WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.540 I'll turn to you at Micah 4 and 5. 00:00:03.600 --> 00:00:06.200 I should have said next Saturday is the big church clean. 00:00:06.620 --> 00:00:06.200 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:30.379 Doesn't it? 00:00:30.679 --> 00:00:33.140 That God is about to turn the lights out. 00:00:34.299 --> 00:00:35.659 He's about to shut the door. 00:00:37.420 --> 00:00:39.640 Here it is pretty bleak. 00:00:41.980 --> 00:00:44.399 Israel's kind of lowest point. 00:00:46.140 --> 00:00:49.799 And into that context you get this remarkable promise. 00:00:50.719 --> 00:00:53.659 This remarkable prophecy in chapter 5. 00:00:54.079 --> 00:00:57.480 Into this bleak scenario of judgment. 00:00:58.359 --> 00:00:59.460 Down on the nation. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:01.740 God gives a promise. 00:01:03.259 --> 00:01:06.640 Sennacherib is going to come right up to the door of Jerusalem. 00:01:06.780 --> 00:01:08.099 Jerusalem is besieged. 00:01:08.540 --> 00:01:11.980 And in that very bleak and blackness. 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:15.159 God gives this promise of a royal ruler. 00:01:16.039 --> 00:01:19.340 A royal ruler who will bring in God's righteous rule. 00:01:19.640 --> 00:01:22.140 And not just in Israel and in Judah. 00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:24.840 But it will spread throughout the whole of the world. 00:01:27.260 --> 00:01:29.400 We get the leaders we deserve don't we? 00:01:29.400 --> 00:01:33.380 That's been our experience as a country the last kind of 10 years. 00:01:33.379 --> 00:01:38.319 We get the leaders we deserve when we turn away from God. 00:01:39.420 --> 00:01:46.239 But what Micah 4 and 5 tell us is that God is going to send a leader in his grace that we don't deserve. 00:01:48.119 --> 00:01:49.039 We know don't we? 00:01:49.119 --> 00:01:50.739 Standing this side of the New Testament. 00:01:50.859 --> 00:01:51.879 That person is Jesus. 00:01:51.879 --> 00:01:55.519 And I want to call him God's once and future king. 00:01:56.519 --> 00:01:58.799 God's once and future king. 00:01:59.140 --> 00:02:03.000 Who is going to bring in God's now and not yet kingdom. 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:07.239 Are the two things I want us to think about. 00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:11.259 He is God's once and future king. 00:02:11.259 --> 00:02:14.000 Who will bring in God's now and not yet kingdom. 00:02:14.340 --> 00:02:15.919 He is the royal ruler. 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:19.939 Who will bring in God's judgment throughout the whole world. 00:02:21.199 --> 00:02:24.819 And he is God's once and future king. 00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:27.219 Who is going to bring in God's now and not yet kingdom. 00:02:27.219 --> 00:02:30.300 Look what it says in verse 2 of chapter 5. 00:02:32.300 --> 00:02:36.039 You know this because you'll have heard it in Christmas carol service readings. 00:02:36.240 --> 00:02:42.240 But you, O Bethlehem, Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah. 00:02:42.680 --> 00:02:47.479 From you shall come forth for me one who is to be a ruler in Israel. 00:02:47.740 --> 00:02:52.139 Whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 00:02:52.139 --> 00:02:56.399 See that mention of Bethlehem? 00:02:58.739 --> 00:03:01.299 That little town that's hardly on the map. 00:03:02.679 --> 00:03:03.799 There are two Bethlehems. 00:03:03.899 --> 00:03:05.479 That's why it differentiates. 00:03:05.579 --> 00:03:08.179 That's why it says there is Bethlehem Ephrathah. 00:03:08.459 --> 00:03:11.060 He's saying make sure you get the right Bethlehem. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:13.899 Make sure you go to the right place. 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:16.739 It's a tiny little township. 00:03:16.819 --> 00:03:18.899 Five or six miles outside of Jerusalem. 00:03:18.900 --> 00:03:23.420 And the mention of Bethlehem has a kind of ominous ring to it. 00:03:25.140 --> 00:03:29.379 Because the birth of the Messiah takes place in Bethlehem. 00:03:29.480 --> 00:03:32.080 A suburb outside of Jerusalem. 00:03:32.420 --> 00:03:35.259 Not in the heart of the city of David where you'd expect. 00:03:37.500 --> 00:03:38.719 It supposes, doesn't it? 00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:39.939 It gives you and I a hint. 00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:42.500 Why is he born outside the city? 00:03:42.700 --> 00:03:44.580 Not right in the center of the city. 00:03:44.580 --> 00:03:52.180 It's supposing to us that the family of David, they'll no longer be in the position of power. 00:03:52.540 --> 00:03:55.280 They'll no longer be on the throne in Jerusalem. 00:03:56.200 --> 00:03:57.380 They'll have fallen into poverty. 00:03:58.740 --> 00:04:06.380 It's as if the quest for the coming king which the world needs has got to go all the way back to the stump of Jesse. 00:04:06.640 --> 00:04:08.700 It's no longer a great oak. 00:04:08.820 --> 00:04:10.160 It's no longer a great tree. 00:04:10.360 --> 00:04:11.400 It's just a stump. 00:04:11.400 --> 00:04:15.819 And so this little township of Bethlehem. 00:04:18.120 --> 00:04:21.240 There'll be no royal starter kit still available in Jerusalem. 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:23.699 The Davidic dynasty will have been cut off. 00:04:23.959 --> 00:04:29.879 But out of Bethlehem, this little place outside Jerusalem will come God's once and future king. 00:04:30.939 --> 00:04:33.459 Who will bring in God's now and not yet kingdom. 00:04:35.019 --> 00:04:38.460 And so let's look at the now and not yet kingdom first. 00:04:38.459 --> 00:04:42.079 That's the order in which these verses come in chapter 4. 00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:47.180 There are no chapters and verses in the original which make it a little bit difficult to kind of divide up. 00:04:48.379 --> 00:04:52.560 And we're meant to see the contrast between the end of chapter 3 and the start of chapter 4. 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:54.199 And so look at the end of chapter 3. 00:04:56.179 --> 00:04:58.539 Jerusalem, well Zion, God's city. 00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:01.899 The kind of apple of God's eye is going to be ploughed like a field. 00:05:03.519 --> 00:05:04.859 Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins. 00:05:04.860 --> 00:05:11.020 And the mountain of the house, it'll become like a wooded height. 00:05:13.340 --> 00:05:14.100 Just think of that. 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:17.199 The temple mound, it's overgrown with weeds. 00:05:17.460 --> 00:05:19.280 There's moss growing on the rubble. 00:05:21.100 --> 00:05:23.280 But in the last days, verse 4, 00:05:23.580 --> 00:05:25.639 it shall come to pass in the latter days, 00:05:26.840 --> 00:05:28.860 that the mountain of the Lord will be established. 00:05:28.860 --> 00:05:34.740 The mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains. 00:05:34.840 --> 00:05:35.860 It's picture language, isn't it? 00:05:35.900 --> 00:05:39.080 It's saying to you, this mountain is going to grow. 00:05:39.180 --> 00:05:41.060 It's going to grow to the highest mountain there is. 00:05:42.580 --> 00:05:44.400 And so one minute, he says at the end of chapter 3, 00:05:44.460 --> 00:05:45.560 it'll be overgrown with brambles. 00:05:47.900 --> 00:05:49.360 It'll be a complete mess. 00:05:49.480 --> 00:05:50.620 It'll be a heap of ruins. 00:05:50.620 --> 00:05:54.280 But the next minute, it's going to be raised. 00:05:55.800 --> 00:05:59.660 And so that not only the peoples of Israel, 00:05:59.800 --> 00:06:02.220 but all the nations of the world will stream to it. 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:05.959 And what is this all about? 00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:07.000 Well, notice that little phrase. 00:06:07.100 --> 00:06:09.620 Can you see it in verse 1 of chapter 4? 00:06:09.899 --> 00:06:11.120 It's in the latter days. 00:06:13.199 --> 00:06:15.420 This kingdom that is going to come, Micah is saying, 00:06:15.459 --> 00:06:16.300 it's not for now, 00:06:17.300 --> 00:06:18.579 it's for the future. 00:06:18.579 --> 00:06:21.000 It sounds too good to be true. 00:06:22.219 --> 00:06:23.339 Out of the ruins, 00:06:23.560 --> 00:06:24.819 out of the ruins, 00:06:25.219 --> 00:06:27.219 God is actually going to build 00:06:27.219 --> 00:06:29.800 an international, 00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:31.300 universal, 00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:33.139 supernatural kingdom. 00:06:34.899 --> 00:06:35.560 I mean it. 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:36.839 Just look at what it sounds like. 00:06:38.539 --> 00:06:39.899 Look what it says, isn't it? 00:06:41.279 --> 00:06:42.419 It tells us, isn't it, 00:06:42.439 --> 00:06:42.939 in Micah 4, 00:06:43.039 --> 00:06:46.419 that swords will be beaten into plowshares. 00:06:46.420 --> 00:06:50.220 Spears into pruning hooks. 00:06:50.640 --> 00:06:53.680 They're not going to study war no more. 00:06:54.759 --> 00:06:55.560 Their famous verses, 00:06:55.699 --> 00:06:57.560 politicians often quote it without realizing. 00:06:57.699 --> 00:07:00.200 Martin Luther King put them in a famous speech, 00:07:00.300 --> 00:07:00.620 didn't he? 00:07:00.780 --> 00:07:01.759 He used this imagery. 00:07:02.180 --> 00:07:03.300 Swords and spears. 00:07:08.340 --> 00:07:09.420 Farming imagery. 00:07:09.420 --> 00:07:15.000 And so tanks will be turned into tractors, 00:07:15.140 --> 00:07:15.759 Micah's saying. 00:07:17.400 --> 00:07:19.319 Bombs will be turned into bailers. 00:07:20.640 --> 00:07:23.100 Missiles will be turned into milking parlors. 00:07:25.280 --> 00:07:28.740 He's saying there's a beautiful picture coming of a new world. 00:07:28.740 --> 00:07:33.960 If you've seen Lord of the Rings, isn't it? 00:07:34.280 --> 00:07:35.699 The great battles. 00:07:36.600 --> 00:07:38.180 And the battles of Middle Earth. 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:40.100 And the end of the film, 00:07:40.160 --> 00:07:41.240 it ends with them in the shire 00:07:41.240 --> 00:07:42.019 and everything's beautiful. 00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:42.920 That's the picture. 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:44.680 That's why Tolkien got it from him anyways. 00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:50.860 There'll be no more military academies, 00:07:50.960 --> 00:07:52.139 no more terrorist training camps. 00:07:52.220 --> 00:07:53.139 All will be shut down 00:07:53.139 --> 00:07:54.120 because it will be a world 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:55.120 that we will all want to see. 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:57.939 It's universal. 00:07:58.459 --> 00:07:59.120 It's international. 00:07:59.579 --> 00:08:00.759 But it's also individual. 00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:01.959 Can you look at verse 4? 00:08:03.420 --> 00:08:04.000 In verse 4, 00:08:04.939 --> 00:08:06.399 Because they shall sit every man 00:08:06.399 --> 00:08:07.959 under his vine and under his fig tree. 00:08:09.660 --> 00:08:11.060 And no one shall make them afraid. 00:08:11.300 --> 00:08:12.519 It's a picture of security 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:14.079 where people will be unafraid. 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:16.100 You'll leave the locks unlocked. 00:08:16.280 --> 00:08:17.340 The doors unlocked at night. 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:21.459 And all the nations will be there 00:08:21.459 --> 00:08:23.860 and every man will sit under his own fig tree. 00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:24.900 Not only that, 00:08:24.960 --> 00:08:27.460 but the peoples will come streaming up to this. 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:30.220 You ever seen a river going up the mountain? 00:08:32.840 --> 00:08:35.820 Streams don't usually go up mountains, do they? 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:36.360 They don't. 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:39.180 But here's a picture, isn't it? 00:08:39.200 --> 00:08:39.860 The mic is giving you 00:08:39.860 --> 00:08:41.820 of a temple mountain of Jerusalem. 00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:43.620 And the temple mountain is being raised 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:45.180 higher than all the mountains of the earth. 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:47.680 And the nations are streaming towards it. 00:08:47.680 --> 00:08:53.159 And so you can go to central London. 00:08:53.159 --> 00:08:54.439 You can go to New York. 00:08:54.539 --> 00:08:55.179 You can go to Sydney. 00:08:55.339 --> 00:08:55.919 You can go to Beijing. 00:08:56.079 --> 00:08:57.639 And you see this beginning to happen. 00:09:01.079 --> 00:09:03.500 You see it now, today, on the Lord's Day. 00:09:03.500 --> 00:09:07.899 There's a not yet about it, 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:09.000 but it's not happening, isn't it? 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:13.759 This morning, during the hymns, 00:09:13.799 --> 00:09:15.259 I tried to count how many nationalities 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:15.919 are in the church. 00:09:17.639 --> 00:09:20.059 I got to about 40 this morning. 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:21.639 I think, when you include the people 00:09:21.639 --> 00:09:22.419 that aren't here, 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:25.399 it's about 45 nationalities now. 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:28.879 In this little congregation in West London. 00:09:30.500 --> 00:09:31.840 This is what God is doing. 00:09:32.059 --> 00:09:33.639 Now, there's a not yet about it, 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:35.379 but there is a now too, isn't there? 00:09:37.220 --> 00:09:40.519 You see it in the beginnings of John chapter 12. 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:43.340 And this kingdom, there were some Greeks 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:44.559 that came to Jesus, 00:09:44.759 --> 00:09:45.959 and they came with a request. 00:09:46.819 --> 00:09:48.959 They came to Philip of Bethsaida. 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:50.879 They were up in Jerusalem for a visit, 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:51.519 these Greeks. 00:09:52.179 --> 00:09:52.939 And they come to Philip, 00:09:53.019 --> 00:09:53.579 and they say, 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:55.379 Sir, we wish to see Jesus. 00:09:57.220 --> 00:09:58.819 We would like to see Jesus. 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:02.220 It's a great message for preachers, isn't it? 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:03.919 John Stott, when he was given that 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:05.879 weird lectern at all souls, 00:10:06.460 --> 00:10:07.799 engraved on it, 00:10:08.319 --> 00:10:08.740 is saying, 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:09.980 Sir, we wish to see Jesus. 00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:11.299 It should be the message of every serpent. 00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:15.860 And Philip goes to Andrew. 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:17.120 Andrew then goes to Jesus. 00:10:17.799 --> 00:10:19.460 And it's interesting how Jesus responds 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:20.360 to this request, 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:21.600 Sir, we wish to see Jesus. 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:23.480 And Jesus replies to this, 00:10:23.639 --> 00:10:24.240 to these Greeks. 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:24.700 He says, 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:26.600 The hour has come for the Son of Man 00:10:26.600 --> 00:10:27.300 to be glorified. 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:29.820 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:30.820 unless a grain of wheat 00:10:30.820 --> 00:10:32.560 falls into the earth and dies, 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:33.360 it remains alone. 00:10:33.940 --> 00:10:34.519 But if it dies, 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:35.340 it bears much fruit. 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:38.019 And then Jesus goes on 00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:38.940 to speak about his death, 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:39.639 and he says this. 00:10:39.680 --> 00:10:39.899 He says, 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:41.080 Now is the judgment of this world. 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:42.379 Now will the rule of this world 00:10:42.379 --> 00:10:43.100 be cast out. 00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:45.220 And I, when I'm lifted up from the earth, 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:47.300 will draw all men to myself. 00:10:47.299 --> 00:10:50.219 And he said this, 00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:50.779 John says, 00:10:50.839 --> 00:10:53.079 to show what kind of death 00:10:53.079 --> 00:10:53.620 he was going to die. 00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:54.199 Do you see the point? 00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:57.379 It's the beginning of it. 00:10:57.479 --> 00:10:59.079 This is the beginning of the now 00:10:59.079 --> 00:11:00.279 and the not yet kingdom. 00:11:00.620 --> 00:11:01.620 That is the basis 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:02.919 on which the kingdom of God 00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:03.899 is going to be established. 00:11:04.579 --> 00:11:05.459 The death on the cross 00:11:05.459 --> 00:11:06.459 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:09.899 And I am lifted up, 00:11:09.939 --> 00:11:10.479 he says, 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:11.719 with arms outstretched 00:11:11.719 --> 00:11:12.439 on the cross, 00:11:12.479 --> 00:11:14.199 and I will draw all men to myself. 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:15.340 He's talking about people 00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:16.500 from every tribe and tongue 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:17.320 and nation, isn't he? 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:19.980 All peoples to him. 00:11:20.060 --> 00:11:20.200 And so, 00:11:20.400 --> 00:11:21.720 even as we sit in church 00:11:21.720 --> 00:11:22.300 this evening, 00:11:23.180 --> 00:11:25.480 we sit here tonight 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:26.340 and the nations, 00:11:26.460 --> 00:11:27.900 they are streaming up the mountain. 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:30.879 All around the world, 00:11:31.040 --> 00:11:33.160 hundreds of thousands of people 00:11:33.160 --> 00:11:33.940 are becoming Christians 00:11:33.940 --> 00:11:34.900 in places like Africa, 00:11:35.040 --> 00:11:35.860 in Southern America, 00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:36.740 in China, 00:11:37.020 --> 00:11:37.620 places like that. 00:11:37.640 --> 00:11:38.560 It's not happening very much 00:11:38.560 --> 00:11:38.960 in the UK, 00:11:39.280 --> 00:11:40.160 but it is happening. 00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:42.879 And who would have thought 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:44.240 that from that little obscure 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:45.379 little place 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:47.139 that isn't even really 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:47.659 on the map, 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:49.139 Bethlehem of Ephrathah, 00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:51.759 and this son 00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:52.879 of a carpenter 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:54.079 who grew up in Nazareth, 00:11:54.299 --> 00:11:55.199 can anything good 00:11:55.199 --> 00:11:56.079 come out of Nazareth? 00:11:56.419 --> 00:11:57.399 But out of Nazareth 00:11:57.399 --> 00:11:58.339 has come God's ruler, 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:02.139 this once and future king. 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:04.679 And the nations 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:05.579 are streaming to him. 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:09.120 It's now 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:10.520 and it's not yet. 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:13.000 Let me just give you 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:13.759 another example of that 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:14.340 in the Old Testament, 00:12:14.520 --> 00:12:15.020 Matthew 24. 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:16.700 Listen to what Jesus says there 00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:19.080 when he talks very much 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:19.800 about the kind of thing 00:12:19.800 --> 00:12:20.500 that you see 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:22.240 in Micah in Matthew 24. 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:24.840 Jesus says to him, 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:26.100 he's warning his disciples 00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:26.660 and he says, 00:12:27.060 --> 00:12:27.940 see to it that no one 00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:28.720 leads you astray, 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:29.860 no one takes you captive, 00:12:30.280 --> 00:12:31.800 for many will come in my name 00:12:31.800 --> 00:12:32.740 and they'll say, 00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:33.680 I am the Christ 00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:35.719 and they'll lead many people astray 00:12:35.719 --> 00:12:37.139 and you'll hear of wars 00:12:37.139 --> 00:12:38.259 and rumors of wars. 00:12:38.339 --> 00:12:39.239 That's the not yet, 00:12:39.319 --> 00:12:39.639 isn't it? 00:12:41.299 --> 00:12:43.099 That is still the studying of war. 00:12:43.199 --> 00:12:44.359 That is nation rising 00:12:44.359 --> 00:12:45.039 against nation, 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:45.620 Jesus says. 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:46.639 Such things must happen 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:48.079 before the end comes. 00:12:49.579 --> 00:12:50.399 And then he says, 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:52.000 this gospel of the kingdom 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:52.659 will be preached 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:53.739 to all nations. 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:57.199 It'll be proclaimed 00:12:57.199 --> 00:12:58.699 throughout the whole world 00:12:58.699 --> 00:12:59.740 as a testimony 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:00.539 to all nations. 00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:01.319 And then he says, 00:13:01.359 --> 00:13:01.959 the end will come. 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:06.399 You see, 00:13:06.479 --> 00:13:07.639 they haven't beaten 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:08.319 their swords 00:13:08.319 --> 00:13:09.159 into plowshares yet. 00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:12.099 There's still, 00:13:12.179 --> 00:13:12.419 isn't there, 00:13:12.439 --> 00:13:12.639 today, 00:13:12.719 --> 00:13:13.579 nation rising up 00:13:13.579 --> 00:13:14.199 against nation. 00:13:15.239 --> 00:13:15.959 There are wars 00:13:15.959 --> 00:13:16.620 and there are rumors 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:17.139 of wars. 00:13:17.439 --> 00:13:17.979 That is the world 00:13:17.979 --> 00:13:18.500 we live in 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:19.159 on a micro 00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:20.199 and a macro level. 00:13:23.579 --> 00:13:24.659 But in this world 00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:25.259 right now, 00:13:25.359 --> 00:13:26.059 in the ruins 00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:26.779 of the fall, 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:28.839 God is building 00:13:28.839 --> 00:13:29.299 his kingdom. 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:32.159 And God is bringing 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:32.979 in his kingdom 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:33.600 through Jesus. 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:36.240 And that good news 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:37.279 of the kingdom of God 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:37.820 is to be preached 00:13:37.820 --> 00:13:38.779 throughout the world 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:40.440 and it is preached 00:13:40.440 --> 00:13:41.680 as it is preached, 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:43.159 as Jesus is lifted up, 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:44.759 the nations gather 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:45.200 to Jesus. 00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:48.480 And it is happening. 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:53.060 It's not a fairy story. 00:13:55.060 --> 00:13:56.500 The kingdom of God 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.399 is now 00:13:57.399 --> 00:13:59.399 that it is not yet. 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:03.019 See what I'm trying 00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:03.220 to say. 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:03.879 But there's another 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.740 side to this now 00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:05.519 and not yet kingdom. 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:06.399 You see it in the second 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:08.039 half of chapter 4 00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:10.120 and chapter 5. 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:11.439 Let me read you 00:14:11.439 --> 00:14:12.279 from verse 10 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:15.179 of chapter 5. 00:14:15.179 --> 00:14:19.539 In that day, 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:20.299 looking forward, 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:21.199 declares the Lord, 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:21.819 I will cut off 00:14:21.819 --> 00:14:23.279 your horses 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:23.919 from among you 00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:24.620 and I will destroy 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:25.259 your chariots. 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:27.299 I'll cut off 00:14:27.299 --> 00:14:28.219 the cities of your land, 00:14:28.319 --> 00:14:28.839 I'll throw down 00:14:28.839 --> 00:14:29.779 all your strongholds 00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:30.959 and I will cut off 00:14:30.959 --> 00:14:32.179 sorceries from your hand 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:33.099 and you shall have 00:14:33.099 --> 00:14:33.639 no more tellers 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:34.219 of fortunes 00:14:34.219 --> 00:14:35.259 and I will cut off, 00:14:35.319 --> 00:14:36.059 do you see the cut off, 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:37.059 cut off, cut off 00:14:37.059 --> 00:14:38.139 your carved images 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:38.759 and your pillars 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:39.319 from among you 00:14:39.319 --> 00:14:40.459 and you shall bow down 00:14:40.459 --> 00:14:41.279 no more to the work 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:41.719 of your hands 00:14:41.719 --> 00:14:42.799 and I will root out 00:14:42.799 --> 00:14:43.679 your Asherah images 00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:44.399 from among you. 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:45.919 Destroy your cities 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:47.059 and in anger 00:14:47.059 --> 00:14:48.279 and in wrath 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:49.279 I will execute 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:50.939 vengeance on the nations 00:14:50.939 --> 00:14:52.579 that did not obey. 00:14:52.719 --> 00:14:53.279 Why is that? 00:14:55.299 --> 00:14:56.120 What is that? 00:14:58.079 --> 00:14:59.179 It's the other side 00:14:59.179 --> 00:14:59.739 of this kingdom. 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:02.759 The utter destruction 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:04.739 of God's enemies, 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:06.199 everything that opposes him. 00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:10.319 And so you better make sure 00:15:10.319 --> 00:15:11.139 that that's not you. 00:15:13.679 --> 00:15:14.859 Every entity, 00:15:15.219 --> 00:15:16.139 every ology, 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:18.059 every institution, 00:15:18.319 --> 00:15:19.199 every individual 00:15:19.199 --> 00:15:21.259 that stands in opposition 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:21.959 to God 00:15:21.959 --> 00:15:23.519 will ultimately be destroyed. 00:15:23.819 --> 00:15:25.199 Look at verses 11 to 13 00:15:25.199 --> 00:15:26.659 of chapter 4. 00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:31.259 Now many nations 00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:32.199 are assembled against you. 00:15:33.859 --> 00:15:34.459 Sing, 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:35.359 let her be defiled 00:15:35.359 --> 00:15:36.339 and let our eyes gaze 00:15:36.339 --> 00:15:36.919 upon Zion 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:37.879 but they do not know 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:38.819 the thoughts of the Lord. 00:15:38.939 --> 00:15:39.759 They do not understand 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:40.319 his plan 00:15:40.319 --> 00:15:41.379 that he has gathered them 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:41.879 as sheaves 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:42.719 to the threshing floor. 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:43.660 Arise and thrash 00:15:43.660 --> 00:15:44.399 your daughter of Zion. 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:46.820 For I will make 00:15:46.820 --> 00:15:47.620 your horn iron 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:48.220 and I will make 00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:49.100 your hooves bronze 00:15:49.100 --> 00:15:49.920 and you shall beat 00:15:49.920 --> 00:15:51.240 in pieces many peoples 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.160 and should devote 00:15:52.160 --> 00:15:53.220 their gain to the Lord, 00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:54.360 their wealth to the Lord 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:55.480 of the whole earth. 00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:58.379 It's difficult, 00:15:58.480 --> 00:15:59.019 I found it difficult 00:15:59.019 --> 00:15:59.940 this week to get inside 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:00.700 the language of 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:02.019 Micah 4 and 5 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:02.940 and probably you're 00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:03.480 finding that 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:04.500 like I am. 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:06.720 But what it's saying 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.180 to you is this, 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:07.759 it's saying to you 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:09.399 every pocket of resistance 00:16:09.399 --> 00:16:10.759 against the Lord 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.580 will be removed. 00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:18.480 That chap wasn't there, 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:20.539 he died in the late 90s 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:22.720 and he lived 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:24.659 in the jungle 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:25.559 of Guam. 00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:28.500 He couldn't accept 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.279 that the battle 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:29.939 had been lost, 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:30.519 he couldn't accept 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:31.319 that the war 00:16:31.319 --> 00:16:32.159 had been lost 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:32.919 so he stayed 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:34.159 in the jungle of Guam. 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:36.139 He refused to accept it, 00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:36.980 eventually he was discovered 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:37.559 and brought out. 00:16:37.559 --> 00:16:38.839 It wasn't just that 00:16:38.839 --> 00:16:40.979 he didn't know 00:16:40.979 --> 00:16:42.000 that the war was over, 00:16:42.179 --> 00:16:42.919 he did know 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:43.579 that the war was over, 00:16:43.619 --> 00:16:44.419 he just wouldn't accept 00:16:44.419 --> 00:16:45.319 that the war was over. 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:48.739 He wouldn't accept 00:16:48.739 --> 00:16:49.399 that it was over, 00:16:50.839 --> 00:16:52.119 that it was game over. 00:16:54.959 --> 00:16:55.759 It's game over 00:16:55.759 --> 00:16:56.819 if you're opposed to Christ. 00:16:59.739 --> 00:17:00.239 And you say, 00:17:00.299 --> 00:17:01.119 well that's so Old Testament 00:17:01.119 --> 00:17:02.119 again, isn't it? 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:03.539 That's all very, 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:04.159 very Old Testament 00:17:04.159 --> 00:17:04.960 but listen to Jesus, 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:06.159 Jesus in Matthew 13, 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.000 the parable of the weeds. 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:09.579 Just as the weeds 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.000 are gathered 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.900 and burned with fire, 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:11.460 so will it be 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:12.200 at the end of the age. 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:13.119 The Son of Man 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:13.900 will send his angels 00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:14.519 and they will gather 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.079 out of his kingdom 00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:16.240 all causes of sin 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.259 and all lawbreakers 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:18.759 and throw them 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.579 into the fiery furnace 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:20.319 and in that place 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:21.039 there will be weeping 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:21.900 and gnashing of teeth 00:17:21.900 --> 00:17:22.799 and then the righteous 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:24.059 will shine like the sun 00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:24.460 in the kingdom 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.079 of their father. 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.099 He who is ears, 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:26.700 let him hear. 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:29.559 And so can you see 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:30.599 God's righteous rule 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:31.500 will not be established 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.000 until everything 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:33.359 that opposes him 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:33.920 is rooted out 00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:34.380 and destroyed. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:39.220 When God puts out 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:39.799 the rubbish, 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:41.119 make sure you're not 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:41.640 in the bin. 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.299 Paul tells us, 00:17:45.380 --> 00:17:45.599 doesn't it, 00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:46.440 in Romans chapter 8 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:48.200 that the carnal heart, 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:49.440 the sinful mind 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:52.579 is enmity against God. 00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:52.940 Enmity, 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:54.240 it is war against God. 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:58.599 That is natural human nature. 00:17:58.839 --> 00:18:00.220 It is hostile to God. 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:03.900 And you don't go around 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:05.019 dealing with a placard 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:05.299 saying, 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:06.079 I hate God. 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:06.960 I hate God. 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:09.220 You wouldn't do that, 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:09.440 would you? 00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:10.000 You're far, 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:11.240 you're far too civilized 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:11.940 to do that. 00:18:13.660 --> 00:18:14.720 But you can live, 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:15.160 can't you? 00:18:15.360 --> 00:18:16.059 Like I can live 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:16.880 in God's world 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:18.240 like a sullen teenager 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.000 under the roof 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.539 of his parents 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:20.360 taking everything 00:18:20.360 --> 00:18:20.880 for granted, 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.140 living my own 00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:23.339 selfish little life 00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:24.180 pleasing myself. 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:26.460 I'm totally oblivious 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:26.960 to the God 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:28.079 who's created you 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:29.799 and provided for you 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:31.199 and given you a purpose. 00:18:32.419 --> 00:18:33.500 You're an enemy of his. 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:37.240 And you might come to church 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:39.599 but if you've got 00:18:39.599 --> 00:18:40.639 an unconverted heart 00:18:40.639 --> 00:18:42.379 and an unregenerate heart, 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:44.179 you are at war with God. 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:46.859 And the day will come 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:47.639 when it will be game over 00:18:47.639 --> 00:18:48.019 for you. 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:52.019 Now how do we know 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.819 that this is going to happen? 00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:55.759 Because of this great promise. 00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:57.579 Because of something 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.619 in these chapters 00:18:58.619 --> 00:18:59.699 we just can't ignore. 00:19:00.679 --> 00:19:01.819 Something that we can't overlook, 00:19:01.919 --> 00:19:03.079 this marvelous prophecy 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:04.179 about Jesus 00:19:04.179 --> 00:19:05.339 that God is going to 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:06.379 actually send 00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:07.039 from Bethlehem 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:08.359 out of Bethlehem, 00:19:08.399 --> 00:19:09.139 he's going to send 00:19:09.139 --> 00:19:11.039 his once and future king. 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.879 Look at how he's described 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:15.299 in verse 2 of chapter 5. 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:19.379 But you, O Bethlehem of Fratha, 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.199 who are too little 00:19:20.199 --> 00:19:21.619 to be among the clans of Judah, 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.839 from you shall come forth 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:23.199 from me, 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:24.759 one who is to be ruler 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.359 in Israel, 00:19:25.639 --> 00:19:26.559 whose coming forth 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.539 is from of old, 00:19:28.179 --> 00:19:30.019 from ancient days, 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:32.879 whose origins 00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:33.960 are from of old, 00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:37.079 from ancient times. 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.259 That is God's 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.240 once and future king. 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:42.559 It's the stuff, isn't it, 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:43.279 that fairy tales 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:43.899 are made of. 00:19:46.899 --> 00:19:48.119 Those are the words, 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:48.619 aren't they, 00:19:48.679 --> 00:19:50.819 at the end of verse 21, 00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:52.419 that according to the legend 00:19:52.420 --> 00:19:53.460 are written on the tomb 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.140 of King Arthur, 00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:56.519 the ancient king. 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.820 The legend is that 00:19:59.820 --> 00:20:00.480 he will come back, 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:00.820 won't he? 00:20:01.860 --> 00:20:02.840 He'll come back 00:20:02.840 --> 00:20:04.120 and he'll free the Welsh 00:20:04.120 --> 00:20:04.860 from the English. 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:07.100 That's another story. 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:09.620 But on his tomb, 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.560 supposedly lies, 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.380 here lies Arthur, 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:12.600 the once and future king. 00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:15.579 It's really interesting 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:16.319 with fairy stories, 00:20:16.399 --> 00:20:16.679 isn't it? 00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:17.799 Fairy stories don't go 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:18.219 out of fashion. 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.339 You would think they would. 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.500 Fairy stories, 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.480 they kind of make 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:23.980 a comeback, 00:20:24.139 --> 00:20:24.500 don't they? 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.679 They go through 00:20:26.679 --> 00:20:27.399 different generations. 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.299 Now you've got beauty 00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:28.819 and the geek. 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.659 But fairy stories 00:20:30.659 --> 00:20:31.339 don't die out. 00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:34.579 Why don't fairy stories 00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:35.000 die out? 00:20:35.399 --> 00:20:36.459 Why do fairy stories 00:20:36.459 --> 00:20:37.379 have such a powerful 00:20:37.379 --> 00:20:38.539 resonance with us? 00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:41.119 Why have they got 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.879 a hold on us? 00:20:44.379 --> 00:20:45.039 C.S. Lewis 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:46.460 and J.R. Tolkien, 00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:47.000 the guy who wrote 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.420 Lord of the Rings, 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:48.420 they had a famous 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.099 discussion on this 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:49.839 before Lewis 00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:50.599 became a Christian. 00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:52.980 Lewis believed 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:54.159 very much in the myths 00:20:54.159 --> 00:20:55.460 and of legends, 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.599 but there's a kind of 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.500 famous conversation 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.960 before he was converted 00:20:58.960 --> 00:20:59.619 where he explains 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:00.119 to Tolkien 00:21:00.119 --> 00:21:01.579 that he felt 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:03.619 the power of myths 00:21:03.619 --> 00:21:05.259 but ultimately 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.019 they were untrue. 00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:08.519 That's how he put it. 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.879 Myths are lies 00:21:09.879 --> 00:21:10.720 even though they are 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.920 lies breathed 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.539 through silver. 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:14.879 Tolkien said, 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.659 no, you're wrong. 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:18.159 You're wrong, 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:18.659 they're not. 00:21:18.819 --> 00:21:19.359 Tolkien argued 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:20.500 that far from being lies, 00:21:20.639 --> 00:21:21.819 these myths and legends, 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:23.099 they pointed to a deeper truth. 00:21:23.159 --> 00:21:23.639 That's right. 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.720 The fairy stories 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.180 that we were taught, 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.079 they point to an 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:30.240 underlying reality. 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.519 They've got something 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.079 in common, 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:35.460 isn't it? 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:36.299 I think Glenn Scrivener 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.019 did some work on this 00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:37.879 a few years ago. 00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:38.400 You can look at it 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:38.800 on YouTube. 00:21:40.560 --> 00:21:41.580 The fairy stories, 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.460 they point to an 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.400 underlying reality 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:44.260 that this world 00:21:44.260 --> 00:21:45.240 is under the sway 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:45.820 of the devil. 00:21:47.580 --> 00:21:48.720 The prince of this world, 00:21:48.820 --> 00:21:49.640 he keeps the minds 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:50.400 of those who don't 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.060 believe in Jesus. 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:52.340 He keeps them in darkness. 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.700 The whole world 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:54.560 lies in darkness. 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:55.600 That's the reality. 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:56.740 And then along comes 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.600 the dragon slayer 00:21:57.600 --> 00:22:00.460 to usher in the golden age. 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.240 That's the reality. 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:04.859 And this is who the ruler is. 00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:05.940 And the myths 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:07.819 are just shadows of that 00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.480 pointing forward 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.400 to the greater story. 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:12.059 Fairy stories 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:13.460 point us to the true story. 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:16.740 The underlying reality, 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:17.440 which is 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:20.779 in our passage this morning, 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:21.759 this evening, 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:25.599 that he who is from of old, 00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:28.819 he who was in eternity, 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:32.099 the one who was with God 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:33.619 and the one who was God, 00:22:33.879 --> 00:22:35.700 the one who walked with Adam 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.740 in the cool of the day, 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:39.640 the one who spoke with Abraham, 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:42.319 the one who wrestled with Jacob, 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:45.140 the one who appeared to Moses 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:46.059 in the burning bush, 00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:47.779 the one who led the people 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:49.220 through the wilderness 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:50.940 into the promised land. 00:22:51.139 --> 00:22:53.299 That one who is from of old, 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:55.779 from ancient days, 00:22:55.839 --> 00:22:57.740 is God's once and future king. 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.619 Out of you, 00:22:59.919 --> 00:23:00.779 Bethlehem of Fratha, 00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:03.519 will come a ruler 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.679 who is going to usher in 00:23:04.679 --> 00:23:05.899 this incredible kingdom, 00:23:06.179 --> 00:23:07.179 this universal kingdom, 00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:08.279 this international kingdom. 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:11.740 God's righteous reign. 00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:17.599 Look at verse 4. 00:23:17.659 --> 00:23:18.319 What's he going to be like? 00:23:18.379 --> 00:23:19.980 He shall stand and shepherd his flock 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:20.919 in the strength of the Lord. 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:23.599 In the majesty of the name 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:24.440 of the Lord his God, 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.639 and they shall dwell secure. 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:27.539 For now he shall be great 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:29.240 to the ends of the earth. 00:23:32.179 --> 00:23:33.220 No more wolves. 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:36.599 No more wars. 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:39.259 No more predators, 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:40.720 because God is going to raise up 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.599 a shepherd king 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:43.879 that is promised at the end 00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:44.480 of chapter 2. 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:47.079 The shepherd king 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:48.339 who will gather his people 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:49.099 and protect them 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:50.639 and usher in God's righteous rule. 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.659 Let me try and round this up. 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:55.440 Let's go back to the slap. 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.419 Let's go back to the slap 00:23:56.419 --> 00:23:59.159 of chapter 5 in verse 1. 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.399 Can you hear the slap? 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.299 Must be your troops. 00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:06.579 O daughter of troops, 00:24:06.679 --> 00:24:07.599 the siege is laid against us. 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.919 With a rod they strike. 00:24:10.659 --> 00:24:12.059 The judge of Israel on the cheek. 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:13.679 Will they? 00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:16.799 Well actually it never happened. 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:17.519 Never happened. 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:20.160 It didn't happen in Micah's time. 00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:23.660 It did in Jesus' time, 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.720 but never to Hezekiah, 00:24:24.820 --> 00:24:26.320 the king during Micah's reign, 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.580 Micah's time. 00:24:29.060 --> 00:24:30.960 They did slap Jesus across the face, 00:24:31.060 --> 00:24:31.320 didn't they? 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:33.680 But they never slapped King Hezekiah. 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:36.279 And Jeremiah tells us why. 00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:37.320 I showed you this a few weeks ago, 00:24:37.360 --> 00:24:38.500 but in Jeremiah 26, 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:41.180 it's about 100 years after the event, 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:43.759 and Jeremiah is telling what happened 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:45.019 in the time of Micah. 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:50.000 This is what he says in Jeremiah 26, 00:24:50.180 --> 00:24:53.299 and verse 18, 00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:53.960 he says, 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:57.460 tells us that this prophet, 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:59.079 this preacher, Micah, 00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:00.220 he turned up. 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:03.079 A spirit anointed preacher. 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:08.160 And he told all the people of Judah. 00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:10.740 He says, 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:12.620 did Hezekiah king of Judah, 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:14.200 and all Judah put him to death? 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:15.059 Did they kill Micah? 00:25:15.860 --> 00:25:16.960 Did he not fear the Lord, 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:18.120 and entreat the favor of the Lord, 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:19.920 and did not the Lord relent of the disaster 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:21.160 that he pronounced against them? 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.839 That's what happened. 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:26.159 It wasn't actually king, 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.720 it wasn't Sennacherib, 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:30.899 who ransacked Jerusalem to disaster. 00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:32.980 It didn't happen at the time of Micah. 00:25:33.879 --> 00:25:36.699 It was Nebuchadnezzar who came hundreds of years ago, 00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:37.740 and wrecked Jerusalem. 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:39.039 It wasn't the Assyrians, 00:25:39.159 --> 00:25:40.179 it was the Babylonians. 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:42.639 Because when Micah preached, 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.579 when Micah prophesied, 00:25:43.699 --> 00:25:44.259 Hezekiah, 00:25:44.459 --> 00:25:44.819 the king, 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:46.539 heard the message of God. 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:49.259 He heard about God's once and future king. 00:25:49.619 --> 00:25:51.720 He heard about this now and not yet kingdom, 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.880 and he broke his heart, 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.500 and he repented. 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:59.200 Micah chapter 3, verse 8. 00:25:59.279 --> 00:26:01.299 I've not been able to escape this verse this week. 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.779 Micah chapter 3, verse 8. 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.799 I love this verse, 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:06.799 but as for me, 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:08.500 there's a picture there of the loneliness 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.839 of the Old Testament preacher 00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:12.680 in an apostate nation. 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:13.620 He could have joined others, 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.880 he could have preached a popular message, 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:16.759 he could have gone on the conference circuit in America, 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:17.220 but he says, 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:18.140 as for me, 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:20.620 as for me, 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.440 listen to what he says. 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:21.720 He says, 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.500 I'm filled with power, 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.480 with the Spirit of the Lord, 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:24.400 with justice and might, 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:26.480 to declare to Jacob his transgression, 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.480 and to Israel his sin. 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:28.980 He says, 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.680 as for me, 00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:32.460 I can't preach what you want me to preach. 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:35.120 I can't give you what you want to hear. 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:36.180 I'm not free to do that. 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:37.380 And so here is a man, 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.100 the prophet Micah, 00:26:38.120 --> 00:26:39.940 who's controlled by the Spirit of God, 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.160 by the Spirit of Jesus. 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:45.500 The Spirit that proceeds from the Father and the Son. 00:26:48.120 --> 00:26:49.380 Do you remember what Jesus said? 00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:49.600 He said, 00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:50.560 when the Spirit comes, 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:52.960 what will the Spirit do when the Spirit is poured out? 00:26:53.020 --> 00:26:53.500 What will he do? 00:26:53.540 --> 00:26:55.820 He'll convict the world of sin and judgment and righteousness. 00:26:59.120 --> 00:27:00.620 That's what these chapters are about in Micah, 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:00.920 aren't they? 00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:03.860 As Micah stood up, 00:27:03.900 --> 00:27:06.060 he must have been one of the most unpopular men of his day. 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:10.119 And when Micah stood up, 00:27:10.159 --> 00:27:11.259 as for me, 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.859 and the Spirit of God took hold of him, 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:16.279 and the Spirit of Jesus, 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:18.079 God's righteous ruler, 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:20.679 the Spirit of Jesus comes into King Hezekiah's court. 00:27:22.659 --> 00:27:24.980 Because Hezekiah was one of those corrupt rulers 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:26.659 that we heard about last week in chapter 3. 00:27:28.139 --> 00:27:31.099 And the Spirit of Jesus comes through the preaching of Micah 00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:33.699 into the very throne room of God, 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:35.199 and Hezekiah repents. 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.219 He's convicted of sin. 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.899 And the Holy Spirit, 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:42.179 through this preacher, 00:27:42.419 --> 00:27:42.839 Micah, 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:48.619 paints this beautiful picture 00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:51.480 of what God's righteous and loving rule looks like. 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:54.220 And he says, 00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:56.779 the kingdom that all humanity longs for 00:27:56.779 --> 00:28:00.039 is found in God's once and forever King. 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:03.759 And we think it'll never happen, 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:06.480 but Micah gives us a vision of God's righteousness. 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:09.720 And through the Spirit-anointed preaching of Micah, 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:11.759 Hezekiah gets a taste of judgment to come. 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:15.380 And he's warned, isn't he, 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:18.599 that if God's King is going to come, 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:20.819 every kingdom opposed to it will be crushed. 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.599 And so Hezekiah repents. 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.160 He repents. 00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:26.400 And revival. 00:28:28.380 --> 00:28:29.319 Revival comes to Judah. 00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:31.240 You can read about it in the historical books. 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:34.779 Same thing that happened in Nineveh, isn't it? 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:35.960 Jonah's a much more popular, 00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:37.740 much more well-known story. 00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:40.380 And Jonah comes to Nineveh, 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:42.180 and he calls on them to repent. 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:44.360 And they did, and there was repentance. 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.640 Right from the king's palace, 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:48.019 down to the streets of Nineveh. 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:49.620 And God relented, 00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.860 and God saved a pagan nation. 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:55.039 And I think that's what London needs, isn't it? 00:28:57.099 --> 00:29:00.000 God needs Spirit-anointed preaching 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:03.319 about Jesus to convict the world of sin. 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:07.879 To give a vision of this now and not yet king. 00:29:09.399 --> 00:29:11.939 To warn people that if you do not get into this kingdom 00:29:11.939 --> 00:29:14.159 through faith in Jesus Christ, 00:29:14.939 --> 00:29:16.359 you will be utterly devastated. 00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:19.319 And so let me ask you, 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:19.899 who's your ruler? 00:29:19.939 --> 00:29:19.980 Who's your ruler? 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:24.819 We get the rulers we deserve. 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:29.259 But God is promising through Micah 4 and 5, 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:30.439 a ruler that you don't deserve. 00:29:31.879 --> 00:29:32.720 Is he your ruler? 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:36.819 I read a lovely little story about Martin Luther. 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:40.500 Martin Luther had a friend called Philip Malanthon. 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.419 They were both reformers. 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:44.879 Luther was just full, boisterous, 00:29:44.939 --> 00:29:46.019 not particularly sensitive. 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:49.180 Melanthon was gentle, 00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:51.059 timid. 00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:55.240 Luther didn't suffer from anxiety. 00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:56.500 He probably could have done with suffering 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.440 from a bit more anxiety. 00:29:57.639 --> 00:29:59.960 But Melanthon really suffered from anxiety, 00:30:00.119 --> 00:30:00.400 worried. 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.799 He used to have panic attacks. 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:05.700 Not that they were called that back then. 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.839 He worried about everything. 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:09.359 And the story goes that Luther came, 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:11.479 and he would put his hands on Philip's shoulders 00:30:11.479 --> 00:30:12.939 and he would say to him, 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:16.379 let Philip cease to rule the world. 00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:20.759 Let Philip cease to rule the world. 00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:24.159 That's all I want to say to you tonight. 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:26.119 Some of us are chronic worriers, aren't they? 00:30:26.119 --> 00:30:26.579 I am a worrier. 00:30:28.879 --> 00:30:31.379 I think I know how the universe has got to work. 00:30:32.139 --> 00:30:34.240 I think I know how history is going to play out. 00:30:35.699 --> 00:30:38.119 I think I know how life has got to happen 00:30:38.119 --> 00:30:39.179 for me and for us. 00:30:39.340 --> 00:30:39.920 No, I don't. 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:44.180 Stop pretending that I rule the world 00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:47.200 and hand it over to the Lord Jesus 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:48.100 and let him rule. 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:51.259 Let him rule the universe. 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.400 Let him rule your world. 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:54.080 Let him rock your world. 00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:59.580 Because he will bring in his now and not yet kingdom. 00:31:01.580 --> 00:31:03.960 Who's going to make the nations study war no more? 00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:06.480 Who's going to make the nations 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:08.960 to beat their swords into plowshares? 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:09.400 As politicians, 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.799 we know that's not going to happen. 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:13.160 Only Jesus can do that. 00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.680 And he will only do it 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:16.980 through his spirit-empowered preaching 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:17.720 of the gospel. 00:31:17.880 --> 00:31:18.240 Let's pray. 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:18.279 Let's pray. 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:18.279 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:18.279 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:18.059 Let's pray. 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.059 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.259 pray.