WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.679 Good morning everybody. 00:00:15.820 --> 00:00:25.740 If you could open your Bibles to 1 Kings chapter 22, the last chapter of 1 Kings. 00:00:25.739 --> 00:00:30.000 1 Kings and verse 51. 00:00:30.479 --> 00:00:35.060 This is on page 366 of the Red Church Bible. 00:00:36.140 --> 00:00:36.820 366. 00:00:40.759 --> 00:00:46.700 So it's 1 Kings chapter 22 and verse 51. 00:00:46.920 --> 00:00:50.000 And while you're turning there, just a little bit of context. 00:00:50.239 --> 00:00:53.500 1 and 2 Kings were actually originally one full book. 00:00:53.840 --> 00:00:55.200 They were split in two. 00:00:55.200 --> 00:00:57.200 At some point, for ease of access. 00:00:58.080 --> 00:01:00.780 But, yeah, it's a full narrative. 00:01:01.320 --> 00:01:03.740 And we're diving right into the middle of it today. 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:08.000 And so just to set the context in that. 00:01:08.760 --> 00:01:11.719 After leading the Israelites out of slavery. 00:01:12.379 --> 00:01:14.879 God has given his people the land of Canaan. 00:01:14.879 --> 00:01:22.439 But, after about 300 years, the kingdom is split in two, sadly. 00:01:23.539 --> 00:01:25.239 We have Judah to the south. 00:01:26.060 --> 00:01:27.560 We have Israel to the north. 00:01:27.560 --> 00:01:31.120 Which is the setting of our text today. 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:38.620 And the book, in its entirety, basically tells us about the kings, obviously, of these two kingdoms. 00:01:38.620 --> 00:01:47.380 And the real thing about it is whether these kings are going to listen to and accept God's word. 00:01:48.140 --> 00:01:49.600 Or are they going to reject it? 00:01:50.140 --> 00:01:52.060 That's the test, basically, for each king. 00:01:52.060 --> 00:01:59.260 So, I think it's a very relevant word for us today. 00:01:59.260 --> 00:02:08.560 Because, as we live in a liberal society, which has largely brushed aside God's word as irrelevant and outdated, 00:02:08.560 --> 00:02:13.080 this passage is very relevant to us. 00:02:13.860 --> 00:02:20.379 Because we're going to hear about a king and his attitude towards God's word, too. 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:24.780 And what we're going to do is we're going to read the passage piece by piece today. 00:02:24.780 --> 00:02:31.180 Rather than reading the whole thing at the start, we're going to read it bit by bit to kind of build attention a little bit. 00:02:31.319 --> 00:02:33.199 Nobody likes spoilers. 00:02:33.900 --> 00:02:36.560 If you meet me on the way into Omniplex and Manpoint. 00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:42.199 And don't tell me the storyline of the film, if you want to be my friend afterwards. 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:45.340 So, yeah, we're going to build attention. 00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:49.420 And if you do know the story, no spoilers for the person beside you. 00:02:50.560 --> 00:02:51.960 But, yeah, let's pray. 00:02:52.080 --> 00:02:54.340 Let's commit this time to the Lord now. 00:02:59.159 --> 00:03:02.980 Holy Spirit, we come needy. 00:03:02.979 --> 00:03:06.439 When we come asking you for your help. 00:03:07.439 --> 00:03:13.479 To see the wonderful things that you have to say to us today through your word. 00:03:15.259 --> 00:03:17.060 And it's not all easy to take. 00:03:17.859 --> 00:03:23.319 So give us grace to love your word and not to run from it. 00:03:23.319 --> 00:03:25.219 Amen. 00:03:28.780 --> 00:03:36.519 Well, let's start at 1 Kings 22, verse 51. 00:03:36.719 --> 00:03:41.379 And we're going to continue then into the next book, 2 Kings, and read most of the first chapter. 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:44.340 So, verse 51. 00:03:44.340 --> 00:03:55.080 Ahaziah, son of Ahab, became king of Israel in Samaria in the 17th year of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. 00:03:56.020 --> 00:03:59.259 And he reigned over Israel for two years. 00:04:00.699 --> 00:04:03.300 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. 00:04:03.300 --> 00:04:11.840 Because he followed the ways of his father and mother and of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin. 00:04:13.140 --> 00:04:21.759 He served and worshipped Baal and aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, just as his father had done. 00:04:22.680 --> 00:04:23.560 Skip over the page. 00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:32.839 After Ahab's death, Moab rebelled against Israel. 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:34.860 We'll pause there. 00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:38.879 Can you imagine how the headlines would have read in those days? 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:45.500 Probably pretty similar to those in Ukraine at the start of last year. 00:04:46.720 --> 00:04:47.560 Breaking news. 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:50.199 Moab is gathering troops along the border. 00:04:50.199 --> 00:04:54.019 Israel, prepare for war. 00:04:56.039 --> 00:05:02.439 And we can imagine the nation in a state of panic as fathers and sons dust down their weapons for battle. 00:05:03.659 --> 00:05:08.240 Women and children filled with fear at the prospect of what might happen to their loved ones. 00:05:10.120 --> 00:05:19.519 In times of peril, what the people of God need is a ruler who will bring them a word from God of security and of hope. 00:05:20.199 --> 00:05:21.719 But what did they find? 00:05:22.339 --> 00:05:23.539 Let's read verse 2. 00:05:25.019 --> 00:05:32.420 Now Ahaziah, the king, had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:37.339 So he sent messengers saying to them, 00:05:37.879 --> 00:05:44.959 Go and consult Baal-Zibbub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury. 00:05:44.959 --> 00:05:51.319 Their king has taken a rather embarrassing tumble. 00:05:51.579 --> 00:05:56.419 And rather than worrying about the impending war in his nation, 00:05:56.859 --> 00:06:01.839 he's asking a false god if he's going to get better soon. 00:06:02.279 --> 00:06:03.879 It really is that pathetic. 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:12.019 The real crisis for Israel in this story is not that their king has an injury. 00:06:12.519 --> 00:06:14.500 It's not even that their enemies have declared war. 00:06:14.500 --> 00:06:20.459 The real crisis is that their leader, instead of seeking a word of hope from God for his people, 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:25.000 is seeking a word of affirmation from a false god for himself. 00:06:26.579 --> 00:06:29.699 Things are not good in Israel. 00:06:29.699 --> 00:06:37.300 And by the way, Ahaziah should have known what his job was as the king of God's people. 00:06:37.860 --> 00:06:39.459 God had given him a list of instructions. 00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:41.959 You can look at those in Deuteronomy chapter 27. 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:43.279 I'm just going to summarize them here. 00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:47.839 A, don't make any idols out of sex, money, or power. 00:06:48.019 --> 00:06:50.779 And B, write out God's word. 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:52.459 Read it every day. 00:06:52.839 --> 00:06:53.699 Do it every day. 00:06:53.839 --> 00:06:55.319 Don't turn away from God's word. 00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:57.879 That was his job as king. 00:06:58.839 --> 00:07:03.699 He was supposed to show the rest of the nation how to listen to and apply God's word. 00:07:04.839 --> 00:07:07.740 Now, obviously, we're not getting those vibes from Ahaziah here. 00:07:07.860 --> 00:07:15.319 In fact, Ahaziah kept pushing out God's word and looking for another word he wanted to hear. 00:07:16.379 --> 00:07:19.459 A word that affirmed what he said was right. 00:07:19.459 --> 00:07:27.779 And now, before we start saying, oh, how foolish Ahaziah, did you not read all the instructions? 00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:31.459 We need to realize that we're just like him. 00:07:33.819 --> 00:07:39.379 We keep pushing out God's word and looking for another word that we want to hear. 00:07:40.419 --> 00:07:45.779 A word that affirms what we say is right over and above what God says is right. 00:07:45.779 --> 00:07:52.119 We consistently don't believe that God's word really does give us life. 00:07:53.539 --> 00:07:56.899 We think something else is going to give us something better. 00:07:58.359 --> 00:08:04.759 And that's a big problem for Ahaziah and for you and for me because this is what the Bible calls idolatry. 00:08:04.759 --> 00:08:16.139 Which is when we look to something or someone else for our ultimate security, love and joy apart from God. 00:08:17.399 --> 00:08:20.980 And the result of idolatry is plain obvious. 00:08:22.199 --> 00:08:26.980 Spend your lifetime choosing other things over God. 00:08:26.980 --> 00:08:35.680 And when this life ends, God will simply give you what you've always wanted in this life for eternity. 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:38.180 Life apart from him. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:40.200 Away from his presence. 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:43.779 A reality that the Bible calls hell. 00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:49.639 So, from the outset, let's just establish this. 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:54.200 We, like Ahaziah, are in ultimate danger. 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:56.480 Because of our idolatry. 00:08:56.980 --> 00:09:00.159 Because we don't listen to God's word. 00:09:01.659 --> 00:09:02.840 What hope is there for us? 00:09:05.620 --> 00:09:11.300 Well, as this story unfolds, we're going to see how Ahaziah responds to God's word. 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:16.200 And ultimately, the refuge that we can find in God's final word. 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:19.100 His son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:25.480 So, first of all, God speaks his word in mercy. 00:09:25.480 --> 00:09:27.139 Let's read on the story. 00:09:27.800 --> 00:09:28.539 Verse 3. 00:09:28.539 --> 00:09:35.379 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite. 00:09:36.139 --> 00:09:41.019 Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them. 00:09:41.719 --> 00:09:48.459 Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zibbub, the god of Ekron? 00:09:48.460 --> 00:09:50.780 Therefore, this is what the Lord says. 00:09:50.780 --> 00:09:51.120 Therefore, this is what the Lord says. 00:09:51.280 --> 00:09:53.980 You will not leave the bed you are lying on. 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:55.280 You will certainly die. 00:09:55.279 --> 00:09:58.279 So, Elijah went. 00:10:00.519 --> 00:10:03.600 And when the messengers returned to the king, he asked them, 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.759 Why have you come back? 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:10.000 A man came to meet us, they replied. 00:10:10.899 --> 00:10:11.899 And he said to us, 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:14.419 Go back to the king who sent you and tell him. 00:10:14.580 --> 00:10:15.759 This is what the Lord says. 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:21.819 Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending messengers to consult Baal-Zibbub, the god of Ekron? 00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:24.819 Therefore, you will not leave the bed you are lying on. 00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:27.600 You will certainly die. 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:28.080 Wow. 00:10:30.540 --> 00:10:33.080 God chooses to intervene. 00:10:34.899 --> 00:10:41.960 And he does it through his prophet, Elijah, the man at that time who God chose to carry his word to the people. 00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:45.840 And as Elijah stops the king's messengers in their tracks on the way to Baal, 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:53.259 what is crystal clear is that God will not tolerate Ahaziah's idolatry. 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:59.879 And let's be clear, this is not God overreaching here or meddling in his personal affairs. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:03.360 It's God being merciful to Ahaziah. 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:07.700 God knew that Baal-Zibbub was nothing more than a statue of gold 00:11:07.700 --> 00:11:11.779 and no more able to speak words of truth and comfort than a brick wall. 00:11:13.580 --> 00:11:15.340 So God graciously intervenes. 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:21.279 He gives Ahaziah one last chance to turn to his life-giving words. 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:28.819 We could say God is mercifully intolerant of our idolatry. 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:34.259 Listen closely to the way God asks the question of Ahaziah. 00:11:34.339 --> 00:11:36.519 This is repeated three times, so we've got to listen up to this. 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:39.259 Verse 3. 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:46.579 Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending messengers to consult Baal-Zibbub? 00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:50.280 The answer is obvious. 00:11:50.560 --> 00:11:50.940 Yes! 00:11:51.320 --> 00:11:57.060 Yes, Ahaziah does have a God in Israel who has fought all their battles and rescued them from slavery. 00:11:57.780 --> 00:12:03.360 It's as foolish as if my son, when feeling hungry, 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:09.700 were to walk out the front door and start rummaging through the bin for something good to eat. 00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:14.360 I would walk out the door and look at him and ask, 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:18.960 is it because you don't have a dad who loves you and who has a fridge full of food 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:24.540 that you've chosen to look in the bin for something to eat? 00:12:25.660 --> 00:12:27.300 How ridiculous would that be? 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:28.440 You'd never do that. 00:12:28.440 --> 00:12:36.220 Or, what if there was a world-renowned heart surgeon with her clinic on your very street? 00:12:36.540 --> 00:12:37.700 Just imagine that for a second. 00:12:37.820 --> 00:12:40.880 And one morning you wake up with an unusual heart tremor. 00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:46.480 So you immediately get up to get some help, 00:12:46.680 --> 00:12:48.720 but you walk straight past the heart clinic 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:54.540 and into your hairdresser to ask her advice on how to fix the problem. 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:58.799 If your heart surgeon found out, she would rightly ask, 00:12:58.899 --> 00:13:02.159 is it because you don't have a world-renowned heart surgeon on your street 00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:07.059 that you're going to your hairdresser to get advice on that heart problem? 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:09.480 How ridiculous would that be? 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:11.639 We would never do that, right? 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:19.360 And yes, we do this all the time when it comes to God's Word. 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:24.659 We know God's words are always true, 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:26.980 saving us and giving us life everlasting, 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:28.720 but we routinely don't want to hear it. 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:30.039 Why? 00:13:30.680 --> 00:13:33.940 Because these words are also lovingly convicting. 00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:40.960 God knows that sin destroys our joy in Him. 00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:45.539 The writer of Hebrews captures it like this. 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:47.279 You can look at it on the board. 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:52.039 For the Word of God is alive and active, 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:54.860 sharper than any double-edged sword. 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:57.919 It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, 00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:59.579 joints and marrow. 00:13:59.819 --> 00:14:04.360 It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:10.919 You see, Ahaziah is just showing us 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:14.379 what's really going on in our own hearts. 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:16.679 We want it our way, 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:20.399 and we don't want anyone to get in our way. 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:26.459 And if God's Word is going to do that, 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.899 if it's going to get in our way, 00:14:28.579 --> 00:14:32.240 then we're going to turn instead to a podcast or a book 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:34.919 or a friend who's going to tell us exactly what we want to hear, 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:40.100 a word that will affirm what we say is true and good. 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:43.279 And just like he asked Ahaziah, 00:14:43.420 --> 00:14:45.680 God is asking you and he's asking me today, 00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:49.220 is it because you don't have a God 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:51.519 who speaks life-giving words 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:54.639 that you are turning to an empty word 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:57.300 to affirm what you say is true? 00:14:57.299 --> 00:15:03.759 God didn't allow Ahaziah to continue his idolatry and peace. 00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:05.519 He graciously interrupted it. 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:12.059 There is love in his anger against our sin. 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:15.359 And as God invites Ahaziah to return 00:15:15.359 --> 00:15:17.939 to the true security and hope of his Word 00:15:17.939 --> 00:15:19.059 over empty promises, 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:22.399 so he invites us. 00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:27.120 But let's keep going in this story. 00:15:28.299 --> 00:15:33.179 How is Ahaziah going to respond to God's warning? 00:15:34.819 --> 00:15:36.819 Read from verse 7. 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:40.179 The king asked them, 00:15:41.100 --> 00:15:45.399 What kind of man was it who came to meet you and told you this? 00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:47.159 They replied, 00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:49.720 He had a garment of hair 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:52.500 and had a leather belt round his waist. 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:54.580 The king said, 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:57.139 That was Elijah the Tishbite. 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:01.220 Then he sent to Elijah a captain 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:03.560 with his company of 50 men. 00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:05.840 The captain went up to Elijah, 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:07.160 who was sitting on the top of a hill, 00:16:07.160 --> 00:16:08.040 and said to him, 00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:09.540 Man of God, the king says, 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:10.259 Come down. 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:12.879 Elijah answered the captain, 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:15.899 If I am a man of God, 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:18.740 may fire come down from heaven 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:22.000 and consume you and your 50 men. 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:26.200 Then fire fell from heaven 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:29.860 and consumed the captain and his men. 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.379 At this, 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:35.480 the king sent to Elijah 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:37.960 another captain with his 50 men. 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:40.379 The captain said to him, 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:41.980 Man of God, 00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:43.639 this is what the king says, 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:44.940 Come down at once. 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:49.280 If I am a man of God, 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:50.160 Elijah replied, 00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:52.120 May fire come down from heaven 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:55.920 and consume you and your 50 men. 00:16:57.600 --> 00:17:00.060 Then the fire of God fell from heaven 00:17:00.060 --> 00:17:03.760 and consumed him and his 50 men. 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:08.700 Well, after Isaiah figures out 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:11.059 the identity 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:14.099 of this speaker of God's word, 00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:16.059 there wasn't really any debate necessary. 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:17.680 There's only one thing on his mind. 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.619 Destroy him. 00:17:20.619 --> 00:17:21.460 Destroy Elijah. 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:22.900 And with Elijah, 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:23.680 God's word. 00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:27.700 So what does Isaiah do? 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:27.940 Well, 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:30.720 he summons the troops. 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:32.240 He sends him off 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:34.660 to bring Elijah back 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.680 and very soon Elijah 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.880 will be saying his last words. 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:39.600 But, 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:41.360 God intervenes. 00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:47.160 And two sets of troops 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:49.519 are consumed by fire. 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:52.180 And this is a shocking judgment. 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:54.759 It jars us. 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:57.900 And we do struggle 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:59.559 to understand why. 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:02.180 Maybe it seems like an overreaction. 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:05.220 Why did God have to do it this way? 00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:06.960 And you know, 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.200 it's good that we ask those questions 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:08.720 of the text. 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.980 Not saying we're going to 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.140 completely understand it. 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:15.900 But there are some things 00:18:15.900 --> 00:18:17.920 we can understand 00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:19.480 about why God 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:20.440 may have chosen 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:21.440 this course of action. 00:18:22.339 --> 00:18:22.720 And I think 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:23.660 two main things 00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:24.599 that stand out are this. 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:24.939 A. 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:27.199 God's word 00:18:27.199 --> 00:18:29.419 will always endure. 00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:31.419 Elijah was 00:18:31.419 --> 00:18:32.179 about to be killed. 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.939 And God had to protect 00:18:33.939 --> 00:18:34.859 his word 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:35.759 from being destroyed. 00:18:37.219 --> 00:18:37.819 Therefore, 00:18:38.659 --> 00:18:39.459 this intervention 00:18:39.459 --> 00:18:40.779 was necessary. 00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:42.740 He was protecting 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.379 his servant 00:18:43.379 --> 00:18:44.240 and his word. 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:46.019 And that should 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.939 encourage us. 00:18:48.919 --> 00:18:49.719 God's word 00:18:49.719 --> 00:18:50.399 cannot 00:18:50.399 --> 00:18:51.359 be 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:52.279 silenced. 00:18:52.879 --> 00:18:53.899 Kings and governments 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:55.580 may try to eradicate it. 00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:57.300 Society may write laws 00:18:57.300 --> 00:18:58.720 to push it out. 00:18:58.720 --> 00:18:59.900 And they may see 00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:00.900 temporary success, 00:19:01.100 --> 00:19:02.380 but they can never 00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:03.640 truly silence 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:04.300 God's word. 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.320 In fact, 00:19:06.800 --> 00:19:08.100 Jesus promised us 00:19:08.100 --> 00:19:09.120 in Matthew 00:19:09.120 --> 00:19:09.880 chapter 24 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:10.920 verse 14. 00:19:11.120 --> 00:19:11.280 He said, 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.780 this gospel of the kingdom 00:19:12.780 --> 00:19:15.200 will be preached 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:16.280 in the whole world 00:19:16.280 --> 00:19:17.600 as a testimony 00:19:17.600 --> 00:19:18.140 to 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:19.320 all 00:19:19.320 --> 00:19:20.080 nations. 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:20.220 nations. 00:19:20.679 --> 00:19:21.960 And then the end 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.460 will come. 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:24.740 We can bank our lives 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.379 in that happening. 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:28.639 So, 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:28.939 A, 00:19:29.419 --> 00:19:30.220 God's word 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:31.000 will always endure. 00:19:31.199 --> 00:19:32.019 Maybe another reason 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:32.619 why God 00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:33.679 took this course 00:19:33.679 --> 00:19:34.139 of action 00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:35.159 would be this. 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:36.839 God's word 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:38.220 is always 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:39.039 supreme. 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:42.299 It's no coincidence 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:43.019 that God 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:44.500 responds with fire 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:46.259 to Ahaziah's 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:46.940 contempt. 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.319 Baalzebub 00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:48.899 was actually 00:19:48.899 --> 00:19:49.440 known as 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:50.079 the god 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:50.859 of fire 00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:52.839 to the people 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:54.319 who worshipped 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:55.139 him at that time. 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:56.460 So, 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.139 God is effectively 00:19:57.139 --> 00:19:57.599 saying, 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:59.879 I'll show 00:19:59.879 --> 00:20:00.519 you fire. 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:02.740 This is really 00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:03.339 a statement 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:04.240 from God 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.339 to Ahaziah 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:06.460 and the whole 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:06.799 nation. 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:08.799 He makes 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:09.839 a mockery 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:11.180 out of Baal. 00:20:11.359 --> 00:20:12.559 He shows 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:13.180 Baal to be 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:14.099 completely false. 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:16.279 And in doing 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:16.480 this, 00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:17.159 the whole of 00:20:17.159 --> 00:20:17.700 Israel 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:18.319 would know 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:18.960 that God 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:20.299 is the true 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:20.899 God. 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:24.220 And it's true 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:24.759 in our lives 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.379 also that 00:20:25.379 --> 00:20:26.480 every word 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.480 contradicting 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.559 God's word 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:29.940 will ultimately 00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:31.159 fail us. 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:33.180 Whether it's 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:34.279 the empty 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:34.839 promises 00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:36.659 of satisfaction 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.540 from sinful 00:20:37.540 --> 00:20:38.240 indulgence, 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:40.759 the empty 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.420 promises of 00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:41.920 fulfillment 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:43.660 from a 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.060 romantic 00:20:44.060 --> 00:20:44.779 relationship, 00:20:45.360 --> 00:20:46.600 the empty 00:20:46.600 --> 00:20:47.320 promises of 00:20:47.320 --> 00:20:47.980 happiness 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:49.200 from having 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.160 more and more 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:50.820 followers, 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:51.620 likes, 00:20:52.080 --> 00:20:52.460 gadgets, 00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:53.700 stuff, 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:56.820 all these 00:20:56.820 --> 00:20:57.660 words will 00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:58.300 ultimately 00:20:58.300 --> 00:20:59.540 fail us 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:01.099 and leave 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:01.899 us empty 00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:02.619 in the 00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:02.960 end. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.519 And they 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.460 never 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.799 come through 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.720 on their 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.139 promises. 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:10.119 But not 00:21:10.119 --> 00:21:10.599 with God's 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:10.799 word. 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:12.960 Everything 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:14.379 God promises 00:21:14.379 --> 00:21:15.500 you in 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:15.980 his word 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.539 is true 00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:17.079 and you 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:18.079 can bank 00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:18.559 your life 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:18.960 on it. 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:20.420 When he 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:20.759 promises 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.279 freedom 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:21.980 from sin, 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.079 deep-rooted 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:24.019 joy in the 00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.519 midst of 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.000 pain, 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:26.099 an 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:26.759 inheritance 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:28.079 forever 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:28.759 in heaven, 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:30.019 it's all 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:30.400 real 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:31.700 and true 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.319 and it 00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:33.220 completely 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:34.279 surpasses 00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:35.079 all the 00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:35.799 other empty 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:36.420 words we 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:36.859 look to 00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.460 for life. 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:40.079 We can 00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:40.960 bank our 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:41.859 lives on 00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:42.119 it. 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:45.000 So first, 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:46.839 God speaks 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:47.220 his word 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:47.720 in mercy. 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:48.579 Second, 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:50.259 he protects 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.059 his word 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.740 eternally. 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:52.859 And third, 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:54.939 God fulfills 00:21:54.939 --> 00:21:56.059 his word 00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:57.659 unfailingly. 00:21:59.119 --> 00:21:59.479 And we're 00:21:59.479 --> 00:21:59.939 reaching the 00:21:59.939 --> 00:22:01.619 climax of 00:22:01.619 --> 00:22:02.299 the story. 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:03.719 It's getting 00:22:03.719 --> 00:22:04.240 tense. 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.399 Ahaziah has 00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:06.379 had every 00:22:06.379 --> 00:22:07.439 opportunity to 00:22:07.439 --> 00:22:07.819 repent. 00:22:07.979 --> 00:22:08.339 What now? 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.319 He's throwing 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:10.919 all the toys 00:22:10.919 --> 00:22:11.299 out of the 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:11.519 pram. 00:22:12.639 --> 00:22:13.679 He's making 00:22:13.679 --> 00:22:14.299 every effort 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:14.939 possible to 00:22:14.939 --> 00:22:15.199 try and 00:22:15.199 --> 00:22:16.019 destroy God's 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:16.359 word and 00:22:16.359 --> 00:22:16.919 we can see 00:22:16.919 --> 00:22:18.119 it's coming 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:20.339 up embarrassingly 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:20.839 short. 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.299 Will he 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:23.619 repent? 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:25.219 Well, it 00:22:25.219 --> 00:22:25.639 doesn't look 00:22:25.639 --> 00:22:26.099 like it. 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:27.219 Look in 00:22:27.219 --> 00:22:27.839 verse 13. 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.000 So the 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.719 king sent 00:22:30.719 --> 00:22:31.719 a third 00:22:31.719 --> 00:22:32.819 captain with 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:33.319 his fifty 00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:33.599 men. 00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:36.839 This 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:37.319 third 00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:38.379 captain went 00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:39.879 up and 00:22:39.879 --> 00:22:40.559 fell on his 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:41.479 knees before 00:22:41.479 --> 00:22:41.979 Elijah. 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.859 Man of 00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:45.039 God, he 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.339 begged, 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:47.459 please have 00:22:47.459 --> 00:22:48.059 respect for 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:49.139 my life and 00:22:49.139 --> 00:22:49.699 the lives of 00:22:49.699 --> 00:22:50.259 these fifty 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.219 men, your 00:22:51.219 --> 00:22:51.799 servants. 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:54.179 See, fire 00:22:54.179 --> 00:22:54.740 has fallen 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.299 from heaven 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:56.039 and consumed 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:57.159 the first 00:22:57.159 --> 00:22:57.799 two captains 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.119 and all 00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:58.579 their men. 00:23:00.179 --> 00:23:00.659 But now, 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.419 have respect 00:23:02.419 --> 00:23:03.459 for my 00:23:03.459 --> 00:23:04.079 life. 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.319 The 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:06.919 angel of 00:23:06.919 --> 00:23:07.199 the Lord 00:23:07.199 --> 00:23:07.979 said to 00:23:07.979 --> 00:23:08.359 Elijah, 00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:10.299 go down 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:10.699 with him, 00:23:11.419 --> 00:23:11.979 do not be 00:23:11.979 --> 00:23:12.500 afraid of 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:12.699 him. 00:23:13.699 --> 00:23:14.419 So Elijah 00:23:14.419 --> 00:23:15.699 got up and 00:23:15.699 --> 00:23:16.500 went down 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.019 with him 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:17.459 to the 00:23:17.459 --> 00:23:17.699 king. 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.599 He told 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:19.979 the king, 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:22.259 this is 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:22.759 what the 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.579 Lord says. 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:24.779 Is it 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.480 because there 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.059 is no 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:26.539 God in 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.120 Israel for 00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:27.460 you to 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.240 consult that 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:28.500 you have 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.180 sent messengers 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:29.799 to consult 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:30.240 Baal 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:30.640 Zibbub, 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:31.019 the god 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.500 of Ekron? 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:33.960 Because you 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.240 have done 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.640 this, you 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.099 will never 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.579 leave the 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:36.940 bed you 00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:37.279 are lying 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:37.460 on. 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:37.759 You will 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.180 certainly 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:38.680 die. 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:42.099 And so 00:23:42.099 --> 00:23:42.940 he died 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.839 according 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:46.220 to the 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:46.839 word of 00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:47.399 the Lord 00:23:47.399 --> 00:23:48.099 that 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:48.639 Elijah 00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:49.099 had 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:49.500 spoken. 00:23:52.099 --> 00:23:52.859 The 00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:53.319 application 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:53.720 is quite 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.099 simple, 00:23:54.199 --> 00:23:54.480 isn't it? 00:23:55.419 --> 00:23:56.179 God 00:23:56.179 --> 00:23:56.980 fulfills 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.619 his word 00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:58.319 unfailingly. 00:23:59.459 --> 00:23:59.859 What he 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:00.579 says will 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:01.079 happen, 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:02.259 will happen. 00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:04.959 Ahaziah died 00:24:04.959 --> 00:24:05.959 because God 00:24:05.959 --> 00:24:06.459 said he 00:24:06.459 --> 00:24:06.720 would. 00:24:08.399 --> 00:24:08.919 No matter 00:24:08.919 --> 00:24:09.819 how hard 00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:10.899 Ahaziah fought 00:24:10.899 --> 00:24:12.139 to destroy 00:24:12.139 --> 00:24:12.899 God's 00:24:12.899 --> 00:24:13.279 word, 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:15.139 God 00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:15.700 could not 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:16.279 be stopped 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.940 from fulfilling 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:18.019 all of his 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:19.039 holy purposes. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:20.539 God had 00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:21.200 seen how 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:21.839 Ahaziah, 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:23.359 leader of 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:23.720 God's 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.000 people, 00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:24.559 lived his 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.420 whole life 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:26.660 pushing out 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.180 God's 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:27.480 word, 00:24:28.399 --> 00:24:28.940 looking for 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.559 another word 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.039 he wanted 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.480 to hear, 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.279 a word that 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:31.779 affirmed what 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.420 he said 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.279 was right. 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.460 His reign 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.619 only lasted 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:38.220 two years. 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:40.460 He was 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:41.019 judged for 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.379 his sin. 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:44.960 But where 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.779 does this 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.180 all leave 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:46.519 us? 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:47.500 Because 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:49.079 we've already 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:49.960 established that 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:50.420 we have the 00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:51.039 very same 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:51.859 heart tendency 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:52.619 as Ahaziah. 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:54.899 If Ahaziah 00:24:54.899 --> 00:24:55.440 met that 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:55.759 end, 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:57.879 same in 00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:58.220 store for 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:58.519 us. 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:01.740 Well, 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:02.359 he lived in 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:02.879 a time 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:04.579 before Jesus 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:05.960 and we 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:06.539 might say he 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:07.139 had God's 00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:07.980 word in an 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:09.220 earlier form. 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:12.400 Hebrews 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.380 says it 00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:13.640 well, 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.079 it's on 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:14.500 the board. 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:16.920 In the 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.380 past, 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:18.759 God spoke 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.120 to our 00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:19.700 ancestors 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.759 through the 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.160 prophets 00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:21.779 at many 00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:22.360 times and 00:25:22.360 --> 00:25:22.900 in various 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:23.279 ways. 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:23.980 But in 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.700 these last 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.200 days, 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:26.140 he has 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:26.700 spoken to 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.420 us by 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:27.740 his 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.240 son, 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.799 whom he 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.240 appointed 00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:30.940 heir of 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.579 all things 00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:32.039 and through 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.480 whom he 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:33.120 also made 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:33.660 the universe. 00:25:34.120 --> 00:25:34.220 The 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:34.779 son is 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.019 the 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.940 radiance 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.819 of God's 00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:37.680 glory and 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:38.580 the exact 00:25:38.580 --> 00:25:39.580 representation 00:25:39.580 --> 00:25:40.360 of his 00:25:40.360 --> 00:25:40.740 being, 00:25:41.340 --> 00:25:41.900 sustaining 00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:43.820 all things 00:25:43.820 --> 00:25:44.539 by his 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:45.440 powerful 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:46.680 word. 00:25:48.580 --> 00:25:49.380 Jesus 00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:51.220 is God's 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:51.720 ultimate 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.820 word. 00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:54.660 Everything 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.420 God wanted 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.060 to say, 00:25:57.380 --> 00:25:57.779 he said 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.100 it through 00:25:58.100 --> 00:25:58.500 Jesus. 00:26:01.100 --> 00:26:01.519 And think 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.420 about Jesus' 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:04.340 life on 00:26:04.340 --> 00:26:04.720 earth. 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:07.060 In John 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.519 14, 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.500 he says, 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:10.839 I love 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.099 the 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:12.299 Father and 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:13.480 do exactly 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:14.119 what my 00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:14.819 Father has 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.579 commanded me. 00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:16.099 You see, 00:26:16.419 --> 00:26:17.079 Jesus lived 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.639 the perfect 00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:18.240 life of 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.500 obedience to 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.200 God's word 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:20.759 that we 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.579 have all 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:22.899 failed to 00:26:22.899 --> 00:26:23.200 live. 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.480 And yet, 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.339 as he 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:29.099 suffered in 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:29.639 agony on 00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:30.259 the cross, 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:31.279 what did he 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:31.819 cry out? 00:26:31.899 --> 00:26:32.240 He said, 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:33.399 my God, 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:33.819 my God, 00:26:33.919 --> 00:26:34.619 why have 00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:35.240 you forsaken 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:35.539 me? 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:37.500 Now, 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:37.879 how could a 00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:38.359 person who 00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:38.700 lived a 00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:39.319 perfect life 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.079 of obedience 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:41.419 to God's 00:26:41.419 --> 00:26:41.799 word, 00:26:43.399 --> 00:26:44.179 find himself 00:26:44.179 --> 00:26:44.819 in a position 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:45.200 where he 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:46.240 separated from 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:46.940 God's 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:47.500 love? 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:49.799 Well, 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.220 the answer 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.819 is that as 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.519 Jesus hung 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:51.779 there, 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:52.119 he was 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:52.720 taking your 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.259 place and 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:53.539 mine. 00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:54.720 We 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.399 deserved to 00:26:55.399 --> 00:26:55.799 be there 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.379 for our 00:26:56.379 --> 00:26:57.220 rejection of 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:57.599 God's 00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:58.179 word and 00:26:58.179 --> 00:26:58.579 turning to 00:26:58.579 --> 00:26:59.200 another word 00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.500 that we 00:26:59.500 --> 00:26:59.919 wanted to 00:26:59.919 --> 00:27:00.159 hear. 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.220 So we 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:02.519 should get 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:02.819 what we 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.159 wanted, 00:27:03.919 --> 00:27:04.440 separation 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.019 from God 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:06.200 forever. 00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:09.759 But Jesus 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.960 took the 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.700 fire of 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.180 God's 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.480 judgment 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.620 that we 00:27:13.620 --> 00:27:14.259 deserved. 00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:16.559 He was 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.320 separated from 00:27:17.320 --> 00:27:17.799 the Father 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:19.840 so that we 00:27:19.840 --> 00:27:20.120 could come 00:27:20.120 --> 00:27:22.059 close forever. 00:27:22.600 --> 00:27:23.220 And that is 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.279 the best 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:25.740 news that 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.539 we ever 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:27.299 hear. 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:32.139 so what 00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:32.899 should our 00:27:32.899 --> 00:27:33.819 response be 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.460 to this 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:34.980 Jesus, 00:27:36.159 --> 00:27:36.799 God's 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.819 final word? 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:40.419 Well, 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:40.779 I think it 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:41.059 should be 00:27:41.059 --> 00:27:42.240 something like 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.279 that of the 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:43.859 captains, 00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:44.779 the third 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.079 captain, 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:45.419 I mean. 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.579 Notice how 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.240 different his 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:48.980 approach is to 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:50.559 God's word as 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:51.079 it was spoken 00:27:51.079 --> 00:27:51.779 through Elijah. 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.059 Look back at 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:53.700 verse 13. 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:53.759 Verse 13. 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:58.660 This third 00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.700 captain went 00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:00.720 up and 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:01.519 fell on his 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.359 knees before 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:02.819 Elijah. 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:04.960 Man of 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.379 God, he 00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:05.619 begged, 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.160 please have 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:06.720 respect for 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.440 my life and 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:07.940 the lives of 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:08.400 these fifty 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:08.799 men, your 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.200 servants. 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.359 See, fire has 00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:10.920 fallen from 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.339 heaven and 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:11.960 consumed the 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.339 first two 00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:12.859 captains and 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:13.119 all their 00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:13.920 men, but 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:14.799 now have 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:16.059 respect for 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:17.039 my life. 00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:19.980 This 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.819 captain falls 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:21.119 on his 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.460 knees. 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.460 He begs 00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:24.140 for mercy. 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.759 He pleads 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.059 for a 00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:26.700 salvation that 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.360 he knows 00:28:27.360 --> 00:28:27.799 his king 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:28.240 and people 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:28.640 don't 00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:29.160 deserve. 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.480 And so 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.579 likewise, we 00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:34.819 come on 00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:35.519 our knees 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.680 before God's 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.480 final word, 00:28:38.100 --> 00:28:38.720 Jesus Christ. 00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:41.640 We look to 00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:43.100 him for 00:28:43.100 --> 00:28:43.440 mercy. 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.880 We look to 00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:45.720 the cross in 00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:47.079 faith and 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:47.640 believe that 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:48.779 Jesus really 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:50.000 did take all 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.700 our sin on 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.360 himself there. 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:53.719 we look to 00:28:53.719 --> 00:28:54.099 the empty 00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:54.740 tomb in 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:57.179 faith and 00:28:57.179 --> 00:28:58.039 we see our 00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:59.079 risen Savior 00:28:59.079 --> 00:28:59.599 who has 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:00.500 swallowed up 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:01.179 our death 00:29:01.179 --> 00:29:01.899 forever. 00:29:03.479 --> 00:29:04.659 We humble 00:29:04.659 --> 00:29:06.139 ourselves before 00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:06.740 him as our 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.559 king and we 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:08.639 present our 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.319 lives as 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:10.879 living sacrifices 00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:12.119 to him in 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:12.919 thankfulness. 00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:14.920 God's 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.200 God's 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:17.100 final word 00:29:17.100 --> 00:29:19.100 is asking 00:29:19.100 --> 00:29:19.620 you and 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:20.160 I and 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:21.460 every other 00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:22.120 person on 00:29:22.120 --> 00:29:22.560 this planet 00:29:22.560 --> 00:29:24.080 is this. 00:29:25.560 --> 00:29:26.500 Will you 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.100 accept 00:29:27.100 --> 00:29:27.860 Jesus, 00:29:28.580 --> 00:29:29.140 God's 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:30.140 final word 00:29:30.140 --> 00:29:32.039 or will 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.360 you 00:29:32.360 --> 00:29:33.279 reject him? 00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.740 And if 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.019 you're not 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:37.380 yet a 00:29:37.380 --> 00:29:37.900 follower of 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:38.240 Christ, 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:39.019 let me just 00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:39.500 say there's 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:40.820 no more 00:29:40.820 --> 00:29:41.800 important decision 00:29:41.800 --> 00:29:42.259 that you can 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:42.779 ever make. 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:43.660 And don't 00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:44.160 say, oh, 00:29:44.839 --> 00:29:46.059 I don't need 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:46.480 to think about 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:46.799 that right 00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:46.960 now. 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.220 I've got 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:48.200 time in 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:48.940 my life to 00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.319 make that 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:49.859 decision at 00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:50.240 a later 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:50.720 point. 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:53.000 You don't 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.379 even know 00:29:53.379 --> 00:29:53.619 that you 00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:54.240 have tomorrow. 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:56.799 How foolish 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:57.839 to ignore the 00:29:57.839 --> 00:29:58.359 warning of 00:29:58.359 --> 00:29:58.960 God's judgment 00:29:58.960 --> 00:29:59.680 like Ahaziah 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.059 did. 00:30:02.379 --> 00:30:02.940 Accepting 00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.559 or rejecting 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.420 Jesus is the 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.299 difference between 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.079 eternal life 00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:06.779 with God 00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:08.160 or eternal 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:09.500 separation from 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:09.720 him. 00:30:09.720 --> 00:30:11.660 if we 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:12.480 reject Christ, 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.480 God will 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:14.180 simply give 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:15.220 us what 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:16.100 we've chosen 00:30:16.100 --> 00:30:16.480 in this 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:16.940 life for 00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:17.319 eternity. 00:30:20.640 --> 00:30:22.100 Hear the 00:30:22.100 --> 00:30:22.660 warning. 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:26.240 But if 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:26.900 you do 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:28.740 accept God's 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.360 final word, 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:29.799 Jesus, 00:30:31.600 --> 00:30:32.400 trusting in 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:33.920 him for 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:35.839 your salvation, 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:36.860 you are 00:30:36.860 --> 00:30:37.799 transferred from 00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:38.380 death to 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:38.660 life. 00:30:40.320 --> 00:30:40.600 And if 00:30:40.600 --> 00:30:41.080 that is you 00:30:41.080 --> 00:30:41.420 today, 00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:42.160 and if you 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:42.620 have run 00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:42.920 into the 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:43.640 refuge that 00:30:43.640 --> 00:30:44.220 is Christ, 00:30:44.620 --> 00:30:45.060 you don't 00:30:45.060 --> 00:30:45.380 need to 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:46.040 fear losing 00:30:46.040 --> 00:30:46.340 him. 00:30:48.280 --> 00:30:48.980 God is 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:50.000 holding onto 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:51.480 you despite 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.500 your continued 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.400 struggle with 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:53.760 sin. 00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:54.500 As Paul 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.220 reminds us in 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:55.780 2 Timothy, 00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:56.380 if we are 00:30:56.380 --> 00:30:56.900 faithless, 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.040 he is 00:30:58.040 --> 00:30:58.440 faithful. 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:01.340 And how 00:31:01.340 --> 00:31:01.960 can God do 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:02.240 this? 00:31:02.340 --> 00:31:02.500 Well, 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:03.620 he can do 00:31:03.620 --> 00:31:04.000 it because 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.660 our sin has 00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:05.180 been paid 00:31:05.180 --> 00:31:05.600 for by 00:31:05.600 --> 00:31:06.000 Christ. 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.119 Christ. 00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:07.759 So, 00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:08.359 that can 00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:08.799 no longer 00:31:08.799 --> 00:31:09.579 separate us 00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:10.180 from God. 00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:12.220 We don't 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:13.000 have to fear 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:13.359 that we 00:31:13.359 --> 00:31:14.119 might lose 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:15.339 him when 00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:15.880 we fail. 00:31:16.880 --> 00:31:17.200 Now, 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.660 of course, 00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:20.160 it is foolish 00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:21.779 of us to 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.579 run to the 00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:23.460 empty promises 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.759 of other 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:26.099 words over 00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:26.720 God's word. 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.240 And we do 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:27.700 this, even 00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:28.180 as followers 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:28.660 of Christ, 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:28.880 we are 00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:29.480 doing this 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:30.720 daily. 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:32.720 And whenever 00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:33.539 we do it, 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.440 we simply 00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:35.240 lose out 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:36.099 on true 00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:36.559 joy, 00:31:37.619 --> 00:31:38.079 security, 00:31:38.339 --> 00:31:38.759 and hope. 00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:40.019 It is like 00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:40.519 rummaging 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:41.059 through a 00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:41.539 bin for 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.099 something good 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:42.599 to eat, 00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:43.819 while standing 00:31:43.819 --> 00:31:45.240 beside an 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:46.000 open fridge 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.639 full of 00:31:46.639 --> 00:31:47.220 fresh food. 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.759 You see, 00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:52.960 once we 00:31:52.960 --> 00:31:53.319 become 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:53.920 children of 00:31:53.920 --> 00:31:54.240 God, 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:56.240 the fight 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:56.980 to stay 00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:57.619 in God's 00:31:57.619 --> 00:31:58.299 word is 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:58.960 the fight 00:31:58.960 --> 00:31:59.599 for joy. 00:31:59.599 --> 00:31:59.659 joy. 00:32:01.439 --> 00:32:02.439 We don't 00:32:02.439 --> 00:32:03.079 get lasting 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:03.699 joy anywhere 00:32:03.699 --> 00:32:04.099 else. 00:32:05.639 --> 00:32:06.339 The empty 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:07.480 promises of 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.099 our idols 00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:09.399 will always 00:32:09.399 --> 00:32:10.419 let us 00:32:10.419 --> 00:32:10.879 down. 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.459 But what 00:32:13.459 --> 00:32:14.099 can comfort 00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:15.740 us or 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.359 fill us 00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:16.859 with hope 00:32:16.859 --> 00:32:18.579 like God's 00:32:18.579 --> 00:32:19.359 unshakable 00:32:19.359 --> 00:32:20.240 promises in 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:20.759 his word? 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.319 Nothing 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:23.599 can. 00:32:24.959 --> 00:32:25.939 I want 00:32:25.939 --> 00:32:26.379 to finish 00:32:26.379 --> 00:32:27.379 with some 00:32:27.379 --> 00:32:28.039 verses from 00:32:28.039 --> 00:32:28.459 Psalm 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:30.539 119. 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:31.079 They're going 00:32:31.079 --> 00:32:31.440 to come up 00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:31.640 on the 00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:32.100 board here. 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:33.720 We could 00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:34.319 probably say 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:34.600 that the 00:32:34.600 --> 00:32:35.120 writer of 00:32:35.120 --> 00:32:35.779 this psalm 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:37.299 was the 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:38.180 opposite of 00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:38.920 King Ahaziah 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:40.259 because he 00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:41.480 understood the 00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:42.500 superior treasures 00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:43.160 of God's 00:32:43.160 --> 00:32:43.420 word. 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:43.920 He had 00:32:43.920 --> 00:32:44.500 developed an 00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:45.440 insatiable 00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:46.400 appetite for 00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:46.680 them. 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:48.279 And he 00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:48.860 shows us how 00:32:48.860 --> 00:32:49.600 we can develop 00:32:49.600 --> 00:32:50.500 these spiritual 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.100 taste buds 00:32:51.100 --> 00:32:52.740 too by 00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:54.019 meditating on 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:54.600 God's 00:32:54.600 --> 00:32:55.279 word and 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:57.120 asking God 00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:58.199 for his 00:32:58.199 --> 00:32:58.899 help and 00:32:58.899 --> 00:32:59.639 his grace 00:32:59.639 --> 00:33:00.479 to love 00:33:00.479 --> 00:33:01.000 his word. 00:33:02.959 --> 00:33:03.519 I've just 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:03.879 picked out 00:33:03.879 --> 00:33:04.719 four verses. 00:33:07.439 --> 00:33:08.799 Verse 97. 00:33:09.139 --> 00:33:10.000 Oh, how 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.959 I love 00:33:10.959 --> 00:33:11.819 your law. 00:33:12.439 --> 00:33:13.379 I meditate 00:33:13.379 --> 00:33:13.979 on it 00:33:13.979 --> 00:33:15.559 all day 00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:16.059 long. 00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:19.019 How sweet 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:19.439 are your 00:33:19.439 --> 00:33:20.039 words to 00:33:20.039 --> 00:33:20.719 my taste, 00:33:21.779 --> 00:33:22.419 sweeter than 00:33:22.419 --> 00:33:23.399 honey to 00:33:23.399 --> 00:33:24.159 my mouth. 00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:28.320 your word 00:33:28.320 --> 00:33:29.259 is a 00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:29.980 lamp for 00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:30.700 my feet, 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.340 a light 00:33:32.340 --> 00:33:33.160 on my 00:33:33.160 --> 00:33:33.720 path. 00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:35.519 Your 00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:36.320 statutes 00:33:36.320 --> 00:33:37.400 are my 00:33:37.400 --> 00:33:38.240 heritage 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:38.740 forever. 00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:39.900 They are 00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:40.580 the joy 00:33:40.580 --> 00:33:41.800 of my 00:33:41.800 --> 00:33:42.279 heart. 00:33:44.420 --> 00:33:45.300 It 00:33:45.300 --> 00:33:45.800 seems 00:33:45.800 --> 00:33:46.220 that 00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:47.680 you and 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.140 I are 00:33:48.140 --> 00:33:49.000 far too 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:49.420 easily 00:33:49.420 --> 00:33:49.960 pleased 00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:51.860 with rummaging 00:33:51.860 --> 00:33:52.620 through the 00:33:52.619 --> 00:33:54.239 bin looking 00:33:54.239 --> 00:33:55.199 for scraps 00:33:55.199 --> 00:33:56.339 of empty 00:33:56.339 --> 00:33:57.579 promises that 00:33:57.579 --> 00:33:58.119 will never 00:33:58.119 --> 00:33:58.819 satisfy. 00:33:59.919 --> 00:34:00.399 When all 00:34:00.399 --> 00:34:00.879 the while, 00:34:02.299 --> 00:34:02.759 a fully 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:03.379 stocked 00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:04.199 fridge packed 00:34:04.199 --> 00:34:05.779 with delicious 00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:07.559 promises that 00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:08.440 you can bank 00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:09.299 your life on 00:34:09.299 --> 00:34:11.420 stands open 00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:12.880 right beside 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:13.139 you. 00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:16.339 The choice 00:34:16.339 --> 00:34:16.819 is yours. 00:34:18.319 --> 00:34:18.900 Scraps 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:20.000 or a 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:20.440 feast. 00:34:22.200 --> 00:34:22.700 Empty 00:34:22.700 --> 00:34:23.139 words 00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:24.720 are God's 00:34:24.720 --> 00:34:25.720 life-giving 00:34:25.720 --> 00:34:26.440 word. 00:34:29.240 --> 00:34:29.920 Let's 00:34:29.920 --> 00:34:30.119 pray. 00:34:30.119 --> 00:34:30.240 Let's 00:34:30.240 --> 00:34:30.260 pray. 00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:44.240 Holy 00:34:44.240 --> 00:34:44.619 Spirit, 00:34:44.800 --> 00:34:45.400 we turn 00:34:45.400 --> 00:34:45.780 to you 00:34:45.780 --> 00:34:46.019 now. 00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:49.519 we can't 00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:50.519 suddenly just 00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.460 want God's 00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:52.019 word more 00:34:52.019 --> 00:34:52.639 than the 00:34:52.639 --> 00:34:53.340 empty promises 00:34:53.340 --> 00:34:53.739 of other 00:34:53.739 --> 00:34:54.119 things. 00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:54.579 It's not 00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:54.900 in us. 00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:56.559 We need 00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:57.199 a heart 00:34:57.199 --> 00:34:57.860 change. 00:34:59.099 --> 00:34:59.759 We need 00:34:59.759 --> 00:35:00.360 an appetite 00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:03.280 change so 00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:03.559 that we 00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:04.400 find your 00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:05.840 words and 00:35:05.840 --> 00:35:06.679 your promises 00:35:06.679 --> 00:35:08.099 more delightful 00:35:08.099 --> 00:35:09.320 and true 00:35:09.320 --> 00:35:10.500 and satisfying 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.739 than any 00:35:11.739 --> 00:35:12.400 other 00:35:12.400 --> 00:35:13.480 lesser 00:35:13.480 --> 00:35:14.119 words. 00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:16.480 give us 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.639 grace today 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:19.599 and tomorrow 00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:21.719 each day 00:35:21.719 --> 00:35:22.719 we live 00:35:22.719 --> 00:35:23.659 to choose 00:35:23.659 --> 00:35:24.900 Jesus 00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:27.239 and find 00:35:27.239 --> 00:35:28.339 our ultimate 00:35:28.339 --> 00:35:29.539 joy in 00:35:29.539 --> 00:35:29.779 him 00:35:29.779 --> 00:35:31.699 and for 00:35:31.699 --> 00:35:32.519 his glory 00:35:32.519 --> 00:35:33.319 we pray. 00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:35.539 Amen. 00:35:35.539 --> 00:35:35.679 Amen. 00:35:39.739 --> 00:35:40.579 We are 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:40.839 going to 00:35:40.839 --> 00:35:41.319 sing a 00:35:41.319 --> 00:35:41.579 song.