WEBVTT

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 The text we're going to be looking at is the Old Testament reading from the liturgy and the bulletin there from 1 Kings chapter 19.

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! We're sort of firmly situated in sort of the rubble after the split of the kingdom of Solomon.

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 We've entered into the time of King Ahab, who earlier in the book of 1 Kings is described as the most wicked of all the kings.

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 He had done more evil in the sight of the Lord than all the kings who had gone before him.

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 He and his wife Jezebel, who's the princess, the queen of the Sidonians, are in charge.

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 And they've sort of plunged Israel into wholesale cultural, religious paganism and idolatry.

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 They've instituted Baal and Asherah worship among the people of God.

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 The famous account of the defeat of Baal and the Baal prophets at Carmel came in chapter 18 of 1 Kings,

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 where fire fell down upon Elijah's altar and the Baal prophets sort of danced around their altar and Baal was nowhere to be found.

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 So that's sort of the context of where we find ourselves.

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 You'd think that Jezebel and Ahab would sort of go back.

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 They'd turn to the Lord.

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 All the Baal prophets have been slaughtered.

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 But you can see at the beginning of chapter 19 that Jezebel really just doubles down,

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 calling a curse upon herself if Elijah is not slaughtered like one of the Baal prophets in due course.

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 That's where we find ourselves.

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 I'd love to say a brief word of prayer yet again as we turn to Scripture here.

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 Our Father in Heaven,

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 we join together

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 in humility,

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 asking that you would

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 soften our hearts,

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 you'd open up our eyes

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 to behold wonderful things

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 in your word.

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 For Jesus' sake.

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 Amen.

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 Well, it was in the late 18th century

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 where Napoleon I,

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 otherwise known as Napoleon Bonaparte,

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 he launched this French military campaign in Egypt.

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 But it became clear that the campaign simply did not go according to plan.

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 Napoleon's fleet quickly suffered defeat at the Battle of the Nile.

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 And by the summer of 1799,

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 Napoleon decided to leave 30,000 of his soldiers behind.

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 He abandoned them and he decided to sail back to France for more favorable political prospects.

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 And in 1 Kings 19,

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 things in Israel simply weren't going the way they were supposed to go.

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 In Elijah's words,

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 the people had forsaken God's covenant.

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 The Lord had just won this decisive battle

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 against Baal on Mount Carmel,

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 but apparently the victory simply hadn't captured the people's hearts.

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 Because earlier in the chapters I just mentioned,

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 Ahab and Jezebel appear to have regained

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 their toxic stranglehold over Israel's religious life,

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 as Baal worship seems to have prevailed yet again.

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 And now by way of Jezebel's threat in verse 2,

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 Elijah's life is at stake.

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 So readers of this account are tempted,

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 as perhaps they've been before,

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 to wonder if the Lord might just pull a Napoleon.

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 We're tempted to wonder if he might abandon his salvation campaign

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 and sort of turn to plan B.

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 If he might set sail for a more promising people to save.

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 If he'll finally file for divorce.

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 We're tempted to wonder whether this most recent setback,

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 this vice grip of Jezebel,

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 this surge of idolatry,

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 whether this might just be the straw that breaks the camel's back

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 in terms of the Lord's patience with them.

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 So with Elijah depressed and then hiding alone in a cave,

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 one wonders whether the Lord might finally just be ready to give up

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 on his saving plan,

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 whether he might just finally be ready to abandon

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 and to reject his people once and for all.

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 And those are the kinds of questions, I think,

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 that bubble and surface to the top of mind

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 as we come to this text.

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 But thankfully,

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 what we discover

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 is a reassuring answer.

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 In fact, it's a decisive answer from God.

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 As this text presents three powerful signs

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 that the Lord will never abandon his people.

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 The Lord will never reject his people,

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 even in the face of idolatry.

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 And the first one,

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 the first sign there in verses 9 to 14,

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 this first sign that he'll never ever abandon his people,

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 even in the face of idolatry,

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 is his repeated kindness

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 toward his zealous but flawed servant.

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 His repeated kindness

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 toward his zealous but flawed servant.

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 The saying goes that

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 those who fail to learn from history

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 are destined to repeat it.

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 And those who have some familiarity

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 with the ministry of God's first great prophet,

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 Moses,

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 will see history repeating itself

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 here in 1 Kings 19.

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 In fact, there are a number of very explicit parallels

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 between Elijah's encounter with the Lord

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 here on Mount Horeb

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 and Moses' encounter with the Lord

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 on the same mountain

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 in Exodus 32 to 34.

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 For one thing,

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 the idolatry of God's people

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 is the central concern for both of them.

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 As the people of Israel in Moses' day

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 had replaced the Lord with a golden calf,

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 and here they'd gone after Baal.

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 So Moses prays for idolatrous Israel

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 on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights.

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 And Elijah flees to Mount Horeb,

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 verse 8,

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 for the same period of time.

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 Moses, in Exodus 33,

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 hides behind a cleft of the rock

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 to shield himself from the glory of God,

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 while Elijah hides himself here in a cave,

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 potentially even the same cleft of rock

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 where Moses hid

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 in order to flee from the wrath of Jezebel.

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 In verse 11, we're told

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 that the Lord passes Elijah by,

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 which is the very same language

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 from the Lord's encounter with Moses.

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 But the key similarity,

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 the key textual parallel,

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 is actually a contrast.

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 It's the difference between

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 how Moses prays on the mountain

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 versus how Elijah prays on the mountain.

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 In Moses' case,

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 the Lord threatened to eliminate

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 the Israelites

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 and sort of start over through him.

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 He threatened to start over

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 through a plan B

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 to reject Israel

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 and start a new nation through Moses.

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 But what did Moses do?

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 He interceded for them

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 in spite of their guilt,

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 in spite of their idolatry,

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 appealing to the Lord's own promises

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 to save them.

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 While Elijah,

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 and here's the contrast,

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 perhaps blinded by his pride

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 or sort of clouded

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 by his recent bout of depression

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 or perhaps both,

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 two times in the passage,

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 verses 10 and 14,

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 he boasts of his own zeal for God

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 and he brings complaints

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 of Israel's idolatry before him.

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 He doesn't pray for Israel,

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 he prays against Israel.

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 Moses says,

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 remember all your promises, Lord.

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 While Elijah says,

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 look at all of Israel's failures, Lord.

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 Three times repeating,

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 verses 10 and 14,

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 they've forsaken your covenant,

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 throwed down your altars,

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 killed your prophets.

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 And not only that,

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 but he matches this threefold complaint

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 with a threefold claim

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 to be the only faithful one left.

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 You can see it there.

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 He says,

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 I, even I only am left

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 and they threaten my life

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 to take it away.

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 I, I, my.

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 He's the prophet of me, myself, and I.

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 But was it even true?

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 I mean, it's certainly how Elijah felt

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 and perhaps some of you

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 will feel something of this right now,

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 that you might be the only godly one left

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 in your family

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 or in your marriage,

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 in your workplace.

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 And notice how the Lord

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 doesn't condemn Elijah

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 for feeling this way.

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 In fact, he remains kind to him all along.

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 But we know from the beginning

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 of chapter 18,

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 when Jezebel was trying to kill

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 God's prophets,

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 that Obadiah had hidden

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 100 of the Lord's faithful prophets

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 in, you guessed it,

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 a cave.

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 The very same place

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 Elijah finds himself

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 under the very same threat

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 that those other prophets were under.

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 So I do think we need to learn

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 right away

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 by way of application

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 that amidst our zeal,

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 and if you're here

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 in a cold auditorium

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 on a Sunday morning,

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 you do have a zeal for God,

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 or at least you long

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 to have a zeal for God.

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 But in the midst of our zeal,

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 even amidst something like

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 holy jealousy,

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 the jealousy that Elijah

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 expresses

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 in verses 10 and 14,

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 the kind of

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 holy jealousy

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 that fills our hearts

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 with pain

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 and even anger

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 when people around us

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 turn away from the one true God,

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 even in that place

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 of godly passion,

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 we absolutely have to

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 guard our hearts

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 from pride and self-pity.

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 We need to guard our hearts

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 from thoughts like

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 no one else knows

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 what it's like to be me.

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 No one else

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 knows what it's like

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 to be the only faithful one.

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 No one appreciates me

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 for my passion

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 and for my jealousy for God.

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 No one else knows

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 what it's like

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 to be the faithful one.

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 Do you ever feel like that?

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 It can be very tempting

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 to sort of spiral

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 into those kinds of thoughts.

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 Like you're the only one

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 who can ever reach

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 your unbelieving family

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 for Jesus.

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 You're the only one

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 who can,

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 you know,

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 share the gospel

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 faithfully in your workplace.

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 No one knows

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 what it's like

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 to suffer through

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 the situation

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 that I'm in right now.

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 The Lord doesn't condemn us

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 for having these thoughts.

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 He certainly doesn't

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 condemn Elijah.

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 But when we're tempted

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 to think this way,

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 I believe this passage

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 calls us to remember

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 that there is somebody

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 who does know

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 what we're going through.

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 Daniel read about this

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 at the beginning

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 of the service.

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 We have to remember

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 that we have

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 in the Lord Jesus

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 someone who does share

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 in our weaknesses

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 and in our pain.

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 Someone who knows

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 what it's like

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 to be tempted

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 in every way we are,

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 yet without sin.

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 Someone who endured

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 such hostility

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 against himself

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 who for the joy

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 set before him

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 endured the cross

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 so that we might

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 not grow weary

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 to the point

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 of despair

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 and pride,

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 self-pity

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 when we go through

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 our own trials

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 and temptations.

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 But it seemed like

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 Elijah had lost sight

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 of this,

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 so he expects the Lord

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 to sort of turn

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 to plan B.

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 His zeal

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 was commendable

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 to be sure,

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 but his understanding

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 of the situation

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 was incomplete

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 and that's humbling

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 for us

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 because while it can

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 feel like I'm the

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 only one who can

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 share the gospel

00:11:45.419 --> 00:11:46.100
 with so and so

00:11:46.100 --> 00:11:46.919
 or I'm the only one

00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:47.580
 who can reach

00:11:47.580 --> 00:11:49.139
 this person for Jesus,

00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:50.320
 we simply don't have

00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:50.960
 the full picture.

00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:52.279
 We simply don't know

00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:53.240
 what the Lord is planning.

00:11:53.559 --> 00:11:54.519
 We simply don't know

00:11:54.519 --> 00:11:55.659
 who he might raise up

00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:56.679
 to reach that person

00:11:56.679 --> 00:11:57.720
 in a way that we can't.

00:11:59.179 --> 00:12:00.259
 His zeal was commendable

00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:01.620
 but his understanding

00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:02.320
 of the situation

00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:03.019
 was complete.

00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:03.939
 He sort of lost sight

00:12:03.939 --> 00:12:04.460
 of the forest

00:12:04.460 --> 00:12:05.179
 for the trees

00:12:05.179 --> 00:12:06.819
 and so he wondered

00:12:06.819 --> 00:12:07.899
 if Israel's clock

00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:08.500
 had run out,

00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:09.360
 whether the Lord

00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:09.879
 is going to hit

00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:10.879
 the restart button.

00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:12.079
 He wondered if God

00:12:12.079 --> 00:12:13.059
 would sort of come down

00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:13.879
 with a new

00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:15.139
 and decisive revelation,

00:12:15.679 --> 00:12:16.720
 a completely different

00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:17.579
 plan of attack.

00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:19.340
 He wondered

00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:20.860
 perhaps that the fire

00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:21.980
 was going to fall down

00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:23.039
 this time on Israel

00:12:23.039 --> 00:12:24.819
 instead of on the sacrifice.

00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:26.939
 Perhaps a little bit

00:12:26.939 --> 00:12:28.059
 like the disciples wondered

00:12:28.059 --> 00:12:30.960
 when they asked Jesus

00:12:30.960 --> 00:12:32.340
 if they should tell fire

00:12:32.340 --> 00:12:33.540
 to fall down from heaven

00:12:33.540 --> 00:12:34.560
 and consume the people

00:12:34.560 --> 00:12:35.139
 of Jerusalem

00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:37.379
 like he had threatened

00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:38.180
 to do through Moses.

00:12:38.400 --> 00:12:39.580
 Perhaps the Lord

00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:40.620
 would just start all over

00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:41.540
 again through Elijah.

00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:45.139
 That's not how things go.

00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:47.900
 The Lord simply refuses

00:12:47.900 --> 00:12:49.840
 to pull a Napoleon bone apart.

00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:51.860
 He refuses to leave

00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:52.940
 his people behind

00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:55.259
 to die in the Middle Eastern sands.

00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:57.820
 Which brings us to the

00:12:57.820 --> 00:12:58.980
 extremely perplexing

00:12:58.980 --> 00:12:59.680
 set of events

00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:00.859
 sandwiched between

00:13:00.859 --> 00:13:01.879
 Elijah's two complaints

00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:03.000
 in verses 10 and 14.

00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:03.779
 In verse 11,

00:13:04.359 --> 00:13:05.319
 the Lord tells Elijah

00:13:05.319 --> 00:13:06.479
 to go out from his cave

00:13:06.479 --> 00:13:07.239
 to stand on the mount

00:13:07.239 --> 00:13:07.959
 before the Lord

00:13:07.959 --> 00:13:08.500
 and behold,

00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:10.919
 the Lord passed by.

00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:13.219
 And there followed

00:13:13.219 --> 00:13:14.339
 three great demonstrations

00:13:14.339 --> 00:13:14.839
 of power

00:13:14.839 --> 00:13:15.639
 that once again

00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:16.819
 remind us

00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:18.500
 of Moses' experiences

00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:19.439
 on Mount Sinai.

00:13:19.959 --> 00:13:21.839
 Three mighty demonstrations

00:13:21.839 --> 00:13:23.219
 of earth, wind, and fire.

00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:26.279
 But unlike the fires of Sinai

00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:28.179
 or the fires of Carmel,

00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:29.759
 this time and each time,

00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:32.439
 after the great and strong wind

00:13:32.439 --> 00:13:33.259
 and after the earthquake

00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:34.199
 and after the fire,

00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:35.039
 we're told that the Lord

00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:36.059
 was not to be found

00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:36.899
 in any of it.

00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:38.919
 The emphasis

00:13:38.919 --> 00:13:40.479
 on Mount Carmel

00:13:40.479 --> 00:13:41.539
 had been God's

00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:43.099
 spectacular ways.

00:13:44.079 --> 00:13:44.479
 The emphasis

00:13:44.479 --> 00:13:45.959
 was on this sort of

00:13:45.959 --> 00:13:48.019
 decisive revelation.

00:13:48.339 --> 00:13:48.799
 But not here.

00:13:48.859 --> 00:13:49.339
 Verse 11,

00:13:49.699 --> 00:13:50.779
 the Lord wasn't in the wind,

00:13:50.859 --> 00:13:52.199
 the Lord wasn't in the earthquake,

00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:53.679
 and the Lord wasn't in the fire,

00:13:53.779 --> 00:13:54.959
 but after the fire,

00:13:55.079 --> 00:13:55.459
 we're told,

00:13:55.559 --> 00:13:56.299
 end of verse 12,

00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:57.419
 that there was

00:13:57.419 --> 00:13:58.579
 the sound

00:13:58.579 --> 00:14:00.120
 of a low whisper.

00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:02.419
 Other translations

00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:03.459
 render this whisper

00:14:03.459 --> 00:14:05.620
 as a gentle breeze

00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:07.559
 or a blowing sound.

00:14:09.319 --> 00:14:10.419
 It was the sound

00:14:10.419 --> 00:14:10.839
 of this

00:14:10.839 --> 00:14:12.539
 thin silence,

00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:14.359
 according to the

00:14:14.359 --> 00:14:15.839
 footnote in the ESV.

00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:17.339
 It was this

00:14:17.339 --> 00:14:18.279
 still

00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:19.419
 quietness

00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:21.139
 that ironically

00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:23.120
 caught Elijah's attention.

00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:25.200
 verse 13,

00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.379
 it was the silence,

00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:26.799
 if you like,

00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:28.200
 that Elijah heard.

00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.299
 And some commentators

00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:30.860
 take this to mean

00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:32.019
 that we sort of have to

00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:33.960
 cultivate this discipline

00:14:33.960 --> 00:14:36.100
 of sacred silence

00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:37.120
 in our lives

00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:37.500
 so that

00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:38.980
 we can open up

00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:39.860
 our minds

00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:40.779
 to God's whisper.

00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:43.120
 Maybe an aspect

00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.000
 of what's going on here.

00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:44.679
 Others say that

00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:45.840
 while tremendous

00:14:45.840 --> 00:14:47.080
 displays of power

00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:47.720
 may be

00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:48.360
 how God

00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:49.019
 occasionally

00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:50.180
 reveals himself,

00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:51.359
 his normative

00:14:51.359 --> 00:14:52.259
 way of speaking

00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:53.399
 is by his voice,

00:14:53.939 --> 00:14:54.799
 by his word,

00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:56.419
 which is certainly true,

00:14:56.479 --> 00:14:56.979
 but I think

00:14:56.979 --> 00:14:57.819
 in this context,

00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:59.299
 I actually think

00:14:59.299 --> 00:14:59.979
 the silence,

00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.059
 this gentle breeze,

00:15:01.459 --> 00:15:02.479
 is an emphatic

00:15:02.479 --> 00:15:03.379
 assurance

00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:04.399
 that God

00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:04.859
 isn't going to

00:15:04.859 --> 00:15:05.659
 turn to a different

00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:06.099
 plan.

00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:07.939
 It's this absence

00:15:07.939 --> 00:15:09.739
 of new revelation.

00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:10.579
 It was a sign

00:15:10.579 --> 00:15:11.059
 that the Lord

00:15:11.059 --> 00:15:11.659
 wasn't about

00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.679
 to abandon ship

00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:13.699
 for plan B.

00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:14.759
 You know,

00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:15.539
 perhaps Elijah

00:15:15.539 --> 00:15:17.399
 wanted the Lord

00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:18.139
 to reveal

00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:19.240
 ten new commandments.

00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:21.259
 A new set

00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:22.060
 of marching orders,

00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:22.879
 but instead

00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:25.960
 he hears a low whisper,

00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:26.820
 a thin silence,

00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:27.740
 a gentle breeze,

00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:28.860
 such that the Lord

00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:30.480
 absolutely would not

00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:31.259
 begin again.

00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.419
 He's not going to

00:15:32.419 --> 00:15:33.139
 tear up his

00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:34.620
 salvation blueprints.

00:15:35.460 --> 00:15:36.139
 He wasn't about

00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:37.580
 to turn to a new

00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:38.759
 and more impressive

00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.360
 people,

00:15:39.659 --> 00:15:40.480
 or enter into

00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:41.299
 a new,

00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.600
 a different covenant

00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.299
 with a more

00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:44.240
 impressive group

00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:46.220
 that had it

00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:46.779
 all together,

00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:48.500
 which I think

00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.179
 is something,

00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:49.480
 again,

00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:49.879
 we need to

00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:50.620
 consider ourselves

00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:51.419
 because in our

00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:51.720
 zeal,

00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:52.659
 we can slip

00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.159
 into thinking

00:15:53.159 --> 00:15:53.759
 that we are

00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:54.480
 all God

00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:55.419
 has going for him.

00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:57.320
 That because

00:15:57.320 --> 00:15:57.820
 our culture

00:15:57.820 --> 00:15:58.259
 has become

00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.259
 sort of thoroughly

00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:00.100
 post-Christian

00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:01.279
 and the moral

00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:01.919
 sensibilities

00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:02.960
 of Canada

00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:03.539
 have sort of

00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:04.100
 eroded

00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:05.179
 underneath our feet,

00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:07.039
 political pendulum

00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:07.559
 has sort of

00:16:07.559 --> 00:16:08.600
 swung in a direction

00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:09.179
 we're uncomfortable

00:16:09.179 --> 00:16:09.740
 with,

00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:10.940
 or the economy

00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:11.779
 is spiraling

00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:12.480
 out of control,

00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.539
 we might be

00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:14.399
 tempted to think

00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:15.259
 a little bit

00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:15.799
 like Elijah

00:16:15.799 --> 00:16:17.079
 that God

00:16:17.079 --> 00:16:17.779
 might as well

00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.879
 just start over.

00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:19.699
 Maybe he should

00:16:19.699 --> 00:16:20.620
 just wipe the slate

00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.059
 clean.

00:16:21.219 --> 00:16:22.139
 Maybe we think

00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.559
 things like,

00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:23.159
 really Lord,

00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:24.159
 the Bible?

00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:25.859
 You know,

00:16:26.579 --> 00:16:27.740
 you expect us

00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:28.319
 to win

00:16:28.319 --> 00:16:30.319
 my unbelieving

00:16:30.319 --> 00:16:30.719
 neighbors

00:16:30.719 --> 00:16:32.059
 or my hardened

00:16:32.059 --> 00:16:33.279
 family members

00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:34.639
 with the message

00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.699
 from this dusty

00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:36.259
 old book?

00:16:37.359 --> 00:16:38.399
 I tried sticking

00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:38.699
 to it,

00:16:38.719 --> 00:16:39.219
 but it's clearly

00:16:39.219 --> 00:16:39.859
 not working.

00:16:39.959 --> 00:16:40.579
 Nobody's listening.

00:16:40.719 --> 00:16:42.219
 Why not just write

00:16:42.219 --> 00:16:42.799
 your message

00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:43.519
 in the clouds?

00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:45.039
 Or sort of

00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:46.299
 just upload

00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:48.159
 a high-definition

00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:49.500
 video experience

00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:49.979
 of Jesus

00:16:49.979 --> 00:16:50.659
 rising again

00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:51.179
 from the dead?

00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:53.719
 Why not come up

00:16:53.719 --> 00:16:54.359
 with a new plan?

00:16:54.439 --> 00:16:55.099
 Why not innovate?

00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:55.699
 Why not try

00:16:55.699 --> 00:16:56.339
 something else?

00:16:56.419 --> 00:16:57.019
 And I think

00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:57.679
 this is the kind

00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:57.939
 of thing

00:16:57.939 --> 00:16:58.399
 that Elijah

00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.459
 slipped into thinking.

00:17:01.459 --> 00:17:02.059
 Expecting God

00:17:02.059 --> 00:17:02.579
 to pivot,

00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:04.220
 to decisively

00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:05.379
 reveal himself

00:17:05.379 --> 00:17:06.019
 in a new way

00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:06.720
 because it simply

00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:07.399
 wasn't working.

00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:09.419
 The old commandments

00:17:09.419 --> 00:17:10.740
 were out of date.

00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:12.759
 It wasn't up

00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:14.039
 to Elijah's standards.

00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:16.039
 But like he has

00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:16.880
 time and time again,

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.400
 just as the Lord

00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:19.200
 was kind

00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:21.319
 to sustain Elijah

00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.779
 throughout his ministry

00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:24.279
 at the beaks

00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:25.200
 of ravens

00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:25.920
 at Kareth,

00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:28.599
 with water

00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:29.640
 and cakes

00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:30.700
 at the hand

00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.440
 of the widow

00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:32.319
 of Zarephath,

00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:35.359
 with the same

00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:36.279
 sustenance

00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:36.599
 underneath

00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:37.539
 the broom tree,

00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:39.240
 now he shows

00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.180
 his kindness again.

00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.359
 To his zealous

00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:42.240
 yet flawed servant.

00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:43.980
 As the whisper

00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:44.980
 sort of calls him

00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:45.740
 just to get back

00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:46.259
 to work.

00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:48.400
 To turn around.

00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.440
 To head back

00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:50.039
 into the wilderness.

00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.519
 To keep at plan A.

00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:53.380
 And listen,

00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.200
 if you're anything

00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:55.660
 like me,

00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:56.319
 it can feel

00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:57.319
 very tempting

00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:58.460
 to sort of

00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:59.960
 be at your wits end

00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:01.559
 in the Christian life

00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.720
 or in the Christian ministry

00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:04.259
 like Elijah.

00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:06.240
 And if that's the place

00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:07.039
 you find yourself,

00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:09.659
 this text does call us

00:18:09.659 --> 00:18:10.859
 to take note

00:18:10.859 --> 00:18:11.940
 of his repeated

00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:12.940
 kindness toward you.

00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:15.139
 His relentless

00:18:15.139 --> 00:18:16.759
 provision in your life.

00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:19.000
 To let the tangible

00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:20.879
 examples of his provision

00:18:20.879 --> 00:18:21.940
 and kindness

00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:22.659
 in your life

00:18:22.659 --> 00:18:23.859
 and throughout

00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:25.139
 the history of salvation

00:18:25.139 --> 00:18:26.420
 drive you to stay

00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:27.000
 the course.

00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:28.539
 To keep trusting.

00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:29.899
 Turn again

00:18:29.899 --> 00:18:30.879
 to the ancient word.

00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.240
 Turn again

00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:33.159
 to God's thundering

00:18:33.159 --> 00:18:34.359
 revelation at Sinai.

00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:36.740
 to the wonders

00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.579
 of Mount Carmel.

00:18:38.179 --> 00:18:39.679
 To the reassuring

00:18:39.679 --> 00:18:40.619
 voice of God

00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:41.539
 on the Mount

00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:42.619
 of Transfiguration

00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:44.179
 concerning his son Jesus.

00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:46.579
 To the silence

00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:49.439
 after Jesus Christ

00:18:49.439 --> 00:18:51.059
 breathes his last.

00:18:52.479 --> 00:18:53.819
 To his sure promises.

00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.839
 To his black and white

00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:55.319
 commandments.

00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:57.299
 Remember to keep going.

00:18:57.399 --> 00:18:57.919
 To keep praying.

00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:59.019
 To keep sharing the gospel

00:18:59.019 --> 00:19:00.279
 with those around you

00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:01.319
 who don't yet trust

00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:01.799
 in Jesus.

00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.439
 Don't lose hope

00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.519
 even though

00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:05.660
 idolatry continues.

00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:07.259
 Because that's what

00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:07.600
 he's doing.

00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:08.340
 He's still committed

00:19:08.340 --> 00:19:09.480
 to saving his people.

00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:10.600
 He'll never abandon them.

00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:11.860
 He'll never reject them.

00:19:12.120 --> 00:19:13.340
 He'll continue in kindness

00:19:13.340 --> 00:19:14.320
 even though

00:19:14.320 --> 00:19:15.420
 we are flawed

00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:16.039
 in our zeal.

00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.920
 And everything around us

00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:19.860
 is crumbling

00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:20.779
 into idolatry.

00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:22.860
 Which brings us

00:19:22.860 --> 00:19:23.660
 to the second sign

00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:24.279
 in this passage

00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:25.180
 that shows that the Lord

00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:26.000
 will never abandon

00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:26.500
 his people

00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.580
 even in the face

00:19:27.580 --> 00:19:28.279
 of idolatry.

00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:29.559
 Verses 15 to 17

00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:30.000
 namely

00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.360
 the sign of his

00:19:31.360 --> 00:19:33.019
 ongoing determination

00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:34.400
 to eliminate

00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:35.400
 false worship.

00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.960
 His ongoing

00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.839
 determination

00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:39.000
 to eliminate

00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:39.819
 false worship.

00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.559
 You can see that

00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:42.680
 Elijah repeatedly

00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.900
 emphasized his jealousy

00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:44.579
 for the Lord

00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.720
 in verses 10 and 14

00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:47.059
 but it was on

00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.059
 Mount Horeb

00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:49.180
 where the Lord

00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:50.339
 reveals to Elijah

00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:51.059
 that he

00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:52.599
 is the jealous one.

00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.240
 Many will know

00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.160
 that throughout the scriptures

00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:55.779
 the Lord

00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.900
 presents himself

00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:58.200
 as a faithful husband

00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:58.759
 jealous

00:19:58.759 --> 00:20:00.339
 for his adulterous bride.

00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:02.559
 meaning that

00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.099
 it breaks

00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:03.879
 his heart

00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:05.519
 to see his people

00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.000
 run off

00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.799
 with other lovers

00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:08.759
 to devote themselves

00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.959
 to other gods

00:20:09.959 --> 00:20:11.699
 like we do

00:20:11.699 --> 00:20:12.359
 and we make

00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:13.799
 sacrifices for things

00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:15.259
 that cost us

00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:15.980
 in our relationship

00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:16.519
 with Jesus.

00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:18.899
 It breaks

00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:19.539
 the Lord's heart

00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.399
 to see people

00:20:20.399 --> 00:20:20.899
 like us

00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:21.740
 devote more

00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.519
 of the motivation

00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.919
 more of the ambition

00:20:23.919 --> 00:20:24.679
 of our hearts

00:20:24.679 --> 00:20:25.199
 to anything

00:20:25.199 --> 00:20:25.839
 other than him.

00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.319
 It breaks his heart

00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:28.399
 when people like us

00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:28.920
 who are called

00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:29.960
 to love the Lord

00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:30.420
 our God

00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:31.420
 with all our heart

00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:31.920
 soul, mind

00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.500
 and strength

00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.920
 have our thoughts

00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:34.960
 more captivated

00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:35.840
 our time

00:20:35.840 --> 00:20:36.640
 more consumed

00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:37.900
 and our resources

00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:38.700
 more devoted

00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.860
 to other loves

00:20:39.860 --> 00:20:41.060
 and other priorities.

00:20:42.100 --> 00:20:42.960
 And actually

00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.820
 we should be

00:20:43.820 --> 00:20:44.940
 reassured by this.

00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:48.380
 It should reassure us

00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:49.400
 that our idolatry

00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:51.040
 actually offends God.

00:20:52.320 --> 00:20:53.300
 Because imagine

00:20:53.300 --> 00:20:54.040
 a husband

00:20:54.040 --> 00:20:55.160
 sort of coming home

00:20:55.160 --> 00:20:56.180
 to his wife

00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:57.019
 after a long day

00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:57.460
 of work

00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:59.039
 and he heads upstairs

00:20:59.039 --> 00:20:59.720
 to greet her

00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.559
 he opens up

00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.279
 the bedroom door

00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:02.160
 and he discovers

00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:02.920
 her in bed

00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:03.720
 with another lover.

00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.839
 And imagine

00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:07.259
 if his response

00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:07.879
 was like

00:21:07.879 --> 00:21:08.779
 oh

00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:10.379
 excuse me

00:21:10.379 --> 00:21:11.779
 I'm so sorry

00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.379
 to interrupt

00:21:12.379 --> 00:21:13.660
 carry on

00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:15.599
 I'll make sure

00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:16.700
 to knock next time

00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.859
 and you know

00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:18.819
 why don't you two

00:21:18.819 --> 00:21:19.379
 finish up

00:21:19.379 --> 00:21:20.859
 and I'll go downstairs

00:21:20.859 --> 00:21:21.900
 and prepare some tea

00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.680
 and we can all enjoy

00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.079
 it together

00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:23.839
 after you're done.

00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:25.680
 Would that be

00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:26.660
 a loving response?

00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:28.980
 It wouldn't be

00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:29.759
 a loving response

00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.259
 at all.

00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:32.759
 A loving husband

00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:34.359
 upon encountering

00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:34.980
 something like this

00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:35.920
 would be filled

00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:37.379
 with anger

00:21:37.379 --> 00:21:39.079
 filled with

00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:40.660
 jealousy

00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:43.639
 filled with rage.

00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:46.460
 In the Ten Commandments

00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.259
 the Lord forbade

00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:47.759
 the worship

00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.519
 of other gods

00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.299
 on the grounds

00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.000
 of his jealousy

00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.859
 for his people's

00:21:50.859 --> 00:21:51.940
 exclusive allegiance

00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.759
 and love.

00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:54.660
 And here we see

00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:55.119
 that he loves

00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:56.039
 his people so much

00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:56.740
 and that he's

00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.359
 so dedicated

00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:58.059
 to their good

00:21:58.059 --> 00:21:58.759
 and to the purity

00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.559
 of their praise

00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.960
 in spite of their

00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:02.379
 repeated insistence

00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:03.420
 on worshiping

00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:03.960
 other gods

00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.920
 he'll do whatever

00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:05.460
 it takes

00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.779
 to eradicate

00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.539
 idolatry

00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.299
 from among them

00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:09.400
 and to judge

00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:09.799
 those

00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.700
 who push it

00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.059
 on them.

00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.420
 And in so doing

00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:14.099
 he plans to

00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:14.700
 exterminate

00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.339
 false worship

00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:16.220
 like the parasite

00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:16.900
 that it is.

00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:17.759
 So in verses

00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:18.660
 15 to 17

00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.519
 he sends Elijah

00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.220
 back into the

00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:20.759
 wilderness of

00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.380
 Damascus

00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:22.960
 to anoint Haziel

00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:24.000
 as king over Syria

00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:26.380
 and it's sort of

00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:27.519
 fun to imagine

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.259
 a period

00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:28.700
 at the end

00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.339
 of that sentence

00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:30.119
 you'd sort of

00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:30.519
 think okay

00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.619
 he's going to

00:22:31.619 --> 00:22:32.440
 enter into covenant

00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:33.200
 with the people

00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:33.660
 of Syria

00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.200
 he'll ditch

00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:34.600
 Israel

00:22:34.600 --> 00:22:35.779
 but the sentence

00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.480
 continues

00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:38.460
 Jehu as king

00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:39.140
 over Israel

00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:40.380
 and Elisha

00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:40.940
 as the prophet

00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:41.640
 succeed him.

00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:42.900
 This isn't just

00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:43.960
 a list of names

00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:44.759
 and responsibilities

00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:46.140
 it's a reminder

00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:47.519
 that it has always

00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:48.660
 been through the work

00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.560
 of prophets

00:22:49.560 --> 00:22:50.580
 priests and kings

00:22:50.580 --> 00:22:51.620
 that the Lord

00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:52.060
 went about

00:22:52.060 --> 00:22:52.900
 accomplishing his

00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:53.480
 saving work

00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.180
 among his people

00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:56.380
 and that wasn't

00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:57.000
 about to change

00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.560
 in the slightest

00:22:57.560 --> 00:22:59.340
 and God's not

00:22:59.340 --> 00:23:00.060
 so subtle way

00:23:00.060 --> 00:23:00.640
 of driving that

00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:01.400
 home to Elijah

00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:02.980
 was by telling him

00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:04.680
 to appoint a successor

00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.700
 whose name

00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:06.880
 Elisha

00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:08.599
 means my God

00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:09.579
 saves

00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:12.500
 so God's

00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.940
 salvation campaign

00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:15.460
 wasn't only

00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.059
 continuing

00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:17.099
 it was in full

00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:17.660
 force

00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:19.819
 so by calling

00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.740
 Elijah to anoint

00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.620
 Haziel, Jehu

00:23:21.620 --> 00:23:22.279
 and Elisha

00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:23.640
 he doubles down

00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:24.980
 on using them

00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.980
 like axes

00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.680
 in his hand

00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:28.160
 to continue

00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:29.559
 to chop away

00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.539
 at the rotten

00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.860
 tree that stands

00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:32.299
 in the middle

00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:32.980
 of his people

00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:34.519
 namely idolatry

00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:36.319
 and this will

00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:36.859
 lead to the

00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:38.059
 eventual demise

00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:39.180
 of Ahab

00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:39.839
 and Jezebel

00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:42.099
 which he alludes

00:23:42.099 --> 00:23:42.680
 to there in verse

00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:43.599
 17 when he says

00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.259
 that the one

00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:44.740
 who escapes

00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:45.359
 from the sword

00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:46.579
 of Haziel

00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:47.500
 shall Jehu

00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.159
 put to death

00:23:48.159 --> 00:23:48.779
 the one who

00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:49.399
 escapes from

00:23:49.399 --> 00:23:49.720
 the sword

00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.259
 of Jehu

00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.059
 shall Elijah

00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:51.680
 put to death

00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:54.019
 and this just

00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.720
 shows us

00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.799
 it proves to us

00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.440
 that the Lord

00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.299
 is not the kind

00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:58.039
 of homeowner

00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:59.279
 who discovers

00:23:59.279 --> 00:23:59.919
 that there's

00:23:59.919 --> 00:24:00.919
 asbestos in the

00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:03.019
 house and he

00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.539
 just simply

00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.300
 leaves it to

00:24:04.300 --> 00:24:04.920
 poison his

00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:05.259
 children

00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:07.640
 he appoints

00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:08.160
 people to

00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.860
 contain it

00:24:08.860 --> 00:24:09.779
 and bag it

00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:11.360
 up and

00:24:11.360 --> 00:24:12.200
 dispose of it

00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:13.900
 which is what

00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:14.700
 verse 17 is

00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.120
 all about

00:24:15.120 --> 00:24:16.140
 God's idolatrous

00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:17.580
 people on the

00:24:17.580 --> 00:24:18.539
 one hand are

00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:19.200
 on a very

00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:19.920
 very long

00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.340
 leash

00:24:20.340 --> 00:24:22.080
 you'll know

00:24:22.080 --> 00:24:22.759
 this if you

00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.320
 read your

00:24:23.320 --> 00:24:23.820
 Old Testament

00:24:23.820 --> 00:24:26.039
 and that's

00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:26.580
 because of his

00:24:26.580 --> 00:24:26.940
 mercy

00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:28.740
 but those

00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.480
 who plunge

00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:30.519
 them into

00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.759
 false worship

00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.740
 must be dealt

00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.100
 with

00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:35.259
 and we see

00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:35.660
 the Lord's

00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:36.059
 heart through

00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:36.779
 Jesus along

00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.240
 these lines

00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:37.700
 when he says

00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.640
 whoever causes

00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:39.460
 one of these

00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.519
 little ones

00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:41.140
 who believe

00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:42.059
 to sin

00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:43.700
 it would be

00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:44.460
 better for him

00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:45.360
 to have a

00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:46.440
 great millstone

00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:47.100
 tied around

00:24:47.100 --> 00:24:48.299
 his neck

00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.620
 and to be

00:24:49.620 --> 00:24:50.279
 drowned in

00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:50.700
 the sea

00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:54.460
 Elijah's time

00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:54.820
 was drawing

00:24:54.820 --> 00:24:55.500
 to a close

00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:57.059
 but the

00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:57.440
 Lord would

00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.059
 ensure that

00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.640
 Israel would

00:24:58.640 --> 00:24:59.500
 not be left

00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.680
 without prophets

00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.259
 priests and

00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.099
 kings to

00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:02.779
 care for them

00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.700
 and to

00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:05.000
 decisively judge

00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.660
 those who

00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:07.519
 push idolatry

00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:08.079
 on them by

00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:08.420
 way of

00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.220
 extermination

00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:11.500
 and we

00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:11.900
 should be

00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:12.539
 assured as

00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.200
 Jesus says

00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.839
 that false

00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:15.880
 prophets and

00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:16.460
 deceivers

00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:18.440
 they're not

00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:18.720
 going to be

00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.140
 let off the

00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:19.619
 hook either

00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:23.119
 and finally

00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:23.799
 we learn that

00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:24.440
 the Lord will

00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.180
 never abandon

00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:25.740
 or reject

00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.259
 his people

00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:26.880
 even in the

00:25:26.880 --> 00:25:27.259
 face of

00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:27.880
 idolatry

00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:28.779
 by way of

00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.539
 his gracious

00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.620
 preservation

00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:32.460
 of a faithful

00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:33.039
 remnant

00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:35.019
 his gracious

00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.860
 preservation

00:25:35.860 --> 00:25:37.279
 of a faithful

00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.820
 remnant

00:25:37.820 --> 00:25:38.600
 verses 18 to

00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:38.980
 21

00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:40.920
 I'll never

00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.560
 forget when

00:25:41.560 --> 00:25:42.060
 one of my

00:25:42.060 --> 00:25:42.700
 best friends

00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.279
 his name was

00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:43.600
 Ben

00:25:43.600 --> 00:25:44.920
 had convinced

00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:45.640
 himself that

00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.340
 he committed

00:25:46.340 --> 00:25:47.180
 the unforgivable

00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:48.400
 sin to the

00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:49.400
 point of refusing

00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:50.519
 for months to

00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.680
 eat or drink

00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:52.500
 or sleep

00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:54.299
 which led

00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:54.559
 him to

00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:55.099
 losing about

00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:55.839
 100 pounds

00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:56.500
 he grew a

00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.559
 beard down

00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.339
 past his

00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:58.799
 waist

00:25:58.799 --> 00:26:01.299
 he ended up

00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:02.039
 in a psych

00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.779
 ward twice

00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:04.819
 and I went

00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.960
 on a special

00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.700
 retreat with

00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:06.960
 him

00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:08.700
 I served as

00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.279
 an advocate

00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:09.819
 for him

00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.859
 in the hospital

00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:12.099
 I visited

00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.880
 him in his

00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:13.259
 home

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:15.000
 and I remember

00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:16.240
 trying to

00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:16.980
 minister to him

00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:18.039
 taking him

00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:18.559
 to verses

00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.500
 like John

00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.099
 6 37

00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:20.759
 it was actually

00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.259
 my favorite

00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:22.059
 one to take

00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:22.339
 him to

00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:22.839
 over and

00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:23.440
 over again

00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.779
 where Jesus

00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:25.519
 assures

00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.720
 everyone who

00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.120
 would come

00:26:27.120 --> 00:26:27.500
 to him

00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.000
 that he

00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.559
 will never

00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.200
 ever cast

00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:29.620
 them out

00:26:29.620 --> 00:26:32.460
 nothing

00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:32.819
 worked

00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.160
 nothing

00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:33.579
 helped

00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.599
 so I

00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.000
 started to

00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:35.400
 lose hope

00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:36.140
 because I

00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:36.500
 think deep

00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:36.839
 down

00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:38.059
 I was

00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:38.640
 convinced

00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:40.259
 that if I

00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:40.980
 couldn't reach

00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:41.240
 him

00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:42.579
 who could

00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:45.599
 but one

00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:46.120
 sure enough

00:26:46.119 --> 00:26:46.739
 one day Ben

00:26:46.739 --> 00:26:47.319
 calls me

00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:49.099
 he had been

00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:49.659
 released from

00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:50.039
 the psych

00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:50.299
 ward

00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:51.579
 and not

00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:51.979
 only that

00:26:51.979 --> 00:26:52.399
 but he

00:26:52.399 --> 00:26:53.799
 started working

00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.159
 again

00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:55.119
 so I asked

00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:55.359
 him what

00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:55.659
 did it

00:26:55.659 --> 00:26:56.019
 and he said

00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.539
 well Tony

00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:56.979
 came to

00:26:56.979 --> 00:26:57.399
 visit me

00:26:57.399 --> 00:26:59.179
 and through

00:26:59.179 --> 00:27:00.079
 tears I

00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:00.639
 said well

00:27:00.639 --> 00:27:00.939
 what did

00:27:00.939 --> 00:27:01.639
 Tony say

00:27:01.639 --> 00:27:04.199
 and he was

00:27:04.199 --> 00:27:04.579
 like he

00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:05.039
 shared with

00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.459
 me John

00:27:05.459 --> 00:27:06.199
 6 37

00:27:06.199 --> 00:27:08.699
 which made

00:27:08.699 --> 00:27:09.259
 me realize

00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:09.599
 that I

00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.019
 wasn't

00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.799
 unforgivable

00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:13.059
 and while I

00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:13.639
 was certainly

00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:14.559
 ecstatic that my

00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.159
 friend was

00:27:15.159 --> 00:27:15.739
 liberated

00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:17.380
 my pride was

00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:18.240
 certainly heard

00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:18.660
 at the same

00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:19.059
 time

00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:23.799
 and in

00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:24.380
 Elijah's

00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:24.680
 zeal

00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:26.440
 he's

00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:26.839
 repeatedly

00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:27.480
 convinced that

00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:27.980
 he's the only

00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.779
 faithful prophet

00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:29.180
 left

00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:30.480
 like I was

00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.039
 prone to be

00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.339
 in my

00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:31.960
 ministry with

00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:32.259
 Ben

00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:33.640
 but the

00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:34.359
 Lord humbles

00:27:34.359 --> 00:27:34.839
 his servant

00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:35.180
 here in

00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:35.759
 verse 18

00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:36.359
 as he raises

00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:37.160
 up Elijah's

00:27:37.160 --> 00:27:37.539
 faithful

00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.359
 replacements

00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:38.400
!

00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:39.759
 promising to

00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.799
 gather 7,000

00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.380
 prophets in

00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:41.920
 Israel who

00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.440
 have not

00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:42.960
 bowed to

00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.799
 Baal nor

00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.319
 given him

00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:45.079
 their idolatrous

00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:45.519
 kiss!

00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.940
 I read this

00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.519
 week in the

00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.539
 ancient Babylonian

00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.180
 myth known as

00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:49.799
 the Enuma

00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.980
 Elish the

00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.799
 tribunal of

00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.500
 gods are sort

00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.180
 of depicted as

00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:54.319
 kissing the

00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:54.819
 feet of

00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:55.980
 Marduk the

00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.740
 chief deity

00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:56.740


00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.380
 of Babylon

00:27:57.380 --> 00:27:58.980
 because doing

00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.539
 so was the

00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.299
 very common

00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:00.759
 act of

00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:01.819
 submission offered

00:28:01.819 --> 00:28:02.519
 to both kings

00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.620
 and gods in

00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:04.019
 the ancient

00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:05.259
 world and it's

00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:05.660
 safe to say

00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:06.200
 there was a lot

00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:06.819
 of idol kissing

00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.500
 going on in

00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.359
 the time of

00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:09.759
 Jezebel but

00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.259
 here the Lord

00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.000
 assures Elijah

00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:11.819
 verse 18 that

00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:12.500
 he will keep

00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.619
 for himself

00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:14.940
 7,000 in

00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:16.079
 Israel 7,000

00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:16.559
 the perfect

00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.319
 number who

00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:17.839
 have not

00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:18.519
 bowed down to

00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:19.559
 kiss Baal at

00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:20.039
 the whim and

00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:21.519
 fancy of Ahab

00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.319
 and Jezebel

00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:23.960
 a sure sign that

00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:24.700
 the Lord has

00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.319
 not and never

00:28:25.319 --> 00:28:26.339
 would abandon

00:28:26.339 --> 00:28:27.200
 his people even

00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:27.779
 in the face of

00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:29.240
 idolatry and my

00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.279
 friends you and

00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.200
 I like this

00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:31.960
 faithful remnant

00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:33.519
 in Elijah's day

00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.880
 in our own time

00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:36.119
 and place you and

00:28:36.119 --> 00:28:37.319
 I need to be the

00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:38.400
 kinds of people who

00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:39.420
 are willing to

00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:41.380
 take a stand we

00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:42.420
 need to be willing

00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:44.980
 to establish this

00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:47.260
 this baseline

00:28:47.260 --> 00:28:49.300
 pattern of

00:28:49.300 --> 00:28:50.340
 obedience and

00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:51.520
 abstinence from

00:28:51.520 --> 00:28:52.740
 things that express

00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.960
 allegiance to the

00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:54.840
 pagan deities of

00:28:54.840 --> 00:28:55.400
 our own day

00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:58.280
 it's hard work

00:28:58.280 --> 00:29:00.580
 we need to

00:29:00.580 --> 00:29:01.580
 refuse to

00:29:01.580 --> 00:29:02.660
 sacrifice our

00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:04.200
 lives to

00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:05.360
 sexual and

00:29:05.360 --> 00:29:06.620
 individual autonomy

00:29:06.620 --> 00:29:08.960
 to the whims

00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.820
 and fancies of

00:29:09.820 --> 00:29:10.480
 financial

00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:12.220
 freedom and

00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:12.700
 power

00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:15.039
 the kinds of

00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.759
 things our

00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.519
 culture says you

00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.480
 have to have in

00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.360
 order to be okay

00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:21.720
 can't bow down to

00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.259
 these things even

00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.700
 though the world

00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.539
 says we have to

00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.720
 have them we need

00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.380
 them in order to be

00:29:25.380 --> 00:29:27.400
 happy and is it

00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:28.400
 not easy for that to

00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:29.099
 sort of creep into

00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:29.980
 our consciences and

00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.579
 our desires

00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:35.039
 others and if we

00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:38.559
 refuse the Lord will

00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:39.539
 raise up others to

00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.319
 take a stand with

00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:41.539
 us we won't be

00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:43.919
 alone and he'll

00:29:43.919 --> 00:29:44.899
 reassure us that

00:29:44.899 --> 00:29:46.379
 there's a long

00:29:46.379 --> 00:29:47.359
 tradition of faithful

00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:48.139
 workers who came

00:29:48.139 --> 00:29:49.759
 before us there's a

00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:51.339
 there's a faithful

00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:52.720
 remnant among us who

00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:53.359
 will take a stand

00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:54.939
 with us and there

00:29:54.939 --> 00:29:55.619
 will be a faithful

00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:56.859
 number who he will

00:29:56.859 --> 00:29:57.879
 continue to raise up

00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:58.779
 after we're gone

00:29:58.779 --> 00:30:02.460
 and sure enough

00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:06.200
 even as that's what

00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:06.879
 the church is all

00:30:06.879 --> 00:30:08.399
 about today

00:30:08.399 --> 00:30:10.980
 God's appointed

00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:12.039
 successor to Elijah

00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:12.660
 verse 20

00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:13.740
 he might kiss

00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:15.619
 his mom and dad

00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:17.440
 before joining

00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.019
 Elijah in the

00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.720
 ministry but he's

00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.240
 never going to be

00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:20.519
 one to kiss the

00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.139
 feet of Baal

00:30:21.139 --> 00:30:24.519
 Elijah was among

00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:25.940
 the Lord's 7,000

00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:27.460
 another sure sign

00:30:27.460 --> 00:30:28.340
 of him continuing

00:30:28.340 --> 00:30:29.720
 to stick with his

00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:31.880
 sinful people and

00:30:31.880 --> 00:30:32.680
 it's very interesting

00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:34.220
 that verse 18 is

00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:35.539
 cited in the book of

00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.660
 Romans and chapter

00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:38.759
 11 along these lines

00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.720
 because in Paul's day

00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.299
 there was a very

00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:42.500
 similar concern a

00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.440
 similar concern to

00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:44.320
 Elijah's day a

00:30:44.320 --> 00:30:45.160
 similar concern that

00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:45.900
 might bubble up in

00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:48.039
 your hearts that the

00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:48.940
 Lord might have just

00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:50.380
 rejected and abandoned

00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:51.880
 his people that he

00:30:51.880 --> 00:30:53.160
 was starting over again

00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:55.080
 with salvation plan B

00:30:55.079 --> 00:30:57.059
 perhaps some in Rome

00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:59.179
 have been asking what

00:30:59.179 --> 00:31:00.099
 Elijah was likely

00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:00.939
 asking here at the

00:31:00.939 --> 00:31:01.619
 beginning of Romans

00:31:01.619 --> 00:31:03.659
 11 has God finally

00:31:03.659 --> 00:31:04.639
 rejected his people

00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:05.279
 has he finally

00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:06.099
 abandoned them

00:31:06.099 --> 00:31:08.299
 but Paul emphatically

00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:09.619
 puts that concern to

00:31:09.619 --> 00:31:10.899
 bed when he says no

00:31:10.899 --> 00:31:12.460
 way by no means

00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:14.460
 God hasn't rejected

00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.460
 his people and he

00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.599
 never will after all

00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:18.139
 how did God reply to

00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:19.519
 Elijah I've kept for

00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:21.639
 myself 7,000 who

00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:22.519
 have not bowed the

00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.679
 knee to Baal and so

00:31:23.679 --> 00:31:24.519
 too at this present

00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:26.119
 time there is a

00:31:26.119 --> 00:31:27.500
 remnant chosen by

00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:29.819
 grace and it was the

00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:32.680
 Lord Jesus Christ who

00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:34.180
 assured his disciples

00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:35.799
 the faithful few who

00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:37.059
 had been hiding in the

00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:38.660
 dark for fear of their

00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:43.039
 lives thinking that the

00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:44.079
 crucifixion of Jesus

00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:45.819
 was the fatal blow to

00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:49.279
 their hopes he rose

00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:50.180
 again and assured them

00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:50.940
 once and for all that

00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:52.139
 the gates of hell would

00:31:52.139 --> 00:31:53.559
 never prevail against his

00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:56.899
 church but it can be

00:31:56.899 --> 00:31:57.839
 tempting for us to sort

00:31:57.839 --> 00:31:58.359
 of look at the

00:31:58.359 --> 00:31:59.539
 financial world or the

00:31:59.539 --> 00:32:00.740
 entertainment world or

00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:02.240
 the political world and

00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:04.480
 wonder if the church even

00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:08.099
 stands a chance we can

00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:08.819
 slip into thinking like

00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:10.079
 maybe we're too weak maybe

00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:11.399
 we're too fickle maybe

00:32:11.399 --> 00:32:13.139
 we're too irrelevant in

00:32:13.139 --> 00:32:14.480
 the eyes of the culture for

00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:16.079
 the Lord to continue to

00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:17.259
 work in and through us to

00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:19.839
 achieve his purposes this

00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:22.899
 side of eternity but that's

00:32:22.899 --> 00:32:24.279
 exactly what he intends to

00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:26.819
 do look he chose an obscure

00:32:26.819 --> 00:32:28.679
 farm boy in Elisha to

00:32:28.679 --> 00:32:30.759
 succeed the great and

00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:32.699
 zealous Elijah he chose

00:32:32.699 --> 00:32:34.959
 him to represent this

00:32:34.959 --> 00:32:36.519
 faithful remnant in his

00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:37.819
 day to prove that he has

00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:38.919
 not rejected his people

00:32:38.919 --> 00:32:41.740
 that he hasn't abandoned

00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:43.079
 them to suffer in the sand

00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:44.439
 like Napoleon left his

00:32:44.439 --> 00:32:46.919
 soldiers to do in Egypt and

00:32:46.920 --> 00:32:49.360
 then he decides to choose

00:32:49.360 --> 00:32:51.480
 12 bumbling disciples to

00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:52.279
 commission with the

00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:53.500
 worldwide task of

00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:57.420
 discipleship and now he's

00:32:57.420 --> 00:33:01.160
 sticking with us what a

00:33:01.160 --> 00:33:02.200
 help it is to know he's not

00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:03.160
 going to turn to another

00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:08.220
 more impressive group he's a

00:33:08.220 --> 00:33:10.340
 God of grace a God who

00:33:10.340 --> 00:33:11.820
 fulfills his promises the

00:33:11.820 --> 00:33:13.380
 God who raised the Lord Jesus

00:33:13.380 --> 00:33:14.740
 from the dead the God who

00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:16.079
 sent forth his spirit to

00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:17.519
 equip the church with gifts

00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:19.700
 and teachers with clear

00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:21.259
 marching orders until Christ

00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:24.920
 comes again the idolatry of

00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:27.099
 first Kings 18 brought Elijah

00:33:27.099 --> 00:33:28.779
 here in first Kings 19 to the

00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:30.519
 brink it made him think that

00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:32.559
 he was all God had going for

00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:34.240
 him and maybe you're tempted

00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:35.759
 yet again to think something

00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:38.980
 similar and perhaps God has

00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:42.500
 rejected his people maybe the

00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:45.619
 expiration date on God's plans

00:33:45.619 --> 00:33:50.539
 for Canada has expired and

00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:51.519
 because of that I think the

00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.640
 temptation for Christians

00:33:52.640 --> 00:33:54.180
 sometimes is sort of to just

00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:57.660
 look inward to sort of white

00:33:57.660 --> 00:33:59.619
 knuckle it pull our pull up our

00:33:59.619 --> 00:34:04.500
 bootstraps self-reliance or to

00:34:05.880 --> 00:34:08.800
 isolation from the culture just

00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:10.199
 clinging to the way things used

00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:14.259
 to be become proud of our own

00:34:14.259 --> 00:34:16.319
 church's faithfulness amidst a

00:34:16.319 --> 00:34:18.799
 world that's rejected God but

00:34:18.799 --> 00:34:19.939
 that is just not the tune of the

00:34:19.939 --> 00:34:22.439
 gospel it's not the tune that I

00:34:22.439 --> 00:34:24.839
 hear from the gospel I mean

00:34:24.839 --> 00:34:27.019
 Elijah was convinced that he was

00:34:27.019 --> 00:34:28.919
 the be-all end-all the only one

00:34:28.919 --> 00:34:31.159
 the only faithful one left but it

00:34:31.159 --> 00:34:32.839
 turns out that he wasn't all God

00:34:32.839 --> 00:34:34.739
 had going for him he was just one

00:34:34.739 --> 00:34:37.539
 in a long list of prophets leading

00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:40.019
 to the Lord Jesus Christ himself the

00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:42.659
 prophet the word of God who in his

00:34:42.659 --> 00:34:45.579
 sinless zeal did whatever it took to

00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:47.659
 free his people from idolatry and sin

00:34:47.659 --> 00:34:50.500
 even if it meant going to the cross

00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:54.440
 and then he rose again to prove once

00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:56.659
 and for all that God will never ever

00:34:56.659 --> 00:34:59.460
 abandon his people even in the face of

00:34:59.460 --> 00:35:00.079
 idolatry

00:35:00.079 --> 00:35:00.699
 you