WEBVTT 00:00:00.980 --> 00:00:05.719 Okay, 1 Kings chapter 12, beginning at verse 1. 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:13.580 Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. 00:00:14.419 --> 00:00:22.780 When Jeroboam, son of Nebat, heard this, he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon, he returned from Egypt. 00:00:24.100 --> 00:00:29.460 So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him, 00:00:30.199 --> 00:00:37.719 Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lightened the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you. 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:43.399 Rehoboam answered, Go away for three days and then come back to me. 00:00:44.280 --> 00:00:45.560 So the people went away. 00:00:46.519 --> 00:00:51.719 Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. 00:00:52.659 --> 00:00:56.040 How would you advise me to answer these people, he asked. 00:00:56.039 --> 00:01:05.599 They replied, If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants. 00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:14.019 But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. 00:01:15.119 --> 00:01:17.500 He asked them, What is your advice? 00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:22.919 How should we answer these people who say to me, Lighten the yoke your father put on us? 00:01:22.920 --> 00:01:31.519 The young men who had grown up with him replied, These people have said to you, Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter. 00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:36.700 Now tell them, My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. 00:01:36.700 --> 00:01:39.740 My father laid on you a heavy yoke. 00:01:39.880 --> 00:01:41.480 I will make it even heavier. 00:01:42.480 --> 00:01:44.600 My father scourged you with whips. 00:01:45.140 --> 00:01:46.920 I will scourge you with scorpions. 00:01:48.460 --> 00:01:55.879 Three days later, Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam as the king had said, Come back to me in three days. 00:01:55.879 --> 00:02:01.199 The king answered the people harshly, rejecting the advice given him by the elders. 00:02:01.759 --> 00:02:06.199 He followed the advice of the young men and said, My father made your yoke heavy. 00:02:06.459 --> 00:02:07.899 I will make it even heavier. 00:02:08.419 --> 00:02:10.039 My father scourged you with whips. 00:02:10.280 --> 00:02:12.159 I will scourge you with scorpions. 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:17.379 So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from the Lord. 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:24.719 To fulfill the word, the Lord had spoken to Jeroboam, son of Nebat, to Ahijah the Shilonite. 00:02:25.879 --> 00:02:33.500 Thanks very much, Chris. 00:02:34.539 --> 00:02:39.659 Let's keep our Bibles open as we continue in our studies, 1 Kings. 00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:45.120 If you've missed any along the way, you can find them all on the church website. 00:02:45.319 --> 00:02:50.620 So they've all been recorded for the purposes if you're on Sunday school or creche or you've missed any. 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:53.500 They are there for us to be able to follow along. 00:02:53.500 --> 00:02:55.019 So I encourage you to do that. 00:02:55.879 --> 00:02:56.620 Now let's pray. 00:02:56.620 --> 00:03:11.060 Father, thank you that you are the Lord of heaven and earth. 00:03:11.060 --> 00:03:26.039 the Lord who has written his word down for us, preserved it through the centuries so that we have it today in our language. 00:03:26.039 --> 00:03:37.280 We thank you for this wonderful privilege that you speak to us through your word today. 00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:45.219 And we pray that it would have such a transforming and changing effect on our lives. 00:03:46.280 --> 00:03:56.099 That it would cause us to bow in wonder and worship at our great King. 00:03:56.099 --> 00:04:00.159 So please help us today, we ask in Jesus' name. 00:04:00.840 --> 00:04:01.299 Amen. 00:04:01.300 --> 00:04:01.380 Amen. 00:04:08.780 --> 00:04:15.140 So, who decides if Britain will leave or stay? 00:04:15.139 --> 00:04:21.139 Who determines whether there will be a soft border or a hard border? 00:04:21.779 --> 00:04:22.919 Who's in charge? 00:04:25.919 --> 00:04:27.439 Somebody said something. 00:04:27.979 --> 00:04:32.219 Who decides if you get married or move to another country? 00:04:33.219 --> 00:04:38.439 Who determines where you live and where you work? 00:04:38.939 --> 00:04:40.199 Who's in charge? 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:43.800 Well, listen to this from Proverbs. 00:04:45.939 --> 00:04:54.279 In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. 00:04:54.279 --> 00:05:06.159 It's telling us that we are free to make all kinds of decisions, but every decision is under the direction of God. 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:11.739 Ultimately, it is God who is in control. 00:05:13.159 --> 00:05:21.579 Now, Proverbs 16, verse 9, that we have there on the screen, is a great summary of the text that was just read to us. 00:05:21.579 --> 00:05:35.240 If you want a summary for what 1 Kings 12, 1 to 15 or 1 to 24 is all about, well, in their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. 00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:39.959 We've reached a critical point in the story of the kingdom. 00:05:39.959 --> 00:05:43.919 Under Solomon, the kingdom was at its best. 00:05:44.899 --> 00:05:47.680 The people were blessed, living in their own land. 00:05:47.859 --> 00:05:50.000 They were happy and secure. 00:05:50.739 --> 00:05:55.659 But, if you remember from last week, have a quick look back at chapter 11, verse 4. 00:05:55.660 --> 00:06:00.720 Chapter 11, verse 4. 00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:14.280 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 00:06:14.720 --> 00:06:18.240 And what follows is a sad decline of the kingdom. 00:06:18.240 --> 00:06:26.079 Solomon's son, Rehoboam, becomes king, and the kingdom divides. 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:33.019 Bad decisions and selfish choices have left the kingdom in a terrible mess. 00:06:33.019 --> 00:06:48.500 But, chapter 12 is written to remind us that God is the supreme king, ruling over the plans of man to fulfill his promises. 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:57.819 God is the supreme king, ruling over the plans of man to fulfill his promises. 00:06:57.819 --> 00:07:05.659 So, two big things that we're going to look at this morning, that I trust will be helpful for us. 00:07:05.740 --> 00:07:11.399 First, the plans of man serve the purposes of God. 00:07:11.500 --> 00:07:14.240 The plans of man serve the purposes of God. 00:07:14.459 --> 00:07:17.740 Let's pick it up in chapter 11, verse 42. 00:07:22.600 --> 00:07:24.579 Chapter 11, verse 42. 00:07:24.579 --> 00:07:33.180 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem, over all Israel, that is the United Kingdom, for 40 years. 00:07:33.879 --> 00:07:42.759 Then he rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David his father, and Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king. 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:49.159 Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. 00:07:49.799 --> 00:07:52.979 Now, it seems a normal succession of power. 00:07:52.980 --> 00:07:56.160 They even go to a place called Shechem. 00:07:56.540 --> 00:08:02.980 That was where God spoke to Abraham and where Moses had gone to speak with God. 00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:09.759 Yet, tragically, in chapter 12, there seems to be little listening to God. 00:08:10.360 --> 00:08:13.660 In fact, God is subtly ignored. 00:08:13.660 --> 00:08:24.439 The people see the change in king as an opportunity to change the way things are done. 00:08:24.640 --> 00:08:25.920 So, look at verse 3. 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:29.460 So, they sent for Jeroboam. 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:32.019 We're going to get confused, but let's keep our focus. 00:08:32.200 --> 00:08:33.000 There's a Rehoboam. 00:08:33.100 --> 00:08:33.720 He's king. 00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:41.960 Jeroboam was a person who was under Solomon, but had begun to rebel against Solomon. 00:08:42.060 --> 00:08:43.700 He didn't like what he was doing. 00:08:43.700 --> 00:08:46.900 So, the people sent for Jeroboam. 00:08:47.259 --> 00:08:51.900 And he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam, the king, and said to him, 00:08:52.400 --> 00:08:54.980 Your father put a heavy yoke on us. 00:08:55.720 --> 00:09:01.180 But now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you. 00:09:02.440 --> 00:09:08.120 Rehoboam answered, Well, go away for three days, then come back to me, and I'll have a decision. 00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:10.820 So, the people went away. 00:09:11.720 --> 00:09:14.100 Obviously, the king needs some advice. 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:18.100 The last thing he needs at this point is an all-out rebellion. 00:09:18.980 --> 00:09:24.340 So, in verse 6, we're told that the king went off to his elders, asked them for their advice, 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:25.399 What should I do? 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:28.179 And they responded with great wisdom. 00:09:28.919 --> 00:09:33.379 Serve them well, Solomon, and they will always serve you. 00:09:33.379 --> 00:09:39.779 Be kind to them, and they'll always be in your pocket, as it were. 00:09:41.100 --> 00:09:44.480 But Rehoboam doesn't seem to be in the mood for much listening. 00:09:45.220 --> 00:09:47.460 That seems a little weak and pathetic. 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:52.919 Not a great way to start your reign as a king, giving in to your subjects. 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:57.379 So, Rehoboam turns to his old college buddies. 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:01.919 What should we do about these complaints, he asks them. 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:04.519 Well, they respond in verse 10. 00:10:05.439 --> 00:10:08.199 The young men who had grown up with him replied, 00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:11.199 These people have said to you, 00:10:11.339 --> 00:10:16.039 Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter. 00:10:16.919 --> 00:10:17.919 Now tell them, 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:22.579 My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. 00:10:23.059 --> 00:10:24.899 In other words, you tell the people, 00:10:25.079 --> 00:10:27.159 You think my father was harsh? 00:10:27.159 --> 00:10:31.199 Well, I'm going to show you who's boss. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:32.959 Verse 11. 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:36.000 My father laid on you a heavy yoke. 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:38.819 I will make it even heavier. 00:10:39.899 --> 00:10:42.319 My father scourged you with whips. 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:45.379 I will scourge you with scorpions. 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:49.679 That is, whips with lumps of lead at the end of it. 00:10:49.679 --> 00:10:53.819 Well, that sounds more like the role of a king, doesn't it? 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:58.239 I like that, Rehoboam is thinking to himself. 00:10:58.479 --> 00:11:01.179 Time to show them who's king round here. 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:05.239 I'm going to teach them a lesson about authority and power. 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:10.500 So just as Rehoboam had said three days later, 00:11:10.700 --> 00:11:13.860 he goes back to the people to give the answer. 00:11:14.620 --> 00:11:16.120 Have a look at verse 14. 00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:22.820 He followed the advice of all the young men. 00:11:23.560 --> 00:11:26.899 In other words, he ignored the advice of the elders and said, 00:11:27.560 --> 00:11:29.759 My father made your yoke heavy. 00:11:30.700 --> 00:11:32.659 I will make it even heavier. 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:35.899 My father scourged you with whips. 00:11:36.779 --> 00:11:40.120 Well, I'm going to scourge you with scorpions. 00:11:44.120 --> 00:11:45.419 So tell me, 00:11:45.959 --> 00:11:50.779 who decided what to do with the people? 00:11:51.679 --> 00:11:56.740 Who determined that the people should be treated harshly? 00:11:58.839 --> 00:12:02.179 Well, he took advice from some younger people 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:07.319 but it certainly looks like Rehoboam is the one in charge. 00:12:07.439 --> 00:12:10.719 He gave the decree and after all, he's the king. 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:17.620 Now we could be asking the same kind of questions about our country. 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:22.000 Who's decided that Fine Gael is in power? 00:12:23.580 --> 00:12:25.680 I mean, we had a vote, didn't we? 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:30.919 Who determines what laws are passed 00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:34.959 and how and when abortions should be carried out? 00:12:36.319 --> 00:12:38.079 Well, it's the people, isn't it? 00:12:38.079 --> 00:12:41.120 Because we all voted at the recent referendum. 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:45.039 And what about our church? 00:12:45.539 --> 00:12:49.100 Right now we're in the process of appointing deacons. 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:52.560 Who decides who is a deacon? 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:55.120 Is it the elders? 00:12:57.120 --> 00:13:01.259 Who determines what role and how they should serve? 00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:04.539 Or does the church decide that? 00:13:04.700 --> 00:13:06.279 Or is it the person themselves? 00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:10.460 And think about your own life. 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:14.340 Who decides what college course you take 00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:18.759 and where you end up working in your life? 00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:22.000 I mean, we've all got the freedom to choose, don't we? 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:26.860 And who determines how you use your money? 00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:29.759 And what you spend it on? 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:32.379 And where you go at the weekends? 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:34.659 I mean, it belongs to us 00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:37.600 and it's us who pays the money over at the end of the day. 00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:42.539 You see, we've all got freedom to make our choices. 00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:45.440 We can all make our plans. 00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:52.300 But, the purposes of God. 00:13:54.380 --> 00:13:56.920 Rehoboam has determined and decreed. 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:59.220 After all, he's the king, right? 00:14:00.140 --> 00:14:02.040 Well, let's look at verse 15. 00:14:04.180 --> 00:14:06.960 So the king did not listen to the people, 00:14:07.140 --> 00:14:09.240 for this turn of events was from the Lord 00:14:09.240 --> 00:14:11.580 to fulfill what the Lord had spoken 00:14:11.580 --> 00:14:13.980 to Jeroboam, son of Nebat, 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:17.639 through Ahijah, the Shilonites. 00:14:19.320 --> 00:14:21.300 So again, let's ask the question, 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:23.200 who made the decision 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:25.420 not to listen to the people 00:14:25.420 --> 00:14:27.379 and treat them badly? 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:31.060 Well, look closely at verse 15. 00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:35.980 So the king did not listen to the people, 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:40.019 for or because 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:42.519 this turn of events 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:44.340 was from the Lord. 00:14:45.559 --> 00:14:48.279 Yes, Rehoboam sought advice. 00:14:48.819 --> 00:14:50.840 Yes, he made his choice. 00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:53.899 But God determined 00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:56.059 what should happen. 00:14:56.980 --> 00:14:58.519 You say, how can that be? 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:01.879 Well, let's read on in verse 15. 00:15:01.879 --> 00:15:04.259 For this turn of events 00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:05.460 was from the Lord 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:07.879 to fulfill the word 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:09.019 the Lord had spoken 00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:11.059 to Jeroboam, son of Nebat, 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:13.840 through Ahijah, the Shilonites. 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:15.939 Well, what had God said? 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:18.139 Well, have a look back 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:19.320 to chapter 11 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:21.439 and verse 29. 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:24.759 Because there it's recorded for us 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:26.779 what God had said 00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:28.320 through the prophet Ahijah 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:29.879 to Jeroboam. 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:31.879 We'll pick it up in verse 29. 00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:33.320 Solomon is still king 00:15:33.320 --> 00:15:34.120 at this point. 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:36.879 Jeroboam had got sick 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.539 and fed up 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:39.840 with the latter reign of Solomon 00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:40.799 and the way he began 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:41.879 treating the people 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:43.840 and he had rebelled. 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:45.799 So, verse 29. 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.559 About that time, 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.939 Jeroboam was going out 00:15:49.939 --> 00:15:50.519 of Jerusalem 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:51.279 and Ahijah, 00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:52.559 the prophet of Shiloh, 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:53.559 met him on the way 00:15:53.559 --> 00:15:55.159 wearing a new cloak. 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:57.440 He'd obviously been to Debenhams 00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:58.179 to buy himself 00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:59.279 a nice new suit. 00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:00.700 So, the two of them 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:02.159 were alone out in the country 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:03.480 and Ahijah took hold 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:04.700 of his nice new cloak 00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:05.500 he was wearing 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:07.399 and he tore it 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:08.779 into twelve pieces. 00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:11.480 Then he said to Jeroboam, 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:13.539 take ten pieces 00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:14.399 for yourself, 00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:16.200 for this is what 00:16:16.200 --> 00:16:16.740 the Lord, 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:17.720 the God of Israel, 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:18.480 says. 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.600 See, 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:20.860 I am going to tear 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:21.379 the kingdom 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.960 out of Solomon's hand 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:24.860 and give you 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:26.139 ten tribes 00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:28.379 but for the sake 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.200 of my servant 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:29.660 David 00:16:29.660 --> 00:16:30.360 and the city 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:30.920 of Jerusalem 00:16:30.920 --> 00:16:31.879 which I have chosen 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:33.480 out of all of the tribes 00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:34.080 of Israel, 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:35.860 he will have 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:37.840 one tribe. 00:16:39.280 --> 00:16:40.900 So, it's crystal clear, 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:41.320 isn't it? 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:42.180 God had said 00:16:42.180 --> 00:16:43.100 that the kingdom 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:44.780 would be divided, 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:47.100 taken out of Solomon's hands. 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:51.860 We're not told 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:53.019 how that was going 00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:53.500 to happen 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:54.159 but simply 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:55.240 that it would happen. 00:16:56.420 --> 00:16:57.500 And God's purpose 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:59.659 was that Jeroboam 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:00.220 would have 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:01.440 ten tribes 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:03.360 and Rehoboam, 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:04.319 Solomon's son, 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.259 would only have 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:06.400 one tribe. 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.279 So, now 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:08.980 as we begin 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:10.579 to read chapter 12, 00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:12.079 we can see 00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:13.059 God's purposes 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:14.420 being worked out. 00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:16.060 Rehoboam 00:17:16.060 --> 00:17:17.300 is completely 00:17:17.300 --> 00:17:18.000 unaware 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:19.100 of what God 00:17:19.100 --> 00:17:19.580 had said 00:17:19.580 --> 00:17:20.600 to Jeroboam. 00:17:22.340 --> 00:17:23.340 He plans 00:17:23.340 --> 00:17:24.019 to crush 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.680 the people 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:26.539 but in crushing 00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:27.140 the people 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:27.600 it leads 00:17:27.600 --> 00:17:28.360 to rebellion 00:17:28.360 --> 00:17:30.400 and the rebellion 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:31.440 leads to 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:32.220 division. 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:33.980 You see, 00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:35.340 through Rehoboam's 00:17:35.340 --> 00:17:35.960 choice, 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:38.420 God's purposes 00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:39.880 prevail. 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:41.759 The plans 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.420 of man 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:43.840 always 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:44.759 serve 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.799 the purposes 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.779 of God. 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.839 Now, our government 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.720 and the leaders 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.459 of the world 00:17:51.459 --> 00:17:52.899 make choices 00:17:52.899 --> 00:17:53.639 and decisions 00:17:53.639 --> 00:17:54.779 all the time. 00:17:55.959 --> 00:17:56.720 But what I want 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:57.559 us to be clear 00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.359 about is that 00:17:58.359 --> 00:17:59.519 they are only 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.659 serving 00:18:00.659 --> 00:18:01.959 the greater 00:18:01.959 --> 00:18:02.659 purposes 00:18:02.659 --> 00:18:03.740 of God. 00:18:04.439 --> 00:18:05.339 It's not saying 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:06.299 that every decision 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:06.859 they make 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:07.339 is good 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:08.119 or right. 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:09.639 Rehoboam's 00:18:09.639 --> 00:18:10.199 plans were 00:18:10.199 --> 00:18:11.220 clearly wrong 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:12.159 in the way 00:18:12.159 --> 00:18:12.759 he treated 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:13.319 the people 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:13.900 and he will 00:18:13.900 --> 00:18:14.420 be held 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:14.920 accountable 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:15.940 just as 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:16.680 every leader 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:17.599 of this world 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:18.319 will be held 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:18.859 accountable. 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:21.099 Just because 00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:21.759 they serve 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.660 God's purposes 00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:23.660 doesn't mean 00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:24.059 to say 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:24.599 they're off 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:25.119 the hook. 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.759 God's sovereignty 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:28.759 never violates 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:30.440 human responsibility. 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:30.640 responsibility. 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:32.100 We will all 00:18:32.100 --> 00:18:32.640 have to 00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:33.380 answer to 00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:33.700 God 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.180 for the way 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:34.740 we live 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.660 the choices 00:18:35.660 --> 00:18:36.299 we make 00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:37.200 and our 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.820 decisions. 00:18:38.820 --> 00:18:39.400 But this 00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:40.100 account in 00:18:40.100 --> 00:18:40.940 chapter 12 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:41.880 is simply 00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:42.400 there to 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:43.320 remind us 00:18:43.320 --> 00:18:44.640 that we 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:45.299 are free 00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:45.820 to make 00:18:45.820 --> 00:18:46.380 decisions 00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:47.840 and our 00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:48.360 decisions 00:18:48.360 --> 00:18:49.019 whether they 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:49.539 are right 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:50.160 or wrong 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:51.680 are always 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:52.779 always 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.559 determined 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:55.399 by God. 00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:57.980 One author 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:58.639 Dale Ralph 00:18:58.639 --> 00:18:59.220 Davis 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:00.779 has put it 00:19:00.779 --> 00:19:01.579 so well. 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:02.859 He says 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:03.279 this, 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:04.940 human choice 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:07.000 never catches 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.919 God by 00:19:07.919 --> 00:19:08.879 surprise. 00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:10.619 Contrary to 00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:11.299 our fears 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:12.779 human decision 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.759 making is not 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.619 running loose 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:16.659 but is on the 00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:17.099 leash 00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:18.639 of God's 00:19:18.639 --> 00:19:19.119 sovereignty. 00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:21.539 That means 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:22.319 that nothing 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:23.119 happens 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:23.980 in this 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.519 world 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:26.319 and nothing 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.159 happens 00:19:27.159 --> 00:19:28.059 in our 00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:28.939 lives 00:19:28.939 --> 00:19:30.839 without 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:31.599 God's 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:32.379 say so. 00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:34.740 More than 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.000 that, 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:36.159 every decision 00:19:36.159 --> 00:19:37.000 of a nation, 00:19:37.859 --> 00:19:38.939 every choice 00:19:38.939 --> 00:19:39.759 of an 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.399 individual 00:19:40.399 --> 00:19:42.519 is ultimately 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:43.599 decreed 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:45.059 and determined 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:46.000 by God 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:47.319 for our 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:47.980 good 00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:50.140 and for 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:50.900 God's 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:51.740 glory. 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:54.019 The plans 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:54.779 of man 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:56.400 always 00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:57.480 serve 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.259 the purposes 00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:59.779 of God. 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:02.200 So, 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:02.940 the plans 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.380 of man 00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:03.940 serve the 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:04.339 purposes 00:20:04.339 --> 00:20:05.000 of God. 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.740 The second 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.240 big thing 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:07.519 we're going 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:07.920 to look at, 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.539 the plots 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.079 of man 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:10.299 surrender 00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:11.319 to the 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:11.799 promises 00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:12.440 of God. 00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:13.779 You see, 00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:14.200 we must 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:14.880 remember that 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:15.940 verse 15 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:17.539 is like 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.440 inserted 00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:19.279 into the 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:19.700 history. 00:20:19.840 --> 00:20:20.140 This is 00:20:20.140 --> 00:20:21.440 the author's 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.140 interpretation. 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.400 It's written 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:23.940 for us, 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:24.620 the reader, 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:25.680 so that we 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.240 can get the 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:27.080 big picture 00:20:27.080 --> 00:20:27.640 of what's 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:28.220 going on. 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:29.460 It's history 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.620 from God's 00:20:30.620 --> 00:20:31.220 perspective. 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:33.500 For Rehoboam, 00:20:33.620 --> 00:20:34.140 he obviously 00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:34.779 didn't have 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:35.400 one kings 00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:35.900 to read 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:36.240 and he 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:36.500 certainly 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.100 doesn't know 00:20:37.100 --> 00:20:37.759 about verse 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.340 15, 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.340 so he 00:20:39.340 --> 00:20:40.100 just continues 00:20:40.100 --> 00:20:40.840 to plan 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:41.439 and to 00:20:41.439 --> 00:20:42.000 plot. 00:20:44.579 --> 00:20:45.099 Not 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.839 surprisingly, 00:20:46.139 --> 00:20:46.980 verse 16, 00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:48.359 when all 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:48.859 the people 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:49.459 saw that 00:20:49.459 --> 00:20:49.839 the king 00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:50.699 refused to 00:20:50.699 --> 00:20:51.179 listen to 00:20:51.179 --> 00:20:51.439 them, 00:20:51.899 --> 00:20:52.519 they answered 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.039 the king, 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.419 what share 00:20:54.419 --> 00:20:54.980 do we have 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:55.500 in David? 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.819 What part 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.599 in Jesse's 00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:57.759 son? 00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:58.179 To your 00:20:58.179 --> 00:20:58.539 tents, 00:20:58.699 --> 00:20:58.919 Israel, 00:20:59.139 --> 00:20:59.720 let's get 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.019 out of 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:00.199 here, 00:21:00.439 --> 00:21:00.899 we don't 00:21:00.899 --> 00:21:01.379 want this 00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:02.179 king anymore. 00:21:02.699 --> 00:21:03.000 Look 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.619 after your 00:21:03.619 --> 00:21:04.220 own house, 00:21:04.379 --> 00:21:04.639 David. 00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:06.139 So the 00:21:06.139 --> 00:21:06.639 Israelites 00:21:06.639 --> 00:21:08.019 went home. 00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:09.559 they're 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.019 rebelling, 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:10.519 they don't 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.059 want this 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:11.359 king. 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.400 And as 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:13.779 far as 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:14.379 Rehoboam 00:21:14.379 --> 00:21:15.039 is concerned, 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:15.839 this rebellion 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:16.680 needs to be 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:18.059 squashed and 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.519 quickly. 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:19.940 So, 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:20.799 verse 18, 00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:22.279 King Rehoboam 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.279 sent out 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:24.259 Adoniram, 00:21:24.859 --> 00:21:25.500 who was in 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.099 charge of 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:26.799 the forced 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.400 labour. 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.019 Here is the 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.480 one to 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.420 implement the 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:30.879 king's 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.299 decree, 00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:32.559 to restore 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.019 order, 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.220 to fling 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:35.059 those whips 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.819 and get those 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.480 people in 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:36.819 line. 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:39.099 But, 00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:40.220 verse 18, 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.799 all Israel 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.900 stoned him 00:21:42.900 --> 00:21:43.599 to death. 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:45.139 King 00:21:45.139 --> 00:21:45.779 Rehoboam, 00:21:45.879 --> 00:21:46.059 however, 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:46.759 managed to 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.139 get into 00:21:47.139 --> 00:21:47.779 his chariot 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.279 and escape 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:48.879 to Jerusalem. 00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:49.720 He wasn't 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:50.019 going to 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:50.500 hang around 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:50.940 for any 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:51.480 questioning. 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.319 So Israel 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:54.440 has been 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.059 in rebellion 00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:55.720 against the 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:56.139 house of 00:21:56.139 --> 00:21:57.299 David to 00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:57.859 this day, 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.259 to the 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.319 time that 00:21:59.319 --> 00:21:59.660 it was 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:00.019 written. 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:02.960 So the 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:03.359 kingdom 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:04.740 divided 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:06.200 just as 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:06.819 God had 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:07.259 said. 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:09.400 Jeroboam 00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:10.379 takes off 00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:10.980 with ten 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.539 tribes, 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:13.539 and Rehoboam 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.119 was left 00:22:14.119 --> 00:22:14.740 with only 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.759 one tribe. 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.720 But Rehoboam 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.059 is not 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:18.440 happy. 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.379 He wants 00:22:19.379 --> 00:22:19.799 it all. 00:22:20.359 --> 00:22:20.819 This is 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:21.500 his kingdom. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.480 So he 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.099 begins to 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:23.559 plot, 00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:24.639 verse 21. 00:22:25.639 --> 00:22:26.639 When Rehoboam 00:22:26.639 --> 00:22:27.339 arrived in 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:27.859 Jerusalem, 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:28.980 he mustered 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:29.980 all Judah 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.460 and the 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.139 tribe of 00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:31.559 Benjamin. 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:33.039 So Judah 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:33.819 and Benjamin, 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:34.740 when it's 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.000 written, 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.680 is always 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:36.339 formed as 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:37.279 one tribe 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:37.779 or speaks 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.259 as one 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:38.599 tribe, 00:22:38.699 --> 00:22:39.119 the tribe 00:22:39.119 --> 00:22:39.659 of Judah. 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.019 So he 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.339 gathers 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:41.819 together 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:43.659 180,000 00:22:43.659 --> 00:22:44.579 able young 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:45.519 men to 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.000 go to 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.720 war against 00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.959 Israel and 00:22:47.959 --> 00:22:48.980 regain the 00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:49.779 kingdom for 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:50.459 Rehoboam, 00:22:50.619 --> 00:22:51.000 son of 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.399 Solomon. 00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:55.480 So now it 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:56.019 seems we're 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.639 faced with 00:22:56.639 --> 00:22:57.539 two competing 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.099 forces. 00:22:59.059 --> 00:22:59.579 We have 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.419 Rehoboam's 00:23:00.419 --> 00:23:01.759 plot to 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.459 take back 00:23:02.459 --> 00:23:03.099 all the 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:03.839 tribes for 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:04.639 himself and 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:05.319 to have 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:05.899 the kingdom 00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:06.740 to himself. 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:09.379 And then we 00:23:09.379 --> 00:23:10.119 also have on 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:10.459 the other 00:23:10.459 --> 00:23:11.339 side God's 00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:13.639 promise that 00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:14.839 well Jeroboam 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.339 would have 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.159 ten tribes 00:23:16.159 --> 00:23:17.119 and he 00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:17.539 would only 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:18.220 have one. 00:23:19.439 --> 00:23:20.500 So what's 00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:20.919 going to 00:23:20.919 --> 00:23:21.259 happen? 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:22.799 Well, 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:24.279 not only are 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.599 there the 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.240 plots of 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.639 man, 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:27.000 there is the 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:27.659 promise of 00:23:27.659 --> 00:23:28.039 God. 00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:29.579 You see as 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:30.279 Rehoboam 00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:31.099 begins his 00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:31.839 plotting and 00:23:31.839 --> 00:23:32.579 his scheming, 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:34.379 God's word 00:23:34.379 --> 00:23:35.500 rules. 00:23:35.939 --> 00:23:36.939 Verse 22, 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:38.519 but this 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.000 word of 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.619 God came 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.379 to Shemaiah, 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.000 the man of 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.460 God, this 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:41.919 is another 00:23:41.919 --> 00:23:42.359 prophet, 00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:43.740 say to 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.359 Rehoboam, 00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:44.859 son of 00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:45.199 Solomon, 00:23:45.379 --> 00:23:45.740 king of 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.079 Judah, 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.500 to all 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.220 Judah and 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:49.099 Benjamin and 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:49.639 to the rest 00:23:49.639 --> 00:23:49.899 of the 00:23:49.899 --> 00:23:50.299 people, 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.460 this is 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:51.899 what the 00:23:51.899 --> 00:23:52.599 Lord says, 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:54.119 do not 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:54.899 go up to 00:23:54.899 --> 00:23:55.659 fight against 00:23:55.659 --> 00:23:56.279 your brothers 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.059 the Israelites, 00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.359 go home 00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:59.079 every one 00:23:59.079 --> 00:23:59.539 of you, 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:01.940 for this 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:03.139 is my 00:24:03.139 --> 00:24:03.920 doing. 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.639 You see, 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.420 God is now 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:07.839 letting 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:08.720 Rehoboam 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.559 in on the 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.220 big picture, 00:24:10.339 --> 00:24:10.720 isn't he? 00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:12.059 What we've 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:12.819 known all 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.139 the way 00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:13.680 along, 00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:15.539 because God's 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:15.980 word had 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:16.779 decreed it 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.319 and God's 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:17.700 word had 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.200 said, 00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:19.680 Rehoboam 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.339 now begins 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:21.079 to see 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:22.500 what God 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.740 is decreeing 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.440 and what 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:25.299 God wants. 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:26.740 This is 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.839 my doing, 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:29.199 says God. 00:24:29.659 --> 00:24:30.199 This is 00:24:30.199 --> 00:24:31.159 my plan. 00:24:31.679 --> 00:24:32.839 I ultimately 00:24:32.839 --> 00:24:34.000 decide and 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:34.759 decree what 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.299 will happen. 00:24:35.679 --> 00:24:36.519 I promised 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.480 that Rehoboam 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:37.859 would get 00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:38.459 these ten 00:24:38.459 --> 00:24:39.319 tribes and 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:39.699 that you 00:24:39.699 --> 00:24:40.099 would only 00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:40.699 get one. 00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:42.759 I mean, 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.259 let's think 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:43.779 about it. 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:45.000 If Rehoboam 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:45.879 did go up 00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:46.359 and fight 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:46.759 against 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.419 Rehoboam, 00:24:47.699 --> 00:24:48.059 there was 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:48.599 only ever 00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:49.019 going to 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.419 be one 00:24:49.419 --> 00:24:49.740 winner, 00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:50.139 wasn't 00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:50.379 there? 00:24:50.859 --> 00:24:51.319 Do the 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:51.799 maths. 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.039 Ten 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:53.579 tribes 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:54.359 versus one 00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:54.699 tribe. 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:55.240 Who's 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:55.720 going to 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.019 win? 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:57.660 If 00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:58.240 Rehoboam 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:58.720 went off 00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.139 to fight, 00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.539 he would 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.180 have ended 00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:00.599 up with 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:00.900 no 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:01.299 kingdom. 00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:04.720 But you 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:04.900 see, 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.420 God had 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.099 promised, 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:08.240 God had 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:08.839 promised 00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:10.339 Rehoboam's 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:11.619 grandfather 00:25:11.619 --> 00:25:12.359 David, 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:13.720 that there 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:14.379 would always 00:25:14.379 --> 00:25:15.220 be one 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:16.059 tribe, 00:25:17.139 --> 00:25:17.559 one 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.160 people, 00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:19.579 that God 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.279 would preserve 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.660 because from 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:22.379 that one 00:25:22.379 --> 00:25:23.139 tribe of 00:25:23.139 --> 00:25:23.599 Judah 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:25.399 would come 00:25:25.399 --> 00:25:26.119 God's 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:26.699 promised 00:25:26.699 --> 00:25:27.339 king, 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:28.599 Jesus 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.199 Christ. 00:25:31.179 --> 00:25:32.099 So God 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:33.079 ensures that 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:33.899 his promise 00:25:33.899 --> 00:25:34.939 remains. 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:35.659 The plots 00:25:35.659 --> 00:25:36.279 of man 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.539 always 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:38.459 surrender 00:25:38.459 --> 00:25:39.859 to the 00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:40.279 promises 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.000 of God. 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:43.259 Now how 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.019 does Rehoboam 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.779 respond to 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.359 what God 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.139 has decreed? 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:47.059 Well look at 00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:47.480 the end of 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.339 verse 24. 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.279 So they 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:51.339 obeyed the 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:51.939 word of the 00:25:51.939 --> 00:25:52.619 Lord and went 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:53.240 home again 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:54.519 as the 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:55.500 Lord had 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:55.880 ordered. 00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:57.980 Rehoboam 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:59.680 surrenders to 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.440 God's word. 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.940 After all his 00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:02.660 planning and 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:03.059 plotting, 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.319 he submits. 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.900 It may come a 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:07.000 surprise to us 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.680 because that's 00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:08.240 not how we 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.059 started out, 00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:10.960 but it's a 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:11.740 reminder of 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.359 how we should 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.480 all respond. 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:14.740 We can fight 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.779 God all we 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.279 like, 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:17.839 but we will 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.440 not win. 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.180 God will 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:21.059 see that his 00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:22.019 word is 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.680 fulfilled, 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:25.380 because the 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:26.039 plots of 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:27.160 man always 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:29.039 surrender to 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.720 the promises 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:31.079 of God. 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.200 Of course 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:34.940 it's true that 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.380 men and 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:35.880 women have 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:37.000 always planned 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.960 and plotted to 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.539 do their own 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.180 thing, haven't 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:39.400 we? 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:41.120 We ignore 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.839 God and we 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:42.700 live as if 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.200 we're the 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:43.480 king. 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:44.740 This is my 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.160 world, 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.819 my life, 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:48.180 my money. 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:49.420 I will 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.279 decide what 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:50.899 I will 00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:51.279 do. 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:52.839 In fact, 00:26:52.899 --> 00:26:53.279 if there's 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.299 any threat 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:54.879 to our 00:26:54.879 --> 00:26:55.579 sovereignty, 00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:57.160 any threat 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:57.680 to our 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.579 self-rule, 00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.500 we will 00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:00.259 fight it. 00:27:00.619 --> 00:27:01.279 Nobody will 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:01.980 tell me what 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.420 to do. 00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:05.240 Isn't that 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.839 what happened 00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:06.680 when God's 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:06.960 king, 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:07.960 Jesus Christ, 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.500 came? 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:10.980 Turn with me 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.579 please to 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:12.960 Acts chapter 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:13.380 2. 00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:19.200 Acts chapter 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.900 2 in the 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:20.559 New Testament. 00:27:25.360 --> 00:27:26.039 So, 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:26.860 Acts chapter 00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:27.620 2 is, 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:28.200 well, 00:27:28.340 --> 00:27:29.019 Jesus has 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.960 already died, 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.160 he is risen 00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:31.500 again, 00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:32.240 he has poured 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.700 out his 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:33.480 Holy Spirit 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.860 and Peter 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:35.819 is preaching 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:37.000 to all the 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.559 people who 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.120 have gathered. 00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:44.459 And he 00:27:44.459 --> 00:27:44.919 gets to 00:27:44.919 --> 00:27:45.399 the heart 00:27:45.399 --> 00:27:45.719 of his 00:27:45.719 --> 00:27:46.439 message in 00:27:46.439 --> 00:27:47.319 verse 22. 00:27:49.419 --> 00:27:49.959 So, 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:50.399 Peter is 00:27:50.399 --> 00:27:50.719 preaching, 00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:51.099 fellow 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:51.659 Israelites, 00:27:52.659 --> 00:27:53.259 listen to 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:53.559 this, 00:27:53.719 --> 00:27:54.399 Jesus of 00:27:54.399 --> 00:27:54.899 Nazareth 00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:55.299 was a 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:56.239 man accredited 00:27:56.239 --> 00:27:56.879 by God 00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:57.219 to you 00:27:57.219 --> 00:27:58.019 by miracles, 00:27:58.619 --> 00:27:59.219 wonders and 00:27:59.219 --> 00:27:59.919 signs which 00:27:59.919 --> 00:28:00.519 God did 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:01.019 among you 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.579 through him 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.459 as you 00:28:02.459 --> 00:28:03.000 yourselves 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.359 know. 00:28:04.659 --> 00:28:05.359 All these 00:28:05.359 --> 00:28:06.279 miracles that 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.019 Jesus did, 00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:07.519 all the 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.099 signs, 00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:09.339 proves that 00:28:09.339 --> 00:28:10.459 Jesus is 00:28:10.459 --> 00:28:11.219 God's 00:28:11.219 --> 00:28:11.539 King, 00:28:11.839 --> 00:28:12.219 the one 00:28:12.219 --> 00:28:13.119 with absolute 00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:13.939 power and 00:28:13.939 --> 00:28:14.379 supreme 00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:15.000 authority. 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.799 The problem 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.319 is people 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:17.959 don't like 00:28:17.959 --> 00:28:18.359 that. 00:28:18.719 --> 00:28:19.119 It's a 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:19.659 threat to 00:28:19.659 --> 00:28:20.179 their self 00:28:20.179 --> 00:28:20.479 rule, 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:20.959 so what 00:28:20.959 --> 00:28:21.239 do they 00:28:21.239 --> 00:28:21.619 do? 00:28:21.619 --> 00:28:22.779 Verse 23, 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:24.559 this man 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.279 was handed 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.039 over to you 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.819 by God's 00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.319 deliberate 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:28.039 plan and 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.799 foreknowledge 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.859 and you 00:28:29.859 --> 00:28:30.199 with the 00:28:30.199 --> 00:28:30.619 help of 00:28:30.619 --> 00:28:31.279 wicked men 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:31.959 put him 00:28:31.959 --> 00:28:32.379 to death 00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:33.059 by nailing 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:33.339 him to 00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:33.979 the cross. 00:28:35.219 --> 00:28:35.839 So, 00:28:35.939 --> 00:28:36.439 who killed 00:28:36.439 --> 00:28:36.879 Jesus? 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:37.120 Jesus? 00:28:38.120 --> 00:28:39.080 Who planned 00:28:39.080 --> 00:28:39.860 and decided 00:28:39.860 --> 00:28:40.500 that Jesus 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.140 would die? 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:42.700 Well, 00:28:42.760 --> 00:28:43.180 this verse 00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:43.620 is telling 00:28:43.620 --> 00:28:44.020 us that, 00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:44.220 well, 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.880 they chose 00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:45.380 to kill 00:28:45.380 --> 00:28:45.800 Jesus. 00:28:47.060 --> 00:28:47.940 They wanted 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.380 rid of 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:48.600 him. 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.080 But look 00:28:50.080 --> 00:28:50.360 what it 00:28:50.360 --> 00:28:50.880 says at the 00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:51.380 beginning of 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:52.140 verse 23, 00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:52.940 this man 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.560 was handed 00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:54.180 over to 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:54.580 you by 00:28:54.580 --> 00:28:55.780 God's 00:28:55.780 --> 00:28:56.500 deliberate 00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:58.420 plan and 00:28:58.420 --> 00:28:59.540 foreknowledge. 00:28:59.539 --> 00:29:01.539 God's 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.539 marriage. 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.139 You see, 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:04.059 their plans 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:04.740 to kill 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.379 Jesus 00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:07.059 only served 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:07.759 the greater 00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.659 purposes of 00:29:08.659 --> 00:29:09.000 God. 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:09.960 Let's read 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.180 on, 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:10.839 verse 24, 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:11.440 but God 00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:12.000 raised him 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.339 from the 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:12.579 dead, 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:13.759 freeing him 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.119 from the 00:29:14.119 --> 00:29:14.680 agony of 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:14.899 death, 00:29:15.159 --> 00:29:15.680 because it 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:16.519 was impossible 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.259 for death 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:17.720 to keep 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.220 its hold 00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:18.659 on him. 00:29:19.159 --> 00:29:19.539 You see, 00:29:19.639 --> 00:29:20.460 we can't 00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:21.279 fight 00:29:21.279 --> 00:29:21.980 God. 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.359 We will 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:24.379 never defeat 00:29:24.379 --> 00:29:24.659 him. 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.359 His purpose 00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:26.960 to bring 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:27.700 salvation 00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:28.340 through his 00:29:28.340 --> 00:29:29.180 death and 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:29.880 his promise 00:29:29.880 --> 00:29:30.380 to give 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:31.059 life through 00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:31.299 his 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.960 resurrection 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:33.900 will prevail. 00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:36.299 No one 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:37.480 can stand 00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:38.420 against God's 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:39.779 promises and 00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.259 God's 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:40.720 purposes. 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.920 Verse 36, 00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:45.500 as he gets 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:45.860 to the 00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:46.680 conclusion of 00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:47.200 his sermon, 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.360 Therefore, 00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:50.140 let all 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:51.279 Israel be 00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:51.920 assured of 00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:52.299 this, 00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:53.680 God has 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:54.380 made this 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:54.819 Jesus, 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:55.440 whom you 00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:55.980 crucified, 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.120 both Lord 00:29:57.119 --> 00:29:59.099 and Messiah. 00:30:00.139 --> 00:30:01.079 Jesus is 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:01.699 the risen 00:30:01.699 --> 00:30:02.459 victorious 00:30:02.459 --> 00:30:02.859 king, 00:30:02.979 --> 00:30:03.939 who rules 00:30:03.939 --> 00:30:04.659 over every 00:30:04.659 --> 00:30:05.159 decision, 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.439 who determines 00:30:06.439 --> 00:30:07.519 every act. 00:30:08.399 --> 00:30:09.159 This is the 00:30:09.159 --> 00:30:09.659 king who 00:30:09.659 --> 00:30:10.539 planned his 00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:11.359 own death 00:30:11.359 --> 00:30:12.939 and plots 00:30:12.939 --> 00:30:13.519 his own 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.199 resurrection 00:30:14.199 --> 00:30:15.439 from before 00:30:15.439 --> 00:30:16.459 time began. 00:30:17.919 --> 00:30:18.559 The king 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.459 whose purposes 00:30:19.459 --> 00:30:20.500 will not be 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:20.979 foiled, 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:22.579 and whose 00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:23.659 promises will 00:30:23.659 --> 00:30:24.259 never, 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:25.919 ever fail. 00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:28.579 And how 00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:29.119 are we to 00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:29.899 respond to 00:30:29.899 --> 00:30:30.359 such a 00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:30.759 king as 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.079 this? 00:30:31.339 --> 00:30:32.299 Verse 38, 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:34.079 Peter replied, 00:30:34.219 --> 00:30:34.939 repent and 00:30:34.939 --> 00:30:35.599 be baptized, 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:36.539 every one 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:36.839 of you, 00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:37.799 in the name 00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:38.399 of Jesus 00:30:38.399 --> 00:30:39.139 Christ for 00:30:39.139 --> 00:30:39.759 the forgiveness 00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:40.259 of your 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:40.639 sins, 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:41.500 and you 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.079 will receive 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:42.559 the gift 00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:42.899 of the 00:30:42.899 --> 00:30:43.619 Holy Spirit. 00:30:44.139 --> 00:30:45.019 The promise 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:47.339 is for you 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:47.939 and for your 00:30:47.939 --> 00:30:48.679 children and 00:30:48.679 --> 00:30:49.500 for all who 00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:50.219 are far off, 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.379 for all whom 00:30:51.379 --> 00:30:51.939 the Lord, 00:30:52.059 --> 00:30:52.599 the God, 00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:53.779 will call. 00:30:55.399 --> 00:30:56.000 Surrender 00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:57.359 to the 00:30:57.359 --> 00:30:57.899 king who 00:30:57.899 --> 00:30:58.659 died for 00:30:58.659 --> 00:30:58.939 you. 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:00.679 Submit to 00:31:00.679 --> 00:31:01.139 the king 00:31:01.139 --> 00:31:01.480 who's 00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.000 defeated 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:02.740 death for 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:02.939 you. 00:31:03.379 --> 00:31:03.899 Do not 00:31:03.899 --> 00:31:04.939 fight this 00:31:04.939 --> 00:31:05.319 king, 00:31:06.419 --> 00:31:07.500 but let us 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.339 live under 00:31:08.339 --> 00:31:09.339 his sovereign 00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:10.359 word. 00:31:12.359 --> 00:31:13.259 Of course, 00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:14.119 people still 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:14.939 fight against 00:31:14.939 --> 00:31:15.599 God's king. 00:31:15.719 --> 00:31:16.019 They will 00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.959 not recognize 00:31:16.959 --> 00:31:17.599 his rule, 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:19.219 and they will 00:31:19.219 --> 00:31:19.939 fight against 00:31:19.939 --> 00:31:20.699 you if you 00:31:20.699 --> 00:31:21.179 are his 00:31:21.179 --> 00:31:21.639 people. 00:31:22.599 --> 00:31:24.099 Have a look 00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:24.639 at Acts 00:31:24.639 --> 00:31:25.519 chapter 4. 00:31:26.419 --> 00:31:27.199 Not long 00:31:27.199 --> 00:31:27.879 after this 00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:28.299 sermon, 00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:29.839 Peter is 00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:30.439 thrown in 00:31:30.439 --> 00:31:31.059 prison for 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.599 preaching. 00:31:33.719 --> 00:31:34.339 It seems 00:31:34.339 --> 00:31:35.419 that those 00:31:35.419 --> 00:31:35.759 who were 00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:36.679 against Jesus 00:31:36.679 --> 00:31:38.099 are also 00:31:38.099 --> 00:31:39.039 against his 00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:39.599 people. 00:31:41.179 --> 00:31:41.859 But Peter 00:31:41.859 --> 00:31:42.539 is released, 00:31:42.659 --> 00:31:43.099 and we pick 00:31:43.099 --> 00:31:43.539 it up in 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.399 verse 23. 00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:48.000 On their 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:48.500 release, 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.219 Peter and 00:31:49.219 --> 00:31:49.819 John went 00:31:49.819 --> 00:31:50.459 back to their 00:31:50.459 --> 00:31:51.019 own people 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:51.659 and reported 00:31:51.659 --> 00:31:52.299 all that the 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:53.019 chief priests 00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:53.319 and the 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:53.839 elders had 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:54.159 said to 00:31:54.159 --> 00:31:54.299 them, 00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:54.839 they had 00:31:54.839 --> 00:31:55.019 said, 00:31:55.119 --> 00:31:56.039 stop talking 00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:56.700 about this 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.079 Jesus, 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:57.559 we don't 00:31:57.559 --> 00:31:57.919 want you 00:31:57.919 --> 00:31:58.379 to do it 00:31:58.379 --> 00:31:58.819 anymore. 00:32:00.399 --> 00:32:01.139 When they 00:32:01.139 --> 00:32:01.940 heard this, 00:32:02.139 --> 00:32:02.779 they raised 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:03.419 their voices 00:32:03.419 --> 00:32:04.200 together in 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:04.779 prayer to 00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:05.139 God. 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.319 Let's look 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:06.700 how they 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.139 prayed. 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.039 Sovereign 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:10.200 Lord, 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:11.000 they said, 00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:12.799 you made 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:13.379 the heavens 00:32:13.379 --> 00:32:14.079 and the 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:15.519 earth and 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:16.099 the sea 00:32:16.099 --> 00:32:18.059 and everything 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:19.179 in them. 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:21.179 Verse 27, 00:32:21.319 --> 00:32:21.679 indeed, 00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:22.339 Herod and 00:32:22.339 --> 00:32:23.159 Pontius Pilate 00:32:23.159 --> 00:32:23.839 met together 00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:24.220 with the 00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:25.319 Gentiles and 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:25.759 the people 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:26.220 of Israel 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:26.879 in the city 00:32:26.879 --> 00:32:27.679 to conspire 00:32:27.679 --> 00:32:28.240 against your 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.919 holy servant 00:32:28.919 --> 00:32:29.599 Jesus whom 00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:30.220 you anointed. 00:32:31.679 --> 00:32:32.899 They did 00:32:32.899 --> 00:32:34.200 what your 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:35.200 power and 00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:35.919 will had 00:32:35.919 --> 00:32:36.599 decided 00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:37.500 beforehand 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:39.200 should happen. 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.799 You see, 00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:44.220 nothing can 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:44.899 stand in the 00:32:44.899 --> 00:32:45.619 way of God's 00:32:45.619 --> 00:32:46.399 purposes in 00:32:46.399 --> 00:32:46.759 God's 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.119 plans. 00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:48.500 And what 00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:49.059 about these 00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:49.679 people who 00:32:49.679 --> 00:32:50.059 are now 00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:50.479 threatened? 00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:51.000 Well, 00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:51.559 they cry 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.039 out to 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.239 the 00:32:52.239 --> 00:32:52.559 sovereign 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:53.359 God who 00:32:53.359 --> 00:32:53.959 is Lord 00:32:53.959 --> 00:32:54.859 over every 00:32:54.859 --> 00:32:55.979 ruler and 00:32:55.979 --> 00:32:56.619 they remind 00:32:56.619 --> 00:32:57.399 themselves that 00:32:57.399 --> 00:32:57.919 even the 00:32:57.919 --> 00:32:58.500 death of 00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:59.059 Jesus and 00:32:59.059 --> 00:32:59.639 the resurrection 00:32:59.639 --> 00:33:00.579 of Jesus is 00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:01.299 all part of 00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:02.139 God's wonderful 00:33:02.139 --> 00:33:02.639 plan. 00:33:03.419 --> 00:33:05.479 Verse 29, 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:06.839 now Lord, 00:33:06.959 --> 00:33:07.799 consider their 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:09.259 threats and 00:33:09.259 --> 00:33:10.019 enable your 00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:10.779 servants to 00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.559 speak your 00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:12.099 word with 00:33:12.099 --> 00:33:13.019 great boldness. 00:33:13.419 --> 00:33:14.199 Stretch out 00:33:14.199 --> 00:33:15.000 your hand and 00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:15.500 heal and 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.440 perform signs 00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:17.079 and wonders 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:17.819 through the 00:33:17.819 --> 00:33:18.259 name of 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:18.759 your holy 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.680 servant Jesus. 00:33:20.819 --> 00:33:21.339 And after 00:33:21.339 --> 00:33:21.940 they prayed, 00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:22.500 the place 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:22.819 where they 00:33:22.819 --> 00:33:23.319 were meeting 00:33:23.319 --> 00:33:23.900 was shaken 00:33:23.900 --> 00:33:24.980 and they 00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:25.359 were all 00:33:25.359 --> 00:33:25.980 filled with 00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:26.380 the Holy 00:33:26.380 --> 00:33:27.759 Spirit and 00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:28.640 spoke the 00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:29.559 word of 00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:31.180 God boldly. 00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:33.880 You see, 00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:34.500 nothing was 00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:34.980 ever going 00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.579 to hinder 00:33:35.579 --> 00:33:36.940 the preaching 00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.640 of God's 00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:37.980 word. 00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:39.099 He's in 00:33:39.099 --> 00:33:39.480 control. 00:33:39.599 --> 00:33:39.920 You just 00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:40.279 need to 00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:40.759 read through 00:33:40.759 --> 00:33:41.079 Acts. 00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:41.839 The word 00:33:41.839 --> 00:33:42.339 spread, 00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:42.859 the word 00:33:42.859 --> 00:33:43.339 spread, 00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:44.299 the kingdom 00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:46.339 expanded as 00:33:46.339 --> 00:33:47.839 people came 00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:48.619 to the 00:33:48.619 --> 00:33:49.319 Lord Jesus. 00:33:51.619 --> 00:33:52.539 So do 00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:53.399 not fear. 00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:55.440 Do not 00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:56.079 fear the 00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:56.919 outcome of 00:33:56.919 --> 00:33:57.379 Brexit. 00:33:58.659 --> 00:33:59.200 Do not 00:33:59.200 --> 00:33:59.960 fret when 00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.619 our government 00:34:00.619 --> 00:34:01.919 introduces new 00:34:01.919 --> 00:34:02.399 laws. 00:34:03.319 --> 00:34:03.899 Do not 00:34:03.899 --> 00:34:04.740 worry when 00:34:04.740 --> 00:34:06.039 circumstances in 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.619 your life 00:34:06.619 --> 00:34:07.339 change. 00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:09.880 Jesus is 00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.679 in charge. 00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:12.840 Cry out to 00:34:12.840 --> 00:34:13.200 him as 00:34:13.200 --> 00:34:13.860 our sovereign 00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:14.760 Lord and 00:34:14.760 --> 00:34:15.360 ask him, 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.500 Lord, I 00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:17.000 do not 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:17.480 know what 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:17.960 is going 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:19.460 on, but 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:20.100 I trust 00:34:20.100 --> 00:34:20.640 that you 00:34:20.640 --> 00:34:20.980 are in 00:34:20.980 --> 00:34:21.500 control. 00:34:22.660 --> 00:34:23.059 Enable 00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:23.620 us to 00:34:23.620 --> 00:34:24.420 keep speaking 00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:25.160 your word. 00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:26.620 Perform 00:34:26.620 --> 00:34:27.860 your wondrous 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:30.300 deeds, because 00:34:30.300 --> 00:34:31.140 God takes 00:34:31.140 --> 00:34:32.019 every choice 00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:32.460 that we 00:34:32.460 --> 00:34:34.000 make and 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.640 the decisions 00:34:34.640 --> 00:34:35.519 that others 00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:36.240 make, whether 00:34:36.240 --> 00:34:37.039 good or 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:38.019 bad, and 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:38.940 he uses it 00:34:38.940 --> 00:34:39.519 all to 00:34:39.519 --> 00:34:40.200 serve his 00:34:40.200 --> 00:34:41.620 purposes and 00:34:41.619 --> 00:34:42.480 his promises, 00:34:43.019 --> 00:34:44.179 all for 00:34:44.179 --> 00:34:45.000 our good 00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:46.819 and all 00:34:46.819 --> 00:34:47.639 for his 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:48.579 glory. 00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:50.679 Let's 00:34:50.679 --> 00:34:50.940 pray. 00:34:50.940 --> 00:34:51.440 Let's 00:34:51.440 --> 00:34:51.500 pray. 00:34:51.500 --> 00:34:51.940 Let's 00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:52.940 pray. 00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:53.940 Let's 00:34:53.940 --> 00:34:54.940 pray. 00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.940 Let's 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.940 pray. 00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:58.940 Let's 00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.940 pray. 00:34:59.940 --> 00:35:00.940 Let's 00:35:00.940 --> 00:35:01.440 pray.