1 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:18,280 Joshua Kehler: Hey guys, we are Doing a little series before we jump into 2 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:24,960 another book of the Bible, just on scriptures that have flipped the script. 3 00:00:25,320 --> 00:00:30,800 passage, a story in the Bible, a scripture that is like, maybe you've read it a 4 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:37,220 hundred times, but there was one point in your life where it just came with fire. 5 00:00:37,625 --> 00:00:38,955 and changed your life. 6 00:00:38,955 --> 00:00:44,265 It was just like, Whoa, I'm different for having encountered this. 7 00:00:44,265 --> 00:00:46,405 I can't be the same anymore. 8 00:00:46,955 --> 00:00:48,955 so it's been amazing hearing you guys share. 9 00:00:49,465 --> 00:00:55,065 So I want to go to first Kings chapter 19 and Tom, would you be so kind as 10 00:00:55,065 --> 00:00:57,025 to read our passage this morning? 11 00:00:58,025 --> 00:01:00,375 So it's going to be, 19. 12 00:01:00,475 --> 00:01:03,065 it's Elijah and the running to the cave. 13 00:01:03,065 --> 00:01:04,285 nine to 18. 14 00:01:06,155 --> 00:01:06,465 Okay. 15 00:01:07,910 --> 00:01:10,360 I'm reading from the, the Good News Bible. 16 00:01:10,590 --> 00:01:13,620 He lay down under the tree and fell asleep. 17 00:01:14,700 --> 00:01:18,100 Suddenly an angel touched him and said, Wake up and eat. 18 00:01:19,140 --> 00:01:23,310 He looked around and saw a loaf of bread and a jar of water near his head. 19 00:01:23,870 --> 00:01:26,260 He ate and drank, and he lay down again. 20 00:01:27,210 --> 00:01:31,960 The Lord's angel returned and woke him up a second time saying, Get up and eat, 21 00:01:32,740 --> 00:01:34,570 or the trip will be too much for you. 22 00:01:35,500 --> 00:01:36,360 Elijah got up. 23 00:01:36,975 --> 00:01:41,115 Elijah ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to walk forty 24 00:01:41,115 --> 00:01:42,975 days to Sinai, the holy mountain. 25 00:01:43,655 --> 00:01:46,325 There he went into a cave and spent the night. 26 00:01:47,225 --> 00:01:51,245 Suddenly the Lord spoke to him, Elijah, what are you doing here? 27 00:01:51,835 --> 00:01:57,604 He answered, Lord God Almighty, I have always served you, you alone. 28 00:01:58,155 --> 00:02:01,815 But the people of Israel, they've broken your covenant 29 00:02:01,825 --> 00:02:04,125 with you, torn down your altars. 30 00:02:04,890 --> 00:02:12,680 Killed all your prophets I'm the only one left and they're trying to kill me Go out 31 00:02:12,690 --> 00:02:19,740 and stand before me on top of the mountain the lord said to him Then the lord passed 32 00:02:19,750 --> 00:02:26,130 by and sent a furious man that split the hills and shattered the rock But the 33 00:02:26,130 --> 00:02:33,050 lord was not in the wind The wind stopped blowing and then there was an earthquake 34 00:02:34,495 --> 00:02:37,255 But the Lord was not in the earthquake. 35 00:02:38,285 --> 00:02:40,765 After the earthquake, there was a fire. 36 00:02:41,915 --> 00:02:44,215 But the Lord was not in the fire. 37 00:02:45,065 --> 00:02:49,265 And after the fire, there was the soft whisper of a voice. 38 00:02:50,095 --> 00:02:54,325 When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his cloak and went out and 39 00:02:54,335 --> 00:02:56,015 stood at the entrance of the cave. 40 00:02:56,305 --> 00:02:58,295 A voice said to him, Elijah! 41 00:02:58,925 --> 00:03:00,935 What are you doing here? 42 00:03:01,635 --> 00:03:06,225 He answered, Lord God Almighty, I've always served you, you alone. 43 00:03:06,575 --> 00:03:11,205 But the people of Israel broke in their covenant with you, tore down your altars, 44 00:03:11,495 --> 00:03:15,925 killed all your prophets, and I'm the only one left and they're trying to kill me. 45 00:03:17,545 --> 00:03:21,945 Lord said, return to the wilderness near Damascus. 46 00:03:23,055 --> 00:03:27,900 Then enter the city, and anoint Haziel as king. 47 00:03:28,240 --> 00:03:35,710 of Syria, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king of Israel, and anoint 48 00:03:36,670 --> 00:03:42,860 Elisha son of Shephtah from Abel Meholah to succeed you as a prophet. 49 00:03:43,690 --> 00:03:47,802 Anyone who escapes being put to death by Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and anyone 50 00:03:47,802 --> 00:03:51,380 who escapes Jehu will be killed by Elisha. 51 00:03:52,020 --> 00:04:00,160 Yet I will leave 7, 000 people alive in Israel, all those who are loyal to me 52 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:04,450 and not bound to bail or kiss his idol. 53 00:04:04,450 --> 00:04:06,760 Amen. 54 00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:07,480 Word of God. 55 00:04:07,580 --> 00:04:08,300 Yes. 56 00:04:08,310 --> 00:04:09,180 Thanks be to God. 57 00:04:10,490 --> 00:04:11,260 All right, let's pray. 58 00:04:12,650 --> 00:04:18,660 Father, we thank you for these lives that you put on display and recorded for us. 59 00:04:18,660 --> 00:04:18,709 Amen. 60 00:04:19,790 --> 00:04:24,910 The ups and the downs of human life and even beyond that Lord following you. 61 00:04:25,910 --> 00:04:28,880 Lord, rescue us from us. 62 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:35,790 Rescue us from even our visions and dreams are the great grandiose 63 00:04:35,790 --> 00:04:38,190 things that we're gonna do for you. 64 00:04:39,190 --> 00:04:44,360 And may we be set free this morning to just have you. 65 00:04:45,970 --> 00:04:46,360 yes. 66 00:04:46,540 --> 00:04:51,800 The everlasting, almighty, beautiful, transcendent I am that 67 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:53,820 I am, the Alpha and the Omega. 68 00:04:54,500 --> 00:04:56,190 And so Lord, be strong. 69 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:57,630 We confess our weakness. 70 00:04:57,640 --> 00:05:00,485 We humble ourselves before your mighty hand Lord. 71 00:05:00,755 --> 00:05:06,495 We ask for your spirit, Lord, to teach us now and to open our eyes and our hearts. 72 00:05:06,495 --> 00:05:11,455 Lord, it would be applied, that we would be equipped, bones would be put 73 00:05:11,455 --> 00:05:16,735 right, fishing nets would be mended, and that Lord, we would be about your 74 00:05:16,745 --> 00:05:19,245 business for your glory and our joy. 75 00:05:19,265 --> 00:05:19,865 Lord. 76 00:05:20,385 --> 00:05:22,215 Oh, how we want to bring you glory. 77 00:05:22,215 --> 00:05:23,355 You're so good. 78 00:05:23,395 --> 00:05:28,115 We just talked about salvation how you raised the dead Man, there's so 79 00:05:28,115 --> 00:05:34,775 many dead out there Lord, would you hallow your name in the city lord? 80 00:05:35,115 --> 00:05:36,415 Would you lift it up? 81 00:05:36,465 --> 00:05:41,965 would you draw all men unto yourself lord we say that Jesus, you are the answer, not 82 00:05:41,965 --> 00:05:44,335 Jesus plus anything else, but Jesus alone. 83 00:05:44,865 --> 00:05:49,415 So Lord, we just beg you Lord, that you would pour out your grace and kindness 84 00:05:49,415 --> 00:05:51,805 and your glory upon the city Lord. 85 00:05:52,485 --> 00:05:54,995 And that you'd begin to, save. 86 00:05:55,085 --> 00:05:59,235 and then Lord, we remind ourselves that, yeah, you've been doing that all. 87 00:06:00,025 --> 00:06:00,925 You have a remnant. 88 00:06:00,925 --> 00:06:01,955 You always have a remnant. 89 00:06:01,975 --> 00:06:02,785 we love you. 90 00:06:02,845 --> 00:06:04,095 we praise you this morning. 91 00:06:04,105 --> 00:06:05,825 Thank you for the other churches, Lord. 92 00:06:06,300 --> 00:06:10,750 Our fellow brothers and sisters, what a beautiful family you've made. 93 00:06:11,970 --> 00:06:14,620 And, we thank you for the different personalities. 94 00:06:15,345 --> 00:06:19,935 the different, passions, the different missions that you call us unto, 95 00:06:19,945 --> 00:06:23,715 Lord, we thank you for the diversity and the body of Christ, Lord. 96 00:06:24,025 --> 00:06:25,835 We praise you for our brothers and sisters. 97 00:06:26,285 --> 00:06:27,605 Love on them today, Lord. 98 00:06:27,605 --> 00:06:31,825 May they know the tangible attributes, would you wrap your arms 99 00:06:32,065 --> 00:06:33,885 around them in a mighty way today. 100 00:06:34,375 --> 00:06:36,615 so we thank you for this in Jesus name. 101 00:06:36,615 --> 00:06:38,545 Amen. 102 00:06:38,625 --> 00:06:38,875 Amen. 103 00:06:40,105 --> 00:06:43,555 So I might come off, pretty like. 104 00:06:44,005 --> 00:06:48,415 You see me, we'll do a work project together. 105 00:06:48,435 --> 00:06:52,365 We see each other cooking a meal, studying, we're 106 00:06:52,375 --> 00:06:53,905 fellowshipping, we're talking. 107 00:06:54,330 --> 00:06:58,980 Sometimes what you don't see is every once in a while, I quit. 108 00:06:59,980 --> 00:07:01,410 I completely quit. 109 00:07:02,410 --> 00:07:04,210 I'm done. 110 00:07:05,220 --> 00:07:07,310 I'm done with church. 111 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:09,280 I'm done with God's people. 112 00:07:10,140 --> 00:07:11,780 I'm done with house church. 113 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:15,730 I'm done with being tired. 114 00:07:15,730 --> 00:07:16,570 I'm, I quit. 115 00:07:16,660 --> 00:07:17,740 You can ask Andrea. 116 00:07:17,800 --> 00:07:19,800 She's like my anchor. 117 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:21,730 She just lets me like rant a little bit. 118 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:26,020 And go off, and I'm like, I think I'm done, let's just move to the beach, 119 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:29,848 I'm gonna surf, She's you don't surf, you don't even take off your shirt, 120 00:07:30,298 --> 00:07:32,678 And I'm like, whatever, I quit. 121 00:07:32,718 --> 00:07:39,763 And then it's like this slow, God's kindness, that shows up. 122 00:07:40,133 --> 00:07:47,283 So many times in my life and a still small voice and this decision We're gonna read 123 00:07:47,283 --> 00:07:54,813 a passage in Jeremiah 2 that rolls into this passage has helped me So much number 124 00:07:54,813 --> 00:07:58,353 one not just to get back on the horse, but to realize it's okay to fall off the 125 00:07:58,353 --> 00:08:08,893 horse like to be okay With not being okay because it's really exciting to be part 126 00:08:08,893 --> 00:08:14,473 of something when you see tremendous fruit you're part of a ministry and people are 127 00:08:14,473 --> 00:08:20,643 getting saved and you're baptizing, 15, 20 people a week and it's just it's if spit 128 00:08:20,663 --> 00:08:25,523 a watermelon seed and the watermelon plant grows right in front of you, I've been a 129 00:08:25,523 --> 00:08:29,213 part of ministries and works like that. 130 00:08:29,543 --> 00:08:33,453 And then there's the harder, the more dry you're in the desert place, 131 00:08:33,493 --> 00:08:35,732 you're just, waiting for it to rain. 132 00:08:36,313 --> 00:08:37,592 Is it ever going to rain? 133 00:08:38,013 --> 00:08:40,953 I just want to, you're like, what we need is a lake. 134 00:08:41,073 --> 00:08:42,783 When the rain comes, we're gonna have a lake. 135 00:08:42,783 --> 00:08:44,193 We're gonna build condos around it. 136 00:08:44,193 --> 00:08:45,783 We're gonna water ski and boat. 137 00:08:45,783 --> 00:08:47,883 We'll load it with fish pretty soon. 138 00:08:47,883 --> 00:08:50,613 A couple years go by and you're like, I just want to drop water. 139 00:08:51,598 --> 00:08:53,158 I just wanted to fill my thimble. 140 00:08:53,208 --> 00:08:57,288 I'll settle for a drop, and, and ministry can feel like that 141 00:08:57,288 --> 00:09:00,258 at times, ministry and mission. 142 00:09:00,358 --> 00:09:02,728 and I'm not just talking about being a pastor, please. 143 00:09:03,418 --> 00:09:12,278 But as a follower of Christ to make Christ known, like that's why we're here, right? 144 00:09:13,068 --> 00:09:17,398 That, that God has put us strategically in the times and places in which we exist. 145 00:09:17,708 --> 00:09:22,148 That people might reach for him and find him and that he's actually closer. 146 00:09:23,183 --> 00:09:26,633 And so he has you in these specific places. 147 00:09:26,633 --> 00:09:31,113 Do you like, we're going to get, we'll see it, but like you are tailor made 148 00:09:31,123 --> 00:09:35,353 down to your DNA and your personality to exist in the time and place that God has 149 00:09:35,353 --> 00:09:40,093 put you with your idiosyncrasies, your personality, and then the Holy Spirit 150 00:09:40,093 --> 00:09:46,273 coming into that and filling that for his glory, to be a light to, to shine before. 151 00:09:46,518 --> 00:09:49,608 men and women, a city on a hill whose light can't be 152 00:09:49,608 --> 00:09:52,198 hid, man, he's got you here. 153 00:09:53,198 --> 00:09:56,688 But for me, and for maybe some of us, sometimes it can feel 154 00:09:56,688 --> 00:10:02,948 like you are going to a fire, and the whole building's on fire. 155 00:10:03,488 --> 00:10:05,658 And you're trying to put it out with a squirt gun. 156 00:10:06,098 --> 00:10:10,188 And that's about as effective as you feel as you're just, you're doing 157 00:10:10,188 --> 00:10:12,938 something, but man, is there any impact? 158 00:10:12,938 --> 00:10:15,478 Is there any long term, what's going on? 159 00:10:15,508 --> 00:10:24,618 And so this story is amazing at rescuing our hearts and, bringing us back into sync 160 00:10:24,828 --> 00:10:30,158 and equipping us, relocate us back onto the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. 161 00:10:30,558 --> 00:10:32,628 whose mission it is anyway. 162 00:10:33,058 --> 00:10:36,368 So I want to give you some background because it's pivotal to 163 00:10:36,368 --> 00:10:37,948 understanding where Elijah is at. 164 00:10:37,978 --> 00:10:44,048 Elijah actually wants to die, but like a good Hebrew, he can't do the deed himself. 165 00:10:44,338 --> 00:10:46,038 So he wants God to do the deed. 166 00:10:46,048 --> 00:10:51,138 He's so discouraged in his soul that he's I'm done. 167 00:10:51,418 --> 00:10:55,098 And maybe we don't go that far, but we do I don't know. 168 00:10:55,138 --> 00:10:58,578 I've said things like, Andrea said things like, I just want to go to heaven. 169 00:10:59,518 --> 00:11:00,738 Like I want it to be over. 170 00:11:01,258 --> 00:11:02,188 I just want to go to heaven. 171 00:11:02,808 --> 00:11:03,678 I just, I'm done. 172 00:11:03,708 --> 00:11:04,848 I'm done with the pain. 173 00:11:05,068 --> 00:11:06,378 I'm done with the hardship. 174 00:11:06,598 --> 00:11:09,848 I'm done with the thorns and the thistles and the brokenness and the heartbreak 175 00:11:09,848 --> 00:11:11,078 and the, I just want to go to heaven. 176 00:11:11,638 --> 00:11:12,198 I'm done. 177 00:11:12,278 --> 00:11:12,938 I'm done here. 178 00:11:13,378 --> 00:11:14,438 have I run my course? 179 00:11:14,448 --> 00:11:15,428 Have I stayed the past? 180 00:11:15,688 --> 00:11:19,978 Can I just finish, And, I don't know if you've said something like that 181 00:11:20,008 --> 00:11:24,148 before or felt that way or like me. 182 00:11:24,713 --> 00:11:30,413 Maybe you occasionally put in your two weeks notice, and you say, I'm out. 183 00:11:31,463 --> 00:11:34,173 And part of that's good because we're, like we talked about with 184 00:11:34,343 --> 00:11:37,923 evil and suffering, we shouldn't be okay with the world as it is. 185 00:11:38,688 --> 00:11:43,868 And our groaning is actually a yearning for, it's pointing out things aren't the 186 00:11:43,868 --> 00:11:45,858 way they are and that we long for that. 187 00:11:46,108 --> 00:11:49,708 But in the midst of that brokenness, we can feel choked out. 188 00:11:49,758 --> 00:11:54,078 We can feel overwhelmed by the brokenness. 189 00:11:54,588 --> 00:11:59,273 Like you're falling in quicksand, and it just keeps, the more you move, The 190 00:11:59,273 --> 00:12:03,843 more you sink, and so the more you're trying, Lord, I'm about doing no, we 191 00:12:03,843 --> 00:12:08,863 need more energy, more activity, more programs, more things, more outreach. 192 00:12:09,073 --> 00:12:10,613 It's like you're sinking and sinking. 193 00:12:11,113 --> 00:12:11,813 so let's go. 194 00:12:11,823 --> 00:12:12,573 Background. 195 00:12:12,983 --> 00:12:14,163 The background's amazing. 196 00:12:14,693 --> 00:12:20,153 Ahab, the king of Israel at that time, had married a Gentile 197 00:12:20,153 --> 00:12:22,723 queen who was very wicked. 198 00:12:22,993 --> 00:12:26,593 In fact, not a lot of people name their daughters Jezebel 199 00:12:26,613 --> 00:12:29,063 because of the queen in the Bible. 200 00:12:29,678 --> 00:12:35,338 she, when she came into power, changed the religion in Israel. 201 00:12:35,778 --> 00:12:38,868 Which is a pretty crazy accomplishment to come in and in 202 00:12:38,868 --> 00:12:41,468 one generation, change the worship. 203 00:12:41,918 --> 00:12:44,948 The, she changed it to the worship of Baal, she installed new 204 00:12:44,948 --> 00:12:47,648 priests, new temples, new rituals. 205 00:12:48,478 --> 00:12:53,958 And it was this very pagan, humanistic religion. 206 00:12:54,528 --> 00:12:55,878 Israel was in a crazy state. 207 00:12:55,888 --> 00:13:00,158 In Kings 1821, it says, And Elijah came near to all the people and 208 00:13:00,158 --> 00:13:02,938 said, so he's calling everybody out. 209 00:13:03,298 --> 00:13:05,468 How long will you go? 210 00:13:05,738 --> 00:13:10,028 And I love this limping between two different opinions. 211 00:13:11,028 --> 00:13:16,068 If the Lord is God, this is like what you were talking about, Tom, follow him. 212 00:13:17,288 --> 00:13:20,778 But if Baal, then follow him. 213 00:13:22,088 --> 00:13:23,978 And the people did not answer him a word. 214 00:13:25,758 --> 00:13:31,748 So Elijah directed by God sets up a challenge on top of Mount Carmel, right? 215 00:13:31,968 --> 00:13:35,138 And, when we went to Israel, we got to be there. 216 00:13:35,448 --> 00:13:39,518 And at the top of Mount Carmel, it overlooks the Valley of Megiddo. 217 00:13:39,758 --> 00:13:47,498 and it's just this crazy view of basically all, the surrounding nations. 218 00:13:47,528 --> 00:13:48,578 it's insane. 219 00:13:49,038 --> 00:13:54,238 so he, at the top of it, he's going to set up this challenge, which I love God. 220 00:13:54,683 --> 00:13:59,573 I love that he is let's do a challenge, what the challenge is, is that there's 221 00:13:59,573 --> 00:14:01,863 going to be two sacrifices in two altars. 222 00:14:01,873 --> 00:14:08,823 So the priests of Baal, 450 of them are going to have, the day to call out to 223 00:14:08,833 --> 00:14:14,103 their God and to call fire down from heaven and to consume their sacrifice. 224 00:14:14,483 --> 00:14:15,523 And this is the challenge. 225 00:14:15,523 --> 00:14:19,513 And so whoever's God sends fire down from heaven to consume the sacrifice, 226 00:14:19,783 --> 00:14:24,073 then we'll know he's the true God, right? 227 00:14:24,363 --> 00:14:27,613 The 450 prophets of bell tried to no effect. 228 00:14:28,113 --> 00:14:31,923 They spend hours and hours, they begin to cut themselves, trying to 229 00:14:31,923 --> 00:14:35,603 appeal, and that's what religion does, religion destroys you. 230 00:14:35,943 --> 00:14:40,233 you, more, I need more of your blood, I need more of your blood, And, and so 231 00:14:40,233 --> 00:14:43,083 they begin to cut themselves, and they're dancing, they're singing, and throwing 232 00:14:43,083 --> 00:14:46,563 themselves, and painting themselves, and hurting themselves, calling out to Baal. 233 00:14:46,563 --> 00:14:47,933 And I love Elijah. 234 00:14:48,393 --> 00:14:50,863 he goes, Hey, maybe you need to call louder. 235 00:14:51,253 --> 00:14:56,433 Maybe Baal's in the bathroom having a Baal movement, and, he literally says like 236 00:14:56,433 --> 00:15:00,573 that maybe he's indisposed, maybe you need to crowd louder and louder and finally 237 00:15:01,733 --> 00:15:13,403 blood covered dirt, dust everywhere, no effect, no fire, not even warmth, nothing. 238 00:15:13,833 --> 00:15:15,633 And so Elijah says, Hey, it's my turn. 239 00:15:16,523 --> 00:15:21,813 And so he says, dig a moat around it and pour water all over the sacrifice. 240 00:15:21,813 --> 00:15:22,743 Let's get this thing. 241 00:15:22,963 --> 00:15:25,133 I want you to know this isn't some trickery. 242 00:15:25,133 --> 00:15:26,513 It's not some illusion. 243 00:15:26,843 --> 00:15:30,983 This is going to be the fire of God. 244 00:15:31,023 --> 00:15:32,043 And he prays the simple. 245 00:15:32,043 --> 00:15:32,463 I love it. 246 00:15:32,463 --> 00:15:33,193 Take note of it. 247 00:15:33,933 --> 00:15:36,153 First Kings 18, 36 to 37. 248 00:15:36,153 --> 00:15:40,573 He says, and at the time of the offering of ablation, Elijah, the 249 00:15:40,573 --> 00:15:42,543 prophet came near and said, Oh Lord. 250 00:15:43,503 --> 00:15:48,933 God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in 251 00:15:48,953 --> 00:15:55,613 Israel and that I am your servant and that I have done all these things at your word. 252 00:15:55,743 --> 00:16:01,183 Answer me, O Lord, answer me that this people may know that you 253 00:16:01,738 --> 00:16:07,898 Oh Lord, our God, and that you have churned their hearts back. 254 00:16:08,898 --> 00:16:18,888 And as soon as he says that, the fire falls and it consumes the sacrifice, it 255 00:16:18,888 --> 00:16:26,478 licks up the water, it burns all the wood, it burns up the stones, which is crazy. 256 00:16:27,048 --> 00:16:29,498 And it says it licks up the dust. 257 00:16:30,848 --> 00:16:32,058 So undeniable. 258 00:16:32,058 --> 00:16:38,798 They're like, And so then all the people, the prophets of Baal are killed. 259 00:16:39,578 --> 00:16:43,478 then to top it off, Elijah goes off and he prays for rain. 260 00:16:44,098 --> 00:16:48,028 It hadn't rained in three years as a way to wake the people of Israel up 261 00:16:48,078 --> 00:16:53,398 to where their distance was in their relationship with God to bring them back. 262 00:16:53,678 --> 00:16:56,008 And so Elijah's yes, it's time. 263 00:16:56,218 --> 00:16:57,418 He just prays for rain. 264 00:16:57,418 --> 00:16:59,818 It hadn't rained in three years and rain comes. 265 00:17:00,588 --> 00:17:02,868 He keeps sending his servant, and he's Do you see any clouds? 266 00:17:03,818 --> 00:17:04,627 Do you see any clouds? 267 00:17:04,627 --> 00:17:05,288 He keeps praying. 268 00:17:05,508 --> 00:17:05,818 No. 269 00:17:05,948 --> 00:17:06,738 Do you see any clouds? 270 00:17:06,738 --> 00:17:08,958 And he's I see a cloud like a man's hand. 271 00:17:09,228 --> 00:17:11,117 He's Run! 272 00:17:11,117 --> 00:17:11,818 We gotta run! 273 00:17:12,088 --> 00:17:13,108 The rain's coming! 274 00:17:13,108 --> 00:17:14,358 The heavens are gonna pour! 275 00:17:14,657 --> 00:17:18,548 And they're booking it, down as the chariots of the royalty 276 00:17:18,867 --> 00:17:21,198 are getting stuck in the mud. 277 00:17:22,943 --> 00:17:29,373 What's fascinating as he runs to Jezreel where Ahab and Jezebel 278 00:17:29,383 --> 00:17:32,303 live, he thinks, all right, Lord's going to take these fools out. 279 00:17:32,533 --> 00:17:36,903 time I'm going, the fire just came down from heaven and, the 280 00:17:36,903 --> 00:17:38,953 prophets of Baal were put to death. 281 00:17:39,163 --> 00:17:44,083 the religions dying, Lord's brought rain, not only fire, but rain, 282 00:17:44,083 --> 00:17:45,623 which is a beautiful symmetry. 283 00:17:45,673 --> 00:17:48,233 And now he's running to the city where they live. 284 00:17:48,233 --> 00:17:49,933 And he's like, all right, here we go. 285 00:17:49,963 --> 00:17:50,873 Revival. 286 00:17:51,093 --> 00:17:54,563 new change in tenets, new king and queen. 287 00:17:55,483 --> 00:17:56,293 What happens? 288 00:17:57,273 --> 00:17:58,673 Not what he thought was going to happen. 289 00:18:00,183 --> 00:18:04,883 Remember his prayer, that this people may know that you, O Lord our God, and 290 00:18:04,883 --> 00:18:06,753 that you have churned their hearts back. 291 00:18:08,223 --> 00:18:10,303 But Ahab and Jezebel were not repenting. 292 00:18:10,623 --> 00:18:12,983 They were not like, oh wow, we've been wrong all this time. 293 00:18:13,233 --> 00:18:16,053 Wow, your God is actually powerful and our God is not powerful. 294 00:18:16,053 --> 00:18:20,173 No, they were angry and they wanted to kill him. 295 00:18:21,713 --> 00:18:23,823 the power structure wasn't repenting. 296 00:18:25,393 --> 00:18:26,093 The fire. 297 00:18:26,568 --> 00:18:28,378 Wasn't coming down to judge them. 298 00:18:29,538 --> 00:18:32,148 The people were not rallying for the true God. 299 00:18:32,928 --> 00:18:36,088 In fact, there wasn't even a handful of protesters. 300 00:18:37,088 --> 00:18:37,818 Backfire. 301 00:18:38,728 --> 00:18:44,008 The rain was back, but it seemed the drought hadn't taught anybody anything. 302 00:18:44,008 --> 00:18:45,158 Nothing changed. 303 00:18:45,158 --> 00:18:48,078 The status quo didn't change. 304 00:18:48,278 --> 00:18:51,238 And Jezebel, she sends a message and says, you're dead. 305 00:18:51,558 --> 00:18:53,728 And she takes out a hit on his life. 306 00:18:54,158 --> 00:18:59,808 And then in chapter 19, verse three, it says, then he was afraid and he 307 00:18:59,818 --> 00:19:06,128 rose and ran for his life and came to bear Sheba, which belongs to Judah. 308 00:19:06,658 --> 00:19:12,228 And left his servant there, he runs, not just beyond the borders of Northern 309 00:19:12,228 --> 00:19:16,628 Kingdom of Israel, but also, beyond the Southern Kingdom of Judah, he goes 310 00:19:16,638 --> 00:19:22,738 far, he takes off into a whole nother territory and he goes to Mount Horeb. 311 00:19:23,448 --> 00:19:24,008 Why? 312 00:19:25,283 --> 00:19:26,973 This mountain is also called Sinai. 313 00:19:27,073 --> 00:19:29,193 A lot of things happened on this mountain, right? 314 00:19:29,733 --> 00:19:33,343 It's the same place that God appeared to Moses in the fire in Exodus 3, 315 00:19:33,683 --> 00:19:35,243 the burning bush to commission him. 316 00:19:35,253 --> 00:19:41,393 The same place that the law was given to the people of Israel as they had been 317 00:19:41,393 --> 00:19:46,553 brought out and liberated out of their bondage in Egypt in Exodus 19 and 20. 318 00:19:47,163 --> 00:19:49,733 He wants to meet with God. 319 00:19:51,663 --> 00:19:56,743 In fact, in verse 9, it's very similar in the Hebrew from Exodus, 320 00:19:57,213 --> 00:19:59,293 the story he would know about Moses. 321 00:20:00,083 --> 00:20:04,563 In Exodus 33, 21 to 22, and the Lord said, behold, there's a place by me 322 00:20:04,933 --> 00:20:06,663 where you shall stand on the rock. 323 00:20:07,023 --> 00:20:10,533 And while my glory passes by, I will put you in the cleft of the 324 00:20:10,533 --> 00:20:14,413 rock and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 325 00:20:14,853 --> 00:20:17,543 So it was like, that's what I need. 326 00:20:18,213 --> 00:20:19,533 Almost like a job, Hey. 327 00:20:19,878 --> 00:20:25,978 I need to go have a meeting, about what's going on here, how God's running 328 00:20:25,988 --> 00:20:29,018 things, what in the world is happening. 329 00:20:29,028 --> 00:20:31,048 So he gets to the meeting with God in verse 10. 330 00:20:31,048 --> 00:20:36,408 He said, I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. 331 00:20:37,828 --> 00:20:38,528 What does that mean? 332 00:20:40,308 --> 00:20:41,598 It's my whole life. 333 00:20:42,778 --> 00:20:46,138 It consumes me like I've done nothing else. 334 00:20:46,188 --> 00:20:47,368 I don't have a hobby. 335 00:20:48,078 --> 00:20:51,308 I like, this is it like this whole life. 336 00:20:51,308 --> 00:20:52,638 My whole life has been. 337 00:20:53,008 --> 00:20:59,478 lived to make God known, to make the miraculous wonders of this God. 338 00:20:59,478 --> 00:21:01,988 We worship and serve that he's the true God. 339 00:21:02,268 --> 00:21:08,398 I've spent my life showing this to Israel and proclaiming the 340 00:21:08,398 --> 00:21:11,638 God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 341 00:21:12,158 --> 00:21:15,608 I have been very just for the Lord, the God of hosts, for the people of 342 00:21:15,648 --> 00:21:17,798 Israel have forsaken your covenant. 343 00:21:18,458 --> 00:21:22,218 They've thrown down your altars and killed your prophets with the sword. 344 00:21:22,458 --> 00:21:23,388 And I. 345 00:21:24,528 --> 00:21:31,868 Even I only am left and they seek my life to take it away. 346 00:21:32,868 --> 00:21:35,848 I'm, this whole thing's going extinct, Lord. 347 00:21:35,958 --> 00:21:36,858 I'm the only one. 348 00:21:37,258 --> 00:21:39,628 I'm holding it, I'm holding on by a thread, Lord. 349 00:21:40,008 --> 00:21:43,378 like this whole mission of God in the world. 350 00:21:43,498 --> 00:21:44,758 Nobody's gonna know you. 351 00:21:44,788 --> 00:21:46,118 Everybody's gonna forget you. 352 00:21:46,508 --> 00:21:51,548 I am the only one who is actually dedicating my life and trying to go at 353 00:21:51,548 --> 00:21:54,208 all hinges, at all ways on my shoulders. 354 00:21:54,388 --> 00:21:55,858 I'm holding this whole thing up. 355 00:21:57,253 --> 00:21:59,563 And I'm the only one, right? 356 00:22:01,283 --> 00:22:04,853 We look at that and we go, Wow, that's, wow, that is ridiculous, Elijah. 357 00:22:04,893 --> 00:22:08,643 That is, I can't tell you how many times they bought similar things. 358 00:22:10,333 --> 00:22:15,313 I was just saying that, somebody Hearing about another pastor falling, 359 00:22:15,363 --> 00:22:21,903 and it seems like it's a dominoes, I'm like, do any make it do any make 360 00:22:21,903 --> 00:22:27,493 it, and it's one thing to ask and be like, but it's another thing that, of 361 00:22:27,493 --> 00:22:31,703 course, because he would be getting good work will be faithful to complete it. 362 00:22:32,953 --> 00:22:37,703 If we're trusting in ourselves, that's not a good, that's not a 363 00:22:37,703 --> 00:22:39,483 good thing to put your weight in. 364 00:22:40,093 --> 00:22:42,633 That's using toothpicks as your foundation. 365 00:22:43,193 --> 00:22:45,333 Yeah, not good. 366 00:22:45,853 --> 00:22:50,383 but that there's this sense and there's this attitude that can happen. 367 00:22:50,673 --> 00:22:56,853 This self righteousness that wants to justify itself. 368 00:22:57,423 --> 00:23:03,673 and say, hey, I'm not the problem, I'm there, something's wrong upstairs. 369 00:23:03,963 --> 00:23:04,923 what are you doing? 370 00:23:04,973 --> 00:23:07,533 I'm giving my life for you. 371 00:23:07,763 --> 00:23:11,023 Why aren't you doing anything with it, with the fruits? 372 00:23:11,313 --> 00:23:13,573 And then you start to think, am I wasting my life? 373 00:23:14,333 --> 00:23:16,563 I see people, it's the psalmist, right? 374 00:23:16,663 --> 00:23:22,043 who looked and said, I'm Like, why do the godly perish while the wicked prosper? 375 00:23:22,513 --> 00:23:25,093 He said, my foot almost slipped, I'm like losing it. 376 00:23:25,153 --> 00:23:30,923 I am, everybody out there who is living their own life and their best life and 377 00:23:30,923 --> 00:23:35,753 living for themselves, the, pride is their garment, selfishness is their 378 00:23:35,753 --> 00:23:40,253 flag, they're prospering, they're flourishing, and here we are, we're 379 00:23:40,253 --> 00:23:43,563 trying to follow you, we're doing our best, and we're the ones who perish. 380 00:23:43,563 --> 00:23:47,623 Doesn't doesn't seem like a good deal. 381 00:23:47,683 --> 00:23:48,033 Fine. 382 00:23:49,173 --> 00:23:53,733 I'm here and you can see how that self righteousness and that pride 383 00:23:53,783 --> 00:23:56,263 because what are we starting to do? 384 00:23:56,273 --> 00:24:01,823 We're starting to tell God here's the plan and you're not following it 385 00:24:02,823 --> 00:24:11,803 We're starting to say I'm the captain now we're starting to say you know what unless 386 00:24:11,803 --> 00:24:19,653 I'm seeing something You know, out of my labors and my efforts, unless I'm seeing 387 00:24:19,893 --> 00:24:30,463 a return on my investment, God, I quit, which puts us in his place instead of in 388 00:24:30,473 --> 00:24:35,883 his resting in his sovereign wise hand. 389 00:24:36,293 --> 00:24:39,093 I posted that quote to signal, that I found this week and 390 00:24:39,093 --> 00:24:40,533 I just really liked it. 391 00:24:40,533 --> 00:24:45,593 It, if God gave me his inhibitants for a day, There would see all the things 392 00:24:45,593 --> 00:24:48,053 I would change in the course of a day. 393 00:24:48,793 --> 00:24:53,253 But then he said, but if he also gave me his wisdom, I 394 00:24:53,253 --> 00:24:54,663 would leave things as they are. 395 00:24:55,663 --> 00:24:58,263 And so here, Elijah, I'm the only one left. 396 00:24:58,293 --> 00:24:59,723 I'm the only one following you. 397 00:24:59,723 --> 00:25:01,493 I'm the only one who gets the gospel. 398 00:25:01,493 --> 00:25:03,223 I'm the only one preaching the gospel. 399 00:25:03,403 --> 00:25:05,203 Nobody else talks about grace. 400 00:25:05,323 --> 00:25:09,533 like we start to get in this self righteousness isolation, 401 00:25:09,543 --> 00:25:11,633 even with the truth, right? 402 00:25:11,633 --> 00:25:13,878 Even like where we're We've got it. 403 00:25:13,928 --> 00:25:16,068 We're the ones we're dedicated. 404 00:25:16,248 --> 00:25:20,198 And then we begin to look down on even other fellow believers. 405 00:25:20,478 --> 00:25:24,188 Because, man, they're just not on mission, they're just, this, and they're just 406 00:25:24,478 --> 00:25:25,778 spending their lives for themselves. 407 00:25:26,048 --> 00:25:26,968 They go on vacation. 408 00:25:26,968 --> 00:25:28,108 They're not here every week. 409 00:25:28,108 --> 00:25:29,138 They're not dedicated. 410 00:25:29,428 --> 00:25:32,778 Man, I can't, that is like the language of church leadership. 411 00:25:33,118 --> 00:25:37,468 and it's terrible because you're talking about God's precious blood. 412 00:25:37,928 --> 00:25:39,268 bought bride. 413 00:25:40,498 --> 00:25:45,348 That fellow Christian has been covered by the blood of Jesus, which is more 414 00:25:45,348 --> 00:25:50,498 precious than all the elements of the universe combined and is more effective 415 00:25:50,758 --> 00:25:58,958 in cleansing and preserving and securing a righteousness and a eternity for them. 416 00:25:59,148 --> 00:26:00,438 They are royalty. 417 00:26:00,618 --> 00:26:03,918 They are princes and princesses of the universe. 418 00:26:04,148 --> 00:26:07,488 that is the Christian you want to look down on. 419 00:26:07,488 --> 00:26:09,503 They're just not And guess what? 420 00:26:09,643 --> 00:26:12,023 It's not your job to fix them. 421 00:26:13,163 --> 00:26:18,423 They are God's precious, beautiful work, and He's doing something 422 00:26:18,423 --> 00:26:19,303 wonderful in their lives. 423 00:26:19,503 --> 00:26:22,353 And we've just got to be careful that even with the truth, we can, 424 00:26:22,423 --> 00:26:24,283 I do, I'm the only one, Lord. 425 00:26:24,753 --> 00:26:25,813 where are the others? 426 00:26:26,273 --> 00:26:27,233 Where are they? 427 00:26:27,443 --> 00:26:29,963 that is just self righteous. 428 00:26:29,963 --> 00:26:31,753 And we talked about pride last week. 429 00:26:32,158 --> 00:26:38,788 and remember, God loves a heart that is surrendered to him, but God also 430 00:26:39,058 --> 00:26:41,458 writes straight with crooked pencils. 431 00:26:41,903 --> 00:26:44,253 He takes our mess, and he brings beautiful things. 432 00:26:44,613 --> 00:26:46,223 He brings beauty out of ashes. 433 00:26:46,453 --> 00:26:48,773 God will not touch pride with a ten foot pole. 434 00:26:49,743 --> 00:26:53,173 He resists the proud, but he gives grace to the humble. 435 00:26:53,443 --> 00:26:55,693 A haughty look God despises. 436 00:26:55,903 --> 00:27:01,243 Pride is so offensive in the presence of God, because it puts, you're 437 00:27:01,253 --> 00:27:03,403 trying to say, no, I think I got this. 438 00:27:03,403 --> 00:27:04,863 I think we can co pilot. 439 00:27:05,123 --> 00:27:06,423 I think we can, I got this. 440 00:27:08,053 --> 00:27:09,713 Set me up, Lord, I'll spike the ball. 441 00:27:09,723 --> 00:27:10,633 it's just, whew! 442 00:27:11,633 --> 00:27:12,543 Yeah, in Proverbs. 443 00:27:13,543 --> 00:27:14,583 Yeah, yep. 444 00:27:15,733 --> 00:27:18,623 And a lot of them are actually rooted in pride. 445 00:27:19,283 --> 00:27:20,913 They're the fruit of pride. 446 00:27:21,623 --> 00:27:22,303 Pride is, whew! 447 00:27:24,093 --> 00:27:25,023 It's rotten. 448 00:27:25,263 --> 00:27:29,988 My dad used to call, the proud, he'd call them the peewee men, they stink, 449 00:27:30,068 --> 00:27:34,198 So I always had this visual growing up, pride is just, I picture you've 450 00:27:34,198 --> 00:27:36,788 just got flies buzzing around you. 451 00:27:36,998 --> 00:27:40,088 It's like you're a walking outhouse, sorry, in construction 452 00:27:40,088 --> 00:27:41,658 that's the image I have. 453 00:27:41,658 --> 00:27:51,188 It's just so foul that human beings would boast in anything other 454 00:27:51,198 --> 00:27:53,168 than the cross of Jesus Christ. 455 00:27:53,623 --> 00:27:56,113 Who has made them royalty 100%. 456 00:27:56,513 --> 00:28:00,223 I assume pride is always knocking at my door. 457 00:28:01,853 --> 00:28:04,473 I don't just wait. 458 00:28:05,628 --> 00:28:07,808 for it to appear and rear its ugly head. 459 00:28:07,838 --> 00:28:12,598 I assume every day I wake up because I've known myself long enough 460 00:28:12,648 --> 00:28:16,248 that pride is right there saying, Hey, you want to partner up today? 461 00:28:16,248 --> 00:28:17,358 it's so subtle. 462 00:28:18,658 --> 00:28:26,018 It comes in again in such a subtle way that can take a truth. 463 00:28:26,968 --> 00:28:35,928 Oh, we really love grace and elevate you above the one who gives you grace, right? 464 00:28:35,978 --> 00:28:40,398 Till now where you are this, the, I get it. 465 00:28:40,428 --> 00:28:45,758 Like it's pride is insidious and it's Satan's great tactic to keep 466 00:28:45,758 --> 00:28:51,618 us from fellow brothers and sisters and to, unite marriage, your kids. 467 00:28:52,018 --> 00:28:54,768 If you can't repent to your kids, holy moly. 468 00:28:55,148 --> 00:28:56,968 Every day you gotta repent to your kids. 469 00:28:57,058 --> 00:29:01,518 that's another model of showing them the rhythm of what life is. 470 00:29:02,183 --> 00:29:06,863 in marriage, if you can't say I'm wrong, I was wrong, oof, yeah, that's, 471 00:29:06,873 --> 00:29:08,133 you're gonna have some rough bumps. 472 00:29:08,933 --> 00:29:16,613 All rooted in pride, man, our flesh really, really, really, really, 473 00:29:16,643 --> 00:29:19,803 really, really hates humility. 474 00:29:20,893 --> 00:29:22,863 Does not like walking that road. 475 00:29:24,973 --> 00:29:25,253 okay. 476 00:29:25,253 --> 00:29:27,263 So I am only a left. 477 00:29:27,263 --> 00:29:28,723 He says, I've done my part. 478 00:29:29,013 --> 00:29:31,623 And why are not, why are you not doing your part, God? 479 00:29:32,328 --> 00:29:33,808 The plan was perfect, God. 480 00:29:33,928 --> 00:29:35,798 There was fire from heaven. 481 00:29:36,038 --> 00:29:40,098 If you would have just come through on your end, Israel would have been changed. 482 00:29:40,108 --> 00:29:42,408 They would follow you, but they have forsaken you. 483 00:29:42,438 --> 00:29:45,148 They've thrown down your altars. 484 00:29:45,878 --> 00:29:47,658 I am the only one who is faithful. 485 00:29:47,658 --> 00:29:49,318 This can happen to our hearts. 486 00:29:49,518 --> 00:29:50,598 I'm the only one on mission. 487 00:29:50,598 --> 00:29:51,898 I'm the only one enduring this. 488 00:29:52,478 --> 00:29:58,448 He thinks the success of God's mission is in some way dependent on him. 489 00:30:00,208 --> 00:30:02,238 That is a burden you are not meant to carry. 490 00:30:03,638 --> 00:30:06,288 That the mission of God is dependent on you. 491 00:30:08,248 --> 00:30:09,248 Gosh, I hope not. 492 00:30:10,248 --> 00:30:11,538 Oh, man. 493 00:30:12,558 --> 00:30:13,448 What the Lord Chosen. 494 00:30:13,468 --> 00:30:14,218 This is beautiful. 495 00:30:15,178 --> 00:30:17,838 And he said, go out and stand on the mount before the Lord. 496 00:30:18,108 --> 00:30:21,798 And behold, the Lord passed by in a great strong wind, tore the mountain 497 00:30:21,798 --> 00:30:25,618 in broken pieces, the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. 498 00:30:26,068 --> 00:30:28,698 And after the wind, an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 499 00:30:28,698 --> 00:30:32,808 And after the earthquake, a fire, but the Lord was not in a fire. 500 00:30:32,808 --> 00:30:35,978 And after the fire, the sound of a low 501 00:30:36,978 --> 00:30:41,218 I can't tell you how much this image has saved. 502 00:30:41,888 --> 00:30:48,068 And you will see it because he's gonna give Elijah application about, The thunder 503 00:30:48,068 --> 00:30:52,218 and the lightning and the fire God calls him to come out of the cleft to stand 504 00:30:52,228 --> 00:30:56,998 before him to be in his Presence, but he doesn't budge as you see in verse 13. 505 00:30:57,008 --> 00:31:00,698 So the wind tears the rocks in pieces What kind of wind was that just starts 506 00:31:01,358 --> 00:31:03,118 tearing a mountain apart, right? 507 00:31:03,778 --> 00:31:07,038 Again, the lord went in the wind the earthquake the lord was in the earthquake 508 00:31:07,038 --> 00:31:09,453 the fire The Lord wasn't in the fire. 509 00:31:09,463 --> 00:31:13,953 God had brought these, but God wanted to communicate something very important 510 00:31:13,953 --> 00:31:15,903 to Elijah, the gentle whisper. 511 00:31:15,903 --> 00:31:23,263 You think that the, it is the spectacular that will change Israel, the fire from 512 00:31:23,263 --> 00:31:25,323 heaven will bring overnight revival. 513 00:31:26,403 --> 00:31:33,103 The miraculous will change people and how we can think this way. 514 00:31:33,103 --> 00:31:34,893 And again, God can do what he wants to do. 515 00:31:35,613 --> 00:31:38,143 God can send revival any way he wants to send revival. 516 00:31:38,153 --> 00:31:42,273 God can, he is, it is his mission and he loves variety. 517 00:31:42,593 --> 00:31:45,483 So I don't even want to put them in a box that way. 518 00:31:45,873 --> 00:31:50,503 But what he's teaching Elijah, because Elijah thought, man, this is what 519 00:31:50,503 --> 00:31:52,453 we need a battle on the mountaintop. 520 00:31:52,533 --> 00:31:54,243 people would watch this on TV. 521 00:31:54,243 --> 00:31:57,753 This was like better than, cage matches and UFC fighting. 522 00:31:57,998 --> 00:32:02,498 the battle between the prophets of God, and the prophets of Baal, who will be the 523 00:32:02,498 --> 00:32:07,278 prayer from heaven, people gathered around to see this, man, if God shows up and he 524 00:32:07,278 --> 00:32:14,178 just puts himself on such a spectacular display of raw power, that even the dust 525 00:32:14,178 --> 00:32:19,358 and the water and the rocks are consumed in his blazing glory, people will have 526 00:32:19,358 --> 00:32:21,168 to fall down and worship him and follow. 527 00:32:22,218 --> 00:32:23,168 we can think this way. 528 00:32:24,148 --> 00:32:29,438 God, if you just, boom, did this, or you did it like this, if you just 529 00:32:30,108 --> 00:32:35,548 moved this way, if you just answered this prayer, if God did something 530 00:32:35,548 --> 00:32:37,298 amazing, this city would change. 531 00:32:37,308 --> 00:32:42,348 Finally, Stockton, this, finally, if you did some spectacular event. 532 00:32:43,318 --> 00:32:47,318 But what brought Elijah out of the cave and into the presence of the Lord, verse 533 00:32:47,328 --> 00:32:52,288 13, and when Elijah heard it, He wrapped his face in his cloak and he went and 534 00:32:52,288 --> 00:32:56,398 stood at the entrance of the cave and behold There came a voice to him and 535 00:32:56,398 --> 00:32:58,613 said What are you doing here Elijah? 536 00:32:58,613 --> 00:33:02,693 The quiet whisper, the still small voice, that's what penetrated 537 00:33:02,893 --> 00:33:08,483 his heart, calling that out. 538 00:33:08,853 --> 00:33:12,633 You remember in Lazarus and the rich man, the rich man says, can 539 00:33:12,633 --> 00:33:18,013 you please send Lazarus to tell my brothers that there's an afterlife? 540 00:33:18,103 --> 00:33:19,043 this sucks. 541 00:33:19,423 --> 00:33:21,603 I, tell them, warn them. 542 00:33:22,773 --> 00:33:25,233 And, what does Abraham in the story say? 543 00:33:25,383 --> 00:33:28,903 He said, the rich man says no father Abraham, but if someone goes to them 544 00:33:28,903 --> 00:33:31,423 from the dead, they will repent. 545 00:33:31,913 --> 00:33:36,053 They can't deny, he's raising up and he's gonna, he said to them, 546 00:33:36,053 --> 00:33:39,013 if they do not hear Moses and the prophets, the scripture that they 547 00:33:39,013 --> 00:33:45,023 had, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead. 548 00:33:45,823 --> 00:33:50,543 so man this big display do it, you know So many people I've talked to 549 00:33:50,573 --> 00:33:55,153 have said if the Lord would just do a miracle then I would believe and I'm 550 00:33:55,153 --> 00:34:00,743 like probably not You know the same logic and reasoning you're using right 551 00:34:00,743 --> 00:34:05,723 now to stay away from God and trying to rationalize that This amazing creation 552 00:34:05,733 --> 00:34:13,588 has no designer, you know the same Energy that you use to justify I that this 553 00:34:13,588 --> 00:34:15,438 is a pointless world that came about. 554 00:34:15,947 --> 00:34:21,858 out of sheer, chance, you're gonna apply the same to a miracle, even 555 00:34:21,858 --> 00:34:23,658 if one would rise from the dead. 556 00:34:23,987 --> 00:34:25,408 It's scripture. 557 00:34:25,438 --> 00:34:26,268 So what's he to do? 558 00:34:26,527 --> 00:34:31,868 He, he says, God says, I have a plan, and it's beyond anything that you can imagine. 559 00:34:32,558 --> 00:34:37,068 Proverbs 16, 9, The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. 560 00:34:37,438 --> 00:34:38,608 We talked about this last week. 561 00:34:38,608 --> 00:34:43,487 Isaiah 55, 8 11, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways 562 00:34:43,487 --> 00:34:48,108 my ways, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher 563 00:34:48,108 --> 00:34:52,243 than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts for as the rain and the 564 00:34:52,243 --> 00:34:56,063 snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth making 565 00:34:56,063 --> 00:34:59,753 it bring forth, and sprout giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater. 566 00:34:59,773 --> 00:35:02,933 So shall my word be that goes out of my mouth. 567 00:35:02,933 --> 00:35:06,673 It shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which 568 00:35:06,673 --> 00:35:10,853 I purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 569 00:35:11,083 --> 00:35:12,563 And this is what's mind blowing. 570 00:35:12,563 --> 00:35:12,983 I love this. 571 00:35:12,983 --> 00:35:13,243 Okay. 572 00:35:13,293 --> 00:35:16,373 so Elijah's it's gotta be the light. 573 00:35:16,393 --> 00:35:17,523 It's gotta be the fire. 574 00:35:17,733 --> 00:35:19,113 And God's it's I'm not in the fire. 575 00:35:19,723 --> 00:35:20,013 Okay. 576 00:35:20,013 --> 00:35:21,323 It's gotta be the earthquake. 577 00:35:21,323 --> 00:35:22,473 The shaking things up. 578 00:35:22,673 --> 00:35:23,833 I'm not in the earthquake. 579 00:35:24,043 --> 00:35:24,403 Okay. 580 00:35:24,523 --> 00:35:25,713 it's gotta be the wind. 581 00:35:25,713 --> 00:35:27,063 That's, ripping the rocks apart. 582 00:35:27,073 --> 00:35:28,263 No, I'm not in the wind. 583 00:35:28,273 --> 00:35:30,873 I'm in the still small voice. 584 00:35:30,873 --> 00:35:32,743 And here's what the still small voice tells him. 585 00:35:33,968 --> 00:35:38,208 Go anoint Haziel over King of Syria. 586 00:35:38,398 --> 00:35:39,668 Okay, a little background. 587 00:35:40,048 --> 00:35:43,088 Haziel is a pagan king who never turns to God. 588 00:35:44,808 --> 00:35:47,228 mission one, application, Elijah. 589 00:35:47,798 --> 00:35:52,128 I want you to go anoint a bad king. 590 00:35:52,318 --> 00:35:54,278 Who doesn't know me, who doesn't love me. 591 00:35:55,328 --> 00:35:56,718 Because that's part of my plan. 592 00:35:57,528 --> 00:35:57,858 Okay. 593 00:35:59,348 --> 00:36:01,008 I'm sure Elijah didn't see that one coming. 594 00:36:02,048 --> 00:36:05,068 He's what we need is we need a good politician. 595 00:36:05,748 --> 00:36:07,188 That will be the answer. 596 00:36:08,668 --> 00:36:11,438 And he's No, here's how I'm going to move the chessboard. 597 00:36:11,938 --> 00:36:18,573 And then this is, Then he says, God says I have 7, 000 who haven't bowed the 598 00:36:18,573 --> 00:36:22,043 knee, haven't kissed, out of loyalty. 599 00:36:22,453 --> 00:36:26,513 like Elijah, I've got more than you know. 600 00:36:27,363 --> 00:36:32,343 I've got a lot of saints in the land, who don't bow to bow, they 601 00:36:32,343 --> 00:36:35,413 bow to me and they worship me. 602 00:36:36,073 --> 00:36:39,183 And They're serving me. 603 00:36:39,203 --> 00:36:39,993 They're on mission. 604 00:36:40,513 --> 00:36:41,583 they're actually in Israel. 605 00:36:41,603 --> 00:36:42,873 They're at their post. 606 00:36:43,023 --> 00:36:43,973 What are you doing here? 607 00:36:43,983 --> 00:36:44,293 Elijah? 608 00:36:44,363 --> 00:36:45,533 God keeps asking him that. 609 00:36:45,783 --> 00:36:47,053 What are you doing here? 610 00:36:47,483 --> 00:36:48,843 he's I got these 7, 000. 611 00:36:48,843 --> 00:36:50,793 They're actually where they're supposed to be. 612 00:36:51,023 --> 00:36:51,823 Where are you? 613 00:36:51,873 --> 00:36:54,013 What are you doing here, buddy? 614 00:36:54,693 --> 00:36:56,273 Man your post. 615 00:36:56,373 --> 00:36:59,673 What has God called you to do in this city? 616 00:37:00,163 --> 00:37:02,603 He used to anoint Jehu as king of Israel. 617 00:37:03,023 --> 00:37:04,943 And then here's the main thing he's called to do. 618 00:37:04,963 --> 00:37:05,593 Drum roll. 619 00:37:05,723 --> 00:37:09,003 And this is so powerful for at least this. 620 00:37:09,253 --> 00:37:10,753 So this is one of those moments. 621 00:37:10,803 --> 00:37:11,393 okay. 622 00:37:12,183 --> 00:37:15,013 I like the moment I had quitting. 623 00:37:15,503 --> 00:37:16,093 okay. 624 00:37:16,223 --> 00:37:16,543 Okay. 625 00:37:16,543 --> 00:37:17,753 The still small voice. 626 00:37:18,188 --> 00:37:21,788 It's the thunder that I want, the fire from heaven, the big thing. 627 00:37:22,258 --> 00:37:28,308 Honestly, a lot of the fruit I want is to validate myself as a minister before God. 628 00:37:28,388 --> 00:37:29,698 To be perfectly honest. 629 00:37:30,038 --> 00:37:31,828 Not because I want to see God's glory. 630 00:37:31,878 --> 00:37:32,138 Yeah. 631 00:37:32,388 --> 00:37:36,028 I just want to go, Yay, God, I'm good. 632 00:37:36,668 --> 00:37:40,988 Because I'm not finding my validation in the gospel of Jesus Christ that 633 00:37:40,988 --> 00:37:46,948 says, I am approved before the bar of heaven, and I am a trophy of grace 634 00:37:47,198 --> 00:37:49,338 that he shows about and is treasure. 635 00:37:49,718 --> 00:37:52,868 When I'm not secure in that, then I feel I have to get that some other way. 636 00:37:53,158 --> 00:37:57,558 And as a minister, the easiest way to get that is in doing something for God that 637 00:37:57,558 --> 00:37:59,318 people can pat you on the back about. 638 00:38:00,998 --> 00:38:03,128 And, It's not really for God. 639 00:38:03,528 --> 00:38:04,178 It's for you. 640 00:38:04,188 --> 00:38:05,188 You're serving yourself. 641 00:38:05,548 --> 00:38:11,778 So God rescues us rescued me constantly out of a heart like that. 642 00:38:12,268 --> 00:38:13,778 but here's the main thing, drum roll. 643 00:38:13,878 --> 00:38:14,988 Here's what I want you to do. 644 00:38:14,998 --> 00:38:16,728 Here's what's going to change Israel. 645 00:38:17,728 --> 00:38:19,858 Is it to set up another Mount Carmel, another show off? 646 00:38:19,888 --> 00:38:20,158 Nope. 647 00:38:20,698 --> 00:38:21,298 A showdown? 648 00:38:21,308 --> 00:38:21,668 Nope. 649 00:38:22,048 --> 00:38:23,168 Pray for another drought? 650 00:38:24,078 --> 00:38:25,408 A longer one this time? 651 00:38:26,488 --> 00:38:27,158 No, here it is. 652 00:38:28,358 --> 00:38:31,588 I want you to pour into someone for the next 18 years of your life. 653 00:38:32,588 --> 00:38:35,318 I want you to make Elisha your successor. 654 00:38:35,648 --> 00:38:37,088 I want you to disciple this guy. 655 00:38:37,848 --> 00:38:43,908 I want you to find one person, and I want you to find a receptive heart. 656 00:38:44,378 --> 00:38:45,868 And this guy's receptive. 657 00:38:46,278 --> 00:38:47,648 In fact, he's really eager. 658 00:38:47,658 --> 00:38:50,628 He's gonna want double of what you want. 659 00:38:51,778 --> 00:38:53,298 But here's what I want you to do. 660 00:38:53,523 --> 00:38:59,073 I want you to faithfully communicate who I am to this young 661 00:38:59,073 --> 00:39:01,793 man for the rest of your life. 662 00:39:02,793 --> 00:39:05,133 Guys, isn't that so beautiful? 663 00:39:05,433 --> 00:39:06,593 How is Israel? 664 00:39:06,593 --> 00:39:08,453 What is God's plan for Elijah? 665 00:39:08,453 --> 00:39:14,183 This miracle worker to simply just pour into this young man in 666 00:39:14,183 --> 00:39:15,993 the next 18 years of his life. 667 00:39:16,213 --> 00:39:19,383 I just, when I read that, I like threw my Bible down. 668 00:39:19,513 --> 00:39:21,323 I was like, wait, what? 669 00:39:22,063 --> 00:39:28,613 When it clicked, it was like, holy moly, Oh, isn't that what he tells us to do? 670 00:39:29,383 --> 00:39:33,083 Is to tell others, about Jesus? 671 00:39:33,523 --> 00:39:37,363 To, really pour into their lives? 672 00:39:37,823 --> 00:39:43,343 To be patient and faithful and to endure and to stick 673 00:39:43,353 --> 00:39:46,073 with and to just be alongside? 674 00:39:47,073 --> 00:39:48,103 Like this little guy? 675 00:39:50,013 --> 00:39:50,773 Hi baby. 676 00:39:52,133 --> 00:39:52,943 How you doing? 677 00:39:54,633 --> 00:39:54,963 Good. 678 00:39:55,013 --> 00:40:00,003 there's a verse where, I think it's Paul, this is off the top of my 679 00:40:00,003 --> 00:40:05,883 head, but he says, you have many teachers, but not many fathers. 680 00:40:07,403 --> 00:40:16,363 And, Our fellowship on Sunday is not enough for what God's calling as we 681 00:40:16,363 --> 00:40:24,483 become older Saints to come alongside younger Saints and to pour into their 682 00:40:24,483 --> 00:40:29,553 lives about how God is faithful and good in every circumstance in every situation. 683 00:40:30,273 --> 00:40:33,793 And I just want to encourage us, do we have that one? 684 00:40:34,433 --> 00:40:39,123 That we are just, keeping tabs on, we're praying for, that we're, telling 685 00:40:39,123 --> 00:40:45,113 the goodness of God, and there's people out there who are hungry who want that. 686 00:40:45,548 --> 00:40:49,218 They're like, I remember some of my favorite and this has happened in 687 00:40:49,218 --> 00:40:54,098 house church is, you get together with pastors and you fellowship and it 688 00:40:54,098 --> 00:40:59,618 devolves into theological shenanigans, and, oh, this person believes this 689 00:40:59,618 --> 00:41:02,048 and you sit with a new believer. 690 00:41:02,458 --> 00:41:05,728 And it's the greatest thing, not only for them, but for you. 691 00:41:05,728 --> 00:41:08,818 It energizes your soul because they're like, God said that? 692 00:41:09,368 --> 00:41:11,728 And you're like, yeah, you want to hear something else? 693 00:41:11,728 --> 00:41:12,918 He said, yeah. 694 00:41:13,488 --> 00:41:16,318 And you're just like, Oh yeah, this is exciting. 695 00:41:16,708 --> 00:41:21,148 This is amazing to pour into a life is incredible to tell somebody of the 696 00:41:21,148 --> 00:41:25,308 wonders of God, of how God has come through and your life and other lives. 697 00:41:25,488 --> 00:41:27,628 when we joined CASA, they always tell the story. 698 00:41:27,628 --> 00:41:29,008 I've been through a couple of their trainings. 699 00:41:29,383 --> 00:41:32,913 And and it's, a kid, or a guy's walking along a beach, right? 700 00:41:33,083 --> 00:41:37,623 and thousands upon thousands of starfish have washed up on the beach. 701 00:41:38,053 --> 00:41:41,923 And he sees off in the distance this kid picking up a starfish and chucking it in. 702 00:41:42,213 --> 00:41:45,453 the guy, kids, walks over to him and he's What are you doing? 703 00:41:45,453 --> 00:41:46,803 And he's I'm throwing these starfish back. 704 00:41:46,803 --> 00:41:48,263 He's there's no way. 705 00:41:48,833 --> 00:41:50,983 That you're going to get all these starfish back, it's 706 00:41:50,983 --> 00:41:52,223 going to make no difference. 707 00:41:52,223 --> 00:41:54,323 And the kid picks up a starfish and throws it in. 708 00:41:54,323 --> 00:41:56,433 And he says, it will make difference to this one. 709 00:41:56,843 --> 00:41:57,913 It'll make a difference to this one. 710 00:41:57,913 --> 00:42:01,773 And it's sometimes we're waiting for the grand we're waiting. 711 00:42:01,773 --> 00:42:02,483 And we're okay. 712 00:42:02,683 --> 00:42:03,613 Things are kicking off. 713 00:42:03,613 --> 00:42:04,143 Let's go. 714 00:42:04,143 --> 00:42:05,133 We're all going to get involved. 715 00:42:05,163 --> 00:42:05,713 We're all going to do. 716 00:42:05,763 --> 00:42:11,213 and I just think, man, this has rescued my heart so much to not, you 717 00:42:11,233 --> 00:42:15,033 think of the story of David, David wasn't even called in to be anointed 718 00:42:15,033 --> 00:42:20,393 king because he's so dismissed, he's so small and non consequential. 719 00:42:20,863 --> 00:42:22,613 Of course it's not David. 720 00:42:23,043 --> 00:42:26,653 Until Samuel gets through all of them and he's is there anybody else? 721 00:42:26,653 --> 00:42:28,583 I'm sure God called me to this address. 722 00:42:28,743 --> 00:42:30,453 David, but of course you don't mean David. 723 00:42:30,613 --> 00:42:32,553 And that's the one because God. 724 00:42:32,753 --> 00:42:34,963 It doesn't see as man sees. 725 00:42:35,463 --> 00:42:39,103 And we're judging things all the time the way man sees things. 726 00:42:39,133 --> 00:42:40,043 Is there fruit? 727 00:42:40,043 --> 00:42:40,703 Is there this? 728 00:42:40,713 --> 00:42:41,343 Is it big? 729 00:42:41,343 --> 00:42:42,013 Is it successful? 730 00:42:42,013 --> 00:42:42,623 Is it vibrant? 731 00:42:42,873 --> 00:42:44,873 And God's no, I just want you to take a life and tell 732 00:42:44,873 --> 00:42:46,003 them about the wonders of me. 733 00:42:46,743 --> 00:42:51,443 Just pour into and be faithfully consistent with this life. 734 00:42:52,223 --> 00:42:54,013 don't abandon when they go sideways. 735 00:42:54,033 --> 00:42:58,753 Like the story of John the Beloved, who rides a horse into a thief's camp, right? 736 00:42:58,903 --> 00:43:03,203 to rescue that wayward Christian, who had gone back to his old way of life. 737 00:43:03,203 --> 00:43:07,498 there's a guy, He's 90 something and he's riding a horse into a bandit camp. 738 00:43:07,678 --> 00:43:11,228 He gets off his horse He's like my life for yours my life for yours 739 00:43:11,248 --> 00:43:15,108 my life for yours Until the guy repents he has to and comes back. 740 00:43:15,338 --> 00:43:16,688 What kind of love is that? 741 00:43:17,328 --> 00:43:21,998 that's what god's calling us to be in relationship with people Where we can 742 00:43:21,998 --> 00:43:25,758 love them through the good times and the bad times where we can show them 743 00:43:25,758 --> 00:43:27,858 god's grace and guess what god will? 744 00:43:28,168 --> 00:43:33,868 create opportunities To show grace, which means they'll need grace. 745 00:43:34,338 --> 00:43:35,508 They'll need love. 746 00:43:35,568 --> 00:43:39,298 They'll need affirmation They'll need all the things that we have learned 747 00:43:39,578 --> 00:43:44,178 Growing in grace and in the knowledge of him and God calls you alongside 748 00:43:44,498 --> 00:43:48,348 Someone to tell them of the wonders of God and God is stoked on that. 749 00:43:48,518 --> 00:43:49,388 God is yes Elijah. 750 00:43:49,388 --> 00:43:49,968 Guess what? 751 00:43:50,398 --> 00:43:51,888 Do you know why? 752 00:43:52,078 --> 00:43:56,288 Was, Elisha gets raptured or picked up in chariots of fire? 753 00:43:57,498 --> 00:43:59,468 It's not because of Mount Carmel. 754 00:43:59,908 --> 00:44:02,128 It's not because of the miracle. 755 00:44:02,178 --> 00:44:06,828 It's, it, I think it's this faithfulness to Elisha to the very end. 756 00:44:06,988 --> 00:44:08,818 And God's yes, good job. 757 00:44:08,828 --> 00:44:10,288 You poured into this life. 758 00:44:10,548 --> 00:44:12,088 You told them of my wonders. 759 00:44:12,328 --> 00:44:14,498 And now my story continues. 760 00:44:14,688 --> 00:44:17,108 Like the storyline of the Bible and redemption continues. 761 00:44:17,268 --> 00:44:23,128 I just, man, what a beautiful thing that, God loves the little. 762 00:44:24,128 --> 00:44:30,171 I, because again, if Elijah has to go to Mount Carmel, from Mount Carmel to 763 00:44:30,171 --> 00:44:36,214 Mount Carmel to Mount Carmel, like these big, like God just goes, no, it's just, 764 00:44:36,214 --> 00:44:39,840 here's a life I want you to pour into. 765 00:44:39,840 --> 00:44:43,996 the mission get to, I get to hang out and talk about the good news with somebody. 766 00:44:43,996 --> 00:44:49,416 Like the pressure of you pulling off or you be, man, it just, it, it lifts that 767 00:44:49,696 --> 00:44:54,596 and it elevates, it can elevate that discouragement, I want to close with 768 00:44:54,616 --> 00:44:56,996 just, one guy and I'll make it quick. 769 00:44:57,006 --> 00:45:02,926 his name's Jeremiah who did not have a successful ministry in his eyes. 770 00:45:03,531 --> 00:45:08,471 He kept speaking for God and he'd get like thrown in jail and and he's I quit. 771 00:45:09,521 --> 00:45:15,061 He literally says in Jeremiah 20, he says, verse nine, he says, finally I 772 00:45:15,061 --> 00:45:17,981 told the Lord I'm not speaking anymore. 773 00:45:18,711 --> 00:45:19,371 I'm done. 774 00:45:19,821 --> 00:45:23,621 I'm done being your prophet and getting tossed. 775 00:45:24,011 --> 00:45:25,771 I'm tired of the difficulty. 776 00:45:25,821 --> 00:45:26,971 nobody's repenting. 777 00:45:27,711 --> 00:45:29,391 Nobody's coming to you. 778 00:45:29,561 --> 00:45:33,241 I speak and I just get, I get myself in trouble over and over. 779 00:45:33,561 --> 00:45:35,241 And, and so he quits. 780 00:45:35,241 --> 00:45:35,971 Another quit. 781 00:45:36,061 --> 00:45:36,921 Another guy who quits. 782 00:45:36,951 --> 00:45:38,271 I love the Bible. 783 00:45:38,551 --> 00:45:39,751 Just Jeremiah quits. 784 00:45:39,841 --> 00:45:48,311 And I love, because in 20 verse 9, yes, in 20 verse 9, and God knows, it's 785 00:45:48,361 --> 00:45:52,771 it's when he puts his spirit in you. 786 00:45:53,131 --> 00:45:59,151 Jeremiah says His word became unto me like a fire shut up in my bones. 787 00:45:59,431 --> 00:46:05,101 I boiled on the inside, out of zeal, I could not help but speak. 788 00:46:05,121 --> 00:46:11,291 I had to open my mouth to give vent to the glory and the wonder of the God we serve. 789 00:46:11,981 --> 00:46:15,891 So what a beautiful call back from quitting, from the edge of quitting. 790 00:46:16,401 --> 00:46:20,811 God's just yeah, just let it stew, Just you're like I quit and you're like, but 791 00:46:21,151 --> 00:46:23,351 we say the disciples where else do we go? 792 00:46:23,991 --> 00:46:26,021 You alone have the words of eternal life. 793 00:46:26,051 --> 00:46:31,811 We can't not follow you no matter what so let's go to my 794 00:46:32,541 --> 00:46:34,421 this one who was prone to quit. 795 00:46:34,421 --> 00:46:39,221 I just want to read you a couple verses that just It's so 796 00:46:39,221 --> 00:46:42,771 beautiful and the sovereignty of God that we're talking about. 797 00:46:43,511 --> 00:46:46,871 verse four, chapter Jeremiah one, verse four. 798 00:46:47,751 --> 00:46:53,331 Now, the word of the Lord came to me saying, okay, so here's the first thing. 799 00:46:53,331 --> 00:46:54,591 He speaks to Jeremiah. 800 00:46:55,941 --> 00:47:03,211 Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I 801 00:47:03,211 --> 00:47:09,221 consecrated you, I set you apart, and I appointed you a prophet to the nations. 802 00:47:10,716 --> 00:47:11,516 So beautiful. 803 00:47:11,516 --> 00:47:18,476 He's just Hey, before I called you, I knew you, I formed you in your mother's womb. 804 00:47:19,296 --> 00:47:23,716 And then in verse four or five, he says, then I said, Oh Lord God, behold, I do not 805 00:47:23,726 --> 00:47:27,206 know how to speak for I'm only a youth. 806 00:47:28,796 --> 00:47:34,186 But the Lord said to me, do not say I'm only a youth for to all 807 00:47:34,186 --> 00:47:36,616 to whom I send you, you shall go. 808 00:47:36,616 --> 00:47:39,066 And whatever I command you, you shall speak. 809 00:47:39,596 --> 00:47:41,366 Do not be afraid of them. 810 00:47:41,941 --> 00:47:42,581 Why? 811 00:47:43,171 --> 00:47:49,341 For I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord, even in the pit he's delivered. 812 00:47:49,831 --> 00:47:51,881 And what is he delivered from when he quits? 813 00:47:52,111 --> 00:47:55,221 He's delivered from himself and his own understanding and 814 00:47:55,221 --> 00:47:56,551 his limited way of thinking. 815 00:47:56,561 --> 00:48:01,221 God delivers us so much of the time from our own selves. 816 00:48:01,991 --> 00:48:03,341 Which is so beautiful. 817 00:48:03,951 --> 00:48:07,581 Then the Lord put out his hand, verse nine, and touched my mouth, 818 00:48:07,581 --> 00:48:11,271 and the Lord said to me, behold, I have put my words in your mouth. 819 00:48:11,271 --> 00:48:16,041 See, I have set you this day over nations and kingdoms to pluck up 820 00:48:16,041 --> 00:48:21,751 and to break down, to destroy and overthrow, to build in to plant. 821 00:48:21,981 --> 00:48:27,171 So this beautiful call that he is like, Hey, I know you. 822 00:48:27,171 --> 00:48:34,831 I made you before you were even a thought in your father's eye, or whatever it is. 823 00:48:36,136 --> 00:48:36,856 I got you. 824 00:48:38,096 --> 00:48:39,216 I wanted you. 825 00:48:40,026 --> 00:48:45,986 I have so orchestrated the universe that your parents would meet, or probably 826 00:48:45,996 --> 00:48:51,796 be betrothed, as the day was, because they met, Halel and Jael, and they, 827 00:48:51,876 --> 00:48:56,166 met their parent and grandparent, and I orchestrated it in such a way. 828 00:48:56,541 --> 00:48:58,071 that you would be born. 829 00:48:58,071 --> 00:48:59,091 I shaped you. 830 00:48:59,351 --> 00:49:01,271 You're fearfully and wonderfully made. 831 00:49:01,471 --> 00:49:04,451 You were adored before you even did anything for me. 832 00:49:05,491 --> 00:49:09,081 And I'm calling you to a hard calling where you're going 833 00:49:09,081 --> 00:49:11,131 to tear down and destroy. 834 00:49:11,171 --> 00:49:12,301 Not so much build up. 835 00:49:12,341 --> 00:49:14,491 Not so much, you're not going to see a lot of fruit. 836 00:49:14,521 --> 00:49:17,911 You're setting, you're like the guy who goes in and tills the field. 837 00:49:18,186 --> 00:49:19,456 It's going to be hard. 838 00:49:19,456 --> 00:49:23,306 You're going to see the harvest that I'm going to bring about, but the 839 00:49:23,306 --> 00:49:27,096 role is important and I am with you. 840 00:49:27,166 --> 00:49:28,786 I've chosen you for this. 841 00:49:30,051 --> 00:49:36,461 find your identity in that and not in what you do or the success you think you have. 842 00:49:37,931 --> 00:49:38,851 Which he wrestles with. 843 00:49:39,031 --> 00:49:40,711 Through Jeremiah, he quits, right? 844 00:49:41,901 --> 00:49:44,331 What's amazing about first Kings 19, the wind, the earthquake, the 845 00:49:44,331 --> 00:49:47,311 fire, their symbols of God's judgment 846 00:49:48,311 --> 00:49:54,431 and wonder of wonders, the rock of ages, the everlasting foundation, 847 00:49:55,111 --> 00:49:56,291 the anchor for our souls. 848 00:49:56,291 --> 00:50:04,381 Jesus was ripped apart by God's storm, by the fire of his wrath in Matthew 27, 51. 849 00:50:04,381 --> 00:50:07,411 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn into pop. 850 00:50:08,151 --> 00:50:15,261 To bottom and the earth shook and the rocks were split 851 00:50:16,261 --> 00:50:18,241 so we could get the still small voice. 852 00:50:19,241 --> 00:50:23,951 So it wouldn't be judgment, it wouldn't be earthquake, it wouldn't be thunderings 853 00:50:23,956 --> 00:50:26,021 and lightnings like it was at Sinai. 854 00:50:26,746 --> 00:50:32,441 It wouldn't be the fire coming down and destroying, but that it would be 855 00:50:32,441 --> 00:50:34,301 always and forever for the rest of time. 856 00:50:34,896 --> 00:50:40,046 The still, small voice, the kindness, the voice of a friend to a friend. 857 00:50:41,646 --> 00:50:43,406 And that's what Jesus won for us. 858 00:50:44,196 --> 00:50:46,076 And that's why Jesus went to the cross. 859 00:50:46,116 --> 00:50:48,866 Because there was a barrier, His holiness and our sinfulness. 860 00:50:48,866 --> 00:50:49,666 And so what did He do? 861 00:50:50,066 --> 00:50:52,926 He said, How excited was God? 862 00:50:52,936 --> 00:50:54,736 you know how excited we are to open a present? 863 00:50:54,736 --> 00:50:55,626 We know that's awesome. 864 00:50:56,101 --> 00:50:58,971 Because we've snuck and we've seen it and you can buy the stuff that, makes 865 00:50:58,971 --> 00:51:03,941 your, wrapping paper transparent for a second, on, but anyways, so you know, 866 00:51:03,941 --> 00:51:07,311 and you're just so excited and you're just, pshh, and God just takes that, 867 00:51:07,321 --> 00:51:12,081 that, that fabric, that temple, the veil that separated the holy of holies, his 868 00:51:12,081 --> 00:51:16,651 presence in the temple from the rest of mankind, and he just goes, boom, I'm out! 869 00:51:17,751 --> 00:51:18,441 It's done! 870 00:51:18,441 --> 00:51:19,481 It's finished! 871 00:51:19,976 --> 00:51:21,316 No barrier. 872 00:51:21,576 --> 00:51:22,286 No barrier. 873 00:51:22,286 --> 00:51:25,516 I've made the way I've done everything that needed to be done. 874 00:51:26,186 --> 00:51:29,946 So now I can come alongside you as a friend, the still small voice so 875 00:51:29,946 --> 00:51:34,106 that we can know each other face to face, Adam and Eve walking in 876 00:51:34,106 --> 00:51:35,646 the garden in the cool of the day. 877 00:51:35,646 --> 00:51:37,356 It all goes back to that. 878 00:51:37,446 --> 00:51:39,056 That's what I made you for. 879 00:51:39,866 --> 00:51:42,486 And that's what I came to do at great cost to myself. 880 00:51:42,486 --> 00:51:42,986 So let's pray. 881 00:51:43,306 --> 00:51:45,756 Father, we thank you for your word. 882 00:51:46,791 --> 00:51:49,381 We thank you for this, these amazing stories. 883 00:51:49,911 --> 00:51:55,291 we thank you for just this beautiful picture of you being 884 00:51:55,291 --> 00:51:56,491 okay when we're not okay. 885 00:51:57,691 --> 00:51:59,551 That you know what it's like. 886 00:51:59,601 --> 00:52:03,371 even as we see in Gethsemane, Lord, if there be any other way, you're 887 00:52:03,371 --> 00:52:05,121 like, I don't want to do this. 888 00:52:06,121 --> 00:52:07,561 But you did it for us. 889 00:52:08,561 --> 00:52:09,766 We thank you that, you did it. 890 00:52:10,766 --> 00:52:14,896 As beautiful as the displays of power are, the thundering, the lightning, 891 00:52:14,906 --> 00:52:22,046 the wind, God, I am so grateful that I have the voice that says from heaven 892 00:52:22,046 --> 00:52:27,956 right now, not to some future version of me, but right now you are my 893 00:52:27,956 --> 00:52:30,036 beloved son in whom I'm well pleased 894 00:52:31,036 --> 00:52:33,386 because you were well pleased in Jesus. 895 00:52:33,386 --> 00:52:37,546 And I just lean into him. 896 00:52:38,256 --> 00:52:40,186 I hide myself in him. 897 00:52:41,751 --> 00:52:43,031 I hide myself. 898 00:52:44,031 --> 00:52:48,991 Then you wrap your arms around my weakness and you make me whole. 899 00:52:49,991 --> 00:52:52,701 Thank you that you're telling an amazing story. 900 00:52:52,701 --> 00:52:56,891 I look back at the word of God, the Bible, and what an incredible story. 901 00:52:57,591 --> 00:53:00,261 Ups and downs, twists and turns, drama. 902 00:53:01,251 --> 00:53:04,791 Miracles, and quietness, and thunderings, and lightnings, and 903 00:53:04,791 --> 00:53:08,471 roarings, and meetings, and drama, and, 904 00:53:09,471 --> 00:53:16,531 and Emmanuel, God with us, coming as a baby, living perfect and going to the 905 00:53:16,531 --> 00:53:20,621 cross, and dying the death that I deserve, so you're telling an amazing story of 906 00:53:20,661 --> 00:53:24,401 mission, and rescuing, and seeking, and saving the lost, leaving the 99 to get 907 00:53:24,401 --> 00:53:28,296 the one, and You're willing that none should perish, but that all should come 908 00:53:28,296 --> 00:53:34,896 to repentance, and that you're drawing mankind unto yourself, that you're 909 00:53:34,896 --> 00:53:41,776 reconciling people who were enemies, not only with each other, but with you, and 910 00:53:41,776 --> 00:53:46,846 you're telling such a beautiful story, to which we see in Revelation, we get 911 00:53:46,846 --> 00:53:52,376 a glimpse that we will just worship you because you're amazing, because 912 00:53:52,376 --> 00:53:56,646 the Lamb of God does all things well. 913 00:53:57,646 --> 00:53:58,676 So we just say thank you. 914 00:53:59,676 --> 00:54:00,786 Thank you that we get to, you. 915 00:54:02,656 --> 00:54:05,166 to walk along with you in this mission. 916 00:54:06,496 --> 00:54:10,876 Thank you for the privilege, Lord, of getting to boast about you. 917 00:54:11,876 --> 00:54:16,056 And Lord, we just pray you just rescue us right now. 918 00:54:17,086 --> 00:54:17,676 We love you. 919 00:54:17,676 --> 00:54:19,886 We praise you in Jesus name. 920 00:54:19,886 --> 00:54:20,276 Amen.