I wonder would you turn with me tonight if you have God's Word before you in the pew. We simply want to read one single verse. And it's found in Psalm 119. It is the most familiar of verses. Perhaps it's a verse that you have learned as a child in Sunday school. We want just to read to you this one single verse. It's verse 105. Psalm 119, verse 105. There it simply says, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and the light unto my path. Just with God's Word open before us, the elephant can return to Him for His blessing and His help as we consider this verse tonight. Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, we look to Thee now and cry unto Thee for help as we look at the true Scribes in Thy Word. We pray, O Lord, that Thy word, O Lord, would be imprinted upon the hearts of those that would be willing to hear tonight, and that Thou would speak as only Thou can speak. Fill us with Thy Spirit. Be our aid and our help. For we ask it in Jesus' wonderful name. Amen. Thy word is a lamp unto my faith and a light unto my path. You know, as a child growing up, sitting under the sound of the gospel week in and week out, I can only ever record this verse being preached to the saints of God. Application was made very simply to the Christian by way of warning to hold fast to the Word of God, to read it, to know it, to love it, to obey it, so that it would become just as this verse is, the very means of eliminating the pathway that lay before them. Not journey that they would take during life. It's life which showed the pilgrim all the pitfalls, all the snares and the dangers that were laid out before them. those who were willing to neglect God's Word, and my, there are plenty who do, those who refused its light would soon find themselves in jeopardy because of the gross darkness all around, because of the unseen dangers. I must add that there's absolutely nothing wrong with preaching that verse in such a fashion, as such sermons were well preached Fair warning indeed was given and sound application was made in this manner. But tonight, just for a few moments, I want to look at this first in an entirely different way. And sometimes when that happens, well, you can be filled with fear and trepidation in case some of the brethren call you on the door on the way out. But we trust tonight that you will see That there is great truth here by way of application to those who are outside of Christ. Those whose hearts are as yet filled with sin. Those who are on their way to a precious hell. This verse applies to you tonight. We want to show those who are on the scene some important things. Psalm 119 verse 105. thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. And the first thing we see here that God's word as a lamp unto the feet of the sinner will show them exactly this night where they are standing. And to begin with, we want to point out the danger that you're standing in. The ground upon which the sinner is standing tonight is rot and full of danger. Now this world has many places of great danger. No one would ever dream of building a little child's play park on a cliff edge. No one would ever dream of inviting the in-laws and their family and family and grandda and the whole kitten caboodle along to a barbecue and hold it at a river's edge that is infested with crocodiles. Now these of course are exaggerations to prove a point. But if you're not saved tonight, the ground that you're standing on is even more precarious. You see, part of the danger that you face is an invisible danger. It's an unseen danger. You see, the ground that you stand on tonight, if you are outside of Christ, is sinking sand. And sinking sand is very slow-acting. It is a substance that just gradually takes effect. And those that have turned stuck in that sinking sand tonight are often totally oblivious. to the danger because the effect is long and drawn out and not immediate. Nevertheless, their danger is just as real as those cliff edge experiences, as those crocodile infested waters. We say tonight, if you're unsaved, beware, beware of the danger, lest you slip out into eternity tonight. Even in this meeting, and they're lost forever. Not only is there the demon, but there's also the depths they will sink to. Sinking sand is a picture of sin. It is that pulling down effect upon those who find themselves caught up in it. One sin leads to another, to another, to another, to another. And just like the sinking sand, The old sin will take you further than what you really intended and to go down into the depths, deeper and deeper into sin. The drunkard was never a drunkard immediately. The drunkard was maybe perhaps a wee fella in the school playground who was offered the old shoddy fast to be the big man. And one leads to another, leads to another. And sin has pulled them down. Tonight we must warn you on the authority of God's Word that if you're not saved you have been described as being in a horrible pit. But you're not alone in that pit. For that pit is filled with other types of people. There is the drunkard there whom we have just mentioned. There is that adulterous person who thinks nothing of ruining and wrecking a marriage. There is that drug addict. There is that drug dealer. There is that gunman. There are those false teachers. There are those that are swindlers and fraudsters. In fact, there are every type of sinner imaginable found there in that pit. And the only difference tonight, if you stand yourself alone from such company, You know the only difference tonight between you and those who the world would see being gross sin? The only difference is this, you just happen at this moment not to be in as deep as they are. But not for long because sin and shame is being added daily to your account. and it's steadily dragging you down, down, and away. But not only is there the danger, and not only is there the doubts, but God's Word tells us of a mighty Deliverer that the sinner can have from that ground that they're standing on. In the Bible we read of a rescue mission from this sinking sound, from this mighty pit that says there in Psalm 40, verse 2, Here are the words of one who is experiencing such a deliverance. He brought me up, also out of an horrible pit, out of the married clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he had put a new song in my mouth. Even praise unto our God, and many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Dear unsaved person tonight, these verses can be your experience. You see, sinners don't have to languish in the mire of sin. Sinners can evade and escape the danger that they're in. Sinner friend, you can be lifted out of the depths of sin from which you have sinned. We're not here tonight to take you into a side room to hear all of your confession. You need to confess your sin before God Almighty. It is Him you need to turn to, because it is Him that will do the lifting, will do the plucking out. The Gospel message tells us of a God of love, tells us of one who loves us, one who gave his only begotten Son to die for us, to save us from our sin. This is the wonder of the gospel. This is why we sing the hymns of Zion. This is why we have a smile on our face. This is why we still shine when darkness is all around. The other day I just happened to hear a program. It was a program all about gardening. And my attitude was all the help I could get. But there's still yet no advice about slabbing it all over so we just have to make do. But you know what I hear? Somebody was asking with regard to what plants would be suitable for a real dark, shady, damp corner of the garden. I was thinking I'd have to cover all of my garden. But you know, the expert answered these words. He said this. Nature has its own answer. Nature provides certain plants with a glossy clear. to overcome that darkness. And you know, if you were saved tonight, you'd be lifted out of the mire. But you may still have the difficulties of this world with you. If you have a light, you have that gloss that God has given you, that you can still shine when all about you is darkness. But there is a cry of deliverance found in Psalm 69. Here we read these words, Save me, O God! For the waters are coming unto my soul. Listen to this, I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink. You know, the sinner wallowing and sinking under the load of sin and misery is no different to that dear man or woman, fine drowning as they have stepped unwillingly onto the quicksand Indeed, neither one of them will be unable to save themselves. In fact, every effort, every movement only causes them to sink down lower and lower and further and further into danger. The words of the hymn that we sang tonight to begin with, written by C.H. Gabriel, they sum up beautifully the deliverance that the sinner can have from the filthy mire. The pit that they find themselves in says there in loving kindness, there's the love of Christ. Jesus came, my soul in mercy, to reclaim from the depths of sin and shame. Through grace He lifted me. From sinking sand He lifted me. With tender hand He lifted me. From shades of night to flames of light, O praise His name, He lifted me. Is that your experience tonight? Are those just words on a page to you? Is that just a nice hymn to you, with sweet sounding music? Oh, I wonder if you have experienced this deliverance tonight? Or if you're still in your sin, Can we tell you again, you can be rescued, you can be saved this very moment by turning to Christ. It's because of God's love towards you that this rescue mission has ever been made possible. The little verse in Hebrew, and it tells us that our souls, this is you and me, our souls can be anchored steadfast and sure. And that outrage is only found by ripping solid rock. It's not found in the sinking sun. It's not found in the mire of the pit. And the Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ, He is that rock. He is that sure foundation spoken of in Isaiah 28. On Christ, this solid rock I stand, all other ground. is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand. A year ago, men having their money in the banks, having their money invested in property, didn't feel the sinking sand. But tonight they do. Because those things are all part of that sinking sand. They're all part of that other ground. There's no assurance outside of Christ. Look down tonight, look where you're standing in the light of God's Word. Are you standing on Christ the solid rock? Or are you slipping away down into the sinking sand? For the law is forevermore. But not only that, not only is there the sinking sand tonight, but God's Word as a lamp unto their feet will show the dear sinner exactly who they are standing before. You see, the reality of the situation is this. Perhaps you have come into this meeting under invitation. You haven't thought much about spiritual things. You haven't considered much, maybe even since your childhood days, about the things of God. But here's the reality. Tonight, even unbeknown to you, you are standing before the King of Kings. And although you may not be fully aware of it, But as part of His creation, you are answerable to Him, and you will give answer to Him. You are merely a subject under God. He is your sovereign King, and you will do as He bids. But perhaps in repenting at this very moment of time, you are refusing Him. You're refusing to bow the knee before Him. But one day, every knee will bow. The Old Testament tells us this in Isaiah 45. And then in the book of Romans 14 in verse 11, it is given to us a second time as a reminder. Here's what it says. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me. and every tongue shall confess to God." Dear unsaved person in this meeting, dear saved person in this meeting, although the world has diminished this truth that the Lord Jesus Christ is the King of Kings, and although the devil despises the reality of this truth, and although there are many who seem to have forgotten or overlooked this truth, the matter of the fact is You're standing in the presence of the King of Kings tonight. Now if you remain sceptical about this statement, let me just give you a few short examples proving this to be indeed the case. The Lord Jesus Christ is the King of Kings, number one, because the prophets declared it. Isaiah 33 and verse 22 says, For the Lord is our judge. The Lord is our Lord, ever. The Lord is our King. The Irishmen, in the second place, travelling from the East, at Christ's birth, they declared it. Matthew 3 and 2. They asked the question, where is he that is born King of the Jews? Old Herod realized it, for in the very same chapter we're told that he was so troubled about the reality of this threat to his throne by another that he had all the male children under two put to death. In the fourth place, the citizens of Jerusalem spread out palm branches before Christ as he entered into the city on the back of a little donkey. And what did they cry? Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. Then we read in the very last portion of the Bible, in Revelation 17, we read of the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. And what does He do? He's overcoming all them that have made war against Him. And what is His title? Verse 14, He is King of Kings. Lord of Lords. And finally, just to drive home this truth that we have to do with the King of Kings. That may take you to Calvary. That may take you to let you see for yourself the greatest assault that the devil ever procured against the Saviour. And I believe that the devil procured an assault against one particular aspect of our Saviour. He focused his attacks upon the truth that in fact the Lord Jesus Christ is the King of kings. Look at the mocking reed that they placed into his hand as his scepter. Look at the royal robe of purple that they donned upon that back that was poured open for you and for me. Look at the crown of thorns that they placed upon his head a head that deserved a crown of gold. Look at the mocking salutations from the mouths of the Roman soldiers as they bowed a knee and they said, Hail, King of the Jews. This again was repeated by the angry crowd on Mount Calvary. And then lastly, there was the inscription kneeled upon the tree, upon which her Saviour died." John 19 and 19 says, and Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross, and the writing was, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Why was there such a torrent attack upon the kingship of the Lord Jesus Christ by the devil? The simple answer is this, that he despises Christ's rightful dominion and rule over all things. And not only that, He wants you too to be completely indifferent, to be completely unconcerned indeed, to want to arse your ridicule and mock those of old. to the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ is the King of Kings. He wants you to be skeptical about this fact that one day you will stand before him as your judge for the very last time. And if Satan can dispel all fear of that day, then half the battle is won. But tonight you stand before him and his mercy can be applied to you. You stand before the King of Kings in all his splendour. His throne is still a place of mercy. And if only you could fully realise who it is you're standing before tonight, saved and unsaved alike, my, we would think differently, and we would act differently, and we would see Him for who He is. If only the Holy Ghost tonight would take my limited words and impress them upon your soul, that you might see something of the glory and the holiness and the majesty and the great power of our God, I really believe that things would be different. You see, kings today are only a mere shadow of the monarchy in biblical times. Back then, they wielded real power. But the King of Kings never changed. Never changed. He's not a shadow. He's not some pigment. My, he wields real power. Back then, in the court of the King, it was a place of government. It was a place of judgment. And my drawing upon the evidence set forth, the King would either show clemency or he would pronounce some final condemnation upon those that would stand before him. All who stood before the King did so in fear and trembling. We do not do such things today, even those that are saved are guilty of coming into the Lord's presence and into the Lord's house half-heartedly. All who stood in those days did so in fear and trembling. The book of Esther gives us a wonderful picture of this reality. Esther 5 and 2, we get this labour, we see what it is like to stand before even an earthly man that wielded great power. Here's what it says, And it was so when the king sought Esther the queen, standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight. And the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand, So Esther drew near and touched the top of the scepter. Here we see that even the Queen needed to be careful as she approached the mercy seat of the King. Here there was fear, there was awe, there was respect. While that scepter was not raised, death would be swift to the one that dared come before the King. And tonight if only God would pull back the curtain a little. If only you could see him high and lifted up on that throne upon which he sits. And that myriad of angel hosts around about adoring his filling, saying his praise. No longer would you sit in this meeting as you have done on occasions in the past. You know those occasions. He is sat casually, he is sat courteously, uninterested, half-hearted, half-asleep, oblivious. If only God would open your eyes as he did to Peter of old. Peter with skepticism, Peter with half-heartedness, he only cast out one net when the Lord said, cast out the nets. Suddenly is that net filled to breaking with the fish. The Lord opened his eyes and he saw that he was in the presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And he fell on his knees and he cried, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. Until you see God as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, until you see yourself in the position that Peter saw himself in, you will never be saved. You will be lost. O that we would see such things happening today in our land. And perhaps, dear friend, you are numbered amongst those who think that they can somehow, somehow, by some slim chance, using sweet words, excuses, occurring some sort of favour with the king, so as you could also gain entrance into heaven. And you will leave it until that day, and you will proclaim the great person that you are and all that you've done. What an insult, having only ever, having said in this life, we will not have this man rule over us. Let me tell you tonight in love, that the Royal Scepter will never be held out for you to touch. As long as there's sin in your life, as long as you go on as you are, going down deeper and deeper. Take a good look at yourself tonight and do it in the light of God's Word. Not in the gloss light of your own pride and your own self, but do it in the light of God's Word. Because there it says, from the sole of the foot even unto the head, there is no silence. You are unsound. but wounds and bruises and putrefying swords. And listen, they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. Let me tell you in Luton that you're not fit even to stand in the court, never mind in the presence of God. There needs to be humility. There needs to be a pleading for mercy and forgiveness on your part. You indeed are guilty of treason. crimes against the king, crimes against the kingdom of God, and maybe even crimes against the citizens of that kingdom, as you maybe mock and malign others who are Christ's very own anointed. You sinned against the soul of man, and yet you still remain defiant on bearing and on yielding And can we say it is because of your sin that the royal scepter will never, never be held out to you in favour? Isaiah 59 tells us and declares, but your iniquities have separated between you and your God. And your sin has hid his face from you, that he will not hear. And as long as that sin remains in your life, on death, you will live. Then you will die as the enemy of God, the enemy of the king. And then one day as his enemy, you will stand before him for a final sentence. And my, tonight the case is gathering momentum against me. Day by day, the evidence against me is piling up. And judgment, final judgment is coming. But our time is moving on. I want to take you to our last thought for tonight, because not only does the light of God's Word show the sinner where they're standing, Not only does it show them at whom they are standing before, but finally, the light of God's Word shows them exactly where they are headed. Now, we all like to know where we're going. No one likes to be lost. And live a year like me, one of these dear husbands, He will drive around and around a big city in half the day, rather than stop and ask directions. Because deep down you feel that you're not lost. You can handle the situation. All is well. And your poor wife has to sit there and put up with it. And you're getting lost more and more. And maybe you're one of those dear wives. and you sit with fear and trembling and you have the AA road map out on your knees and you've planned for months to have a great holiday and the caravan's literally on the back and away you go and all's well and can you start to struggle with this map and you're looking down at a myriad of yellow and red and blue lines and they're going across stapled pages and they're going from one page to another and a sweat scraping on you. Just a wee word of warning by the way. They're very, very thin, very nice. They're rippers. That's nothing, they're the least. Okay. You know, I wasn't going to tell this story, but I think we're all safe here tonight. They're not coming out on me. and I can remember travelling down through England with my wife and our children and we had a caravan on the back and driving's one thing and a caravan on the back is a whole new experience but you can't make mistakes there and my dear wife was sitting and now she gets me out of all the rest of the scripts with the map reading and she was doing par for the well and she announced to me Robert, enough alone now, you start looking for a sign for the A40 He knew we had been on that road for about 20 minutes. He was lost. And of course then that started the tense holiday bit. And if you're one of these dear people, and you've all got sophisticated, and you're refined with the modern day satellite navigation, no more AA road maps, no more watching the roads going from one page to another, and you've got the reassurance of that wee electronic voice, giving you those simple instructions, and that nice little picture on the screen there showing you exactly where you go. It's great, isn't it? That is, of course, as long as there's no new road layouts, no diversions or roadworks, and as long as there's no new housing developments, all cast onto the same postcode that you were so diligent in getting and punching in there. The thing is this, none of us like to be lost. And the Bible is different than all these things. The Bible will never leave you lost and unsure. It will always give men and women absolute clarity as to the direction they're headed. I suppose this is made more simple because the fact is there are only two directions that a man can go. The Bible makes it clear that all men are sinners All men are bound for hell, but because of God's grace and mercy and love towards some of those men, some are now bound for heaven. It's either heaven or hell. There are no other destinations. But there are two words of great importance in this little verse. Will you consider them with me just for a moment? The first word is faith. And the second word is path. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Now if someone was to say to you tonight in very simple terms, you're going down the wrong path, you know that they mean that you're going in the wrong direction. The word path here speaks and tells us about direction. The direction that you are headed in this night is not a mystery. It is not some deep hidden matter that's held from you. Because our verse tells us that God's Word sheds its light upon the path upon which your feet are traveling. It shows us, reveals to us, exactly what path and what direction you are headed in the night. You can leave here tonight with absolute assurance on the authority of God's Word and you can say whether you like it or not, I know where I'm going. Whether you accept it or not is another matter. But which path are you on tonight? Are you on that path that leads to heaven and to home? Are you on that downward path that leads to an awful place called hell? Let us take a little look at the light that God's word gives us. Matthew chapter 7 verse 13. Here we read, Enter ye in at the street gate, for wide is the gate, listen to it, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction. And it goes on to say, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Then there's another verse we're told of. That's repeated twice in the book of Proverbs. There it says, there is a way that seemeth right unto a man. But the end thereof are the ways of death. And then finally there's another little verse in John. The Lord Jesus Christ feeding himself. He says, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me. What do we learn here from these three simple little verses? Well firstly we're told there's a way that is broad. It is broad for a reason. It's broad that it will accommodate and it is broad that it will allow for every belief and every notion and every religion and every creed. But we're sadly we're told that it's also the road that the majority will take. And they are spurred on because we're told that they are convinced within themselves that this is the way that seemeth right. But the Bible also says that it is the way of death and the way of destruction. Then we read of a way that very few will find. A way that is narrow. And the narrowness speaks of its difficulty. It's not an easy way. It's not an easy road. Then along comes the Lord Jesus Christ. He's seeking those that are lost. Those who are struggling to find their way. And He simply says, follow me. I am the way. No man cometh unto the Father but by me. And the crux of the matter is this. If you are not willing to follow after the Lord Jesus Christ in the manner that He has declared, then you are not on the road to heaven. You're on that path. You're going in that direction that will lead you through destruction. But not only is there the path spoken of here, but there are also the feet. This reminds me of man's determination to do his own thing, to go his own way. You see, sometimes the terrible twos never leave you. And we're all bent to do our own thing, get our own way. And man, even when we're wrong, will not accept it. Stubbornness and pride and man's feet are bent to go in a direction that they want. God, you see, has given man a free will. Presented with the gospel, choices have to be made. And tonight you will either choose to follow after Christ and adhere to His word when He says, this is the way, walk ye in it. Or you will either choose to rebel and take your feet down another pathway, that pathway that will lead to destruction. And I know tonight that in our land there are fleets that are carrying people swiftly, running as hard as they can towards destruction. I know that there are those who have only got a few more steps to go. And I know also that there are those that it is already too late, for their feet have long since carried them to that destination, to that place of destruction. But I love the words of Joshua. Joshua put it plainly to the people of Israel. As he preached to them, he saw their sin, he saw their idolatry, he saw their disobedience, and here he is! And he stands and he says, choose you this day. whom you will serve, whether the gods which your father served that were on the other side of the flood or the gods of the Amorites. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. We must ask tonight, who will you serve today? But one last wee thing before we conclude. Have you noticed in this text Maybe because of its familiarity and maybe overlooked this. But look at this text again. Notice how personal this is. This text is my feet, my path. This is not a verse for somebody else generally. which is a notion that applies to whoever would want to listen. It is a personal, it is a verse that has great personal application. This is a verse that is specially for you tonight. You see it's your life, it's your journey, it will be your disobedience, it will be in the end your rejection of Christ and it will be your destruction. But by way of conclusion, let us just recap. God's Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto your path. And because of that, there's not one of us here is left without excuse. The light of God's Word shows you, the sinner, exactly where you're standing tonight. You look down and you will see from God's Word that you're standing in dangerous sinking sand, married clay, that's pulling you down and away from God. It also reveals tonight that you're standing before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And it also in the second place tells us where we are headed, the direction that we're going. And there is only one of two possible ways. One is destined for destruction and the other will lead to heaven. The light of God's word makes it clear that if you refuse the Lord Jesus Christ, if you refuse his offer of mercy, if you turn your back on what he did for you at Calvary, then you're headed for that lost sinner's hell. But it doesn't have to be that way for you tonight. It doesn't have to be the case for you tonight. And despite all of your sin, Despite of all of your filth, let me tell you tonight that God still loves you. He was only begotten Son to die for you. The precious blood was shed so that your sins, all your sins, can be washed away. And He can lift you out of the married clay and off that broad road that leads to hell and to destruction. And you can be saved tonight. save for all eternity. But are you willing to come? Are you willing to respond to His welcome voice as He calls you in generous mercy? Hasn't our King stood low tonight to call the likes of you and me? For one day the calling will be over, and one day you'll stand before God's church And indeed this meeting will be used in evidence against you. Can I tell you tonight that there have been noes in the pyramid and I've been praying for you that you will proceed. You are in the best position right now, maybe more than you'll ever be again, to put this matter right with God, to come and get saved. Are you willing to respond? I trust that God will give you the grace to do so this very moment, ere it is too late for everyone. And we can be any help to you. Listen, we're nobody special. We're nothing and nobody's. But my, we would love to be of some help to you tonight. You're struggling with eternal issues. We want to tell you of Jesus that might lead us to you. We want you to come and be seen. And can I tell you tonight, if you were to come, there'd be great rejoicing in this place. There'd be tears of joy shed. as you wind your way to Calvary. But trust that you'll take heed of God's word. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. May God bless these words to you and perhaps we'll just close by singing together a few verses.