to Calvary's cross and died for our sins. This man who lived forever. Oh, bless God, this man, he's able. He's able to save to the uttermost them who come unto God by him. Isn't that wonderful? Is that wonderful? Why is he able? Well, it's quite clear, isn't it? He is able because it says of his death and resurrection. For the twenty-fourth verse of this seventh chapter, may I read it again? This man, because he continued forever, hath an unchangeable priesthood, wherefore, He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. That's why he's able, because he has conquered sin and death, because he has given the death blow to Satan and all the forces of hell. This man, this holy, harmless, spotless son of God, this man but may I go further may I remind you why he's able to save because he liveth forever but may I remind you how he's able to save this man he is able to save to the utmost I believe it was dr. Borum now please I stand to be corrected about that but I believe it was dr. Borum who said Able to save to the uttermost. To the last inch of the last yard of the last mile. To the uttermost. To the last minute of the last hour of the last day. To the uttermost. To the last parcel of the last pound of the last country. Able to save to the uttermost. That's how he's able to save. to say, oh, bless God, the more I open my Bible, the more I realize whoever you are and wherever you are, he's able to save you. The service long, long ago, took his pen and said, well, if I was to be found in hell, if I was to make my bed in hell, you aren't there? There is not a depth to which we seek, but our God is able to save us. But not only the depth, but the height. For that same psalm, as you know, I'm quoting from the hundred and thirty-nine psalm, that same psalm says, If I ascend into heaven, though, out there, He's able to save to the highest height. He's able to save to the lowest depth. And when I think of the breadth of his love and his ability to save, I remember the psalmist tells me, if I was to take the wings of the morning, the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me, able to say to the uttermost, Most preachers remind their audiences of the words of the quaint preacher of a past century who said he's able to say from the guttermost to the uttermost, able to say. And friend, may I ask you this evening, how about you? Have you come to know that salvation? It's no good saying that we're too far away, we're not. He's able to meet our need. Able. Able. There is a lovely story, I believe, also told by Frank Borum, and I borrow him. Well, of course, every other preacher does, doesn't he? You know, when Frank Borum was introduced in nineteen thirty eight, when he came to my land, he was introduced to the great conference in the city of Glasgow. And they said, he's the man whose stories are in every sermon and books on every bookshelf. And maybe that's true. The difficulty of reading Frank Borum is you know where your preachers get their illustrations from. But I think it was Frank Borum. who tells a wonderful story of Philip Doddridge. Philip Doddridge was, well of course we've seen some of his hymns, but Philip Doddridge was a great divine in the city of Northampton in my land. There came into Northampton an Irishman by the name of Peter Canare. And Peter Cannell, after he had been there in Northampton for a while, was accused of sheep stealing. Now, in my country in that day, sheep stealing was dealt with by death. By the way, I would like just to say something. Some of you won't agree. God bless you. But I want to say something. I often hear folk tell me... that the world has never been as bad as it is today. Now let me tell you something. If you say that, I'll tell you one thing about yourself. You have never read history. I live in a little place called West Parley. You won't even see it on the map, but it's in the county of Dorset. Oh, in England, by the way. within a stone's throw of where I live, as long as you're Goliath and can throw a long way, you'll see the only red signpost in Great Britain. There's not another in Great Britain. Every other signpost is white or black or yellow. There's only one red signpost in the whole of Great Britain, and it is within a mile and a half of where I live. And it is there to mark the place Where, during the bloody offizes of Judge Jeffries, five children under six years of age, were hung by their neck till they were dead for stealing apples. I'm glad we don't live in that day. I'm glad we don't live in that day. Oh, I don't think the world's getting any better. But be careful, brother, when you say it's never been as bad. because some young people do read history at school, you know. They do. And I wouldn't have liked to have lived in the time of Philip Dodgeridge, would you? To steal a sheep and to be taken and hung by your neck until you were dead. They panged Peter Pannell. They dragged him before the court, and the magistrates sentenced him to death. But Philip Dodgeridge were certain that he'd never committed the crime. And he set about the task of proving that Peter Caddell was a hundred miles away when the sheep was stolen. So he couldn't have stolen the sheep. And he proved it. He put evidence to it. Took it to the magistrates. But the law of England was different then than it is today. And this is the case that changed the law of England. The law of England gave no right of appeal. The only thing that could happen was a petition could be sent to the king. And he was but an Irish laborer who couldn't even read. And to those Philip Doddridge tried all he could. Peter Cannell was put in an open cart. led through the streets of Northampton to the square but on his way he asked that the cart would stop outside of the residence of Philip Godridge and with tears running down his face and in a broken voice Peter Cannell said everything that's within me blesses me every drop of blood blesses me every breath blesses me thank you for trying to save me But Philip Dodgeridge wanted to save him. Philip Dodgeridge tried to save him. But Philip Dodgeridge wasn't able to save him. But this man is able. It isn't just that Jesus wants to save you. It isn't just that Jesus has done everything to save you. Hallelujah, Jesus can save you. He's able. Able to say to the uttermost, I say, is that lovely? Is that lovely? Able to say to the uttermost, no wonder I said, that if the discussion is ended, no longer do we talk about Melchizedek and about Aaron and about the sons of Levi, no longer do we look to human priests, But we gaze upon this deliverer who has entered this man, Jesus Christ, our Lord, God the Son. And we see by his death and his resurrection, he is able to save to the Atman. But the decision is encouraged. For I never want any one of us to forget this. but as though he is able to save to the last person of the last city of the last country he is only able to save those that come it is no good saying Christ died for our sins so I'm alright this one we are told very plainly died We are told very plainly he continueth forever. He lives. But although he's died and although he lives, he's only able to save to the uttermost those that come unto God by him. May I ask you, young man, may I ask you, young woman, very kindly, sir or madam, may I ask you, have you come? Has there been a time in your life when you realized you needed a Savior? You knew before God you were a sinner. You knew that without that Savior you would be lost. Lost for time and lost for eternity. And have you realized that he said to you, come, that's a lovely word, isn't it? You know, it well suits the lips of the Father who gave the Son. Come. It well suits the lips of the Son who left the glories of heaven and came down to this world. Come. It well suits the lips of the Holy Spirit who continually is crying. Come. For the Spirit of the blind, say come. And it well suits the lips of every preacher and every Christian. Come. Come. come. You know what it means to come? Oh please, if I stand at this side of the platform and someone yonder says come, it means that I leave where I'm standing and I go to it. I've got a strong feeling I would have a job to find a better definition of repentance than that. You can't come to someone, can you? Unless you leave. And yet it means more than that. There is one little story that I have used here before. I've used every place I've preached in America. And I'm going to use it again. And if you've heard it before, I hope you take notice of it. My daughter's thirty-six, you know. Of course, her mum still thinks she's a wee little girl. But there it is. But the daughter said his thing. But when she was a little tacker, she knew the meaning of the word car. No, she was only nine months old. But she knew the meaning of the word car. Just like your little tacker did. I'd be returning home. I didn't have a car then. I'd come in by the bus or by the train. I'd catch the bus out to our house. And as I entered through, I'd ban the gate. I'd let Mary know I'd come. And she'd pick up our little daughter and come to the door. And I'd put my bags down and I'd hold out my hands and I'd say, Come, gang. Come. Do you know she never failed then? As soon as I said, Come, Of course, when I say come to her now, there's every chance you'd go the other way. But not then. As soon as I said come, out would go her podgy little arms, and she'd let her dad pick her up. For she knew when I said come, I meant you trust your life into the hands of your dad. Because if I'd ever taken her and dropped her, I got a strong feeling the next time I said, come, she'd have thrown her arms around her mummy's neck with a... But oh no, those hands were strong enough to hold her. Come. I have a savior tonight who has hands strong enough to hold you. Are you willing to trust your life to him? Are you willing tonight to say, I'll come. Wherefore, he is able to save to the uppermost. them but come unto him. Oh, friend, tonight, he's willing, he's willing tonight to meet your need if you're done. And so I say it again, the discussion is ended. The deliverer is entered. but the decision, the decision is encouraged. Will you make that decision tonight? Have he marked to lead me to him? If he be my guide in his hand, the now point, and his side. He loves you. Those young folk from Silas City sang the truth. He loves you. He loves you. And he's willing to prove that love. If only you'll come to him. Will you come? Please God you will. And as we sing again the hymn we've been singing every evening. Oh friend, will you make your decision and come to Jesus Christ? Two hundred and twelve, was it, or was it two twenty-one? I've forgotten really. Two twenty-one. If you are tired of the load of your sin, let Jesus come into your heart. If you desire a new life to begin, let Jesus come into your heart. Just now your doubting giver, Just now reject him no more. Just now we'll open the door. Let Jesus come into your heart. If it is for purity now, that you sigh, Let Jesus come into your heart. Mountains for cleansing are flowing nearby. Let Jesus come into your heart. Just know you're doubting him more. Just know reject him no more. Just know. Where did Jesus come into? Oh, as we sing this last verse, friend, won't you let him come in? He's able to say to the atlas, because he lives. Will you not trust him? The last word. If you would join the glad song of the blessed, let Jesus come into your heart. If you would enter the mansions of rest, Let Jesus come into your heart.