WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.140 Right now, it feels like every time we open up the news app or the breaking news notification 00:00:10.140 --> 00:00:19.440 ! We're just wondering, okay, what's happened now? Do you feel that? Okay, who's at war now? 00:00:19.440 --> 00:00:27.679 What's happened to the oil prices now? What outbreak are we dealing with now? What's the tragedy now? 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:38.679 And everything is just so turbulent. It's scary, isn't it? Like we're on the brink of World War 00:00:38.679 --> 00:00:45.359 Three and we just don't know what's coming next. And it's not just the world stage either. 00:00:46.760 --> 00:00:51.539 You might be here tonight and the things in your life are just stacking up against you. 00:00:51.539 --> 00:00:59.640 Life feels turbulent, unpredictable. You're scared about what Monday is going to bring. 00:01:00.740 --> 00:01:06.019 And it feels like you're just on sinking sand and everything just feels uncertain. 00:01:07.879 --> 00:01:15.319 And in a world like that and a life like that, as we sit here tonight, all of this, this gospel, 00:01:15.319 --> 00:01:23.000 this faith, this church, this Christian life, it can all just feel so small and vulnerable, can't it? 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:28.579 Like this world is a storm and we're just getting swept up in the chaos. 00:01:28.579 --> 00:01:36.159 And we all just want solid ground, don't we? Just something certain and stable in this world. 00:01:37.659 --> 00:01:40.140 Well, that is what Genesis 14 is all about tonight. 00:01:41.039 --> 00:01:47.120 In this chapter, God is showing us in a turbulent, unpredictable, scary world, 00:01:47.500 --> 00:01:53.039 that there is one unchanging, certain thing that you can stand on. 00:01:53.040 --> 00:02:01.040 One thing that you can rest on in this turbulent world, it is the promises of God. 00:02:02.320 --> 00:02:09.020 We pick up the story of Abraham, a man with the promises of God, the promise of salvation, 00:02:09.200 --> 00:02:13.020 the promise that God will be his God and God will bless him. 00:02:14.400 --> 00:02:19.980 But that man and that promise is now facing a turbulent world. 00:02:19.979 --> 00:02:24.039 In fact, it's a world not too far from ours. 00:02:25.060 --> 00:02:26.579 It's a world at war. 00:02:27.939 --> 00:02:33.639 And a question looms, in this storm, what will happen to the promises? 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:39.839 How will God's plan hold up to a chaotic world stage? 00:02:41.159 --> 00:02:45.280 Or to phrase it for us today, in this turbulent, scary world, 00:02:45.859 --> 00:02:47.859 what will happen to God's church? 00:02:47.860 --> 00:02:51.580 Well, let's see what God has to say. 00:02:52.600 --> 00:03:00.480 And to begin, we are confronted with that very reality of the world and the Christian life and God's promises. 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:07.760 This chapter begins with the reality that God's promises exist in a turbulent world. 00:03:08.500 --> 00:03:10.160 That's my first point I want us to see today. 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:12.460 God's promises exist in a turbulent world. 00:03:12.460 --> 00:03:21.900 So, we begin this chapter, we are just thrown into the middle of a multinational war in verses 1 and 2. 00:03:22.280 --> 00:03:23.240 So, do you see that? 00:03:24.080 --> 00:03:26.740 There are four kings over in the east. 00:03:27.439 --> 00:03:28.800 Try and follow these names. 00:03:28.920 --> 00:03:31.920 So, there is the king of Shinar, the king of Elessar, 00:03:32.879 --> 00:03:35.960 Chedaleoma, king of Elam, and the king of Goim. 00:03:35.960 --> 00:03:38.400 So, four kings. 00:03:38.980 --> 00:03:42.120 And all these places that are named, these are all east of Canaan. 00:03:42.740 --> 00:03:45.300 So, what will become the Babylon area? 00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:47.760 It's modern-day Iraq, right? 00:03:47.879 --> 00:03:50.140 Four kings, four nations over there. 00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:58.740 And these four kings are teaming up to fight against a team of five kings in Canaan. 00:03:58.740 --> 00:04:05.520 So, verse 2, there's the king of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admar, Zeboim, and Bela. 00:04:06.500 --> 00:04:06.780 Okay? 00:04:06.960 --> 00:04:09.300 So, basically, four versus five. 00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:10.840 East versus west. 00:04:11.840 --> 00:04:12.900 And why are they fighting? 00:04:13.100 --> 00:04:13.560 Verse 4. 00:04:14.420 --> 00:04:22.519 Twelve years, the five kings had served Chedaleoma, but in the thirteenth year, they rebelled. 00:04:22.519 --> 00:04:32.379 So, these five kings in Canaan had been many under-kings serving a mega-king, Chedaleoma, one of the four. 00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:35.740 But these five kings, they had enough. 00:04:36.639 --> 00:04:37.459 They rebelled. 00:04:38.599 --> 00:04:45.740 And now, Chedaleoma, he's coming across with his squad, all four of them, to sort the five out. 00:04:46.159 --> 00:04:46.240 Right? 00:04:47.279 --> 00:04:50.539 And so, a huge war has erupted. 00:04:50.540 --> 00:04:59.600 And I realize, as you read all of these names and places, you must be thinking, what on earth is going on here? 00:05:00.720 --> 00:05:07.400 All these names, this history, these events, it all just seems incomprehensible, doesn't it? 00:05:08.300 --> 00:05:10.560 But I had a lightbulb moment this week. 00:05:11.060 --> 00:05:16.439 All this ancient politics that we're reading here, it's easier to understand than you think. 00:05:16.439 --> 00:05:22.060 All this we're reading today, it's actually just the plot of A Bug's Life, right? 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:26.279 Have you seen Pixar's A Bug's Life? 00:05:26.459 --> 00:05:27.199 It's a great film. 00:05:27.259 --> 00:05:32.060 It was actually, I think, the first film I saw in the cinema, in fact, if my memory serves me correct. 00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:38.879 And it's basically about a colony of ants, and they have their own little kingdom. 00:05:39.019 --> 00:05:39.839 They have a queen. 00:05:40.500 --> 00:05:43.899 But they are also ruled by a gang of evil grasshoppers. 00:05:43.899 --> 00:05:49.659 Who say, the grasshoppers say, you can still have your little colony. 00:05:50.139 --> 00:05:52.560 You can have your queen and your kingdom there. 00:05:52.979 --> 00:05:57.939 But we're going to come every summer, and you have to collect a load of food for us. 00:05:58.539 --> 00:06:00.419 And we're really in charge. 00:06:01.419 --> 00:06:04.039 But then, the ants can't stand that. 00:06:04.719 --> 00:06:09.079 And so, they rebel, and there's a big battle between the ants and the grasshoppers. 00:06:09.079 --> 00:06:13.659 Well, Genesis 14, it's A Bug's Life, right? 00:06:14.339 --> 00:06:21.039 The four grasshopper kings in the east, and the five ant kings in Canaan. 00:06:22.139 --> 00:06:23.819 And so, who knew A Bug's Life? 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:26.560 It's actually about ancient Near East covenants, right? 00:06:27.180 --> 00:06:31.659 But unlike A Bug's Life, the ants lose here. 00:06:31.660 --> 00:06:41.820 So, verse 10, the four kings, the grasshoppers come in, and even though it's four verses five, the four just wipe them out. 00:06:43.040 --> 00:06:49.040 And verse 11, they raid the city, Sodom and Gomorrah, and they take everything. 00:06:49.200 --> 00:06:51.200 Money, people, animals, everything. 00:06:51.199 --> 00:07:03.000 And all this, it may just seem an irrelevant story, an irrelevant part to the story of the Bible, and irrelevant to God's promises, 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:07.639 until we remember who is in Sodom. 00:07:08.159 --> 00:07:08.939 Verse 12, 00:07:08.939 --> 00:07:25.220 And this matters because Lot is an heir of the promise. 00:07:27.399 --> 00:07:30.300 He may have wandered from God. 00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:35.420 He's made some bad choices living in Sodom, but he's still one of God's people. 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:36.379 He's a believer. 00:07:36.379 --> 00:07:44.120 It's a bit like a Christian, the Christian who moved to Dubai for the sun and the low taxes, 00:07:45.060 --> 00:07:49.939 but thought nothing of church, and is now just caught up in the middle of a war. 00:07:51.360 --> 00:07:53.699 But in fact, this is even worse. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:59.219 Lot is the only heir Abraham has in the world right now. 00:08:00.100 --> 00:08:04.279 And now, he's being carried off by the grasshopper army. 00:08:04.279 --> 00:08:12.079 Once again, it looks like God's plan and his purposes and his promises, that they're all under threat. 00:08:13.099 --> 00:08:16.279 This looks like the end of the line for salvation. 00:08:17.519 --> 00:08:22.219 Before, it was Abraham and his bad choices that threatened it. 00:08:22.299 --> 00:08:24.919 But now, the threat is from the outside. 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:32.460 God's promises are getting swept up in the turbulence of the world and the chaos of this war. 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:37.860 God has promised to fix this world and bless his people, 00:08:37.860 --> 00:08:43.100 but it looks like this world is just too chaotic for that to happen. 00:08:44.840 --> 00:08:46.820 And so, a question looms at this point. 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:49.659 What will happen to the promises? 00:08:49.659 --> 00:08:59.360 How on earth can God's plan stand up against a global superpower, four global superpowers? 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:04.560 And this is the reality of the church in the world. 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:09.800 God's promises, his saving work in this world, in your life, 00:09:10.519 --> 00:09:16.080 all of that doesn't exist in a separate, sealed-off part of the world. 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:22.440 As if, as soon as God calls you, you are now shielded from the chaos and the turbulence of the nations. 00:09:22.440 --> 00:09:27.300 You know, when God calls you, his promises belong to you. 00:09:27.460 --> 00:09:28.800 You belong to him. 00:09:29.720 --> 00:09:33.760 But we still exist in a turbulent, shifting world. 00:09:35.140 --> 00:09:36.980 In fact, we feel that now. 00:09:38.360 --> 00:09:43.460 The war in Iran, it's creating that turbulence across the world. 00:09:43.660 --> 00:09:45.480 And we feel our lives shake. 00:09:46.860 --> 00:09:50.780 Like Lot, our lives inevitably get swept up in all of this. 00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:52.819 Because economically, we feel it. 00:09:53.860 --> 00:09:56.720 Oil prices up, petrol prices up, living costs up. 00:09:57.100 --> 00:09:58.620 And we struggle with bills. 00:09:59.779 --> 00:10:01.699 Churches struggle to stay afloat. 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:07.539 Life begins just to feel rocky and low. 00:10:07.959 --> 00:10:11.220 And we wonder if World War III is actually around the corner. 00:10:12.759 --> 00:10:15.259 And it impacts our faith, doesn't it? 00:10:15.259 --> 00:10:21.960 Just in all of this misery, in all this turbulence, we begin to doubt God's goodness. 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:25.759 Or doubt his care, or doubt his control. 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:31.960 As you look to the week ahead, you might be feeling just that. 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:37.279 It's like you're in the middle of a storm, and you're dreading that meeting, 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:39.259 dreading that phone call, that person. 00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:41.819 And it shakes you. 00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:46.080 As if it's so unpredictable ahead. 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:52.059 And it's as if the chaos is the real driving force of the events of your life. 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:56.939 And like Lot, it feels like we're just being shipped off to the enemy, 00:10:57.139 --> 00:10:58.840 and we can't do anything about it. 00:10:58.840 --> 00:11:03.540 And that isn't even to mention the spiritual war we're in. 00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:08.420 The increasing winds of secularism blowing in this nation. 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:12.019 The growing influence of Islam. 00:11:13.800 --> 00:11:17.440 And here we are, the small UK church sat in the middle of it all, 00:11:17.660 --> 00:11:22.399 and it can feel very unsettling, like the church is just going to be blown over. 00:11:24.340 --> 00:11:27.300 And this is the reality that God presents us with here. 00:11:27.299 --> 00:11:32.099 God's promises, they do exist in a very turbulent world. 00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:39.359 And that can feel like God can't make any impact in this world. 00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:45.859 Like his promises and plan and purposes for my life, they're just useless. 00:11:47.839 --> 00:11:49.819 Maybe that's how Lot felt in that moment. 00:11:51.479 --> 00:11:54.919 But if you think that, we need to keep reading. 00:11:54.919 --> 00:11:57.759 Because the story doesn't end there. 00:11:57.959 --> 00:12:02.919 As we focus on Abraham, we see, yes, God's promises exist in a turbulent world. 00:12:04.419 --> 00:12:07.199 But God's promises can never be shaken. 00:12:07.959 --> 00:12:09.099 That's my second point today. 00:12:09.219 --> 00:12:11.699 God's promises can never be shaken. 00:12:12.979 --> 00:12:16.839 While Lot is being shipped off, something happens, verse 13. 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:23.780 Someone from Sodom escapes and runs to Abraham, who's in Mamre. 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:25.420 That's in the middle of Canaan. 00:12:25.580 --> 00:12:29.060 So Abraham's been missing this whole war at this point. 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:30.160 He's kind of in a safe zone. 00:12:31.300 --> 00:12:35.340 And when Abraham hears the news about his nephew Lot, what does he do? 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:35.879 Verse 14. 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:52.519 Abraham hears and he goes straight after Lot. 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:56.480 He doesn't say, well, our Lot made a bad choice there. 00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:59.220 He shouldn't have moved to Sodom. 00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:01.639 He got himself into this spiritual mess. 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:03.679 Now he's just got to live with the consequences. 00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:04.860 He's on his own. 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:06.159 No, Abraham doesn't say that. 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:12.080 He knows that that man belongs to God, so he goes after him. 00:13:13.800 --> 00:13:15.740 It's an amazing example, isn't it? 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:18.200 Never giving up on those who are wandering. 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:23.460 And it's the same attitude Christ had with us, isn't it? 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:26.700 He came to seek and save the lost. 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:27.680 We're seeing that here. 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:28.320 That's Abraham. 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:33.560 And notice what Abraham has in his house. 00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:34.120 Did you see? 00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:35.860 Trained men. 00:13:35.940 --> 00:13:35.899 Trained men. 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:38.820 318 of them. 00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:40.180 He has a small army. 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:45.159 The blessings are really starting to emerge for Abraham. 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:47.120 God is really doing something here. 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:52.360 Abraham started with nothing in the middle of nowhere in Canaan. 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:57.860 And Abraham now is basically a king with a small empire and an army. 00:13:57.860 --> 00:14:16.120 But as he goes after Lot, who's now been captured by the four armies, we need to realize Abraham's just one king and one army up against four. 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:21.720 It seems just like a pointless suicide mission, doesn't it? 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:23.440 But what happens? 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.120 Verse 15. 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:34.259 One army beats four. 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:35.259 That same four. 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:37.500 That same four that beat five. 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:43.860 Now, those four armies are now crushed under Abraham's feet. 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:47.939 Squashed grasshoppers across the land of Canaan. 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:50.360 And then verse 16. 00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:59.460 Then he brought back all the possessions and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions and the women and the people. 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:01.960 Abraham wins. 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:04.120 Lot is restored. 00:15:04.280 --> 00:15:07.680 That the promises are untouched. 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:12.259 The turbulence of war shook the land of Canaan. 00:15:12.420 --> 00:15:16.080 The forces of evil raged against God's plan. 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:19.200 Global superpowers threatened God's promises. 00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:21.540 It all seemed impossible. 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:24.540 But nothing shook the promises. 00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:27.120 And why? 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:33.220 Well, in verse 19, we meet a priest called Melchizedek. 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:36.799 We're going to get to him properly in a bit. 00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:39.299 But just look at verse 19. 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:43.019 Melchizedek proclaims why all this is possible. 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:46.340 It's because of who God is, verse 19. 00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:53.019 Blessed be Abraham by God most high, possessor of heaven and earth. 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:57.860 And blessed be God most high, who has delivered your enemies into your hand. 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:03.000 Four armies lost against Abraham. 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:05.960 Not because Abraham was better. 00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:09.759 But because God delivered them into his hands. 00:16:11.079 --> 00:16:14.699 God crushed them and gave them to Abraham. 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:17.639 And why can God do that? 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:18.539 Verse 19. 00:16:18.539 --> 00:16:22.740 God is the possessor of heaven and earth. 00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:27.459 God owns heaven and earth. 00:16:28.699 --> 00:16:31.719 And the language possessor, it really means that. 00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:35.599 It's the same word as buy or purchasing, owning something. 00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:44.099 Every square inch in heaven and on earth belongs to God. 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:46.139 It isn't neutral. 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:47.320 It isn't up for grabs. 00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:49.460 It doesn't say, no, owner, come and get it. 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:51.840 No, it says, belongs to God. 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:58.700 And so, he does all that he pleases in heaven and on earth. 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:02.820 Some of you have bought houses recently. 00:17:03.920 --> 00:17:06.220 And when you buy it, it's yours, isn't it? 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:08.339 Your name is on the deed. 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:10.940 You have the right to that house. 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:12.200 You are its possessor. 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:13.720 And so, you can do as you like. 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.220 You can paint it. 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:16.080 You can hang pictures. 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.640 You can change the carpets. 00:17:18.080 --> 00:17:19.240 You can redo the bathroom. 00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:20.660 You are the possessor. 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:23.140 So, what happens in your house, it's down to you. 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:29.640 Well, what happens in heaven and on earth is down to God. 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:33.120 He is the possessor. 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:36.799 And so, think about what that includes. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.299 Global superpowers. 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:42.359 Multinational wars. 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:45.079 Deals over trade routes. 00:17:46.159 --> 00:17:46.959 Oil prices. 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:48.099 Share prices. 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:51.559 It is all under God's control. 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:54.240 Think of the spiritual realm. 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:55.759 Angels. 00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:57.579 Demons. 00:17:58.539 --> 00:18:00.039 The plans of the devil. 00:18:00.939 --> 00:18:02.459 The spread of Islam. 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:04.139 The spread of secularism. 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:06.939 It is all under God's control. 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:10.139 And think about your life. 00:18:10.140 --> 00:18:12.520 Tomorrow morning. 00:18:13.560 --> 00:18:14.540 That meeting. 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:16.200 That phone call. 00:18:16.900 --> 00:18:17.660 Your body. 00:18:18.280 --> 00:18:19.360 Your soul. 00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:22.160 All the plans of your life. 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:25.400 It is all under God's control. 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:27.080 Because. 00:18:28.080 --> 00:18:29.400 God most high. 00:18:30.280 --> 00:18:32.420 Is possessor of heaven and earth. 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:32.539 God. 00:18:34.140 --> 00:18:35.320 Which means. 00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:36.380 His plans. 00:18:37.060 --> 00:18:38.100 And his purposes. 00:18:38.340 --> 00:18:39.160 And his promises. 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:40.620 Can never. 00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:41.100 Ever. 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:41.700 Be shaken. 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:44.460 We may exist. 00:18:44.600 --> 00:18:45.700 In a turbulent world. 00:18:46.620 --> 00:18:48.620 But when you belong to the Lord. 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:49.340 Nothing. 00:18:49.860 --> 00:18:50.860 Can shake. 00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:51.740 Or destroy. 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:52.640 God's care for you. 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:54.440 Nothing. 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.519 Can shake. 00:18:55.660 --> 00:18:56.259 The plans. 00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:57.620 That he has for your life. 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.640 Or the promise. 00:18:58.740 --> 00:19:00.259 That he has made you. 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:01.620 To bless you. 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:04.680 God's promise. 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.580 Is the one. 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:07.860 Unshakeable. 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:09.560 Unchanging reality. 00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:11.800 In this constantly shifting. 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:12.720 And turbulent world. 00:19:14.800 --> 00:19:16.340 Picture the Atlantic Ocean. 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:17.580 So. 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:19.039 Over the past few decades. 00:19:19.600 --> 00:19:20.940 Companies have been laying. 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:22.259 Fiber optic cables. 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.640 From England. 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:24.700 All the way to America. 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:27.259 Hundreds of miles of cable. 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:29.300 Through the Atlantic Ocean. 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:30.820 These huge. 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:32.120 Super tough cables. 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:33.940 And so. 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.800 Just think about it. 00:19:34.860 --> 00:19:35.820 That they are there. 00:19:36.279 --> 00:19:37.120 Lying there. 00:19:37.580 --> 00:19:38.320 Every day. 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.420 Exactly where they should be. 00:19:40.560 --> 00:19:41.519 And the waters. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:42.759 Of the Atlantic Ocean. 00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:44.300 That they move all the time. 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:44.800 Don't they? 00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:46.320 That they're hard to predict. 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:48.039 That there can be storms. 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:48.820 And dangers. 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:49.980 And it can be terrifying. 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:50.759 To cross. 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:53.420 But through that whole ocean. 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:55.320 Is one. 00:19:55.320 --> 00:19:57.100 Unchanging cable. 00:19:58.420 --> 00:20:00.420 Well that is like God's promises. 00:20:01.600 --> 00:20:03.220 Through the wars. 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.560 And the storms. 00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:06.240 And the turbulence of this world. 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:10.539 When everything seems to be collapsing around you. 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:13.799 God's plans and purposes. 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:15.799 They run throughout. 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:18.180 Indestructible. 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.720 Unshakeable. 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:24.339 Because he is the possessor of heaven and earth. 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:26.940 Which means. 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:31.099 Even if World War 3 actually does hit us. 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:34.879 It will never be the end of the church. 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:38.219 If Islam keeps growing. 00:20:38.919 --> 00:20:41.579 It will never be the end of the gospel. 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:45.279 Whatever the schemes of Satan are. 00:20:45.419 --> 00:20:47.179 Even with all his armies. 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:50.000 It will never be the end of God's people. 00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:53.539 And whatever comes your way. 00:20:53.699 --> 00:20:56.139 Whatever you dread to face this week. 00:20:56.179 --> 00:20:56.859 This year. 00:20:56.859 --> 00:20:58.240 Whatever it may be. 00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.919 When you belong to the Lord. 00:20:59.979 --> 00:21:02.179 It will never be the end of you. 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:04.859 Because an indestructible. 00:21:06.679 --> 00:21:07.679 Unshakeable thread. 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:09.759 Runs throughout your life. 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:12.339 That is why. 00:21:12.419 --> 00:21:13.539 Even when Lot. 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:16.079 Got swept up in this global war. 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:19.079 It wasn't enough to separate God from Lot. 00:21:20.199 --> 00:21:21.879 He brought Lot back. 00:21:21.979 --> 00:21:23.579 He protected him the whole time. 00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:26.779 And so God's care for you. 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:28.559 Can never end. 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:31.579 His purpose for your life. 00:21:31.699 --> 00:21:32.479 To bless you. 00:21:32.699 --> 00:21:33.500 And love you. 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:35.500 And work all things for your good. 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.919 And bring you home to glory. 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:39.659 Those purposes can never fail. 00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:43.240 Because who is your God? 00:21:44.399 --> 00:21:47.519 He is the possessor of heaven and earth. 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:51.039 And so if you're here tonight. 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:53.500 And this world just feels turbulent. 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:55.240 And scary. 00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:58.200 And you're just needing some solid ground. 00:21:58.539 --> 00:22:00.779 There is only one place to find that. 00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:02.639 It's the promises of God. 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:05.940 It's finding blessing with God. 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:06.440 God. 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:09.140 But if you want that. 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:10.080 Just like Lot. 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:13.519 You need to be connected with Abraham. 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:16.600 Lot was only rescued. 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:18.940 Because he shared the blessing with Abraham. 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:21.960 God has promised the blessing. 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:24.680 It's going to come through Abraham's offspring. 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:30.340 The line of Abraham is the line running throughout that ocean. 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:34.340 And so to have any security in this world. 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:36.720 You need to be connected to this line. 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:40.120 But as we will see. 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:44.779 It's not specifically Abraham you need to be connected to. 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:48.180 After this great battle is over. 00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:51.319 We encounter someone unique. 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.940 And we see actually. 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:59.279 Blessing is found with someone greater than Abraham. 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:02.079 That's my third and final point tonight. 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:04.500 Blessing is found with someone greater than Abraham. 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:05.500 So. 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:08.859 With the grasshoppers squashed. 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:12.119 This is a great moment of victory for Abraham. 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:14.079 A king with an army. 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.359 Enemies under his feet. 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:17.880 Bringing blessing to the nations. 00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:19.920 As he rescues all these captives. 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:22.640 But then someone comes along. 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.480 Out of nowhere really. 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.440 Look at verse 18. 00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:28.319 And Melchizedek king of Salem. 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:30.400 Brought out bread and wine. 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:32.119 He was priest of God most high. 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:33.819 And he blessed Abraham and said. 00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:36.359 Blessed be Abraham by God most high. 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.759 Possessor of heaven and earth. 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:39.700 And blessed be God most high. 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:41.659 Who has delivered your enemies into your hand. 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:45.879 And Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.319 Now. 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.480 If you thought. 00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:52.299 All those names and kings were confusing. 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:54.220 You must be thinking now. 00:23:54.919 --> 00:23:57.159 Well who on earth is this Melchizedek guy? 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.799 Another king. 00:23:59.579 --> 00:24:00.740 Where does he come from? 00:24:01.639 --> 00:24:03.460 He kind of just pops out of nowhere. 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:03.940 Doesn't he? 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:06.619 Well you're right to think that. 00:24:07.639 --> 00:24:08.180 In fact. 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:10.980 This is the only time he appears in the Bible. 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:14.099 His name means king of righteousness. 00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:16.619 And he's mentioned in two other places. 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.419 Psalm 110. 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:19.079 We sung that earlier. 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.720 And Hebrews. 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:24.720 So those are the only other two times he's mentioned. 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:26.900 But he only appears now. 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:28.779 And then. 00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:30.200 We never see him again. 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:33.200 So he's quite mysterious. 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:35.680 And there are a few other things. 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:37.799 That make us think that this is all a bit. 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:38.579 Odd. 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.720 So do you see what he is? 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:41.240 Verse 8. 00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:44.100 He's a priest of God. 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:46.420 But that should make you think. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:47.140 Hold on. 00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:51.420 I thought Abraham was the only follower of God at this point. 00:24:52.300 --> 00:24:53.820 How is there a priest? 00:24:55.020 --> 00:24:55.480 In fact. 00:24:55.600 --> 00:24:57.660 I thought Abraham was meant to be God's priest. 00:24:57.820 --> 00:25:00.480 The world was meant to come to God through Abraham. 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:02.720 And also. 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:04.520 Look what Melchizedek does to Abraham. 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:05.140 Verse 19. 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:07.400 He blesses Abraham. 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.500 But hold on. 00:25:09.640 --> 00:25:12.820 I thought the blessing was to come from Abraham. 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:15.859 But now it's coming from Melchizedek. 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.399 To Abraham. 00:25:18.939 --> 00:25:20.159 And look what Abraham does. 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.980 End of verse 20. 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:23.399 Abraham gives a tenth. 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:25.819 He tithes to Melchizedek. 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:27.720 But hold on. 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:30.399 I thought Abraham was meant to be the great king here. 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:33.159 But people should be tithing to him. 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:35.460 He's got all these grasshoppers under his feet. 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:38.919 But now he's tithing to another king. 00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:39.980 Another priest. 00:25:41.439 --> 00:25:42.619 What's going on here? 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:43.220 Well. 00:25:44.939 --> 00:25:47.240 We're seeing something very significant. 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.740 We're seeing. 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:50.819 Yes. 00:25:50.899 --> 00:25:53.339 God's promises are coming through Abraham. 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:55.460 But ultimately. 00:25:55.639 --> 00:25:57.339 God's promises and blessings. 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:59.200 Are going to be found in someone. 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:00.919 Greater than Abraham. 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:03.639 The book of Hebrews. 00:26:03.899 --> 00:26:05.559 Speaks about this very moment. 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:07.599 It says this about Melchizedek. 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:10.980 He is without father or mother. 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.980 Or genealogy. 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:14.440 Having neither beginning of days. 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:16.319 Nor end of life. 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:18.900 But resembling the son of God. 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:20.839 He continues a priest forever. 00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:23.900 See how great this man was. 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.200 To whom Abraham. 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:27.180 The patriarch gave a tenth. 00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:28.279 Of the spoils. 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:30.740 This man appears. 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.740 This man appears. 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:34.740 Because God is giving us a picture. 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:37.079 And a pointer. 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:39.079 To the son of God. 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:43.200 Showing true blessing. 00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:45.779 And unshakable salvation. 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:49.920 That's running throughout this turbulent world. 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:53.800 It's going to come through someone greater than Abraham. 00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:59.039 An offspring that's going to be greater than Abraham. 00:27:00.320 --> 00:27:04.019 Because we don't know where Melchizedek comes from. 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:05.100 Or where he goes. 00:27:05.100 --> 00:27:05.440 Do we? 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:07.519 And so Hebrew says. 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:09.440 It's like he's a priest. 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:11.840 Without beginning or end. 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:15.180 We see Melchizedek. 00:27:15.360 --> 00:27:17.759 And we see real salvation. 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:19.759 And permanent forgiveness of sins. 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:23.080 It's not actually going to be found in Abraham. 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.400 It's going to come through. 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:26.640 An eternal priest. 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:30.240 One without beginning or end. 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:33.740 We see real blessing. 00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:35.200 Is going to come ultimately. 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:37.940 Not from a sinner like Abraham. 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:42.500 But from an eternal king of righteousness. 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:46.180 And victory over this. 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:48.440 Over the evil of this world. 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:50.700 Final victory for the people of God. 00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:52.460 Will come from a king. 00:27:52.620 --> 00:27:54.940 Even greater than Abraham in this moment. 00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:58.700 An eternal king of peace. 00:27:58.700 --> 00:28:02.200 That even Abraham's going to bow down to. 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.900 You see this victory. 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:07.819 And you think victory and blessing. 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:09.180 Is found with Abraham. 00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:10.480 No. 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.519 It's going to come. 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.779 Through someone greater. 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.080 This. 00:28:15.580 --> 00:28:18.539 Is a foretaste of the son of God. 00:28:18.580 --> 00:28:20.059 The Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:22.080 --> 00:28:23.840 He is the one in whom. 00:28:24.080 --> 00:28:24.819 We will find. 00:28:25.600 --> 00:28:27.620 Solid ground in this turbulent world. 00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:30.660 The Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:32.259 Is the one. 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:33.720 Indestructible. 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:35.500 Unshakeable thread. 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:37.160 Running throughout history. 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:40.100 And when you're united to him. 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:41.080 The blessing. 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.220 The care. 00:28:42.340 --> 00:28:43.120 The security. 00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:44.580 And the love of God. 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.519 Never leaves you. 00:28:46.840 --> 00:28:48.160 Whatever you face. 00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:49.120 In this turbulent world. 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:50.759 He will never lose you. 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:52.720 Because. 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:52.759 Because. 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.879 The son of God. 00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:55.579 Is now. 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:57.059 The possessor of heaven and earth. 00:28:58.299 --> 00:29:00.440 The eternal high priest. 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.379 The king. 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.660 Enthroned in heaven. 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:03.920 Who has been granted. 00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:05.000 All authority. 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:06.440 In heaven and on earth. 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:08.240 He owns this world. 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:09.900 It's his. 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.559 And so right now. 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:13.339 As wars. 00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.180 Rage on. 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:14.980 As the economy. 00:29:15.140 --> 00:29:15.480 Bounces. 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.640 All over the place. 00:29:17.560 --> 00:29:18.420 As you face. 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.660 All sorts of trials. 00:29:19.840 --> 00:29:20.540 In the week ahead. 00:29:20.860 --> 00:29:21.820 You must know. 00:29:22.520 --> 00:29:23.460 All of that. 00:29:23.620 --> 00:29:24.700 Is in the hands. 00:29:24.800 --> 00:29:25.800 Of the son of God. 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.480 And he knows. 00:29:28.560 --> 00:29:29.160 Our trials. 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:31.460 He knows his people. 00:29:31.580 --> 00:29:32.100 He knows. 00:29:32.100 --> 00:29:33.040 How to judge. 00:29:33.040 --> 00:29:34.280 The evil of this world. 00:29:35.280 --> 00:29:36.220 And he came. 00:29:36.340 --> 00:29:36.900 To seek. 00:29:37.060 --> 00:29:37.580 And save. 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.180 The lost. 00:29:40.320 --> 00:29:41.340 So this world. 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:41.880 Is turbulent. 00:29:43.320 --> 00:29:44.180 God's promises. 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:44.960 Exist. 00:29:45.100 --> 00:29:46.140 In a turbulent world. 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:47.980 But God's promises. 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:48.840 Cannot be shaken. 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:51.620 Because they are all found. 00:29:51.780 --> 00:29:52.960 In someone greater. 00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:53.660 Than Abraham. 00:29:55.320 --> 00:29:56.259 Real blessing. 00:29:56.540 --> 00:29:57.040 Is found. 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:59.180 In the unshakable. 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:01.000 Eternal priest. 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:03.140 The eternal king. 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:05.340 It's all found. 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.340 In the son of God. 00:30:07.280 --> 00:30:09.100 He is the possessor. 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:10.060 Of heaven and earth. 00:30:11.340 --> 00:30:12.020 Let's pray. 00:30:12.020 --> 00:30:12.080 Amen.