WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.320 Before Seth comes up to us to bring God's Word, we'll just spend a few moments in prayer 00:00:14.320 --> 00:00:15.259 for a few things. 00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:23.339 Obviously, Johnny is away in America, and after a few unexpected layovers, a layover 00:00:23.339 --> 00:00:24.679 he had, he's there now. 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:28.839 So we'll just pray for him as he goes over and just encourages people in Redeemer Bible 00:00:28.839 --> 00:00:29.100 Church. 00:00:29.100 --> 00:00:30.360 They came over to us last year. 00:00:30.440 --> 00:00:32.240 We had a lovely time with them. 00:00:32.679 --> 00:00:36.300 It was a privilege to meet them, and now Johnny's going over, and we pray that he would be an 00:00:36.300 --> 00:00:38.100 encouragement to them. 00:00:38.359 --> 00:00:42.560 We'll just pray, too, for the Christianity Explored, an opportunity just to share Jesus 00:00:42.560 --> 00:00:46.659 with others, and for the upcoming Munster Bible College. 00:00:46.760 --> 00:00:50.079 So let's just bow our heads and just spend a few moments in prayer. 00:00:50.079 --> 00:01:01.420 Father, we do thank you that you have brought Johnny and Kirsty and the family into Carragalline. 00:01:01.539 --> 00:01:04.039 Thank you for the way that they minister to us. 00:01:04.539 --> 00:01:10.299 I thank you for the great teaching that you've given Johnny, and that week by week he is faithful 00:01:10.299 --> 00:01:13.079 to your Word as he brings it to us. 00:01:13.079 --> 00:01:17.640 Thank you for the way that we've been able to grow by hearing your Word week by week. 00:01:18.140 --> 00:01:24.679 Thank you for his humility, his service, his willingness to spend time in your Word to be 00:01:24.679 --> 00:01:26.840 able to speak each week to us. 00:01:26.840 --> 00:01:31.380 Thank you for the opportunity that he has to go over to Redeemer Bible Church. 00:01:31.900 --> 00:01:38.439 May he be an encouragement to them as he meets different people, different believers, people 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:43.520 who also have a desire to hear your Word, to bring praise to you, who also will be on 00:01:43.520 --> 00:01:46.820 bended knee bringing their praise to God and their Saviour. 00:01:47.500 --> 00:01:52.080 I pray, indeed, that it would be an encouragement to him that you'd keep him safe, keep him from 00:01:52.080 --> 00:01:54.080 tiredness for the next few days. 00:01:54.079 --> 00:01:56.039 I thank you for what he's able to do. 00:01:56.819 --> 00:01:59.400 I thank you for the Christianity Explored course. 00:01:59.519 --> 00:02:03.539 I thank you for the way that has been put together, for how faithful it is to your Word. 00:02:04.159 --> 00:02:09.780 We thank you that we can learn from the Gospel of Mark, and even though we might be familiar 00:02:09.780 --> 00:02:15.079 with so much of it, that we still see new things by your Spirit showing us different things 00:02:15.079 --> 00:02:16.300 and how wonderful that is. 00:02:17.060 --> 00:02:23.079 May, indeed, we be renewed and refreshed as we opened up the Gospel once again, never believing 00:02:23.080 --> 00:02:28.080 believing that we know it all, but always having an open heart and willingness to learn 00:02:28.080 --> 00:02:28.800 more and more. 00:02:29.660 --> 00:02:34.120 We thank you, Lord, for what we read in it, what we have read about you and the authority 00:02:34.120 --> 00:02:40.480 that you have over sickness and nature and death and sin. 00:02:40.860 --> 00:02:41.980 How amazing that is. 00:02:41.979 --> 00:02:47.359 We do thank you for us as members here in Carragalline. 00:02:47.519 --> 00:02:53.560 Thank you that we have a desire just to be joined together, to commit ourselves, to be 00:02:53.560 --> 00:02:58.560 able to spend time hearing about the different ministries, about different decisions. 00:02:59.239 --> 00:03:03.719 I pray, indeed, that our hearts will be always open to you, that we would not be just led 00:03:03.719 --> 00:03:10.180 by our own nature, but led by you, that we would be led by your Spirit as we make decisions. 00:03:10.939 --> 00:03:15.560 We do thank you for the opportunity for a further Bible study in NBC. 00:03:15.960 --> 00:03:17.719 Thank you for the last four years. 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:23.159 Thank you for all that people can learn, for the opportunities people have. 00:03:23.740 --> 00:03:28.460 And even coming up in March, when Michael comes over, I pray that there will be many who 00:03:28.460 --> 00:03:32.300 have a desire to get into the Old Testament, to learn more. 00:03:33.060 --> 00:03:37.620 We just think of how the Old Testament can be such an example to us, that we can learn 00:03:37.620 --> 00:03:43.700 so much for it, Lord, and yet so often we don't delve into it, but indeed that our hearts 00:03:43.700 --> 00:03:48.120 will be changed, that we'd have a desire to do that, and that indeed that it would be 00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:54.719 a blessed week, a week where people will be excited at what you have done and what is 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:56.780 recorded for us in your Word. 00:03:56.780 --> 00:04:01.460 Lord, we do thank you that Seth has come along this morning to be able to bring your Word. 00:04:01.879 --> 00:04:06.080 I thank you for the work that himself and Jessica are involved in Carrick Tool. 00:04:06.539 --> 00:04:12.340 I thank you for their desire to plant churches, to draw alongside people, to share Jesus with 00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:12.680 people. 00:04:13.259 --> 00:04:15.900 Thank you that their desire is to see believers grow. 00:04:16.339 --> 00:04:21.279 May you bless that work, that it may be of your work, Lord, not the work of man, but the 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:26.220 work of God, so that it will prosper and grow, and that in years to come we will praise 00:04:26.220 --> 00:04:28.900 you for a church there in Carrick Tool. 00:04:29.780 --> 00:04:31.560 I thank you for his desire for your Word. 00:04:31.940 --> 00:04:35.880 Thank you that his desire is to be a workman approved unto you. 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:40.040 Thank you for the work and the time he puts in, and as he comes up in his short while, 00:04:40.460 --> 00:04:44.260 indeed that he would speak your Word, that we would be encouraged, that we would be challenged, 00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:46.800 even rebuked and disciplined where necessary. 00:04:47.480 --> 00:04:49.380 May our hearts be open to your Word. 00:04:49.379 --> 00:04:54.620 May we not desire to just stand still in our faith, but to continually grow. 00:04:55.019 --> 00:04:59.159 May we be teachable believers, those who want to know more of you. 00:04:59.719 --> 00:05:00.899 So we thank you for Seth. 00:05:01.100 --> 00:05:02.279 Thank you for your Word. 00:05:02.620 --> 00:05:03.639 In Jesus' name. 00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:04.439 Amen. 00:05:05.620 --> 00:05:08.079 So Seth, thank you very much for coming up. 00:05:08.079 --> 00:05:16.319 Well, thank you very much. 00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:18.740 It's wonderful to be here, as always. 00:05:19.199 --> 00:05:20.759 We're big fans of this church. 00:05:22.699 --> 00:05:28.740 And if you want to turn to 1 Kings chapter 18, we'll be in 18 and 19. 00:05:31.539 --> 00:05:36.839 And if you're in one of the church Bibles, that's on page 359. 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:46.419 That's better. 00:05:47.359 --> 00:05:48.859 I'm just not quite as tall as this. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:58.479 I wonder, have you ever wondered why God doesn't intervene more often with, like, really powerful demonstrations, 00:05:59.180 --> 00:06:07.360 like big miracles, just really show up in big, clear, undeniable ways more often than he does? 00:06:07.360 --> 00:06:08.379 I mean, he's God. 00:06:09.100 --> 00:06:11.340 He can do that any time. 00:06:13.240 --> 00:06:18.819 And yet, if you look at history, even if you look at the history of the Bible, with so many miracles recorded, 00:06:19.220 --> 00:06:22.580 still there are long, long periods of time without them. 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:25.599 It's more rare than we'd like. 00:06:27.060 --> 00:06:30.379 God seems to do most of his work, actually, in other ways. 00:06:30.719 --> 00:06:37.240 And sometimes that leaves us scratching our heads, wondering why he doesn't seem to be answering our prayers 00:06:37.240 --> 00:06:41.759 for the things that seem really good and really right and really needed. 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:47.500 When the Bible says that God's ways are higher than ours, it's not kidding. 00:06:47.500 --> 00:06:54.920 But what I'd like us to look at this morning is actually a time when God did do incredible miracles 00:06:54.920 --> 00:07:00.839 and did answer big prayers, did make a big demonstration of his power. 00:07:01.019 --> 00:07:07.759 And yet, alongside that, the unexpected way that he chose to actually complete his work. 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:14.519 So, we're going to start with 1 Kings 18, but we'll get there in just a minute, 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:18.519 because I want to tell you quickly what James tells us about Elijah. 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:22.659 In James 5, you don't have to turn there, but he says this, 00:07:23.099 --> 00:07:26.339 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. 00:07:26.740 --> 00:07:28.980 He prayed earnestly that it would not rain. 00:07:28.980 --> 00:07:33.360 And it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 00:07:34.340 --> 00:07:38.640 So, the point that James is making is that Elijah was a normal person. 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:44.840 Just like us, he prayed a big prayer and he was answered by a big God. 00:07:44.939 --> 00:07:48.780 We can pray to the same God, and that's amazing. 00:07:48.860 --> 00:07:49.879 We have the same access. 00:07:50.060 --> 00:07:56.180 It wasn't about Elijah being a particularly, like a different class of person. 00:07:56.660 --> 00:07:58.720 He has access to the same God. 00:07:58.720 --> 00:08:00.460 He prayed earnestly and God answered. 00:08:00.840 --> 00:08:01.800 We have the same God. 00:08:02.880 --> 00:08:03.860 But here's the question. 00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:07.860 Elijah prays earnestly for something big. 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:12.700 The big thing that he prays for is for it not to rain. 00:08:14.420 --> 00:08:16.440 Now, I can understand that living in Ireland. 00:08:17.200 --> 00:08:19.440 Sometimes we might want it not to rain. 00:08:20.640 --> 00:08:24.860 But even here, if it doesn't rain for three and a half years, 00:08:25.080 --> 00:08:26.100 we're going to be in trouble. 00:08:26.100 --> 00:08:30.860 I mean, if he's going to ask for something big, 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:33.180 if he's going to pray earnestly for something, 00:08:33.500 --> 00:08:38.279 why would he pray earnestly for something that will cause a famine? 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:45.839 Why not pray earnestly for a really miraculous big bumper crop? 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:51.659 I think we have to understand the setting that Elijah is in. 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:58.079 At this time, the nation of Israel is caught up in the worship of a false God called Baal. 00:08:58.080 --> 00:09:02.680 And Baal was supposed to be the God who sent rain. 00:09:02.940 --> 00:09:04.139 He was the God of rain. 00:09:04.840 --> 00:09:07.180 He was also the God of lightning and thunder. 00:09:08.259 --> 00:09:11.660 So Elijah prays that God would hold back the rain 00:09:11.660 --> 00:09:17.200 because that would show very clearly that Baal was not the real power. 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:22.300 Israel was worshipping Baal, but Baal was not in control of the rain. 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:23.379 God was. 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:26.740 Elijah knew that as long as the rain came, 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:30.560 the people were going to credit that to Baal. 00:09:31.320 --> 00:09:33.860 So what they actually needed more than rain 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:36.040 was to know God, 00:09:36.740 --> 00:09:40.580 even if the only way to get there was through a famine. 00:09:40.580 --> 00:09:42.740 And God answers, 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:46.200 for three and a half years it does not rain. 00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:49.340 That's actually quite a miracle. 00:09:49.700 --> 00:09:50.580 That's a big thing. 00:09:51.040 --> 00:09:52.500 But God does even more. 00:09:53.480 --> 00:09:55.660 When he's finally ready to send the rain, 00:09:55.920 --> 00:09:59.160 he only does it after one more very big, 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:04.259 impressively clear demonstration of who the real God is. 00:10:04.840 --> 00:10:06.420 So we'll read through this. 00:10:06.420 --> 00:10:10.280 It's because I can't describe it as well as it's described here. 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:13.620 1 Kings chapter 18, starting in verse 22. 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:18.660 Elijah said to them, 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:21.500 I am the only one of the Lord's prophets left, 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:23.940 but Baal has 450 prophets. 00:10:24.440 --> 00:10:25.639 Get two bulls for us. 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:28.280 Let Baal's prophets choose one for themselves 00:10:28.280 --> 00:10:30.860 and let them cut it in pieces and put it on the wood 00:10:30.860 --> 00:10:32.080 and not set it on fire. 00:10:32.660 --> 00:10:34.680 I'll prepare another bull and put it on the wood 00:10:34.680 --> 00:10:35.900 and not set it on fire. 00:10:36.100 --> 00:10:38.040 Then you call in the name of your God, 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:39.980 I will call in the name of the Lord, 00:10:39.980 --> 00:10:42.220 the God who answers by fire. 00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:43.240 He is God. 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:44.060 Now, remember, 00:10:44.800 --> 00:10:46.860 Baal was supposed to be the God of lightning. 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:48.120 This is his department. 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:49.940 If he can do anything, 00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:51.460 he should be able to do this. 00:10:52.180 --> 00:10:53.379 And all the people said, 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:55.180 what you say is good. 00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:58.080 So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, 00:10:58.320 --> 00:10:59.440 choose one of the bulls, 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:00.460 prepare it first, 00:11:00.940 --> 00:11:02.759 since there are so many of you. 00:11:03.200 --> 00:11:04.420 Call in the name of your God, 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:05.759 but do not light the fire. 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:07.899 So they took the bull given to them 00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:08.939 and they prepared it. 00:11:09.919 --> 00:11:11.439 Then they called on the name of Baal 00:11:11.439 --> 00:11:12.700 from morning till noon. 00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:13.799 Baal, answer us, 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:14.279 they shouted. 00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:15.840 But there was no response. 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:16.759 No one answered. 00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:19.399 So they danced around the altar they had made. 00:11:19.960 --> 00:11:20.439 At noon, 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:22.240 Elijah began to taunt them. 00:11:23.819 --> 00:11:24.439 Shout louder, 00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:24.939 he said. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:26.039 Surely he's a God. 00:11:26.559 --> 00:11:27.960 Perhaps he's deep in thought 00:11:27.960 --> 00:11:29.220 or busy or traveling. 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:30.419 Maybe he's sleeping 00:11:30.419 --> 00:11:31.480 and he must be awakened. 00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:33.379 So they shouted louder 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:34.980 and they slashed themselves 00:11:34.980 --> 00:11:36.240 with swords and spears 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:37.320 as was their custom 00:11:37.320 --> 00:11:39.399 until their blood flowed. 00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:40.580 Midday passed 00:11:40.580 --> 00:11:41.480 and they continued 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:42.860 their frantic prophesying 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:43.659 until the time 00:11:43.659 --> 00:11:44.779 of the evening sacrifice. 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:46.639 But there was no response. 00:11:47.200 --> 00:11:47.980 No one answered. 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:49.519 No one paid attention. 00:11:50.560 --> 00:11:52.200 Then Elijah said to all the people, 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:53.120 come here to me. 00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:56.100 I think maybe Elijah was from Cork. 00:11:56.980 --> 00:11:57.680 He said, 00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:58.440 come here to me. 00:11:58.440 --> 00:12:00.540 They came to him 00:12:00.540 --> 00:12:02.560 and he repaired the altar of the Lord 00:12:02.560 --> 00:12:04.480 which had been torn down. 00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:06.400 Elijah took twelve stones, 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:08.180 one for each of the tribes 00:12:08.180 --> 00:12:09.280 descended from Jacob 00:12:09.280 --> 00:12:11.280 to whom the word of the Lord had come 00:12:11.280 --> 00:12:12.040 saying, 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:13.420 your name shall be Israel. 00:12:13.640 --> 00:12:14.400 With the stones 00:12:14.400 --> 00:12:15.260 he built an altar 00:12:15.260 --> 00:12:16.340 in the name of the Lord 00:12:16.340 --> 00:12:18.160 and he dug a trench around it 00:12:18.160 --> 00:12:19.180 large enough to hold 00:12:19.180 --> 00:12:20.320 two sears of seed. 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:21.600 He arranged the wood, 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:22.620 cut the bull in pieces, 00:12:22.800 --> 00:12:23.600 laid it on the wood. 00:12:23.940 --> 00:12:24.720 Then he said, 00:12:25.180 --> 00:12:27.360 fill four large jars with water 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:28.879 and pour it on the offering 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:29.720 and on the wood. 00:12:30.300 --> 00:12:30.960 Do it again. 00:12:31.340 --> 00:12:32.240 And they did it again. 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:33.539 Do it a third time. 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:36.120 That's twelve jars of water 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:37.019 that are going on this. 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.620 The water ran down 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:39.519 around the altar 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:41.300 and even filled the trench. 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:43.620 At the time of sacrifice, 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:44.519 the prophet Elijah 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:45.720 stepped forward and prayed, 00:12:46.100 --> 00:12:47.560 Lord, the God of Abraham, 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:48.919 Isaac and Israel, 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:50.500 let it be known today 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:52.279 that you are God in Israel, 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:53.840 that I am your servant 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:55.320 and have done all these things 00:12:55.320 --> 00:12:56.139 at your command. 00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:57.539 Answer me, Lord. 00:12:57.960 --> 00:12:58.559 Answer me. 00:12:58.659 --> 00:12:59.639 So these people 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:01.059 will know that you, 00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:02.139 Lord, are God 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:03.439 and that you are turning 00:13:03.439 --> 00:13:04.799 their hearts back again. 00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:08.379 Then the fire of the Lord fell 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:10.319 and burned up the sacrifice, 00:13:10.679 --> 00:13:11.899 the wood, the stones, 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:12.759 and the soil 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:14.100 and also licked up 00:13:14.100 --> 00:13:15.460 the water in the trench. 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:16.980 And when the people saw this, 00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:18.000 they fell prostrate 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:18.639 and cried, 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:20.700 The Lord, he is God. 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:22.759 The Lord, he is God. 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:24.240 And Elijah commanded them, 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:25.519 Seize the prophets of Baal. 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:26.899 Don't let anyone get away. 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:27.879 They seized them 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:28.840 and Elijah had them 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:30.319 brought down to the Kishon Valley 00:13:30.319 --> 00:13:31.340 and slaughtered there. 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:33.360 And Elijah said to Ahab, 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:34.600 Go, eat and drink, 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:36.000 for there is the sound 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:37.299 of heavy rain. 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:38.819 The rain is coming. 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:41.259 God had been withholding it 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:42.659 in answer to Elijah's prayer. 00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:43.539 Now it is coming. 00:13:44.539 --> 00:13:46.659 And now that they know the source, 00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:48.159 now that they have seen 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:49.240 this clear demonstration, 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:50.940 God sends the rain as well. 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:54.580 Now, this is a big miracle. 00:13:55.060 --> 00:13:57.720 This is a very clear sign 00:13:57.720 --> 00:13:59.360 of who God is, 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:00.320 who is the real God. 00:14:00.460 --> 00:14:01.419 Baal had not been able 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:02.240 to send rain. 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:04.600 Now he is not able 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:05.519 to send fire. 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:07.899 Even though these are supposed 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:09.120 to be the things 00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:10.539 that he is in control of. 00:14:11.220 --> 00:14:12.259 So at this point, 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:13.240 Elijah believes, 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:15.299 understandably, 00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:16.440 that he is one. 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.880 He believed that the worship 00:14:18.880 --> 00:14:20.280 of Baal and Israel 00:14:20.280 --> 00:14:21.220 is done. 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:22.720 It's over. 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:25.000 And after a victory like that, 00:14:25.560 --> 00:14:26.560 you wouldn't blame him. 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:28.520 I mean, how can anyone 00:14:28.520 --> 00:14:30.320 deny God now? 00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:32.580 How can anyone continue 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:34.260 to worship a God like Baal 00:14:34.260 --> 00:14:35.960 after he's been shown, 00:14:36.300 --> 00:14:38.100 proven to be so powerless? 00:14:39.260 --> 00:14:40.700 But there's one sentence 00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:42.340 that turns Elijah's world 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:43.380 upside down. 00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:45.800 And it's in chapter 19. 00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:46.899 He turned the page. 00:14:47.719 --> 00:14:48.799 The first verse 00:14:49.339 --> 00:14:50.539 of chapter 19. 00:14:50.939 --> 00:14:52.799 Now Ahab told Jezebel 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:55.240 everything Elijah had done 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:56.839 and how he had killed 00:14:56.839 --> 00:14:57.740 all the prophets 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:58.559 with the sword. 00:14:59.259 --> 00:15:00.919 So Jezebel sent a messenger 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:02.199 to Elijah to say, 00:15:03.439 --> 00:15:04.699 May the gods deal with me, 00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:06.000 be it ever so severely, 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:07.439 if by this time tomorrow 00:15:07.439 --> 00:15:08.799 I do not make your life 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:10.039 like one of them. 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:13.899 So even with all the evidence 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:15.799 that you could ever ask for, 00:15:16.219 --> 00:15:17.799 literally falling down 00:15:17.799 --> 00:15:18.659 out of the sky 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:20.259 in front of them, 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:21.459 Jezebel and Ahab 00:15:21.459 --> 00:15:23.579 will not submit to God. 00:15:24.579 --> 00:15:25.939 And even though the people 00:15:25.939 --> 00:15:27.259 had just seen 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.620 these incredible things, 00:15:28.839 --> 00:15:30.719 had seen this incredible display 00:15:30.719 --> 00:15:31.659 of God's power, 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:33.480 it's actually not long 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:34.740 before we see them 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:36.419 worshipping Baal again. 00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:38.459 It's unbelievable. 00:15:38.659 --> 00:15:39.479 It seems incredible. 00:15:39.479 --> 00:15:40.559 But it's true. 00:15:41.219 --> 00:15:41.959 And to be honest, 00:15:42.959 --> 00:15:44.919 we're not so different today. 00:15:46.179 --> 00:15:47.419 Evidence alone, 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.579 by itself, 00:15:48.819 --> 00:15:51.360 no matter how overwhelming it is, 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:53.919 is actually not enough 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:56.319 to change sinful hearts 00:15:56.319 --> 00:15:57.579 so that they turn to God. 00:15:57.580 --> 00:16:00.660 Even really big, 00:16:00.900 --> 00:16:02.560 even impressively clear 00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:03.940 demonstrations like this 00:16:03.940 --> 00:16:05.060 are not enough 00:16:05.060 --> 00:16:06.100 in themselves 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:07.220 to change 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:08.660 our rebellious hearts. 00:16:10.280 --> 00:16:11.400 Instead of dealing 00:16:11.400 --> 00:16:12.180 with the reality 00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:13.360 of what had just happened, 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:15.220 Jezebel and Ahab, 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.800 they try to erase 00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:19.360 the evidence 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:21.420 by killing Elijah. 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:23.640 And Elijah 00:16:23.640 --> 00:16:24.960 starts to wonder, 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:26.960 what's the point of this? 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:29.920 What have I accomplished here? 00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:31.800 Look at 19, verse 3. 00:16:32.180 --> 00:16:33.259 Elijah was afraid 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:35.060 and he ran for his life. 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:36.560 When he came to Beersheba 00:16:36.560 --> 00:16:37.180 in Judah, 00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:38.759 he left his servant there 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:39.840 while he himself 00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:40.800 went a day's journey 00:16:40.800 --> 00:16:41.560 into the wilderness. 00:16:42.280 --> 00:16:44.440 He came to a broom bush, 00:16:45.180 --> 00:16:46.180 sat down under it 00:16:46.180 --> 00:16:48.139 and prayed that he might die. 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:51.640 I have had enough, Lord, 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:52.120 he said. 00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:53.320 Take my life. 00:16:53.680 --> 00:16:54.379 I'm no better 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.259 than my ancestors. 00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:57.000 Then he lay down 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:57.600 under the bush 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:58.539 and fell asleep. 00:16:59.159 --> 00:16:59.879 Things have really 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.539 turned around, 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.019 haven't they? 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:02.840 He's basically saying, 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:04.779 this isn't working. 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:07.380 I've done all I can do. 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:08.740 How could you even 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.940 possibly make it 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:10.579 any clearer 00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:11.559 than we've made it? 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:13.000 And yet it wasn't enough. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.019 And he says, 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:14.720 I give up. 00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:16.559 I might as well be dead. 00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:19.160 What more can I possibly do? 00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:20.779 I'm done. 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:23.680 And I think we can understand 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:24.899 how he feels. 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:27.379 God had answered his prayers 00:17:27.379 --> 00:17:28.940 and it should have worked. 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:32.019 But now he's being hunted. 00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:34.220 And the whole thing 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:36.079 looks completely different 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:36.899 than what he thought, 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:38.299 how he thought 00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:38.960 it should have gone. 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:42.220 Elijah feels like he's done. 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:45.839 But God is not done. 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:48.660 God is still working. 00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:50.680 Even though Elijah 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:51.500 can't see it. 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:54.360 Elijah is so discouraged, 00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.839 he just wants to die. 00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:57.839 But God is not actually 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:58.980 finished with Elijah 00:17:58.980 --> 00:17:59.700 either. 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.819 He's still going to use him. 00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:03.120 But I think it's important, 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.579 before we get to where 00:18:04.579 --> 00:18:07.740 God calls Elijah on, 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.220 it's important to note 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:09.660 what he does 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.720 before he does that. 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:12.700 Before any new instructions come, 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:13.740 look at verse 5. 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:15.299 All at once an angel 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:16.220 touched him and said, 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:18.100 Get up and eat. 00:18:19.100 --> 00:18:20.079 He looked around 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:21.000 and there by his head 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.980 was some baked bread 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.880 over hot coals 00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:23.740 and a jar of water. 00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:25.440 He ate and drank 00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:26.539 and then lay down again. 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:28.360 The angel of the Lord 00:18:28.360 --> 00:18:29.640 came back a second time 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:30.600 and touched him and said, 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:31.900 Get up and eat, 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:32.759 for the journey 00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.759 is too much for you. 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:36.140 So he got up 00:18:36.140 --> 00:18:36.640 and he ate 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:37.240 and he drank. 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:39.019 Strengthened by that food, 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:40.240 he traveled 40 days 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.980 and 40 nights 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:42.120 until he reached Horeb, 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.460 the mountain of God. 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:45.120 Then there he went 00:18:45.120 --> 00:18:45.859 into a cave 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:46.900 and spent the night. 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:50.180 God doesn't scold Elijah 00:18:50.180 --> 00:18:51.700 for being sad 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.799 and discouraged 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:53.500 and depressed 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.599 and wanting to die. 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.579 Instead, 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:58.299 he sends an angel 00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:59.779 to give him food 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:00.380 and water. 00:19:01.640 --> 00:19:02.700 And then he waits 00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:04.059 and he gives Elijah 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:05.059 time to sleep. 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:08.299 He gives him food 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:09.000 a second time. 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.419 And verse 8 tells us 00:19:11.419 --> 00:19:12.619 Elijah was strengthened 00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:13.399 by that food. 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:16.000 Elijah was wrecked. 00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:17.119 I mean, 00:19:17.139 --> 00:19:17.859 he's just been through 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:19.960 this huge emotional 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:20.639 rollercoaster, 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.899 this huge victory, 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.200 followed by 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:25.000 this complete turnaround 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:25.960 that left him 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:27.099 literally running 00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:27.879 for his life. 00:19:29.659 --> 00:19:31.119 But God doesn't just 00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:32.740 drive him forward. 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:34.380 Elijah is tired 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:35.519 in every way. 00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.759 But God gives him 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:40.059 time and space 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:41.400 for food and rest. 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.220 And sometimes 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.880 when we feel awful, 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.299 actually one of the 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.200 most spiritual things 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:46.819 we can do 00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:48.140 is eat 00:19:48.140 --> 00:19:49.319 and sleep. 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.299 Psalm 103 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:52.480 celebrates the fact 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.099 that God 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:54.980 knows how we are formed. 00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:56.200 He remembers 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.859 that we are dust. 00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:59.979 even though God 00:19:59.979 --> 00:20:01.419 himself is infinite 00:20:01.419 --> 00:20:02.719 and strong, 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.559 he doesn't forget 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.519 that we are not. 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.459 He doesn't roll 00:20:07.459 --> 00:20:07.939 his eyes 00:20:07.939 --> 00:20:08.459 and turn up 00:20:08.459 --> 00:20:08.919 his nose 00:20:08.919 --> 00:20:09.879 at our weakness. 00:20:10.399 --> 00:20:11.479 He reaches down 00:20:11.479 --> 00:20:12.199 to give us 00:20:12.199 --> 00:20:13.299 his strength 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:15.599 to dry our tears. 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.519 He could have 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.439 chastised Elijah 00:20:17.439 --> 00:20:18.459 for being depressed, 00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:19.740 but he doesn't. 00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:21.519 He gives him food 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:22.659 and he gives him rest. 00:20:22.979 --> 00:20:24.159 And he draws him in 00:20:24.159 --> 00:20:25.059 to show him 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.299 how he's been working 00:20:26.299 --> 00:20:27.960 in ways that Elijah 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:29.159 had never seen. 00:20:30.659 --> 00:20:31.599 And he shows him 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:32.480 that God still has 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.419 a role for Elijah 00:20:33.419 --> 00:20:34.119 in his plan, 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:35.559 even if it's a different role 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:37.059 than Elijah expected. 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.639 So he goes on 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:40.180 this journey. 00:20:40.419 --> 00:20:41.039 God sends him 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:42.419 to Mount Horeb, 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.200 which is another name 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.839 for Sinai, 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.240 the mountain where 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.799 Moses received 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:47.779 the Ten Commandments, 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.259 or the law, 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:49.839 the whole law. 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.779 And God speaks to him. 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.419 So if you look 00:20:52.419 --> 00:20:53.559 in 19 verse 9, 00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:55.759 the word of the Lord 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.480 came to him, 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:58.099 What are you doing here, 00:20:58.599 --> 00:20:58.920 Elijah? 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:01.519 And Elijah replies, 00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:03.119 I have been very zealous 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:04.240 for the Lord God Almighty. 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.160 The Israelites 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:06.079 have rejected 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.759 your covenant, 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:08.000 torn down your altars, 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:09.220 and put your prophets 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:10.420 to death with the sword. 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:11.900 I'm the only one left, 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:12.879 and now they're trying 00:21:12.879 --> 00:21:13.700 to kill me too. 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:16.019 The Lord said, 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:17.140 Go out 00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:18.379 and stand on the mountain 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:19.079 in the presence 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:19.680 of the Lord, 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:20.819 for the Lord 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:22.259 is about to pass by. 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:24.039 Then, 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:25.079 a great 00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:26.559 and powerful wind 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:28.079 tore the mountain 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:28.680 apart 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:29.720 and shattered 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.319 the rocks 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.119 before the Lord. 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:32.480 That's a powerful wind. 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:33.960 But, 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:35.279 the Lord was not 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:35.879 in the wind. 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:38.079 After the wind, 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:39.059 there was an earthquake, 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:41.099 but the Lord 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:42.400 was not in the earthquake. 00:21:43.299 --> 00:21:44.819 After the earthquake, 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.259 there came a fire, 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.059 but the Lord 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:48.640 was not in the fire. 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:50.200 And after the fire 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:52.259 came a gentle whisper. 00:21:54.080 --> 00:21:54.360 Then, 00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:55.780 when Elijah heard it, 00:21:56.520 --> 00:21:57.460 he pulled his cloak 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:58.160 over his face 00:21:58.160 --> 00:21:58.700 and went out 00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.600 and stood at the mouth 00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:00.140 of the cave. 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:01.540 Then a voice said to him, 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:03.360 What are you doing here, 00:22:03.800 --> 00:22:04.140 Elijah? 00:22:05.300 --> 00:22:06.220 He replied, 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:07.960 I have been very zealous 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:09.120 for the Lord God Almighty. 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:09.840 The Israelites 00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:10.660 have rejected 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:11.259 your covenant, 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.680 torn down your altars, 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.580 and put your prophets 00:22:13.580 --> 00:22:14.620 to death with the sword. 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:16.160 I'm the only one left. 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:17.080 Now they're trying 00:22:17.080 --> 00:22:17.980 to kill me too. 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:20.560 The Lord said to him, 00:22:21.300 --> 00:22:22.560 Go back the way you came 00:22:22.560 --> 00:22:24.900 and go to the desert 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:25.640 of Damascus. 00:22:25.860 --> 00:22:26.820 And when you get there, 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.740 anoint Hazel, 00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:28.740 king over Aram. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:30.320 Also anoint Jehu, 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.500 son of Nimshi, 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.580 king over Israel. 00:22:32.820 --> 00:22:33.860 And anoint Elisha, 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:34.680 son of Shephat, 00:22:34.780 --> 00:22:35.740 from Abel Melhub, 00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:37.300 to succeed you 00:22:37.300 --> 00:22:37.880 as a prophet. 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:40.100 Jehu will put to death 00:22:40.100 --> 00:22:40.880 any who escape 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:42.160 the sword of Hazel. 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:44.360 And Elisha will put to death 00:22:44.360 --> 00:22:45.259 any who escape 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:46.340 the sword of Jehu. 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:48.779 Yet I have reserved 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:50.279 seven thousand in Israel, 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:51.559 all whose knees 00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:52.679 have not bowed down 00:22:52.679 --> 00:22:53.139 to Baal, 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:54.259 and whose mouths 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:55.599 have not kissed him. 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.119 So, 00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:59.119 here on the mountain 00:22:59.119 --> 00:22:59.699 of God, 00:23:00.119 --> 00:23:00.919 God listens 00:23:00.919 --> 00:23:02.399 to Elijah's complaints 00:23:02.399 --> 00:23:03.220 twice, 00:23:03.919 --> 00:23:04.439 patiently, 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:06.059 the exact same complaint. 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.199 He doesn't even 00:23:07.199 --> 00:23:08.179 answer directly, 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:09.359 but he does answer. 00:23:09.919 --> 00:23:10.779 He sends these 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.720 powerful things. 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:14.420 He sends a wind 00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:15.740 that breaks stones. 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:17.259 He sends an earthquake. 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:18.579 He sends a fire. 00:23:19.360 --> 00:23:20.259 But the Lord was not 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:21.779 in those powerful things, 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:23.480 the wind and the earthquake 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.360 and the fire. 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:25.980 And then he sends 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:27.360 a gentle whisper. 00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:29.539 See, 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:30.880 Elijah had expected 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:32.700 God to destroy 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:33.839 Baal worship in Israel 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:35.019 through overwhelming 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.600 miracles, 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:36.680 which happened. 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:38.240 Fire from heaven. 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.400 So impressive. 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:41.500 But God says 00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:42.640 his power 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:44.420 is actually working 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:45.700 in what was happening 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.600 in the background, 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.540 in the quiet 00:23:48.540 --> 00:23:49.680 of much more 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.759 ordinary things, 00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:52.480 like seven thousand people 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.759 who never had 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:54.580 worshipped Baal, 00:23:54.780 --> 00:23:55.740 who never had 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.600 bowed down to him, 00:23:56.840 --> 00:23:57.660 even before 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.220 the miracles. 00:23:59.620 --> 00:24:00.240 Elijah thought 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:01.320 he was the only one. 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:02.700 He didn't even know 00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:03.680 these people existed. 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.820 But God was working 00:24:05.820 --> 00:24:06.259 in them, 00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:07.360 quietly, 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.720 under the radar. 00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:10.940 Then he gives us 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.640 the second part 00:24:11.640 --> 00:24:12.220 of his answer 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:13.340 to Elijah. 00:24:13.540 --> 00:24:14.000 He gives him 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.019 what seems like 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:17.080 fairly ordinary jobs, 00:24:17.780 --> 00:24:19.200 anointing ordinary 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:20.660 political and religious 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.259 leaders. 00:24:21.560 --> 00:24:22.420 No more fire 00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:22.980 from heaven, 00:24:23.340 --> 00:24:24.420 but God is working 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.420 through these 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:26.800 ordinary things. 00:24:27.780 --> 00:24:28.320 In fact, 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:30.140 I don't have to turn there, 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:31.240 but 2 Kings 10 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:33.360 describes how Jehu, 00:24:34.100 --> 00:24:35.220 who Elijah 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:36.200 is sent to anoint, 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:38.319 was the one 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:39.440 who put an end 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.319 to Baal worship 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:41.120 in Israel. 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.960 2 Kings 10 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:44.480 18 says specifically, 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:46.319 Jehu destroyed 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:47.160 Baal worship 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:48.000 in Israel. 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:51.779 Elijah himself 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.700 was not the man 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.640 who would accomplish 00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:54.819 what he wanted 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.620 to see happen. 00:24:56.600 --> 00:24:57.640 But God gives him 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:58.460 an important role, 00:24:58.580 --> 00:24:59.100 and the miracles 00:24:59.100 --> 00:25:00.259 are part of that role. 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:02.379 But God actually 00:25:02.379 --> 00:25:03.980 finishes the job 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.720 of destroying 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.379 Baal worship 00:25:05.379 --> 00:25:06.079 in Israel 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:07.480 through Elijah's 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.240 obedience to 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.920 ordinary tasks 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:11.240 that God gives him. 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:12.879 See, 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.740 God had been working 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.660 under the surface 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:15.759 long before the 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.819 miracles ever happened. 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:18.299 And his work 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:19.440 continued under the 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:20.480 surface in spite 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.259 of the people's 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:22.579 rejection of those 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:22.960 miracles. 00:25:23.619 --> 00:25:24.259 And he would 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:25.319 continue his work 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:26.680 in the same ways 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:29.019 normally through 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:30.640 ordinary quiet 00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:31.980 means going forward. 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:34.600 Now Elijah lived 00:25:34.600 --> 00:25:35.380 a long time ago, 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.259 but our God 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:37.440 is the same God, 00:25:37.560 --> 00:25:38.320 and our ministry 00:25:38.320 --> 00:25:39.380 comes down 00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:40.500 largely to the 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.240 same things. 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.640 We also are 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:43.259 calling people 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.060 back to God, 00:25:44.340 --> 00:25:45.200 trying to show 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:45.980 them the greatness 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.980 of his power, 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:48.060 of his love, 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:49.220 of his salvation. 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.900 He's the same God. 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:52.320 He has the same 00:25:52.320 --> 00:25:53.019 power that was 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:54.700 displayed by fire 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.700 on Mount Carmel. 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.500 He can do that 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.099 any time. 00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:58.380 But in our prayers 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.119 for God to do 00:25:59.119 --> 00:25:59.619 his work, 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.920 we don't have to 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:02.200 wait for some 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:03.380 massively impressive 00:26:03.380 --> 00:26:04.420 sign from heaven 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:05.700 for our friends 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.200 to see. 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.920 In our prayers 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:09.599 for God to do 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.039 his work, 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.759 we don't have to 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.319 wait for those 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:12.559 things. 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:13.200 We don't have to 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:14.539 worry if God 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.240 doesn't answer 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:16.240 our prayers for 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:17.160 big demonstrations 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:17.980 of his power. 00:26:19.619 --> 00:26:20.799 We already have 00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.519 the biggest sign 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:21.859 of all. 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.400 We have a 00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:24.559 Savior who came 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.420 down from heaven 00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:26.319 to die, 00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.000 die for our 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.299 sin, 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.359 and rise again 00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:29.159 in victory over 00:26:29.159 --> 00:26:29.419 it. 00:26:30.419 --> 00:26:31.159 And he's still 00:26:31.159 --> 00:26:31.559 working. 00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:34.379 God's still 00:26:34.379 --> 00:26:35.799 small voice, 00:26:35.919 --> 00:26:36.559 his gentle 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.039 whisper, 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:37.720 is still 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.899 speaking life 00:26:38.899 --> 00:26:40.379 into rebellious 00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:40.740 hearts. 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:41.819 And really, 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:43.339 the biggest 00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:43.919 and most 00:26:43.919 --> 00:26:44.799 beautiful miracle 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:47.200 is when God's 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:48.339 power reaches 00:26:48.339 --> 00:26:49.259 into a cold, 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.819 rebellious human 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.720 heart and 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.720 makes it bloom 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.960 with the beauty 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.680 of his love 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:55.599 and his life 00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.539 by the power 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.119 of the cross. 00:26:57.919 --> 00:26:58.839 And that's a 00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.480 miracle that he 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.339 is doing now. 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:01.919 And he's been 00:27:01.919 --> 00:27:02.579 doing it all 00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:03.039 along. 00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:05.200 But often it's 00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:05.779 done under the 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.079 radar. 00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:08.779 no matter what 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:09.299 seems to be 00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:10.000 going wrong 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.480 around us. 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:10.639 See, 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.159 Elijah, 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:13.279 Elijah couldn't 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:13.899 see anything 00:27:13.899 --> 00:27:14.939 good from his 00:27:14.939 --> 00:27:15.460 perspective. 00:27:15.919 --> 00:27:16.359 All the 00:27:16.359 --> 00:27:17.019 headlines were 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:17.460 bad. 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.119 His personal 00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:19.899 life was, 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:20.379 I mean, 00:27:20.419 --> 00:27:20.939 he was running 00:27:20.939 --> 00:27:21.599 for his life. 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:22.720 He was a 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.159 fugitive. 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.199 And yet God 00:27:25.199 --> 00:27:25.759 shows him 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:27.240 that God 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:27.639 has been 00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:28.339 working in 00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:28.839 ways that 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.639 Elijah couldn't 00:27:29.639 --> 00:27:30.699 see and 00:27:30.699 --> 00:27:31.439 couldn't have 00:27:31.439 --> 00:27:32.379 even imagined. 00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:33.580 and that 00:27:33.580 --> 00:27:33.980 God will 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.820 continue to 00:27:34.820 --> 00:27:35.440 do his 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:35.980 quiet, 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:37.160 incredible 00:27:37.160 --> 00:27:38.340 miracles in 00:27:38.340 --> 00:27:38.820 the hearts 00:27:38.820 --> 00:27:39.500 of people. 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:40.600 And he's 00:27:40.600 --> 00:27:41.020 going to keep 00:27:41.020 --> 00:27:41.600 doing that 00:27:41.600 --> 00:27:42.640 until Jesus 00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.120 returns. 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.300 So don't 00:27:45.300 --> 00:27:45.660 think, 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:47.020 don't think 00:27:47.020 --> 00:27:47.660 for a second 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.780 that God 00:27:48.780 --> 00:27:49.100 is not 00:27:49.100 --> 00:27:49.480 working. 00:27:49.760 --> 00:27:50.420 Just because 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:51.040 you may not 00:27:51.040 --> 00:27:51.500 see the 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:51.880 powerful 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:52.620 demonstrations 00:27:52.620 --> 00:27:53.800 and answers 00:27:53.800 --> 00:27:54.260 to prayer 00:27:54.260 --> 00:27:54.640 that we 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:55.560 long for, 00:27:56.140 --> 00:27:56.800 the good 00:27:56.800 --> 00:27:57.220 things that 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:57.620 we ask 00:27:57.620 --> 00:27:57.900 for, 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:58.740 or the 00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.280 impressive 00:27:59.280 --> 00:28:00.640 miracles 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.800 that we 00:28:01.800 --> 00:28:02.200 want, 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:05.160 Elijah saw 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:05.840 those answers. 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:06.880 He saw 00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:07.780 those demonstrations 00:28:07.780 --> 00:28:08.600 of God's 00:28:08.600 --> 00:28:08.940 power. 00:28:09.580 --> 00:28:10.000 And yet he 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.780 also saw 00:28:10.780 --> 00:28:11.800 that people 00:28:11.800 --> 00:28:13.760 still refused 00:28:13.760 --> 00:28:14.400 to accept 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:14.700 God. 00:28:14.780 --> 00:28:15.340 They still 00:28:15.340 --> 00:28:16.220 rejected him, 00:28:16.580 --> 00:28:17.360 even with all 00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:17.980 the evidence 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:19.180 literally coming 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:19.680 down from 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:19.920 heaven. 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.380 He saw 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:21.720 that what 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.460 people really 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:23.800 need is not 00:28:23.800 --> 00:28:24.840 a big display 00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:25.480 of power 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.220 out there. 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:27.840 We need a 00:28:27.840 --> 00:28:28.780 miracle in 00:28:28.780 --> 00:28:29.320 our hearts. 00:28:30.660 --> 00:28:31.660 And that's a 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.220 miracle that 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:32.680 God is 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.660 doing right 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:34.000 now. 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.600 It's a 00:28:35.600 --> 00:28:36.079 miracle that 00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:37.200 he chooses 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:37.700 to do 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.160 through our 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.799 ordinary, 00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:39.940 unimpressive 00:28:39.940 --> 00:28:41.539 obedience to 00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:43.380 seemingly small, 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:44.819 mundane things 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.900 as a means 00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:46.640 to his 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:47.500 greatest work. 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.620 God is not 00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:49.960 limited, 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:50.720 he's not 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.380 caught off guard, 00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:52.160 even when things 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:52.600 seem to be 00:28:52.600 --> 00:28:53.220 going wrong. 00:28:54.579 --> 00:28:55.440 Often God is 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:55.860 doing his 00:28:55.860 --> 00:28:56.779 quiet work behind 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.900 the scenes in 00:28:57.900 --> 00:28:58.700 ways we never 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.120 would have 00:28:59.120 --> 00:28:59.799 thought to look 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:00.039 for. 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:00.960 So my 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.359 encouragement 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:01.819 for you 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.379 this morning 00:29:02.379 --> 00:29:03.879 is just to 00:29:03.879 --> 00:29:04.720 relentlessly 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:06.079 hang on to 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:06.379 him. 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:07.519 No matter 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.119 how small 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:08.700 it may be, 00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:09.599 just simply 00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:10.339 take the 00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:11.639 next small 00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:12.619 step of 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:14.240 obedience as 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:14.740 he leads. 00:29:16.159 --> 00:29:16.740 We have a 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.519 God who 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.700 chooses to 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:19.480 use that 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.079 small, 00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:20.779 simple 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:21.740 obedience 00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:23.019 more often 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.440 than he 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.079 chooses to 00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:24.879 use the 00:29:24.879 --> 00:29:25.159 big, 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:25.599 impressive 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.139 miracles. 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:26.200 people. 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:29.100 His still 00:29:29.100 --> 00:29:30.360 small voice, 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:31.060 his gentle 00:29:31.060 --> 00:29:32.080 whisper is 00:29:32.080 --> 00:29:32.840 still at 00:29:32.840 --> 00:29:33.940 work through 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:34.680 his people, 00:29:35.280 --> 00:29:35.880 through you. 00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:38.080 So don't 00:29:38.080 --> 00:29:38.940 discount your 00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:39.520 ordinary 00:29:39.520 --> 00:29:40.240 obedience. 00:29:41.060 --> 00:29:41.860 Jeremiah says, 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:42.620 do not 00:29:42.620 --> 00:29:43.500 despise the 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.080 day of 00:29:44.080 --> 00:29:44.860 small things. 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:46.700 Our God 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.280 loves to 00:29:47.280 --> 00:29:47.940 use small 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:48.320 things, 00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:49.520 unimpressive 00:29:49.520 --> 00:29:49.980 things, 00:29:50.600 --> 00:29:51.300 weak people 00:29:51.300 --> 00:29:52.460 doing small, 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:53.300 unimpressive, 00:29:53.540 --> 00:29:54.420 obedient things 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:55.800 to do 00:29:55.800 --> 00:29:56.320 his greatest 00:29:56.320 --> 00:29:56.740 work. 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:58.440 Amen. 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:58.539 Amen. 00:30:20.320 --> 00:30:20.960 Thank you, 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:21.180 sir. 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:23.480 often when 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.440 we hear 00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:24.860 God's 00:30:24.860 --> 00:30:25.080 word, 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:25.480 so we 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:26.080 quick to 00:30:26.080 --> 00:30:26.720 just move 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.299 on to a 00:30:27.299 --> 00:30:27.660 song, 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:28.240 to something 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:28.560 else. 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:29.360 Let's just 00:30:29.360 --> 00:30:29.820 take a few 00:30:29.820 --> 00:30:30.500 moments just 00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:31.820 to think and 00:30:31.820 --> 00:30:32.400 dwell on the 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:33.140 things that 00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:34.019 Seth has been 00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:34.660 talking about. 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:35.720 We'll be going 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.080 out of here, 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:36.640 we'll be doing 00:30:36.640 --> 00:30:37.539 ordinary things 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.100 in our lives 00:30:38.100 --> 00:30:38.600 this week. 00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:39.380 We'll be going 00:30:39.380 --> 00:30:40.480 to jobs, 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:41.039 we might be 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.680 minding children, 00:30:41.860 --> 00:30:42.120 we might be 00:30:42.120 --> 00:30:42.440 going to 00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:42.980 college, 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:43.820 we might be 00:30:43.820 --> 00:30:44.580 meeting people, 00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:45.600 but in all 00:30:45.600 --> 00:30:46.000 that it's 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.480 amazing to 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:47.160 think that 00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:48.519 God is still 00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:48.940 working. 00:30:49.340 --> 00:30:49.700 We don't 00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:51.160 always see 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:52.039 what God 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:52.460 is doing, 00:30:52.840 --> 00:30:53.160 but we can 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:53.900 take encouragement 00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:54.779 from his 00:30:54.779 --> 00:30:55.759 word that 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.299 he is 00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:56.700 working. 00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:57.460 What a 00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:58.180 wonderful picture 00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:58.740 as well of 00:30:58.740 --> 00:31:00.220 that gentle 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:00.840 voice of 00:31:00.840 --> 00:31:01.220 God just 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:02.140 whispering into 00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:02.740 a cold 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:03.160 heart, 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.320 changing them 00:31:04.320 --> 00:31:04.880 from being 00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:06.080 a rebellious, 00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:07.380 sinful human 00:31:07.380 --> 00:31:07.759 being, 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:09.180 blossoming 00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:10.460 into a 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.060 child of 00:31:11.060 --> 00:31:11.259 God, 00:31:11.340 --> 00:31:11.539 someone who 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:12.180 is loved 00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:12.720 by God 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.080 as they 00:31:13.080 --> 00:31:13.680 repent of 00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.140 their sin 00:31:14.140 --> 00:31:15.279 and turn 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:16.180 away and 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:16.840 turn to 00:31:16.840 --> 00:31:17.180 Jesus. 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:18.120 let's 00:31:18.120 --> 00:31:18.740 just pause 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.480 in our 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:19.720 seats, 00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:20.580 just close 00:31:20.580 --> 00:31:20.900 our eyes, 00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:21.340 maybe bow 00:31:21.340 --> 00:31:21.740 our heads 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:22.700 and we 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:23.380 can thank 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:23.860 God that 00:31:23.860 --> 00:31:24.400 he does 00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:25.039 work in 00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:25.580 the ordinary 00:31:25.580 --> 00:31:26.140 things in 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:26.420 life, 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:27.259 not to 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:28.539 be discouraged 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:28.900 when we 00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:29.279 don't see 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:30.220 these big 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:30.660 exciting 00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:31.279 things because 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:32.220 we're people 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:32.700 who have 00:31:32.700 --> 00:31:33.600 lost our 00:31:33.600 --> 00:31:34.060 awe of 00:31:34.060 --> 00:31:34.220 things. 00:31:34.320 --> 00:31:34.620 We see 00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:35.120 so much 00:31:35.120 --> 00:31:35.539 on the 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:35.840 internet, 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:36.539 on television 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.299 and we've 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:37.680 lost that 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.100 sense of 00:31:38.100 --> 00:31:38.600 awe of 00:31:38.600 --> 00:31:38.880 things and 00:31:38.880 --> 00:31:39.120 we want 00:31:39.120 --> 00:31:39.460 really 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:39.980 something big 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.400 to happen, 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.539 but God 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.019 works in 00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:42.519 those small 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:42.779 things. 00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.740 So let's 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.160 just bow 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:44.579 our heads, 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.500 perhaps even 00:31:45.500 --> 00:31:46.299 to pray that 00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:47.039 God would 00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:47.720 work a 00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:48.240 miracle in 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:48.559 those that 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:49.079 we love, 00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:49.579 who do 00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:50.019 not know 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.680 Jesus yet, 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:51.379 that he 00:31:51.379 --> 00:31:51.839 would change 00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:52.500 that cold 00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:52.839 heart, 00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:54.279 a heart of 00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:54.799 stone to 00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.539 be a heart 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.000 of love 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.759 for the 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:56.940 Lord. 00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:57.420 Let's just 00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:58.940 respond in 00:31:58.940 --> 00:31:59.639 quietness 00:31:59.639 --> 00:32:00.660 before God. 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:28.639 That 00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:33.680 ale