We can expect too much of people. This includes Kings, Queens, parents, teachers, Pastors, Government and even people in the NHS. The Bible helps us to learn that we can make important people too big a part of our life, occupying the place that only God should occupy. Sometimes, we can make people into idols.--The real needs of the soul are not to be met by people, however elevated, respected, or admired, but by God.--Main Headings---1- Expecting too much-2- Put your trust in God

Harvest has not been suspended during this time of mourning- Seasons stop for no man, including monarchs. God is to be remembered and thanked, whatever else we have on our minds. And neither has the cost-of-living crisis been suspended due to the death of the Queen.--Main Headings---1- But we need to eat, don't we---2- But we don't need to worry-3- Seeking God first

'Are you assured you are a son or daughter of God-- Does the Holy Spirit bear witness with your spirit--' We might have been a Christian many years yet still lack assurance. ---How can we know we are true children of God----Main Headings---1- Led by the Spirit-2- The Spirit bears witness with our spirit-3- Provided we suffer with Him

Our sovereign Queen was 96 when she died. Moses was 120 years old. The people mourned for Moses. Ten days of mourning were called in this country for Queen Elizabeth.---Most of us have not lived under the reign of any other monarch in the UK, just as the people of God had known no other leader but Moses. Most of us had never lived under the reign of any other monarch here in the UK. The passing of Queen Elizabeth is indeed a time for solemn reflection. We might ask 'What is the monarchy-- What role is it to perform-- We might also ask how does it all fit in the wider purposes of God-- Some of these matter will be attended to in a second sermon on this subject.--Main Headings---1- It is right to mourn-2- We respect authority

Here we come to the end of this second section of the Book of Psalms. This might actually be the last Psalm that David wrote. Some think that Solomon was already reigning, and that David composed it on his death-bed. ---It ends with praises -vv18-19-, as do all the different books that the Book of Psalms is divided into -See Psalm 41-13- Psalm 89-52- Psalm 106-48- and Psalm 150-6-. Psalm 72 is full of Christ, His nature, and the nature of His reign, and the things that He does do for those who are indeed His People.--Main Headings---1- No other name-2- His help for needy sinners

Isaiah 30-15 contains a rich promise. It is the same as our Saviour offers in Matthew 11-28-30. It is something precious for the soul, an inner peace that expresses itself in real life and in the real world. Yet how many find it-- ---The context in Isaiah 30 is one of rebellion and refusal to ask for what is promised. In Matthew 11, the context is also one of opposition and refusal. In Isaiah 30-9 they do not hear and in v10 they say 'No' to the things of God. They despise the word of God -v12- and do the opposite of what it says to them -v16-. The promise of rest seems elusive but that is because of our hard hearts. We are not willing -Luke 13-34- just as the people in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is so great a promise, yet we are, in our hearts, drawn back to Egypt.--Main Headings---1- What is promised here-2- Being persuaded-3- Only God can give rest

Many of the Psalms very clearly foresee Christ. Psalm 72 is one of them. It is His glory that is to the fore. He is the one we shall called 'blessed' -v17-. It is His glory and His glorious name that is in view -v19-. Before us are aspects of His work and ministry that draw our admiration, wonder, submission and praise. He is the one that is there in all the Scriptures -Luke 24-25-26-. ---Solomon's reign, as we shall see, has something by way of lesser fulfilment of the great descriptions here in Psalm 72. He it is who referred to in Psalm 89-35-37. But the most complete fulfilment of these descriptions and expectations is the Lord Jesus Himself.--Main Headings---1- Solomon - a type of Christ-2- God's judgements and rule-3- Peace and prosperity

Levi -or Matthew as we perhaps better know him- lived in Capernaum which is where he was, in the tax office, when he was called away by the Lord Jesus and left all to follow Him. We see that later he has invited friends to come and meet the Lord, and has provided a great feast. Have we heard the call to follow the Lord Jesus Christ----Main Headings---1- Hearing the call-2- Different relationships-3- Follow Him

We all of us have a past, a present and a future. Our past does not have to define our future. The Lord can forgive what we have done and change what we have become. He can give us a bright and certain future. All of it is to do with the Lord Jesus Christ.--Main Headings---1- Wondering at the past-2- Walking in the present-3- Waiting for the future-4- Encouragement

We may be able to list lots of great people. But the greatest of all surely is the Lord Jesus Christ. The greatness is in His name. 'Jesus' means 'Saviour' or 'Strong Saviour'. He is the God-man. His title, 'Christ' is not a surname but means that He is the anointed one, equipped and set apart to do be our Saviour. His name is above every name. But do we obey Him-- Do we serve Him-- Do we love Him----Main Headings---1- His claims-2- Life-3- Warning to non-Christians