WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.980 And encouraged by the promises and the power of God. 00:00:05.440 --> 00:00:09.099 ! Because that's why these last two stories are here in the Bible. 00:00:10.179 --> 00:00:16.480 ! But just to recognize as we begin that encouragement is a powerful thing. 00:00:17.320 --> 00:00:20.480 I think we saw a brilliant example of this kind of nationally. 00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:26.920 I'm sure many of us were tracking Sarah Cox's Children in Need Challenge. 00:00:26.920 --> 00:00:30.300 You know, the equivalent of five marathons in five days. 00:00:30.980 --> 00:00:34.600 And we saw her push through the pain barrier so often. 00:00:34.859 --> 00:00:36.640 And what was it that kept her going? 00:00:37.420 --> 00:00:42.620 It was messages coming in from the public as well as from significant people, Prince William and others. 00:00:43.040 --> 00:00:46.960 It was the well-wishers, the dog walkers, the runners lining the route. 00:00:47.060 --> 00:00:49.859 It was friends who would take time out to run with her. 00:00:50.240 --> 00:00:53.840 It was the knowledge that money was being raised for a good cause. 00:00:53.840 --> 00:00:56.799 All of this served as great encouragement. 00:00:57.700 --> 00:01:03.660 At a very local level, we have just shared our Confident Christianity Weekend. 00:01:03.760 --> 00:01:07.180 We've heard some great teachings, some practical help. 00:01:07.519 --> 00:01:11.820 A reminder that you and I, we can have conversations that count. 00:01:11.980 --> 00:01:17.760 That there are things that we can do with the help of God's Spirit to help move people closer to Jesus. 00:01:18.099 --> 00:01:19.219 That's encouraging. 00:01:19.219 --> 00:01:24.700 In our experience, generally, I am sure we know the impact. 00:01:24.819 --> 00:01:28.819 You hear a positive word from a teacher or your boss. 00:01:29.659 --> 00:01:33.519 You know the positive value of support from a friend. 00:01:33.519 --> 00:01:34.519 Encouragement. 00:01:34.519 --> 00:01:38.500 Or just learning from the positive example of someone. 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:43.780 We can be encouraged to change our behavior to be more like the person that we admire. 00:01:43.959 --> 00:01:46.539 Encouragement is a powerful thing. 00:01:46.540 --> 00:01:52.320 We come to Elisha's, the last two stories of Elisha's life. 00:01:53.100 --> 00:01:55.940 And they might seem somewhat strange to us. 00:01:56.940 --> 00:02:01.840 A sick man in his bedroom, and there are bow and arrows and prophecy. 00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:05.799 And then he dies, and then there are life-giving bones. 00:02:06.520 --> 00:02:12.819 And we might find ourselves saying, these are kind of interesting, but why are they here in the Bible? 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:21.560 To help us with that, I want us to just remember that we are not the first readers of the Bible. 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:33.780 And the first readers of the book of 2 Kings weren't sitting in the comfort of Jerusalem, sitting in the temple, enjoying comfort. 00:02:34.479 --> 00:02:35.680 They were exiles. 00:02:36.539 --> 00:02:40.520 Far from the city, far from the temple. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:42.259 They didn't have a king. 00:02:43.180 --> 00:02:45.140 Life was hard. 00:02:45.139 --> 00:02:48.419 And then they read this book. 00:02:49.059 --> 00:02:50.759 And they read this story. 00:02:51.839 --> 00:02:55.259 And Elisha, this great figure, and they would have heard the stories of Elisha. 00:02:55.619 --> 00:02:57.279 Elisha has gone. 00:02:58.299 --> 00:03:00.059 And they are in exile. 00:03:01.359 --> 00:03:04.819 But both of these stories that we've just read are saying to us, 00:03:04.919 --> 00:03:11.779 the Lord who makes promises is still powerful to see. 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:15.699 He is able to bring hope for the exiles. 00:03:15.939 --> 00:03:19.780 He is able to encourage us today. 00:03:19.920 --> 00:03:27.080 This is a dose of hope in dark times that no doubt was intended to encourage those exiles. 00:03:27.199 --> 00:03:30.800 But in God's providence, they're a word for us too. 00:03:32.060 --> 00:03:34.180 In a sense, a bit like the book of Acts. 00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:39.280 The Lord Jesus left to return to heaven. 00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:41.560 And the disciples are looking up. 00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:43.120 What comes next? 00:03:44.240 --> 00:03:47.240 And the book of Acts reminds us of those words of Jesus, 00:03:47.400 --> 00:03:49.740 that promise that He would build His church. 00:03:50.180 --> 00:03:52.740 And the gates of hell would not prevail against it. 00:03:53.400 --> 00:03:55.879 That Jesus would send the Spirit, 00:03:56.020 --> 00:03:59.740 that He would continue to work through the apostles and through His church. 00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:03.020 And isn't that what we've been seeing in the book of Acts? 00:04:03.020 --> 00:04:11.340 The power and the promises come together to encourage the people of God. 00:04:11.460 --> 00:04:14.100 When we recognize that our God doesn't change. 00:04:14.980 --> 00:04:16.939 Still faithful to His promises. 00:04:17.860 --> 00:04:22.100 Still full of power to redeem and transform. 00:04:22.100 --> 00:04:28.060 And so, little stories like these stand for us in the Bible as monuments. 00:04:29.320 --> 00:04:31.000 Reminders calling us back. 00:04:31.480 --> 00:04:35.560 Or calling us into a faith that we trust our God and our Savior. 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:38.860 So, as we finish our time with Elisha, 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:43.740 I really do hope that we will go away from his life and these stories encouraged. 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:49.360 As we're invited again to see the power of God and the promise of God. 00:04:49.980 --> 00:04:51.300 And to take hold of both. 00:04:52.319 --> 00:04:58.960 So, we're going to begin thinking about the promise that should encourage us. 00:04:59.340 --> 00:05:00.819 Verses 10 to 19. 00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:03.740 I deliberately included the word should. 00:05:04.400 --> 00:05:06.540 Because as we'll see from King Jehoash, 00:05:07.040 --> 00:05:12.540 it is not automatic that God's promises come as encouragement to people. 00:05:12.540 --> 00:05:16.920 Jehoash, I think, is in the Bible as a warning for us. 00:05:16.980 --> 00:05:18.360 He is someone who lacks faith. 00:05:19.400 --> 00:05:22.319 One of those Bible characters who's given a wonderful promise. 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:24.480 Invited to take hold of it. 00:05:25.020 --> 00:05:27.180 But he doesn't really grab it with both hands. 00:05:27.840 --> 00:05:29.280 He stands as a warning to us. 00:05:30.200 --> 00:05:31.340 Verse 10 to 13. 00:05:31.460 --> 00:05:32.780 We heard it read. 00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:37.040 The summary of his 16-year reign. 00:05:37.660 --> 00:05:40.620 It takes up just these few paragraphs. 00:05:40.620 --> 00:05:45.600 And the key statement that God makes about Jehoash's life, 00:05:45.860 --> 00:05:47.319 it's here in verse 11. 00:05:48.699 --> 00:05:51.340 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:53.879 Yes, there were wars that were won. 00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:56.399 Yes, there was triumph that was gained. 00:05:56.660 --> 00:06:00.199 But in the final analysis, he was a man without faith. 00:06:01.340 --> 00:06:03.780 He was someone who was not truly worshipping his God. 00:06:03.779 --> 00:06:09.519 There's only one event that is highlighted in King Jehoash's life, 00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:16.000 and it's this scene in Elisha's bedroom in verses 14 to 19. 00:06:18.019 --> 00:06:23.959 One story, one event, one lesson. 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:28.719 What we do with the Word of God ultimately defines our lives. 00:06:29.639 --> 00:06:34.120 What we do with God's promise is what matters for now and for eternity. 00:06:34.299 --> 00:06:36.919 Regardless of achievement, regardless of status, 00:06:37.419 --> 00:06:41.919 do I believe God's message concerning his son, the Lord Jesus. 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:47.520 So let's take a look at the drama that happens here in the prophet Elisha's bedroom. 00:06:47.660 --> 00:06:52.540 So verse 14, we're told that Elisha is ill and he is dying. 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:55.360 And the king comes to visit. 00:06:55.780 --> 00:06:57.660 And there is this scene of lament. 00:06:57.780 --> 00:06:59.520 The king comes and he weeps. 00:06:59.980 --> 00:07:03.300 My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel. 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:06.759 Now, if you are around in the story of Elijah, 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:10.360 you'll remember this is the same language that Elisha used about Elijah. 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:17.939 There is this sense that to have the true prophet is to have God on your side. 00:07:19.100 --> 00:07:22.040 And so King Jehoash understands that's true of Elisha. 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:23.060 And so now there's fear. 00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:24.920 Elisha's going to die. 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:26.400 So what's going to happen next? 00:07:28.300 --> 00:07:32.939 And God through Elisha gives a message designed to encourage the king, 00:07:33.259 --> 00:07:35.000 to encourage the nation. 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:38.439 And it's where the archery kicks in. 00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:41.100 Verses 15 to 17. 00:07:41.740 --> 00:07:45.620 Elisha says to the king, get a bow and some arrows. 00:07:46.060 --> 00:07:48.819 And now begins some acted prophecy. 00:07:48.980 --> 00:07:51.579 So did you notice that the king has to take the bow? 00:07:52.019 --> 00:07:57.019 And then the ill Elisha then puts his hands on the king's hands. 00:07:58.519 --> 00:07:59.620 The shout goes out. 00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:01.540 Open the window. 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:04.420 Boys and girls, I don't know if you've done archery. 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:06.139 Don't ever do it indoors. 00:08:06.459 --> 00:08:07.439 This is bad practice. 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:11.160 And he shoots the arrow. 00:08:12.199 --> 00:08:13.180 And what does Elisha say? 00:08:13.240 --> 00:08:15.560 He says, the Lord's arrow of victory. 00:08:15.620 --> 00:08:17.420 The arrow of victory over Aram. 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:25.100 So that arrow flying out the window represents the certainty of Israel's victory through God. 00:08:25.100 --> 00:08:28.439 And the point is this. 00:08:28.820 --> 00:08:30.680 Elisha is weak. 00:08:30.900 --> 00:08:32.800 And he is dying. 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:35.779 But God is powerful. 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:39.139 And God is still going to be for His people. 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:44.019 And they are invited to trust Him to enjoy victory. 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:46.899 So it all sounds very positive. 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:49.819 And it would be positive if it finished at verse 17. 00:08:50.199 --> 00:08:52.559 Elisha declared, you'll completely destroy the Arameans. 00:08:53.620 --> 00:08:55.439 But the prophecy isn't finished. 00:08:55.819 --> 00:08:58.620 Then he said, take the arrows. 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:00.620 The king took them. 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:02.139 Elisha told him, strike the ground. 00:09:02.139 --> 00:09:04.139 He struck it three times and stopped. 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:07.620 What's the picture? 00:09:07.620 --> 00:09:13.820 Jehoash, take those arrows that represent certain victory. 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:15.539 And you lay hold on that. 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:18.460 This isn't, you know, World War II dig for victory. 00:09:18.560 --> 00:09:20.279 This is strike for victory. 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:30.059 And so key now becomes, well, how much does Jehoash value and trust the promise? 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:37.220 Will he, as it were, grab this promise represented by the arrows with both hands? 00:09:38.039 --> 00:09:44.839 He's been given an invitation to smash the living daylights out of these arrows in a great act of faith. 00:09:46.319 --> 00:09:47.839 But he doesn't. 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:51.379 It's a half-hearted effort. 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:52.340 And Elisha sees it. 00:09:52.379 --> 00:09:53.259 And Elisha's angry. 00:09:55.160 --> 00:09:57.480 You should have struck the ground five or six times. 00:09:57.560 --> 00:10:00.620 Then you would have defeated Aramean and completely destroyed it. 00:10:01.560 --> 00:10:02.800 Did he feel a bit silly? 00:10:04.100 --> 00:10:05.379 Did it seem a bit pointless? 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:06.080 We don't know. 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:10.340 But it represents, in the king's life, a lack of faith. 00:10:11.780 --> 00:10:13.200 He didn't claim the promise. 00:10:13.400 --> 00:10:15.680 And so there would be a lack of total victory. 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:21.440 And those were the last recorded words of Elisha. 00:10:21.440 --> 00:10:28.980 So again, what's the lesson from this rather obscure drama for us? 00:10:30.440 --> 00:10:31.400 Well, again, it's this. 00:10:31.780 --> 00:10:37.200 Responding with faith to God's word of promise is the most important thing about us. 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:41.240 It's the most important thing in our life of faith. 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:44.600 The Bible is full of hundreds of wonderful promises. 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:46.299 And God is faithful to his character. 00:10:46.419 --> 00:10:47.539 He's never going to change. 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:51.840 We are invited by faith to live in those promises. 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:57.160 But again, the king stands as a warning to us. 00:10:58.800 --> 00:11:07.780 Don't miss out on the fullness that the Lord Jesus offers because we don't grab hold of God's promises. 00:11:09.019 --> 00:11:11.980 We don't really trust that he will keep his word. 00:11:11.980 --> 00:11:18.820 We insert ourselves into the drama rather than looking entirely to God who is faithful. 00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:27.420 Let me give some examples of how this might play out in our own experience. 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:36.820 So here in the Old Testament, we had a promise, a certain promise of destruction, of salvation for the people from God. 00:11:36.820 --> 00:11:42.980 Jesus promises us, promises us, certain salvation. 00:11:44.440 --> 00:11:50.000 In Acts chapter 16, verse 31, under the Philippian jailer, what must I do to be saved? 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:54.000 Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. 00:11:54.960 --> 00:11:55.760 It's Jesus' words. 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:58.580 This is the one work that you need to do to receive eternal life. 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:02.160 Believe in the Lord Jesus, the one who was sent by God. 00:12:04.680 --> 00:12:06.280 That's a certain promise. 00:12:06.820 --> 00:12:10.300 Believe and we will be saved. 00:12:11.160 --> 00:12:12.500 That's the only way. 00:12:13.540 --> 00:12:17.640 Maybe you remember the story of Nicola from Italy. 00:12:17.760 --> 00:12:30.740 We heard him last week on a video representing, I think, the story of so many trying for years to save himself by religious effort. 00:12:31.660 --> 00:12:36.680 Full of guilt, full of despair, no sense of security. 00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:43.140 Until a friend cared for him enough to open up the book of Ephesians with him. 00:12:44.400 --> 00:12:45.840 What do we find in Ephesians? 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:46.960 For it is by grace. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:48.960 You've been saved through faith. 00:12:49.640 --> 00:12:50.940 And it's not from yourselves. 00:12:51.040 --> 00:12:52.800 It is the gift of God, not by work. 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:55.659 So, no one should boast. 00:12:55.659 --> 00:13:10.000 To believe in Jesus as Lord is a guarantee of forgiveness, of eternal life, of the freedom that we are brought into from trying to earn our way into the kingdom. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:15.460 It's the joy of a secure identity that is ours as a child of God. 00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:20.759 It's the peace that we can have living, knowing there is no condemnation. 00:13:21.280 --> 00:13:32.240 And we are invited to grab that reality with both hands, to live in the gospel of our salvation, that we might live with peace and hope and joy. 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:41.919 Don't miss out on what Jesus died to secure for his people. 00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:51.240 In this story, there was a promise for God's people of a spiritual victory. 00:13:52.819 --> 00:13:56.199 Jesus promises his people spiritual victory. 00:13:56.199 --> 00:13:58.279 At Romans 6, 14, 00:13:59.079 --> 00:14:04.879 A sin shall no longer be your master because you are not under the law, but under grace. 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:10.779 Here's the encouraging promise from God. 00:14:11.139 --> 00:14:14.700 By faith, we are transferred into a different kingdom. 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:15.559 We have a new king. 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:17.679 Sin is not our master. 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:19.679 Jesus is, and he's a good master. 00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:24.419 Now we are controlled by a new power, and it's the power of God's grace. 00:14:24.820 --> 00:14:26.360 Now we live with a new freedom. 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:28.360 We're free from the grip of sin. 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:36.200 So that in a radical way, we are changed, and in an ongoing way, we can change. 00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:42.100 Because sin no longer defines us if we are followers of Jesus. 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:45.800 Sin no longer holds us in its death grip. 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:48.340 Do we believe that? 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:55.279 So often as Christians, we don't always grasp that promise with both hands. 00:14:55.279 --> 00:15:03.379 We don't live with that kind of confidence that Jesus has won the decisive spiritual victory 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:06.740 and brings us into that victory with him. 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:10.740 We're more like soldiers going into battle with low morale, thinking, 00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:12.339 we've already lost. 00:15:12.439 --> 00:15:13.679 We're certain to be defeated. 00:15:15.439 --> 00:15:21.379 Do we find it to be the case that we fail to fight sin with Christ's power? 00:15:22.059 --> 00:15:25.000 We look to our own resources, and we know we've failed in the past, 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:26.860 and so we imagine a repeating cycle. 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:34.600 We need to lay hold of this promise that by the power of the Spirit, we can say no to sin. 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:36.919 We can resist temptation. 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:39.539 We can grow in holiness. 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:47.100 But we see the opposite pattern also in the Bible as a reminder. 00:15:47.100 --> 00:15:52.740 When we rely on self rather than God's powerful grace. 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:56.860 We see it in the story of Peter at the night of Jesus' arrest. 00:15:57.279 --> 00:16:00.159 Jesus said, watch and pray so you don't fall into temptation. 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.440 What was Peter's response? 00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:02.259 I'll never do that. 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:03.899 Maybe other people will, but I won't. 00:16:05.180 --> 00:16:06.100 So he didn't watch. 00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:06.860 He didn't pray. 00:16:07.540 --> 00:16:09.040 And he did fall into temptation. 00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:11.620 And he did deny the Lord Jesus. 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:19.779 We need to claim the promise that there is power from our God and Savior 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:24.759 to have spiritual victory over sin and temptation. 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.459 Here's another one. 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:32.439 And we can do this with all of the promises that we find in the Bible, 00:16:32.719 --> 00:16:33.839 but we're not going to tonight. 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:38.940 Jesus has come to secure our life with God, 00:16:39.040 --> 00:16:42.139 just as if the king had claimed the promise, 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:46.460 Israel would have lived with security from the Aramean threat. 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:48.580 But what do we need to do? 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:53.420 James chapter 4, humble yourselves before God. 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:58.900 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. 00:17:00.540 --> 00:17:01.600 There's a promise. 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:04.900 God would draw near to us. 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:08.420 God would give us more grace. 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:15.380 As Christians, we can experience every day more of God's grace, 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:19.599 more of God's presence in our lives, 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:22.900 not as theory, but as lived out experience. 00:17:23.140 --> 00:17:28.339 We can every day taste and see that the Lord is good. 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:32.059 But to claim that promise, 00:17:32.639 --> 00:17:35.480 by faith we must humble ourselves, 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:39.379 and we must draw near to God. 00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:48.919 Sometimes we find it to be the situation that God can feel distant. 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:55.339 Sometimes we find that our sense of the Christian faith 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:57.859 is a going through the motions. 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:01.819 Maybe you look back at a time in your past, 00:18:01.899 --> 00:18:02.299 and you think, 00:18:02.399 --> 00:18:04.619 well, I feel less joyful than I did before. 00:18:05.419 --> 00:18:07.399 Now, there are many reasons for that, 00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:08.799 potentially, 00:18:09.639 --> 00:18:11.039 but maybe, 00:18:11.639 --> 00:18:13.079 if we listen to James, 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:13.619 maybe, 00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:16.619 it's a time to humble ourselves, 00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:20.079 and it's a time to draw near to God, 00:18:20.359 --> 00:18:23.319 to make that a priority in our lives day by day, 00:18:23.479 --> 00:18:25.659 to make time to be hearing from God, 00:18:25.719 --> 00:18:28.199 to be turning our hearts towards Jesus, 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:29.479 our Lord and our Savior, 00:18:29.919 --> 00:18:31.959 to make time in our day to pray 00:18:31.959 --> 00:18:32.639 and to worship, 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:34.019 to share fellowship, 00:18:34.239 --> 00:18:36.119 to act in faith, 00:18:36.959 --> 00:18:38.819 to claim this promise. 00:18:39.099 --> 00:18:40.139 Draw near to God, 00:18:40.140 --> 00:18:43.600 and He will draw near to you. 00:18:45.100 --> 00:18:47.380 It's a great way for us to read our Bibles, 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:48.920 to look, 00:18:49.040 --> 00:18:52.060 to find that where are God's encouraging promises, 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:53.920 and then to pay attention, 00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:55.980 how do I need to act, 00:18:56.320 --> 00:18:57.759 to live by faith, 00:18:57.840 --> 00:19:00.120 to claim those promises in my own experience, 00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:01.360 to pray for grace, 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.780 to live by faith, 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:06.460 that trusts in the promises of God 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:07.620 and the God of the promises. 00:19:07.619 --> 00:19:12.119 Because this little story here 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:15.119 is giving us a crucial reminder. 00:19:17.139 --> 00:19:20.479 It's as if it's inviting us to ask a question. 00:19:20.839 --> 00:19:24.099 If God were to write the story of your life 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:24.939 and of my life, 00:19:25.239 --> 00:19:27.359 how would He choose to sum that up? 00:19:31.159 --> 00:19:32.879 What is it that matters 00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:34.839 when, like Jehoash, 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:38.039 our time comes to an end? 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:44.119 Do I believe God's word of promise? 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:48.359 Do I believe in the good news 00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:50.579 that's held out in the gospel of the Lord Jesus? 00:19:51.859 --> 00:19:53.679 Am I trusting He is the way, 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.659 the truth, and the life 00:19:54.659 --> 00:19:56.819 leading me home to God 00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:59.799 and into more of God day by day? 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:05.000 So we have in this penultimate story of Elisha 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:08.139 a promise that should encourage us. 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:12.299 And then we come to the last story of His life, 00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:15.879 the power that should encourage us. 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:17.519 The first story was unusual. 00:20:18.159 --> 00:20:19.779 This one, very obscure, 00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:21.740 but really striking, isn't it? 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:25.120 I remember one of the first funerals 00:20:25.120 --> 00:20:28.400 that I conducted down in the borders, 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.559 and it was almost canceled. 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:31.339 It was later on in the year than this, 00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:33.319 and the ground was so hard 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.059 that they weren't sure 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:36.099 they'd be able to actually break the ground, 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:38.740 and the snow was falling heavily, 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.779 and it wasn't clear 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:41.480 whether the roads would be passable. 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:44.339 But we made it, 00:20:44.380 --> 00:20:45.440 and the funeral continued. 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:50.019 But here in this final Elisha story, 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:53.620 we have another Bible account 00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:56.940 of a funeral that actually was canceled, 00:20:57.840 --> 00:21:00.120 and not canceled by the weather, 00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:04.360 canceled by the resurrection power of God. 00:21:05.380 --> 00:21:06.840 And again, think about this. 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:08.120 If you're sitting in Babylon, 00:21:08.320 --> 00:21:09.400 and you're in exile, 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:11.920 and you know that your city is in ruins, 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:14.360 and your nation has been possessed, 00:21:14.359 --> 00:21:16.599 and you're here in your captivity, 00:21:16.939 --> 00:21:17.599 and you're wondering, 00:21:17.979 --> 00:21:19.719 can anything change? 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:21.619 Can anything good happen now? 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.679 You read this story, 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:28.019 and you recognize the true God. 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.740 He's my God, 00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:33.000 and He's the God of resurrection power. 00:21:33.439 --> 00:21:36.439 He is the God who can restore and redeem. 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.899 He is the God who can bring life 00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:41.019 where there is death. 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:44.639 And that's the encouragement of this story. 00:21:45.619 --> 00:21:47.240 So we're told in verse 20, 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:49.779 Elisha died and was buried. 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.460 But strikingly, 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:54.139 Elisha's God is not done working in power 00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:55.859 after his death. 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:59.240 So there's a funeral service. 00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:03.019 But the funeral service is happening 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:04.139 at the same time 00:22:04.139 --> 00:22:06.599 as Moabite raiders arrive. 00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:08.539 Every year, spring after spring, 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:11.559 the Moabites come to raid the land. 00:22:11.659 --> 00:22:13.000 And so these guys 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:15.319 who are about to bury their friend, 00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:16.319 they make this decision. 00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:17.779 They see the raiders coming. 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.059 So they open the tomb, 00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:20.139 and it's Elisha's tomb, 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:24.379 and they place the body within the tomb. 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.619 What happens? 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:29.579 When the body touched Elisha's bones, 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.559 the man came to life 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:35.440 and stood on his feet. 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:39.680 And the message of the tomb that day 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:41.240 is that the power of the Lord 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.820 to restore and give new life 00:22:42.820 --> 00:22:44.420 is still available. 00:22:45.100 --> 00:22:46.440 It doesn't matter 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:48.460 if you've got the prophet with you or not. 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:50.940 You have the prophet's God. 00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:52.080 And that's the key thing. 00:22:54.820 --> 00:22:57.160 It's another one of these striking miracles 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:59.820 that make up the life of Elisha 00:22:59.820 --> 00:23:02.920 just as it did with Elijah. 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:06.500 And we may look at a story like this 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:06.900 and think, 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:08.240 this can't be true. 00:23:08.360 --> 00:23:08.960 This must. 00:23:09.060 --> 00:23:10.940 It smacks of myth. 00:23:11.060 --> 00:23:12.820 It sounds like, you know, 00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:14.920 saints' bones and all those stories 00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:17.019 that arose in the Middle Ages. 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.880 Maybe we have questions 00:23:20.880 --> 00:23:22.160 that our friends ask us. 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:24.200 How can you possibly believe in miracles? 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:28.360 And I think it's reasonable 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:29.340 when we think about it. 00:23:29.340 --> 00:23:31.200 Unless someone is prepared to say, 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:34.160 with 100% cast iron certainty, 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:37.720 I can prove that there is no creator God. 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:40.340 I can prove categorically 00:23:40.340 --> 00:23:42.539 that the world must be a closed system. 00:23:43.340 --> 00:23:46.059 That it must only work the way I expect, 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:48.259 the way I normally see things happen. 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.759 Unless a person can say that, 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:51.839 then it is reasonable for us 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:54.440 to believe and to assert 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:56.220 that there is a God who created. 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:58.819 And if there is a God who created, 00:23:58.920 --> 00:24:00.119 then He is completely powerful. 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:01.579 And that means He is free to act 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:03.740 and to intervene as He pleases. 00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:06.539 He is free to perform miracles. 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:08.640 And especially when we take into account 00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:10.180 the evidence of the life of Jesus 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:12.940 and especially His resurrection. 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:17.680 That's why I wanted us to hear Matthew 27. 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:21.259 It sounded like a parallel passage, didn't it? 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:24.259 You know, Jesus, the greatest of all prophets, 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:27.559 when He dies and His body is placed 00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:29.080 in the tomb for those three days, 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:29.680 what happens? 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:32.000 The tombs of believers open up. 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:34.600 And when Jesus rises, 00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:38.059 the dead too are raised to life. 00:24:38.320 --> 00:24:39.940 And so we see in the Old Testament 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.759 from the prophet, 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:42.860 and in the greatest way possible, 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:44.779 in Jesus, the ultimate prophet, 00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:49.059 God's resurrection power on display. 00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:53.279 Because Jesus wants you and I to be encouraged 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:56.220 that He has the power of resurrection life. 00:24:56.820 --> 00:25:00.900 He has the power to bring restoration and salvation. 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:04.220 He is a far greater than Elisha. 00:25:04.320 --> 00:25:06.320 He is the true and the final prophet. 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:10.480 Elisha's bones, they raised one. 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:12.019 And that man and his family 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:13.700 would have had great joy on that day. 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:16.200 But Jesus' death and resurrection 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:18.740 give new creation life to all who believe, 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:20.519 continuing to act with power. 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:23.180 That while Elisha remained dead, 00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:25.700 Jesus Himself was the first 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:27.980 to experience true resurrection life 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:30.140 and freely gives it to all 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:31.799 who have faith in Him 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:33.079 and who come after Him. 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:37.599 And while Elisha's act 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:39.460 was seen by a few, 00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:42.079 experienced by one, 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:44.700 the life-giving power of Jesus 00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:47.180 will still be an experience today. 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:49.200 Hundreds of millions 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:51.180 of Christians around the world 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:54.180 enjoy resurrection life 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:55.200 through faith 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:57.340 in the risen Lord Jesus. 00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:02.120 And so here is some encouragement for us 00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:04.080 where we find ourselves as a church 00:26:04.080 --> 00:26:05.759 in November during Missions Month. 00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:10.000 The Lord Jesus is still working powerfully 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:11.200 to build His church. 00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:13.420 And we've been hearing stories 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:14.380 from around the world 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:15.600 to remind us of that. 00:26:16.340 --> 00:26:18.059 He is still bringing life 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:19.620 in place of spiritual death. 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:22.039 He is still bringing hope and healing 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:23.980 from places of great darkness. 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:25.799 He is restoring people back 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:27.019 to life with God. 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:29.079 And so the question becomes for us, 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:31.700 can I believe that He is still powerful 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:33.940 to do that among us in Buclue, 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.500 here in Edinburgh and in Scotland? 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:41.299 As we're given these last stories 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:43.039 in the life of Elisha, 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:45.680 we're being given encouragement 00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:47.920 as to how to live. 00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:51.099 That we would live with wholehearted worship 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:53.440 that would place all our faith 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:56.360 in the God of resurrection power. 00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:59.259 To understand that in Jesus, 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:02.820 we can and we should by faith claim 00:27:02.820 --> 00:27:04.700 God's wonderful promises 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:06.779 in our own life 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:09.180 that we can expect to experience 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:12.000 His life-transforming power 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:14.279 and grace every day. 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:18.820 Until final restoration of life 00:27:18.820 --> 00:27:20.120 with Him in the new creation. 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:25.019 So if you feel a bit like 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:26.539 the exiles 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:28.859 of Elisha's, 00:27:28.959 --> 00:27:30.159 after Elisha's day, 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:33.979 kind of feeling despairing, 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:35.599 hopeless, 00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:38.039 wondering if our day is done. 00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:41.599 Maybe you're slogging along in life 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:43.119 and the life of faith 00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:44.239 feels tough. 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:48.660 Let the Lord Jesus encourage you 00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:50.660 on the marathon of faith 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:53.819 as we remember and take hold 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:54.720 of His promises 00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:56.700 and His power. 00:27:56.700 --> 00:28:22.640 for a second