WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.679
 So we come to this point in Elijah's life where it is time for a showdown.

00:00:06.679 --> 00:00:11.460
 And of course, history is littered with famous showdowns.

00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:18.640
 This week I was reminding myself about the epic battle between Hannibal and the armies of Carthage

00:00:18.640 --> 00:00:23.940
! traveling over the Alps and their elephants in order to take on the might of Rome in 200 BC.

00:00:25.199 --> 00:00:29.199
 But those epic contests don't just belong in history and military battles.

00:00:29.199 --> 00:00:30.460
 We also see them in sport.

00:00:30.599 --> 00:00:36.920
 There's the rumble in the jungle, the Messi and Bappi World Cup final most recently.

00:00:37.960 --> 00:00:44.000
 And so often we find that in these epic battles there's a revelation, which is stronger, which is greater.

00:00:44.920 --> 00:00:48.060
 Often weaknesses, vulnerabilities are exposed.

00:00:49.060 --> 00:00:52.359
 There are, of course, some famous showdowns within the Bible itself.

00:00:52.359 --> 00:01:00.320
 Perhaps most famous is that of the shepherd boy David taking the field of battle against Goliath.

00:01:01.060 --> 00:01:06.780
 Or perhaps we think of Moses against the might of Pharaoh and Egypt.

00:01:07.620 --> 00:01:13.960
 And we can add to that list Elijah taking on the prophets of Baal.

00:01:13.959 --> 00:01:20.259
 Now, of course, whenever we get to these showdowns within the Bible, there's an extra layer of significance.

00:01:21.039 --> 00:01:28.679
 Because these showdowns represent a battle between the one true God and the gods of other nations.

00:01:29.299 --> 00:01:38.060
 They become events in which God's glory is revealed and the emptiness of idolatry is exposed.

00:01:38.060 --> 00:01:41.040
 So it's a very dramatic scene.

00:01:41.159 --> 00:01:46.420
 And I think it's helpful for us to picture ourselves there on Mount Carmel.

00:01:46.820 --> 00:01:51.640
 Not, as maybe our instinct might be, to imagine ourselves as the great hero Elijah,

00:01:52.180 --> 00:01:57.620
 standing firm against evil, faithful in this bold mission, calling the nation back to God.

00:01:57.620 --> 00:02:05.180
 But it's also almost certainly not us putting ourselves in the position where we are King Ahab,

00:02:05.500 --> 00:02:10.599
 or one of those false prophets where we're deliberately giving our lives to idolatry,

00:02:11.259 --> 00:02:14.219
 where we're viciously opposed to God and His people.

00:02:14.319 --> 00:02:16.500
 We don't live in that realm either.

00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:23.939
 I think perhaps the most honest and realistic place for us to find ourselves in the story is on the sideline.

00:02:23.939 --> 00:02:30.879
 Listen, listening to Elijah, ask us, how long will you wait for?

00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:39.879
 As we are invited to see once again the power of God as fire from heaven falls,

00:02:40.139 --> 00:02:43.939
 as God's glory is demonstrated, and our hearts are reminded again,

00:02:44.060 --> 00:02:48.280
 yes, there is one and only one true God and Savior.

00:02:48.280 --> 00:02:53.479
 Because I think this is what we find we so often need.

00:02:54.500 --> 00:02:58.159
 It's the answer to our wavering faith,

00:02:59.620 --> 00:03:02.639
 the answer to our limping along faith,

00:03:03.860 --> 00:03:09.479
 that kind of faith where we can feel strong one day when things are going in our favor,

00:03:09.580 --> 00:03:11.360
 but when disappointment comes,

00:03:11.819 --> 00:03:17.580
 perhaps we so quickly fall back on old ways or looking to something else to rescue us.

00:03:17.580 --> 00:03:25.720
 What we need is to encounter the God of power and to give our hearts to follow Him.

00:03:26.760 --> 00:03:31.160
 We need to hear His great prophet, ultimately the Lord Jesus,

00:03:32.100 --> 00:03:40.080
 and the message of Mount Calvary as the antidote to the fear and the wavering that we so often experience.

00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:48.480
 As we get into the story, we're going to use really some of the themes of the text.

00:03:48.540 --> 00:03:50.960
 So, we're going to think about the beginning, the first couple of verses,

00:03:51.080 --> 00:03:52.280
 when the people are silent,

00:03:52.980 --> 00:03:57.060
 to recognize with Elijah the reality of the idols who are silent,

00:03:58.080 --> 00:04:02.640
 and then to spend a few minutes thinking about the true God who is not silent.

00:04:02.639 --> 00:04:07.959
 So, verse 20 and 21, the people are silent.

00:04:08.199 --> 00:04:10.879
 So, the stage, if you've been here for the last few weeks,

00:04:10.959 --> 00:04:13.219
 the stage has been set for this showdown.

00:04:13.339 --> 00:04:14.599
 It's been building.

00:04:14.799 --> 00:04:18.500
 Ahab has turned the nation away from worshiping God,

00:04:18.719 --> 00:04:22.839
 and now he summons the nation together for this crucial moment.

00:04:22.959 --> 00:04:25.719
 They're going to see for themselves, we're going to see for ourselves,

00:04:25.720 --> 00:04:29.960
 who is the true God who is worthy of worship?

00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:34.820
 And as Elijah meets them there on the mountain, he brings that question,

00:04:35.360 --> 00:04:38.720
 how long will you waver between two opinions?

00:04:39.460 --> 00:04:43.880
 Literally, that word is how long will you limp between two opinions?

00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:49.580
 They've been pulled by these rival claims of authority and weight,

00:04:49.960 --> 00:04:52.300
 and they're lacking power because of it.

00:04:53.300 --> 00:04:55.600
 They're also robbing God of glory.

00:04:55.720 --> 00:05:01.440
 And so, Elijah comes with this message,

00:05:01.880 --> 00:05:05.800
 if the Lord is God, follow Him.

00:05:07.380 --> 00:05:10.160
 And so, Elijah says to us,

00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:13.880
 do we know who our God is?

00:05:14.680 --> 00:05:18.460
 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that He's the only true and living God.

00:05:18.520 --> 00:05:22.020
 And if we know that, then let's follow Him.

00:05:22.019 --> 00:05:25.599
 And to take up this challenge from Elijah,

00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:30.120
 to follow Him with undivided hearts.

00:05:31.019 --> 00:05:34.079
 But isn't it striking to notice at the end of verse 21,

00:05:34.199 --> 00:05:35.519
 the reaction of the people?

00:05:36.060 --> 00:05:37.419
 It simply says,

00:05:37.599 --> 00:05:39.740
 the people said nothing.

00:05:41.019 --> 00:05:45.859
 This call to choose is met with a deafening silence.

00:05:46.019 --> 00:05:48.159
 So, we don't know what the reason for the silence was.

00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:49.780
 Did they feel a sense of shame?

00:05:50.360 --> 00:05:51.200
 We don't know.

00:05:51.900 --> 00:05:55.360
 Were they skeptical towards Elijah's claims?

00:05:55.420 --> 00:05:56.280
 Are they waiting to see,

00:05:56.480 --> 00:05:57.439
 well, show me Elijah,

00:05:58.020 --> 00:06:01.380
 before I decide which team I want to be on?

00:06:01.420 --> 00:06:02.300
 We don't know.

00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:10.960
 But as we move from the experience of the silent crowds to ourselves,

00:06:11.740 --> 00:06:14.280
 I think it's helpful for us to ask the question,

00:06:14.400 --> 00:06:17.680
 what makes us limp in our faith?

00:06:18.080 --> 00:06:23.120
 Or what makes us waver between two opinions?

00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:29.040
 There is almost the word picture of a desert traveler,

00:06:29.040 --> 00:06:32.640
 someone who has come to discover an oasis.

00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:34.720
 Here is where fresh water is,

00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:37.280
 but not satisfied with that.

00:06:38.340 --> 00:06:41.680
 The desert traveler then walks off to see if there's a better one.

00:06:42.840 --> 00:06:44.939
 Is there a better source somewhere else?

00:06:45.140 --> 00:06:46.580
 And in so doing,

00:06:47.040 --> 00:06:49.120
 strength begins to go,

00:06:49.320 --> 00:06:51.600
 and they're dragging themselves along.

00:06:51.600 --> 00:06:57.000
 It is easy for us to be sapped of spiritual strength,

00:06:57.000 --> 00:07:02.400
 to find ourselves running from one Savior to another

00:07:02.400 --> 00:07:06.300
 because we can't fully trust,

00:07:07.420 --> 00:07:09.080
 or we wrestle with unbelief,

00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:12.500
 and we keep falling back into unbelief.

00:07:13.280 --> 00:07:15.740
 When the next challenge comes,

00:07:17.160 --> 00:07:19.560
 perhaps we look in on ourselves,

00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:20.939
 and we think, well, what can I do?

00:07:21.040 --> 00:07:22.280
 How can I fix it?

00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:23.439
 Rather than looking up.

00:07:25.100 --> 00:07:26.360
 If we turn to ourselves,

00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:28.439
 we can feel drained or we can feel alone.

00:07:31.600 --> 00:07:33.480
 Maybe we can think about Jesus' words

00:07:33.480 --> 00:07:34.579
 from the Sermon on the Mount.

00:07:34.699 --> 00:07:36.680
 In those battles for belief,

00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:40.759
 we need to learn as God's children

00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:43.360
 to beat a path to our Father's door

00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:47.019
 and to beat on the door for the help that He can give

00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:48.419
 and that He wants to give.

00:07:51.379 --> 00:07:52.979
 The people of Elijah's day,

00:07:53.939 --> 00:07:57.240
 they had adopted a pick-and-mix approach to religion.

00:07:58.439 --> 00:08:00.759
 They hadn't totally abandoned the God of the Bible.

00:08:00.879 --> 00:08:02.199
 They were still looking to worship Him,

00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:04.120
 but they'd also added in local gods

00:08:04.120 --> 00:08:05.379
 and especially Baal.

00:08:05.899 --> 00:08:06.519
 And we might think,

00:08:06.599 --> 00:08:09.339
 well, why on earth would they have made that choice?

00:08:10.219 --> 00:08:11.859
 But they were living in a culture

00:08:11.860 --> 00:08:14.280
 where so many people were saying,

00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:16.840
 it's these idols that will give you life.

00:08:18.080 --> 00:08:20.160
 In this land, to have security,

00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:22.080
 you need to give your offering to Baal.

00:08:22.280 --> 00:08:23.300
 If you want wealth,

00:08:23.400 --> 00:08:24.500
 if you want hope,

00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:25.680
 around here,

00:08:27.580 --> 00:08:28.660
 you choose Baal.

00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:33.159
 That was the challenge that the people were living in.

00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:35.000
 Think about the people who first read this,

00:08:35.060 --> 00:08:35.899
 the exiles.

00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:38.639
 They've fallen under God's judgment

00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:40.579
 because they've also believed that lie.

00:08:40.659 --> 00:08:41.679
 They've turned to idols

00:08:41.679 --> 00:08:43.019
 and so judgment has come.

00:08:45.799 --> 00:08:48.199
 But it's important for us to ask the question,

00:08:48.340 --> 00:08:50.199
 are we any different

00:08:50.199 --> 00:08:53.720
 or do we see some of those same tendencies?

00:08:54.639 --> 00:08:56.399
 When we think about what is an idol,

00:08:57.720 --> 00:09:00.259
 you know, an idol is anything in life

00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:01.600
 that we would run to

00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:05.060
 or even that we would limp to

00:09:05.060 --> 00:09:08.540
 to find our sense of security and well-being.

00:09:09.980 --> 00:09:11.460
 And so our hearts, too,

00:09:11.540 --> 00:09:13.240
 can find themselves divided.

00:09:14.440 --> 00:09:16.279
 You know, when we're living by faith,

00:09:16.340 --> 00:09:17.320
 I'm following Jesus,

00:09:17.460 --> 00:09:18.840
 I'm going to trust Jesus.

00:09:19.779 --> 00:09:21.500
 But maybe a hardship comes,

00:09:21.620 --> 00:09:22.680
 opposition comes,

00:09:22.920 --> 00:09:24.000
 a disappointment comes,

00:09:24.139 --> 00:09:25.399
 exhaustion comes,

00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:27.759
 confusion comes,

00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:32.120
 and our thinking can become confused, too.

00:09:33.080 --> 00:09:34.799
 I need to find something else,

00:09:34.980 --> 00:09:36.819
 someone else that's going to deliver me

00:09:36.819 --> 00:09:37.620
 in this moment.

00:09:40.819 --> 00:09:43.159
 Elijah's words confronted the people

00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:44.720
 and they still confront us

00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:47.319
 with that very stark reality

00:09:47.319 --> 00:09:50.759
 that we cannot afford to be double-hearted.

00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:53.200
 Jesus said,

00:09:53.319 --> 00:09:55.720
 you cannot serve God and money.

00:09:55.720 --> 00:09:59.220
 You could ask Elijah,

00:09:59.320 --> 00:10:01.180
 Elijah, can't I serve God

00:10:01.180 --> 00:10:03.100
 and money or job and success?

00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:03.759
 Sometimes,

00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:07.740
 when it seems to deliver a more instant hit,

00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:11.639
 what's Elijah's answer?

00:10:12.680 --> 00:10:14.399
 If the Lord is God,

00:10:15.840 --> 00:10:16.639
 follow Him.

00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:19.960
 We need to know our God

00:10:19.960 --> 00:10:21.639
 and follow Him,

00:10:21.680 --> 00:10:23.340
 that He is our Savior God,

00:10:23.340 --> 00:10:26.519
 that He is our promise-keeping God,

00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:28.720
 that He is our Emmanuel God,

00:10:28.800 --> 00:10:29.639
 God with us.

00:10:29.920 --> 00:10:31.080
 And for all these reasons

00:10:31.080 --> 00:10:31.879
 and so many more,

00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:33.620
 He is the one who deserves

00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:35.340
 all our heart,

00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:36.820
 all our worship,

00:10:37.560 --> 00:10:38.580
 all of the time.

00:10:41.460 --> 00:10:42.680
 And so it's important

00:10:42.680 --> 00:10:44.360
 that we know ourselves,

00:10:45.160 --> 00:10:46.519
 that we would sense

00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:47.759
 where we waver,

00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:50.100
 when we would be tempted

00:10:50.100 --> 00:10:51.300
 to limp back

00:10:51.300 --> 00:10:53.019
 to our old idols.

00:10:53.159 --> 00:10:54.360
 And when we are aware

00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:55.560
 that we're in that position

00:10:55.560 --> 00:10:56.080
 of weakness,

00:10:57.700 --> 00:10:58.840
 that's when we need to pray.

00:11:00.440 --> 00:11:02.240
 That's when we need to remind ourselves

00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:03.659
 of the truths of the gospel,

00:11:03.800 --> 00:11:05.480
 that Jesus is better,

00:11:06.060 --> 00:11:07.960
 that our Father is for us

00:11:07.960 --> 00:11:09.080
 and He does provide,

00:11:09.180 --> 00:11:09.940
 and we would ask

00:11:09.940 --> 00:11:11.779
 for the strength that we need.

00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:18.179
 I think following on

00:11:18.179 --> 00:11:19.779
 from the people's silence,

00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:21.519
 it's also important for us

00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:23.179
 to ask ourselves,

00:11:23.319 --> 00:11:24.579
 what kind of silence

00:11:24.579 --> 00:11:26.120
 is ours

00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:27.740
 when we are confronted

00:11:27.740 --> 00:11:29.559
 by the challenge

00:11:29.559 --> 00:11:30.539
 of God's Word?

00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:32.720
 And we know the saying,

00:11:32.839 --> 00:11:33.879
 silence is golden.

00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:36.459
 I'm trained as a librarian.

00:11:36.779 --> 00:11:38.019
 I agree wholeheartedly.

00:11:38.579 --> 00:11:40.600
 Silence can be a wonderful place

00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:41.720
 of reflection.

00:11:41.779 --> 00:11:42.939
 Silence is a place

00:11:42.939 --> 00:11:43.799
 where we can hear

00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:45.399
 another speak.

00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:48.220
 But sometimes silence

00:11:48.220 --> 00:11:49.100
 can be the silence

00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:50.720
 of defiance, can't it?

00:11:52.079 --> 00:11:53.220
 I'm not interested

00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:54.019
 in your authority.

00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:55.559
 I'm unwilling to engage

00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:56.379
 and to respond.

00:11:58.600 --> 00:11:59.819
 Again, we don't know

00:11:59.819 --> 00:12:01.159
 why Israel was silent

00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:02.159
 in response,

00:12:03.079 --> 00:12:05.059
 but we know our own hearts.

00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:08.079
 We know the times

00:12:08.079 --> 00:12:09.079
 when we are more likely

00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:11.020
 to sit and listen

00:12:11.020 --> 00:12:12.340
 as God speaks

00:12:12.340 --> 00:12:13.180
 from His Word.

00:12:14.560 --> 00:12:15.320
 But perhaps,

00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:16.200
 as we know ourselves,

00:12:16.300 --> 00:12:17.560
 we also know those times

00:12:17.560 --> 00:12:18.620
 where we sit,

00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:21.780
 but we're not going to engage,

00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:22.940
 and we really don't want

00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:23.440
 to listen

00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:24.900
 to God's Word.

00:12:26.020 --> 00:12:26.800
 And so, again,

00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:28.139
 it's important for us

00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:29.520
 both to know ourselves,

00:12:29.520 --> 00:12:30.460
 but more than that,

00:12:30.520 --> 00:12:32.240
 to know our God.

00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:34.659
 And as we know His goodness

00:12:34.659 --> 00:12:35.440
 and His glory,

00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:37.320
 that we would follow Him.

00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:40.779
 Well, having seen the reality

00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:41.860
 of the people's silence,

00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:42.720
 let's now move

00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:44.100
 to the next scene

00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:45.320
 as the showdown begins

00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:47.680
 to recognize the idols

00:12:47.680 --> 00:12:49.159
 that are silent.

00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:49.840
 So, it's interesting,

00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:50.519
 on the face of it,

00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:51.100
 this could seem like

00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:52.440
 a very uneven contest.

00:12:52.680 --> 00:12:52.759
 You know,

00:12:52.779 --> 00:12:54.840
 if this was made into a movie,

00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:56.399
 the odds against Elijah

00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:59.300
 seem to be 450 to 1 against.

00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:01.440
 And not only that,

00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.360
 the geography

00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:04.379
 is against Elijah as well,

00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:05.460
 because this is taking place

00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:06.420
 on Mount Carmel,

00:13:06.780 --> 00:13:07.879
 which is right smack

00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:09.000
 in the middle of Baal

00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:10.240
 worship territory.

00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:12.080
 And as well,

00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:13.139
 it's important for us to know,

00:13:13.180 --> 00:13:14.280
 and we've said this a few times,

00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:15.040
 that Baal,

00:13:15.800 --> 00:13:16.960
 he's the storm god.

00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:18.940
 So, ancient art

00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:20.139
 will picture him

00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:22.120
 holding the lightning bolt.

00:13:22.180 --> 00:13:23.420
 So, he seems to have

00:13:23.419 --> 00:13:24.979
 all the cards.

00:13:25.059 --> 00:13:26.299
 And then we get to that point

00:13:26.299 --> 00:13:27.240
 later on in the story

00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:29.879
 where Elijah further tips the scales

00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:31.759
 with a soaking wet sacrifice.

00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:33.539
 But in so doing,

00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:34.339
 the whole story

00:13:34.339 --> 00:13:35.360
 is going to demonstrate

00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:37.740
 with greater power

00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:39.299
 the glory of the one true God.

00:13:39.579 --> 00:13:40.319
 But notice,

00:13:40.459 --> 00:13:41.799
 as the story is told,

00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:43.539
 the emphasis on

00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:46.639
 the noisy worshippers.

00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:47.899
 So, look at verse 26.

00:13:48.819 --> 00:13:49.439
 Here they are,

00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:50.980
 calling on the name of Baal

00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:52.339
 from morning till noon.

00:13:52.340 --> 00:13:53.840
 Baal, answer us,

00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:54.540
 they shouted.

00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:55.820
 Verse 28,

00:13:55.920 --> 00:13:56.920
 they shouted louder,

00:13:57.060 --> 00:13:58.300
 they're slashing themselves

00:13:58.300 --> 00:13:59.100
 with swords.

00:13:59.800 --> 00:14:00.800
 Verse 29,

00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:01.720
 they continued

00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:03.879
 their frantic prophesying

00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.639
 until the time

00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:05.700
 for the evening sacrifice.

00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:06.480
 So, literally,

00:14:06.800 --> 00:14:08.360
 all day,

00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:09.680
 getting louder

00:14:09.680 --> 00:14:10.379
 and louder

00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:11.060
 and louder

00:14:11.060 --> 00:14:13.160
 in their worship.

00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:14.460
 Again,

00:14:14.540 --> 00:14:16.420
 just to observe this,

00:14:16.900 --> 00:14:18.340
 in verse 26,

00:14:18.340 --> 00:14:20.379
 end of verse 26,

00:14:21.420 --> 00:14:22.460
 it says,

00:14:22.560 --> 00:14:23.840
 they danced around the altar

00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:24.460
 they'd made

00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:26.600
 in our NIV here.

00:14:26.800 --> 00:14:27.160
 Again,

00:14:27.280 --> 00:14:27.780
 literally,

00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:29.560
 the language is,

00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:31.100
 they limped around the altar.

00:14:32.700 --> 00:14:33.160
 And so,

00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:34.800
 we're being drawn attention

00:14:34.800 --> 00:14:35.980
 to how powerless

00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:37.259
 and how pointless

00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:39.000
 their worship really is.

00:14:39.040 --> 00:14:39.920
 It's full of energy

00:14:39.920 --> 00:14:40.519
 and commitment,

00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:43.639
 but it's a waste of time

00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:45.279
 because their worship

00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:46.259
 is directed

00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:49.000
 to the wrong God

00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:50.860
 who will be of no help

00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:53.720
 in this key moment.

00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:54.079
 And so,

00:14:54.159 --> 00:14:54.679
 the message

00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:55.840
 at the same time

00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:56.720
 rings loud

00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:57.519
 and clear

00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.059
 that while

00:14:58.059 --> 00:14:59.240
 the worshipers

00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.460
 are making a racket,

00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:03.360
 their God is silent.

00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:05.439
 Verse 26,

00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:07.700
 after their shouting,

00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:09.880
 there was no response.

00:15:10.680 --> 00:15:12.400
 No one answered.

00:15:13.180 --> 00:15:14.020
 Verse 29,

00:15:14.180 --> 00:15:15.540
 there was no response.

00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:17.260
 No one answered.

00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:19.880
 No one paid attention.

00:15:21.160 --> 00:15:22.000
 And Elijah's

00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:23.040
 kind of sarcastic

00:15:23.040 --> 00:15:24.220
 responses to them,

00:15:24.460 --> 00:15:25.660
 it really served

00:15:25.660 --> 00:15:27.160
 to expose

00:15:27.160 --> 00:15:29.660
 that reality

00:15:29.660 --> 00:15:31.600
 and to expose

00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:32.140
 for them

00:15:32.140 --> 00:15:32.760
 and for us

00:15:32.760 --> 00:15:34.240
 the folly,

00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.000
 the weakness

00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:35.799
 of trusting

00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:38.500
 in any created thing

00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.980
 rather than

00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:40.759
 the creator

00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.700
 for their life

00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:42.779
 and their well-being.

00:15:45.080 --> 00:15:46.539
 That this contest

00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:47.820
 is a rebuke

00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:48.820
 to the nation

00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:51.259
 for leaving behind

00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.720
 the one true God

00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:54.600
 in order to pursue

00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:56.019
 worship of the false.

00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:57.320
 It's one thing

00:15:57.320 --> 00:15:57.799
 that you find

00:15:57.799 --> 00:15:58.580
 all through

00:15:58.580 --> 00:15:59.940
 the work

00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:00.539
 and the ministry

00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:01.259
 and the writings

00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.100
 of the prophets.

00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:03.500
 So,

00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.159
 early on

00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:04.659
 in the prophet

00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:05.980
 Jeremiah's ministry,

00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.320
 God comes

00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:07.779
 and speaks

00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:08.399
 through Jeremiah

00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:08.779
 and says,

00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:09.379
 my people have

00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:10.419
 committed two sins.

00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:11.159
 Not only have

00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:12.120
 they rejected me,

00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:12.899
 the source

00:16:12.899 --> 00:16:13.899
 of living water,

00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:15.860
 they're also drinking

00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:17.379
 from empty cisterns.

00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:17.700
 They're going

00:16:17.700 --> 00:16:18.779
 to broken cisterns

00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:20.159
 that hold no water.

00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:20.919
 They could have

00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:21.740
 had fresh,

00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.659
 wonderful,

00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.799
 life-giving water,

00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.399
 but instead

00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:25.200
 they're choosing

00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:25.860
 to drink

00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:27.120
 from dirty puddles

00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:27.639
 instead.

00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:29.779
 And so,

00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:31.240
 this great showdown

00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:31.940
 between Elijah

00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:32.540
 and the prophets

00:16:32.540 --> 00:16:33.020
 of Baal

00:16:33.020 --> 00:16:34.000
 is putting

00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:35.100
 idolatry

00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:35.960
 on trial

00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:37.000
 and in this

00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.480
 very public stage,

00:16:38.540 --> 00:16:39.320
 this very public

00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:39.900
 spectacle,

00:16:40.060 --> 00:16:40.580
 with the eyes

00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:41.220
 of the nation

00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:41.920
 watching,

00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.500
 Baal again

00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.660
 comes up

00:16:44.660 --> 00:16:45.840
 empty.

00:16:48.420 --> 00:16:49.240
 That must have

00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:49.640
 been something

00:16:49.640 --> 00:16:50.380
 of a shattering

00:16:50.380 --> 00:16:51.000
 experience,

00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:51.680
 certainly for the

00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:52.000
 prophets,

00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:52.580
 but perhaps

00:16:52.580 --> 00:16:53.180
 for the people

00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:53.760
 as well.

00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.740
 we place

00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:55.379
 so much

00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:55.840
 hope

00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:56.639
 and emphasis

00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.679
 on this

00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:58.080
 idol

00:16:58.080 --> 00:16:59.279
 and now

00:16:59.279 --> 00:16:59.939
 we're discovering

00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:01.200
 it is of no

00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:01.740
 value

00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:02.860
 when the

00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:04.180
 time comes.

00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.579
 And again,

00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.099
 maybe we've

00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:07.500
 learned that

00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.000
 ourselves

00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:08.539
 from bitter

00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.220
 experience.

00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:11.039
 In a time

00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:11.559
 of weakness,

00:17:11.879 --> 00:17:12.299
 in a time

00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:12.980
 of crisis,

00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:14.799
 perhaps we've

00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.460
 looked to

00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.539
 that person

00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:17.180
 in our life

00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.299
 or to that

00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:19.180
 sort of wealth

00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:20.140
 or that status,

00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:20.879
 that position,

00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:21.339
 whatever,

00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:22.539
 that we relied

00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.459
 on before,

00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:24.859
 thinking,

00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.000
 deliverance

00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.299
 will come

00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:26.779
 again,

00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:28.839
 only this time

00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.220
 it failed

00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:30.000
 to satisfy.

00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:32.599
 Sometimes

00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:33.099
 that's what

00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:33.639
 brings us

00:17:33.639 --> 00:17:34.220
 to church.

00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:35.039
 We come

00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:35.619
 to an end

00:17:35.619 --> 00:17:36.259
 of ourselves.

00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:37.919
 We've been

00:17:37.919 --> 00:17:38.480
 looking for

00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.019
 salvation

00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:40.199
 from other

00:17:40.199 --> 00:17:40.720
 things and

00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.099
 they come

00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:41.720
 up empty

00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.379
 and we're

00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:42.759
 looking for

00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:43.500
 something more.

00:17:44.699 --> 00:17:45.439
 We're open

00:17:45.439 --> 00:17:46.139
 to God.

00:17:47.439 --> 00:17:48.119
 We can draw

00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:49.059
 two important

00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:50.159
 lessons for

00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:50.659
 ourselves,

00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:51.159
 I think,

00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:51.580
 here.

00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:53.400
 The first,

00:17:54.080 --> 00:17:54.600
 and it comes

00:17:54.600 --> 00:17:55.600
 from a book,

00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:56.160
 a really helpful

00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:56.560
 little book

00:17:56.560 --> 00:17:57.279
 by Greg Beale,

00:17:57.360 --> 00:17:58.140
 We Become

00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:59.420
 What We Worship.

00:17:59.640 --> 00:18:00.380
 It's one theme

00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:00.900
 that runs

00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:01.540
 through the Bible.

00:18:01.840 --> 00:18:02.800
 We sang it

00:18:02.800 --> 00:18:03.860
 in Psalm 115.

00:18:05.060 --> 00:18:05.960
 He summarizes

00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:06.680
 this whole book

00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:07.400
 in a sentence.

00:18:08.800 --> 00:18:09.900
 What we revere

00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:10.940
 or what we worship,

00:18:11.080 --> 00:18:11.960
 what we revere,

00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.240
 we resemble,

00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:15.080
 either for ruin

00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:16.420
 or restoration.

00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:18.100
 We become

00:18:18.100 --> 00:18:19.400
 what we worship

00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:20.040
 for good

00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:21.139
 or for ill.

00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.019
 And the message

00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.740
 of the Bible

00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.359
 and especially

00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:23.960
 the message

00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:25.039
 of the prophets

00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.539
 is that if we

00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:28.099
 choose idols,

00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:28.819
 if we give

00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:29.599
 our hearts

00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:30.740
 to a non-thing,

00:18:32.379 --> 00:18:33.059
 then what happens

00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:33.920
 is that our hearts

00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:34.960
 become hardened.

00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:36.920
 Our senses

00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:37.879
 become dulled.

00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:38.659
 Our spiritual

00:18:38.659 --> 00:18:40.599
 sense becomes dulled.

00:18:41.159 --> 00:18:41.700
 We become

00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:42.420
 spiritually

00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.819
 lifeless

00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:45.939
 and we come

00:18:45.939 --> 00:18:46.939
 to be ruined.

00:18:49.220 --> 00:18:50.419
 Our need

00:18:50.419 --> 00:18:52.759
 is to be remade,

00:18:52.899 --> 00:18:53.919
 to be restored,

00:18:54.139 --> 00:18:54.579
 to become

00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.759
 new creations

00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.700
 in Christ,

00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:58.159
 for God

00:18:58.159 --> 00:18:59.019
 to work in us

00:18:59.019 --> 00:18:59.700
 by His Spirit

00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.319
 to give us

00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:01.159
 a new heart

00:19:01.159 --> 00:19:02.819
 with a new capacity

00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:03.519
 to love,

00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:04.419
 with a new

00:19:04.419 --> 00:19:06.119
 and restored worship

00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:06.759
 to worship

00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.259
 the God

00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:08.439
 we were made for.

00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:10.200
 And when we

00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.340
 worship the God

00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:12.360
 who made us

00:19:12.360 --> 00:19:12.940
 and who we were

00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:13.559
 made for,

00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.440
 we discover

00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:15.080
 that God's

00:19:15.080 --> 00:19:15.960
 masterpiece,

00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:16.700
 you and I,

00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:18.019
 we find ourselves

00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.980
 being restored

00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:19.860
 more and more

00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:22.019
 into the image

00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:23.360
 of the Lord Jesus.

00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:26.500
 But Elijah's message

00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.180
 becomes really

00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:28.380
 important for us

00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:29.220
 to hear

00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.880
 in that we always

00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:32.039
 need to be careful

00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:33.320
 who or what

00:19:33.320 --> 00:19:34.460
 we give our hearts

00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:34.840
 to.

00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:37.379
 But there's also

00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:38.899
 that wonderful promise

00:19:38.899 --> 00:19:40.199
 within the gospel

00:19:40.199 --> 00:19:40.919
 if we give

00:19:40.919 --> 00:19:41.699
 our lives

00:19:41.699 --> 00:19:42.419
 and our hearts

00:19:42.419 --> 00:19:43.159
 to Jesus

00:19:43.159 --> 00:19:45.639
 that He will

00:19:45.639 --> 00:19:46.720
 never fail us,

00:19:47.179 --> 00:19:47.859
 He will never

00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:48.779
 disappoint us,

00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:49.459
 He is

00:19:49.459 --> 00:19:50.319
 the Savior

00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:51.099
 to trust.

00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:56.139
 Perhaps within

00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:57.159
 this little section

00:19:57.159 --> 00:19:57.639
 there's also

00:19:57.639 --> 00:19:58.359
 a challenge

00:19:58.359 --> 00:19:59.179
 for us

00:19:59.179 --> 00:20:00.299
 that is the need

00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:01.199
 always

00:20:01.199 --> 00:20:02.919
 to be toppling

00:20:02.919 --> 00:20:03.639
 our idols.

00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:04.860
 Maybe we're

00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:05.420
 familiar with

00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:06.100
 that famous

00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:07.860
 saying of Calvin

00:20:07.860 --> 00:20:08.780
 that our hearts

00:20:08.780 --> 00:20:10.120
 are idol-making

00:20:10.120 --> 00:20:11.380
 factories.

00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:14.100
 It is so easy

00:20:14.100 --> 00:20:14.980
 for us to hunt

00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:15.860
 around and look

00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:16.600
 around and say

00:20:16.600 --> 00:20:17.640
 if I have this

00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.000
 thing

00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.400
 then life will

00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:19.860
 go well.

00:20:20.020 --> 00:20:21.100
 This person

00:20:21.100 --> 00:20:21.680
 or this thing

00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.140
 is going to be

00:20:22.140 --> 00:20:22.700
 the key

00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:24.060
 to the good life.

00:20:24.100 --> 00:20:24.759
 That's really easy

00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.580
 for us to do.

00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.840
 The Bible says

00:20:27.840 --> 00:20:28.840
 we give our hearts

00:20:28.840 --> 00:20:29.320
 to something

00:20:29.320 --> 00:20:29.900
 and we don't

00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:30.440
 give our hearts

00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:30.720
 to God.

00:20:30.800 --> 00:20:31.560
 It's idolatry.

00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:34.440
 So if we find

00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:35.960
 our spiritual

00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:37.060
 smoke alarm

00:20:37.060 --> 00:20:37.900
 is going off

00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:39.160
 we have that

00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:39.860
 sense am I

00:20:39.860 --> 00:20:40.740
 giving my heart

00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.700
 to the wrong

00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.220
 thing?

00:20:42.860 --> 00:20:44.000
 Or if you sense

00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.600
 that you're more

00:20:44.600 --> 00:20:46.360
 hardened perhaps

00:20:46.360 --> 00:20:47.600
 to God's word

00:20:47.600 --> 00:20:49.700
 or to the gospel.

00:20:50.860 --> 00:20:51.860
 If you look back

00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:52.360
 and say well

00:20:52.360 --> 00:20:53.480
 there was days

00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.100
 when I had much

00:20:54.100 --> 00:20:54.840
 more joy

00:20:54.840 --> 00:20:55.940
 in worship.

00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:58.320
 There was times

00:20:58.320 --> 00:20:59.380
 when my identity

00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:00.320
 as a child of God

00:21:00.320 --> 00:21:00.900
 that meant

00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.759
 everything to me

00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:03.200
 but not so much

00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:03.599
 now.

00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:06.400
 That may be

00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:07.039
 not definitely

00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:07.700
 but it may be

00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.079
 a sign

00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:08.619
 that we're

00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:09.099
 giving our

00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:09.579
 heart

00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:11.379
 to something

00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:11.920
 less than

00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.200
 the one

00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:12.900
 true God

00:21:12.900 --> 00:21:15.000
 and we may

00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:15.339
 be being

00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:15.819
 sapped

00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.379
 of spiritual

00:21:16.379 --> 00:21:16.900
 strength.

00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.640
 So we ask

00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:20.220
 ourselves the

00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:20.720
 question

00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:22.140
 and we join

00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:22.700
 Elijah

00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.700
 in looking

00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.339
 to tear

00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:24.819
 down

00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:25.759
 our idols

00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:27.700
 which we

00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:28.220
 do

00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.039
 as we

00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:29.660
 encounter

00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:30.440
 afresh

00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:31.140
 the glory

00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:31.880
 and love

00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:32.579
 of God

00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:33.420
 for us

00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:34.140
 in Christ

00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:34.579
 Jesus.

00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:36.960
 It's as our

00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:37.539
 hearts are

00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.259
 captured by

00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:39.039
 that greater

00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:39.720
 love

00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.779
 that we are

00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:41.860
 then able

00:21:41.860 --> 00:21:42.660
 to replace

00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.480
 those lesser

00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.000
 loves.

00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:44.920
 As we come

00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:45.680
 to understand

00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:47.339
 this is the

00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:47.880
 one who my

00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:48.660
 heart is made

00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:49.039
 for

00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.960
 then we're

00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.779
 able to set

00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.480
 those lesser

00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.200
 things

00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:53.339
 aside.

00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:56.079
 Jesus said

00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:56.579
 we cannot

00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:57.539
 serve God

00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.119
 and money

00:21:58.119 --> 00:21:58.480
 so it's

00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.519
 important for

00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:00.079
 us to do

00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:00.699
 that kind

00:22:00.699 --> 00:22:01.199
 of heart

00:22:01.199 --> 00:22:01.919
 analysis

00:22:01.919 --> 00:22:03.599
 where might

00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:04.019
 I be giving

00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:04.539
 my heart

00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:04.960
 away

00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:07.759
 and to

00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.039
 give our

00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.500
 hearts to

00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.119
 the gospel

00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:11.240
 to remembering

00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:11.759
 God's love

00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.059
 for us

00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:12.500
 in Jesus.

00:22:14.179 --> 00:22:14.939
 Well let's

00:22:14.939 --> 00:22:15.259
 think about

00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:15.899
 the third

00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:17.899
 part of

00:22:17.899 --> 00:22:19.039
 our story

00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:19.679
 where the

00:22:19.679 --> 00:22:20.419
 showdown

00:22:20.419 --> 00:22:21.799
 reaches its

00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.519
 climax.

00:22:22.639 --> 00:22:23.259
 Verse 30

00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:24.099
 to 46

00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:24.919
 the true

00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:25.919
 God speaks

00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:26.940
 and he

00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:28.460
 is not

00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.860
 silent.

00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:31.820
 So Elijah

00:22:31.820 --> 00:22:32.340
 the prophet

00:22:32.340 --> 00:22:33.180
 began by

00:22:33.180 --> 00:22:33.940
 speaking and

00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:34.240
 the people

00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.019
 were silent

00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:37.279
 and then the

00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:37.580
 people were

00:22:37.580 --> 00:22:38.000
 making a

00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:38.539
 racket but

00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:39.100
 the idols

00:22:39.100 --> 00:22:40.380
 were silent.

00:22:42.600 --> 00:22:43.519
 The lack

00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.000
 of power

00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.539
 of the idol

00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.039
 is out in

00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.500
 the moment.

00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:46.720
 It's out

00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.340
 in the open.

00:22:48.080 --> 00:22:49.000
 It's exposed

00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:50.100
 for all

00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:50.700
 to see.

00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:56.160
 just to

00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:56.860
 pause for a

00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:57.200
 moment

00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:58.600
 and to

00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:58.920
 think about

00:22:58.920 --> 00:22:59.620
 this scene

00:22:59.620 --> 00:23:00.600
 in the

00:23:00.600 --> 00:23:01.039
 setting of

00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.420
 our own

00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:01.759
 day.

00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.620
 You and I

00:23:03.620 --> 00:23:04.039
 know that

00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:04.680
 many people

00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.380
 have turned

00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:06.100
 from God.

00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:08.480
 Alternative

00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:09.319
 choices for

00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:10.160
 happiness or

00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:11.000
 freedom or for

00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:11.860
 purpose or for

00:23:11.860 --> 00:23:12.240
 meaning.

00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:14.660
 people are

00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:14.980
 busy,

00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:15.740
 consuming,

00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.819
 experiencing,

00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:17.660
 building,

00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:20.019
 but at the

00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:20.960
 same time

00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:23.180
 the gods

00:23:23.180 --> 00:23:23.799
 are failing.

00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.099
 We've never

00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:26.779
 had it so

00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.359
 good,

00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:29.380
 but yet we've

00:23:29.380 --> 00:23:30.000
 never had such

00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:30.799
 high levels of

00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:32.279
 anxiety and

00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.660
 loneliness and

00:23:33.660 --> 00:23:34.779
 loss of purpose

00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:35.680
 and a sense of

00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.000
 fear.

00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.460
 fear.

00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:40.259
 There are so

00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.960
 many people

00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:41.779
 today who are

00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:43.680
 limping and

00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.619
 lacking power

00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:46.140
 and looking to

00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:47.519
 find hope and

00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.200
 they're searching

00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:48.880
 for more.

00:23:49.380 --> 00:23:50.220
 And wonderfully,

00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:50.839
 as we know,

00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:52.039
 there is more.

00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:52.839
 There is hope

00:23:52.839 --> 00:23:53.940
 from the God

00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:55.319
 who speaks.

00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.299
 And so,

00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:56.859
 very briefly,

00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:57.220
 we're going to

00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:57.660
 think about the

00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.500
 three ways that

00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.559
 God speaks in

00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.519
 these last

00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:01.420
 verses.

00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:02.200
 The first way,

00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:03.019
 the most dramatic

00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.839
 way perhaps that

00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:04.740
 God speaks is that

00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.660
 He provides the

00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:07.960
 fire for the

00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.480
 sacrifice.

00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:09.180
 Look there at

00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:11.019
 verse 30 down

00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:12.320
 to verse 39.

00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.960
 We see Elijah

00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:15.779
 rebuilding the

00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:17.340
 original altar.

00:24:17.560 --> 00:24:18.620
 We see him

00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:20.700
 soaking the

00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:21.700
 offering so

00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.180
 there is no

00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:23.180
 doubt that glory

00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:24.080
 is going to be

00:24:24.080 --> 00:24:25.060
 given to God

00:24:25.060 --> 00:24:26.140
 if He answers.

00:24:26.560 --> 00:24:27.480
 And we hear

00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:29.500
 Elijah pray.

00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.700
 Verse 37,

00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:33.560
 as his prayer

00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:34.100
 closes,

00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:35.099
 answer me,

00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:35.119
 answer me,

00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:35.619
 Lord,

00:24:36.179 --> 00:24:37.480
 so these people

00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.159
 will know that

00:24:38.159 --> 00:24:38.419
 You,

00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:38.839
 Lord,

00:24:38.919 --> 00:24:39.759
 are God

00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.899
 and that You

00:24:40.899 --> 00:24:42.119
 are turning

00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:42.939
 their hearts

00:24:42.939 --> 00:24:44.719
 back again.

00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:46.000
 He prays for

00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:47.119
 glory to be seen

00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:48.359
 in such a way

00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:49.240
 people would have

00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:50.399
 such an encounter

00:24:50.399 --> 00:24:51.719
 with the glory

00:24:51.719 --> 00:24:52.779
 and the presence

00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.799
 of God

00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:54.779
 that their hearts

00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.539
 would be transformed.

00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.339
 That's not going to

00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:57.719
 be a people thing,

00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.519
 that's a God

00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.359
 thing.

00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:01.619
 And the fire

00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.459
 falls

00:25:02.459 --> 00:25:04.379
 and everything

00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:05.279
 is consumed.

00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:07.539
 The people see

00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.919
 the true God

00:25:08.919 --> 00:25:10.839
 provides a sacrifice.

00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:12.779
 Perhaps they

00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.419
 remember

00:25:13.419 --> 00:25:14.539
 the God

00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:15.099
 who provides

00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:15.959
 sacrifices

00:25:15.959 --> 00:25:17.459
 for their sin

00:25:17.459 --> 00:25:19.059
 and they bow

00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.479
 down.

00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:20.279
 The Lord,

00:25:20.479 --> 00:25:21.699
 He is God.

00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.939
 The Lord,

00:25:23.439 --> 00:25:25.139
 He is God.

00:25:25.140 --> 00:25:27.460
 He speaks

00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:28.140
 by providing

00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:28.960
 fire

00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:30.580
 for the sacrifice.

00:25:31.780 --> 00:25:32.900
 But He also

00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:33.560
 speaks

00:25:33.560 --> 00:25:34.960
 on this mountain

00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:36.759
 as He brings

00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.440
 judgment

00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:39.520
 on evil.

00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:41.240
 Because the story

00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.940
 doesn't end

00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.980
 on that high.

00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.620
 We then look

00:25:44.620 --> 00:25:45.780
 at verse 40.

00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:47.440
 Seize the prophets

00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:47.940
 of Baal,

00:25:48.020 --> 00:25:48.740
 don't let anyone

00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.400
 get away.

00:25:49.540 --> 00:25:50.180
 They seized them

00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:51.000
 and Elijah had them

00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.620
 brought down

00:25:51.620 --> 00:25:52.680
 to the Kishon Valley

00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:54.259
 and slaughtered there.

00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:56.620
 So this mountain

00:25:56.620 --> 00:25:57.420
 scene becomes

00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:58.040
 a place

00:25:58.040 --> 00:25:59.400
 of judgment

00:25:59.400 --> 00:26:01.380
 as God

00:26:01.380 --> 00:26:02.660
 brings decisive

00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:03.360
 judgment

00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.740
 on the wicked

00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:06.080
 who willfully,

00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.120
 deliberately

00:26:07.120 --> 00:26:08.620
 reject and

00:26:08.620 --> 00:26:09.480
 oppose Him.

00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:11.120
 It's one of

00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:11.740
 these pictures

00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.280
 that we get

00:26:12.280 --> 00:26:12.920
 in the Bible

00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:14.320
 of future judgment

00:26:14.320 --> 00:26:15.520
 brought into

00:26:15.520 --> 00:26:16.320
 the present

00:26:16.320 --> 00:26:17.800
 to give us,

00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.600
 as we read,

00:26:19.120 --> 00:26:19.880
 a warning,

00:26:20.080 --> 00:26:20.680
 a reminder

00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:22.140
 of the certainty

00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:23.300
 of the Holy

00:26:23.300 --> 00:26:24.259
 God's judgment

00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:24.980
 of evil.

00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.480
 But the story

00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.060
 doesn't end

00:26:27.060 --> 00:26:27.640
 there either.

00:26:27.780 --> 00:26:28.720
 We get that scene

00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:30.680
 verse 41 to 46

00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:32.100
 of Elijah

00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:33.080
 and his servant

00:26:33.080 --> 00:26:33.720
 and Elijah

00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.440
 being sent

00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:35.320
 to look for the

00:26:35.320 --> 00:26:35.720
 cloud

00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.960
 with the promise

00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:37.440
 of rain

00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:39.100
 and God speaks

00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:40.140
 finally

00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:41.380
 by providing

00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:42.720
 the gift of life.

00:26:43.120 --> 00:26:43.860
 So where the

00:26:43.860 --> 00:26:44.520
 conflict

00:26:44.520 --> 00:26:45.500
 began

00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.340
 three years

00:26:46.340 --> 00:26:46.940
 before

00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:48.200
 with Elijah

00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:48.900
 going into

00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:49.780
 Ahab's presence

00:26:49.780 --> 00:26:50.120
 saying,

00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:50.940
 I swear

00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:51.300
 there's not

00:26:51.300 --> 00:26:51.600
 going to be

00:26:51.600 --> 00:26:52.820
 Jew or rain

00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:53.579
 as a judgment

00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:55.019
 and now

00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:56.059
 the rain

00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:56.700
 is going

00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.639
 to fall

00:26:57.639 --> 00:26:58.259
 and it's

00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:58.939
 going to fall

00:26:58.939 --> 00:26:59.859
 because God

00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.799
 has spoken

00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.399
 because the

00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:02.079
 true God

00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:02.819
 is going

00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.500
 to give

00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.619
 life.

00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:06.979
 And it's

00:27:06.979 --> 00:27:07.599
 so interesting

00:27:07.599 --> 00:27:08.179
 that there's

00:27:08.179 --> 00:27:08.939
 this emphasis

00:27:08.939 --> 00:27:10.139
 on Elijah

00:27:10.139 --> 00:27:10.799
 speaking to

00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:11.659
 Ahab telling

00:27:11.659 --> 00:27:12.819
 Ahab to get

00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.619
 ready for the

00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.039
 rain.

00:27:15.479 --> 00:27:16.039
 Perhaps we

00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:16.899
 remember that

00:27:16.899 --> 00:27:18.519
 reality of God's

00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.279
 goodness causing

00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.259
 the rain to fall

00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:20.939
 on the just

00:27:20.939 --> 00:27:21.859
 and the unjust.

00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:24.599
 wicked Ahab

00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:26.079
 gets the rain

00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:26.679
 that will give

00:27:26.679 --> 00:27:27.299
 the crops

00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:27.919
 that will give

00:27:27.919 --> 00:27:28.439
 life.

00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:30.339
 But God

00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.039
 speaks

00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:32.839
 by way

00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:33.699
 of sacrifice.

00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:34.759
 God speaks

00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.779
 in this act

00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.319
 of judgment

00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:36.799
 and God

00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.659
 speaks

00:27:37.659 --> 00:27:39.019
 as he provides

00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:39.679
 the gift

00:27:39.679 --> 00:27:41.159
 of life.

00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.359
 It was Francis

00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:43.740
 Schaeffer

00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.179
 who wrote

00:27:44.179 --> 00:27:44.699
 the book

00:27:44.699 --> 00:27:45.199
 with a wonderful

00:27:45.199 --> 00:27:45.659
 title,

00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.559
 God is there

00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.479
 and he is

00:27:47.479 --> 00:27:48.500
 not silent.

00:27:49.459 --> 00:27:49.859
 We see

00:27:49.859 --> 00:27:50.319
 that so

00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.359
 vividly

00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:52.439
 on Mount

00:27:52.439 --> 00:27:53.079
 Carmel

00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:53.519
 but our

00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:53.979
 God is

00:27:53.979 --> 00:27:54.519
 always

00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.059
 speaking.

00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:56.240
 He's

00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:56.779
 speaking to

00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.039
 us in

00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.479
 the beauty

00:27:57.479 --> 00:27:58.299
 of creation.

00:27:58.859 --> 00:27:59.359
 He speaks

00:27:59.359 --> 00:27:59.819
 to us

00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:00.419
 when we

00:28:00.419 --> 00:28:01.000
 read his

00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.359
 word.

00:28:01.479 --> 00:28:01.879
 He speaks

00:28:01.879 --> 00:28:02.259
 to us

00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:03.579
 by his

00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:03.899
 spirit

00:28:03.899 --> 00:28:04.699
 into our

00:28:04.699 --> 00:28:05.219
 conscience

00:28:05.219 --> 00:28:05.799
 and he

00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.199
 speaks

00:28:06.199 --> 00:28:06.599
 to us

00:28:06.599 --> 00:28:07.259
 especially

00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.740
 as he

00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.199
 brings us

00:28:09.199 --> 00:28:09.599
 the good

00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:09.959
 news of

00:28:09.959 --> 00:28:10.319
 the Lord

00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:10.759
 Jesus.

00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.119
 The same

00:28:14.119 --> 00:28:14.559
 God who

00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:15.059
 spoke on

00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:15.699
 this mountain

00:28:15.699 --> 00:28:16.519
 years later

00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.319
 will speak

00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:18.919
 on another

00:28:18.919 --> 00:28:19.539
 mountain.

00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.199
 would speak

00:28:22.199 --> 00:28:23.099
 that same

00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:24.099
 message

00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:24.839
 again.

00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:26.259
 Think about

00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:27.679
 Jesus there

00:28:27.679 --> 00:28:28.379
 on Mount

00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:29.159
 Calvary.

00:28:29.939 --> 00:28:31.079
 Jesus becomes

00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:32.139
 the great,

00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:33.199
 the final

00:28:33.199 --> 00:28:34.619
 mountaintop

00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.699
 sacrifice

00:28:35.699 --> 00:28:37.179
 provided by

00:28:37.179 --> 00:28:37.879
 God to

00:28:37.879 --> 00:28:38.799
 take away

00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:40.039
 our sin

00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:41.119
 and our

00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:41.439
 guilt.

00:28:42.699 --> 00:28:43.259
 Think about

00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.959
 what happens

00:28:43.959 --> 00:28:44.939
 there on

00:28:44.939 --> 00:28:45.439
 the cross.

00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.079
 The cross

00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:47.479
 is a moment

00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.880
 of judgment

00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:50.120
 from a

00:28:50.120 --> 00:28:50.960
 holy God

00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:51.960
 against sin

00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:53.120
 and evil

00:28:53.120 --> 00:28:54.240
 and unbelief

00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:55.220
 but remarkably

00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:55.860
 the judgment

00:28:55.860 --> 00:28:56.599
 doesn't fall

00:28:56.599 --> 00:28:57.160
 on us,

00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:57.880
 it falls

00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:59.220
 on the

00:28:59.220 --> 00:28:59.880
 righteous

00:28:59.880 --> 00:29:01.279
 Lord Jesus.

00:29:04.860 --> 00:29:06.120
 But the cross

00:29:06.120 --> 00:29:06.940
 also,

00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:08.440
 alongside the

00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:08.980
 resurrection,

00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:10.259
 speaks to us

00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:11.480
 of the gift

00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.039
 of life,

00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.539
 new life

00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:14.240
 that is ours

00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:15.339
 in Christ,

00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.819
 arisen and

00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:18.139
 reigning Lord

00:29:18.139 --> 00:29:18.639
 Jesus.

00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:21.819
 And so,

00:29:21.879 --> 00:29:22.279
 as we think

00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.700
 about this

00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.339
 great scene

00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:24.159
 in Elijah's

00:29:24.159 --> 00:29:24.439
 story,

00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.259
 we recognize

00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:25.779
 that it

00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.339
 points us

00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:26.839
 to a still

00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:27.960
 greater story

00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:29.159
 that reminds

00:29:29.159 --> 00:29:29.980
 us of Jesus,

00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:30.839
 the true

00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:32.399
 and better

00:29:32.399 --> 00:29:33.159
 Elijah,

00:29:34.659 --> 00:29:35.299
 sent into

00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:35.779
 this world

00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.339
 both as

00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:36.740
 God's

00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.259
 messenger

00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:38.460
 and as

00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.419
 God's

00:29:39.419 --> 00:29:40.579
 message,

00:29:41.399 --> 00:29:42.079
 sent in

00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:42.720
 order to

00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.799
 reveal in a

00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:44.319
 new way

00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:45.139
 glory of

00:29:45.139 --> 00:29:45.359
 God,

00:29:45.439 --> 00:29:45.939
 the power

00:29:45.939 --> 00:29:46.299
 of God,

00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:47.759
 the life-giving

00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:48.939
 nature of

00:29:48.939 --> 00:29:49.299
 God,

00:29:49.419 --> 00:29:50.159
 and he is

00:29:50.159 --> 00:29:50.419
 the one

00:29:50.419 --> 00:29:51.039
 who calls

00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:52.619
 us saying,

00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.419
 follow me.

00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:55.939
 He is the

00:29:55.939 --> 00:29:57.259
 loving Lord

00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:58.539
 God who

00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:59.519
 calls for our

00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.399
 undivided

00:30:00.399 --> 00:30:00.980
 loyalty.

00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:03.039
 He loves us

00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.579
 so much,

00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:04.220
 he wants our

00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:04.839
 best,

00:30:05.159 --> 00:30:05.859
 he will not

00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:06.579
 share our

00:30:06.579 --> 00:30:07.579
 heart with

00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:08.240
 another.

00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:11.839
 Jesus is

00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:12.279
 the one we

00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:12.599
 need to

00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:13.059
 hear,

00:30:14.120 --> 00:30:14.839
 Jesus is

00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:15.299
 the one we

00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:15.660
 need to

00:30:15.660 --> 00:30:16.539
 believe in,

00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:17.660
 Jesus is

00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.180
 the one our

00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:18.980
 confused and

00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.839
 hurting world

00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.420
 needs to

00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:21.000
 discover.

00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:25.380
 Will we

00:30:25.380 --> 00:30:25.940
 come to

00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:27.420
 him and

00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:27.940
 come to

00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:28.660
 him again

00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:30.440
 to receive

00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:31.319
 the strength

00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:32.400
 and the

00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:33.200
 help that

00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:33.680
 we need?

00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:35.900
 And then

00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:36.420
 will we go

00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:37.039
 for him

00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:38.799
 with a

00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.579
 mountaintop

00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:40.339
 message of

00:30:40.339 --> 00:30:40.819
 Calvary

00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.859
 written on

00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:42.740
 our hearts

00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:44.740
 so that we

00:30:44.740 --> 00:30:45.379
 might proclaim

00:30:45.379 --> 00:30:46.019
 it in our

00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:46.720
 lives,

00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:47.680
 that we

00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:48.299
 might live

00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.139
 with hope

00:30:49.139 --> 00:30:50.639
 and we

00:30:50.639 --> 00:30:51.279
 might point

00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:51.859
 people to

00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:52.379
 hope,

00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:54.000
 pointing people

00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:54.819
 away from

00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.559
 their idols

00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:56.079
 to show

00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:56.500
 them that

00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:57.420
 something more

00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:57.779
 that they're

00:30:57.779 --> 00:30:58.539
 looking for

00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.799
 is found

00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.500
 in and only

00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.879
 in the

00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:02.420
 Lord Jesus

00:31:02.420 --> 00:31:02.980
 Christ.

00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:04.579
 Let's pray

00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.019
 together.