WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning, everyone.

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 It's an absolute privilege and a bit sad to be here this morning to preach my last sermon to you here.

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 I remember when I first came to St. Paul's, I was asked, I'm not sure why I was asked to say this,

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 but I shared with you all my passion for ministry and, I guess, why I do what I do.

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 Sorry.

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 Sorry.

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 I didn't plan for this.

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 From Ephesians 1, Paul prays for the Ephesians, reminding of the hope that I have,

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 all the benefits of salvation that I enjoy, and he says this,

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 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you and my prayers.

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 I keep asking that God, our Father, Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,

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 may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better.

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 I pray the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you

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 in the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.

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 That's my prayer for you for the last two and a half years.

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 That's my prayer for you this morning as we look at God's word.

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 So please pray with me as we open up his word once more.

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 Heavenly Father, we give you great thanks and praise for the privilege it is to sit under your word.

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 You're a God who is holy and perfect, powerful, mighty,

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 and we ask, Lord, that you would give us eyes to see who you are this morning

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 and the great privilege it is that we can come before you through your son, Jesus Christ,

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 to worship you and to love you.

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 We give you thanks and praise that we can do this now.

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 We pray this in your son's name.

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 Amen.

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 I'm going to just clean myself up here.

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 Okay.

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 You've been weighed, you've been measured, and you've been found wanting.

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 I first heard this quote from the movie A Knight's Tale.

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 You haven't seen it.

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 It's a fantastic film set in medieval times.

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 The basic plot line is a young squire, a knight in training, Heath Ledger,

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 dreamy, gorgeous Heath Ledger,

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 who dreams of becoming a knight one day.

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 And he eventually does.

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 By fraudulently taking upon his dead master's name and title as knight,

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 he goes in as Sir Orlick von Liechtenstein,

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 and he beats every single knight in every single jasping tournament there is

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 in Paris and in London,

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 except for one knight, Count Adhemar.

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 Early on in the movie, he loses to Count Adhemar,

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 and Heath Ledger's character says to Count Adhemar,

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 Next time I face you, you will look at me from the flat of your back.

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 And Count Adhemar, from his position of having just beaten Heath Ledger in this jasping tournament,

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 says to him,

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 You've been weighed, you've been measured, and you've been found wanting.

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 In other words, you've been tested, and you've failed.

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 Your actions don't stand up to the measure set before you.

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 Such a response is an appropriate way to describe the people of God in the book of Amos.

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 As we saw last week with the imagery of the plumb line in chapter 7,

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 God's people did not measure up to God's standard set by his law and covenant.

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 They had been found wanting.

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 They had not lived as God's people.

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 Amos 9 comes to a boiling point.

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 This chapter is probably the most devastating of all judgment oracles in this book,

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 and yet towards the end of the chapter, there is hope.

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 There's a promise of restoration.

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 It'd be easy for us to skip to the hope bit and focus on that,

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 thinking that's what's applied to us.

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 But I believe God is still roaring through the book of Amos,

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 and this roar of judgment is still declared,

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 sorry, directed towards his people, Christians, and to us as a church today.

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 It's something that we must hear and reflect upon,

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 lest we end up like the nation of Israel.

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 But we will all face judgment.

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 We will be weighed.

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 We will be measured.

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 But the question is, is whether or not we'll be found wanting.

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 In chapter 9, we learn the full consequences and dangers

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 of presuming upon God's love and status,

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 that God must punish and judge sin.

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 But we also learn the extent of God's grace,

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 that God's judgment is not forever.

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 There are two main points this morning.

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 Firstly, to those who presume upon God's favor and love,

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 God promises to punish them.

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 In verse 1, Amos has changed in introduction.

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 No longer is the prophet being shown something by the Lord or declared a vision,

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 Amos now sees the Lord in action.

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 He is described as standing beside the altar.

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 The phrase is very similar to the one used in chapter 7, verse 7,

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 of God standing beside the wall of the plumb line.

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 This conscious connection between God standing beside the altar

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 is supposed to bring to mind the illustration of God standing beside the wall of the plumb line,

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 measuring up the Israelites' obedience against the law itself.

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 And here now, more specifically, he measures their sacrifice upon the altar,

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 against their lives, their hearts,

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 and concludes that they are found wanting.

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 And instead of consuming the sacrifice and sparing them from his judgment,

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 he instead rejects their sacrifice,

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 and from the altar he pours out his judgment upon the people.

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 Strike the tops of the pillars,

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 let the threshold shake,

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 bring them down their heads.

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 Of all the people, those who are left,

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 I will kill the sword.

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 No one will get away.

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 None will escape.

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 It's a picture of God bringing down the temple

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 whilst his people are inside it.

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 Can you imagine if our building right now just collapsed in on us?

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 That's what's going on here in this image.

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 As we saw in our series in Leviticus,

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 the altar was once a place where God's people could meet with them

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 and experience his grace and love,

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 his mercy, his forgiveness.

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 It was a divine barbecue

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 on which the nation could bring the meat,

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 the bull, the pigeons, etc.,

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 to sacrifice for their sins.

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 These animals would take the judgment of God for Israel.

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 So Israel wouldn't have to experience the wrath

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 and anger and judgment of God

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 and instead enjoy his presence and grace.

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 Here in Amos 9,

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 the people still gather with this intention.

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 They still come to God and bring him sacrifice.

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 They still come and gather these people to worship him,

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 expecting blessing,

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 expecting to enjoy his presence and grace and mercy,

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 completely unsuspecting of what was about to happen

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 the moment they brought their sacrifice to him.

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 It's kind of like in Star Wars,

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 The Empire Strikes Back,

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 when Han Solo and the crew of the Millennium Falcon

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 are seeking refuge from the Empire

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 and Han decides to go to Cloud City

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 to seek refuge from his friend Lando Calrissian

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 in the Bespin system.

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 I know my Star Wars quite well,

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 for those who don't know me.

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 But when they go to dinner that night

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 and the doors are opened,

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 before them is Darth Vader.

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 And in that moment,

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 as soon as they see Darth Vader,

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 they know they've been betrayed.

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 And the look on their faces

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 says that they had no idea.

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 They had no idea the whole time

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 they were in danger.

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 They were never safe,

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 never secure.

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 The place they thought was refuge

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 turned out to be the most dangerous place of all to be.

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 In a similar way,

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 the Israelite people thought they were safe.

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 They thought that coming before the altar of God

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 would mean safety and blessing for them,

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 that they could find refuge in him,

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 knowing that their sins might be forgiven.

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 But they could not be in any more danger now.

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 As they approached a holy and awesome God,

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 they presumed upon his goodness

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 when in fact he was angry with them

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 because of their sin.

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 In chapter 5,

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 we get an idea of what he thinks of their worship.

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 I hate, I despise your feasts.

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 I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.

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 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings

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 and grain offerings,

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 I will not accept them.

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 And the peace offerings of your fasting animals,

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 I will not look upon them.

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 Take away from the noise of your songs.

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 To the melody of your harps,

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 I will not listen.

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 The altar was once a place of grace

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 and mercy,

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 a place which allowed the people of God

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 to escape God's judgment

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 and enjoy his presence.

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 But here in Amos 9,

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 the place, the altar,

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 has become the place of judgment

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 from which no one will escape.

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 This scene is a devastating one.

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 You can imagine the terror and upheaval

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 as people try to escape the Lord God Almighty.

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 People will trample on each other

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 to try and get out of the temple

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 to escape the debris.

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 But no one will escape his judgment.

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 Though they dig down to the depths below,

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 from there my hand will take them.

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 Though they climb up to the heavens above,

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 from there I will bring them down.

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 Though they hide themselves

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 on top of Mount Carmel,

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 there I will hunt them down and seize them.

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 Though they hide from my eyes

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 at the bottom of the sea,

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 there I will command the serpent

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 to bite them.

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 Though they are driven to exile

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 by their enemies,

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 there I will command the sword

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 to slay them.

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 Nowhere is safe.

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 God will make sure

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 everyone is brought under judgment.

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 And he concludes in verse 4,

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 I will keep my eye on them for harm

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 and not for good.

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 They presumed they were safe

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 in the presence of God

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 before the altar,

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 when in fact they never were.

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 Their sin blinded them

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 to the reality that they were fools

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 to offer worship and sacrifice

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 without recognizing their need

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 for repentance.

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 They were fools to think

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 they could buy God's protection

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 instead of devoting themselves

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 to obedience and holiness.

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 But the tables have turned

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 and their foolishness

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 has come to light.

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 No longer does God look upon

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 his people with blessing

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 and good intention,

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 but he intends to judge them

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 and punish them.

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 The altar,

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 once the place

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 of receiving God's mercy,

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 has now become the place

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 of receiving God's judgment.

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 It's a bit much to hear

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 at the moment, is it?

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 The lot coming in through here.

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 Can you imagine

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 Aeolus' hearers

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 being stunned at this?

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 I mean, they were God's people,

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 chosen, taken from Egypt.

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 They thought God loved them.

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 It's a bit of a

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 deer-in-the-headlights moment.

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 It's a bit of a

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 Han Solo-seen Darth Vader moment.

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 What is going on?

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 And then God interjects again

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 in verse 7.

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 Are you not like the Cushites

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 to me, O people of Israel?

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 Declares the Lord.

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 Did I not bring up Israel

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 from the land of Egypt

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 and the Philistines

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 from Kapdor

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 and the Syrians

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 from Kerr?

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 The Cushites were

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 a remote people

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 who the Israelites

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 considered as

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 very insignificant,

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 a small,

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 tribal-type people.

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 And so hearing that

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 their God thinks of them

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 like the Cushites,

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 that they are

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 an insignificant people,

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 not worth a second look at

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 or a second thought,

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 would have stung them

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 to the core.

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 But what is more stinging

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 is the next question.

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 God has not only saved

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 his own people from Egypt,

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 but the Philistines

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 from Kapdor

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 and the Syrians

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 from Kerr.

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 There was nothing unique

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 in the saving of God's people

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 from Egypt

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 that prevented them

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 from facing judgment

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 for sin.

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 God has saved

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 other nations

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 from other nations

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 as well.

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 They thought the Exodus

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 in and of itself

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 made them special

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 and unique

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 compared to every

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 other nation,

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 but it's very clear

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 that God's sovereignty

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 and care

00:13:30.380 --> 00:13:31.760
 extends beyond

00:13:31.760 --> 00:13:32.480
 just Israel

00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:33.560
 to the other nations

00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:34.080
 as well.

00:13:35.300 --> 00:13:36.200
 Any pride

00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:37.080
 they might have had,

00:13:37.560 --> 00:13:38.780
 any smugness

00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:40.179
 they might have had

00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:41.179
 about their status

00:13:41.179 --> 00:13:42.199
 and favour

00:13:42.199 --> 00:13:43.819
 was dashed away

00:13:43.819 --> 00:13:45.819
 at God's

00:13:45.819 --> 00:13:46.759
 impending judgement

00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:47.919
 and not even

00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:48.939
 their exodus

00:13:48.939 --> 00:13:51.279
 from Egypt

00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:52.299
 could do anything

00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:53.319
 about it.

00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:56.760
 We might look

00:13:56.760 --> 00:13:57.640
 at the northern kingdom,

00:13:57.860 --> 00:13:58.400
 the Israelites

00:13:58.400 --> 00:13:59.400
 and think,

00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:00.320
 such fools!

00:14:01.160 --> 00:14:02.080
 What are they doing?

00:14:03.020 --> 00:14:03.720
 But I wonder

00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:05.040
 if we'd only be

00:14:05.040 --> 00:14:05.740
 making ourselves

00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:06.620
 out to be fools

00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:07.280
 as well.

00:14:08.060 --> 00:14:08.980
 The northern kingdom

00:14:08.980 --> 00:14:09.740
 thought they were

00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:10.440
 in the right

00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:11.700
 because of who they were

00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:13.540
 by the fact

00:14:13.540 --> 00:14:14.600
 they were sacrificing

00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.660
 and worshipping,

00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:16.560
 by the fact

00:14:16.560 --> 00:14:17.100
 that they were

00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:17.740
 God's people

00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:19.180
 taken out of Egypt,

00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:22.479
 doing all the right

00:14:22.479 --> 00:14:23.059
 things,

00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:24.319
 but they were

00:14:24.319 --> 00:14:25.199
 proven to be fools.

00:14:25.319 --> 00:14:25.919
 Their sacrifices

00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:26.599
 were measured

00:14:26.599 --> 00:14:27.359
 and weighed

00:14:27.359 --> 00:14:28.000
 and they were

00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.079
 found wanting.

00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:31.120
 I wonder

00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:31.779
 if we think

00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:32.479
 we are in the right

00:14:32.479 --> 00:14:33.179
 with God

00:14:33.179 --> 00:14:34.620
 when in fact

00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:35.719
 we might be

00:14:35.719 --> 00:14:36.459
 dangerously

00:14:36.459 --> 00:14:37.519
 presuming

00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:38.319
 upon Him

00:14:38.319 --> 00:14:39.099
 as well.

00:14:39.839 --> 00:14:40.799
 Do we think

00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:42.199
 we are safe

00:14:42.199 --> 00:14:43.279
 as we gather

00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:43.759
 here now

00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:44.459
 before Him

00:14:44.459 --> 00:14:45.259
 praising Him

00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:46.039
 and praying to Him

00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:47.120
 and reading His word

00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:48.720
 when in fact

00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:49.580
 maybe we're not?

00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:52.639
 It depends

00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:53.620
 upon our picture

00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.179
 of God.

00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:55.980
 Do we think

00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:56.840
 that we can buy

00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:58.060
 God's favour and love

00:14:58.060 --> 00:14:59.080
 like the Israelites did

00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:00.080
 by showing Him

00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:00.879
 our good works

00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:01.639
 and our good deeds

00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:02.399
 that we come to church

00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:03.080
 every Sunday

00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:04.179
 that we read our Bibles

00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:04.700
 and pray

00:15:04.700 --> 00:15:05.500
 that we serve

00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:06.519
 at morning tea

00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:07.340
 or throughout the week?

00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:09.679
 Or do we think

00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:10.419
 God doesn't care

00:15:10.419 --> 00:15:11.039
 about sin?

00:15:12.060 --> 00:15:13.180
 That He doesn't

00:15:13.180 --> 00:15:14.100
 want to judge you?

00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.259
 He's not angry

00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:15.740
 at you?

00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:16.820
 He doesn't want to

00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:17.220
 punish you

00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:17.980
 for your sin.

00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:19.220
 He's all sugar

00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:19.860
 and spice

00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:20.700
 and everything nice.

00:15:21.660 --> 00:15:22.100
 He says

00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:22.960
 come as you are

00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:23.860
 no need to change.

00:15:25.900 --> 00:15:26.740
 The problem

00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:28.420
 with both those views

00:15:28.420 --> 00:15:29.680
 with both those responses

00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:30.460
 is they presume

00:15:30.460 --> 00:15:31.900
 upon who God is

00:15:31.900 --> 00:15:33.100
 based on what

00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:34.580
 we think He is

00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:36.520
 from a human point of view.

00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:38.140
 And surely

00:15:38.140 --> 00:15:38.940
 this passage

00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:39.700
 so far

00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:40.540
 teaches us

00:15:40.540 --> 00:15:41.960
 to never do that

00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:43.100
 to never presume

00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:44.100
 upon who God is

00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:45.000
 and what He is like

00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:46.500
 from our point of view

00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.360
 from our perspective.

00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:49.480
 Anyone who tries

00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:50.100
 to measure up

00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:50.879
 upon their own

00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:51.860
 thinking they are

00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.440
 in the right

00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:53.580
 with God

00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:55.019
 whilst remaining

00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:55.580
 in sin

00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:56.519
 will be destroyed.

00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:57.820
 And anyone who thinks

00:15:57.820 --> 00:15:58.679
 sin is irrelevant

00:15:58.679 --> 00:16:01.399
 God will destroy them

00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:01.799
 as well.

00:16:03.359 --> 00:16:04.639
 Only a fool

00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:05.599
 would presume

00:16:05.599 --> 00:16:06.319
 to be in the right

00:16:06.319 --> 00:16:06.939
 with God

00:16:06.939 --> 00:16:08.059
 based on his own

00:16:08.059 --> 00:16:09.659
 status and actions

00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:10.839
 or based upon

00:16:10.839 --> 00:16:11.719
 sin

00:16:11.719 --> 00:16:12.620
 not having any

00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.620
 consequences at all.

00:16:15.659 --> 00:16:16.620
 A misunderstanding

00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:17.959
 of what God's love is.

00:16:19.959 --> 00:16:20.799
 Such a fool

00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:21.379
 will discover

00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.219
 in the same way

00:16:22.219 --> 00:16:23.139
 the people of Israel

00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:23.559
 did

00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:24.699
 God's awful

00:16:24.699 --> 00:16:25.459
 judgment.

00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:27.479
 As Jesus

00:16:27.479 --> 00:16:28.179
 says Himself

00:16:28.179 --> 00:16:29.119
 in Matthew 7

00:16:29.119 --> 00:16:30.179
 many will say

00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:30.839
 to me on that day

00:16:30.839 --> 00:16:31.619
 Lord, Lord

00:16:31.619 --> 00:16:32.159
 did we not

00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:32.719
 prophesy

00:16:32.719 --> 00:16:33.619
 in your name

00:16:33.619 --> 00:16:35.439
 and your name

00:16:35.439 --> 00:16:36.439
 drive out demons

00:16:36.439 --> 00:16:37.079
 and your name

00:16:37.079 --> 00:16:38.179
 perform many miracles

00:16:38.179 --> 00:16:39.299
 then I will tell

00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:40.099
 them plainly

00:16:40.099 --> 00:16:41.979
 I never knew you

00:16:41.979 --> 00:16:43.839
 away from me

00:16:43.839 --> 00:16:44.739
 you evil

00:16:44.739 --> 00:16:45.579
 doers.

00:16:47.199 --> 00:16:48.179
 At the heart

00:16:48.179 --> 00:16:48.819
 of the issue

00:16:48.820 --> 00:16:50.960
 is being

00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:51.940
 presumptuous

00:16:51.940 --> 00:16:53.080
 upon God's

00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:53.740
 love and favour

00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.500
 towards them.

00:16:55.920 --> 00:16:56.340
 Amos

00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:57.320
 warns us

00:16:57.320 --> 00:16:58.020
 to not

00:16:58.020 --> 00:16:58.840
 to never

00:16:58.840 --> 00:16:59.740
 presume

00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:00.500
 upon

00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.540
 God's love

00:17:01.540 --> 00:17:02.280
 and favour

00:17:02.280 --> 00:17:04.920
 because God

00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:05.900
 promises to destroy

00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:07.140
 all who do so

00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:08.779
 promising to judge

00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.740
 and punish them

00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:11.240
 for ignoring

00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:12.500
 and not acknowledging

00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:13.559
 their sin.

00:17:15.100 --> 00:17:15.759
 But

00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:17.640
 God is also

00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:18.539
 faithful to

00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:19.180
 His promise

00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:20.539
 that He's made

00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.139
 to His people

00:17:21.139 --> 00:17:21.859
 in the past

00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:23.019
 which is my

00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:23.559
 second point

00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:24.240
 here this morning.

00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:25.759
 God remains

00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:26.559
 faithful to

00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:27.139
 His promise

00:17:27.139 --> 00:17:27.960
 of salvation

00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:28.960
 even when

00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:29.579
 His people

00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:30.119
 remain

00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:31.399
 unfaithful.

00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:32.940
 Verse 8

00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:33.899
 Behold the eyes

00:17:33.899 --> 00:17:34.539
 of the Lord God

00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:35.240
 are upon this

00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:35.980
 sinful nation

00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:36.759
 and I will

00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:37.420
 destroy it

00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:38.000
 from the surface

00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:38.519
 of the ground

00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:39.220
 except that I

00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:40.059
 will not utterly

00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:41.539
 destroy the house

00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:42.359
 of Jacob

00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:43.559
 declares the Lord.

00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:45.899
 God will not

00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:47.159
 destroy His people

00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:47.799
 completely.

00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:48.619
 His promise

00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:49.539
 to remain

00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:50.200
 faithful to

00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:50.720
 His covenant

00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:52.419
 by saving

00:17:52.419 --> 00:17:52.940
 a few.

00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.279
 God is always

00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.180
 faithful to

00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:55.799
 His promises

00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.619
 that He made

00:17:56.619 --> 00:17:57.599
 way back

00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:58.259
 in Genesis

00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:58.919
 chapter 12

00:17:58.919 --> 00:18:00.079
 that Abraham

00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:01.099
 and the nation

00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:01.759
 that would come

00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.399
 through Him

00:18:02.399 --> 00:18:03.099
 would be a

00:18:03.099 --> 00:18:04.079
 great nation

00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:04.919
 would be a

00:18:04.919 --> 00:18:05.460
 blessing to

00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.299
 all the nations.

00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:07.700
 He remembers

00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.359
 His promise to

00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.859
 David in 2 Samuel 7

00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:10.919
 when He said

00:18:10.919 --> 00:18:11.339
 that He would

00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.539
 always establish

00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.419
 His throne

00:18:13.419 --> 00:18:14.019
 forever.

00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:16.319
 and so despite

00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.039
 the sin

00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:17.859
 of the people

00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:18.619
 how far

00:18:18.619 --> 00:18:19.619
 gone they are

00:18:19.619 --> 00:18:20.160
 we know how

00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:20.639
 far gone

00:18:20.639 --> 00:18:21.160
 they are

00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:22.720
 God is still

00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:23.440
 going to make

00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:24.680
 good on His

00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.139
 promise

00:18:25.139 --> 00:18:26.920
 by being the

00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.519
 one to do

00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:27.940
 the work

00:18:27.940 --> 00:18:28.379
 Himself.

00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:29.200
 He is going

00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:29.680
 to remain

00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:30.200
 faithful

00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:30.900
 when His

00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:31.259
 people

00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:33.139
 remain unfaithful.

00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:34.819
 He will

00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.920
 establish a

00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:36.559
 better king.

00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.679
 Verse 11

00:18:37.679 --> 00:18:38.259
 In that day

00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.119
 I will restore

00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:39.980
 David's fallen

00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:40.500
 shelter

00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:41.619
 I will repair

00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:42.179
 its broken

00:18:42.179 --> 00:18:42.679
 walls

00:18:42.679 --> 00:18:43.879
 and restore

00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:44.639
 its ruins

00:18:44.639 --> 00:18:45.740
 and rebuild

00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.899
 it as it

00:18:46.899 --> 00:18:47.639
 used to be.

00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:48.779
 The language

00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:49.700
 of repairing

00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.679
 broken walls

00:18:50.679 --> 00:18:51.819
 and restoring

00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:53.319
 ruined cities

00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:54.240
 is figurative.

00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:55.659
 The kings

00:18:55.659 --> 00:18:56.440
 that had come

00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:57.119
 before

00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:58.500
 did not measure

00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.480
 up to God's

00:18:59.480 --> 00:18:59.720
 standard.

00:18:59.859 --> 00:19:00.639
 They had failed

00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:01.240
 the test

00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:01.779
 of the plumb

00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.079
 line.

00:19:02.419 --> 00:19:02.960
 They did not

00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:03.779
 execute their

00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.779
 office of king

00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.619
 in a worthy

00:19:05.619 --> 00:19:06.379
 manner.

00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.559
 required by

00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:07.839
 God.

00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.460
 Thus they

00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:08.980
 crumbled

00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:09.779
 and failed

00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:10.399
 and became

00:19:10.399 --> 00:19:11.039
 ruined.

00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:12.359
 The nation

00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:13.099
 therefore as a

00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:13.919
 result also

00:19:13.919 --> 00:19:15.059
 became ruined

00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:16.799
 in shambles.

00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.679
 But God

00:19:17.679 --> 00:19:18.480
 will repair

00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.639
 and restore

00:19:19.639 --> 00:19:20.359
 the kingship

00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:21.119
 to one who

00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:22.339
 would uphold

00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:23.059
 the office

00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:24.159
 with integrity

00:19:24.159 --> 00:19:25.619
 and in a

00:19:25.619 --> 00:19:26.440
 deserving manner.

00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:27.419
 He would love

00:19:27.419 --> 00:19:28.079
 justice

00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:29.179
 and love

00:19:29.179 --> 00:19:29.659
 mercy.

00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:30.779
 He would

00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.500
 protect the

00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:31.899
 poor

00:19:31.899 --> 00:19:32.819
 and the

00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.200
 vulnerable.

00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:34.440
 He would

00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:35.379
 love righteousness

00:19:35.380 --> 00:19:36.740
 and hate

00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.200
 evil.

00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:38.060
 He would

00:19:38.060 --> 00:19:39.160
 uphold the

00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:39.560
 righteous

00:19:39.560 --> 00:19:41.080
 and punish

00:19:41.080 --> 00:19:42.160
 the

00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.800
 evildoer.

00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.700
 He will be

00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:45.240
 the king

00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.380
 Israel has

00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:47.120
 longed for

00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:47.940
 since David.

00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:48.840
 But he will

00:19:48.840 --> 00:19:49.600
 be a better

00:19:49.600 --> 00:19:50.480
 king for this

00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:51.960
 king will

00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:52.620
 have a kingdom

00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:53.140
 that's much

00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:54.200
 vaster than

00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:54.600
 the one that's

00:19:54.600 --> 00:19:55.220
 gone before.

00:19:55.760 --> 00:19:56.360
 Verse 12

00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:58.359
 said to

00:19:58.359 --> 00:19:59.079
 Edom.

00:19:59.079 --> 00:20:05.279
 The grand

00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.539
 plan of

00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:06.899
 this

00:20:06.899 --> 00:20:07.719
 restoration

00:20:07.719 --> 00:20:08.500
 was to

00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.639
 include the

00:20:09.639 --> 00:20:10.059
 surrounding

00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.679
 nations

00:20:10.679 --> 00:20:11.619
 who will

00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:12.259
 bear God's

00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:12.979
 name also.

00:20:13.979 --> 00:20:14.559
 The mercy

00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:15.419
 and grace

00:20:15.419 --> 00:20:15.740
 of God

00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.039
 will not

00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:16.679
 only extend

00:20:16.679 --> 00:20:17.240
 to Israel

00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:17.819
 but to

00:20:17.819 --> 00:20:18.259
 Edom

00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:19.199
 and to

00:20:19.199 --> 00:20:19.759
 all the

00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:20.279
 nations as

00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:20.539
 well.

00:20:21.139 --> 00:20:21.619
 The same

00:20:21.619 --> 00:20:22.099
 God who

00:20:22.099 --> 00:20:22.899
 punished and

00:20:22.899 --> 00:20:23.479
 judged the

00:20:23.479 --> 00:20:24.299
 nations in

00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:24.639
 the opening

00:20:24.640 --> 00:20:25.380
 chapters of

00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:26.400
 Amos will

00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:27.380
 also extend

00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:28.160
 his mercy

00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:28.880
 and his

00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:30.240
 grace to

00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:30.860
 them also.

00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.220
 That they

00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:31.620
 might be

00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:32.480
 included as

00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.100
 his people

00:20:33.100 --> 00:20:33.980
 and receive

00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.740
 salvation.

00:20:35.560 --> 00:20:36.160
 For as God

00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:36.840
 told us a few

00:20:36.840 --> 00:20:37.440
 verses earlier,

00:20:37.560 --> 00:20:38.780
 his care and

00:20:38.780 --> 00:20:39.460
 his sovereignty

00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:40.620
 goes beyond

00:20:40.620 --> 00:20:41.420
 just Israel.

00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.259
 And through

00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.820
 the work

00:20:44.820 --> 00:20:46.700
 of Christ

00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:48.360
 we enjoy

00:20:48.360 --> 00:20:48.920
 this reality

00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:50.000
 now ourselves.

00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.480
 For we are

00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.080
 those nations

00:20:52.080 --> 00:20:52.660
 as well,

00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:54.000
 as Australians.

00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.280
 We enjoy

00:20:55.280 --> 00:20:55.940
 being part

00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:56.580
 of God's

00:20:56.580 --> 00:20:56.960
 restored

00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:57.640
 people who

00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:58.200
 have received

00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:59.280
 mercy and

00:20:59.280 --> 00:21:00.100
 grace with

00:21:00.100 --> 00:21:01.020
 Jesus as

00:21:01.020 --> 00:21:01.480
 our promised

00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:02.320
 king on

00:21:02.320 --> 00:21:02.800
 the throne.

00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:04.180
 And if

00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:05.200
 that is what

00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:05.680
 we enjoy

00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:06.160
 now as

00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:06.600
 believers,

00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:07.720
 for indeed

00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:08.120
 we are

00:21:08.120 --> 00:21:08.660
 those other

00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.220
 nations,

00:21:10.780 --> 00:21:11.560
 verses 13

00:21:11.560 --> 00:21:12.080
 and 15

00:21:12.080 --> 00:21:12.880
 then are

00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:13.780
 what we

00:21:13.780 --> 00:21:14.100
 are to

00:21:14.100 --> 00:21:14.580
 anticipate

00:21:14.580 --> 00:21:15.340
 for the

00:21:15.340 --> 00:21:15.740
 future.

00:21:17.020 --> 00:21:17.340
 This

00:21:17.340 --> 00:21:18.380
 agricultural

00:21:18.380 --> 00:21:20.380
 picture of

00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.280
 fruitfulness,

00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:24.240
 dwelling in

00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:24.720
 God's kingdom

00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.579
 as bountiful,

00:21:26.120 --> 00:21:26.599
 perfect,

00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:27.720
 wonderful,

00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.059
 a site for

00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:29.880
 sore eyes,

00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.120
 a place that

00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:31.799
 is untainted

00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.160
 from the

00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:32.839
 corruption of

00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.140
 sin,

00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:33.920
 where everything

00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:34.859
 is growing,

00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:37.980
 a place

00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.420
 where we

00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:38.759
 will never

00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:39.380
 again be

00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:39.940
 uprooted

00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:40.900
 and taken

00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:41.299
 away.

00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.380
 That is the

00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:44.519
 glorious plan

00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.440
 of restoration

00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:46.880
 God has in

00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:47.779
 store for

00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.460
 his people

00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:49.200
 in the book

00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:49.819
 of Amos.

00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:50.680
 Though whilst

00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:51.019
 there is

00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:51.480
 judgment

00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:51.980
 coming,

00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:52.839
 this is

00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:53.539
 going to

00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:53.759
 be the

00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.200
 result.

00:21:56.120 --> 00:21:56.779
 What are

00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.259
 the people

00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.759
 of Israel

00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.360
 to do

00:21:58.360 --> 00:21:59.360
 with this

00:21:59.360 --> 00:21:59.779
 prophecy?

00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:01.460
 For nine

00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:01.819
 and a half

00:22:01.819 --> 00:22:02.440
 chapters,

00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.599
 all they

00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:04.220
 have heard

00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:05.039
 is judgment.

00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:06.680
 Judgment.

00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:07.740
 And now

00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.400
 towards the

00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:08.980
 end there

00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.500
 is hope.

00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:11.420
 Why does

00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.259
 Amos finish

00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:12.960
 with hope

00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:14.259
 when judgment

00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.420
 is still

00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:15.839
 to come?

00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:17.199
 I think

00:22:17.199 --> 00:22:17.959
 Amos wants

00:22:17.959 --> 00:22:18.519
 to leave

00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.699
 his hearers,

00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.679
 his Israelite

00:22:20.679 --> 00:22:21.039
 people,

00:22:21.179 --> 00:22:21.519
 with a bigger

00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.119
 picture in

00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:22.439
 mind.

00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.220
 God's

00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:23.699
 judgment

00:22:23.699 --> 00:22:24.579
 is not

00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.359
 capricious

00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:27.500
 or vindictive,

00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:28.459
 but an

00:22:28.459 --> 00:22:29.359
 extension of

00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:29.980
 his love

00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.779
 and jealousy

00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:31.279
 for his

00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:31.919
 people to

00:22:31.919 --> 00:22:32.959
 obey him,

00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:33.859
 to be his,

00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.199
 and to

00:22:35.199 --> 00:22:35.699
 live with

00:22:35.699 --> 00:22:36.099
 him and

00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:36.699
 for him.

00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:37.839
 The role

00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:38.359
 of judgment

00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:39.179
 then plays

00:22:39.179 --> 00:22:39.759
 a part

00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.639
 for the

00:22:40.639 --> 00:22:41.199
 sake of

00:22:41.199 --> 00:22:41.759
 restoration,

00:22:41.959 --> 00:22:42.259
 for the

00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:42.720
 sake of

00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.519
 bringing back

00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.099
 his people

00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:45.319
 into alignment

00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:45.960
 with his

00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:46.419
 way of

00:22:46.419 --> 00:22:46.740
 living.

00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:48.519
 And so

00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.399
 here Amos

00:22:49.399 --> 00:22:49.980
 wants to

00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:50.539
 remind him

00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:51.039
 that judgment

00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:51.519
 is not

00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.220
 the goal,

00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:53.259
 but restoration

00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:53.919
 is.

00:22:54.899 --> 00:22:55.439
 And God

00:22:55.439 --> 00:22:56.299
 will restore

00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:57.639
 those who

00:22:57.639 --> 00:22:58.240
 seek him.

00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.220
 The heart

00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:01.019
 of the book's

00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.579
 message to

00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:02.379
 Israel and

00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:02.899
 to us

00:23:02.899 --> 00:23:03.720
 here this

00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.299
 morning is

00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:04.960
 literally in

00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:05.279
 the heart

00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:05.659
 of the book,

00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.159
 in the middle,

00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:07.619
 in chapter 5

00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:08.439
 from verse 4.

00:23:09.639 --> 00:23:10.919
 This is what

00:23:10.919 --> 00:23:11.819
 the Lord says

00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:12.779
 to Israel.

00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:14.079
 Seek me

00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:15.779
 and live.

00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.019
 Do not

00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:17.859
 seek Bethel,

00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:18.720
 do not

00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.039
 go to

00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.500
 Gilgal,

00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:20.439
 do not

00:23:20.439 --> 00:23:20.960
 journey to

00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.599
 Beersheba,

00:23:22.199 --> 00:23:22.939
 for Gilgal

00:23:22.939 --> 00:23:23.579
 will surely

00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:23.980
 go into

00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.779
 exile and

00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.159
 Bethel

00:23:25.159 --> 00:23:25.339
 will be

00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:25.859
 reduced to

00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:26.179
 nothing.

00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.179
 Seek the

00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:28.619
 Lord and

00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:29.019
 live.

00:23:30.399 --> 00:23:30.960
 Seek good,

00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:31.619
 not evil,

00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:32.460
 that you

00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:33.000
 may live.

00:23:33.659 --> 00:23:34.159
 Then the

00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:34.740
 Lord God

00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.059
 Almighty

00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.319
 will be

00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:35.839
 with you,

00:23:36.199 --> 00:23:36.859
 just as

00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:37.419
 you say

00:23:37.419 --> 00:23:37.980
 he is.

00:23:38.899 --> 00:23:39.179
 Hate

00:23:39.179 --> 00:23:39.740
 evil,

00:23:40.399 --> 00:23:40.679
 love

00:23:40.679 --> 00:23:41.079
 good.

00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:42.220
 maintain

00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:43.519
 justice

00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.220
 in the

00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:44.619
 courts.

00:23:45.199 --> 00:23:45.619
 Perhaps

00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.199
 the Lord

00:23:46.199 --> 00:23:46.539
 God

00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.039
 Almighty

00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.839
 will have

00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:48.439
 mercy

00:23:48.439 --> 00:23:49.179
 on the

00:23:49.179 --> 00:23:49.619
 remnant

00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:50.359
 of

00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:50.759
 Joseph.

00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:53.039
 The book

00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:53.779
 of Amos can be

00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.439
 summed up as

00:23:54.439 --> 00:23:55.099
 a judgment

00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:56.220
 is coming,

00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.019
 seek the

00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:59.159
 Lord and

00:23:59.159 --> 00:23:59.500
 live.

00:24:00.439 --> 00:24:00.899
 With all

00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:01.500
 negativity

00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.960
 and devastation

00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.699
 prophesied,

00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.019
 it would be

00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:04.720
 easy for the

00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.319
 Israelites to

00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:06.500
 lose sight of

00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:06.859
 the bigger

00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:07.619
 picture here,

00:24:07.939 --> 00:24:09.079
 to think that

00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:09.859
 promises have

00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:10.319
 failed.

00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:11.740
 God has

00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.539
 forgotten us.

00:24:15.179 --> 00:24:15.539
 Judgment

00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:15.939
 is the

00:24:15.939 --> 00:24:16.219
 end.

00:24:17.979 --> 00:24:18.699
 The promise

00:24:18.699 --> 00:24:19.379
 of the end

00:24:19.379 --> 00:24:20.459
 of Amos 9

00:24:20.459 --> 00:24:21.179
 shows that

00:24:21.179 --> 00:24:21.939
 judgment is

00:24:21.939 --> 00:24:22.639
 not the

00:24:22.639 --> 00:24:22.959
 end.

00:24:23.619 --> 00:24:24.159
 God will

00:24:24.159 --> 00:24:24.839
 restore his

00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:25.259
 people.

00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:26.919
 He will

00:24:26.919 --> 00:24:27.500
 do good

00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.159
 on his

00:24:28.159 --> 00:24:28.599
 promises,

00:24:29.219 --> 00:24:30.419
 that if

00:24:30.419 --> 00:24:30.939
 you seek

00:24:30.939 --> 00:24:31.299
 him,

00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.459
 you will

00:24:32.459 --> 00:24:32.799
 live.

00:24:33.459 --> 00:24:33.919
 Even though

00:24:33.919 --> 00:24:34.419
 you face

00:24:34.419 --> 00:24:35.059
 the pain

00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.699
 of judgment,

00:24:36.179 --> 00:24:36.939
 the devastation

00:24:36.939 --> 00:24:37.219
 of your

00:24:37.219 --> 00:24:37.619
 homeland,

00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:38.740
 the suffering

00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:39.579
 and death

00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:40.159
 of loved

00:24:40.159 --> 00:24:40.679
 ones,

00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:43.039
 the loss

00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.819
 of your

00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:44.339
 livelihood,

00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:47.039
 even though

00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:47.579
 you see

00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.000
 all these

00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.439
 things happen

00:24:48.439 --> 00:24:49.039
 before you

00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:49.379
 now,

00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.139
 foreign

00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:50.759
 occupation,

00:24:51.059 --> 00:24:51.559
 exile,

00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:52.740
 do not

00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.279
 take your

00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.079
 eyes off

00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:54.599
 the Lord.

00:24:56.159 --> 00:24:56.659
 Continue

00:24:56.659 --> 00:24:57.159
 to seek

00:24:57.159 --> 00:24:57.439
 him.

00:24:58.199 --> 00:24:58.480
 He will

00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:58.980
 make good

00:24:58.980 --> 00:24:59.339
 on his

00:24:59.339 --> 00:24:59.939
 promise as

00:24:59.939 --> 00:25:00.299
 he did

00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:00.839
 to Abraham

00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:01.439
 and to

00:25:01.439 --> 00:25:01.799
 David.

00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:02.799
 He will

00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:04.259
 restore the

00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:04.559
 kingdom.

00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.559
 The end

00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.179
 of chapter 9

00:25:07.179 --> 00:25:07.480
 is to

00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.339
 encourage them

00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:08.919
 to keep

00:25:08.919 --> 00:25:09.419
 going.

00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.240
 Despite

00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:10.819
 what is

00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:11.419
 coming for

00:25:11.419 --> 00:25:11.679
 them,

00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:12.759
 seek God

00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.339
 and they

00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:13.939
 will live.

00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:14.859
 In the

00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:15.439
 same way,

00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:15.879
 the message

00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:16.279
 is for

00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:16.980
 us as

00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.220
 well.

00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:18.720
 Judgment

00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.339
 is coming.

00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:20.859
 Seek the

00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:22.099
 Lord and

00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:22.459
 live.

00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:23.619
 Do not

00:25:23.619 --> 00:25:24.439
 presume upon

00:25:24.439 --> 00:25:25.059
 his love

00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:25.539
 and mercy.

00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:25.779
 Do not

00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:26.099
 be so

00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.819
 smug and

00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:27.899
 proud of

00:25:27.899 --> 00:25:28.519
 who you

00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:28.899
 might think

00:25:28.899 --> 00:25:29.299
 you are

00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.779
 in God's

00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.079
 sight.

00:25:30.199 --> 00:25:30.519
 Instead,

00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.699
 be humble

00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:34.620
 thankful for

00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:35.360
 the salvation

00:25:35.360 --> 00:25:36.080
 that God

00:25:36.080 --> 00:25:36.680
 has worked

00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.140
 in you

00:25:37.140 --> 00:25:37.340
 through

00:25:37.340 --> 00:25:37.980
 Christ,

00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.319
 through

00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:39.920
 his death

00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.559
 and resurrection

00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:40.900
 on the

00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:41.200
 cross,

00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:41.819
 in light

00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:42.420
 of his

00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:42.980
 work to

00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.740
 save you

00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.940
 from God's

00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.420
 judgment.

00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:46.500
 Continue to

00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.500
 live in

00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.680
 faith and

00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:49.120
 repentance

00:25:49.120 --> 00:25:50.940
 in these

00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.660
 dark days.

00:25:52.360 --> 00:25:52.840
 For these

00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:53.319
 are dark

00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:54.920
 days where

00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.559
 the impact

00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:56.380
 of sin in

00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:56.940
 our lives

00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.640
 makes living

00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:58.259
 for God,

00:25:58.400 --> 00:25:59.200
 seeking him

00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:00.360
 very difficult

00:26:00.360 --> 00:26:00.940
 and tough.

00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:02.620
 Some of us

00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:03.240
 here live

00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:04.180
 day-to-day

00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:04.700
 with pain

00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:04.980
 in our

00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.380
 bodies.

00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:06.860
 Some of us

00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:07.799
 live day-to-day

00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.480
 struggling

00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:10.180
 with depression

00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:11.980
 and anxiety.

00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.660
 Some of us

00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:14.620
 live day-to-day

00:26:14.620 --> 00:26:16.019
 with uncertainty

00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.840
 about our

00:26:16.840 --> 00:26:18.120
 jobs or

00:26:18.120 --> 00:26:18.779
 our health,

00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.680
 about our

00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:21.100
 future.

00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:22.420
 Some of us

00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:23.039
 live day-to-day

00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.799
 with the pain

00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:24.500
 of broken

00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.400
 relationships.

00:26:27.840 --> 00:26:28.580
 There is

00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:29.939
 increase in

00:26:29.939 --> 00:26:30.599
 pressure on

00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:31.240
 Christians to

00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:31.980
 conform to

00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:32.419
 the status

00:26:32.419 --> 00:26:33.559
 quo of

00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:34.299
 secularism.

00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:35.679
 Increased

00:26:35.679 --> 00:26:36.379
 pressure for

00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:36.799
 us to give

00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.159
 up the

00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:38.139
 faith that

00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:38.439
 has been

00:26:38.439 --> 00:26:39.159
 declared by

00:26:39.159 --> 00:26:39.720
 the public

00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.559
 as archaic

00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.299
 and useless,

00:26:41.939 --> 00:26:42.659
 as a threat

00:26:42.659 --> 00:26:43.559
 to modernity

00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:45.539
 and progression.

00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.759
 Vitriol and

00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.539
 hate towards

00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.480
 Christians is

00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.460
 increasing,

00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:52.139
 and slowly

00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:52.579
 but steadily

00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:53.359
 we are losing

00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.279
 our influence

00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:54.839
 in the general

00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:55.319
 public,

00:26:55.659 --> 00:26:56.419
 shunned from

00:26:56.419 --> 00:26:56.720
 them,

00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:58.059
 considered by

00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:59.980
 some as a

00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:00.859
 plight on

00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:01.480
 society,

00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:04.099
 as those who

00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:05.079
 cause wars

00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:05.740
 and conflict.

00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.159
 There's a

00:27:08.159 --> 00:27:08.799
 great struggle

00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.919
 ahead for

00:27:09.919 --> 00:27:10.819
 Christians in

00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.579
 this growing

00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:13.480
 secular age,

00:27:13.919 --> 00:27:14.960
 a struggle for

00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.639
 us to seek

00:27:15.639 --> 00:27:16.119
 the Lord.

00:27:16.859 --> 00:27:17.500
 But the great

00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.639
 hope that Amos

00:27:18.639 --> 00:27:19.759
 reminds of is

00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.759
 that God is

00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:21.220
 going to make

00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:22.279
 good on his

00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:23.179
 promise to

00:27:23.179 --> 00:27:23.759
 those who

00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.179
 seek him,

00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:25.200
 to those who

00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:25.839
 are humble

00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:26.759
 themselves

00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.240
 before the

00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:27.539
 Lord,

00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:28.199
 who acknowledge

00:27:28.199 --> 00:27:28.879
 their sin,

00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:30.819
 that they

00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:31.299
 don't measure

00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:31.599
 up,

00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.199
 to seek

00:27:32.199 --> 00:27:32.699
 him,

00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:33.199
 and you

00:27:33.199 --> 00:27:33.740
 will live.

00:27:34.959 --> 00:27:35.639
 In him,

00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:36.359
 in Christ,

00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.519
 we place

00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.740
 our trust

00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.879
 and hope.

00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.220
 It is in him

00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.839
 we seek,

00:27:42.199 --> 00:27:42.679
 and when we

00:27:42.679 --> 00:27:42.959
 do,

00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.459
 we will live,

00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:44.939
 for he has

00:27:44.939 --> 00:27:45.639
 come to give

00:27:45.639 --> 00:27:46.179
 life,

00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.559
 and life to

00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:48.019
 the full,

00:27:48.419 --> 00:27:50.019
 life eternally.

00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:52.200
 For those

00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:52.680
 who doubt

00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.240
 God will

00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:53.700
 make good

00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:53.940
 on his

00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.279
 promise,

00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:55.019
 Amos 9

00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.539
 says he

00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:56.079
 will and

00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.579
 he always

00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:57.039
 has,

00:27:57.839 --> 00:27:58.180
 and so you

00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:58.500
 can be

00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:58.980
 sure of

00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.180
 that.

00:27:59.279 --> 00:27:59.500
 In fact,

00:27:59.579 --> 00:27:59.980
 the coming

00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.379
 of the

00:28:00.379 --> 00:28:00.639
 Son,

00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:01.259
 the coming

00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:01.660
 of Jesus

00:28:01.660 --> 00:28:02.339
 shows that

00:28:02.339 --> 00:28:02.660
 he has

00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.259
 done so,

00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:04.359
 and so we

00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:04.740
 can look

00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.359
 forward to

00:28:05.359 --> 00:28:06.160
 that future

00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:07.339
 that's been

00:28:07.339 --> 00:28:07.839
 talked about

00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.180
 in verses

00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:08.740
 13 to

00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.240
 15.

00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.519
 For those

00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:12.160
 who fear

00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:12.420
 that they

00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:12.940
 will face

00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.400
 the judgment

00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:14.099
 of God,

00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:15.200
 that like

00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.099
 the Israelites,

00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:16.599
 they have

00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:17.500
 presumed for

00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.180
 far too

00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:18.720
 long upon

00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.559
 God's love

00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:19.799
 without

00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.279
 recognizing

00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:20.919
 their sin,

00:28:21.379 --> 00:28:22.019
 Amos 9

00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:23.399
 says there

00:28:23.399 --> 00:28:23.740
 is still

00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:24.220
 time.

00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.339
 Seek the

00:28:26.339 --> 00:28:27.159
 Lord and

00:28:27.159 --> 00:28:27.460
 you will

00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:27.819
 live.

00:28:29.159 --> 00:28:29.980
 But judgment

00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.579
 is coming,

00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:32.539
 so seek

00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.119
 the Lord,

00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.619
 seek Jesus

00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.399
 and you

00:28:35.399 --> 00:28:35.899
 will live.

00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:37.539
 God promises

00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.740
 us, for

00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.279
 those who do

00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:39.759
 seek him,

00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:40.099
 they will

00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:40.419
 live.

00:28:41.179 --> 00:28:41.720
 The message

00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.039
 we might

00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.559
 take away

00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.240
 from Amos

00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.679
 from this

00:28:43.679 --> 00:28:44.119
 series is

00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:45.059
 this,

00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.500
 never presume

00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.039
 upon the love

00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:47.559
 of God

00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.740
 based on

00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.139
 who you

00:28:49.139 --> 00:28:49.500
 are,

00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:50.599
 for those

00:28:50.599 --> 00:28:50.839
 to be

00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:51.639
 complacent

00:28:51.639 --> 00:28:52.859
 and foolish.

00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:53.960
 Instead,

00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.779
 humble yourselves

00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:56.759
 before God

00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.720
 and repent

00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:58.619
 of your

00:28:58.619 --> 00:28:58.940
 sin.

00:28:59.500 --> 00:28:59.700
 Give

00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.240
 thanks to

00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:00.659
 God who

00:29:00.659 --> 00:29:01.159
 in Christ

00:29:01.159 --> 00:29:01.679
 Jesus has

00:29:01.679 --> 00:29:02.539
 made a

00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.039
 way for

00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:03.839
 you to

00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.839
 know God's

00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:05.440
 love and

00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:05.799
 mercy.

00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:06.799
 Seek

00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:07.460
 Jesus

00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:08.559
 and you

00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.099
 will live.

00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.559
 I pray

00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:11.799
 that you

00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.279
 would continue

00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:12.740
 to seek

00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:13.039
 God,

00:29:13.159 --> 00:29:13.279
 St.

00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:13.519
 Paul,

00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:13.819
 that you

00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:14.339
 would not

00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:15.299
 presume

00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:15.659
 he ever

00:29:15.659 --> 00:29:16.220
 arrived

00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:17.799
 before God,

00:29:17.879 --> 00:29:18.159
 but you

00:29:18.159 --> 00:29:18.659
 would continue

00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.120
 to seek

00:29:19.120 --> 00:29:20.120
 him in

00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:20.560
 repentance

00:29:20.560 --> 00:29:21.460
 and in

00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:21.740
 faith,

00:29:21.840 --> 00:29:22.120
 for by

00:29:22.120 --> 00:29:22.759
 doing so

00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.660
 you will

00:29:23.660 --> 00:29:23.940
 live.

00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:25.180
 Amen.