WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.600 So, what is happening in the world? 00:00:07.660 --> 00:00:09.919 Is Britain leaving or staying? 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:12.320 Are we going to get another referendum? 00:00:15.300 --> 00:00:23.320 Will Russia engage in war with the rest of Europe as they provoke Ukraine? 00:00:24.039 --> 00:00:25.280 And what about Iran? 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:30.160 Will they become a world power as they develop their nuclear weapons? 00:00:31.960 --> 00:00:34.960 And what about the wars in Yemen and Syria? 00:00:36.060 --> 00:00:41.160 It seems that the conflicts there are getting worse, not better. 00:00:42.299 --> 00:00:47.760 Or what about the thousands of people that are waiting on the Mexican-US border? 00:00:47.760 --> 00:00:54.200 Or the tens of thousands around the world without homes? 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:57.240 Or the 10,000 homeless people in this country? 00:00:58.080 --> 00:01:04.159 Turn on any news program and you will not be short on opinion or solution. 00:01:06.020 --> 00:01:09.280 What in the world is happening? 00:01:10.719 --> 00:01:17.400 Well, 1 Kings chapter 15 to 16 show us what is happening in the world. 00:01:17.400 --> 00:01:27.640 These two chapters cover roughly 60 years and introduce us to no less than eight different kings. 00:01:28.420 --> 00:01:31.200 But this is no chronicle of events. 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:34.560 This is history from God's perspective. 00:01:35.060 --> 00:01:38.580 What we see here is not isolated to the past. 00:01:38.579 --> 00:01:44.120 Rather, it is a picture that speaks about the present. 00:01:45.679 --> 00:01:52.239 1 Kings 15 to 16 shows us what is going on in the world. 00:01:53.519 --> 00:02:00.620 Three things we see that are going on in the world from our text this morning. 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:06.379 First, we see that the world is in dark decline. 00:02:06.379 --> 00:02:15.560 Sociologists will tell us that we are brighter, faster, stronger than at any other point in history. 00:02:17.159 --> 00:02:19.419 But that's not how God sees it. 00:02:21.019 --> 00:02:29.240 After Solomon died, as we were looking at in the last couple of weeks, the great kingdom divided into two. 00:02:29.240 --> 00:02:39.340 We had Jeroboam, who was the king of Israel in the north, and Rehoboam, the king in the south, which was Judah. 00:02:40.820 --> 00:02:47.040 Their relationship is summarized in chapter 14, verse 30. 00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:49.560 Have a look at chapter 14, verse 30. 00:02:50.020 --> 00:02:56.060 There was continual warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam. 00:02:56.060 --> 00:03:00.580 And that seems to set the tone for what's to come. 00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:03.300 Another eight kings follow. 00:03:03.780 --> 00:03:09.140 And if you just look at the headings, just to get an idea of where we're going, 00:03:09.319 --> 00:03:11.319 we've got two kings in Judah. 00:03:11.879 --> 00:03:14.219 Abijah, king of Judah, chapter 15. 00:03:14.860 --> 00:03:17.560 Next heading down, we've got Asa, king of Judah. 00:03:17.560 --> 00:03:22.099 And then we've got six consecutive kings in Israel. 00:03:23.180 --> 00:03:31.520 All the way through from Nabab, all the way to Ahab at the end of chapter 16. 00:03:32.180 --> 00:03:37.199 And it's a history that spirals into dark decline. 00:03:38.759 --> 00:03:42.640 Abijah, the first king that we meet in chapter 15, 00:03:42.639 --> 00:03:47.519 is king for three war-torn years. 00:03:50.059 --> 00:03:54.339 Nadab, the first king of Israel, well, he only lasts two years, 00:03:54.959 --> 00:03:57.939 having been knocked off by internal rivalry. 00:03:59.939 --> 00:04:02.279 Elah, which we meet in chapter 16, 00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:05.500 he seems to spend most of his time getting drunk, 00:04:05.500 --> 00:04:09.439 and lasts only two years, disposed by a military coup. 00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:13.180 And after him, we meet Zimri. 00:04:13.819 --> 00:04:16.240 He only manages seven days. 00:04:16.980 --> 00:04:21.360 And rather be overthrown, he decides to set himself on fire. 00:04:22.639 --> 00:04:25.680 It's hardly peaceful or stable. 00:04:26.720 --> 00:04:28.519 Instead of things getting better, 00:04:29.120 --> 00:04:31.240 they appear to be getting worse. 00:04:32.259 --> 00:04:35.339 Look at how it is summarised for us at the end. 00:04:35.339 --> 00:04:38.079 Chapter 16, verse 25. 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:49.800 But Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord, 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:54.639 and sinned more than all those before him. 00:04:55.220 --> 00:04:56.959 And if that was bad enough, 00:04:57.600 --> 00:04:59.459 just have a look down at verse 30. 00:05:00.819 --> 00:05:02.259 The next king. 00:05:02.259 --> 00:05:08.819 Ahab, son of Omri, did more evil in the eyes of the Lord 00:05:08.819 --> 00:05:11.879 than any of those before him. 00:05:12.719 --> 00:05:13.620 Verse 33. 00:05:14.259 --> 00:05:16.719 Ahab also made an Asherah pole 00:05:16.719 --> 00:05:20.219 and did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, 00:05:20.300 --> 00:05:21.180 the God of Israel, 00:05:21.480 --> 00:05:25.339 than did all the kings of Israel before him. 00:05:25.339 --> 00:05:29.779 You see, the pattern of man is not onwards and upwards, 00:05:30.579 --> 00:05:33.739 but backwards and downwards. 00:05:34.699 --> 00:05:38.179 The world is in dark decline. 00:05:39.439 --> 00:05:42.319 You see, we can take great pride in our achievements. 00:05:43.439 --> 00:05:45.379 If you've been watching the news, 00:05:45.479 --> 00:05:48.099 we can now send robots to planet Mars, 00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:50.920 225 million kilometres away. 00:05:51.900 --> 00:05:55.540 Driverless cars are no longer the stuff of science fiction. 00:05:56.320 --> 00:05:58.460 We've conducted organ transplants 00:05:58.460 --> 00:06:00.280 and limb replacements. 00:06:01.340 --> 00:06:03.200 In the past 100 years, 00:06:03.320 --> 00:06:05.660 the average life expectancy of the world 00:06:05.660 --> 00:06:09.040 has gone from 31 to 71. 00:06:10.040 --> 00:06:11.879 We've developed electricity, 00:06:12.640 --> 00:06:13.920 skyscrapers, 00:06:13.920 --> 00:06:15.199 we have the internet. 00:06:15.780 --> 00:06:18.580 We are better educated and more sophisticated 00:06:18.580 --> 00:06:22.379 than ever before in all of history. 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:26.080 But let's think again. 00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:28.140 In Yemen, 00:06:29.100 --> 00:06:31.980 130 children die every day 00:06:31.980 --> 00:06:34.540 due to the ongoing war. 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:37.360 Of the 28 population, 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:40.060 28 million population of that country, 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:43.680 3.5 million have had to flee their homes. 00:06:44.379 --> 00:06:46.580 Just try and get that into your head. 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:48.439 In Syria, 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:52.120 almost 500,000 have died 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:54.100 or are presumed dead 00:06:54.100 --> 00:06:57.500 due to the genocide that is taking place there. 00:06:58.460 --> 00:07:00.600 Over half the population, 00:07:01.660 --> 00:07:04.100 that is 11 million people, 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:07.500 have been displaced from their own homes. 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:09.740 Today, 00:07:10.259 --> 00:07:14.519 40.3 million live in various forms of slavery, 00:07:15.259 --> 00:07:16.160 bonded labour, 00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:18.160 sex trafficking, 00:07:18.959 --> 00:07:19.980 forced marriages, 00:07:21.220 --> 00:07:22.620 children as young as eight. 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:26.500 2.3 billion 00:07:26.500 --> 00:07:29.680 of the world's population 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:33.100 have no access to basic sanitation, 00:07:33.100 --> 00:07:37.580 which results in 5.5 million children 00:07:37.580 --> 00:07:39.560 under the age of five 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:40.700 every year 00:07:40.700 --> 00:07:42.900 dying from preventable disease. 00:07:44.280 --> 00:07:47.720 The world is in dark decline. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:50.240 Rather than getting better, 00:07:51.080 --> 00:07:52.820 we are getting worse. 00:07:53.860 --> 00:07:56.200 How did it get to be like this? 00:07:56.199 --> 00:08:00.039 It seems that we follow on this same pattern. 00:08:00.599 --> 00:08:02.939 We just do more and more evil 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:05.399 in the eyes of the Lord. 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:08.279 Well, we're given two reasons 00:08:08.279 --> 00:08:11.579 as to why this dark decline. 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:12.860 First, 00:08:13.879 --> 00:08:15.199 worthless idols. 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:17.800 Go back to chapter 14. 00:08:17.919 --> 00:08:18.539 The problem 00:08:18.539 --> 00:08:20.779 stems 00:08:20.779 --> 00:08:23.419 from the worship 00:08:23.419 --> 00:08:24.379 of idols. 00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:26.599 So, in chapter 14, 00:08:26.679 --> 00:08:27.359 verse 9, 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:28.319 Abijah, 00:08:28.599 --> 00:08:29.199 the prophet, 00:08:30.199 --> 00:08:31.419 is speaking to 00:08:31.419 --> 00:08:32.299 Jeroboam, 00:08:32.919 --> 00:08:34.480 who is king of Israel, 00:08:34.579 --> 00:08:35.480 and he says to him, 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:36.059 verse 9, 00:08:36.159 --> 00:08:37.679 you have done more evil 00:08:37.679 --> 00:08:39.579 than all who lived 00:08:39.579 --> 00:08:40.459 before you. 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:42.980 You have made for yourself 00:08:42.980 --> 00:08:44.059 other gods, 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:46.259 idols made of metal. 00:08:46.259 --> 00:08:47.819 You have aroused my anger 00:08:47.819 --> 00:08:49.500 and turned your back on me. 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:52.820 Idols are God's substitutes. 00:08:53.720 --> 00:08:54.879 We remove God 00:08:54.879 --> 00:08:56.179 and we replace God 00:08:56.179 --> 00:08:57.600 with our own gods. 00:08:58.179 --> 00:08:58.860 In other words, 00:08:58.919 --> 00:09:00.679 as it says at the end of verse 14, 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:03.559 you've turned your back on me. 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:04.960 The God who made us, 00:09:05.059 --> 00:09:06.240 the God who loves us, 00:09:06.539 --> 00:09:07.960 who's designed us, 00:09:09.179 --> 00:09:11.279 and has put this universe together, 00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:13.179 has been pushed out. 00:09:14.039 --> 00:09:15.899 We decide what is best 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:17.860 and what is right for us. 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:19.159 In our ignorance, 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:21.299 we think we can run our lives 00:09:21.299 --> 00:09:22.759 in the world without God. 00:09:24.120 --> 00:09:25.639 But look at how the author 00:09:25.639 --> 00:09:28.459 describes our God replacements. 00:09:29.579 --> 00:09:30.779 Chapter 16, 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:32.439 the end of verse 13, 00:09:34.539 --> 00:09:36.279 they're described as 00:09:36.279 --> 00:09:38.779 worthless idols. 00:09:38.779 --> 00:09:39.779 idols. 00:09:39.779 --> 00:09:40.779 Idols. 00:09:40.779 --> 00:09:41.779 Idols. 00:09:41.779 --> 00:09:52.480 The gods that we replace 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:54.159 the true God with 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:55.000 are empty 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:56.480 and powerless. 00:09:57.159 --> 00:09:57.819 Worthless. 00:09:57.820 --> 00:10:00.760 despite all of these kings 00:10:00.760 --> 00:10:02.580 coming to power 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:03.760 and their kingship 00:10:03.760 --> 00:10:04.960 over great nations, 00:10:06.060 --> 00:10:06.780 well, what happens? 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:08.120 All the kings died 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:09.340 and they're just replaced 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:10.340 by another king. 00:10:10.660 --> 00:10:12.620 All that they managed to gain, 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:14.379 all their conquering of lands 00:10:14.379 --> 00:10:15.520 and of great wealth 00:10:15.520 --> 00:10:16.580 that they put together, 00:10:16.780 --> 00:10:18.600 all get stripped away 00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:20.120 and it's all passed on 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:21.000 to somebody else. 00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:22.100 In fact, 00:10:23.420 --> 00:10:24.379 with each king, 00:10:25.440 --> 00:10:27.019 the kingdom they leave 00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:29.180 is in a worse state 00:10:29.180 --> 00:10:31.180 than which they received it. 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:32.440 You see, 00:10:32.580 --> 00:10:33.940 replacing God 00:10:33.940 --> 00:10:35.519 will never ever 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:36.600 make the world 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:38.100 a better place. 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:39.960 It only leads 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:40.879 to dark 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:42.000 decline. 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:44.840 But there's another reason 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:45.480 apart from 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:46.480 worthless idols 00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:47.059 and that is 00:10:47.059 --> 00:10:48.720 this futile legacy. 00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:51.080 Jeroboam's legacy 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:51.740 was clear. 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:52.899 It did not end well. 00:10:53.200 --> 00:10:54.000 He started 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:55.159 this whole pattern 00:10:55.159 --> 00:10:56.379 of setting up 00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:57.139 other gods. 00:10:58.340 --> 00:10:59.679 But it doesn't seem 00:10:59.679 --> 00:11:00.340 to stop 00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:01.620 his successors. 00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:03.179 So look at 00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:04.039 chapter 15 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:05.139 verse 25. 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:11.100 Nadab, 00:11:11.100 --> 00:11:12.620 son of Jeroboam, 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:14.320 became king of Israel 00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:15.300 in the second year 00:11:15.300 --> 00:11:15.980 of Asa, 00:11:16.100 --> 00:11:16.779 king of Judah 00:11:16.779 --> 00:11:17.820 and he reigned 00:11:17.820 --> 00:11:18.480 over Israel 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:19.480 for two years. 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:21.120 What was he like? 00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:21.460 Well, 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:22.180 he did evil 00:11:22.180 --> 00:11:22.779 in the eyes 00:11:22.779 --> 00:11:23.360 of the Lord. 00:11:24.060 --> 00:11:25.460 Following the ways 00:11:25.460 --> 00:11:26.420 of his father 00:11:26.420 --> 00:11:27.659 and committing 00:11:27.659 --> 00:11:29.060 the same sin 00:11:29.060 --> 00:11:29.800 his father 00:11:29.800 --> 00:11:30.440 had caused 00:11:30.440 --> 00:11:31.659 Israel to commit. 00:11:33.980 --> 00:11:34.840 Would things 00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:35.420 get better? 00:11:35.540 --> 00:11:35.740 Well, 00:11:35.820 --> 00:11:37.000 look at verse 34. 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:39.000 Here we're 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:39.899 introduced to 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:40.279 Basha. 00:11:41.100 --> 00:11:42.820 the next king. 00:11:43.180 --> 00:11:44.379 And he did evil 00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:45.060 in the eyes 00:11:45.060 --> 00:11:45.580 of the Lord 00:11:45.580 --> 00:11:46.940 following the ways 00:11:46.940 --> 00:11:47.820 of Jeroboam 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:48.639 who committed 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:49.639 the same sin 00:11:49.639 --> 00:11:50.519 Jeroboam had 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:51.279 caused Israel 00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:51.940 to commit. 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:54.300 And we can read on 00:11:54.300 --> 00:11:55.240 chapter 16 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:56.259 verse 19. 00:11:58.180 --> 00:11:59.120 Here we have 00:11:59.120 --> 00:11:59.600 Zimri. 00:11:59.600 --> 00:11:59.700 Zimri. 00:12:01.320 --> 00:12:02.680 And he committed 00:12:02.680 --> 00:12:03.800 evil. 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:04.980 Doing evil 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:05.659 in the eyes 00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:06.200 of the Lord 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:06.820 and following 00:12:06.820 --> 00:12:07.379 the ways 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:08.259 of Jeroboam 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:08.820 and committing 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:10.060 the same sin 00:12:10.060 --> 00:12:11.240 Jeroboam had 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:12.060 caused Israel 00:12:12.060 --> 00:12:12.759 to commit. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:14.360 And if we 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:14.960 haven't quite 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:15.800 put it together, 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:16.920 look at Ahab 00:12:16.920 --> 00:12:17.480 at the end 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:18.620 of chapter 16 00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:19.500 verse 31. 00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:22.279 He not only 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:23.059 considered it 00:12:23.059 --> 00:12:23.759 trivial to 00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:24.559 commit the sins 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:25.360 of Jeroboam 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:26.059 son of Nebat, 00:12:26.320 --> 00:12:27.159 but he also 00:12:27.159 --> 00:12:28.259 married Jezebel, 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:29.399 daughter of 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:30.120 Ethbaal, 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:31.080 king of the 00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:31.799 Sidonians, 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:32.539 and he began 00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:33.179 to serve 00:12:33.179 --> 00:12:33.759 Baal 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:34.899 and worship 00:12:34.899 --> 00:12:35.720 him. 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:37.840 Not only 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:38.940 is it sad, 00:12:39.779 --> 00:12:40.740 it is so, 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:41.960 so tragic. 00:12:42.820 --> 00:12:43.480 They could 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:44.400 not see 00:12:44.400 --> 00:12:45.720 the tragedy 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:46.680 of the sin 00:12:46.680 --> 00:12:47.379 of their 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.560 fathers and 00:12:48.560 --> 00:12:48.960 they just 00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:49.940 followed blindly 00:12:49.940 --> 00:12:50.980 down the same 00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:52.560 tragic path. 00:12:54.180 --> 00:12:54.660 And isn't 00:12:54.660 --> 00:12:55.200 that what we 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:55.620 just see 00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:56.259 happening in 00:12:56.259 --> 00:12:56.740 our world 00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:57.200 today? 00:12:57.680 --> 00:12:58.400 Generation 00:12:58.400 --> 00:12:59.780 after generation 00:12:59.780 --> 00:13:01.060 walking down 00:13:01.060 --> 00:13:02.200 the same path. 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:03.800 Doing what 00:13:03.800 --> 00:13:04.639 their fathers 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:05.340 have done. 00:13:06.060 --> 00:13:06.759 Removing 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:07.379 God and 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:08.480 replacing God 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:09.320 with our own 00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:10.060 laws and our 00:13:10.060 --> 00:13:10.840 own desires. 00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:11.720 As a 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:12.300 society, 00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:12.980 we've moved 00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:13.820 on from God. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:14.620 We've been 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:14.899 there, 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:15.500 we've done 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:15.840 that, 00:13:16.040 --> 00:13:16.560 and we are 00:13:16.560 --> 00:13:17.279 not going 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:17.879 back. 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:20.379 After all, 00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:20.840 we know 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:21.620 what's best, 00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:22.220 don't we? 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:23.899 We know 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:24.560 how to make 00:13:24.560 --> 00:13:25.120 the world 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:25.820 good and 00:13:25.820 --> 00:13:26.279 beautiful. 00:13:27.160 --> 00:13:27.720 We have 00:13:27.720 --> 00:13:28.720 wonderful things 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:29.600 like abortion 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:31.660 and euthanasia 00:13:31.660 --> 00:13:34.259 and drone 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:35.980 missiles 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:37.040 bombing at 00:13:37.040 --> 00:13:37.340 will. 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:39.300 What a 00:13:39.300 --> 00:13:39.899 good and 00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:40.860 beautiful world 00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:41.279 we have 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:41.680 made. 00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:44.240 be careful 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:46.019 of worthless 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:46.980 idols, 00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:49.220 their futile 00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:49.920 legacy. 00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:51.560 It leaves 00:13:51.560 --> 00:13:52.139 the world 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:52.759 broken 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:54.540 and destroyed. 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:58.339 so as we 00:13:58.339 --> 00:13:58.839 look at 00:13:58.839 --> 00:13:59.719 1 Kings 00:13:59.719 --> 00:14:00.559 15 and 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:01.039 16, 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:01.779 we see 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:02.240 what is 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:02.579 happening 00:14:02.579 --> 00:14:02.919 in the 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:03.199 world. 00:14:03.339 --> 00:14:03.699 There's a 00:14:03.699 --> 00:14:04.000 dark 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:04.639 decline, 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:06.439 but we 00:14:06.439 --> 00:14:07.319 also see 00:14:07.319 --> 00:14:07.899 that there 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:08.360 is a 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:08.860 sovereign 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:09.679 Lord. 00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:12.439 The author 00:14:12.439 --> 00:14:13.120 carefully 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:13.899 recounts 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:14.759 history for 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.159 us. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:16.500 We're just 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:17.299 taking kind 00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:17.579 of some 00:14:17.579 --> 00:14:18.319 big themes 00:14:18.319 --> 00:14:18.679 out of 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:19.360 these chapters, 00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:19.879 so we're 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:21.120 going backwards 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:21.759 and forwards, 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.539 keep with 00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:22.799 me. 00:14:23.439 --> 00:14:24.059 So chapter 00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:24.620 15, 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:25.399 verse 1, 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:28.720 in the 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:29.620 18th year 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:29.960 of the 00:14:29.960 --> 00:14:30.399 reign of 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.120 Jeroboam, 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:31.600 son of 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.080 Nebat, 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:33.039 Abijah 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:33.899 became king 00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:34.439 of Judah. 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:36.659 Verse 8, 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:38.819 and Abijah 00:14:38.819 --> 00:14:39.559 rested with 00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:40.319 his ancestors 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:40.759 and was 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:41.279 buried in 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:41.679 the city 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:42.179 of David 00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:42.719 and Asa, 00:14:42.819 --> 00:14:43.199 his son, 00:14:43.299 --> 00:14:43.740 succeeded 00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:44.219 him as 00:14:44.219 --> 00:14:44.500 king. 00:14:45.579 --> 00:14:46.459 Verse 9, 00:14:46.959 --> 00:14:47.539 in the 00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:47.980 twentieth 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:48.419 year of 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:48.959 Jeroboam, 00:14:49.059 --> 00:14:49.379 king of 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:49.759 Israel, 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:50.719 Asa 00:14:50.719 --> 00:14:51.500 became king 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.019 of Judah. 00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:54.759 Verse 24, 00:14:55.839 --> 00:14:56.659 then Asa 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:57.299 rested with 00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:58.100 his ancestors 00:14:58.100 --> 00:14:58.539 and he 00:14:58.539 --> 00:14:59.019 was buried 00:14:59.019 --> 00:14:59.459 with them 00:14:59.459 --> 00:14:59.740 in the 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:00.139 city of 00:15:00.139 --> 00:15:00.600 his father 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.039 David. 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:03.220 Chapter 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:03.879 16, 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:04.579 verse 8, 00:15:04.580 --> 00:15:06.320 In the 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:07.139 twenty-sixth 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:07.540 year of 00:15:07.540 --> 00:15:07.860 Asa, 00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:08.280 king of 00:15:08.280 --> 00:15:08.580 Judah, 00:15:08.780 --> 00:15:09.100 Elah, 00:15:09.220 --> 00:15:09.580 son of 00:15:09.580 --> 00:15:09.879 Basha, 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:10.580 became king 00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:11.000 of Israel 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:11.420 and he 00:15:11.420 --> 00:15:12.000 reigned in 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:12.440 Tirzah 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:12.920 for two 00:15:12.920 --> 00:15:13.340 years. 00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:15.940 Verse 14, 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:17.320 As for the 00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:18.000 other events 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:18.620 of Elah's 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:19.040 reign and 00:15:19.040 --> 00:15:19.400 all he 00:15:19.400 --> 00:15:19.700 did, 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:20.680 are they 00:15:20.680 --> 00:15:21.200 not written 00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:21.560 in the 00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:22.580 books of 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:23.180 the annals 00:15:23.180 --> 00:15:23.540 of the 00:15:23.540 --> 00:15:24.340 kings of 00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:24.800 Israel? 00:15:25.800 --> 00:15:26.620 I think 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:27.139 we get the 00:15:27.139 --> 00:15:27.800 pattern here, 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:28.280 don't we? 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.860 Kings come 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:31.620 and kings 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.020 go. 00:15:33.160 --> 00:15:33.840 They live 00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:35.100 and they 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:35.519 die. 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:36.780 But their 00:15:36.780 --> 00:15:37.800 rise and 00:15:37.800 --> 00:15:38.620 their fall 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.980 are all 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:41.220 overseen 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:42.280 by the 00:15:42.280 --> 00:15:42.759 sovereign 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:43.340 Lord. 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:45.139 First 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:45.680 ruling 00:15:45.680 --> 00:15:46.220 word. 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:49.139 While kings 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:49.860 plot and 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.360 plan, 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:52.560 God 00:15:52.560 --> 00:15:53.560 rules. 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:55.040 Look at 00:15:55.040 --> 00:15:55.580 what God 00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:56.180 says to 00:15:56.180 --> 00:15:56.940 Jeroboam 00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:58.000 through the 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:58.480 prophet 00:15:58.480 --> 00:15:59.500 Ahijah 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:00.460 back in 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.440 chapter 14. 00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:03.180 God has 00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:03.580 seen, 00:16:04.280 --> 00:16:04.780 God has 00:16:04.780 --> 00:16:05.520 watched as 00:16:05.520 --> 00:16:06.220 Jeroboam 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:06.680 has done 00:16:06.680 --> 00:16:07.060 his own 00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:07.300 thing. 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:07.960 He has 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:08.500 seen the 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.080 evil he 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:09.520 has done 00:16:09.520 --> 00:16:10.680 by making 00:16:10.680 --> 00:16:11.280 up these 00:16:11.280 --> 00:16:11.760 God 00:16:11.760 --> 00:16:12.540 replacements 00:16:12.540 --> 00:16:14.100 and God 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:14.560 has something 00:16:14.560 --> 00:16:15.240 to say to 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:15.460 him. 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:16.460 Verse 14, 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:18.460 chapter 14, 00:16:19.820 --> 00:16:20.560 The Lord 00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:21.200 will raise 00:16:21.200 --> 00:16:21.620 up for 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.320 himself a 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:22.860 king over 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.960 Israel who 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:24.520 will cut 00:16:24.520 --> 00:16:24.980 off the 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.620 family of 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.380 Jeroboam. 00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:27.760 Even now 00:16:27.760 --> 00:16:28.180 this is 00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:28.760 beginning to 00:16:28.760 --> 00:16:29.140 happen. 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:30.980 verse 16, 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:32.319 And he 00:16:32.319 --> 00:16:32.799 will give 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:33.419 Israel up 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:33.960 because of 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:34.439 the sins 00:16:34.439 --> 00:16:35.220 of Jeroboam 00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:35.840 has committed 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:36.279 and has 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:36.659 caused 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:37.439 Israel to 00:16:37.439 --> 00:16:37.840 commit. 00:16:38.659 --> 00:16:39.120 So God 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:39.699 has said 00:16:39.699 --> 00:16:41.319 Jeroboam 00:16:41.319 --> 00:16:41.620 and his 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.360 whole family 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.519 are going 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:43.939 to be 00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:44.740 wiped out. 00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:45.740 Now look 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.159 at chapter 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:46.819 15, 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:48.419 verse 28. 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:52.139 Here we 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:52.519 see the 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:52.980 rise of 00:16:52.980 --> 00:16:53.259 another 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:53.600 king, 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:55.159 Basha, 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:56.799 who killed 00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:57.980 Nadab 00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:58.600 in the 00:16:58.600 --> 00:16:59.279 third year 00:16:59.279 --> 00:17:00.060 of Asa, 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:00.500 king of 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:00.840 Judah, 00:17:01.420 --> 00:17:02.139 and Basha 00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:03.139 succeeded him 00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:03.620 as king. 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:04.620 And what 00:17:04.620 --> 00:17:05.079 did he do 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:05.339 when he 00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:05.940 became king? 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:06.380 As soon 00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:06.660 as he 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:07.259 began to 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:07.539 reign, 00:17:07.880 --> 00:17:08.740 he killed 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:10.000 Jeroboam's 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.819 whole family. 00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:12.000 He did 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:12.579 not leave 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:13.339 Jeroboam 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:14.400 anyone that 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:15.079 breathed, 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:16.319 but destroyed 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:16.920 them all. 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:18.019 Why? 00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:19.779 According 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.579 to the 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:21.120 word of 00:17:21.120 --> 00:17:21.599 the Lord 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:22.000 given 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.579 through his 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:22.980 servant 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.660 Ahijah, 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:24.660 the 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:25.360 Shalonite. 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:28.240 God's 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:28.659 word 00:17:28.659 --> 00:17:29.439 is 00:17:29.439 --> 00:17:29.859 ruling. 00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:31.259 Now, 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.339 just because 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:33.199 Basha moves 00:17:33.199 --> 00:17:33.619 in and 00:17:33.619 --> 00:17:34.119 destroys 00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:34.879 Jeroboam, 00:17:35.199 --> 00:17:35.839 that doesn't 00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:36.179 mean to 00:17:36.179 --> 00:17:36.619 say that 00:17:36.619 --> 00:17:37.219 Basha is 00:17:37.219 --> 00:17:37.679 now off 00:17:37.679 --> 00:17:38.139 the hook. 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:39.219 Have a 00:17:39.219 --> 00:17:39.479 look at 00:17:39.479 --> 00:17:40.299 chapter 16, 00:17:40.399 --> 00:17:41.000 verse 7. 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:42.879 Moreover, 00:17:43.199 --> 00:17:43.619 the word 00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:43.939 of the 00:17:43.939 --> 00:17:44.539 Lord came 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:44.939 through the 00:17:44.939 --> 00:17:45.779 prophet Jehu, 00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:46.379 son of 00:17:46.379 --> 00:17:47.279 Hanani, 00:17:47.679 --> 00:17:48.399 to Basha 00:17:48.399 --> 00:17:49.039 and his 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:49.359 house, 00:17:49.699 --> 00:17:50.219 because of 00:17:50.219 --> 00:17:50.579 all the 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.139 evil he 00:17:51.139 --> 00:17:51.579 had done 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:51.859 in the 00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:52.240 eyes of 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:52.379 the 00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:52.619 Lord, 00:17:52.959 --> 00:17:53.419 arousing 00:17:53.419 --> 00:17:54.019 his anger 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.399 by the 00:17:54.399 --> 00:17:54.819 things he 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:55.099 did, 00:17:55.399 --> 00:17:55.779 becoming 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:56.259 like the 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:56.679 house of 00:17:56.679 --> 00:17:57.299 Jeroboam, 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:59.059 and also 00:17:59.059 --> 00:17:59.759 because he 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.759 destroyed it. 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:04.079 Verse 11, 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:06.099 another king 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:06.720 comes to 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:07.079 power, 00:18:08.679 --> 00:18:09.079 and as 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:09.460 soon as 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.000 he began 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.539 to reign, 00:18:12.139 --> 00:18:12.779 this is 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.179 Zimri, 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:15.519 as soon as 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.059 he began 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:16.500 to reign 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:16.799 and was 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.299 seated on 00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:17.659 the throne, 00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:18.399 he killed 00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:19.159 off Basha's 00:18:19.159 --> 00:18:19.799 whole family. 00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:20.659 He did 00:18:20.659 --> 00:18:21.279 not spare 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:21.819 a single 00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:22.179 male, 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:22.460 whether 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.179 relative or 00:18:23.179 --> 00:18:23.500 friend, 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:25.059 Zimri 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:25.900 destroyed the 00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:26.640 whole family 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:27.220 of Basha. 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:27.940 Why? 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:29.619 In 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.299 accordance 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:30.900 with the 00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:31.319 word of 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:31.740 the Lord, 00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:32.339 God had 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:33.200 spoken against 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:33.880 Basha through 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.380 the prophet 00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:34.980 Jehu. 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.700 Kings may 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.160 reign, 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:39.759 but they 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.700 are always 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.400 under the 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:42.259 sovereign rule 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:42.920 of God's 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:43.299 word. 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.279 In fact, 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:45.859 what God 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:46.440 says will 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:47.759 always come 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.460 to pass. 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:49.640 Have a look 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:50.020 at chapter 00:18:50.020 --> 00:18:50.660 16, 00:18:50.780 --> 00:18:51.660 verse 34. 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:56.800 In 00:18:56.800 --> 00:18:57.420 Ahab's 00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:57.820 time, 00:19:00.300 --> 00:19:00.920 heel of 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:01.400 Bethel 00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:02.200 rebuilt 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:02.880 Jericho. 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.060 Now, 00:19:04.120 --> 00:19:04.300 we'll 00:19:04.300 --> 00:19:04.680 remember 00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:05.200 Jericho 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:05.680 from the 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.060 past, 00:19:06.160 --> 00:19:07.000 about 400 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.940 years before 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:08.660 these events 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.000 that we're 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:09.540 reading in 00:19:09.540 --> 00:19:10.100 1 Kings. 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:10.960 God's 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.620 people came 00:19:11.620 --> 00:19:12.900 out of 00:19:12.900 --> 00:19:14.280 slavery and 00:19:14.280 --> 00:19:14.759 into the 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.440 promised land. 00:19:15.580 --> 00:19:16.020 The first 00:19:16.020 --> 00:19:16.540 city they 00:19:16.540 --> 00:19:16.980 came up 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.580 against was 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.159 Jericho, 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.319 a pagan 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:19.879 city, 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.119 which they 00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:21.679 destroyed. 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:22.279 And God 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:23.119 said very, 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:24.019 very clearly, 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.359 we can see 00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:26.839 it on the 00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:27.579 screen, 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:28.319 God spoke 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:28.599 through 00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:29.500 Jeremiah at 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.000 that time, 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.480 he said, 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.559 at that time 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:33.599 Joshua pronounced 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:34.139 this solemn 00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:34.439 oath, 00:19:34.619 --> 00:19:35.519 cursed before 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:36.059 the Lord 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:36.919 is the one 00:19:36.919 --> 00:19:37.899 who undertakes 00:19:37.899 --> 00:19:38.839 to rebuild 00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:39.419 this city, 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:40.019 Jericho. 00:19:40.399 --> 00:19:41.199 At the cost 00:19:41.199 --> 00:19:41.539 of his 00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:42.579 firstborn son, 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:43.740 he will lay 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:44.579 its foundations. 00:19:44.919 --> 00:19:45.639 At the cost 00:19:45.639 --> 00:19:45.980 of his 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.379 youngest, 00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:47.760 he will set 00:19:47.760 --> 00:19:48.160 up its 00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:48.600 gates. 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:50.960 Now read 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:51.480 the rest 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.580 of verse 00:19:52.580 --> 00:19:53.280 34. 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.600 Let's read 00:19:55.600 --> 00:19:56.000 it again. 00:19:56.120 --> 00:19:56.640 In Ahab's 00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:56.980 time, 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:57.740 Heel of 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.160 Bethel 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:58.780 rebuilt 00:19:58.780 --> 00:19:59.600 Jericho. 00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:01.200 He laid 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:02.160 its foundations 00:20:02.160 --> 00:20:04.420 at the cost 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:04.840 of his 00:20:04.840 --> 00:20:05.860 firstborn son, 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:06.860 Abiram, 00:20:07.580 --> 00:20:08.260 and he set 00:20:08.260 --> 00:20:09.040 up its gates 00:20:09.040 --> 00:20:09.900 at the cost 00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:10.240 of his 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:10.960 youngest son, 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:11.920 Segub. 00:20:12.540 --> 00:20:12.920 Why? 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.620 It's in 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:15.540 accordance with 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.220 the word 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.599 of the 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:17.500 Lord spoken 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.399 by Joshua, 00:20:18.619 --> 00:20:19.319 son of 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:19.619 Nun. 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:22.920 Centuries 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:23.420 may have 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:23.980 passed, 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:25.519 but when 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.659 God speaks 00:20:26.659 --> 00:20:27.659 his word, 00:20:28.379 --> 00:20:29.339 it is always 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:30.180 active and it 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:30.700 is always 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.319 powerful, 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.399 and it will 00:20:32.399 --> 00:20:33.480 always accomplish 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.339 what he has 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:35.139 set out to 00:20:35.139 --> 00:20:35.420 do. 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:37.220 God rules 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:38.240 over the 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:38.759 nations 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:40.079 and over the 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.980 kings of this 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.379 world 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:43.279 by his 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:43.920 word. 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:46.300 God 00:20:46.300 --> 00:20:47.320 and isn't 00:20:47.320 --> 00:20:47.779 this the 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:48.380 same God 00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:49.019 that rules 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.560 by his 00:20:49.560 --> 00:20:49.940 sovereign 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.779 word today? 00:20:52.100 --> 00:20:52.740 Remember 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.420 what God 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.160 said to 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:54.720 the prophet 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.279 Isaiah? 00:20:56.320 --> 00:20:56.759 You can 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.279 follow on 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:57.840 the screen. 00:20:59.080 --> 00:20:59.300 He, 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.060 that's God, 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:01.220 sits enthroned 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.779 above the 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.440 circle of 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:02.880 the earth 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:03.240 and its 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:03.800 people are 00:21:03.800 --> 00:21:04.080 like 00:21:04.080 --> 00:21:05.000 grasshoppers. 00:21:05.800 --> 00:21:06.580 He brings 00:21:06.580 --> 00:21:07.440 princes to 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:07.860 naught, 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:09.400 reduces the 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:09.920 rulers of 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.440 this world 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.060 to nothing. 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.000 No sooner 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.420 are they 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:12.900 planted, 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:13.599 no sooner 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:14.019 are they 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:14.380 sown, 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:15.259 no sooner 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:15.640 do they 00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.240 take root 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.519 in the 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:16.799 ground, 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:17.160 then he 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:17.660 blows in 00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:17.880 them and 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:18.400 they wither 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:18.700 and the 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.180 whirlwind 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:19.680 sweeps 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.180 them away 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:20.519 like 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.039 chaff. 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:22.799 Every 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:23.460 leader, 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:24.740 every 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.380 president, 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:25.900 every 00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:26.700 Taoiseach 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.500 is in 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.380 the hands 00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:29.559 of God. 00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:31.660 No one 00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:32.200 gets to 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:32.819 be ruler 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.559 without 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.460 God's 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.019 say-so. 00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:37.220 And when 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:37.940 they fall 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:38.359 away, 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.839 it is 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:40.299 simply 00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:40.759 at 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.479 God's 00:21:41.479 --> 00:21:42.139 command. 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.299 Now that 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:45.719 of course 00:21:45.719 --> 00:21:46.500 raises all 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.079 kinds of 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:47.799 questions for 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.119 us. 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.599 If God 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:50.299 is sovereign, 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:51.839 then why 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.199 does he 00:21:52.199 --> 00:21:53.039 let Syria's 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:53.639 president 00:21:53.639 --> 00:21:54.399 Bashar 00:21:54.399 --> 00:21:55.439 al-Assad 00:21:55.439 --> 00:21:56.099 carry on 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:56.719 the genocide 00:21:56.719 --> 00:21:57.379 like he 00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:57.699 is? 00:21:59.139 --> 00:21:59.519 Or why 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:00.019 does God 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.779 allow America 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.259 to sell 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:01.740 arms to 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.479 the Saudis 00:22:02.479 --> 00:22:03.139 so that 00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:03.519 they can 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:03.879 go and 00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.319 bomb the 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:04.839 life out 00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:05.240 of Yemen? 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:08.420 Well, 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:08.980 these things 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.720 may concern 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:10.000 us, 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:10.519 and rightly 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.000 so, 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.700 but as we 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.519 think about 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.259 these hard 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.920 questions, 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:16.799 let us 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.620 not forget 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:18.120 there is 00:22:18.120 --> 00:22:19.140 only one 00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:19.819 sovereign 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:21.079 king and 00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:22.160 one sovereign 00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:23.900 lord who 00:22:23.900 --> 00:22:25.140 holds every 00:22:25.140 --> 00:22:25.940 nation and 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:26.980 every leader 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.819 to account, 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:29.240 who can 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:30.099 use their 00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:31.059 evil ways 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.779 to accomplish 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:33.279 his purposes. 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.019 Everyone 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:36.180 is accountable. 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:37.180 Everyone 00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:37.859 will be 00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:38.500 responsible 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.279 to God. 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.579 The world 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.119 may look 00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:42.660 like it's 00:22:42.660 --> 00:22:43.500 in freefall 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.160 descending 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:45.079 into dark 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:45.759 decline, 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.720 but let 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.160 us be 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:48.759 sure of 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.200 this, 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.740 God is 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.599 in supreme 00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:52.480 control of 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:53.440 all things 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.480 and all 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:54.960 people. 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.460 So, 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.019 we see 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.539 that the 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:00.920 world 00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:02.660 is in 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:03.019 dark 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.599 decline, 00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:06.099 we see 00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:06.559 that there 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.099 is a 00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:07.459 sovereign 00:23:07.459 --> 00:23:07.919 lord, 00:23:09.439 --> 00:23:10.419 and in 00:23:10.419 --> 00:23:10.799 the midst 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.079 of it 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:11.379 all, 00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:12.259 there is 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:12.779 greater 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.799 grace. 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:16.019 It all 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.839 appears very 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:17.439 depressing, 00:23:18.439 --> 00:23:19.480 but not 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.099 all is 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:20.659 doom and 00:23:20.659 --> 00:23:21.079 gloom, 00:23:21.679 --> 00:23:22.339 because in 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:22.859 the midst 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.619 of darkness 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.500 and decline 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.699 shines the 00:23:25.699 --> 00:23:26.359 glorious 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:28.039 light of 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:28.519 God's 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:28.939 grace. 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:29.000 grace. 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:29.600 Our 00:23:29.600 --> 00:23:30.200 sovereign 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:30.700 God, 00:23:30.820 --> 00:23:31.400 by his 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:31.920 powerful 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.559 word, 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.840 is working 00:23:33.840 --> 00:23:34.740 his purposes 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.900 out through 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:38.000 history for 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.640 our good 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:39.160 and for 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:39.960 his glory. 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:41.620 Remember, 00:23:41.820 --> 00:23:43.539 history is 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.299 God's 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:45.220 story. 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:46.720 This is 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.700 God's world 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.680 that we 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:49.200 live in. 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:50.700 Let's see 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:51.360 this grace 00:23:51.360 --> 00:23:51.840 first, 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.279 faithful God. 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.500 Go back 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.019 again to 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.019 chapter 15. 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.480 Abijah, 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.420 Solomon's 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:05.920 grandson, 00:24:06.139 --> 00:24:06.539 has come 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:07.099 to power 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:07.680 in Judah, 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:08.920 and we're 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.500 told what 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.119 he is like 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:10.619 in verse 00:24:10.619 --> 00:24:11.079 3. 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.139 He 00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:13.579 committed 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.200 all the 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:14.779 sins his 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.379 father had 00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:16.039 done before 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:16.319 him. 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.819 His heart 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.240 was not 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.099 fully devoted 00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:19.519 to the 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:19.960 Lord his 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:20.500 God as 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:20.900 the heart 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:21.400 of David 00:24:21.400 --> 00:24:21.680 his 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:22.319 forefather 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:22.859 had been. 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:24.339 It's 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:24.859 just part 00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:25.159 of the 00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:25.439 dark 00:24:25.439 --> 00:24:25.979 decline, 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.279 isn't 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:26.539 it? 00:24:26.979 --> 00:24:27.519 Here's 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:27.919 another 00:24:27.919 --> 00:24:28.659 hopeless 00:24:28.659 --> 00:24:29.539 failing 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.139 king, 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:30.939 another 00:24:30.939 --> 00:24:31.859 futile 00:24:31.859 --> 00:24:32.699 legacy, 00:24:33.639 --> 00:24:34.159 and the 00:24:34.159 --> 00:24:34.719 expectation 00:24:34.719 --> 00:24:35.299 is, 00:24:35.419 --> 00:24:35.559 well, 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:36.240 what's 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:36.479 God 00:24:36.479 --> 00:24:37.000 going to 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:37.179 do 00:24:37.179 --> 00:24:37.339 with 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:37.519 this 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:37.740 king? 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:38.019 Just 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.379 write 00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:38.599 them 00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:38.839 off, 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:39.279 have 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:39.459 them 00:24:39.459 --> 00:24:40.019 destroyed? 00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:42.219 Well, 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:42.559 you could 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.139 do worse, 00:24:43.219 --> 00:24:43.719 I guess, 00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:45.839 but that's 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:46.219 not what 00:24:46.219 --> 00:24:46.679 happens. 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.119 Look at 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:47.740 verse 4. 00:24:48.879 --> 00:24:49.379 Nevertheless, 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:52.019 for David's 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:52.359 sake, 00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:53.199 the Lord 00:24:53.199 --> 00:24:54.059 his God 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:54.639 gave him 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:55.220 a lamp 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:56.180 in Jerusalem 00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:57.680 by raising 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.280 up a 00:24:58.280 --> 00:24:58.780 son to 00:24:58.780 --> 00:24:59.720 succeed him 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.920 and making 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.680 Jerusalem 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.440 strong. 00:25:04.020 --> 00:25:04.660 God 00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:05.240 says he 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:05.860 will not 00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:06.560 write them 00:25:06.560 --> 00:25:07.780 off because 00:25:07.780 --> 00:25:09.160 or for 00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:10.740 David's 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.140 sake. 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:12.780 God 00:25:12.780 --> 00:25:13.480 had promised 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:15.280 David in 00:25:15.280 --> 00:25:15.820 the years 00:25:15.820 --> 00:25:17.020 before that 00:25:17.020 --> 00:25:17.480 there would 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:19.020 always be a 00:25:19.020 --> 00:25:19.800 king on 00:25:19.800 --> 00:25:20.440 David's 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:20.759 throne, 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:21.980 a faithful 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.680 king who 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.100 would bring 00:25:23.100 --> 00:25:23.580 blessing, 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.579 a righteous 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.319 king who 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:25.899 would rule. 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.339 So why 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.179 doesn't God 00:25:28.179 --> 00:25:28.919 write Judah 00:25:28.919 --> 00:25:29.419 off and 00:25:29.419 --> 00:25:29.980 condemn it 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:30.559 to history? 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:32.079 Because of 00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:32.699 God's 00:25:32.699 --> 00:25:33.319 faithful 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.099 promise. 00:25:34.699 --> 00:25:35.740 That's what's 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.399 holding the 00:25:36.399 --> 00:25:37.399 whole story 00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:37.939 of one 00:25:37.939 --> 00:25:38.819 king together. 00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:40.039 God's 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:41.179 faithfulness. 00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:42.960 Everyone that 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:43.500 we meet 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.099 fails 00:25:44.099 --> 00:25:45.319 spectacularly, 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:46.439 yet in it 00:25:46.439 --> 00:25:46.939 all is 00:25:46.939 --> 00:25:47.519 God's 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.199 persistent 00:25:48.199 --> 00:25:49.139 faithfulness, 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.000 ruling 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:51.059 history by 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:51.819 his powerful 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:53.740 word and 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.339 fulfilling 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.740 his promise. 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.940 It seems 00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.420 there is 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:59.740 nothing and 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:01.140 no one that 00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:02.140 can derail 00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:03.339 what God 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:04.059 is setting 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:04.660 out to 00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:04.960 do. 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:07.220 So greater 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:07.980 grace is 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.460 seen in 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.259 God's 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:10.180 faithfulness. 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:12.380 Second, 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.039 the shining 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.559 light. 00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:15.440 Because this 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:17.380 promise of 00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:17.860 God's 00:26:17.860 --> 00:26:18.660 faithfulness, 00:26:19.080 --> 00:26:20.280 his promise 00:26:20.280 --> 00:26:21.040 to preserve, 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.740 is like a 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.620 shining light 00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:24.160 through the 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:24.980 darkness of 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.400 history. 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:26.100 Look at 00:26:26.100 --> 00:26:26.600 verse 4 00:26:26.600 --> 00:26:26.980 again. 00:26:28.080 --> 00:26:28.900 God said 00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:29.280 he would 00:26:29.280 --> 00:26:30.040 give a 00:26:30.040 --> 00:26:31.760 lamp in 00:26:31.760 --> 00:26:32.360 Jerusalem. 00:26:33.520 --> 00:26:33.940 There would 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:34.300 be a 00:26:34.300 --> 00:26:35.280 succession of 00:26:35.280 --> 00:26:36.640 kings, and 00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:37.240 even though 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.180 they are bad 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:38.960 and terrible 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:40.360 and evil 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:41.120 in many of 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.740 their ways, 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:42.580 we are 00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:44.320 reminded that 00:26:44.320 --> 00:26:45.180 each king 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:45.820 that comes 00:26:45.820 --> 00:26:46.420 along the 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:47.180 way is 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:47.779 just a 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.700 light, a 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.759 flicker of 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.299 God's 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:50.980 promise that 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.240 it will 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:51.900 never be 00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:52.519 extinguished. 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.080 He will 00:26:53.080 --> 00:26:53.740 always have 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.560 a king, and 00:26:54.560 --> 00:26:55.160 from that 00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:55.640 king would 00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:56.980 become God's 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.259 king. 00:26:58.880 --> 00:26:59.600 We even 00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:00.240 get a glimpse 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:00.779 of that if 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:01.320 you look down 00:27:01.320 --> 00:27:02.200 at verse 11. 00:27:04.100 --> 00:27:05.120 That light 00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:05.960 begins to 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.900 flicker a 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.420 little bit 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:07.900 brighter. 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:09.900 Verse 11, 00:27:10.120 --> 00:27:10.960 Asa did 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.440 what was 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.320 right in 00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:12.860 the eyes 00:27:12.860 --> 00:27:13.200 of the 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:14.100 Lord as 00:27:14.100 --> 00:27:14.700 his father 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.440 David had 00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:15.720 done. 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.940 out of 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.460 all these 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.339 kings, one 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:19.319 king, out 00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:19.960 of all these 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:20.579 other kings, 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:21.700 only one 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.240 who does 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.519 right, God 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.559 showing his 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.640 persistence that 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.880 yes, he will 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.620 raise up a 00:27:27.620 --> 00:27:28.220 king who will 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:28.880 do what is 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:29.980 right and 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.360 what is 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:30.740 good. 00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:33.360 But we only 00:27:33.360 --> 00:27:34.039 need to read 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:34.920 on and discover 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:35.819 that Asa was 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.620 not all that he 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.319 ought to be. 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:41.099 so we have 00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:41.740 a shining 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:43.159 light of 00:27:43.159 --> 00:27:43.639 God's 00:27:43.639 --> 00:27:44.240 faithfulness 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:44.700 through the 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.159 darkness 00:27:45.159 --> 00:27:45.899 giving us 00:27:45.899 --> 00:27:46.460 a glimpse 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.119 of what is 00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:47.659 to come. 00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:49.579 And third, 00:27:49.679 --> 00:27:50.359 our glorious 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.039 hope because 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.839 in the course 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:52.519 of time 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:54.279 that flickering 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:54.960 lamp that 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:55.539 God had 00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:56.079 promised 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:57.359 would become 00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:57.960 the light 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:58.279 of the 00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:58.599 world. 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.279 Remember 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:01.159 how John 00:28:01.159 --> 00:28:02.399 introduces us 00:28:02.399 --> 00:28:03.159 to Jesus? 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:05.200 the true 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:06.700 light that 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:07.460 gives light 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:08.620 to everyone 00:28:08.620 --> 00:28:09.980 was coming 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.500 into the 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:10.840 world. 00:28:12.120 --> 00:28:12.779 Here is 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:14.019 this promised 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:15.140 light, the 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:16.040 one that God 00:28:16.040 --> 00:28:16.779 said would 00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.779 come, that he 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.880 persisted through 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:19.880 all the failures 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:20.660 down through the 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:21.320 history of the 00:28:21.320 --> 00:28:21.620 world. 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.720 Amidst the 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:23.820 darkness, that 00:28:23.820 --> 00:28:24.680 glimmer, that 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:25.880 light begins to 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:26.740 shine and 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.540 becomes as 00:28:27.540 --> 00:28:28.740 brightest as 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.840 Jesus Christ 00:28:29.840 --> 00:28:31.160 enters the 00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:31.519 world. 00:28:33.160 --> 00:28:34.600 You see, when 00:28:34.600 --> 00:28:35.279 the light of 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.300 Christ shines 00:28:36.300 --> 00:28:36.960 into our 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:38.220 lives and 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:38.620 when the 00:28:38.620 --> 00:28:39.360 lamp of his 00:28:39.360 --> 00:28:40.180 truth cuts 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:40.720 into the 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.400 darkness of 00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:43.080 our hearts, we 00:28:43.080 --> 00:28:43.940 begin to see 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:44.759 how worthless 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.600 our idols 00:28:45.600 --> 00:28:46.060 are. 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.640 We see how 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:48.860 futile life 00:28:48.860 --> 00:28:49.580 is without 00:28:49.580 --> 00:28:50.220 God. 00:28:51.160 --> 00:28:51.840 And as we 00:28:51.840 --> 00:28:52.540 turn to 00:28:52.540 --> 00:28:54.480 Jesus, so 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.080 the light 00:28:55.080 --> 00:28:56.060 banishes the 00:28:56.060 --> 00:28:56.779 darkness of 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:58.259 decline, giving 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.980 us a new 00:28:58.980 --> 00:29:00.060 way to 00:29:00.060 --> 00:29:00.480 live. 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:02.460 Turn with 00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:02.960 me, please, 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.779 to Colossians 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.640 chapter 1. 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:08.319 Colossians 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.120 chapter 1. 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.740 Remember what 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.480 we read at the 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:24.120 very beginning 00:29:24.120 --> 00:29:24.860 this morning? 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:33.179 here we see 00:29:33.179 --> 00:29:34.039 what God's 00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:34.719 true king 00:29:34.719 --> 00:29:35.779 would do. 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:39.379 Colossians 1 00:29:39.379 --> 00:29:40.039 verse 12, 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:41.859 joyfully, or 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.619 giving joyful 00:29:42.619 --> 00:29:43.519 thanks to the 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:44.240 father who has 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:45.399 qualified you 00:29:45.399 --> 00:29:46.939 to share in 00:29:46.939 --> 00:29:47.659 the inheritance 00:29:47.659 --> 00:29:48.519 of his holy 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:50.159 people in the 00:29:50.159 --> 00:29:50.939 kingdom of 00:29:50.939 --> 00:29:51.419 light. 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:52.740 for he has 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.620 rescued us 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:54.100 from the 00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:54.880 dominion of 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:55.580 darkness 00:29:55.580 --> 00:29:58.200 and brought 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.980 us into the 00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.620 kingdom of 00:29:59.620 --> 00:30:00.340 the son he 00:30:00.340 --> 00:30:01.279 loves, in 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:01.980 whom we have 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:03.640 redemption, the 00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:04.980 forgiveness of 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.560 sins. 00:30:06.380 --> 00:30:07.680 Here is God's 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.620 king who brings 00:30:08.620 --> 00:30:09.740 glorious hope, 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:11.539 taking people 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:12.660 from this dark 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:14.519 decline of 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.560 emptiness and 00:30:15.560 --> 00:30:16.860 nothingness and 00:30:16.860 --> 00:30:18.279 a root that 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.259 just ends in 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:20.100 judgment and 00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:21.139 separation from 00:30:21.139 --> 00:30:22.480 God brings 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:24.179 us into the 00:30:24.179 --> 00:30:24.980 kingdom of 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:26.359 his son. 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:29.319 What amazing 00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:30.339 redemption, what 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:31.419 glorious hope 00:30:31.419 --> 00:30:32.079 there is. 00:30:33.139 --> 00:30:33.619 But you know 00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:33.819 what? 00:30:33.899 --> 00:30:34.879 This light, this 00:30:34.879 --> 00:30:36.259 lamp doesn't 00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:37.339 stop with Jesus 00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:37.939 Christ. 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:39.719 Go back with 00:30:39.719 --> 00:30:40.719 me to Matthew's 00:30:40.719 --> 00:30:42.219 gospel, chapter 00:30:42.219 --> 00:30:42.839 5. 00:30:43.639 --> 00:30:44.599 Matthew chapter 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:45.179 5. 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:46.100 5. 00:30:46.100 --> 00:30:50.600 Because as we 00:30:50.600 --> 00:30:51.180 come to 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:55.160 Jesus, as we 00:30:55.160 --> 00:30:56.560 submit to the 00:30:56.560 --> 00:30:58.720 true king, as 00:30:58.720 --> 00:30:59.539 we bow 00:30:59.539 --> 00:31:00.720 before him, 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:06.960 then we in 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:08.039 turn become the 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:09.720 light to the 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.140 world. 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:13.200 Matthew chapter 5 verse 14. 00:31:13.820 --> 00:31:14.580 Jesus says, 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:17.400 You are the light of the world. 00:31:18.280 --> 00:31:20.800 A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 00:31:21.800 --> 00:31:24.680 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. 00:31:25.100 --> 00:31:29.540 Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. 00:31:30.020 --> 00:31:35.259 In the same way, let your light shine before others, 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:41.220 that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:44.500 The church, God's holy people, 00:31:45.299 --> 00:31:48.660 who have come to the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:50.119 are transformed. 00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:52.119 The darkness is banished. 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:58.539 Instead, the church is to be a shining, glorious beacon of hope 00:31:58.539 --> 00:32:01.519 to a world that is shattered and broken. 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:05.879 That is what we are as we go out into the world, 00:32:06.139 --> 00:32:09.099 as collectively as we live, as God's people. 00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:11.059 Shining lights. 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.799 Beacons of hope. 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:17.960 Amidst this darkness of decline. 00:32:19.079 --> 00:32:21.240 Showing people the true Saviour. 00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.879 The true King. 00:32:23.579 --> 00:32:25.740 Who is in control of this world. 00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:29.879 And who longs that all people would turn to Him. 00:32:29.880 --> 00:32:33.880 So let your light shine before others, 00:32:35.060 --> 00:32:37.900 that they may see your good deeds 00:32:37.900 --> 00:32:41.920 and glorify your Father in heaven. 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:44.260 Let's pray. 00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:06.660 Father, we look out upon your world, 00:33:07.340 --> 00:33:11.900 and we do see the brokenness all around us. 00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:17.380 The tragedy, the sadness, and all the pain. 00:33:19.340 --> 00:33:21.160 And your heart is broken. 00:33:21.360 --> 00:33:24.280 You grieve at what you see. 00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:28.559 And yet in Christ, 00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:31.859 shines the glorious hope 00:33:31.859 --> 00:33:33.680 for us 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:35.680 and for this world. 00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:39.039 We thank you that in Jesus, 00:33:39.879 --> 00:33:43.119 we have been brought into an eternal kingdom. 00:33:44.420 --> 00:33:46.059 The kingdom of His Son. 00:33:46.059 --> 00:33:49.440 And we pray that we would be people 00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:51.559 who shine forth your light. 00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:53.779 And that together, 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:56.119 you would use us collectively 00:33:56.119 --> 00:33:58.399 as your people here in Karigaline. 00:33:58.519 --> 00:34:00.759 And as we are scattered throughout this week, 00:34:01.700 --> 00:34:04.079 that we would be a light shining for you. 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:06.619 Pointing people to the hope, 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:07.899 the glorious hope, 00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:10.739 that there is to be found in King Jesus. 00:34:10.739 --> 00:34:13.559 Help us, we pray. 00:34:14.879 --> 00:34:17.319 Be merciful and use us. 00:34:17.879 --> 00:34:18.939 In Jesus' name. 00:34:19.799 --> 00:34:20.199 Amen. 00:34:24.699 --> 00:34:26.859 Well, let's sing in response 00:34:26.859 --> 00:34:30.139 and encourage one another as we sing 00:34:30.139 --> 00:34:32.199 What Grace Is My...