WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.100 Okay, our reading is 1 Kings chapter 3. I'm just going to read from verses 1 to 15. 00:00:07.259 --> 00:00:10.179 And that's on page 337 of the Church Bible. 00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:13.400 So 1 Kings chapter 3. 00:00:16.260 --> 00:00:20.359 Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and married his daughter. 00:00:21.500 --> 00:00:28.260 He brought her to the city of David until he finished building his palace and the temple of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem. 00:00:28.260 --> 00:00:36.579 The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places because the temple had not yet been built for the name of the Lord. 00:00:37.980 --> 00:00:43.980 Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, 00:00:45.020 --> 00:00:49.760 except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. 00:00:49.759 --> 00:00:58.179 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, 00:00:58.780 --> 00:01:02.019 and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 00:01:03.420 --> 00:01:08.599 At Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, 00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:11.280 Ask for whatever you want me to give you. 00:01:11.280 --> 00:01:13.540 Solomon answered, 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:19.439 You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you, 00:01:19.879 --> 00:01:22.180 and righteous and upright in heart. 00:01:22.799 --> 00:01:25.379 You have continued this great kindness to him, 00:01:25.760 --> 00:01:29.879 and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:36.219 Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. 00:01:36.219 --> 00:01:41.379 But I am only a little child, and do not know how to carry out my duties. 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:45.400 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, 00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:48.920 a great people, too numerous to count or number. 00:01:50.060 --> 00:01:53.759 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people, 00:01:54.120 --> 00:01:56.000 and to distinguish between right and wrong. 00:01:57.180 --> 00:02:00.060 For who is able to govern this great people of yours? 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:04.379 The Lord is pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 00:02:04.379 --> 00:02:06.239 So God said to him, 00:02:06.719 --> 00:02:10.939 Since you have asked for this, and not for long life or wealth for yourself, 00:02:11.379 --> 00:02:13.560 nor have asked for the death of your enemies, 00:02:13.979 --> 00:02:17.599 but for discernment in administering justice, 00:02:17.960 --> 00:02:19.639 I will do what you have asked. 00:02:20.359 --> 00:02:22.539 I will give you a wise and discerning heart, 00:02:22.939 --> 00:02:26.479 so there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:29.919 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for, 00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:31.519 both wealth and honor, 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:35.060 so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 00:02:35.939 --> 00:02:37.800 And if you walk in obedience to me, 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:41.219 and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, 00:02:41.680 --> 00:02:43.500 I will give you a long life. 00:02:44.439 --> 00:02:45.660 Then Solomon awoke, 00:02:46.040 --> 00:02:47.879 and he realized it had been a dream. 00:02:49.340 --> 00:02:50.860 He returned to Jerusalem, 00:02:51.540 --> 00:02:53.360 stood before the ark of the Lord's covenant, 00:02:54.160 --> 00:02:57.300 and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. 00:02:57.300 --> 00:03:00.800 Then he gave a feast for all his court. 00:03:00.800 --> 00:03:15.240 Thanks very much, Chris. 00:03:16.600 --> 00:03:20.920 I think they ran out of little notes, 00:03:21.460 --> 00:03:22.580 so the two guys, 00:03:22.900 --> 00:03:24.860 the younger people, 00:03:25.180 --> 00:03:26.100 mightn't have any, 00:03:26.099 --> 00:03:27.579 so if you're an older person, 00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:31.159 you don't mind just giving one to one of the guys, 00:03:31.299 --> 00:03:32.419 if you could just... 00:03:32.419 --> 00:03:33.280 Oh, thanks, Sandra. 00:03:34.079 --> 00:03:34.359 Yeah. 00:03:35.180 --> 00:03:36.280 Thank you very much. 00:03:39.419 --> 00:03:39.859 Thanks. 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:43.939 Well, let's pray. 00:03:50.199 --> 00:03:51.319 Father, you are good, 00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:54.120 and you are generous. 00:03:56.000 --> 00:03:57.659 So help us now. 00:03:59.159 --> 00:04:02.539 Give life through your words. 00:04:05.859 --> 00:04:10.099 Give us more of Christ, we pray. 00:04:11.579 --> 00:04:13.519 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:04:14.439 --> 00:04:14.859 Amen. 00:04:14.860 --> 00:04:23.480 Well, if you could ask for anything you wanted, 00:04:24.580 --> 00:04:26.620 and you knew you would get it, 00:04:27.780 --> 00:04:29.439 what would you ask for? 00:04:32.439 --> 00:04:36.680 What do you most want in your life? 00:04:37.500 --> 00:04:38.980 You can ask for whatever you like, 00:04:39.139 --> 00:04:40.259 and you know you're going to get it. 00:04:40.300 --> 00:04:41.180 What are you going to ask for? 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:45.840 Well, in the true account of King Solomon, 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:48.519 God comes to Solomon with an offer. 00:04:49.160 --> 00:04:51.840 Have a look at verse 5 of chapter 3, 00:04:51.920 --> 00:04:53.060 the end of verse 5. 00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:58.759 Ask for whatever you want me to give you. 00:04:59.560 --> 00:05:00.680 Whatever you want, 00:05:01.019 --> 00:05:02.360 just ask me. 00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:08.300 Well, Solomon asked for wisdom. 00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:09.699 Have a look at verse 12. 00:05:11.180 --> 00:05:12.019 God responds, 00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:14.280 I will do what you have asked. 00:05:14.519 --> 00:05:18.900 I will give you a wise and discerning heart. 00:05:20.199 --> 00:05:23.160 And jump over to chapter 4, verse 29. 00:05:26.960 --> 00:05:30.460 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, 00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:33.060 and a breadth of understanding 00:05:33.060 --> 00:05:36.000 as measureless as the sand on the seashore. 00:05:36.680 --> 00:05:38.920 Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom 00:05:38.920 --> 00:05:40.840 of all the people of the East. 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:45.780 And greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. 00:05:48.259 --> 00:05:51.340 What would you ask God for? 00:05:52.699 --> 00:05:54.300 Well, let's put it another way. 00:05:54.420 --> 00:05:56.360 What do you ask God for? 00:05:56.360 --> 00:06:01.080 You see, if Solomon is going to rule the kingdom well, 00:06:01.800 --> 00:06:03.900 well, he needs God's wisdom. 00:06:05.840 --> 00:06:09.620 And if we are to enjoy life in God's kingdom, 00:06:10.620 --> 00:06:15.080 if we're going to receive the blessings of God's kingdom, 00:06:15.520 --> 00:06:18.780 well, then we too need wisdom. 00:06:18.779 --> 00:06:23.379 So, three things we're going to look at. 00:06:23.379 --> 00:06:27.399 First, discerning what true wisdom is. 00:06:28.739 --> 00:06:31.279 I think the first part of chapter 3 00:06:31.279 --> 00:06:33.339 shows us there's two kinds of wisdom. 00:06:34.079 --> 00:06:36.039 There is a worldly wisdom. 00:06:36.559 --> 00:06:38.219 Look at chapter 3, verse 1. 00:06:38.220 --> 00:06:43.320 Solomon has just started his kingship, 00:06:44.720 --> 00:06:47.160 and he gets straight down to work. 00:06:47.380 --> 00:06:47.920 Verse 1. 00:06:48.080 --> 00:06:50.500 Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh, 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:52.180 king of Egypt, 00:06:52.380 --> 00:06:54.600 and married his daughter. 00:06:55.280 --> 00:06:57.140 Seems like a good move, doesn't it? 00:06:57.139 --> 00:06:59.419 Make friends with your enemies 00:06:59.419 --> 00:07:03.199 by marrying off one of their daughters. 00:07:03.479 --> 00:07:05.099 Politically, it all makes sense. 00:07:05.860 --> 00:07:09.419 Build good allies with the surrounding nations. 00:07:11.699 --> 00:07:15.419 And then there seems to be something else that's wise in verse 2. 00:07:16.379 --> 00:07:17.979 We're told there the people, however, 00:07:18.099 --> 00:07:20.979 were still sacrificing at the high places 00:07:20.979 --> 00:07:24.459 because a temple had not yet been built 00:07:24.459 --> 00:07:25.579 for the name of the Lord. 00:07:25.579 --> 00:07:28.779 Well, everything in its own time. 00:07:28.959 --> 00:07:30.339 The temple will be built. 00:07:30.479 --> 00:07:32.139 We'll see that in chapter 6. 00:07:32.899 --> 00:07:35.060 But for now, it seems Solomon is content 00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:37.099 with worship at the high places. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:41.300 These high places were literally on high mountains, 00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:45.180 but they were old pagan worship sites. 00:07:46.799 --> 00:07:49.019 Religiously, it all seems to make sense. 00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:50.819 There's no temple, 00:07:51.039 --> 00:07:53.539 so let's keep all the people happy, 00:07:53.540 --> 00:07:56.560 especially those of, you know, pagan religions, 00:07:56.560 --> 00:07:59.840 and we'll all worship on the high places. 00:08:02.060 --> 00:08:04.240 Now, it all seems quite wise. 00:08:06.020 --> 00:08:08.900 Wisdom of the world is measured by things like 00:08:08.900 --> 00:08:12.400 good business deals and keeping people happy. 00:08:12.399 --> 00:08:16.560 For others, wisdom is intellectual ability 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:20.519 or material success and social status. 00:08:21.159 --> 00:08:22.639 If we have these, 00:08:23.339 --> 00:08:25.659 well, then we are exceedingly wise. 00:08:28.939 --> 00:08:31.139 Well, while some of them may be good 00:08:31.139 --> 00:08:32.819 and nothing wrong with some, 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:35.159 it's worldly wisdom. 00:08:35.159 --> 00:08:40.799 There is another kind of wisdom we should seek. 00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:43.679 Godly wisdom. 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:44.719 Look at verse 3. 00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:48.539 Solomon showed his love for the Lord 00:08:48.539 --> 00:08:51.439 by walking according to the instructions 00:08:51.439 --> 00:08:53.879 given him by his father David. 00:08:54.579 --> 00:08:55.679 Do you remember those instructions 00:08:56.199 --> 00:08:57.600 that David had given? 00:08:57.860 --> 00:09:00.339 Have a look back at chapter 2, verse 3. 00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:04.440 As David was handing on the kingship, 00:09:04.560 --> 00:09:06.940 he gave this reminder, 00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:08.220 this command. 00:09:08.920 --> 00:09:09.399 He says, 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:11.800 Observe what the Lord your God requires. 00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:13.660 Walk in obedience to him. 00:09:14.180 --> 00:09:15.940 Keep his decrees and commands, 00:09:16.060 --> 00:09:17.540 his laws and regulations, 00:09:18.080 --> 00:09:20.700 as written in the law of Moses. 00:09:21.960 --> 00:09:23.540 Chapter 3, verse 3. 00:09:23.740 --> 00:09:27.060 So, well, Solomon showed his love for the Lord 00:09:27.059 --> 00:09:29.839 by walking according to the instructions 00:09:29.839 --> 00:09:32.579 given him by his father David. 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:35.239 Except, 00:09:35.799 --> 00:09:40.179 except that he offered sacrifices 00:09:40.179 --> 00:09:43.479 and burned incense on the high places. 00:09:45.299 --> 00:09:48.059 You see, God's word was very clear 00:09:48.059 --> 00:09:50.319 about worshipping at the high places. 00:09:51.699 --> 00:09:54.359 And God's word was also very clear 00:09:54.359 --> 00:09:56.479 about marrying and making alliances 00:09:56.480 --> 00:09:57.779 with foreign nations. 00:09:58.300 --> 00:09:59.480 It was clear. 00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:00.379 God said, 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:00.940 No! 00:10:02.320 --> 00:10:03.980 These foreign nations 00:10:03.980 --> 00:10:05.259 and pagan religions, 00:10:05.659 --> 00:10:07.960 well, they're going to lead you away from God. 00:10:08.300 --> 00:10:09.879 Don't do it. 00:10:15.180 --> 00:10:16.860 So, godly wisdom 00:10:16.860 --> 00:10:17.860 is not just knowing 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:19.860 what God's word says. 00:10:21.779 --> 00:10:24.700 It's putting God's word into practice. 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:26.680 Solomon, 00:10:26.680 --> 00:10:27.220 Solomon, obviously, 00:10:27.480 --> 00:10:28.220 from verse 3, 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:30.500 knows about God's word, 00:10:31.140 --> 00:10:33.720 but it's about putting it into practice. 00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:37.120 We might know every Bible story. 00:10:37.300 --> 00:10:39.440 We can know our eschatology 00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:41.040 and our soteriology, 00:10:41.379 --> 00:10:44.620 but mere knowledge of God's word 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:46.700 is not wisdom. 00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:50.640 It's not just knowing what God says. 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:54.460 Wisdom is obeying God's word 00:10:54.460 --> 00:10:57.659 and putting God's word into practice. 00:10:59.179 --> 00:11:00.399 True wisdom, 00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:02.899 the wisdom from above, 00:11:03.419 --> 00:11:05.419 is wisdom that enables us 00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:07.580 to live life God's way 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:10.220 and choose the things 00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:13.960 that are right and best for us. 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:17.860 Remember the words of Jesus? 00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:20.639 Therefore, 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:25.200 everyone who hears these words of mine 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:28.800 and puts them into practice 00:11:28.800 --> 00:11:31.280 is like a wise man 00:11:31.280 --> 00:11:32.900 who built his house on the rock. 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:34.840 The rains came down, 00:11:34.980 --> 00:11:36.360 the streams rose, 00:11:36.540 --> 00:11:37.300 the winds blew 00:11:37.300 --> 00:11:38.639 and beat against that house, 00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:40.659 yet it did not fall 00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:42.500 because it had its foundation 00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:44.299 on the rock. 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:47.819 That rock is the wisdom 00:11:47.819 --> 00:11:49.939 of putting God's word 00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:51.659 into practice. 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:53.939 So, 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:57.699 discerning what true wisdom is. 00:11:59.179 --> 00:12:01.500 Then receiving true wisdom from God. 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:03.120 Solomon, well, 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:05.759 he was a bit unwise, 00:12:05.860 --> 00:12:06.279 wasn't he, 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:07.439 in some of his decisions. 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:10.560 But that doesn't hinder 00:12:10.560 --> 00:12:12.580 God's goodness to his people. 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:14.720 Look at verse 5, 00:12:15.060 --> 00:12:15.760 chapter 3. 00:12:17.060 --> 00:12:17.440 At Gibeon, 00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:19.180 so here's Solomon 00:12:19.180 --> 00:12:21.920 carrying out his sacrifices 00:12:21.920 --> 00:12:23.840 on one of the old pagan sites, 00:12:24.040 --> 00:12:25.780 which he had been told not to do. 00:12:26.680 --> 00:12:27.440 At Gibeon, 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:28.940 the Lord appeared to Solomon 00:12:28.940 --> 00:12:30.160 during the night in a dream 00:12:30.160 --> 00:12:30.900 and God said, 00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:33.280 ask for whatever you want me 00:12:33.280 --> 00:12:34.120 to give you. 00:12:35.060 --> 00:12:36.920 What amazing generosity. 00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:40.960 Solomon's prayer 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:42.020 that follows 00:12:42.020 --> 00:12:45.560 is very instructive 00:12:45.560 --> 00:12:46.300 to us 00:12:46.300 --> 00:12:47.280 in terms of 00:12:47.280 --> 00:12:48.500 receiving wisdom. 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:50.780 Look at how 00:12:50.780 --> 00:12:52.560 Solomon prays. 00:12:54.900 --> 00:12:56.980 Solomon doesn't launch into 00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:57.620 an 00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:58.700 I want 00:12:58.700 --> 00:13:00.720 and give me this. 00:13:01.520 --> 00:13:01.840 No, 00:13:01.920 --> 00:13:02.900 look how he starts, 00:13:03.060 --> 00:13:03.500 verse 6. 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.460 Solomon answered, 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:07.019 you have shown 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:08.419 great kindness 00:13:08.419 --> 00:13:09.740 to your servant, 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:11.340 my father David, 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.879 because he was 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:13.899 faithful to you 00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:14.659 and righteous 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:15.820 and upright in heart. 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:17.799 You have continued 00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:19.139 this great kindness 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:19.600 to him 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:20.899 and have given him 00:13:20.899 --> 00:13:21.860 a son to sit 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.360 on his throne 00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:23.299 to this very day. 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:24.779 God is not 00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:25.799 a begrudging, 00:13:25.960 --> 00:13:26.700 selfish, 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:28.100 mean tyrant. 00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:29.879 he's not 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:30.519 the kind 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:30.980 of God 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:32.000 who is constantly 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:32.779 looking out 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:33.680 for faults 00:13:33.680 --> 00:13:35.120 so that he can 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:36.620 refuse our requests. 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:38.519 No, 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:39.340 God is a 00:13:39.340 --> 00:13:40.560 kind 00:13:40.560 --> 00:13:41.680 God 00:13:41.680 --> 00:13:44.240 who acts 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:45.120 in great 00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:46.100 mercy. 00:13:47.680 --> 00:13:48.779 God's offer 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:49.440 is open 00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:50.180 and generous. 00:13:50.420 --> 00:13:51.480 Ask for whatever 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:53.019 you want me 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:54.379 to give you. 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:56.740 In fact, 00:13:56.820 --> 00:13:58.059 God is so kind 00:13:58.059 --> 00:13:59.159 that he gives 00:13:59.159 --> 00:13:59.740 to Solomon 00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:00.799 more than he asks. 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:01.419 Look down 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:02.419 at verse 13. 00:14:04.439 --> 00:14:05.379 God answers, 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:06.019 moreover, 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:07.139 I will give you 00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:07.980 what you have 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:09.679 not asked for, 00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:11.200 both wealth 00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:11.860 and honour, 00:14:12.439 --> 00:14:13.220 so that in your 00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:14.179 lifetime you will 00:14:14.179 --> 00:14:15.080 have no equal 00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:16.039 among kings. 00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:20.179 Sometimes 00:14:20.179 --> 00:14:21.620 we don't 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.419 ask 00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:24.159 and we don't 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:24.659 receive 00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:25.759 because we 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:26.500 have a wrong 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:27.419 view of God. 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:30.219 We think 00:14:30.219 --> 00:14:31.099 he's mean. 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:33.319 We maybe 00:14:33.319 --> 00:14:34.159 think that he 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:34.899 looks at all 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:35.559 our faults 00:14:35.559 --> 00:14:36.139 and he's not 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:37.120 going to give. 00:14:39.939 --> 00:14:40.319 Well, 00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:41.019 for Solomon, 00:14:41.199 --> 00:14:42.159 his understanding 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:42.740 of God, 00:14:42.839 --> 00:14:43.379 that God 00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:44.339 is kind, 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:45.939 shaped 00:14:45.939 --> 00:14:47.559 his request. 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:49.159 He could 00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:49.919 ask 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:51.620 of a kind 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:52.419 and generous 00:14:52.419 --> 00:14:52.959 God. 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:55.939 But there's 00:14:55.939 --> 00:14:56.479 something else 00:14:56.479 --> 00:14:57.039 we learn 00:14:57.039 --> 00:14:58.639 as he prays. 00:14:59.240 --> 00:14:59.839 He comes 00:14:59.839 --> 00:15:00.319 in great 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:00.839 humility. 00:15:01.979 --> 00:15:02.979 He recognises 00:15:02.979 --> 00:15:03.539 his own 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:04.019 weakness 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:05.099 and inability. 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:05.939 Verse 7. 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:07.279 Now, 00:15:07.459 --> 00:15:08.259 Lord my God, 00:15:08.339 --> 00:15:08.799 you have 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:09.459 made your 00:15:09.459 --> 00:15:10.399 servant king 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:11.299 in place 00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:12.019 of my father 00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:12.439 David, 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:14.079 but I am 00:15:14.079 --> 00:15:14.639 only a little 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.579 child and I 00:15:15.579 --> 00:15:16.360 do not know 00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:17.019 how to carry 00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.519 out my 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:17.980 duties. 00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:19.740 Yes, 00:15:19.800 --> 00:15:20.560 he's a king. 00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:21.820 Yes, 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:22.600 he's a mature 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:23.159 adult. 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.700 But for the 00:15:24.700 --> 00:15:25.420 task of 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:26.639 ruling God's 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:27.039 kingdom, 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:28.560 well, 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:29.019 he's just 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:29.360 a little 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:29.899 kid. 00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:31.539 He's aware 00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:31.940 of his 00:15:31.940 --> 00:15:32.720 inadequacy 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:34.300 and he 00:15:34.300 --> 00:15:35.659 knows that 00:15:35.659 --> 00:15:36.039 he should 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:36.519 come to 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:36.940 God. 00:15:37.560 --> 00:15:38.360 I can't 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:39.139 do it 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:40.840 is basically 00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:41.600 his cry. 00:15:43.940 --> 00:15:44.680 Too often 00:15:44.680 --> 00:15:46.120 we can be 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:46.920 so proud, 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:47.500 can't we? 00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:49.120 We don't 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:49.920 ask God 00:15:49.920 --> 00:15:50.440 for help, 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:50.960 we don't 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:51.399 commune 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:51.840 with God 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:52.279 because, 00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:52.879 well, 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:53.440 I can 00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:54.000 do it 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.000 and I've 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:55.700 got all 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:56.320 the resources 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:57.240 within myself 00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:57.659 to get 00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:58.300 things done. 00:15:59.639 --> 00:16:00.220 But for 00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:00.600 Solomon, 00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:01.399 he sees 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:01.700 that he 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:02.539 cannot live 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:03.480 or lead 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:04.100 in God's 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:04.360 kingdom, 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:05.600 he desperately 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.700 needs God. 00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:09.019 I'm only 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.420 a little 00:16:09.420 --> 00:16:10.200 child and 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:10.639 I do 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.220 not know 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:11.680 how to 00:16:11.680 --> 00:16:12.220 carry out 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:12.920 my duties. 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:16.339 in the 00:16:16.339 --> 00:16:16.740 eyes of 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:17.339 the world, 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:19.099 to admit 00:16:19.099 --> 00:16:19.620 that you're 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:20.199 weak and 00:16:20.199 --> 00:16:20.539 that you 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:21.419 need help 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:23.199 is a 00:16:23.199 --> 00:16:23.679 sign of 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:24.179 great 00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:25.019 weakness. 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:26.319 You're 00:16:26.319 --> 00:16:26.539 not 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.299 employable, 00:16:28.339 --> 00:16:28.799 you're 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:29.399 not needed 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:30.059 or wanted. 00:16:32.199 --> 00:16:32.620 Well, 00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:33.339 weakness 00:16:33.339 --> 00:16:34.879 is the 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.360 way in 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:35.979 which we 00:16:35.979 --> 00:16:36.379 do 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:37.039 receive. 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:39.339 I have 00:16:39.339 --> 00:16:39.740 a friend 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:40.579 who sometimes 00:16:40.579 --> 00:16:41.099 says to 00:16:41.099 --> 00:16:41.360 me, 00:16:42.459 --> 00:16:43.179 as the 00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:43.959 good book 00:16:43.959 --> 00:16:44.459 says, 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:46.319 God helps 00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:46.879 those who 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:47.240 help 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:47.779 themselves. 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.059 Well, 00:16:50.099 --> 00:16:50.419 the good 00:16:50.419 --> 00:16:51.079 book doesn't 00:16:51.079 --> 00:16:51.779 say that. 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:52.639 Look it 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:52.939 up in 00:16:52.939 --> 00:16:53.500 your Bible. 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:54.679 But what 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:55.179 the Bible 00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:55.879 does tell 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:56.939 us is 00:16:56.939 --> 00:16:57.740 that God 00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:58.740 longs to 00:16:58.740 --> 00:16:59.539 help those 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:00.299 who admit 00:17:00.299 --> 00:17:01.079 they can't 00:17:01.079 --> 00:17:01.319 help 00:17:01.319 --> 00:17:01.879 themselves. 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:03.679 He longs 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.139 for us to 00:17:04.139 --> 00:17:05.039 come with 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:05.960 open hands, 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:06.879 admit our 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:07.320 weakness, 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:09.320 and receive 00:17:09.320 --> 00:17:10.220 generously 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:11.600 from our 00:17:11.600 --> 00:17:12.280 good God. 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.440 As one 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.000 author put 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:14.220 it, 00:17:14.520 --> 00:17:15.320 when human 00:17:15.320 --> 00:17:16.080 weakness 00:17:16.080 --> 00:17:17.600 meets divine 00:17:17.600 --> 00:17:18.340 grace, 00:17:19.780 --> 00:17:20.240 God is 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:20.720 pleased. 00:17:25.060 --> 00:17:25.860 So, 00:17:26.080 --> 00:17:26.680 look at 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:27.520 how Solomon 00:17:27.520 --> 00:17:28.800 makes his 00:17:28.800 --> 00:17:29.420 request. 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:30.840 He recognised 00:17:30.840 --> 00:17:31.380 God's 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:31.800 kindness, 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.600 he knows 00:17:33.600 --> 00:17:34.220 his weakness, 00:17:35.280 --> 00:17:36.020 and now 00:17:36.020 --> 00:17:36.520 he makes 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.299 his request, 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:38.039 verse 9. 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:40.339 So, 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.139 give, 00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:43.779 give your 00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:44.660 servant a 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:45.480 discerning 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:47.279 heart to 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:48.119 govern your 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:48.839 people and 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:49.099 it's 00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:49.819 distinguished 00:17:49.819 --> 00:17:50.879 between right 00:17:50.879 --> 00:17:51.440 and wrong. 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.619 For who is 00:17:52.619 --> 00:17:53.180 able to 00:17:53.180 --> 00:17:53.700 govern this 00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:54.339 great people 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:54.960 of yours? 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:57.400 Verse 12, 00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:59.079 God answers, 00:17:59.220 --> 00:18:00.079 I will do 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:00.639 what you 00:18:00.639 --> 00:18:01.299 have asked. 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:02.639 I will 00:18:02.639 --> 00:18:03.559 give you a 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:04.379 wise and 00:18:04.379 --> 00:18:05.079 discerning 00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:05.639 heart, 00:18:06.639 --> 00:18:07.220 so that 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:07.879 there will 00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:08.659 never have 00:18:08.659 --> 00:18:09.339 been anyone 00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:10.079 like you, 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.680 nor will 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.299 there ever 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:12.599 be. 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.579 It's an 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.240 extraordinary 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:15.960 request, 00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:16.599 isn't it? 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.379 Remember what 00:18:18.379 --> 00:18:19.039 God's offer 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:19.519 was. 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:20.599 Solomon, 00:18:21.139 --> 00:18:22.359 ask for 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:23.299 whatever you 00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:24.059 want me to 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:24.559 give you. 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:26.680 Wow. 00:18:26.680 --> 00:18:27.900 well, 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:29.860 I'd like a 00:18:29.860 --> 00:18:30.440 new car. 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.140 Actually, 00:18:32.340 --> 00:18:33.259 a self-drive 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:33.840 Tesla. 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:34.440 Have you 00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:34.920 seen them? 00:18:36.340 --> 00:18:37.220 That new 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:37.620 phone, 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.539 iPhone X, 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:41.900 that six-inch 00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:42.440 screen, 00:18:42.600 --> 00:18:43.320 that new 00:18:43.320 --> 00:18:43.820 version. 00:18:46.080 --> 00:18:46.460 And I 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:46.820 could do 00:18:46.820 --> 00:18:47.120 with a 00:18:47.120 --> 00:18:47.860 better salary 00:18:47.860 --> 00:18:48.279 as well. 00:18:48.820 --> 00:18:49.660 Six figures, 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:50.740 just six 00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:51.279 figures would 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:51.779 be fine. 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:53.879 And since 00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.460 I'm here 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.319 and you're 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:55.740 offering, 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:56.799 well, 00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:57.240 I'd love 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:57.940 good health. 00:18:58.859 --> 00:18:59.599 No more 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:00.319 annoying work 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:00.839 colleagues. 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.220 And by the 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:02.440 way, 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:02.980 if you could 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:03.359 make it 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:03.779 possible, 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:04.639 get rid 00:19:04.639 --> 00:19:04.920 of all 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:05.139 my 00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:05.639 neighbour's 00:19:05.639 --> 00:19:06.240 cats as 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.460 well. 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.180 No, 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:10.619 it's not 00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:10.899 what he 00:19:10.899 --> 00:19:11.240 says, 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:11.599 is it? 00:19:11.639 --> 00:19:12.019 Look at 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:12.599 verse 9. 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:13.920 Give 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:14.680 your servant 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:15.799 a discerning 00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:17.420 heart to 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:18.039 govern your 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:18.779 people and 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.460 distinguish 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:21.019 between right 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:21.440 and wrong, 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.639 give me 00:19:22.639 --> 00:19:25.259 wisdom so 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:25.700 I can 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.639 discern what 00:19:26.639 --> 00:19:27.299 is right 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:27.740 and what 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.299 is wrong 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:28.639 and what 00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:29.420 is best. 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:30.420 Give me 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.399 wisdom so 00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:31.759 that I 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.399 can live 00:19:32.399 --> 00:19:34.399 life God's 00:19:34.399 --> 00:19:34.700 way, 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.379 in God's 00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:36.819 kingdom, 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:38.079 enabling me 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:38.859 to choose 00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:39.379 what is 00:19:39.379 --> 00:19:40.119 right and 00:19:40.119 --> 00:19:40.539 what will 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.399 bring life 00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:42.299 and what 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:42.779 will bring 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.399 blessing. 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:48.240 Solomon 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:48.899 doesn't ask 00:19:48.899 --> 00:19:49.299 for what 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.079 he wants. 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:51.859 he asks 00:19:51.859 --> 00:19:52.460 for what 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:53.139 pleases 00:19:53.139 --> 00:19:54.059 God. 00:19:54.679 --> 00:19:55.480 Verse 10. 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:58.119 The Lord 00:19:58.119 --> 00:19:59.579 was pleased 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:01.419 that Solomon 00:20:01.419 --> 00:20:02.159 had asked 00:20:02.159 --> 00:20:03.159 for this. 00:20:03.939 --> 00:20:04.639 So God 00:20:04.639 --> 00:20:05.059 said to 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:05.220 him, 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.220 since you 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:06.759 have asked 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.339 for this 00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:08.619 and not 00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:09.259 for long 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:09.980 life or 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.799 wealth for 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.299 yourself, 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.579 nor have 00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:13.019 asked for 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.480 the death 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:13.799 of your 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.220 enemies, 00:20:14.939 --> 00:20:15.399 but for 00:20:15.399 --> 00:20:16.139 discernment 00:20:16.139 --> 00:20:17.139 and administering 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:17.500 justice, 00:20:17.820 --> 00:20:18.420 I will 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:19.300 do what 00:20:19.300 --> 00:20:20.000 you have 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:20.560 asked. 00:20:21.800 --> 00:20:22.280 You see, 00:20:22.340 --> 00:20:22.900 we mustn't 00:20:22.900 --> 00:20:23.380 think of 00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:23.940 God as 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:25.220 some magic 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:25.980 genie that 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.480 we have to 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:26.860 kind of 00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:28.120 caress and 00:20:28.120 --> 00:20:29.180 do good 00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:30.100 things for 00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:30.400 and, 00:20:30.900 --> 00:20:31.060 well, 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:31.500 he will 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.200 just give 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:32.640 then at 00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:33.340 our demand. 00:20:35.560 --> 00:20:35.820 Prayer 00:20:35.820 --> 00:20:36.540 actually isn't 00:20:36.540 --> 00:20:37.160 about me 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:37.600 and my 00:20:37.600 --> 00:20:38.240 wants. 00:20:40.020 --> 00:20:40.680 Prayer 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:42.120 is about 00:20:42.120 --> 00:20:42.920 what pleases 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:44.720 God and 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.700 what pleases 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.400 God is 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:48.279 always what 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:48.940 is best 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.700 and right 00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:50.519 for us. 00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:55.400 Now, 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.120 we mightn't 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:56.480 be a 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:56.820 Solomon, 00:20:58.100 --> 00:20:58.740 but aren't 00:20:58.740 --> 00:20:59.160 we all 00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.820 called to 00:20:59.820 --> 00:21:00.460 live well 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.200 in God's 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:01.539 kingdom? 00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:03.600 Aren't we 00:21:03.600 --> 00:21:04.340 called to 00:21:04.340 --> 00:21:05.340 make good 00:21:05.340 --> 00:21:05.880 and right 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:07.860 choices for 00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:08.460 what will be 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.060 best for 00:21:09.060 --> 00:21:09.660 our life? 00:21:11.120 --> 00:21:11.680 Well, 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.420 this same 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:13.320 generous offer 00:21:13.320 --> 00:21:13.680 that we 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.620 see in 00:21:14.620 --> 00:21:16.400 chapter 3 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:17.039 verse 5, 00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:17.460 ask for 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:18.000 whatever you 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.720 want me to 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:19.140 give you, 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:20.380 in a sense 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.140 is given 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:21.900 to us. 00:21:23.580 --> 00:21:24.279 Look what it 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:24.720 says in 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.120 James, 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:26.240 if any of 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:27.019 you lacks 00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:27.539 wisdom, 00:21:29.060 --> 00:21:29.539 you should 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.340 ask God 00:21:30.340 --> 00:21:31.980 who gives 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.860 generously 00:21:32.860 --> 00:21:33.960 to all 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:35.120 without 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:35.680 finding 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.200 faults 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:38.060 and it 00:21:38.060 --> 00:21:39.279 will be 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:39.759 given to 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.019 you. 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:41.859 God is 00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:42.279 not on 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:42.400 the 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:42.619 lookout 00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:43.079 for 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:43.319 our 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:44.000 faults 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:45.200 so he 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:45.420 can 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:45.940 refuse 00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:46.200 our 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:46.759 requests. 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:48.400 He gives 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:49.059 generously, 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:49.920 he gives 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:50.839 to all 00:21:50.839 --> 00:21:51.819 without 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.559 finding 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:53.119 fault. 00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:54.720 He 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.460 faithfully 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:56.039 gives to 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:56.539 those who 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.139 are weak 00:21:57.139 --> 00:21:58.039 and know 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:58.559 they need 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:58.980 help. 00:21:58.980 --> 00:22:02.740 we would 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.420 be wise, 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:03.740 wouldn't 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.000 we, 00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:05.880 to pray 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:06.440 the kind 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:06.960 of prayer 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.500 Solomon 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.299 prays, 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:10.000 asking for 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:10.519 our good 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.160 and generous 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:11.599 God, 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:12.480 for that 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:13.059 wisdom 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:14.779 to live 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:16.180 life as 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:16.620 God has 00:22:16.620 --> 00:22:17.140 called us 00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:17.360 to. 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:22.759 So Solomon 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.679 receives 00:22:23.679 --> 00:22:24.519 this 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.099 wonderful 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:25.879 gift of 00:22:25.879 --> 00:22:26.339 wisdom 00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:28.500 and as 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:28.679 we'll 00:22:28.679 --> 00:22:29.159 discover 00:22:29.159 --> 00:22:29.479 on 00:22:29.479 --> 00:22:30.119 receiving 00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:30.719 wisdom 00:22:30.719 --> 00:22:31.899 it 00:22:31.899 --> 00:22:32.459 brings 00:22:32.459 --> 00:22:33.119 great 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:34.079 blessing. 00:22:35.159 --> 00:22:35.399 It 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:35.759 brings 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.299 great 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:36.979 blessing. 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:39.539 We 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:39.859 have, 00:22:39.899 --> 00:22:40.359 it wasn't 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:40.679 read, 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:41.139 but we 00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:41.659 have this 00:22:41.659 --> 00:22:42.459 extraordinary 00:22:42.459 --> 00:22:43.359 account of 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:43.819 two 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:45.000 prostitutes. 00:22:45.139 --> 00:22:45.639 You may 00:22:45.639 --> 00:22:46.379 have come 00:22:46.379 --> 00:22:47.019 across this 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:47.920 account before. 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:49.059 Let's 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:50.379 read this 00:22:50.379 --> 00:22:51.079 whole account 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:51.940 starting in 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:53.440 verse 16 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:56.420 as we 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:56.940 see the 00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.539 blessings 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.440 that flow 00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:59.319 from 00:22:59.319 --> 00:22:59.759 wisdom. 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.740 Verse 16, 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.220 now two 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:03.000 prostitutes 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.460 came to 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:03.859 the king 00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:05.359 and stood 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:06.079 before them. 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:07.839 One of 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.480 them said, 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:09.859 pardon me 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:10.480 my lord, 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:11.980 this woman 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.359 and I 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:12.700 live in 00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.099 the same 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:13.500 house. 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.579 I had 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.079 a baby 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:16.059 while she 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.559 was there 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.139 with me. 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:19.460 The third 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:20.039 day after 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:20.579 the child 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:21.159 was born, 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.440 this woman 00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:23.039 also had 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:23.419 a baby. 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:23.899 We were 00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:24.339 alone. 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:25.399 There was 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:25.859 no one 00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:26.119 in the 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:26.599 house but 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:26.980 the two 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.339 of us, 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.139 no other 00:23:28.139 --> 00:23:28.599 witnesses. 00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:31.119 Okay, 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:31.779 go on, 00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:32.319 go on. 00:23:33.399 --> 00:23:33.819 Well, 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.480 during the 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:34.799 nights, 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:35.639 this woman's 00:23:35.639 --> 00:23:36.259 son died 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.019 because she 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:37.480 lay on 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:37.700 him. 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.399 So she 00:23:39.399 --> 00:23:40.059 got up in 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.359 the middle 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:40.639 of the 00:23:40.639 --> 00:23:41.079 night and 00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:42.139 took my 00:23:42.139 --> 00:23:42.899 son from 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.679 my side 00:23:43.679 --> 00:23:44.279 while I, 00:23:44.379 --> 00:23:44.859 your servant, 00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:45.619 was asleep. 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:47.439 She put 00:23:47.439 --> 00:23:47.859 him by 00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:48.539 her breast 00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:49.459 and put 00:23:49.459 --> 00:23:50.000 her dead 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:51.139 son by 00:23:51.139 --> 00:23:51.919 my breast. 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:53.740 The next 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.299 morning I 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:54.879 got up to 00:23:54.879 --> 00:23:55.359 nurse my 00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:55.799 son and 00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.659 he was 00:23:56.659 --> 00:23:57.179 dead. 00:23:58.659 --> 00:23:59.559 But when I 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.000 looked at 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.659 him closely 00:24:00.659 --> 00:24:01.019 in the 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.539 morning light, 00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:02.179 I saw that 00:24:02.179 --> 00:24:02.959 he wasn't 00:24:02.959 --> 00:24:04.039 the son 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.439 that I 00:24:04.439 --> 00:24:04.939 had born. 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:07.819 The other 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:08.479 woman said, 00:24:08.839 --> 00:24:09.099 no, 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:10.740 the living 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.419 one is my 00:24:11.419 --> 00:24:11.639 son, 00:24:11.699 --> 00:24:12.159 the dead 00:24:12.159 --> 00:24:12.579 one is 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:13.039 yours. 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:14.639 But the 00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:15.220 first one 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:15.700 insisted, 00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:16.559 no, 00:24:16.879 --> 00:24:17.559 the dead 00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:18.000 one is 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.299 yours, 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:18.899 the living 00:24:18.899 --> 00:24:19.339 one is 00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:19.759 mine. 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:21.799 And so 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.599 they argued 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.259 before the 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:23.539 king. 00:24:24.879 --> 00:24:25.619 Now we 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.059 can only 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:27.019 imagine the 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.799 heartache 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:29.799 and helplessness 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.279 of this 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:31.480 poor mother. 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.639 She knows 00:24:33.639 --> 00:24:34.240 her son. 00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:36.619 She's felt 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:37.920 his heartbeat. 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.319 She knows 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:41.159 his unique 00:24:41.159 --> 00:24:42.180 little features. 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:43.340 this is 00:24:43.340 --> 00:24:44.820 her baby 00:24:44.820 --> 00:24:45.480 and she 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.440 longs for 00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:47.279 justice. 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.019 But rather 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.980 than things 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.620 get better, 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.200 they seem 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:53.640 to get 00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:54.240 worse. 00:24:54.620 --> 00:24:55.440 Verse 23, 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:57.560 the king 00:24:57.560 --> 00:24:58.039 said, 00:24:58.980 --> 00:24:59.680 this one 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.060 says, 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.160 my son is 00:25:01.160 --> 00:25:01.680 alive and 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.279 your son is 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:02.500 dead. 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.160 While that 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:03.680 one there 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.259 says, 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:04.720 no, 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.420 your son 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:05.799 is dead 00:25:05.799 --> 00:25:06.220 and mine 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:06.740 is alive. 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.279 I mean, 00:25:07.340 --> 00:25:07.759 which one 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.039 is it? 00:25:08.120 --> 00:25:08.779 How am I 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.360 supposed to 00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:09.539 know? 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:15.619 then the 00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:16.240 king said, 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.379 bring me 00:25:17.379 --> 00:25:18.399 a sword. 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:20.220 What on 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:20.899 earth does 00:25:20.899 --> 00:25:21.420 he need a 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:22.039 sword for? 00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:23.680 So they 00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:24.259 brought a 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.839 sword for 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:25.359 the king. 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:27.519 Then he 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.119 gave an 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:28.500 order, 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.460 cut the 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.420 living child 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.119 in two 00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:33.500 and give 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.059 half to 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:34.399 one 00:25:34.399 --> 00:25:36.099 and half 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:36.460 to the 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:36.740 other. 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:38.980 what? 00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:40.259 A 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:40.779 terrible 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.700 injustice 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:43.140 is about 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:43.620 to take 00:25:43.620 --> 00:25:44.000 place. 00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:44.779 She came 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.460 looking for 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.380 justice and 00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:46.839 now she 00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:47.759 seems powerless. 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:48.519 There's 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.359 nothing she 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:49.759 can do 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.519 about it. 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:52.279 Verse 26, 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.160 the woman 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:53.759 whose son 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.400 was alive 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:55.059 was deeply 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:55.819 moved out 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:56.240 of love 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:56.640 for her 00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:57.359 son and 00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:57.720 said to 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.099 the king, 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.160 please, 00:25:59.279 --> 00:25:59.920 my lord, 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:01.700 give her 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.220 the living 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:02.620 baby. 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:03.559 Don't 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:04.559 kill him. 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:06.700 But the 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.220 other said, 00:26:07.679 --> 00:26:08.339 neither I 00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:09.559 nor you 00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.240 shall have 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:10.480 him. 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:11.339 Cut him 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:11.759 in two. 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.339 Then the 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:14.859 king gave 00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:15.440 this ruling. 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.319 Give the 00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:18.000 living baby 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.419 to the 00:26:18.419 --> 00:26:19.019 first woman. 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.500 Do not 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.019 kill him. 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:23.139 She is 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:23.599 his mother. 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:27.200 Now Solomon's 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:27.779 threat to 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.119 cut the 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:28.619 baby in 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:29.039 two may 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.559 cause us 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:30.519 some kind 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:31.440 of distress, 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.899 understandably. 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:34.320 but that's 00:26:34.320 --> 00:26:35.160 not Solomon's 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.720 intention. 00:26:36.900 --> 00:26:37.820 His threat 00:26:37.820 --> 00:26:39.360 merely uncovers 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:40.180 the truth 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:42.160 so that 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:43.320 justice can 00:26:43.320 --> 00:26:43.920 be done. 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:45.620 The true 00:26:45.620 --> 00:26:46.180 mother would 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:46.980 do anything 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.640 to save 00:26:47.640 --> 00:26:48.080 her son, 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:49.400 even if that 00:26:49.400 --> 00:26:50.019 meant giving 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.700 it to someone 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.120 else. 00:26:52.320 --> 00:26:53.420 The false 00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:54.080 mother would 00:26:54.080 --> 00:26:54.920 just let the 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:55.759 child die. 00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:57.540 Their 00:26:57.540 --> 00:26:58.320 responses 00:26:58.320 --> 00:26:59.880 proved who 00:26:59.880 --> 00:27:00.600 was the 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:01.080 real 00:27:01.080 --> 00:27:01.980 mother. 00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:04.100 Solomon's 00:27:04.100 --> 00:27:04.740 wisdom 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:06.120 brought 00:27:06.120 --> 00:27:06.960 blessing 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:08.160 to this 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:08.600 broken 00:27:08.600 --> 00:27:08.980 mother. 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:09.600 She 00:27:09.600 --> 00:27:10.740 received the 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.680 justice she 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.560 longed for, 00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:13.820 life for her 00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:15.180 baby son and 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:16.259 life with 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:16.840 her son. 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.519 Wisdom 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.500 speaks 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:21.440 into the 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:22.220 chaos and 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:23.280 disruption and 00:27:23.280 --> 00:27:24.480 brokenness of 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:25.120 her life 00:27:25.120 --> 00:27:26.580 and her 00:27:26.580 --> 00:27:27.380 future 00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:28.680 has been 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.400 transformed. 00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:31.840 verse 28, 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:32.300 when all 00:27:32.300 --> 00:27:33.180 Israel heard 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:33.840 the verdict 00:27:33.840 --> 00:27:34.300 the king 00:27:34.300 --> 00:27:34.759 had given, 00:27:35.320 --> 00:27:35.900 they held 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.320 the king 00:27:36.320 --> 00:27:36.759 in awe 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.740 because they 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:38.500 saw he 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:39.440 had wisdom 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:40.340 from God 00:27:40.340 --> 00:27:41.820 to administer 00:27:41.820 --> 00:27:42.680 justice. 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:48.279 isn't this 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:49.039 the kind 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:49.660 of king 00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:51.519 we too 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.259 long for? 00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:54.320 A king 00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:54.900 that we 00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:55.420 could go 00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:56.000 to who 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.700 is so 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.400 wise, 00:27:58.600 --> 00:27:59.600 who welcomes 00:27:59.600 --> 00:28:00.340 people, it 00:28:00.340 --> 00:28:00.759 appears, 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.519 whoever they 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.279 are, no 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:02.940 matter what 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:03.799 their background, 00:28:05.120 --> 00:28:05.860 whatever is 00:28:05.860 --> 00:28:06.620 going on in 00:28:06.620 --> 00:28:07.160 their life, 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.380 and one who 00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:09.240 will always do 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:10.180 what is right 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:11.299 and just 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:12.720 and fair? 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:15.600 A king 00:28:15.600 --> 00:28:16.519 with the 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.240 wisdom of 00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:17.680 God 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:19.759 who will 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:20.680 put all 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.660 wrongs to 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.100 right? 00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:27.420 Well, in 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:27.920 Christ, 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:30.019 we have 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.880 the ultimate 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:31.600 and wise 00:28:31.600 --> 00:28:32.259 king, don't 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:32.460 we? 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:34.060 I mean, look 00:28:34.060 --> 00:28:34.660 at this woman 00:28:34.660 --> 00:28:35.039 here. 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.279 We don't 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:36.980 even know 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.940 her name. 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:39.759 She's just 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.619 referred to 00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:41.920 as that 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:42.940 prostitute. 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.059 An 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:44.839 occupation 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:46.059 like hers 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:46.440 could have 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:46.839 had her 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:48.000 sentenced to 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.759 death for 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:49.299 coming to 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:49.700 the king. 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:51.700 Ignored, 00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:52.440 abused, 00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:53.640 and rejected. 00:28:55.339 --> 00:28:56.180 But in 00:28:56.180 --> 00:28:56.640 coming to 00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:57.099 the king, 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:58.019 she finds 00:28:58.019 --> 00:29:00.359 justice 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:01.799 and life 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:03.700 and peace. 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:07.680 How much 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.140 more 00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:09.660 will we 00:29:09.660 --> 00:29:10.520 receive the 00:29:10.520 --> 00:29:11.340 blessings of 00:29:11.340 --> 00:29:11.840 the kingdom 00:29:11.840 --> 00:29:12.420 as we 00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:13.560 come to 00:29:13.560 --> 00:29:14.220 Christ? 00:29:15.300 --> 00:29:15.920 You see, 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:16.320 as we 00:29:16.320 --> 00:29:16.860 come to 00:29:16.860 --> 00:29:17.560 Christ in 00:29:17.560 --> 00:29:18.480 all our 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.440 brokenness and 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:20.060 in all our 00:29:20.060 --> 00:29:20.560 mess, 00:29:21.100 --> 00:29:21.940 as we come 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:22.480 seeking 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.259 justice, 00:29:24.060 --> 00:29:24.420 well, we 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:25.400 don't need to 00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:26.420 argue our 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:26.980 case, 00:29:28.020 --> 00:29:28.880 because the 00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:29.700 good news is 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.320 when we come 00:29:30.320 --> 00:29:30.900 to Christ, 00:29:31.100 --> 00:29:31.820 we actually 00:29:31.820 --> 00:29:32.540 find that 00:29:32.540 --> 00:29:33.440 justice has 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:34.160 already been 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:34.600 done. 00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:38.000 God in 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.759 his wisdom, 00:29:39.599 --> 00:29:40.539 before the 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:41.379 foundation of 00:29:41.379 --> 00:29:41.939 the world, 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.079 before we 00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.619 existed, 00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:44.819 before we 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.339 came to 00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:45.679 be, 00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:48.439 had sent 00:29:48.439 --> 00:29:49.259 his son 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:49.980 the plan 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:51.279 to come 00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:51.719 into the 00:29:51.719 --> 00:29:52.599 world for 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:53.000 us. 00:29:53.159 --> 00:29:53.879 A king 00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:55.139 who came 00:29:55.139 --> 00:29:55.619 who did 00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:56.500 not threaten 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.279 with the 00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:57.599 sword, 00:29:59.240 --> 00:29:59.719 but a 00:29:59.719 --> 00:30:00.159 king who 00:30:00.159 --> 00:30:00.619 would come 00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:01.099 and take 00:30:01.099 --> 00:30:01.799 the sword 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:03.000 for us. 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.279 He would 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:04.779 give his 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:05.539 life on 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.039 the cross, 00:30:06.419 --> 00:30:07.019 taking the 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.819 blame for 00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:08.419 all the 00:30:08.419 --> 00:30:08.940 wrong that 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:09.419 we have 00:30:09.419 --> 00:30:09.759 done, 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:10.539 so that 00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:11.099 we could 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:12.059 be forgiven 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:15.159 and receive 00:30:15.159 --> 00:30:17.539 life and 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.279 peace, 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.279 not just 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:20.819 for now, 00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:21.639 not just 00:30:21.639 --> 00:30:22.180 temporarily, 00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:23.960 but for 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.759 eternity, 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:26.240 the blessings 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:26.740 of the 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:27.119 kingdom, 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.740 all ours, 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.639 given from 00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:31.160 the king. 00:30:34.860 --> 00:30:35.660 Turn with 00:30:35.660 --> 00:30:35.860 me, 00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:36.220 please, 00:30:36.320 --> 00:30:36.460 to 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.200 Colossians 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:39.080 chapter 2. 00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:43.440 First 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:44.080 there can 00:30:44.080 --> 00:30:44.540 give me 00:30:44.540 --> 00:30:45.100 the page 00:30:45.100 --> 00:30:45.600 number, 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:47.940 if you 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.380 have it, 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.060 Colossians 00:30:49.060 --> 00:30:49.940 chapter 2. 00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:54.740 1183. 00:30:56.320 --> 00:30:57.960 1183 00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:58.860 Colossians 00:30:58.860 --> 00:30:59.780 chapter 2. 00:31:00.640 --> 00:31:01.860 You see, 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:02.540 in Christ 00:31:02.540 --> 00:31:03.240 we have 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:04.700 the ultimate 00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:06.220 wise 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:07.460 king. 00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:09.340 For in 00:31:09.340 --> 00:31:09.800 Christ, 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:10.960 wisdom 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.960 itself is 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:13.320 personified. 00:31:14.600 --> 00:31:15.080 Look what 00:31:15.080 --> 00:31:15.700 Colossians 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.600 chapter 2 00:31:16.600 --> 00:31:17.920 verse 3 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:19.280 tells us. 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:24.599 in whom, 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:25.119 that is, 00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:26.740 in Christ 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:29.000 are hidden, 00:31:29.660 --> 00:31:30.480 what do we 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:31.059 find in 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.460 Christ? 00:31:31.879 --> 00:31:32.859 All the 00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:33.460 treasures 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:35.440 of wisdom 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:37.420 and knowledge. 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:38.759 All of 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:39.539 wisdom, 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:40.859 everything, 00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:42.500 in 00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.339 Christ. 00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:46.919 verse 8. 00:31:46.919 --> 00:31:49.240 See to it 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:50.619 that no one 00:31:50.619 --> 00:31:51.220 takes you 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:52.220 captive through 00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:53.240 hollow and 00:31:53.240 --> 00:31:53.980 deceptive 00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:54.619 philosophy, 00:31:54.619 --> 00:31:56.240 which depends 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:56.899 on human 00:31:56.899 --> 00:31:57.659 tradition and 00:31:57.659 --> 00:31:58.859 the elemental 00:31:58.859 --> 00:32:00.220 spiritual forces 00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:00.679 or the 00:32:00.679 --> 00:32:02.059 principles of 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:02.720 this world, 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:03.779 rather than 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:04.359 on Christ. 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:05.579 Be careful 00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:07.039 that you 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:07.919 don't get 00:32:07.919 --> 00:32:08.799 led astray 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:10.259 by worldly 00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:11.259 wisdom 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:13.220 that says 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:14.139 you can do 00:32:14.139 --> 00:32:15.279 it and 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:15.899 you have the 00:32:15.899 --> 00:32:16.439 power and 00:32:16.439 --> 00:32:16.980 you have the 00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:17.759 strength to 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.159 make the 00:32:18.159 --> 00:32:18.960 right decisions 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:20.220 for life and 00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:20.859 for all that 00:32:20.859 --> 00:32:21.419 you need. 00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:21.560 peace. 00:32:24.560 --> 00:32:24.860 No, 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.400 turn to 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:25.840 Christ, 00:32:25.940 --> 00:32:26.560 for Christ 00:32:26.560 --> 00:32:27.400 is our 00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:27.860 wisdom. 00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:29.519 Verse 9. 00:32:29.860 --> 00:32:30.680 For in 00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:31.480 Christ 00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:33.600 all the 00:32:33.600 --> 00:32:34.039 fullness 00:32:34.039 --> 00:32:35.759 of the 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:36.200 deity 00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:37.300 lives in 00:32:37.300 --> 00:32:37.680 bodily 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:38.060 form. 00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:38.660 All of 00:32:38.660 --> 00:32:39.120 God, 00:32:40.360 --> 00:32:40.640 his 00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:41.200 greatness, 00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:41.600 his 00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:42.140 power, 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:42.660 his 00:32:42.660 --> 00:32:43.340 beauty 00:32:43.340 --> 00:32:45.240 is all 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:45.980 in 00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.820 Christ. 00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:49.300 Verse 10. 00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:50.060 And in 00:32:50.060 --> 00:32:50.960 Christ 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:52.039 you have 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.860 been brought 00:32:52.860 --> 00:32:54.440 to 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:54.880 fullness. 00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:57.059 Everything 00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:57.600 that we 00:32:57.600 --> 00:32:58.380 would possibly 00:32:58.380 --> 00:33:00.180 need to 00:33:00.180 --> 00:33:01.440 receive life 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:02.680 and to 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:03.759 live life 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.539 God's 00:33:04.539 --> 00:33:06.220 way is 00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:07.059 all in 00:33:07.059 --> 00:33:08.819 Christ and 00:33:08.819 --> 00:33:09.539 we have 00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:10.720 it all in 00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:11.660 Christ to 00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:12.380 the point of 00:33:12.380 --> 00:33:13.579 fullness to 00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:14.579 overflowing. 00:33:18.380 --> 00:33:19.579 A wise 00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:19.980 king, 00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:22.220 more than 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:22.579 we could 00:33:22.579 --> 00:33:23.559 ever expect 00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:24.360 or imagine. 00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:27.940 If you 00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:28.559 could ask 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:29.240 for one 00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:30.960 thing and 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.660 you knew 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:32.240 you would 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:33.079 receive it, 00:33:34.079 --> 00:33:36.200 what would 00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:36.799 you ask 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:37.259 for? 00:33:38.700 --> 00:33:39.480 Or let me 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.099 change that 00:33:40.099 --> 00:33:40.599 slightly. 00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.559 Who would 00:33:42.559 --> 00:33:43.120 you ask 00:33:43.120 --> 00:33:43.500 for? 00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:45.400 More of 00:33:45.400 --> 00:33:45.920 Christ. 00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:47.700 Lord, 00:33:48.100 --> 00:33:48.880 more of 00:33:48.880 --> 00:33:49.400 Christ. 00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:50.980 The 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:51.779 treasures of 00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:52.220 all the 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:52.620 wisdom, 00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:53.720 the fullness 00:33:53.720 --> 00:33:54.620 of God, 00:33:55.340 --> 00:33:56.400 everything that 00:33:56.400 --> 00:33:56.740 we could 00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:57.900 possibly ever 00:33:57.900 --> 00:33:58.720 need for 00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.700 life today 00:33:59.700 --> 00:34:00.980 and for 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:01.759 life to 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.140 come. 00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:04.259 The 00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:04.740 wisdom 00:34:04.740 --> 00:34:05.920 that is 00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:06.920 Christ's. 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.659 Choose 00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.200 wisely 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:11.960 and live 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:13.179 life well. 00:34:13.439 --> 00:34:13.759 Let's 00:34:13.759 --> 00:34:14.059 pray. 00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:14.339 Let's 00:34:14.339 --> 00:34:14.419 pray. 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:31.740 Father, we 00:34:31.740 --> 00:34:32.380 have seen 00:34:32.380 --> 00:34:33.119 that you 00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:34.099 are good 00:34:34.099 --> 00:34:36.260 and kind 00:34:36.260 --> 00:34:37.180 and generous. 00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:39.779 you give 00:34:39.779 --> 00:34:40.359 to all 00:34:40.359 --> 00:34:40.799 without 00:34:40.799 --> 00:34:41.539 finding 00:34:41.539 --> 00:34:42.219 fault 00:34:42.219 --> 00:34:45.460 and so 00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:46.419 we humbly 00:34:46.419 --> 00:34:47.099 come to 00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:47.440 you 00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:49.639 with our 00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:50.199 hands 00:34:50.199 --> 00:34:50.859 open. 00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:54.219 We don't 00:34:54.219 --> 00:34:54.679 bring 00:34:54.679 --> 00:34:55.480 anything. 00:34:56.719 --> 00:34:57.599 Rather, 00:34:57.759 --> 00:34:58.319 we long 00:34:58.319 --> 00:34:59.179 to receive 00:34:59.179 --> 00:35:00.099 all that 00:35:00.099 --> 00:35:00.500 you would 00:35:00.500 --> 00:35:01.059 give to 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:01.519 us 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:04.239 and we 00:35:04.239 --> 00:35:04.940 pray that 00:35:04.940 --> 00:35:05.539 we might 00:35:05.539 --> 00:35:06.500 know more 00:35:06.500 --> 00:35:07.219 of Christ 00:35:07.219 --> 00:35:08.579 in our 00:35:08.579 --> 00:35:09.000 life. 00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:12.500 That we 00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:12.820 would 00:35:12.820 --> 00:35:13.500 discover 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:13.940 the 00:35:13.940 --> 00:35:14.900 depths 00:35:14.900 --> 00:35:16.219 and the 00:35:16.219 --> 00:35:16.639 beauty 00:35:16.639 --> 00:35:17.139 of the 00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:17.519 riches 00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:18.099 that are 00:35:18.099 --> 00:35:19.039 in Christ. 00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:21.079 All 00:35:21.079 --> 00:35:21.480 that we 00:35:21.480 --> 00:35:21.920 need, 00:35:23.139 --> 00:35:23.679 available 00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:24.300 and offer 00:35:24.300 --> 00:35:25.019 to us 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:26.219 as we 00:35:26.219 --> 00:35:26.659 look to 00:35:26.659 --> 00:35:26.920 you. 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:29.420 Help 00:35:29.420 --> 00:35:29.860 us 00:35:29.860 --> 00:35:31.699 that we 00:35:31.699 --> 00:35:32.159 would not 00:35:32.159 --> 00:35:32.960 only hear 00:35:32.960 --> 00:35:33.280 your 00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:33.760 word, 00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:36.039 but listen 00:35:36.039 --> 00:35:36.539 to it 00:35:36.539 --> 00:35:37.079 and put 00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:37.539 it into 00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:38.179 practice. 00:35:39.619 --> 00:35:40.300 Asking 00:35:40.300 --> 00:35:40.920 for your 00:35:40.920 --> 00:35:42.019 Holy Spirit's 00:35:42.019 --> 00:35:42.300 help 00:35:42.300 --> 00:35:44.279 to enable 00:35:44.279 --> 00:35:44.860 us to 00:35:44.860 --> 00:35:45.420 do so. 00:35:47.239 --> 00:35:48.099 Thank you 00:35:48.099 --> 00:35:48.719 for life 00:35:48.719 --> 00:35:49.159 today. 00:35:50.179 --> 00:35:50.719 Thank you 00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:51.340 for life 00:35:51.340 --> 00:35:51.739 in your 00:35:51.739 --> 00:35:52.079 kingdom 00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:53.739 and thank 00:35:53.739 --> 00:35:54.179 you for 00:35:54.179 --> 00:35:55.000 the blessings 00:35:55.000 --> 00:35:55.779 that are 00:35:55.779 --> 00:35:56.300 to come. 00:35:58.619 --> 00:35:59.539 Thank you. 00:36:00.460 --> 00:36:01.119 In Jesus' 00:36:01.360 --> 00:36:01.719 name we 00:36:01.719 --> 00:36:02.360 all pray. 00:36:02.360 --> 00:36:03.880 Amen. 00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:06.960 a 00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:08.300 pretty 00:36:08.300 --> 00:36:08.820 good 00:36:08.820 --> 00:36:08.880 man. 00:36:09.420 --> 00:36:09.659 Amen. 00:36:09.659 --> 00:36:09.759 Amen. 00:36:25.920 --> 00:36:26.059 Amen. 00:36:28.139 --> 00:36:28.500 Amen. 00:36:28.500 --> 00:36:28.759 Amen. 00:36:29.219 --> 00:36:30.519 Amen. 00:36:31.039 --> 00:36:31.579 Amen. 00:36:31.659 --> 00:36:32.019 Amen. 00:36:32.019 --> 00:36:32.599 Amen. 00:36:32.599 --> 00:36:32.840 Amen. 00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:34.199 Amen. 00:36:34.860 --> 00:36:35.480 Amen. 00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:35.539 Amen.