WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.339 --> 00:00:10.540 ! Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.540 --> 00:00:20.879 ! It is good to worship God and God alone. 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:26.160 That's our hope. Nothing will give you more purpose. 00:00:26.160 --> 00:00:43.719 Nothing will give you more comfort. Nothing will give you more hope than a relationship with the one true God who lives and works and hears you and loves you. 00:00:44.780 --> 00:00:47.799 He wants to tell you that Himself today. 00:00:48.920 --> 00:00:54.600 So open your Bibles so that you hear Him speak to you. 00:00:54.600 --> 00:01:01.039 Y'all remember, that's why we put this slide up here each week. 00:01:02.340 --> 00:01:12.599 Rather than putting all the words up when I read through the whole passage, we want you to have God's Word open in front of you. 00:01:12.980 --> 00:01:17.400 To study it and hear from Him now and later. 00:01:17.400 --> 00:01:24.960 Kids, I'm not bringing you up on the steps this week. 00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:26.800 Okay, I learned my lesson last week. 00:01:26.860 --> 00:01:27.620 We won't do that. 00:01:27.740 --> 00:01:28.980 No, I'm just kidding. 00:01:29.140 --> 00:01:30.620 We'll do it again sometime. 00:01:31.100 --> 00:01:34.060 But kids, I want you to get a Bible too. 00:01:34.700 --> 00:01:35.080 Okay? 00:01:35.460 --> 00:01:38.900 And I want you to make sure that you can turn to that page. 00:01:38.900 --> 00:01:41.940 It'll tell you where to look if you use the one that's in the pew here. 00:01:43.140 --> 00:01:49.120 I want you to remember that this is the most important part of every sermon, right? 00:01:49.380 --> 00:01:56.140 Whenever we read God's Word and hear Him speaking to us, I want you especially to pay attention. 00:01:56.640 --> 00:02:03.180 And as I read, I want you to see if you can tell what the most important point of this story is. 00:02:03.180 --> 00:02:07.800 There's going to be the same words repeated several times, okay? 00:02:07.840 --> 00:02:12.219 So you look and listen for that and I'll help you a little bit. 00:02:13.840 --> 00:02:17.900 Before I read, here's the context of today's story. 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:24.340 God's people have had King Saul and then David and then Solomon. 00:02:24.340 --> 00:02:32.599 And then 10 tribes out of the 12 broke away to follow a king, not in David's line at all, 00:02:32.699 --> 00:02:35.319 not following God's covenant. 00:02:36.280 --> 00:02:41.099 The people of Israel have wandered off on their own. 00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:44.259 Ahab is now their king. 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:46.480 Jezebel is their queen. 00:02:46.580 --> 00:02:52.259 And they have brought other gods in from the queen's country, from her nation. 00:02:52.259 --> 00:02:55.840 And they've brought them among God's people. 00:02:56.780 --> 00:03:00.560 So God has stopped the rain for three years. 00:03:00.739 --> 00:03:02.519 No rain there. 00:03:03.639 --> 00:03:05.159 But He's about to send it again. 00:03:06.060 --> 00:03:14.139 And He wants His people to know that Yahweh, the one true God, has sent the rain. 00:03:14.299 --> 00:03:20.280 And so His prophet Elijah goes to King Ahab and proposes a contest. 00:03:20.280 --> 00:03:24.060 It's a little less familiar than David and Goliath. 00:03:24.919 --> 00:03:28.639 So let's read the whole story in 1 Kings 18. 00:03:28.780 --> 00:03:30.620 What is this all about? 00:03:31.340 --> 00:03:32.240 Verse 20. 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:42.600 So Ahab, the king, sent to all the people of Israel and he gathered the prophets of Baal together at Mount Carmel. 00:03:43.240 --> 00:03:46.460 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, 00:03:47.100 --> 00:03:51.219 How long will you go limping between two different opinions? 00:03:51.879 --> 00:03:54.560 If the Lord is God, follow Him. 00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:58.439 But if Baal, then follow Him. 00:03:59.240 --> 00:04:02.360 And the people did not answer Him a word. 00:04:03.939 --> 00:04:05.840 Then Elijah said to the people, 00:04:06.219 --> 00:04:12.120 I, even I only am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are 450 men. 00:04:12.120 --> 00:04:21.079 Let two bulls be given to us and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. 00:04:21.379 --> 00:04:25.220 And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. 00:04:25.680 --> 00:04:30.519 And you call upon the name of your God and I will call upon the name of the Lord. 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:36.860 And the God who answers by fire, He is God. 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:41.000 And all the people answered, It is well spoken. 00:04:41.580 --> 00:04:43.819 So then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, 00:04:44.319 --> 00:04:47.480 Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many. 00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:50.900 And call upon the name of your God, but put no fire to it. 00:04:51.160 --> 00:04:56.800 And they took the bull that was given them and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, 00:04:57.160 --> 00:04:59.180 saying, Oh, Baal, answer us! 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:03.879 But there was no voice and no one answered. 00:05:03.879 --> 00:05:07.920 And they limped around the altar that they had made. 00:05:08.339 --> 00:05:12.240 And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, Cry aloud, for he's a God. 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:20.620 Either he's musing or he's relieving himself or he's on a journey or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened. 00:05:21.500 --> 00:05:27.759 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out upon them. 00:05:27.759 --> 00:05:32.920 And as the midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation. 00:05:34.060 --> 00:05:35.599 But there was no voice. 00:05:36.680 --> 00:05:37.459 No one answered. 00:05:38.500 --> 00:05:40.180 No one paid attention. 00:05:42.180 --> 00:05:44.579 Then Elijah said to all the people, Come near to me. 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:46.719 And all the people came near to him. 00:05:46.839 --> 00:05:50.360 And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. 00:05:50.360 --> 00:05:55.740 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, 00:05:56.220 --> 00:06:00.639 to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be your name. 00:06:01.699 --> 00:06:04.879 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. 00:06:05.240 --> 00:06:09.720 And he made a trench about the altar as great as would contain two seas of seed. 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:13.439 And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. 00:06:14.080 --> 00:06:18.939 And he said, Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood. 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:21.180 And then he said, Do it a second time. 00:06:21.219 --> 00:06:22.439 And they did it a second time. 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:23.899 And he said, Do it a third time. 00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:25.120 And they did it a third time. 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:29.319 And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water. 00:06:31.060 --> 00:06:35.720 And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, 00:06:36.620 --> 00:06:40.000 O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, 00:06:40.620 --> 00:06:45.420 let it be known this day that you are God in Israel. 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:49.620 And that I am your servant and that I have done all these things at your word. 00:06:50.379 --> 00:06:52.300 Answer me, O Lord, answer me. 00:06:53.460 --> 00:06:58.460 That this people may know that you, O Lord, are God. 00:06:59.500 --> 00:07:01.520 And that you have turned their hearts back. 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:09.379 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust 00:07:09.379 --> 00:07:11.759 and licked up the water that was in the trench. 00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:16.620 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, 00:07:16.699 --> 00:07:18.180 The Lord, He is God. 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:20.300 The Lord, He is God. 00:07:22.040 --> 00:07:24.699 And Elijah said to them, Seize the prophets of Baal. 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:26.040 Let not one of them escape. 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:27.639 And they seized them. 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:31.759 And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there. 00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:36.740 Lord, you are God. 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:41.300 Speak to us. 00:07:42.459 --> 00:07:43.300 Answer us. 00:07:43.939 --> 00:07:45.199 Help us hear your voice. 00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:50.379 We ask it in Jesus' name. 00:07:51.099 --> 00:07:51.379 Amen. 00:07:51.379 --> 00:08:01.420 Elijah jumps right in here to pointing out the issue with God's people. 00:08:01.719 --> 00:08:02.920 I want to do the same thing. 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:04.620 Verse 21. 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:12.540 How long will you go limping between two different options? 00:08:13.540 --> 00:08:15.540 If the Lord is God, follow Him. 00:08:16.339 --> 00:08:18.920 But if Baal, then follow Him. 00:08:21.379 --> 00:08:24.620 He's talking to Yahweh's people. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:25.579 Right? 00:08:26.439 --> 00:08:27.120 The Israelites. 00:08:28.060 --> 00:08:31.659 And He's saying, we need to decide who's really God. 00:08:31.899 --> 00:08:34.220 Yahweh or Baal? 00:08:34.220 --> 00:08:39.759 And the issue is, you're God hopping. 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:45.519 God's people don't even know how to answer. 00:08:46.460 --> 00:08:47.299 Unbelievable. 00:08:48.860 --> 00:08:50.659 Because they're hopping. 00:08:51.379 --> 00:08:53.860 Limping between the two. 00:08:53.980 --> 00:08:56.220 It means they're undecided. 00:08:57.820 --> 00:09:00.299 The word is translated a lot of different ways. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:04.100 Your version may say hobbling or wavering. 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:11.600 One of the pictures it's used for in Hebrew is a bird hopping from branch to branch. 00:09:12.379 --> 00:09:12.740 Back. 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:13.439 Oh, this one. 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:14.080 Nope, nope, nope. 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:14.399 This one. 00:09:14.600 --> 00:09:14.759 Nope. 00:09:14.860 --> 00:09:15.500 Maybe it was that one. 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:16.840 Hopping back. 00:09:16.919 --> 00:09:17.940 Maybe there's some food over here. 00:09:17.940 --> 00:09:19.140 I don't know where to stay. 00:09:19.520 --> 00:09:21.720 Hopping, hopping back and forth. 00:09:22.760 --> 00:09:25.500 Here He's talking about God hopping. 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:36.220 This is different from the practical atheism that we saw last week in God's people acting 00:09:36.220 --> 00:09:40.480 as though all that was real was what they could see with their own eyes, right? 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:43.040 Didn't account for God at all. 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:46.899 No, these people, they like gods. 00:09:46.899 --> 00:09:49.919 Very religious people. 00:09:49.919 --> 00:09:56.559 But instead of atheism, it's a syncretism, a combination of gods. 00:09:56.659 --> 00:09:58.279 Let's have a little bit of all of them. 00:09:58.819 --> 00:10:00.139 They do things like this. 00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:06.639 They go to Yahweh's temple on the Sabbath and they go through the motions of the ceremonies 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:10.559 and they sing praises to Him as the God of all creation. 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:18.100 But then that night they're bowing down to a wooden statue of Baal and asking for rain 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:19.059 for their crops. 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:21.199 You tracking with me? 00:10:22.460 --> 00:10:30.379 They go during the day to teach Torah to their kids, including Yahweh's design for marital 00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:32.840 faithfulness and what that should look like. 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:37.920 But on the way home, they stop by the temple of the fertility goddess and break their own 00:10:37.920 --> 00:10:38.860 marriage vows. 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:49.500 God hopping, limping between two different opinions, a little bit of whatever works today. 00:10:50.160 --> 00:10:58.960 God's people are supposed to pray for undivided hearts, wholly committed to Him. 00:10:58.960 --> 00:11:08.860 But now they seem to be happily divided, happily hopping from Yahweh to Baal, our God to an idol. 00:11:12.180 --> 00:11:18.100 Thankfully, that stopped a long time ago and idolatry is not something we struggle with anymore. 00:11:19.400 --> 00:11:20.660 No wooden statues. 00:11:20.659 --> 00:11:27.240 No things we look to for life besides God. 00:11:28.459 --> 00:11:33.519 No things we give more time and attention to than God, right? 00:11:36.939 --> 00:11:44.980 Actually, religious people, the kinds who go to church a lot, even when it rains in the morning, 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:51.620 are still often experts at God-hopping idolatry. 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:56.220 Some of it comes from a really good instinct. 00:11:56.879 --> 00:12:02.879 We all have this sense that I'm here for something big. 00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:08.500 I'm meant for something beyond myself because we were made, remember, 00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:12.159 for relationship with the God of all creation, the God of the universe. 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:15.319 That's what you're made for, so you sense that. 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:25.240 But idolatry looks for that big purpose, that significant value somewhere else besides Him. 00:12:27.219 --> 00:12:31.459 Three big reasons God's people in Elijah's day looked to Baal. 00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:32.980 You may recognize them. 00:12:34.219 --> 00:12:35.620 The first was power. 00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:39.799 That's how I'll get big. 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:47.199 Yahweh, He's all right for church, but He seems not to help my social advancement. 00:12:47.479 --> 00:12:50.699 Too much of that humility talk and such. 00:12:52.059 --> 00:12:57.679 But the king and queen have brought Baal into the picture. 00:12:58.319 --> 00:12:59.779 I sure want to be on their good side. 00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:04.379 Won't hurt my social connections one bit to have his picture on my wall. 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:13.019 I mean, I'm not going to quit going to church, but my political loyalties are more important than my family in Christ. 00:13:13.939 --> 00:13:18.419 I mean, if I need to reject the guy in the pew next to me, or if I need to vent my anger, 00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:21.220 you know, you've got to do what you've got to do sometimes. 00:13:22.039 --> 00:13:23.460 Hopping over to power. 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:26.860 Or pleasure. 00:13:29.220 --> 00:13:34.600 You know, this Baal guy is cool with me doing some things that Yahweh's not. 00:13:36.160 --> 00:13:41.220 He's got a lot of rules, but ritual prostitution? 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:53.200 And if too many kids result from that, child sacrifice feeds the idol and it keeps me comfortable. 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:57.320 Yahweh's got so many rules. 00:13:57.460 --> 00:14:00.200 I like doing what feels good to me. 00:14:02.920 --> 00:14:05.379 Painfully, tragically familiar. 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:13.840 The idolatry of power and pleasure make Baal an appealing God. 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:16.039 So does profit. 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:20.000 Baal was the fertility God. 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:30.919 The one in charge of rain, lightning, fire, fertility for people, as well as for the land. 00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:36.039 And you know, remember how significant that is for these people, right? 00:14:36.219 --> 00:14:39.919 In an agrarian culture, this feels like where life comes from. 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:42.779 This is idolatry of profit. 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:51.679 Three years into this drought, I better hedge my bets and make sure the rain God is on my good side, right? 00:14:51.719 --> 00:14:52.559 I'm not stupid. 00:14:52.559 --> 00:15:01.179 I'll get back to Yahweh once I get my bank account built back up. 00:15:01.859 --> 00:15:10.619 Once I'm financially secure, I'll care for the poor eventually, but Baal takes care of me. 00:15:12.119 --> 00:15:15.679 Not all those other people Yahweh seems so concerned about. 00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:23.079 By power, pleasure, or profit, I'm going to find something big. 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:25.399 I'm going to be something big. 00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:26.479 I'm going to find life. 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:27.639 I'm going to be a somebody. 00:15:28.299 --> 00:15:35.359 And they'll even respect me at church as an important leader, a big giver, a community influencer. 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:39.740 I mean, that's why I still bother to show up among Yahweh's people. 00:15:39.839 --> 00:15:40.639 It feels good. 00:15:40.719 --> 00:15:41.439 I tip the cap. 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.659 I shake some hands. 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:44.019 I look the part. 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:48.199 I am an expert God hopper. 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:54.699 God says this is alive and well in churches to this day. 00:15:54.939 --> 00:16:00.379 When Jesus writes to the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3, he says, 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.779 I know your works. 00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:04.360 You're neither cold nor hot. 00:16:04.579 --> 00:16:06.699 Would that you were either cold or hot. 00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:13.819 So because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:18.019 Elijah says, be one or the other. 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:23.939 If Yahweh is God, follow him all the time in every way. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:27.340 If Baal, then follow him. 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:33.300 But quit this limping, lukewarm hopping. 00:16:37.300 --> 00:16:45.259 If you're still not sure if you struggle with God hopping, a couple of questions to ask yourself. 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:56.340 If anything besides God and his word gets your first, your best, and your most time, you may be God hopping. 00:16:56.340 --> 00:17:08.840 If you're compromising morality to do outside of church things that you would never do inside of church, you may be God hopping. 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:10.839 If you're excited about anything. 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:21.919 If you're excited about anything, your raise, your team, your kids' success, anything more than you're excited about God's name being honored, 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:27.659 his kingdom having new members, his ways being lived out to the blessing of more people, 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:30.439 you may be God hopping. 00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:33.539 You probably are. 00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:41.059 So what do God's people need when we struggle here? 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:48.799 How if we see ourselves in the same place as these Israelites in Elijah's day, what for us? 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:53.480 This passage says what we need is a vision of the one true God 00:17:53.480 --> 00:18:00.400 and the difference that it makes to be in relationship with him above any other so-called God. 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:06.259 So, the contest, the one we just read, 00:18:08.120 --> 00:18:14.240 is number one ranked Baal versus number two currently in their hearts, Yahweh. 00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:16.240 Who is God? 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:19.339 That's what it's all about, right, kids? 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:21.720 Who is the real God? 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:27.420 And Elijah sets it up to make sure that the other team's got every chance possible. 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:34.559 The big game is going to be played on his home field, Mount Carmel, a center of Baal worship. 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:39.579 The numbers in his favor, 450 to one. 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:40.860 And the game? 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.240 Fire. 00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:47.620 One of his specialties, supposedly. 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:52.599 The people say, this is more than fair, Elijah. 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:54.099 Well done. 00:18:55.679 --> 00:18:58.979 Probably with a hint of, this isn't going to go so well for you. 00:18:59.419 --> 00:19:00.439 But, all right. 00:19:00.879 --> 00:19:01.939 You asked for it. 00:19:04.439 --> 00:19:05.619 Baal, you go first. 00:19:05.619 --> 00:19:08.699 As they prepare the sacrifice. 00:19:08.699 --> 00:19:12.619 As they start calling for fire from the fire God, 00:19:12.719 --> 00:19:19.399 what do we learn about following idols since we do some of these same things? 00:19:19.919 --> 00:19:27.919 Idols always seem to demand more activity, more performance, better performance from us. 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:33.420 450 priests for several hours. 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:36.840 Think of the man hours going in to getting Baal's attention. 00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:38.680 They're yelling to him loudly. 00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:42.500 They work up a flurry of religious activity. 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:45.060 They're going through religious rituals. 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:48.279 They are raving, it says, on and on. 00:19:48.620 --> 00:19:52.200 Eventually, they cover the mountainside with their own blood. 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:52.380 Blood. 00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:56.319 We know that feeling, don't we? 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:58.779 Sometimes figuratively. 00:19:59.380 --> 00:20:04.480 Sometimes literally spilling our own blood, sweat, and tears. 00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:09.460 Hoping to get God's attention with our religious fervor. 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:16.160 Hoping to get the attention of other people with our physical attractiveness. 00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:19.299 Our professional success. 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:21.519 Working long hours. 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:25.000 Obsessing over our bodies to the point of mistreating them. 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:27.099 Thinking if we do enough. 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:28.859 If we perform well enough. 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:30.440 If we look good enough. 00:20:30.619 --> 00:20:31.960 We'll be big. 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:34.759 We'll get what we long for. 00:20:34.879 --> 00:20:35.920 It's just there. 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:43.859 Notice next that sincerity is not sufficient. 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:48.200 These priests had dedicated their lives to this God. 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:51.819 Likely making a decent living off of his ministry. 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:55.039 They sincerely expect him to respond. 00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:58.100 This could be a sermon on its own. 00:20:58.460 --> 00:21:03.600 But many in our day say only sincerity matters. 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:11.359 The reality of the God or the philosophy or the good life that you follow it. 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:12.439 That doesn't really matter. 00:21:12.439 --> 00:21:16.659 As long as you sincerely believe and try to follow it. 00:21:17.159 --> 00:21:18.199 Friends, no. 00:21:18.719 --> 00:21:21.199 No, not all gods are the same. 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:24.620 Not all roads lead to the same place. 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:25.340 Look here. 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:28.539 The silence here is deafening. 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:30.779 Verse 26. 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:33.900 There was no voice. 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:36.559 No one answered. 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:39.140 Verse 29. 00:21:39.299 --> 00:21:43.960 As they ramp up the raving still, there was no voice. 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:45.700 No one answered. 00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:48.140 No one paid attention. 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:50.920 In spite of their sincerity. 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:54.200 Nothing to show for it. 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:55.640 No fire. 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:59.259 No rain for three years. 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:06.579 I hope you can feel some of the sadness of this picture. 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:09.079 It is heartbreaking, isn't it? 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:16.220 The loneliness, the emptiness of chasing after the thing that's going to give you life. 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:18.960 And just having it elude your grasp. 00:22:19.659 --> 00:22:21.079 After all you've done. 00:22:21.199 --> 00:22:22.720 After how hard you've tried. 00:22:22.919 --> 00:22:26.819 Of crying out to someone and never getting an answer. 00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:33.740 I've felt this in India. 00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:39.059 Watching people go into a Hindu or Buddhist temple to pray. 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.720 And thinking. 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:43.759 That idol that they're bowing before. 00:22:43.919 --> 00:22:44.960 It does nothing. 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:48.000 It hears nothing that they say. 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:50.519 It sees nothing of their lives. 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.819 And they're hurting. 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:54.259 They need help. 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:58.879 And they're going to walk out just as alone as they were when they went in. 00:22:59.179 --> 00:23:00.339 That's heartbreaking. 00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:03.779 Do you feel that sadness? 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:07.059 Would you feel that sadness? 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:10.279 For people walking into a brothel. 00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:13.420 Looking for life in pleasure. 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:16.819 When you know how short-lived it will be. 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:22.779 Would you feel it for someone walking into a bank? 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:27.099 Looking for life in profit. 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:31.599 When you know that there are things in life that will come. 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:34.879 And their money will not answer their cries for help. 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:44.280 Would you feel it for someone walking into a business and looking for life in power. 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:48.440 When you know how lonely it can be at the top. 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:53.240 How powerless your power is when you're estranged from your loved ones. 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:55.600 Or when you're lying on your deathbed. 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.200 Listen. 00:23:58.340 --> 00:24:00.920 I'm pushing us to examine our hearts. 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:01.640 Okay. 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:06.400 Of course it is not sinful to walk into a bank or a business. 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.900 Please don't hear that. 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:14.080 But if in our hearts we're walking into God hop. 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:16.900 To bow to an idol. 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:21.460 It is deadly sinful. 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:31.160 I also want to be honest as we turn to the second half of the contest. 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:33.100 First half not going so well. 00:24:34.160 --> 00:24:35.160 Halftime speech. 00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:35.480 Okay. 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:40.880 Most of us can feel that sadness. 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:44.860 For people walking into an idol's temple. 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:48.299 Not hypothetically. 00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:51.200 But because we've felt it. 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:56.519 At some point in time we've probably felt it with God himself. 00:24:57.160 --> 00:25:00.599 Walking into a church like this. 00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:02.960 Elijah has felt it. 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:04.000 By the way. 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:05.500 Read the rest of his story. 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:11.559 Many of us have experienced praying to our God. 00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:15.440 And feeling like nothing happened. 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:20.900 The words are hitting the ceiling and bouncing back. 00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:24.160 No fire fell from heaven. 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.960 It's what it feels like. 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:27.619 God I don't feel like you're there. 00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:33.899 And I don't want to pretend this morning as we go to the rest of the story. 00:25:34.139 --> 00:25:38.319 That Yahweh is some automated chat bot. 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:43.799 Where you always see clearly an immediate response to whatever you type in. 00:25:43.879 --> 00:25:45.000 Something just pops up. 00:25:45.179 --> 00:25:45.839 And you see it. 00:25:45.959 --> 00:25:46.519 And you know it. 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.700 And it's that simple. 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:53.220 But as we turn to his response to Elijah. 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:59.240 I want you to know that the God who sends fire here from heaven. 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:05.079 The God who sends his son from heaven to earth. 00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:09.839 He tells us that he hears. 00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:12.099 And that he answers our prayers. 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:14.579 Even when we don't hear his answer. 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:18.359 If you're struggling right there. 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:22.059 And I'm pretty sure some of you are today. 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:26.099 It's important you know from this story. 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:29.099 That it's not that your belief is not sincere enough. 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:34.199 It's not that your performance is not good enough to get his attention. 00:26:34.379 --> 00:26:36.019 That's not it. 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:38.500 So come and talk to me. 00:26:38.599 --> 00:26:39.899 I'd love to talk with you. 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:42.119 Talk with someone you trust. 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:49.239 Know that we'll walk with you in what can sometimes be a lonely and seemingly silent place. 00:26:49.239 --> 00:26:50.939 But he does hear. 00:26:51.459 --> 00:26:53.019 And he does care. 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.779 And he does respond. 00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:58.179 Watch what it looks like here. 00:26:59.659 --> 00:27:02.939 Notice that not merely the miraculous response. 00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:05.339 You couldn't have missed that the first read through. 00:27:05.699 --> 00:27:08.599 But it may not always come that way in your life. 00:27:09.419 --> 00:27:11.839 I don't always have fire fall from heaven when I pray. 00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:12.720 I don't know about you. 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:21.819 But notice more importantly how our God is always different from the idols. 00:27:23.439 --> 00:27:24.259 Verse 30. 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:26.519 Elijah said to all the people, come near to me. 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:27.639 I need you to see this. 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:30.220 All the people came near to him. 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:35.480 And he repaired the altar of Yahweh that had been thrown down. 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:37.679 Elijah took 12 stones. 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.899 Don't miss it. 00:27:38.939 --> 00:27:39.939 He's going to tell you why. 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:43.600 According to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob. 00:27:44.600 --> 00:27:45.380 What about them? 00:27:45.580 --> 00:27:46.320 Well, they're the ones. 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:50.019 The word of Yahweh came saying, Israel shall be your name. 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:54.120 And he takes those stones and he builds the altar in the name of Yahweh. 00:27:54.420 --> 00:28:00.980 See, what's required with Yahweh for those of us who have broken relationship with him like these 10 tribes, 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:02.480 and that is all of us. 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:09.980 What's required is not self-deprecating activity or improved performance. 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:12.460 It's humble repentance. 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:26.759 Elijah is highlighting that here by rebuilding Yahweh's altar for these 10 tribes who should still be worshiping Yahweh with the other two at Solomon's temple in Jerusalem. 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:28.740 But they're far off. 00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:31.279 They have abandoned the covenant people. 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:33.420 They've abandoned the covenant king. 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:36.879 They've abandoned the covenant God, haven't they? 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:39.240 Show them. 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:42.000 Elijah prays in verse 37. 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:47.640 Show them that you are turning their hearts back to you. 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:49.800 Repentance. 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:51.660 Away from idols. 00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:54.500 To the true God. 00:28:56.600 --> 00:29:00.840 Next thing to notice, simplicity is sufficient. 00:29:02.840 --> 00:29:04.140 Just come home. 00:29:05.600 --> 00:29:12.120 You don't have to have the strongest faith, the longest performance record, the loudest testimony. 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:18.619 You might think you would need that after Elijah sets the bar so high for Yahweh, doesn't he? 00:29:18.919 --> 00:29:19.359 Water. 00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:20.379 Water. 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.519 Water. 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.739 Pour it on there. 00:29:24.159 --> 00:29:25.339 See what he can do. 00:29:25.639 --> 00:29:28.979 Certainly he'll never be able to handle this sacrifice. 00:29:30.219 --> 00:29:33.299 But then actually, what does God respond to? 00:29:33.379 --> 00:29:34.679 It's a simple prayer. 00:29:35.419 --> 00:29:40.099 That's in contrast to Baal's prophets, what Elijah offers. 00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:47.139 O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel 00:29:47.139 --> 00:29:51.179 and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your word. 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:53.019 Answer me, O Lord. 00:29:53.179 --> 00:30:01.579 Answer me that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God and that you have turned their hearts back. 00:30:02.119 --> 00:30:08.079 I'm just doing what you've told me to do for the glory of your name, for the good of your people. 00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:13.240 So please answer me, God, that they may know and trust you. 00:30:15.939 --> 00:30:22.919 Finally, Yahweh answers simple repentance with great grace. 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:26.259 Here it is. 00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:28.199 It's amazing, isn't it? 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:33.399 The fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering. 00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:37.640 Now, that's amazing enough, but it just keeps overflowing. 00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:45.080 And the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:54.360 Just as God has done when accepting tabernacle and temple worship, each of those the first time, God sends fire. 00:30:54.359 --> 00:31:00.639 Here the people are at the time of the evening sacrifice. 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:02.399 They can't miss it. 00:31:02.679 --> 00:31:08.619 Yahweh is communicating in no uncertain terms where they should have been all along with him. 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:12.259 It's an amazing demonstration of his reality. 00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:16.459 And all the people jump up and high five and sing praises. 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:18.519 No. 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:28.039 They fell on their faces, saying, Yahweh, he is God. 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:35.940 I think they realized at least some of what was true here. 00:31:37.400 --> 00:31:42.980 By all rights, where should that fire from heaven have fallen? 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:47.759 Upon them, right? 00:31:48.400 --> 00:31:55.200 Upon the God hoppers, the covenant breakers, the disloyal people. 00:31:55.360 --> 00:31:59.680 They're seeing what they deserve, but instead it falls where? 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:03.759 Upon the sacrifice. 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:10.880 They're all that's left unscathed. 00:32:10.880 --> 00:32:17.660 The way Yahweh had always told them he would deal with their sin. 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:21.280 The sacrifice is burned up instead. 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:30.280 According to God's law, in this unique theocracy, not where we are now, the New Testament is quite clear. 00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:38.880 A false prophet leading God's people after other gods away from him must be killed. 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:39.880 That's the penalty. 00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:40.140 That's the penalty. 00:32:41.140 --> 00:32:44.040 And these people would deserve the same. 00:32:44.840 --> 00:32:49.380 Except the sacrifice covers God's people's sin. 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:55.800 Friends, Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice. 00:32:56.360 --> 00:33:01.540 Who as he tabernacles with us, offers himself on the cross. 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:07.779 And the fire of God's wrath from heaven falls upon him. 00:33:08.119 --> 00:33:14.200 God's gracious answer to our prayers for mercy in our time of need. 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:17.740 See, because the true and living God answers. 00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:20.319 That's what it means to be God. 00:33:20.460 --> 00:33:21.279 To be real. 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.359 To be powerful. 00:33:22.579 --> 00:33:23.839 To be able to rescue. 00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:28.359 So powerful that he has answered many of your prayers before you prayed them. 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:32.059 And he sent his son to be that sacrifice. 00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:34.519 So that's, it's good news for us. 00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:36.679 Listen, no matter what you have done. 00:33:36.959 --> 00:33:39.399 No matter how disloyal you have been. 00:33:39.659 --> 00:33:42.480 You don't have to go slashing yourself. 00:33:43.659 --> 00:33:44.779 Please hear that. 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:47.119 That's not what is required of you. 00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:48.500 You don't have to perform. 00:33:48.720 --> 00:33:49.959 You don't have to look right. 00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:53.519 You don't have to do enough to attract God's attention. 00:33:53.940 --> 00:34:00.200 You so have his attention that he came and was slashed in your place. 00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:06.299 That's the difference with the one true God. 00:34:06.680 --> 00:34:14.099 While we struggle with multiple loyalties, with divided hearts, he has a singular focus. 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:22.000 A gracious vision to see his glory displayed through restored relationship with his people. 00:34:22.380 --> 00:34:24.380 He comes for you. 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:28.239 We've seen it over and over in these stories. 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:37.199 He's so committed to restoring that broken relationship that he rescues even wanderers in syncretism. 00:34:37.199 --> 00:34:47.980 God hoppers, 21st century Americans who mix Jesus with power and pleasure and profit and we think they're gods. 00:34:49.419 --> 00:34:55.839 He rescues by showing the reality of him as the one true God. 00:34:56.480 --> 00:34:59.319 Then he showed it through fire and the people knew. 00:35:00.159 --> 00:35:01.980 Later he shows it at the cross. 00:35:01.980 --> 00:35:05.619 Today he shows it through his word. 00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:12.300 He answers and allows many to see and hear to repent and find restoration with him. 00:35:12.699 --> 00:35:18.880 So if you are convinced this morning that you are the worst God hopper around, good news. 00:35:19.699 --> 00:35:26.019 The fire hasn't fallen on you yet and he loves to rescue God hoppers. 00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:31.119 There is a sacrifice who has taken the fire for you. 00:35:31.119 --> 00:35:32.839 His name is Jesus. 00:35:33.099 --> 00:35:33.739 Run to him. 00:35:34.880 --> 00:35:36.400 I plead with you this morning. 00:35:36.679 --> 00:35:41.960 If you are in the sound of my voice, you are definitely in the reach of his. 00:35:42.299 --> 00:35:46.199 Please, please, no more limping between two opinions. 00:35:46.940 --> 00:35:48.299 No more God hopping. 00:35:48.900 --> 00:35:53.799 If God is God, follow him with all you are, with all you have. 00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:55.079 Not just lip service. 00:35:55.219 --> 00:35:56.659 Don't just say it on a Sunday morning. 00:35:56.900 --> 00:35:59.759 With life service all the time. 00:35:59.760 --> 00:36:04.140 God, may Gordon Dahl's pointed critique not be true of you and me. 00:36:04.680 --> 00:36:06.040 That we worship our work. 00:36:06.780 --> 00:36:08.100 We work at our play. 00:36:08.920 --> 00:36:10.440 And we play at our worship. 00:36:11.000 --> 00:36:11.340 No. 00:36:12.180 --> 00:36:15.960 No, follow the one true God. 00:36:17.060 --> 00:36:18.520 Listen, I want to talk to different groups. 00:36:18.740 --> 00:36:19.280 Young people. 00:36:20.440 --> 00:36:21.800 Anybody who feels young. 00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:25.519 You have your whole life ahead of you. 00:36:28.580 --> 00:36:33.720 Decide now that God is God, not you. 00:36:34.860 --> 00:36:37.000 Why not when you've got your life ahead? 00:36:37.880 --> 00:36:41.500 That you're going to live for him, not for yourself. 00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:43.519 You could waste so much time. 00:36:44.300 --> 00:36:46.300 For his glory, not your own power. 00:36:46.300 --> 00:36:48.200 Take it from anybody. 00:36:48.560 --> 00:36:49.840 Find somebody older than you. 00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:50.860 Ask them. 00:36:51.200 --> 00:36:52.160 Will money do it? 00:36:52.700 --> 00:36:53.240 It won't. 00:36:54.220 --> 00:36:56.280 Ask them if being thought beautiful will do it. 00:36:57.300 --> 00:36:57.960 It won't. 00:36:58.400 --> 00:37:00.160 Being famous won't do it. 00:37:00.980 --> 00:37:05.320 What will it profit you to gain the whole world and forfeit your soul? 00:37:05.620 --> 00:37:09.080 To win the game, but find out you're playing for the wrong team. 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:21.319 At his right hand are pleasures forevermore that far outshine and far outlast the ones that you're tempted to chase. 00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:24.279 Take Jesus' sacrifice for you. 00:37:24.619 --> 00:37:28.759 Live with him with your victory secure for your whole life. 00:37:29.500 --> 00:37:30.900 You could live with him like that. 00:37:33.319 --> 00:37:34.239 People in the middle. 00:37:34.239 --> 00:37:41.439 That's those of us who are thinking right now, I don't know what you're talking about, but I am too busy to give this another thought. 00:37:42.719 --> 00:37:43.159 Work. 00:37:44.919 --> 00:37:45.319 Kids. 00:37:46.599 --> 00:37:47.039 Life. 00:37:47.719 --> 00:37:52.879 I'll get back to who the real God is one day, but just let me get through for a little while. 00:37:54.519 --> 00:37:54.879 No. 00:37:56.099 --> 00:38:02.479 Decide today not to limp between zeal for God and apathy for God. 00:38:02.480 --> 00:38:10.340 If it's football or fashion or work or play that makes you more excited than God, his invitation is repent. 00:38:11.400 --> 00:38:13.480 He'll turn your heart back to him. 00:38:13.559 --> 00:38:20.820 He will answer your cry for an undivided heart that will bless your family, that will transform your work powerfully. 00:38:21.139 --> 00:38:23.240 Take Jesus' sacrifice this morning. 00:38:23.860 --> 00:38:24.659 Live with him. 00:38:25.219 --> 00:38:27.820 You don't have to go sacrifice yourself for him first. 00:38:28.340 --> 00:38:29.760 He's given himself for you. 00:38:29.760 --> 00:38:29.820 He's given himself for you. 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:34.059 All right, older people. 00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:39.039 If you're thinking, 00:38:39.840 --> 00:38:46.179 Pastor, I've God hopped for decades and gotten by with it. 00:38:47.619 --> 00:38:50.179 And after all, isn't it a little late? 00:38:50.920 --> 00:38:53.780 What's the use of changing now? 00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:55.340 I've heard it before. 00:38:55.340 --> 00:38:59.579 I'm running out of time for it to make any difference. 00:39:00.900 --> 00:39:01.539 No. 00:39:02.200 --> 00:39:03.440 No, you're not. 00:39:03.880 --> 00:39:10.760 You have an eternity to live in relationship with this one true God. 00:39:11.140 --> 00:39:14.260 And that eternity can start today. 00:39:14.260 --> 00:39:25.520 Right now, as you take Jesus' sacrifice for you, as you live as the apple of his eye, you don't have to perform for him for decades for this relationship to start. 00:39:25.740 --> 00:39:28.100 You don't have to do that to attract his attention. 00:39:28.420 --> 00:39:31.740 He's already come to take the fire for you. 00:39:31.739 --> 00:39:34.099 You can receive him right now. 00:39:35.379 --> 00:39:46.319 Friends, the one true God is not running you off for your half-heartedness, but assuring you that he refuses to be silent while you God hop. 00:39:46.579 --> 00:39:52.319 He is wholehearted in his sacrificial commitment to restore. 00:39:52.320 --> 00:39:55.780 The Lord, he is God. 00:39:56.460 --> 00:39:58.680 The Lord, he is God. 00:39:59.480 --> 00:40:00.280 Trust him. 00:40:01.400 --> 00:40:02.160 Worship him. 00:40:03.100 --> 00:40:03.900 Follow him. 00:40:05.280 --> 00:40:06.240 Let's pray to him. 00:40:07.880 --> 00:40:09.700 God, hear our prayers. 00:40:11.380 --> 00:40:12.840 Help your people. 00:40:15.500 --> 00:40:16.620 Forgive our weakness. 00:40:16.619 --> 00:40:25.420 Turn our hearts back to you again. 00:40:26.739 --> 00:40:27.839 You're so good. 00:40:28.440 --> 00:40:29.480 You're so faithful. 00:40:30.039 --> 00:40:31.039 You are so real. 00:40:32.099 --> 00:40:32.599 Meet us. 00:40:32.859 --> 00:40:34.039 Assure us of that. 00:40:35.679 --> 00:40:39.119 That we might live with you and for you. 00:40:40.440 --> 00:40:42.079 For we ask it in your name. 00:40:42.980 --> 00:40:43.279 Amen. 00:40:43.280 --> 00:40:47.980 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org. 00:40:55.400 --> 00:40:56.400 Thank you.