I commence our worship this evening by singing hymn number 778. The tune is Houghton, number 808. So straight be the way, with dangers beset, and we on the way are no farther yet. Our good guide and saviour has helped us thus far, and it is by his favour we are what we are. A favour so great we highly should prize, Not murmur, nor fret, nor small things despise. But what call we small things? Sins all cancel some. Tis greater than all things, except those to come. In number 778, June Houghton, number 808. Take thee away, where angels beset, and be on the way a look of the year. A good guide, a saviour, and turn back the star, and destroy Israel in our own dear hour. The way has to be made by vision bright. No path and no path, no small things this light. Apocholies fortes, scents of cancer strong, this my God I'll obey, I check that it's still there. I've left them in there, from what we have been. ♪ Have watered his land to our sons' sake ♪ ♪ And our home, O God, may you be pleased with us ♪ This that holds me in time, longs passion for them. ♪ And their cross with bones ♪ ♪ And their body seen ♪ ♪ With water and with oil ♪ ♪ To Jesus' hand ♪ He has abandoned us from beginning to end, and my soul hath grown up for His and His blood. Though pestilence o'er the plains surround us we fear, Though prospects of bliss and fortunes appear, It's grateful, it's pleasant to sing and love the Lord. If I'm hopeful, pleasant to pray. Let us read together from the book of the Revelation, reading chapter 3. Revelation chapter 3. The third chapter of Revelation. and unto the angel of the church in Sardis write, these things, saith he, that have the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know thy works, that thou hast the name that thou livest and art dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found my works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names, even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life. But I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it. For thou hast a little strength, and has kept my word, and has not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly. Hold thou fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out. And I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God. And I will write upon him my name, my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot, I would thou wert cold or hot. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and am need of nothing, And knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked? I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, and anoint thine eyes with thyself, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous, therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him and will sup with him and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am sat down with my father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. May the Lord bless his holy word unto us and help us to approach unto him in prayer. Oh, thou holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty. Oh, we plead, Lord, as we have entered into thy house this evening, thou wouldst help us to truly come and to worship thee. Lord, may we not be left to bring any strange fire before thee. May we not be left to bring anything of self into thy house this evening. But help us, Lord, to lay aside every weight and the sin which does so easily beset us. Oh, help us, Lord, to come looking alone unto Jesus. May our great concern be to see Jesus. May our great desire be that Jesus Christ might be first, that he might be last, that he might be all in all. Lord, we would desire to thank thee this evening for thy victory of which we have read. Oh, that he has overcome and has sat down are on the right hand of the majesty on high forever. Lord, we plead this evening, oh, that his victory might be our victory, and that through him, by faith, we may truly be enabled to say thanks be unto God, which giveth us a victory through the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Lord, we would come once more to plead that finished work. Oh, may we have, Lord, nothing else to plead, but, oh, the precious shed blood the perfect righteousness of our once crucified, but now risen again, ascended and glorified Saviour, whoever liveth to make intercession for us, and is able to save unto the uttermost all them that come unto thee by him. Lord, for the glories of that glorious person, our Saviour, the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Oh, we plead, Lord, that praise might wake for thee in Zion, Lord, for the wonders of thy love, O that thou hast loved us with that love, that thou hast sent thine only begotten Son and spared him not, but O that it should be written that it pleased thee to bruise him, O for the salvation of thy people. Lord, bring us once more this evening, O to that place where we would truly say with one, on such love my soul still ponder love so great. so rich, so free, say whilst lost in holy wonder, why, O Lord, such love to me. Oh, we plead, Lord, that we might know that love once more this evening, shed abroad in our soul by the Holy Ghost. Lord, that we might find that resting place in Christ, that access unto Thee, oh, through Him, that we might know that union and communion with Thee, oh, through the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Lord, we plead that Thou wouldst visit us once more with Thy salvation. That Thou wouldst bid us, Lord, look out of self unto Thee. Oh, that Thou wouldst help us, Lord, to leave all and to follow Thee. That Thou wouldst draw us away, Lord, from the things of the world. Remind us once more this evening there is but one thing needful. Strengthen us, Lord, as we may be flogging in the middle of the week. Oh, Lord, that Thou wouldst be strengthened in faith by enabling us, Lord, to look unto Thee. and to find in thee the seed now all, all we ever need, all we could ever desire. Lord, we plead that thou wouldst grant help in every part of worship. Oh, Lord of ourselves, we cleave to the dust, but oh, that would strengthen us, Lord, within the inner man, that thou would strengthen our desires this evening. Oh, that we might have come, Lord, desiring to be fed, hungry and thirsting after righteousness. Lord, we plead that thou wouldst Oh, help us to truly worship Thee in spirit and in truth this evening. That Thou wouldst, O Lord, not just leave us to the outward form of worship, but, oh, that Thou wouldst clothe all the world with Thy power. That Thou wouldst help us, Lord, to sing Thy praise with understanding hearts. That Thou wouldst, O Lord, be teaching us how rightly to approach unto Thee. Oh, how to rightly cast ourselves alone upon Thee in prayer. And thus, Lord, in every part of worship, Thou wouldst keep us from self, which so quickly creeps in. Thou wilt keep us from pride, Lord. Oh, that thou wouldst empty us, Lord, of all things, that we might be filled with Christ. Lord, give help in the pulpit, in the desk, and in the pew. Give the hearing ear, the heart prepared to receive thy word. Oh, give, Lord, that heart that would desire this evening to be not only hearers of the word, but doers also. Help us, Lord, to reduce to practice what we hear. Oh, bless, Lord, the word with thy power, that none may be sent empty away. But may, Lord, thy word have that abiding place in the hearts of thy people. Oh, may it be, Lord, a word they cannot forget, a word that follows them around, thy word, oh, the voice of God. Lord, we plead that thou wouldst give help in the desk and the giving out of the hymns. Lord, truly, may we be of one heart and one voice before thee this evening. Unite us together. Oh, that the word of Christ might dwell in us richly. Lord, there might be that right admonition of one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Lord, we plead thou wouldst give help in the preaching of the word. Help us to rightly divide the word of truth. Keep us, Lord, for ourselves from the enticing words of men's wisdom. Oh, we plead, Lord, thou wouldst help us to come as helpless, to depend alone upon thy grace. Pour in, Lord, that there might be that pouring out. Oh, that we might not be left, Lord, Lead any of thy little ones astray, to speak any error, but help us, Lord, to speak well of Christ, and help us, Lord, to, oh, set him forth as the only way. Lord, we plead that thou wouldst bless thy dear servant the past year, his labours, Lord, during the week. We plead that thy blessing might rest upon them, that that, Lord, word so might not return unto thee void. Lord, we plead that thou wouldst strengthen him, yet in the ministry here, and may he have those souls for his hire, and signs following the preaching of the word. Lord, help him in his study, help him in the pulpit, help him as he goes in and out, Lord, amongst the people. All that thou wouldst, O Lord, give unto thy pastors, the shepherd's heart, O Lord, that thou wouldst ever keep us, while our eyes fixed alone upon the great shepherd of the sheep. Help us, O Lord, to be followers of thee, Lord, we may be unable to say unto the people of the apostle, oh, that they should follow us as far and insofar as we are found followers of Christ. Lord, we plead thou would uphold the deacons. Remember the deacon away for rest and change. Lord, we plead thou would strengthen him in all his many burdens. Lord, that thou would bless a little church here, unite them together, Lord. O, we plead that they may truly know that love that flows from heart to heart, thy presence, Lord, when they gather together. Keep, Lord, the devil far from them. O, we know, Lord, how quickly the adversary seeks to get in, and, Lord, left to ourselves, how quickly we'll aid and abet him. But, O, we plead, Lord, this evening, that thou wouldst be that wall of fire round about the little church here, the glory in the midst, and, Lord, that thou wouldst yet be adding to thy church The ministry here, Lord, might be made a blessing to the people that gather. Lord, that we might yet see, in Zion, the wonders of thy grace. Oh, that thine arm is not shortened, that it cannot save, nigh thine ear weary, that it cannot hear, but, Lord, that thou wilt be glorified in the midst of the great congregation. Oh, that praise, Lord, should be unto thee. Lord, we'd ask that thou wouldst bless thy one true church, thy people wherever they gather this evening, thy servants wherever they labour in the gospel. Strengthen us, Lord, in the midst of the weak. Oh, we plead, Lord, that thou wouldst be with us day by day. Help us, Lord, to live to thine honour and thy glory. Oh, may we live, Lord, here as strangers and pilgrims. May there be that plain declaration in our life that this world is not our home, that we seek a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Oh, prepare us, Lord, for our end. Oh, as we've been solemnly reminded, thou shalt come as a thief, when we know it not, Lord, when we expect it not. Oh, we plead that we might be ready. Oh, prepare us, gracious God, to stand before thy face. The Spirit must the work perform, for it is all of grace. But, Lord, truly, if we are rightly prepared this evening, oh, to stand before thee in thy house in worship, then, Lord, we will be rightly prepared to die. Oh, that we might, oh Lord, have that higher view of worship, that we might have that realisation that, Lord, when the church rightly gathers together here, it is a little foretaste of heaven. Oh, that we might know, Lord, this evening the sweetness of it, the power of it, and that we might find that longing in our heart for that place where congregations ne'er break up and sabbaths have no end. Lord, help us to return thee thanks for thy mercies during the week thus far. Lord for thy word that was set before the friends here on my day, and Lord for thy word that we have in our own language, and Lord for any desire found within our souls after that word, not a desire of nature, but oh that thou wouldst oh Lord strengthen that desire. Lord this evening, oh for that love unto the brethren and love unto Jesus Christ, Lord wherever There is the faintest shadow of it within our souls. Oh, put there by grace. Lord, we plead that we might be enabled to truly give thee thanks. Oh, strengthen, Lord, that grace within us this evening. Oh, that our cup might be filled, that it might run over. We might be grown in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Lord, forgive us all our sins. Our hard-heartedness, Lord, our forgetfulness of Thee. Our unbelief, Lord, our doubts and fears. The worldliness, the carnality, the ease. Oh, we plead, Lord, that Thou wouldst visit us once more with Thy salvation this evening. Wash us truly from all our iniquities. Oh, strengthen us, Lord, in Christ. Bring us back to Him. And may we find in Him, oh, that fullness which filleth all. Receive us graciously. Love us freely. Take all our sins away, we'd ask it for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. Continue our service by singing hymn number 833. The tune is St. George, number 59. Thy mercy, Lord, we praise. Of judgment, too, we sing. For all the riches of thy grace, our grateful tribute bring. Mercy may justly claim a sinner's thankful voice, and judgment, joining in the theme, we tremble and rejoice. In number 833, Tune St. George, number 59, ♪ Behold He reigneth ♪ ♪ The God of many races ♪ ♪ O Lord, Thou makest me of Thy grace ♪ ♪ Thy grace, God, in giving ♪ ♪ Mercy makes us keep the faith ♪ The shepherd sang for miles, And watched him, joining in the feeding, ♪ But he did not pass ♪ ♪ Like a prince on a moon ♪ ♪ He did not pass me by for good ♪ ♪ And on my mind ♪ ♪ Give them, Lord, their daily bread ♪ ♪ I've made my promise with thee ♪ ♪ And all that is mine now is thine alone ♪ In whom this vow we make To love someone or you ♪ The waters, the waters, the waters ♪ ♪ Have always been the same ♪ ♪ I have been the living water ♪ The little lightest star, bright and emerald, is still shining above the world so. In order to help me this evening and grant you prayer for attention, I direct you to a text you'll find in the portion of God's word read, Revelation chapter three and read in the 11th verse. Revelation chapter three and read in the 11th verse. Behold, I come quickly. Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crap. Revelation three. And the 11th verse, behold, I come quickly. Hold thou fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. These letters to the seven churches are a reminder of the gracious care the Savior takes over his church. Oh, we must never think that the church is just left that the great shepherd of the sheep leaves his church to work out his own salvation, that he leaves it uncared for, unconcerned about it, but no. He dwells in the midst of the candlesticks, he stands in the midst of the candlesticks, as John saw him in the first chapter of this book. And these seven letters are evidence to the fact that he stands there to witness what is going on in the church. He sees the troubles of the church. He sees the joys of the church. He sees the strength of the church. He sees the weaknesses of the church. And he does not only see those things to mock them. He does not only see those things to mark them and then to leave them. But oh friends, he sees them that he might deal with them. And here in these letters, we read his gracious dealings with the church. Oh, when the church was found hurting, he speaks to the church so they might repent. Oh, he points out to them their errors. Oh, friends, he points out to them their strengths. He commends them for their strengths and he exhorts them each. And the letter that we have before us this evening, the letter that was written to the Church of Philadelphia, one of only two churches of that seven that the Lord did not have something against. And yet our text this evening is in exhortation. Behold, I come quickly. Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Oh, friends, it's a reminder that even when all appears to be well in the church, when all appears to be going well, we need the word of exhortation. How quickly we settle down, how quickly in those times when everything appears to be calm and all appears to be going well, times perhaps of fruitfulness in the church, Oh friends, left to ourselves, we settle down there. Now we need the word of exhortation. It is then so often we need to be on our guard. It is then so often we need to be reminded of the one thing needful to hold fast, that which thou hast that no man take thy crown. It is often at those times when all appears to be going well, the devil is in, sowing his seeds of division. Now the little foxes are spoiling the tender grapes upon the vines. Oh friends, we need the word of exhortation and what a mercy it is that Jesus pleased the times to send his servants with the word of exhortation, not the word of condemnation, but the word of exhortation. Our friends in these letters, you know, even though the Lord may point out the solemn failings of the church, he doesn't condemn them. He doesn't cut them off. No, friends, he tells them to repent. He tells them to return. He says, In grace, behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him and will sit with him and he with me. Oh, this is the heart of the shepherd, the great shepherd of the sheep. This is the heart of the pastor of pastors. Friends, this is the heart of the head of the church as he looks upon his church. Oh, friends, he desires, he wants, he will have the best for his church. and therefore he gives the word of exhortation. Behold, I come quickly. Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Well, friends, in coming to our text this evening, we want to notice three things. Firstly, what it is to hold fast. This is the instruction, hold fast. This is the verb of our text. This is what we are exhorted to this evening, to hold fast. And then secondly, to notice what we are to hold fast. Hold fast that which thou hast. And then thirdly, to notice the reason why we are to hold fast. Behold, I come quickly. And there's a crown. How that no man take thy crown. So friends, firstly, what is it to hold fast? To hold something fast, in its simplest terms, is to hold on to it, to not let it go. to not let it be taken away from you, to not forget about it, not that it should be laid to one side and left forgotten, but to keep it there, keep it close by you, to hold in your hand, to be ever close to it, to be ever near it, to be ever reminded of it. Friends, we are to hold fast to those things that we have in that sense, the truth, we're not to let it slip. The Apostle exhorted Timothy to hold fast to that truth that he'd been taught and been assured of. Now, friends, we're not to let the truth slip. We're not to allow it to be forgotten. All the things of grace, the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the doctrine of Christ, all the blessings which are in him, the promises in him, yea and amen, they're not to be forgotten. They're not to be left dusty on the shelf, as it were. They're not to be put in the cupboard. No, they are to be Always on hand. We'd have our hand on it as it were. Hold on to it. But then, friends, the word here means something stronger than that. Oh, this word speaks of strength. Oh, this is a strong holding. This is not holding something with a loose hand. We sometimes speak of holding things loosely. Oh, friends, there may be it on hand. It may be something that we use every day. But we hold it loosely. It doesn't have a hold on us. It doesn't grip us. Friends, we do not hold it strongly in that sense. Therefore, it does not have a hold on us. There's a relationship between how firmly we hold something to how firm a hold it has on us. We want to come to that in a moment. But this is a strong grip. Friends, this is the difference between walking up the stairs and having the balusters on the side. And perhaps you just run your hand loosely up the banisters, or you're holding it fast, it's close to you, it's by you. You're acknowledging it's there, you've got your hand upon it. But, ah, friends, then when you begin to slip, when you begin to fall, ah, then your hand grips it. Ah, friends, then you hold on to it, you depend upon it. If you let that banister go, you'd fall. Oh, friends, that's the holding fast that is spoken of in our text. It's not just to have it near us, it's not just to have our hand upon it, but it's to have a grip upon it. It's to be hanging upon it, it's to be depending upon it, it's to be leaning all our weight upon it. It's to be drawing all our strength from it. That's the holding fast that is spoken of in our text. I believe it goes a step further yet. You'll find in the Greek this word, it speaks of Dominion, it speaks of power. It speaks of reigning. Oh, this is the word that might be used of a ruler that has a tight rein on his kingdom. He's holding it fast. Friends, I think there's something here for us this evening, and this is where I really want to come to this evening, to hold fast. We said there was a relationship between how closely we hold on to something, how tightly we hold on to something, and how much of a grip it has on us. If we love somebody, our love to them is in proportion to the influence they have on us, to the place they have in our heart. That's what is being spoken of here, hold fast. Those things that we are to hold fast to, they are, as it were, to rule in us. They are to have the upper hand. They are to completely mould us, to completely shape us. They are to reign in us. Friends, we are to be influenced by them, under the influence of them. Hold that fast which thou hast. If I can take a negative illustration of this that we find in the Word of God, we read the love of money is the root of all evil. Friends, what is it to love money? It's to have your hold on your money. You count it up, you count every penny, you're looking for the next penny to come in, and it has a hold on you. It's got your heart, it's reigning in your heart. Everything in your life is geared towards more money. Oh, to how you can become rich. Oh, it affects your job choices. You'll take the job that has the highest pay. It affects what you spend your money on. You'll often go for the cheapest option that you might have the greatest amount of money left at the end of the day. Friends, that's what the love of money has. It reigns over you. As you hold on to that money, that money influences and exerts an effect upon you. It reigns in your life. Everything comes down to money. Oh, how much money can I make? How much money can I have? How can I save money? How can I get money more quickly? Well, friends, that is a negative example of the positive we are exhorted to hear. Hold fast. Hold that fast. Friends, we are to hold on to it. and it's to influence us, it's to reign over us, it's to affect every part of our life, it's to determine the choices we make, it's to determine the way that we go each day. That's what it is to hold fast. Oh, hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Oh, that is what we are being exhorted to in our Texas evening. This is not simply looking at the things we are to hold fast, it's not simply remembering It's not simply having them by us. Oh, friends, what a difference. All the promises that are found in the Word of God. Friends, we may know them, we may have learnt them, perhaps as children. The texts that we learnt as children, some of the promises. Take an example. Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as you have, for He has said, I'll never leave thee nor forsake thee. You know it. You know it off by heart. It's there in the word of God. You may often turn to the 13th chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews and read it there. But our friends, is it raining in your heart? Is it affecting how you live? Our friends, does it take away the fear when you may be found having to face those who may be persecuting you because of the truth? He's with me. He's with me. I need not fear. He has said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Is it raining in you? Is it influencing you as you're found? Perhaps a valley of the shadow of death? Some deep trouble? He's with me. Therefore we find that there is that calm, that peace, that comfort that it administers unto us. Or does it influence us when we're on our own? When no man may see us? Nobody may know about us? When the devil says, out of the path of sin. Oh, choose the easier way. Oh, friends, that you have an effect upon us. He's with me. Oh, he's nightly, he has said, I'm with thee, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Oh, that in his eyes I might not be left to sin. Oh, you see, friends, do you see the point that I'm trying to get to here? Hold that fast which thou hast. If we're rightly holding fast, that which the Lord has given us. If we're rightly holding fast the promises, rightly holding fast the exhortations, rightly holding fast the word of God. Oh, friends, if we're rightly holding fast to Christ, to his precious name, which anointment poured forth. If we're rightly holding fast to the ordinances, to his day, to the preaching of the gospel. Oh, friends, it will affect our life. It will reign in our life. Everything will be geared towards it. Oh, no part will be left untouched by it. And that's what the Philadelphians were being exhorted to. Hold that fast which thou hast. Oh, that we might know the love of Christ reigning in us. We might know the word of God dwelling in us. Oh, that we might know that exercise of faith within us. Now, friends, that it might affect every part of our lives. Now that nothing may be left untouched by it. Hold that fast. which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Friends, it's a searching question, isn't it? At least it is with me. What do I hold fast? Is my religion just that surface religion? Is it just a religion which we can put on when we come to the Lord's house on His day and during the week or when we're at home? That religion lies very lightly upon us. It doesn't affect how we live. When the Lord's people can't see us, when our neighbours can't see us, Oh, and within our house, friends, it hasn't touched our lives there. Oh, there's not much holding fast. Friends, has our life been changed by those things that have been given us? Hold fast that which thou hast. Oh, that which thou hast been given. Friends, can you look back at your life and see the change that grace has made? Oh, has grace got hold of you? And in that sense, have you got hold of grace? For instance, to get hold of grace, to be found there simply to thy cross I cling. Nowhere else to go but hanging, a helpless soul hanging on Christ, gripping on to Him. Because we're certain of this, if we should lose hold of Him, if we could be shaken off Him, we'd be lost. That's the emphasis of our text this evening, Hold Fast. that which thou hast. You know, if you're found hanging, friends, if you're found gripping on to something, all your strength, every sinew of your body is there, centred in that grip. Well, friends, that's what the Philadelphian church was being exhorted to. Oh, you know, true religion, it affects us in every part. It's wholehearted. Friends, it's the whole body. It's all of us, all of us, not part. Oh, what a measure of true religion. Ah, friends, what a measure. Oh, how we may have to blushingly say this evening, weighed in the balance and found wanting, but friends, ah, text is a word of exhortation. The Lord knew the Philadelphian church needed this exhortation. Though he had no word of condemnation against them, he had nothing to say against them. But our friends, he knoweth what's in us. He remembereth that we're dust and ashes. He knows us even that you've got an old nature. He knows that I've got an old nature. And he knows, ah, that old nature. Ah, friends, the strength of it at times, that which would draw us away, that which would cause us to lose our hold. Oh, the power of the devil. Cause he may whisper. Ah, you need not hold on to that so strongly. As God said, do you really need to worry about that? Now, friends, the Lord knows. Oh, if we were always perfect, if we're always holding on to these things as we should, we wouldn't need the word of exaltation. Therefore, friends, oh, if you feel this evening to be weighed in the balance and found wanting, this is an evidence of the Lord's grace towards souls just in the case as you are. Oh, he was pleased to send his message to the Philadelphian church. Our friend, it's his grace this evening if he should send the word to you. Oh, poor soul, hold fast. Hold fast. Where is your grip? What has got dominion over you this evening? What has taken you in your life? What has drawn you away from me? Ah, hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Well, friends, that's the exhortation of our text this evening, to hold fast. Our friends, The things that we are to hold fast, they might have the top place, they might be reigning in us, they might be influencing every part of our life, every part of our person. Behold I come quickly, hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Well friends, that brings us secondly to ask the question, what are we to hold fast? What is to have this hold in our life? What is it that is to reign in us, to be the uppermost in our life? Well, friends, we may say, firstly, there are things that we are not to hold fast. Sin. Oh, indeed, if we're under grace, the apostle tells us sin shall not have dominion over you. Oh, friends of sin, are you holding fast to sin this evening? Oh, how easy it is to do so, the devil says, a little sin. Ah, the devil has little and big sins, you know, but the word of God, Our friends, the holiness of God, sin is sin, the least sin, the soul that sinneth it shall die. But our friends, how quickly the devil gets in and he says, our little sin, don't worry about it. Our friends, before you know where you are, that little sin, if you hold fast to it, it begins to reign in you. How many they may begin with just bending the truth a little, not telling the whole truth. Friends before they know where they are they're telling lies, outright blatant lies. Oh how quickly friends the little thought of self becomes full-blown pride and except we hear the word of exhortation, except we're reminded that sin of pride just should not be holding us fast and we should not be holding fast to us then we prove pride cometh before a fall. Friends, how many have proved that the look, the lustful look, after a woman, on the part of the man, friends, we may say it's just a look. Come to the Sermon on the Mount. Friends, whoso looketh, all guilt. But when we allow that sin, when we take hold of that sin, when we do not resist it, when we're not found fighting against it, how quickly the look, friends, it becomes a form. And some, oh, they've fallen. Oh, friends, these things are solemn. Are we holding fast to sin this evening? Are we allowing sin, little sins, as we call them, as the devil has told us to look at them, as old nature views them? Oh, friends, we're not to hold them fast. The word of the devil. Oh, you know, friends, the Lord's people left to themselves, they hold fast. what the devil has said, rather than what God has said. We find that there in the very Garden of Eden. Our friends, God had spoken. When the devil spoke, what God had spoken was not held fast to. Eve could let that go. She holds on to what the devil says, as God said. Our friends, are you holding fast this evening to what the devil has said, rather than what God has said? I remember my grandfather quoting Mr. Windridge as saying that Mr. Moxon once met him outside Gann Street Chapel and said to him, friend Windridge, he said, why do you maximise everything the devil says and minimise everything Christ says? Now, friends, that's what we do. Oh, and that maximising what the devil says. Now, friends, that listening to the temptations of the devil, that listening to what he says, rather than all the word of God says, we're holding fast his word. It's not to be held fast. Our unbelief, our doubts and fears, they're not to be held fast to. But our friends, how often we do hold fast to them. We cleave to them. Some people seem to almost pride in their unbelief, in their doubts and fears. They'll tell you all about their doubts and fears. None tried as much as them. Our friends, they're nothing to be proud of, are they? As the hymn writer solemnly puts it, they cast dishonor on thy Lord and contradict his gracious words. Ah, friends, they're not to be held fast to. No, they're to be swept out. Ah, friends, they're to be thrown away. We're to flee from them. Not to cherish them, not to hold fast to them, and definitely not to get them out and polish them and put them pride of place. Ah, friends, but left to ourselves, how quickly we do just that. Ah, we'll tell everyone about our doubts and fears, tell everyone about our solemn unbelief. Ah, friends, it's not to be held fast to. the blessings of God. Speaking for a moment particularly of those things in Providence, our friends, you know, they're to be kept in their right place. Have you had to prove the Lord has blessed you? Perhaps he's given you something that you needed in Providence? Perhaps a car or provided you with a house? Or your husband, your wife, your children? Our friends, left to ourselves, we're poor creatures, we hold fast to those things. Our friends, they get the upper hand in our life. We become totally taken up with them. They begin to rule us. Our friends, we're not to be taken up with the blessing. To be taken up with the One that's blessed us. To be taken up with the One that's given those things to us. Our friends, we're to hold fast to Him. We're to hold fast, to bless the hand that guided, to bless the hand that's provided for us. But oh, friends, the blessing must be kept in its right place. Oh, you know, we're poor fickle creatures. At times, ah, the blessing. Ah, friends, it gets the upper hand. We hold fast to that rather than the one that's blessed us. One of the dear hymn writers, a hymn not in our book, he says that he settled by the stream but forgot the fountain. Ah, friends, there's so much in that, you know. Are you holding fast this evening to the blessing that you've received rather than to the fountain of blessings, the father of lights? in whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." Now, you know, friends, those blessings the Lord gives us in this life, they may be very sweet, wonderful provisions, they are remarkable answers to prayer, but, ah, friends, they're only for this time state, you know. They're passing away. They're not to have a hold upon us. We're not to hold fast to those things. Or we could continue, friends, the traditions of men, Our friends, even the rich heritage which we may have, perhaps within the churches and the history of our churches, but our friends, though we're not to despise those things, but they're not to rule over us. Our friends, they're not the be-all and the end-all. We're not to hold fast to them as I've set them forth in this, in opening the meaning of hold fast this evening. Our friends, it's right that we may keep those things close to us. It's right that we might remember them, but when they begin to govern us, Now, friends, when we become stifled by the past in the church, we're in a solemn place. We're not to hold fast to those things. They're not to rule in us, not to reign over us. Well, friends, that's a negative. Let's come to the positive. What are we to hold fast to? Well, I believe our text gives us two classes of things that we are to hold fast to. The first is this, hold fast that which thou hast. That means the things that you've got that are your own. Ah, friends, what is your own this evening? Well, perhaps you'll be surprised when I tell you. Ah, friends, your life is not your own. Your health is not your own. Your house, your car, your job. Ah, friends, your family, your husband and wife, not your own in that sense. Ah, friends, we came into this world naked, we'll go out of this world naked. Everything we have here, ah, friends, it is given us. as we pass through this veil of tears, as we pass through this world, those things are given to us, but friends, they're only on loan. No, they are not ours, and the day is coming when we'll have to give them up. They'll be taken away from us. Oh, you see, friends, that is really the dividing line in our texts this evening. The apostle Paul tells us to not look on the things which are seen, for they are temporal. They're passing away. but to look on the things which are unseen, for they are eternal. And they are the things that we are to hold fast, the things that we have, the things that have been given us. Oh, what Jesus speaks to Martha concerning Mary, Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken from her. Oh friends, it couldn't be taken from her. And if you have this evening a precious Jesus, oh friends, if he's yours, they're not death, I will be able to separate you from him. Ah, friends, if you know something about precious blood and that righteousness of Jesus Christ this evening, ah, death, when you have to give up your husband, your wife, when you have to give up your children, when you have to give up your home and all your possessions, your place in the church of Christ on this earth, ah, friends, all those things to be given up in death, Death will never take from you the precious blood and the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Oh, friends, the promises which centre yea and amen in Jesus Christ. Ah, death won't take those promises from you. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Oh, friends, we'll prove the fullness of that promise in death. I go to repair a place for you. Ah, friends, we'll prove the fullness of that promise in death. They're the things that we are to hold fast. The things that God has given us in his grace, the blessings that he bestows upon his people, the thorniess of the Godhead bodily, which dwells in Jesus Christ for us. Our friends, that which the apostle speaks of and all things are yours for you are Christ and Christ is God. They are the things that we are to hold fast. Our friends are things that have been given us by God in grace, the gifts of God, Oh, which are without repentance. Ah, friends, those blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That brings me to the question, ah, friends, have you got something this evening? Have you got something? Oh, you know, the church at Laodicea, they said, I'm rich and increased with goods and I've needed nothing. And know it's not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Ah, friends this evening, oh, look past your job, look past your possessions, look past your family. Ah, friends, have you got something? Oh, have you got something which death could not take from you? Have you got the one thing needful? Oh, friends, old nature, you know, it lays hold on All of those things, it won't let them go. It can't see past them. It gets taken up with them. But the exhortation is, ah, they're nothing. If that's all you've got this evening, oh, then solemnly, ah, you know not that you are wretched, miserable, poor, and blind, and naked. But ah, friends, blessed be God. Oh, he stands to give to those that ask of him. Friends, he gives freely, not on the ground of merit, not for price. No, it's for everyone that thirsts. Come ye to the waters, come by without money, without price. Friends, he has the fulness, the fulness of blessings, heaven to give, which he gives to poor empty souls who are bought to know they've got nothing. Bought to know that they are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. He gives them something to hold on to. Oh, that dear dying thief upon the cross, what had he got? Oh, friends, he got nothing, had he? Lifted high up above all his possessions. Oh, friends, stripped bare. Oh, death stayed him in the face. Oh, but blessed be God, through the mercy of God in Jesus Christ, he received something that death couldn't take from him. Today, that will be with me in paradise. Oh, friends, that's the thing to be found seeking after the sea. that which death cannot take from you, and that which is given by grace, by the grace of God in Jesus Christ. But that brings me secondly to the second test that's in our texts this evening. Our friends, those things that are to be held fast, they're intimately connected to this, that no man take thy crown. Our friends, they're the things that our crown depends upon. The things that our crown depends upon. And we want to just open this in two ways. What does your crown depend upon this evening? The first way is this. Our friends, ultimately our crown, the crown of glory, the crown which the Lord has laid up for his people, it doesn't depend upon anything they can do. It's not for works. Our friends, salvation is all a grace. It's the grace of God from beginning to end. That crown is given to those who do not deserve it. It is given to those who are as far from that crown as they can ever be by nature. Blasphemer, injurious, persecutor. No less surprising than if the crown of England should be placed upon the head of some poor murderer in the local prison this evening. If such a thing was to happen, it would fill men with uproar. No less surprising, this crown is given to sinners. Ah, friends, why? How can it be given to sinners, the vilest of sinners? Because it is not given upon the ground of merit. It's not given upon the ground of good works. It's all a grace. By grace, you're saved. Through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest the evangelist boast. Ah, friends, this crown rests alone upon the precious blood, the righteousness, upon the person and the name of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Ah, friends, upon that alone. That's what we're to hold fast. That's what the crown of the Lord's people depend upon this evening. Ah, friends, if you've got a hope of a crown, what does it rest upon this evening? Oh, does it not rest upon the precious person and work of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? Upon His name, thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. Upon His righteousness, that I spot this robe, upon the love, the mercy of God, upon that everlasting covenant, ordained in all things and sure. That's where David's crown rested in it, though my house be not so with God, though he be the king of Israel, but utterly unworthy of a heavenly crown. Though my house be not so with God, Lord, worthy only of being cast out of breath, yet is he made with me an everlasting covenant, ordained in all things and sure. Our friends, that was what David was holding fast to. His crown depended upon it. Oh, have you got the hope of a crown this evening? What does it depend upon? The things that it depends upon, friends, you're to hold fast. Oh, the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the grace of God, the eternal covenant. Our friends, all of those things, they're to be held fast to. But then secondly, we may consider the crown depending in this way. And I believe that is the way really that the Lord is speaking here to the church, that no man take thy crown. Ah, friends, the crown can't be lost, can it? The crown cannot be taken away. We believe in the perseverance of the saints. Jesus says, none shall pluck them from the strength of my hands. Ah, friends, if this crown has once been given to you, you can't lose it. No man can take it. Oh, friends, it didn't matter what the Roman soldiers may have done to the dying thief upon the cross. Nothing could take away that glorious promise. Today that will be with me in paradise. And you know, friends, if the Lord has told you he's laid up for you a crown. If you've ever been able to say with the Apostle Paul, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. If you've ever been able to say, I know in whom I have believed and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day, then that crown can never be taken from you. Friends, you cannot lose that crown. Nothing, nothing can sever you from Christ. Nothing can keep you from that crown, from that throne. Friends, not your sins, not your backsliding, not your unbelief, not the devil, not all the world. And so, friends, we cannot read this text this evening as though the Lord is saying, ah, that if you fail to hold fast, some man might come and take your crown. Ah, you may lose your glory, you may lose your place in heaven. No, friends, no. What is he speaking of then? Ah, friends, I believe he's speaking of this, the assurance of the crown, the hope of the crown, the prospect of the crown. Friends, have you ever had the prospect of a crown? Have you ever had a sweet sense of assurance? Ah, there is, henceforth laid up for me a crown of righteousness. Have you lost it? Have you lost that sweet assurance? Have you lost that sweet hope? Ah, can you look back to those days when you had a hope, a glorious hope of heaven through Christ, but now? Ah, that hope seems so distant. You wonder. Ah, you fear lest at last you should make shipwreck, lest at last you should prove to be a castaway. Ah, friends, how has the crown fallen? How has the crown slipped? How has your hope perished from the Lord? Ah, friends, I'll tell you. You haven't held fast to the all-important things. Ah, friends, what's happened? You've begun to hold fast to the word of the devil. He's begun to tempt you. He's begun to say, ah, you know, those that have got a crown in heaven, they're not like you. Those that have got a crown in heaven, They're not as a sinner like you are. Oh, they're righteous. Therefore, you've got no hope of that crown. Friends, perhaps he's tempted you to sin and you've gone in the ways of sin. And now that sin is between you and that crown. The sins of the day between you and that crown. Friends, you've failed to hold fast to the ways of righteousness. You've gone in the ways of sin. It's come between you and the crown. Oh, sin. Hangs heavy now upon your soul. Unbelief. Oh, friends, is that what's come between you and the crown? You doubt some fears. You've given room to them. They're multiplied. Oh, they've become so great you cannot see over them. You cannot see past them. It's as though the view of the crown has been obliterated from your sight. The things of this world. Oh, dear Martha, she lost sight, didn't she, of the one thing needful. What made her lose sight of the one thing needful? Oh, friends, I'm certain that it wasn't the lack of love to the Lord Jesus Christ in her soul. She loved the Lord, that's why she wanted to get him a good meal. But she was careful and troubled about many things, but one thing is needful. Ah, friends, how often you see, ah, the things of this world begin to govern our heart. Our children, ah, friends, the cares and the concerns of their working life. The trouble in the office and in the workplace. Our friends, they get the upper hand, they begin to govern us. The word of God lays unread. The throne of grace lays unvisited. Our friends, we lose sight of the crown. Our hope is perished from the Lord. Oh, we wonder whether we'll ever get through. The prospect of that crown now seems distant. Our friends, that's what it is, to lose our crown, as is in our text here, that no man take thy crown. Now, our friends, the Philadelphian church, you see, they're in a place where they had a glorious prospect of the crown. Oh, nothing but commendation from the Lord. But you see, the word of God tells us pride cometh before a fall. Our friends, how often when we're just in that place where we've got some comfort, we settle back. We think all is well before we know where we are. Our friends, we've lost our hold. We've let it go. We've settled down. We've slumbered and slept. Our friends, we've lost our scroll, we've lost sight of the title, to our mansion in the skies, we've lost sight of Jesus. We're looking at the wind and the waves, looking at the things of this world. Our friends, this was the danger you see for the Philadelphian church. Oh, is it the danger for you this evening, dear soul? No, it's the danger when we've got our eyes on that crown, when the hope is there. Unless we should seem to come short of it, as the word of God speaks. Ah, friends, how quickly we seem to come short of it and we lose sight of that crown. It's as though the crown is taken from us. What is the remedy? Hold fast. Oh, hold fast to those things that thou hast. Hold fast to those things that your crown depends upon the secret, that no man take thy crown. Ah, friends, it's only as we're found clinging alone to Jesus, only as we're found clinging alone to His righteousness, only as we're found clinging along to His precious blood. You see, friends, as soon as we cling to anything else, as soon as we cling to anything else, we'll have no hope. Our crown will be gone. Now, therefore, it's to hold fast to those things that our crown depends upon. And so, friends, you may bring these two tests this evening to everything in your life. Is it yours? Will death not separate you from it? Is it something God has given you by grace which cannot be taken away from you? Hold fast to it. Does your crown depend upon it? Ah, friends, is it what your hope is resting upon this evening for that crown? Hold fast to it. If it's not, if your crown doesn't depend upon it, ah, friends, if you're going to lose it in death, keep it in its right place. Ah, that it might not be upper hand, that it might not be ruling in you this evening, that it might not be reigning in you, but that it might be in its right place. Behold, I come quickly, hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Now, friends, the Philadelphian church in the eighth verse had four things. Four examples that I would just lay before you of those things that we are to hold fast. Firstly, this, I know thy works. Now, friends, they had some works, they were to hold them fast. What were those works? Not the works of their own strength. Now, friends, these are the fruits of the Spirit, aren't they? That's the only thing the Lord looks upon. will ever seem pleasing in us, the effects of grace, the works of righteousness, the fruit of the Spirit. Now friends, if you've got any fruit of the Spirit in your life this evening, love to the brethren, temperance and meekness, joy and peace, faith, we're to hold that fruit fast. This is the ground, isn't it, that the Apostle John speaks of as being the ground of assurance in the life of the Lord's people. Oh, he says, if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things. Ah, friends, there is the heart, you see, lost sight of the crown. But preceding that, he says this, my little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before him. Ah, friends, you see, this is the comfort of the crown. When Ah, it is by their fruit she shall know them. When in your life you have to say, ah, this is not how it was. Oh, we know we pass from death unto life because we love the brethren. Ah, friends, have you got any fruit this evening that you can say it's not there by nature? Ah, it wasn't you before grace came, but it's the fruit of grace in your soul, those words. Ah, friends, Evidence of the spirits indwelling you to hold it fast. They're precious evidences for your crown, of your crown. A new heart, new affections, a new will, new desires. Ah, friends, a new mind. A mind that minds the things of God. I know thy works. Thou'st a little strength. Ah, friends, what is this little strength? I do not believe it was their own strength. Oh no, of ourselves utterly weak. Ah, but my grace is sufficient for thee, my strength is made perfect in thy weakness. Ah, friends, how often that feels to us to be little strength. The Lord speaks to us, oh, so graciously, but it's sufficient. My grace is sufficient for thee, my strength is made perfect in thy weakness. Ah, friends, are you holding on to Christ this evening as your strength? You're holding on to him, his grace, Is that where your only hope is this evening? Is that what's governing you this evening? You look at the mountain, yes, but though it be a great mountain, His grace will be sufficient. His strength will be made perfect in my weakness. That's the only way that Worm Jacob doesn't give up before the mountain. That's the means by which the Worm Jacob will thresh the mountain small. To cleave alone to that grace. That's what the Apostle had to be bought to cling alone to the strength that was in Christ, to cling alone to the grace that was in Jesus, has kept my word. Oh, as we find it in the previous word, the word of my patience. Oh, friends, what a glorious title for the word of God, the word of my patience. Oh, you know, the word of God from beginning to end is patience, isn't it? Patience with poor sins. Oh, friends, how often they sin. but in faithfulness, in love and mercy. The Lord stood by his people. He did not cut them off. Friends, the word which gives us so much encouragement, concern in the end, perseverance. What does the perseverance of the saints rest upon? The patience of God. He waits to be gracious. He abides faithfully. He cannot deny himself. No, friends, the word of God from beginning to end is testimony to the faithfulness of God. If he's given you a crown, our friends, that crown could never be lost. God is faithful. Faithful is he who calleth you, who also will do it. Do what? Sanctify you wholly. That your whole body, soul, spirit may be presented blameless. To be presented blameless, faultless, perfect with exceeding joy before his presence. Our friends, hold fast to his word. The word of promise, the word upon which he has called you to hope, Ah, friends, that's where we must lay this evening, upon the Word of God. Oh, you know, reading Last Lord's Day afternoon, the words that Samuel Rutherford sent to George Gillespie upon his deathbed, and George Gillespie, I think, was only in his early thirties dying of tuberculosis, but Samuel Rutherford writes to him and he says this. He says, die well. He says, don't die resting upon sanctification. Die resting upon justification. Ah, friends, what a lesson that is. Oh, this evening you lost sight of your crown because you're looking at your sanctification. All you can see is sin, in me, that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing, no hope of a crown. Ah, friends, we mustn't look within us for our hope of that crown. Let's look without us to Christ, to His justifying righteousness. That's the only way to die well. And then, friends, he said this, remember, Your experience is not canonical. What did he mean? Friends, your experience is not the word of God. Friends, in a dying hour, there's only one thing to rest upon, that's the word of God, which cannot fail. Not upon your experience, but upon the word of God, the word which he has spoken. Yea and amen in Jesus Christ. Heaven and earth shall pass away. Friends, your experiences in that sense will die with you. But my word, it abides forever. Ah, friends, we'll prove every word of His word is true, the faithful and true witness, the yeah and amen. Ah, friends, if you've got the word this evening, hold it fast, hold it fast, don't let it go. Rest there, it will hold you up in a dying hour. Ah, and has not denied my name. Ah, friends, I have the name of Jesus, the name of Jesus. Have you got the name of Jesus this evening? Can you truly come in with a hymn like how sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear? Soothes his sorrows, heals his wound, and drives away his fear. Oh, is Christ precious, hold him fast. And our friends, hold fast especially that name of Jesus. Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. Oh, is that your only hope this evening? Jesus, ah, the saviour of sins, hold him fast. Oh, that's what we read in the Song of Solomon, don't we? When the beloved, when the spouse found the beloved, she held him, she would not let him go. Our friend, he was her saviour, her saviour, her hope of glory, her door into glory, her access to heaven. Our friend is Jesus, your hope of glory this evening. Is he the door? Ah, friends, it's either way. You have to say with a hymn like to Jesus, my all to heaven is God and him whom I fix my hopes upon. His track I see and I'll pursue the narrow way to him I view. Ah, friends, hold it fast. But then, friends, finally, very briefly and closely, all the reasons given. Ah, why should we be holding these things up? Behold, I come quickly. Ah, friends, none of us know how quickly. We know not what a moment for an hour may bring forth. Ah, friends, he comes as a thief in the night. When he speaks solemnly, does he woe? Ah, woe unto those who, when the master cometh, ah, they're found being disobedient. They're not found walking in his ways. They're not found holding fast to those things that he's given us. No, friends, not found, ah, trading with that talent that he's given us, but instead we buried it in the ground. Ah, that unjust steward, he didn't occupy, did he? He didn't hold fast. Ah, Behold, I come quickly. Ah, friends, we know not what a moment they bring forth. Hold fast. Oh, to make our corner election sure this season. Ah, friends, to be ready, to be ready. Oh, what a beautiful thing it is to see those that are ready, ready to die. Ah, friends, they're holding it fast. You see it as some of the Lord's people are brought down to glory. Everything, everything in their life, everything in their thoughts. Ah, friends, their affections are all set upon things above. It's holding them fast, and they're holding it fast. Our friends, they're ready. They're ready. Ah, will you be found waiting when he comes? There's only one way, to be holding fast. Ah, friends, if Solomon, if in the day of death, we've got nothing to hold fast. Solomon, if in the day of death, will be found wretched, miserable, poor, and blind, and naked. Ah, take from him even that which he has. Ah, that's what the master said when he returned. I'll take from him even that which he has, nothing, nothing. Behold I come quickly, be also ready. Now our friends, the only way to be ready is to be holding fast. Be holding fast to these things, to be found resting alone upon our justification rather than our sanctification. To be found resting upon the word of God alone, upon the name of Jesus. Now our friends, then we'll be ready. Then there'll truly be that echo in our soul. Behold I come hold I come quickly. You know, I remember dear Mr Bradstock visiting about a week before he died in hospital and when I arrived he was telling the doctor of one of his experiences during the war when they were coming down the channel with the hole in the boat and the water was coming on and he was a signal and at every port they signalled, can we come in and they kept getting the answer back, no room, no room. You know, I said to him when the doctor had gone, I said, you're waiting for the signal to come into harbour aren't you? And he said yes. Ah, friends, there he was. What was his cry? Even so, come Lord Jesus, he was ready. He was ready. Ah, friends, what had made him ready? Hold him fast. Ah, resting alone, a weak and worthless world. On thy kind arms I fall, be thou my strength, my righteousness, my Jesus, my Lord. Ah, friends, clinging to him. Oh, the soul that's holding fast to Jesus. In Jordan's ways, Ah, friends, there we landed safe above. Behold, I come quickly. Oh, friends, we would not speak lightly, but it could be tonight. Behold, I come quickly. Hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. And then, friends, oh, that no man take thy crown. As we've said, the crown cannot be taken from us. But friends, what comfort. Ah, what comfort we lose while the master tarries. What comfort we lose while the master waits. While we are found looking for his coming, if we allow the world to reign in us, if we allow sin to have dominion over us, if we listen to the devil rather than to the word of God, if we give way to our doubts and fears, we drag along the days here along. There's no comfort, no peace, no joy, no prospect. Friends, is that your condition this evening? Your crown has slipped as it were. You can't see it. Your title to the mansion in the skies seems but a distant word. Friends, the word of exhortation, hold fast. Hold fast, while the master tarries. Friends, while you have to wait is a period. You've got a joy, the joy set before you. Friends, that which will sweeten every trouble here, that prospect beyond every difficulty, every temptation here at the crown. Ah, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, my righteous judge, shall give me in that day, not to me only, but to all them that love his appearing. Ah, friends, to those that are looking to him, to those that are ready, to those that are saying, even so, come Lord Jesus, to those who can truly say, with the apostle, for me to die is Christ. For me to live is Christ. Ah, to die is gain. Ah, friends, Hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Lord, we need the word of exhortation this evening. What are we holding fast? Have we got something to hold fast? Have we got a hope of a crown? Hold it fast. Behold, I come quickly. Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Amen. Conclude our service this evening by singing hymn number 1071. The tune is Rycroft Hall, number 493. Happy soul that free from harms rests within his shepherd's arms, who his quiet shall molest, who shall violate his rest? Does Jesus, does his spirit bear far removes each anxious care. He who found the wandering sheep loves and still delights to keep. Hymn number 1071, tune Wycroft Hall number 493. There is hope, there is hope for us There is hope, there is hope for us There is hope, there is hope for us Through His courtship, through His compassion, Lord, may you be saved. O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Not until he lies to me. O'er the high lights of the earth, Sparkles in the angels' hair, Alleluia, Mister Eli, Child of God, explore the night. Give us air, O Israel. For it can rejoice in you. ♪ All the places of it we love. ♪ ♪ Shepherds keep thy wand'ring sheep, ♪ We'll be back, and we can hear Take a leap for ev'ry care Yeah, baby thy birds above. Let me hear thy gentle voice, Lord, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Lord, forgive all that's been amiss in the worship of thy house this evening. Oh, Lord, open our ears, open our hearts to hear the word of exhortation. Lord, if we have to confess how far short we come. Oh, that was here, Lord, the prayer of our closing hymn. Shepherds, seek thy sheep. Oh, now thy shoulders gently lay, and home rejoicing bring us. Lord, help us to cleave unto thee. Help us to hold fast. to that upon which our crown depends, and to find there, oh, sweet rest in place in the arms of Jesus this evening. Lord, make us ready. Oh, may we be found watchful, Lord. May we be found ready when thou shalt appear. Oh, may that be our expectation this evening, a kingdom and a crown. Part us, Lord, with thy blessing, grant journey and mercies homeward. Rest and sleep this night to strengthen us for tomorrow. Grace, Lord, to know and do thy will. Forgive us our every sin, we'd ask it for Jesus Christ's sake. Now may the grace of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, the fellowship and the communion of the Holy Spirit, rest and abide with us each, both now and for evermore. Amen.