WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.719 So, 1 Kings 19 is on page 360 in the Church Bibles. 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:14.560 So, chapter 19, starting in verse 1. 00:00:16.300 --> 00:00:23.100 Now, Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 00:00:23.699 --> 00:00:26.519 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, 00:00:26.519 --> 00:00:34.619 May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them. 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:38.019 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. 00:00:38.740 --> 00:00:45.420 When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness. 00:00:46.359 --> 00:00:51.019 He came to a broom bush, sat down under it, and prayed that he might die. 00:00:51.640 --> 00:00:53.739 I have had enough, Lord, he said. 00:00:53.859 --> 00:00:54.859 Take my life. 00:00:54.859 --> 00:00:57.299 I am no better than my ancestors. 00:00:58.060 --> 00:01:01.000 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. 00:01:01.859 --> 00:01:05.879 All at once an angel touched him and said, Get up and eat. 00:01:06.480 --> 00:01:12.920 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread, baked over hot coals and a jar of water. 00:01:13.500 --> 00:01:16.480 He ate and drank and then lay down again. 00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:21.000 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, 00:01:21.000 --> 00:01:24.159 Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you. 00:01:24.859 --> 00:01:26.980 So he got up and ate and drank. 00:01:28.019 --> 00:01:34.260 Strengthened by that food, he traveled for forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 00:01:34.920 --> 00:01:37.620 There he went into a cave and spent the night. 00:01:37.620 --> 00:01:40.460 And the word of the Lord came to him. 00:01:41.060 --> 00:01:42.540 What are you doing here, Elijah? 00:01:43.340 --> 00:01:47.219 He replied, I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. 00:01:47.780 --> 00:01:53.359 The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. 00:01:53.359 --> 00:01:57.640 I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too. 00:01:58.579 --> 00:02:05.079 The Lord said, Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by. 00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:11.400 Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord. 00:02:11.400 --> 00:02:13.480 But the Lord was not in the wind. 00:02:14.200 --> 00:02:18.180 After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 00:02:19.260 --> 00:02:22.879 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. 00:02:23.420 --> 00:02:25.920 And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:33.179 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. 00:02:33.919 --> 00:02:37.479 Then a voice said to him, What are you doing here, Elijah? 00:02:38.339 --> 00:02:42.259 He replied, I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. 00:02:42.939 --> 00:02:48.659 The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. 00:02:49.119 --> 00:02:52.919 I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too. 00:02:52.919 --> 00:03:00.259 The Lord said to him, Go back the way you came, and go to the desert of Damascus. 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:04.419 When you get there, anoint Heziel king of Aram. 00:03:05.359 --> 00:03:09.439 Also anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king of Israel. 00:03:10.259 --> 00:03:16.219 And anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-Moholah to succeed you as prophet. 00:03:17.459 --> 00:03:21.259 Jehu will put to death any who escape the word of Heziel. 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:26.039 And Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 00:03:26.759 --> 00:03:32.419 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal, 00:03:32.620 --> 00:03:34.459 and whose mouths have not kissed him. 00:03:34.460 --> 00:03:57.260 Pens, notes, anybody? 00:03:57.259 --> 00:03:57.359 Everybody? 00:04:05.959 --> 00:04:11.799 So previous talks from 1 Kings can be found on the church website. 00:04:12.060 --> 00:04:17.659 I encourage you to look in there and listen if you've missed anything. 00:04:19.699 --> 00:04:24.699 And the purpose of our home groups, yes, it's there to encourage. 00:04:24.699 --> 00:04:33.519 And one of the good things about it is we can follow up with anything that we've looked at on a Sunday morning. 00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:38.699 So questions that arise, things we want to discuss and share, we can do that. 00:04:38.860 --> 00:04:44.240 So, yeah, as we go through this morning's talk, if there's things that you want to write down and come back on, 00:04:44.599 --> 00:04:51.639 bring those questions to home group and let's discuss them and let's talk them out together. 00:04:54.699 --> 00:05:24.680 Thank you. 00:05:24.699 --> 00:05:45.199 Let's pray. 00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:58.439 Father, your word has promised that when your word goes out, it will not return void, 00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:03.319 but will accomplish the purpose for which you have sent it. 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:15.879 So we humbly submit ourselves to your word and pray that it will accomplish its purpose in each of our lives, 00:06:16.439 --> 00:06:19.040 within our families, 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:23.600 and within us as a church family. 00:06:25.039 --> 00:06:26.360 Do your work. 00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:29.420 We ask this for your glory. 00:06:29.420 --> 00:06:30.580 Amen. 00:06:38.580 --> 00:06:45.740 Well, this book, the Bible that we have just read together and that you're holding in your hands, 00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:48.120 how would you describe it? 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:51.120 How would you describe God's word? 00:06:51.120 --> 00:06:56.780 Well, Charles Spurgeon was a famous preacher, 00:06:57.399 --> 00:07:00.600 and in one talk, he described God's word. 00:07:00.980 --> 00:07:03.540 He said it's like a lion. 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:06.100 This is what he said. 00:07:06.100 --> 00:07:11.860 I do not know whether you can see that lion. 00:07:12.540 --> 00:07:15.400 A number of persons advanced to attack him, 00:07:15.840 --> 00:07:18.280 while a host of us would defend him. 00:07:19.340 --> 00:07:22.860 Pardon me if I offer a quiet suggestion. 00:07:23.860 --> 00:07:27.260 Open the door and let the lion out. 00:07:28.020 --> 00:07:30.860 He will take care of himself. 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:35.900 The word of God is like a lion. 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:40.560 In other words, we do not need to defend God's word. 00:07:40.939 --> 00:07:44.680 We just need to let God's word loose. 00:07:45.720 --> 00:07:49.840 You see, God's word will always prevail. 00:07:50.660 --> 00:07:52.280 People may attack it. 00:07:52.980 --> 00:07:54.100 Oh, it's irrelevant. 00:07:54.340 --> 00:07:55.300 It's outdated. 00:07:55.540 --> 00:07:56.480 It's backward. 00:07:56.840 --> 00:07:58.800 Nobody believes that stuff anymore. 00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:00.480 Why are you reading that book? 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:04.699 Governments may try and ban it, 00:08:05.400 --> 00:08:08.280 making it illegal to own a copy of God's word, 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:12.360 or punished if you preach its message. 00:08:13.500 --> 00:08:15.759 Well, despite all the attacks, 00:08:16.400 --> 00:08:19.300 God's word is like a lion. 00:08:20.020 --> 00:08:21.800 It will defend itself. 00:08:22.199 --> 00:08:25.100 God's word will always prevail. 00:08:25.100 --> 00:08:33.420 No one and nothing can stop the word of God doing its work. 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:37.000 Well, in 1 Kings 19, 00:08:37.860 --> 00:08:41.300 the lion has been let loose. 00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:43.960 God's word is at work, 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:46.399 and despite all the attacks, 00:08:47.100 --> 00:08:49.940 God's word will prevail. 00:08:49.940 --> 00:08:52.060 First, 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:56.960 the word of God is always opposed. 00:08:57.720 --> 00:09:00.200 The word of God is always opposed. 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:02.040 Have a look back at chapter 18. 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:03.320 Mount Carmel, 00:09:03.520 --> 00:09:05.200 that great event, 00:09:05.280 --> 00:09:07.400 had been the highlight so far. 00:09:07.399 --> 00:09:08.179 Remember, 00:09:08.319 --> 00:09:10.860 there were 450 prophets of Baal 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:14.399 versus one prophet of God. 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:17.620 The prophets of Baal were to call out 00:09:17.620 --> 00:09:19.559 and to cry down to their gods 00:09:19.559 --> 00:09:21.139 for fire to come. 00:09:22.139 --> 00:09:23.579 But in verse 29, 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:24.299 we read, 00:09:24.519 --> 00:09:25.899 there was no response, 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:27.659 no one answered, 00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:29.899 no one paid attention. 00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:31.939 And then, 00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:33.919 the one prophet, 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:36.639 Elijah prayed. 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:38.399 Verse 38, 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:41.779 Then the fire of the Lord fell 00:09:41.779 --> 00:09:43.439 and burned up the sacrifice, 00:09:43.779 --> 00:09:44.220 the wood, 00:09:44.559 --> 00:09:45.139 the stones, 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:45.840 and the soil, 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:48.740 and also licked up the water in the trench. 00:09:49.399 --> 00:09:51.100 And when all the people saw this, 00:09:51.179 --> 00:09:53.620 they fell down prostrate and cried, 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:54.860 The Lord, 00:09:55.340 --> 00:09:56.220 He is God. 00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:57.559 The Lord, 00:09:58.159 --> 00:09:59.679 He is God. 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:03.759 Then Elijah commanded them, 00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:06.399 Seize the prophets of Baal. 00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:09.199 Don't let anyone get away. 00:10:10.299 --> 00:10:11.279 They seized them 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:13.299 and Elijah had them brought down 00:10:13.299 --> 00:10:14.459 to the Kishon Valley 00:10:14.459 --> 00:10:16.159 and slaughtered there. 00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:20.899 Judgment on the false prophets 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:23.779 for leading God's people away 00:10:23.779 --> 00:10:25.659 from God's word. 00:10:26.319 --> 00:10:27.699 It was a no contest. 00:10:27.899 --> 00:10:28.679 God had won. 00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:31.539 Everyone would now show up at church 00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:32.439 praising God, 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:32.799 right? 00:10:34.859 --> 00:10:35.379 Well, 00:10:35.479 --> 00:10:36.799 despite the evidence, 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:39.419 not everyone was willing to bow 00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:40.879 to the one true God. 00:10:41.739 --> 00:10:42.620 There were those 00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:43.979 who were still opposed 00:10:43.979 --> 00:10:45.879 to God's word. 00:10:47.219 --> 00:10:48.379 Look at verse 1, 00:10:48.479 --> 00:10:49.359 chapter 19, 00:10:49.479 --> 00:10:50.059 verse 1. 00:10:50.059 --> 00:10:51.539 Now Ahab, 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:52.839 he was the king of Israel, 00:10:52.979 --> 00:10:53.919 told Jezebel, 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:54.579 his wife, 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:56.500 everything Elijah had done 00:10:56.500 --> 00:10:57.719 and how he had killed 00:10:57.719 --> 00:10:58.419 all the prophets 00:10:58.419 --> 00:10:59.179 with the sword. 00:11:00.139 --> 00:11:02.000 So Jezebel sent a messenger 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:03.359 to Elijah to say, 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:05.779 May the gods deal with me, 00:11:06.139 --> 00:11:07.599 be it ever so severely, 00:11:08.079 --> 00:11:09.519 if by this time tomorrow 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:11.719 I do not make your life 00:11:11.719 --> 00:11:13.159 like one of them. 00:11:13.159 --> 00:11:15.100 Now let's remember, 00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:17.059 Elijah is God's prophet. 00:11:17.719 --> 00:11:20.000 The prophet was God's mouthpiece. 00:11:20.399 --> 00:11:21.959 God spoke his word 00:11:21.959 --> 00:11:23.319 through the prophet. 00:11:24.019 --> 00:11:26.480 So to put an assassination order 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:27.299 on Elijah 00:11:27.299 --> 00:11:30.000 was a full-on attack 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:31.620 against God's word. 00:11:31.939 --> 00:11:33.879 Put a bullet in Elijah's head, 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:36.860 you kept God silent. 00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:40.139 Now this is really 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:41.259 nothing new, is it? 00:11:42.460 --> 00:11:43.700 God's word has 00:11:43.700 --> 00:11:46.200 and is always undermined. 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:48.419 While every other voice 00:11:48.419 --> 00:11:49.440 is to be heard, 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:51.259 God's voice 00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:52.779 is to be silenced. 00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:54.740 We don't need God 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:55.919 telling us how to live 00:11:55.919 --> 00:11:56.700 or what to do. 00:11:57.000 --> 00:11:58.519 We know what's best. 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:01.060 Keep God's word 00:12:01.060 --> 00:12:02.159 out of the schools, 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:04.720 restricted in our national debates, 00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:06.320 close the Bible, 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:07.960 don't open it. 00:12:10.820 --> 00:12:12.360 Now the reality is, 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:13.899 if you stand up 00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:14.860 or speak out 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:15.620 for the truth 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.700 of God's word, 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:18.379 you too 00:12:18.379 --> 00:12:20.419 will become a target. 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:23.700 You will be a marked person. 00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:25.680 It mightn't be 00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:27.000 a crazy Jezebel 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:28.680 who's vying for your blood, 00:12:29.680 --> 00:12:31.379 but you will be told 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:32.320 by your boss, 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:35.139 no religious talk in here. 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:37.120 keep those views 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:37.799 to yourself, 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:38.360 please. 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.819 Or you will find 00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:41.840 that you are no longer 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:43.580 liked on Facebook 00:12:43.580 --> 00:12:45.679 or followed on Twitter. 00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:48.399 And that can be 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:49.819 really hard. 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:52.240 You see, 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:53.620 speaking the truth 00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:55.360 of God's word 00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:57.819 will be costly. 00:12:57.820 --> 00:13:01.020 You get hit enough times 00:13:01.020 --> 00:13:02.980 and you will want 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:03.800 to give up. 00:13:04.660 --> 00:13:06.060 Get sidelined 00:13:06.060 --> 00:13:06.800 and rejected 00:13:06.800 --> 00:13:07.820 by your peers. 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:09.760 You may find yourself 00:13:09.760 --> 00:13:10.820 doing an Elijah. 00:13:11.580 --> 00:13:12.200 Look at him 00:13:12.200 --> 00:13:13.420 in verse 4. 00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:16.160 He came to a broom bush, 00:13:17.040 --> 00:13:18.240 sat down under it 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:18.800 and prayed 00:13:18.800 --> 00:13:20.020 that he might die. 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:22.279 I have had enough, 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:22.720 Lord, 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:23.779 he said. 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:25.539 Take my life. 00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:27.340 I am no better 00:13:27.340 --> 00:13:28.460 than my ancestors. 00:13:29.799 --> 00:13:30.259 Elijah 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:31.939 is suffering 00:13:31.939 --> 00:13:33.899 with spiritual burnout. 00:13:35.079 --> 00:13:36.559 This guy's done. 00:13:37.819 --> 00:13:39.340 Do you ever feel like that 00:13:39.340 --> 00:13:40.039 as a Christian? 00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:41.879 No one takes 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:43.539 what you believe seriously. 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:45.980 Friends laugh. 00:13:46.699 --> 00:13:47.439 Family think 00:13:47.439 --> 00:13:47.980 that you've gone 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:48.960 a bit extreme. 00:13:49.920 --> 00:13:50.700 And then we get 00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:52.139 the aggressive attack 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:53.159 through the media 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:54.399 which continues 00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:55.519 to take swipes 00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:56.580 at God talk. 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:58.379 It's relentless. 00:13:59.420 --> 00:14:00.360 And some days 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:01.639 it becomes too much 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:03.000 and you want to stop. 00:14:03.700 --> 00:14:04.940 I've had enough, 00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:05.340 Lord. 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:08.200 I can't do this 00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:09.659 witnessing thing anymore. 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:11.220 No one believes. 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:12.680 No one listens. 00:14:13.500 --> 00:14:14.360 Nobody wants 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:15.440 to know about you. 00:14:16.240 --> 00:14:17.820 What's the point? 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:23.680 The word of God 00:14:23.680 --> 00:14:24.639 is always 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:25.600 opposed. 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:28.080 Second, 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:30.200 the word of God 00:14:30.200 --> 00:14:31.259 is always 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:32.420 enough. 00:14:33.800 --> 00:14:34.360 You see, 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:35.440 when the pressure 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:36.800 comes on, 00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:38.740 God's word 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:40.420 is what we all 00:14:40.420 --> 00:14:41.200 need. 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:42.820 First, 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:44.120 let's see 00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:45.279 how God's word 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:45.759 meets 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:47.720 our physical needs. 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:48.540 Look at verse 00:14:48.540 --> 00:14:49.580 five. 00:14:51.660 --> 00:14:52.180 Elijah 00:14:52.180 --> 00:14:54.720 fell asleep. 00:14:55.139 --> 00:14:55.899 He lay down 00:14:55.899 --> 00:14:56.899 under the bush 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:58.820 and all at once 00:14:58.820 --> 00:14:59.480 an angel 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:00.160 touched him 00:15:00.160 --> 00:15:00.580 and said, 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.920 get up 00:15:01.920 --> 00:15:02.660 and eat. 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.620 He looked around 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:05.740 and there by his head 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:06.580 was some bread 00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:07.600 baked over 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:08.500 hot coals 00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:10.160 and a jar 00:15:10.160 --> 00:15:10.759 of water. 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:12.360 He ate 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:13.019 and drank 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:14.720 and then went 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:15.480 back to sleep 00:15:15.480 --> 00:15:15.819 again. 00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:18.240 I love 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:20.319 the practicality 00:15:20.319 --> 00:15:22.059 of God's word. 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:23.779 Get up 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:25.360 and eat. 00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:27.039 No sermon, 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:29.559 no Bible study, 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:31.960 just bread 00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:32.559 and water. 00:15:33.699 --> 00:15:34.120 You see, 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.059 God knows, 00:15:35.559 --> 00:15:36.620 God understands, 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.179 God sees 00:15:38.179 --> 00:15:39.139 what his servants 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:39.860 go through 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:41.139 and by this 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:42.539 simple word 00:15:42.539 --> 00:15:43.500 of command 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:44.399 to get up 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:44.860 and eat 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:46.600 is all met 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:47.980 by God's 00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:48.440 provision 00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:49.680 to eat. 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:53.620 sometimes 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.639 I can be so 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:55.279 focused 00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:56.059 on asking 00:15:56.059 --> 00:15:56.620 what 00:15:56.620 --> 00:15:57.859 I want 00:15:57.859 --> 00:15:58.639 from God 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:01.000 that I forget 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.899 to be thinking 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:03.579 and thanking 00:16:03.579 --> 00:16:04.519 God for what 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:05.839 I already have. 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:07.739 Wanting God 00:16:07.739 --> 00:16:08.479 to do what 00:16:08.479 --> 00:16:09.620 I command, 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:11.399 ready to bring 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:12.819 all my complaints 00:16:12.819 --> 00:16:13.559 and all my 00:16:13.559 --> 00:16:14.439 discouragements 00:16:14.439 --> 00:16:15.719 rather than 00:16:15.719 --> 00:16:16.199 seeing 00:16:16.199 --> 00:16:17.639 all the goodness 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:19.599 in his provision. 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:23.019 So let me 00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:23.779 encourage you 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:24.679 and myself 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:26.519 as you 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:27.279 munch your way 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:27.799 through your 00:16:27.799 --> 00:16:28.479 cornflakes 00:16:28.479 --> 00:16:29.159 in the morning 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:30.059 or your porridge 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:31.039 or whatever you have 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:32.620 and you sit 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:33.539 there wondering 00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:34.739 how am I 00:16:34.739 --> 00:16:35.899 going to face 00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:37.039 another day? 00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:38.679 How am I 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:39.539 going to go 00:16:39.539 --> 00:16:40.659 into work today? 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:41.579 How am I 00:16:41.579 --> 00:16:42.399 going to face 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:43.239 those people? 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:45.559 Well, 00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:46.319 thank God 00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:47.379 for your daily 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.000 bread 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:49.000 and water. 00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:50.839 thank God 00:16:50.839 --> 00:16:51.500 that by 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.359 his word 00:16:52.359 --> 00:16:53.359 he loves 00:16:53.359 --> 00:16:53.699 you. 00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:55.379 He provides 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:55.899 for you. 00:16:56.859 --> 00:16:57.759 He gives 00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:58.819 to your 00:16:58.819 --> 00:16:59.859 physical needs. 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:03.000 But we need 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:03.599 more than 00:17:03.599 --> 00:17:04.419 just bread 00:17:04.419 --> 00:17:04.859 alone, 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:05.460 don't we, 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.139 to face 00:17:06.139 --> 00:17:07.440 the opposition. 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.559 We need 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:11.099 spiritual 00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:12.240 nourishment. 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:14.440 God's word 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.059 comes to 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:15.480 Elijah 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:15.980 again. 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:16.700 Verse 7. 00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:18.200 The angel 00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:18.519 of the 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:18.759 Lord 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.319 came back 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:19.779 a second 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.279 time, 00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:21.480 touched 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:22.180 Elijah 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:22.759 and said, 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:23.880 get up 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:24.319 and eat 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.559 for the 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.000 journey 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.559 is too 00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:27.039 much for 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:27.299 you. 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:29.579 Now, 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:30.799 Elijah 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:31.539 isn't so 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:31.920 much 00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:32.440 running 00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:32.839 away. 00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:34.779 Elijah 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.660 is on 00:17:35.660 --> 00:17:36.240 a journey. 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:38.180 Now, 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:38.519 I'm not 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:38.960 sure 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:40.420 if this 00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:40.900 has all 00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:41.640 been planned 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:42.380 by Elijah 00:17:42.380 --> 00:17:42.980 that he's 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.240 kind of 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:43.759 worked out 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:44.160 all the 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:44.779 steps or 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:45.200 not. 00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:46.019 All we 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:46.299 know, 00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:46.620 if you 00:17:46.620 --> 00:17:47.059 look back 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:47.519 in verse 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:48.019 3, 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:50.220 Elijah 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:50.960 was afraid 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:51.900 or can 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:52.779 be translated, 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:53.720 Elijah 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:54.779 saw what 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:55.279 was going 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:55.500 on. 00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:56.099 He saw 00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:56.539 what was 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:56.859 ahead. 00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:57.740 He saw 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.579 what Jezebel 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.039 was up 00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:00.539 to and 00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:01.140 he ran 00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:01.640 for his 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:01.900 life. 00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:02.779 His life 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:03.200 is in 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:03.660 danger 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:05.059 so he's 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:05.480 done the 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:05.920 sensible 00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:06.519 thing 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.399 and he's 00:18:07.399 --> 00:18:07.779 got out 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:08.220 of town. 00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:11.299 But where's 00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:11.680 he off 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:11.899 to? 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:13.779 Well, 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:14.500 it seems 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.379 that God's 00:18:15.379 --> 00:18:16.579 word is 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:17.279 directing 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:18.519 his every 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.079 step. 00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:21.000 Look at 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.579 verse 8. 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:23.980 So he 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:24.639 got up 00:18:24.639 --> 00:18:25.720 and ate 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.420 and drank 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:27.839 strengthened 00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:28.759 by that 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:29.220 food. 00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:29.660 He 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.299 travelled 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:31.519 for 40 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.039 days 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:33.159 and 40 00:18:33.159 --> 00:18:33.619 nights 00:18:33.619 --> 00:18:34.240 until he 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:34.680 reached 00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:35.279 Horeb, 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:36.220 the 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:36.539 mountain 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:37.119 of God. 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:39.960 Now, 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:40.299 Bible 00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:41.000 readers 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.259 will 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:41.779 remember 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.460 Horeb, 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:43.559 sometimes 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.359 called 00:18:44.359 --> 00:18:45.180 Mount 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:45.700 Sinai. 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:47.639 That's 00:18:47.639 --> 00:18:48.480 why it's 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:48.779 called 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:49.000 the 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.460 mountain 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.079 of God, 00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:50.839 the 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:51.240 mountain 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:51.599 that 00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:52.099 Moses 00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:52.500 had 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:52.940 climbed 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:53.259 to 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:53.579 meet 00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:53.920 with 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:54.279 God. 00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:55.180 Mount 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:55.779 Horeb 00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:56.119 is 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:56.399 where 00:18:56.399 --> 00:18:57.000 God 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.579 spoke 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:57.899 to 00:18:57.899 --> 00:18:58.379 Moses 00:18:58.379 --> 00:18:59.500 and 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.059 revealed 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:00.559 himself 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:00.799 to 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.099 Moses 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:01.619 and gave 00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:02.219 the law 00:19:02.219 --> 00:19:02.519 and the 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:03.000 commands 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:03.279 to 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:03.659 Moses. 00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:05.899 You see, 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.639 Elijah was 00:19:06.639 --> 00:19:07.179 spiritually 00:19:07.179 --> 00:19:07.699 done, 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:08.279 wasn't he? 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.359 Look at 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:09.839 him here. 00:19:10.159 --> 00:19:10.459 He's 00:19:10.459 --> 00:19:11.099 sitting under 00:19:11.099 --> 00:19:11.719 the broom 00:19:11.719 --> 00:19:12.119 tree. 00:19:12.579 --> 00:19:12.919 I've 00:19:12.919 --> 00:19:13.119 had 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:13.500 enough, 00:19:13.679 --> 00:19:13.899 Lord. 00:19:15.899 --> 00:19:16.819 So God 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:17.199 in his 00:19:17.199 --> 00:19:17.699 grace 00:19:17.699 --> 00:19:18.379 provides 00:19:18.379 --> 00:19:19.059 food. 00:19:20.219 --> 00:19:20.719 But God 00:19:20.719 --> 00:19:21.379 knows that 00:19:21.379 --> 00:19:21.799 he needs 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:22.379 more than 00:19:22.379 --> 00:19:23.239 just bread 00:19:23.239 --> 00:19:24.099 alone. 00:19:24.639 --> 00:19:25.000 Elijah 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:25.679 needs 00:19:25.679 --> 00:19:26.739 spiritual 00:19:26.739 --> 00:19:27.439 nourishment. 00:19:28.679 --> 00:19:29.159 And by 00:19:29.159 --> 00:19:29.719 taking 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.420 Elijah 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:30.720 to 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:31.240 Horeb, 00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:32.100 God 00:19:32.100 --> 00:19:32.319 is 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:32.980 reminding 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.740 Elijah 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:35.039 and us 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:36.500 that we 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:36.720 are 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.440 ultimately 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.220 fed 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:38.740 and 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.420 strengthened 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:41.140 by an 00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:41.759 encounter 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.940 with the 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:43.660 living God 00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:44.640 who speaks 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.380 to us 00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:46.740 through his 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.360 word. 00:19:49.360 --> 00:19:50.360 Just as 00:19:50.360 --> 00:19:51.000 God had 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:51.559 said to 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.019 Moses 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:53.279 all the 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:53.559 years 00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:54.160 before, 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:55.779 man 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.220 doesn't 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:56.700 live on 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:56.920 bread 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.380 alone, 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:58.960 but on 00:19:58.960 --> 00:19:59.800 every word 00:19:59.800 --> 00:20:00.480 that comes 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:00.880 from the 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:01.420 mouth of 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:01.900 the Lord. 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:04.920 You see, 00:20:05.300 --> 00:20:06.140 God knows 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:06.800 our needs. 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.980 We need 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:09.779 the nourishment 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.660 of a good 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.200 meal, 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:12.720 God's 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:13.240 generous 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.840 provision. 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.560 But how 00:20:15.560 --> 00:20:16.259 much more 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:16.820 do we need 00:20:16.820 --> 00:20:17.160 to be 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:18.019 nourished 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:19.279 by the 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:19.660 word of 00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:20.039 God? 00:20:21.120 --> 00:20:21.920 It will 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:22.680 feed you. 00:20:23.300 --> 00:20:23.900 It will 00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:24.779 grow you. 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:25.660 It will 00:20:25.660 --> 00:20:26.460 strengthen 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:26.799 you. 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.460 It will 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:28.200 give to 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:29.039 you all 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:29.700 that you 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:31.259 need to 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:32.000 keep going 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.539 in life 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:32.880 as a 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:33.279 Christian 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:34.519 and to 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.039 go on 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:35.460 serving 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:35.980 him 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:37.799 amongst 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.380 all the 00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:38.920 opposition 00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:40.420 and all 00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:41.059 the rejection 00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:41.740 of God's 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.079 word. 00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:45.059 So, 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:45.579 the word 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.079 of God 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:47.480 is always 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.420 enough. 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:50.880 Third, 00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:53.019 the word 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.500 of God 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.600 will always 00:20:54.600 --> 00:20:55.880 sustain. 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:58.079 not 00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:58.799 surprisingly, 00:20:59.240 --> 00:20:59.559 God 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.460 begins to 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.279 nourish 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:02.319 Elijah 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.200 spiritually. 00:21:04.100 --> 00:21:04.660 Look at 00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:05.920 verse 9, 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:07.980 the second 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.480 part of 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.039 verse 9. 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.240 And the 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.799 word of 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.319 the Lord 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:12.100 came to 00:21:12.100 --> 00:21:12.420 him. 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:13.799 What are 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.380 you doing 00:21:14.380 --> 00:21:14.720 here, 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:15.160 Elijah? 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:18.079 Now, 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:19.079 God knows 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:19.960 why 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.620 Elijah 00:21:20.620 --> 00:21:21.440 is there. 00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:22.420 It's not 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:23.079 a surprise. 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:24.839 God knows 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:25.259 what has 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:25.779 been going 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:26.059 on. 00:21:26.179 --> 00:21:27.039 He's been 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:27.740 directing 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.679 his steps. 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:30.819 He simply 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:32.039 asks Elijah 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:33.240 or invites 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:33.720 Elijah, 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.779 what are you 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.539 doing here? 00:21:36.419 --> 00:21:37.119 Tell me, 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:37.599 Elijah, 00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:38.879 what's going 00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:39.279 on? 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:41.079 You see, 00:21:41.179 --> 00:21:41.919 God is not 00:21:41.919 --> 00:21:43.019 some distant, 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.740 impersonal being 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.799 who's immune 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.699 to the struggles 00:21:46.699 --> 00:21:47.699 and the hardships 00:21:47.699 --> 00:21:48.439 that we go 00:21:48.439 --> 00:21:48.759 through. 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.640 God is 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:50.299 desperately 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.000 concerned 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.660 about us 00:21:51.660 --> 00:21:52.279 and his 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:53.720 word invites 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.140 us, 00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:55.460 talk to 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:55.720 me. 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:57.259 Tell me 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:58.559 what's 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.259 going on. 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.619 What's 00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:01.660 your trouble? 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.539 Verse 10, 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:06.720 Elijah 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.339 replied, 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:08.879 well, 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:09.259 I've been 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:09.960 very zealous 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.359 for the 00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:10.900 Lord God 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:11.379 Almighty. 00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:12.720 The 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.140 Israelites 00:22:13.140 --> 00:22:13.980 have rejected 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.980 your covenant, 00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:16.420 torn down 00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:17.619 your altars 00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:18.639 and put 00:22:18.639 --> 00:22:19.479 your prophets 00:22:19.479 --> 00:22:20.019 to death 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:20.439 with the 00:22:20.439 --> 00:22:20.819 sword 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:22.059 and I'm 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:22.419 the only 00:22:22.419 --> 00:22:23.019 one left 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:23.419 and now 00:22:23.419 --> 00:22:23.739 they are 00:22:23.739 --> 00:22:24.239 trying to 00:22:24.239 --> 00:22:24.719 kill me 00:22:24.719 --> 00:22:25.019 too. 00:22:25.959 --> 00:22:26.559 That's 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.339 my concern, 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:27.699 Lord. 00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:28.899 All this 00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:29.459 preaching, 00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:30.559 all this 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:31.079 witnessing, 00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:32.279 all this 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:32.979 speaking of 00:22:32.979 --> 00:22:33.619 God's word, 00:22:33.939 --> 00:22:34.899 it's really 00:22:34.899 --> 00:22:35.719 not working. 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:37.639 I've done 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.079 what you 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:38.559 commanded, 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:39.659 but nobody 00:22:39.659 --> 00:22:40.719 seems interested. 00:22:41.699 --> 00:22:42.599 I'm longing 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:43.279 and praying 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:43.899 that people 00:22:43.899 --> 00:22:44.539 turn back 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:44.899 to you, 00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:45.779 but no one 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:46.379 believes. 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.820 no one 00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:48.480 listens to 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.040 your word. 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.820 People say 00:22:51.820 --> 00:22:52.240 they're going 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:52.740 to come to 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.500 the Children's 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:53.780 Rock, 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.640 but they're 00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:55.280 not coming. 00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:57.920 People say 00:22:57.920 --> 00:22:58.280 they're going 00:22:58.280 --> 00:22:58.820 to come to 00:22:58.820 --> 00:22:59.400 Christianity 00:22:59.400 --> 00:23:00.100 Explored, 00:23:00.260 --> 00:23:00.800 but they 00:23:00.800 --> 00:23:01.320 don't. 00:23:04.520 --> 00:23:05.220 In fact, 00:23:05.280 --> 00:23:06.000 it seems like 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.580 I'm the only 00:23:06.580 --> 00:23:07.260 one who seems 00:23:07.260 --> 00:23:07.860 to be hanging 00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:08.440 in here. 00:23:10.280 --> 00:23:10.760 Nobody 00:23:10.760 --> 00:23:11.220 listens, 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:12.040 nobody wants 00:23:12.040 --> 00:23:12.480 to know. 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:15.940 don't you 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:16.620 love the 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:17.460 way God's 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:18.319 word invites 00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:19.700 us to 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.380 talk with 00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:21.160 the sovereign 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:21.839 king of 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.400 the universe? 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:24.220 What are 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:24.640 you doing 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:25.019 here? 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.799 Just tell 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:28.299 me what's 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:29.019 going on. 00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:30.819 What's on 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.519 your heart? 00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:33.019 What's 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:34.039 troubling you 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:35.519 as my 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:35.920 servant 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:36.420 today? 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:38.440 he is 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.100 deeply 00:23:39.100 --> 00:23:39.720 concerned. 00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:41.759 Tell him 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.720 what is 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.420 going on. 00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:46.740 Well, 00:23:46.820 --> 00:23:47.500 talking we 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.100 can do, 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:50.000 but there 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:50.500 comes a 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.100 time when 00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:51.840 we must 00:23:51.840 --> 00:23:53.039 listen. 00:23:53.840 --> 00:23:54.320 Verse 00:23:54.320 --> 00:23:54.720 11. 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:58.660 The 00:23:58.660 --> 00:23:59.019 Lord 00:23:59.019 --> 00:23:59.960 said, 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.980 Go out 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:02.579 and stand 00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:02.940 on the 00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:03.299 mountain 00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:03.740 in the 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:04.120 presence 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:04.519 of the 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:04.860 Lord, 00:24:05.860 --> 00:24:06.400 for the 00:24:06.400 --> 00:24:06.900 Lord is 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:07.500 about to 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.240 pass by. 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.140 Then a 00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:10.720 great and 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.500 powerful wind 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.160 tore the 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:12.559 mountains 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.299 apart and 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:14.339 shattered the 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:15.039 rocks before 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.579 the Lord, 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:17.880 but the 00:24:17.880 --> 00:24:18.279 Lord was 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:18.640 not in 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:19.000 the wind. 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.220 After the 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:21.460 wind, 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:21.799 there was 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.299 an earthquake, 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:24.759 but the 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.220 Lord was 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:25.859 not in 00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:26.139 the 00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:26.559 earthquake. 00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:28.319 After the 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:29.000 earthquake came 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.619 a fire, 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:32.259 but the 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:32.700 Lord was 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.079 not in 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:33.599 the fire. 00:24:35.419 --> 00:24:35.919 And after 00:24:35.919 --> 00:24:36.460 the fire 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.919 came a 00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:38.339 gentle 00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:38.859 whisper. 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.299 When 00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:42.039 Elijah heard 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:43.700 it, he 00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:44.180 pulled his 00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:44.740 cloak over 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.440 his face and 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.139 went out and 00:24:46.139 --> 00:24:46.680 stood at the 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.339 mouth of the 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:47.720 cave. 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:51.240 This is a 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:51.839 display. 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:53.539 of awesome 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.720 power. 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:56.419 A mighty 00:24:56.419 --> 00:24:57.399 wind, a 00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:57.960 rumbling 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.759 earthquake, a 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.500 bolt of 00:24:59.500 --> 00:24:59.879 fire. 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.519 But let's 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:02.980 not get 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:03.980 distracted by 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.419 all this 00:25:04.419 --> 00:25:05.279 fireworks. 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:06.980 Yes, this 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.799 is the God 00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:08.700 who is over 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.720 all creation, 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:10.960 but this is 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.700 just a mere 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.819 sideshow to 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:13.319 the all 00:25:13.319 --> 00:25:14.339 powerful God 00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:15.359 who speaks 00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:16.559 his word to 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:17.159 his people. 00:25:18.899 --> 00:25:19.539 God's 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:20.299 power is 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:21.079 demonstrated 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:22.519 supremely, not 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:22.879 in the 00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:23.919 natural world, 00:25:24.639 --> 00:25:25.799 but in 00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:26.319 God's 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:26.899 spoken 00:25:26.899 --> 00:25:27.919 word. 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.579 Yes, we 00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:31.220 can admire 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:32.039 the creator 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:33.039 behind the 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:35.779 sun, but 00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:36.579 God is not 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.220 in the 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:37.579 sun. 00:25:38.639 --> 00:25:39.159 The sun 00:25:39.159 --> 00:25:39.639 isn't going 00:25:39.639 --> 00:25:40.240 to speak to 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:40.439 you. 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.699 We are to 00:25:42.699 --> 00:25:43.439 listen to the 00:25:43.439 --> 00:25:44.179 word of God 00:25:44.179 --> 00:25:45.379 that spoke 00:25:45.379 --> 00:25:46.039 this very 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:47.079 creation into 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:48.159 existence and 00:25:48.159 --> 00:25:49.019 now speaks 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.619 that word 00:25:49.619 --> 00:25:50.039 to his 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.480 people. 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.059 In other 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:52.920 words, there 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.359 is more 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:54.740 power in 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.319 the voice 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:56.059 of God 00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:56.839 than the 00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:57.379 shattering, 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.160 crushing, 00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.980 bashing of 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:00.460 nature. 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.639 Look at the 00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:04.980 end of 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.740 verse 13. 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:08.220 Then a 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:09.539 voice said 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:10.019 to him, 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.619 what are 00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:12.039 you doing 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.299 here, 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:12.720 Elijah? 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.639 He replied, 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.240 well, I've 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:16.680 been very 00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:17.319 zealous for 00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:17.679 the Lord 00:26:17.679 --> 00:26:18.200 Almighty. 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.639 The same 00:26:19.639 --> 00:26:20.399 question is 00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:21.500 asked, the 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:22.659 same answer 00:26:22.659 --> 00:26:23.460 is exactly 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:26.259 given, but 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.559 what's 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:26.960 different? 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:29.059 Well, Elijah 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:30.359 is now 00:26:30.359 --> 00:26:32.039 ready to 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:32.419 listen. 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.200 He is 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:34.859 ready to 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:35.939 hear the 00:26:35.939 --> 00:26:36.539 voice of 00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:38.200 God, to 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:39.019 stop looking 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:39.639 at what's 00:26:39.639 --> 00:26:40.439 out there 00:26:40.439 --> 00:26:42.319 and hearing 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:42.919 and listening 00:26:42.919 --> 00:26:43.720 to what God 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.480 has to say. 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:48.380 Well, before 00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:49.279 we hear what 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:49.980 God has to 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:52.140 say, I 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:52.500 think it 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:52.620 would be 00:26:52.620 --> 00:26:53.019 good for 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.380 us to 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:54.059 ask that 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:54.579 question, 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.559 how am I, 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.259 how are we 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:56.779 going to 00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:57.460 hear God's 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:57.880 voice? 00:26:59.360 --> 00:27:00.019 Well, let 00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:00.640 me say two 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:01.140 things. 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:03.059 First, 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:06.019 don't go 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.480 into the 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.000 woods of 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:09.180 Corabini and 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:09.759 sit down 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.319 amongst the 00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:12.420 trees and 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:13.220 expect God 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:14.140 to speak to 00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:14.839 you through 00:27:14.839 --> 00:27:17.220 the shade 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.779 of light 00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:18.299 that comes 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:18.720 through the 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.160 branches, 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:21.059 or go and 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.640 sit in some 00:27:21.640 --> 00:27:22.480 rocks by the 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:22.920 edge of the 00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:23.480 cliff and 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.819 expect to 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:25.259 hear a 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.720 thundering 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.279 voice. 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.380 Nature will 00:27:29.380 --> 00:27:30.700 display God's 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.420 power and 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:34.299 beauty, but 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:35.100 it's not how 00:27:35.100 --> 00:27:36.019 we hear 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.839 God. 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.380 We hear 00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:42.120 God speak 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:43.759 to us as 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.439 we read 00:27:44.439 --> 00:27:45.119 the Bible, 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.239 God's 00:27:46.239 --> 00:27:47.199 written word. 00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:48.579 God spoke 00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:49.419 in an audible 00:27:49.419 --> 00:27:51.000 voice, and 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.619 what God 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:53.279 spoke, he 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:54.219 commanded that 00:27:54.219 --> 00:27:54.719 it would be 00:27:54.719 --> 00:27:55.539 written down 00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:56.359 for the 00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:57.539 first hearers 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:57.959 of that 00:27:57.959 --> 00:27:58.839 word and 00:27:58.839 --> 00:27:59.599 for future 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.099 readers. 00:28:01.479 --> 00:28:02.059 And here 00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:02.619 we are, 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.459 hundreds, 00:28:03.739 --> 00:28:04.379 thousands of 00:28:04.379 --> 00:28:05.000 years after 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.839 this audible 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:06.659 voice spoke 00:28:06.659 --> 00:28:07.299 to Elijah, 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:08.599 written down 00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:11.059 and written 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:11.919 for us. 00:28:13.379 --> 00:28:14.099 What we 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.719 have in the 00:28:14.719 --> 00:28:15.339 Bible is 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:15.759 God's 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.359 sufficient 00:28:16.359 --> 00:28:17.399 revelation 00:28:17.399 --> 00:28:18.679 of himself. 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:20.719 In other 00:28:20.719 --> 00:28:21.740 words, every 00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:22.639 time we 00:28:22.639 --> 00:28:23.240 open the 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:25.159 Bible, we 00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:26.000 hear God 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:27.199 speak. 00:28:29.919 --> 00:28:31.019 Now I know 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.879 the wind and 00:28:31.879 --> 00:28:32.419 the earthquake 00:28:32.419 --> 00:28:33.259 and the fire 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:34.099 sound rather 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:35.179 more spectacular, 00:28:35.419 --> 00:28:35.980 doesn't it? 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:38.339 I know 00:28:38.339 --> 00:28:38.779 we'd all 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.200 love to 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.759 climb up 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.259 the mountain 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.559 and hear a 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:42.720 gentle whisper 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.860 from God. 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.460 Who wouldn't 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:45.900 want that 00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:46.759 experience? 00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:50.039 But God's 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:50.740 written word 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:51.539 to us 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.599 has the 00:28:52.599 --> 00:28:53.819 same power 00:28:53.819 --> 00:28:55.099 as God's 00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:56.160 audible voice 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:57.519 to Elijah. 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:59.079 We don't 00:28:59.079 --> 00:28:59.700 need to go 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.380 looking for 00:29:00.380 --> 00:29:00.900 God up 00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:01.720 some mountain. 00:29:02.620 --> 00:29:03.160 We don't 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:03.740 need to go 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.279 into some 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:05.339 special place 00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:06.139 in creation 00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:07.659 to meet 00:29:07.659 --> 00:29:08.199 God. 00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:10.579 We meet 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.519 God in 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.159 his word. 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:14.019 This is 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.439 where we 00:29:14.439 --> 00:29:15.019 discover, 00:29:15.399 --> 00:29:15.740 this is 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.240 where we 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:18.019 do business 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:18.819 with God. 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.240 Where he 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:21.079 hears us 00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:22.220 and we 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:22.859 hear him. 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:25.099 And as 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:25.579 we open 00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:26.159 his word, 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:27.839 his word 00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:28.639 will sustain 00:29:28.639 --> 00:29:30.099 you and 00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:30.579 his word 00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:31.179 will keep 00:29:31.179 --> 00:29:32.359 you and 00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:32.859 his word 00:29:32.859 --> 00:29:33.659 will provide 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:35.019 the very 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:35.980 voice that 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:36.640 you need 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:37.440 in the 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:37.940 moment of 00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.620 your trial 00:29:38.620 --> 00:29:39.400 and struggle 00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:40.600 and hardship 00:29:40.600 --> 00:29:41.720 that you 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:42.120 are going 00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:42.460 through. 00:29:44.300 --> 00:29:45.140 So the 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:45.640 word of 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.040 God 00:29:46.040 --> 00:29:47.540 always 00:29:47.540 --> 00:29:48.800 sustains. 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:52.700 Fourth, 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.380 the word 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:54.880 of God 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:56.480 always 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.840 prevail. 00:29:57.839 --> 00:29:58.459 God 00:29:58.459 --> 00:29:59.980 says, 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:00.359 so what 00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:00.839 does 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:01.379 God 00:30:01.379 --> 00:30:02.519 have to 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:02.879 say? 00:30:03.919 --> 00:30:04.179 Well, 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:04.619 thankfully, 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.119 we don't 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:05.500 have to 00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:06.099 guess and 00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:06.539 make up 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.039 what God 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:07.519 says. 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:08.179 Look at 00:30:08.179 --> 00:30:08.939 verse 15. 00:30:10.679 --> 00:30:11.480 The Lord 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.240 said to 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:12.779 Elijah, 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:14.740 go back 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.059 the way 00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:15.599 you came 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:16.119 and go 00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:16.599 to the 00:30:16.599 --> 00:30:16.919 desert 00:30:16.919 --> 00:30:17.419 of 00:30:17.419 --> 00:30:18.240 Damascus. 00:30:18.919 --> 00:30:19.439 Elijah, 00:30:19.639 --> 00:30:19.919 I want 00:30:19.919 --> 00:30:20.259 you to 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:20.919 go back 00:30:20.919 --> 00:30:21.419 to where 00:30:21.419 --> 00:30:22.480 unbelieving 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.299 Ahab and 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:23.679 Jezebel 00:30:23.679 --> 00:30:24.059 are. 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:25.740 I want 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.000 you to 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.539 go back 00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:26.899 to the 00:30:26.899 --> 00:30:27.980 people who 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.679 are rejecting 00:30:28.679 --> 00:30:29.220 God's 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:29.480 word, 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:29.879 who don't 00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:30.139 want to 00:30:30.139 --> 00:30:31.179 listen and 00:30:31.179 --> 00:30:31.519 don't want 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:31.839 to know. 00:30:33.919 --> 00:30:34.419 Well, 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:34.779 what does 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.139 God's 00:30:35.139 --> 00:30:35.519 word have 00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:35.980 to say? 00:30:37.419 --> 00:30:37.899 Well, 00:30:37.960 --> 00:30:38.679 two things 00:30:38.679 --> 00:30:39.720 we need 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.159 to hear. 00:30:41.159 --> 00:30:41.639 First, 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.480 God's 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:43.779 word 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:44.440 delivers 00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:45.819 on 00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:46.279 judgment. 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.559 Look at 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:48.899 the rest 00:30:48.899 --> 00:30:49.240 of verse 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:49.720 15. 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:50.819 When you 00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:51.319 get there, 00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:51.819 anoint 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.639 Haziel, 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:53.460 king over 00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:53.919 Aram. 00:30:54.599 --> 00:30:55.200 Also 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:55.679 anoint 00:30:55.679 --> 00:30:56.240 Jehu, 00:30:56.399 --> 00:30:56.839 son of 00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:57.599 Nimshi, 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.220 king over 00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:58.779 Israel, 00:30:58.919 --> 00:30:59.399 and anoint 00:30:59.399 --> 00:31:00.339 Elisha, 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.279 son of 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:01.859 Shaphat, 00:31:02.159 --> 00:31:03.099 from Abel 00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:03.799 Mahaloah, 00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:04.700 to succeed 00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:05.119 you as 00:31:05.119 --> 00:31:05.500 prophets. 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.839 Why is 00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:10.559 he appointing 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.019 all these 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:11.599 new leaders, 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.299 a king 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:12.919 for Israel, 00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:13.700 a king 00:31:13.700 --> 00:31:14.359 for Aram, 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.019 a kind 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.619 of foreign 00:31:15.619 --> 00:31:16.079 nation, 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:16.619 and a 00:31:16.619 --> 00:31:17.139 new prophet? 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.399 What's 00:31:18.399 --> 00:31:18.799 he doing? 00:31:18.919 --> 00:31:19.200 What's 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:19.559 all this 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:19.919 for? 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.059 Well, 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:21.879 verse 17 00:31:21.879 --> 00:31:22.759 tells us, 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.819 Jehu 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.299 will put 00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:24.839 to death 00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.339 any who 00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:25.720 escape 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:26.259 the sword 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:27.039 of Haziel, 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:27.680 and 00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:28.180 Elisha 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:28.559 will put 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.019 to death 00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:29.619 any who 00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:29.980 escape 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:30.460 the sword 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:31.079 of Jehu. 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:33.140 It's a 00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:33.500 word 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:35.079 of judgment. 00:31:35.079 --> 00:31:36.839 Remember 00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:37.639 what Elijah 00:31:37.639 --> 00:31:38.179 had been 00:31:38.179 --> 00:31:38.960 crying out 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.559 to God? 00:31:40.279 --> 00:31:40.619 Have a 00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:41.019 look back 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:41.519 in verse 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.119 14. 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:43.960 Elijah 00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:44.299 said, 00:31:44.399 --> 00:31:44.679 I've been 00:31:44.679 --> 00:31:45.500 very zealous 00:31:45.500 --> 00:31:45.899 for the 00:31:45.899 --> 00:31:46.419 Lord God 00:31:46.419 --> 00:31:46.879 Almighty. 00:31:47.659 --> 00:31:47.859 The 00:31:47.859 --> 00:31:48.419 Israelites 00:31:48.419 --> 00:31:49.619 have rejected 00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:50.559 your covenant, 00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:51.679 they have 00:31:51.679 --> 00:31:52.539 torn down 00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:53.460 your altars, 00:31:53.679 --> 00:31:54.199 and they 00:31:54.199 --> 00:31:54.659 have put 00:31:54.659 --> 00:31:55.379 your prophets 00:31:55.379 --> 00:31:56.019 to death 00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:56.699 with the 00:31:56.699 --> 00:31:57.019 sword. 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:58.839 They've 00:31:58.839 --> 00:31:59.460 turned away 00:31:59.460 --> 00:32:00.199 from God 00:32:00.199 --> 00:32:01.179 who made 00:32:01.179 --> 00:32:01.919 them and 00:32:01.919 --> 00:32:02.460 who loves 00:32:02.460 --> 00:32:02.779 them. 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:04.119 the God 00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:04.899 who redeemed 00:32:04.899 --> 00:32:05.680 them and 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:06.299 entered into 00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.119 a relationship 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:07.759 with them. 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:08.859 The God 00:32:08.859 --> 00:32:09.700 who's provided 00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:10.220 for them 00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:10.700 and kept 00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:11.059 them and 00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:11.559 given to 00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:12.359 them everything 00:32:12.359 --> 00:32:12.879 that they 00:32:12.879 --> 00:32:13.339 need. 00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:14.619 And what 00:32:14.619 --> 00:32:14.920 have they 00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:15.319 done in 00:32:15.319 --> 00:32:15.700 return? 00:32:15.799 --> 00:32:16.240 But they've 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:17.279 rejected God's 00:32:17.279 --> 00:32:17.740 word, but 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.420 in rejecting 00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:19.139 God's word, 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:19.879 they're rejecting 00:32:19.879 --> 00:32:21.119 God himself. 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.799 And after 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.399 all these 00:32:27.399 --> 00:32:28.119 years, God 00:32:28.119 --> 00:32:28.740 says, well, 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:29.339 I am going 00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:30.079 to reject 00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:30.480 them. 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:32.440 justice 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:33.039 will be 00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.360 done. 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.319 Judgment 00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:36.519 will fall. 00:32:38.319 --> 00:32:38.779 You see, 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:40.140 God will 00:32:40.140 --> 00:32:41.500 not allow 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.240 us to go 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:43.099 on ignoring 00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:44.279 him and 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:45.160 fighting him 00:32:45.160 --> 00:32:46.779 if we 00:32:46.779 --> 00:32:47.660 reject the 00:32:47.660 --> 00:32:48.259 one true 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:49.120 God who 00:32:49.120 --> 00:32:49.980 made us 00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:51.259 and who 00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:52.140 provides us 00:32:52.140 --> 00:32:52.720 with all 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.079 that we 00:32:53.079 --> 00:32:53.500 have. 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.079 And if 00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:55.960 we insist 00:32:55.960 --> 00:32:56.740 and persist 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.880 in pushing 00:32:57.880 --> 00:32:58.700 God's word 00:32:58.700 --> 00:32:59.240 out of our 00:32:59.240 --> 00:32:59.779 lives and 00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:00.740 have nothing 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:01.220 to do 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:01.720 with him, 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:04.940 well, he 00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.279 says, I 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:05.639 will give 00:33:05.639 --> 00:33:05.980 you what 00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:06.519 you want 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:07.720 and what 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.440 you deserve. 00:33:10.220 --> 00:33:10.660 Judgment 00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:12.099 will come. 00:33:16.619 --> 00:33:17.339 So he 00:33:17.339 --> 00:33:18.000 delivers on 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.619 his judgment, 00:33:18.619 --> 00:33:20.660 but he 00:33:20.660 --> 00:33:21.279 also will 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:22.019 declare his 00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:22.559 grace. 00:33:23.299 --> 00:33:23.940 Verse 18, 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:37.900 God 00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:40.299 will 00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:41.160 fall on 00:33:41.160 --> 00:33:41.580 those who 00:33:41.580 --> 00:33:42.320 fight him, 00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:43.700 but his 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:44.500 grace will 00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:45.420 cover all 00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:46.120 those who 00:33:46.120 --> 00:33:47.080 will submit 00:33:47.080 --> 00:33:47.860 to him. 00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:50.039 God 00:33:50.039 --> 00:33:50.380 isn't 00:33:50.380 --> 00:33:51.200 cranky or 00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:52.080 quick-tempered. 00:33:53.000 --> 00:33:53.460 He's 00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:53.980 patient. 00:33:55.100 --> 00:33:55.340 He 00:33:55.340 --> 00:33:56.200 loves us. 00:33:56.940 --> 00:33:57.220 He 00:33:57.220 --> 00:33:58.120 longs for 00:33:58.120 --> 00:33:58.720 people to 00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.240 turn to 00:33:59.240 --> 00:33:59.519 him. 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:01.240 He 00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:01.860 longs that 00:34:01.860 --> 00:34:02.440 people will 00:34:02.440 --> 00:34:03.160 bow to 00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:03.920 him so 00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:04.340 that they 00:34:04.340 --> 00:34:05.100 might know 00:34:05.100 --> 00:34:05.840 his grace, 00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:06.920 experience 00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:07.880 his forgiveness 00:34:07.880 --> 00:34:09.199 and enjoy 00:34:09.199 --> 00:34:09.920 God's 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.659 presence. 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:14.699 God 00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:15.139 will 00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:16.000 deliver on 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:16.460 judgment, 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:18.840 yet he 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:19.420 declares 00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:20.820 his grace. 00:34:23.200 --> 00:34:23.840 Don't 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:24.400 believe me? 00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:25.860 Don't 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.680 believe this 00:34:26.680 --> 00:34:27.460 word that 00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:28.240 Elijah is 00:34:28.240 --> 00:34:28.639 speaking, 00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:29.780 that God 00:34:29.780 --> 00:34:30.440 would actually 00:34:30.440 --> 00:34:31.320 do this? 00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:35.599 Well, 00:34:35.700 --> 00:34:37.380 look and 00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:39.300 listen to 00:34:39.300 --> 00:34:39.820 the word 00:34:39.820 --> 00:34:40.420 about the 00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:41.159 cross where 00:34:41.159 --> 00:34:42.159 Jesus died. 00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:43.720 Because when 00:34:43.720 --> 00:34:44.340 we look at 00:34:44.340 --> 00:34:45.079 the cross and 00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:45.760 listen to the 00:34:45.760 --> 00:34:46.340 word of the 00:34:46.340 --> 00:34:47.420 cross, it 00:34:47.420 --> 00:34:48.300 tells us that 00:34:48.300 --> 00:34:49.059 God takes 00:34:49.059 --> 00:34:49.960 our rebellion 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:51.779 seriously and 00:34:51.779 --> 00:34:52.659 judgment must 00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:53.559 take place 00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:55.099 because that 00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:55.639 is what we 00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:56.039 deserve. 00:34:57.739 --> 00:34:58.460 But when we 00:34:58.460 --> 00:34:58.940 look at the 00:34:58.940 --> 00:35:00.619 cross and 00:35:00.619 --> 00:35:00.900 when we 00:35:00.900 --> 00:35:01.500 listen to the 00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:02.079 word about 00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:02.759 the cross, it 00:35:02.759 --> 00:35:03.480 tells us that 00:35:03.480 --> 00:35:04.539 God loves us 00:35:04.539 --> 00:35:05.279 enormously, 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:07.279 that Jesus 00:35:07.279 --> 00:35:08.179 dies in our 00:35:08.179 --> 00:35:08.980 place, we 00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:09.880 don't get 00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:10.759 what we 00:35:10.759 --> 00:35:11.320 deserve. 00:35:12.440 --> 00:35:13.380 The cross 00:35:13.380 --> 00:35:14.779 delivers on 00:35:14.779 --> 00:35:15.320 judgment, 00:35:15.320 --> 00:35:15.559 judgment. 00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:19.000 But it's 00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:19.780 not us. 00:35:20.780 --> 00:35:21.320 So he 00:35:21.320 --> 00:35:22.340 declares the 00:35:22.340 --> 00:35:23.080 brilliance and 00:35:23.080 --> 00:35:23.660 the greatness 00:35:23.660 --> 00:35:25.000 of his grace 00:35:25.000 --> 00:35:26.340 towards all 00:35:26.340 --> 00:35:27.480 who will come 00:35:27.480 --> 00:35:28.519 and bow 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.480 before him 00:35:29.480 --> 00:35:31.400 and kiss 00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:32.420 the sun. 00:35:35.100 --> 00:35:36.240 We need to 00:35:36.240 --> 00:35:37.120 listen carefully 00:35:37.120 --> 00:35:37.760 to his 00:35:37.760 --> 00:35:38.140 word. 00:35:38.139 --> 00:35:40.900 God's 00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:41.639 judgment will 00:35:41.639 --> 00:35:42.239 fall on 00:35:42.239 --> 00:35:42.779 those who 00:35:42.779 --> 00:35:43.480 fight him. 00:35:44.839 --> 00:35:45.659 But his 00:35:45.659 --> 00:35:47.079 grace covers 00:35:47.079 --> 00:35:48.619 all who 00:35:48.619 --> 00:35:49.279 will submit 00:35:49.279 --> 00:35:49.920 to him. 00:35:51.579 --> 00:35:52.339 You see, 00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:52.980 this is the 00:35:52.980 --> 00:35:54.460 word that 00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:55.179 will prevail. 00:35:56.539 --> 00:35:57.659 The word of 00:35:57.659 --> 00:35:58.299 the cross. 00:35:59.239 --> 00:36:00.119 This is the 00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:01.000 message Elijah 00:36:01.000 --> 00:36:02.339 was to speak 00:36:02.339 --> 00:36:03.139 and proclaim 00:36:03.139 --> 00:36:04.879 and it's 00:36:04.879 --> 00:36:05.379 the message 00:36:05.379 --> 00:36:06.019 we are to 00:36:06.019 --> 00:36:06.579 speak and 00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:06.940 proclaim. 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:08.900 This 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:10.159 gospel message 00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:11.299 is like 00:36:11.299 --> 00:36:11.859 a lion. 00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:13.420 We don't 00:36:13.420 --> 00:36:13.799 need to 00:36:13.799 --> 00:36:14.619 defend it. 00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:16.059 We don't 00:36:16.059 --> 00:36:16.400 need to 00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:17.259 make excuses 00:36:17.259 --> 00:36:17.960 for it. 00:36:18.719 --> 00:36:19.440 We just 00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:19.960 need to 00:36:19.960 --> 00:36:20.480 let it 00:36:20.480 --> 00:36:21.199 loose. 00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:22.859 And 00:36:22.859 --> 00:36:23.420 nothing 00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:24.579 and no 00:36:24.579 --> 00:36:24.940 one 00:36:24.940 --> 00:36:26.039 will ever 00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:26.619 hinder 00:36:26.619 --> 00:36:27.799 or prevent 00:36:27.799 --> 00:36:28.799 God's 00:36:28.799 --> 00:36:29.219 word 00:36:29.219 --> 00:36:29.839 doing 00:36:29.839 --> 00:36:30.299 his 00:36:30.299 --> 00:36:30.759 work 00:36:30.759 --> 00:36:32.119 through 00:36:32.119 --> 00:36:32.460 his 00:36:32.460 --> 00:36:32.879 servants. 00:36:33.139 --> 00:36:34.819 in the 00:36:34.819 --> 00:36:35.319 midst of 00:36:35.319 --> 00:36:36.299 hard times 00:36:36.299 --> 00:36:37.500 and difficult 00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:38.179 times. 00:36:39.799 --> 00:36:40.480 God's 00:36:40.480 --> 00:36:40.980 word will 00:36:40.980 --> 00:36:41.460 prevail. 00:36:42.639 --> 00:36:43.259 God's 00:36:43.259 --> 00:36:43.739 word will 00:36:43.739 --> 00:36:44.679 sustain you 00:36:44.679 --> 00:36:45.239 and keep 00:36:45.239 --> 00:36:45.539 you. 00:36:46.980 --> 00:36:47.219 And 00:36:47.219 --> 00:36:47.619 God's 00:36:47.619 --> 00:36:48.079 word will 00:36:48.079 --> 00:36:48.539 do his 00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:48.980 work. 00:36:50.739 --> 00:36:51.579 He will 00:36:51.579 --> 00:36:52.599 display the 00:36:52.599 --> 00:36:53.400 glory and 00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:54.839 greatness of 00:36:54.839 --> 00:36:55.639 his power 00:36:55.639 --> 00:36:57.039 through his 00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:57.500 word. 00:36:59.259 --> 00:37:00.059 Let us 00:37:00.059 --> 00:37:00.679 trust him 00:37:00.679 --> 00:37:02.559 and let us 00:37:02.559 --> 00:37:03.099 listen to 00:37:03.099 --> 00:37:03.320 him. 00:37:04.219 --> 00:37:04.599 Let's 00:37:04.599 --> 00:37:04.880 pray. 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:05.559 Let's 00:37:05.559 --> 00:37:06.059 pray. 00:37:06.059 --> 00:37:06.420 Let's 00:37:06.420 --> 00:37:06.579 pray. 00:37:06.579 --> 00:37:12.820 Let's 00:37:12.820 --> 00:37:13.659 pray. 00:37:13.699 --> 00:37:16.960 Let's 00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:17.599 pray.