This week we are listening an exhortation by Bro. Steve Cheetham that was given at the Hashawha Gathering in November of 2007.
We hope this strengthens your Faith and brightens your day!
Thank you for listening, God bless, and talk to you next week.
Send talk suggestions or comments to: [email protected]
For Show Notes, visit our website: GoodChristadelphianTalks.com
00:00:13,800 –> 00:00:15,520
Welcome to good Chris selfie and
talks.
2
00:00:15,520 –> 00:00:17,280
I’m Levi.
And I’m Chris.
3
00:00:17,480 –> 00:00:19,720
And I’m Brian, thank you for
joining us this week.
4
00:00:20,280 –> 00:00:24,040
On this podcast, we select one
talk a week to help us get the
5
00:00:24,040 –> 00:00:27,640
Bible in our Daily News feed.
We post a new episode at the
6
00:00:27,640 –> 00:00:30,720
start of each week, with a short
intro beforehand to kind of set
7
00:00:30,720 –> 00:00:32,720
the stage for the talk you’re
about to listen to.
8
00:00:33,400 –> 00:00:36,200
And now let’s talk more about
this week’s talk.
9
00:00:49,480 –> 00:00:51,720
This week’s talk is an
exhortation by Brother Steve
10
00:00:51,720 –> 00:00:55,960
Cheatham, given in 2007 at the
Hashawa Bible Camp here in the
11
00:00:55,960 –> 00:00:59,120
States.
It’s about Ahaz and I really
12
00:00:59,120 –> 00:01:01,560
enjoyed it.
It’s an interesting contrast
13
00:01:01,560 –> 00:01:04,280
that he makes and he really does
a really good job in the first
14
00:01:04,280 –> 00:01:08,640
half of the excitation, kind of
coloring the Ahaz story and
15
00:01:08,640 –> 00:01:12,120
maybe presenting an explanation
as to why it was that a has did
16
00:01:12,120 –> 00:01:16,200
not trust in the Lord fully.
And then that kind of becomes
17
00:01:16,200 –> 00:01:19,800
the point of the whole
excitation that that we kind of
18
00:01:19,800 –> 00:01:22,080
give part of our life, but not
all to the Lord.
19
00:01:22,080 –> 00:01:24,880
He has a quote in the talk that
I really loved that he said we
20
00:01:24,880 –> 00:01:27,920
sing to hymn, Take my life and
let it be, but we don’t always
21
00:01:27,920 –> 00:01:31,840
want it consecrated or separated
or given entirely to thee.
22
00:01:31,920 –> 00:01:36,440
He said the talk, I guess, is a
little bit of a kind of
23
00:01:36,440 –> 00:01:39,520
asceticism, stoicism, or maybe
an eternal mindset.
24
00:01:39,600 –> 00:01:43,040
Just recognizing that we really
need to be applying eternity to
25
00:01:43,040 –> 00:01:46,880
all of our decisions and our
thoughts and all the trials that
26
00:01:46,880 –> 00:01:51,880
come upon us and recognizing,
you know, that we have, we are
27
00:01:51,880 –> 00:01:54,360
on this, you know, we’re
experiencing this life only for
28
00:01:54,760 –> 00:01:57,440
a small period while we wait for
eternity.
29
00:01:58,440 –> 00:02:01,200
I really enjoyed this excitation
and really excited to share it.
30
00:02:01,200 –> 00:02:03,880
Thank you to Chris for
digitizing this.
31
00:02:03,880 –> 00:02:07,600
This one was a tape that was
sent to us, which was exciting.
32
00:02:07,600 –> 00:02:10,680
It’s been really fun to kind of
bring to life some of these
33
00:02:10,680 –> 00:02:13,680
talks that are not online and we
hope to be doing more of that in
34
00:02:13,680 –> 00:02:17,160
the future.
But please do continue sending
35
00:02:17,160 –> 00:02:19,560
your suggestions.
We get a couple suggestions a
36
00:02:19,560 –> 00:02:21,320
week, which is massively
helpful.
37
00:02:21,920 –> 00:02:23,560
So if you hear a talk, please do
send it to us.
38
00:02:23,560 –> 00:02:26,120
And if you’re interested in
recording an introduction for it
39
00:02:26,120 –> 00:02:28,680
yourself, we’d love to post.
Would love to involve more
40
00:02:28,680 –> 00:02:31,400
people in the introductions for
the talk.
41
00:02:31,400 –> 00:02:36,800
So here is Steve Cheatham
agitation.
42
00:02:36,800 –> 00:02:38,800
We are the work of thine hand A
has.
43
00:02:39,760 –> 00:02:46,600
I have a theory about a has a
theory is needed because it’s
44
00:02:46,680 –> 00:02:51,320
inexplicable how he could be so
callous towards God.
45
00:02:52,720 –> 00:02:56,440
Now as your minds are all racing
to remember who Ahaz, King of
46
00:02:56,440 –> 00:03:01,840
Judah is, I’ll give you a hint.
He was the king to whom God gave
47
00:03:02,520 –> 00:03:06,680
that tremendous prophecy of
Emmanuel as a sign.
48
00:03:07,240 –> 00:03:18,200
If you look at Matthew one verse
21 And she shall bring forth a
49
00:03:18,200 –> 00:03:22,840
son, and thou shalt call his
name Jesus, for he shall save
50
00:03:22,840 –> 00:03:27,160
his people from their sins.
Now all this was done that it
51
00:03:27,160 –> 00:03:30,680
might be fulfilled, which was
spoken of by the Lord, by the
52
00:03:30,680 –> 00:03:36,440
prophet saying, Behold, a virgin
shall shall be with child, and
53
00:03:36,440 –> 00:03:39,240
shall bring forth a son, and
they shall call his name
54
00:03:39,240 –> 00:03:43,640
Emmanuel, which being
interpreted is God with us.
55
00:03:44,720 –> 00:03:48,840
So when you read that, think of
Ahaz king of Judah, and that
56
00:03:48,840 –> 00:03:51,240
prophecy was given to him as a
sign.
57
00:03:52,840 –> 00:03:59,360
Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah.
Obviously he was from a good
58
00:03:59,360 –> 00:04:07,120
family, his father.
His father was a king named
59
00:04:07,120 –> 00:04:10,520
Jotham, and Jotham was a
righteous man.
60
00:04:11,200 –> 00:04:15,200
Ahaz’s grandfather was also a
man of God for the most part.
61
00:04:15,560 –> 00:04:18,600
In fact, his grandmother also
was from the priestly family of
62
00:04:18,600 –> 00:04:20,760
Zadok.
And I’m not sure I said that
63
00:04:20,760 –> 00:04:23,480
right, but Ahaz was Hezekiah’s
father.
64
00:04:23,800 –> 00:04:26,400
So we kind of have the family
lineage before us.
65
00:04:27,720 –> 00:04:31,480
So if you turn to Second
Chronicles 28, let’s read the
66
00:04:31,480 –> 00:04:41,000
first few verses.
Ahaz was 20 years old when he
67
00:04:41,000 –> 00:04:44,800
began to reign.
He reigned 16 years in
68
00:04:44,800 –> 00:04:49,120
Jerusalem, but he did not that
which was right in the sight of
69
00:04:49,120 –> 00:04:53,440
the Lord, like David his father,
For he walked in the ways of the
70
00:04:53,440 –> 00:04:57,760
kings of Israel.
He made also molten images for
71
00:04:57,760 –> 00:05:00,760
Balaam.
Moreover, he burnt incense in
72
00:05:00,760 –> 00:05:05,640
the valley of the son of Hinnom.
He burnt his children in the
73
00:05:05,640 –> 00:05:10,120
fire after the abominations of
the heathen whom the Lord had
74
00:05:10,120 –> 00:05:12,480
cast out before the children of
Israel.
75
00:05:14,360 –> 00:05:18,840
He sacrificed also, and burned
incense in the high places, on
76
00:05:18,840 –> 00:05:22,560
the hills, and under every green
tree.
77
00:05:24,840 –> 00:05:30,200
Why?
Why would this boy do that?
78
00:05:31,000 –> 00:05:34,440
His father and grandfather were
both, we would say in the truth,
79
00:05:34,920 –> 00:05:39,440
both righteous men.
Why would this son be so wicked
80
00:05:40,120 –> 00:05:45,120
and so callous?
Now my theory, we cry, requires
81
00:05:45,120 –> 00:05:48,720
a few things to be seen from the
perspective of Ahaz.
82
00:05:50,360 –> 00:05:53,760
First off, his grandfather was a
good man.
83
00:05:55,080 –> 00:05:58,160
He was a good man who happened
to be struck down by leprosy
84
00:05:58,160 –> 00:06:01,640
when he made a mistake.
Remember, Uzziah went in and
85
00:06:01,640 –> 00:06:05,840
wanted to offer incense to the
Lord, and the leprosy burst
86
00:06:05,840 –> 00:06:09,520
forth from his forehead because
only the priest could do that.
87
00:06:10,680 –> 00:06:14,360
And his grandfather suffered
terribly from leprosy till he
88
00:06:14,360 –> 00:06:18,560
died.
But from Ahaz’s perspective,
89
00:06:19,120 –> 00:06:24,400
Grandpa was only trying to show
his dedication to God.
90
00:06:24,960 –> 00:06:29,080
Grandpa was really trying to
serve and and for serving God,
91
00:06:29,080 –> 00:06:31,720
Ahaz may have thought he was
punished.
92
00:06:33,480 –> 00:06:35,960
Ahaz’s father was a king named
Jotham.
93
00:06:37,200 –> 00:06:41,120
Jotham died at the ripe old age
of 41.
94
00:06:42,200 –> 00:06:44,400
And you know, he didn’t die in
battle.
95
00:06:45,000 –> 00:06:47,960
It must have been a disease.
It was something sudden.
96
00:06:48,440 –> 00:06:50,920
Perhaps his father Jotham had a
heart attack.
97
00:06:51,760 –> 00:06:54,400
And he’s described as a good man
who fear God.
98
00:06:56,000 –> 00:07:00,880
And Ahaz would have thought, why
did my father have to die?
99
00:07:01,680 –> 00:07:05,880
He was a good man.
What is this God we’re
100
00:07:05,880 –> 00:07:09,480
worshipping?
There are also a few other
101
00:07:09,480 –> 00:07:11,280
things we should know about
Ahaz.
102
00:07:12,000 –> 00:07:17,520
The record shows that Ahaz has
nothing to do with God, period.
103
00:07:18,440 –> 00:07:21,320
Ahaz served.
And remember, this is Ahaz, king
104
00:07:21,320 –> 00:07:25,200
of Judah.
He served every God but the one
105
00:07:25,200 –> 00:07:28,280
true God of Israel.
If you’re still in Chronicles,
106
00:07:28,560 –> 00:07:36,520
Second Chronicles 28, verse 2.
For he walked in the way of the
107
00:07:36,520 –> 00:07:39,400
kings of Israel.
He made also molten images for
108
00:07:39,400 –> 00:07:41,800
Balaam.
Moreover, he burnt incense in
109
00:07:41,800 –> 00:07:44,440
the valley of the son of Hinnom.
And we read this before.
110
00:07:44,440 –> 00:07:47,360
You see, he serves every God of
all the nations round about.
111
00:07:47,600 –> 00:07:50,600
Even some of the gods of the
nations who dwelt in Canaan
112
00:07:50,840 –> 00:07:55,360
before Israel possessed it.
If you look at verse 23 of the
113
00:07:55,360 –> 00:08:02,960
same chapter, For he sacrificed
unto the gods of Damascus, which
114
00:08:02,960 –> 00:08:06,920
smote him, and he said, because
the gods of the kings of Syria
115
00:08:06,920 –> 00:08:11,720
help them, therefore I will
sacrifice to them, that they may
116
00:08:11,720 –> 00:08:15,280
help me.
But they were the ruin of him
117
00:08:15,960 –> 00:08:21,240
and of all Israel.
And finally the prophet who
118
00:08:21,240 –> 00:08:27,240
ministered to him was Micah in
Micah 6, verse 16.
119
00:08:27,240 –> 00:08:30,200
And I’ll read it for you.
Micah says this.
120
00:08:33,840 –> 00:08:37,520
For the statues of Omri are
kept, and all the works of the
121
00:08:37,520 –> 00:08:41,400
House of Ahab, and you walk in
their councils, that I should
122
00:08:41,400 –> 00:08:44,560
make them a desolation.
And the inhabitants there are
123
00:08:44,560 –> 00:08:47,000
the hissing.
Therefore you shall bear the
124
00:08:47,000 –> 00:08:51,320
reproach of my people.
But if you look in the margin,
125
00:08:52,360 –> 00:08:57,920
it says he doth keep, It’s not
the people of Israel, but Micah
126
00:08:57,920 –> 00:09:03,600
is saying he, Ahaz, doth keep
all these wicked things.
127
00:09:05,880 –> 00:09:08,760
Another thing we need to know
about Ahaz before we get into my
128
00:09:08,760 –> 00:09:11,600
theory.
It’s clear that he went out,
129
00:09:11,600 –> 00:09:13,920
that God went out of his way to
save the king.
130
00:09:14,600 –> 00:09:18,080
You read everything about Ahaz,
King of Judah, and God is always
131
00:09:18,080 –> 00:09:23,160
trying to save him, always
trying to warn this king, and
132
00:09:23,160 –> 00:09:29,400
he’s actually really trying to
preserve this king by the end of
133
00:09:29,400 –> 00:09:33,400
King Ahaz, King of Judah.
This is the divine summary and
134
00:09:33,400 –> 00:09:39,280
it’s back again in Second
Chronicles 2228, verse 22.
135
00:09:48,840 –> 00:09:53,320
At the time of his distress did
he trespass Yet the more against
136
00:09:53,320 –> 00:09:59,400
the Lord.
This is that King Ahaz.
137
00:10:00,840 –> 00:10:06,640
You almost get a sense of
exasperation from God that what
138
00:10:06,640 –> 00:10:11,520
else can I do for this man?
Well, here’s my theory.
139
00:10:13,000 –> 00:10:16,480
My theory is that Ahaz saw no
benefit to serving God.
140
00:10:17,680 –> 00:10:22,400
From his perspective, it just
seemed like only bad things
141
00:10:22,400 –> 00:10:24,400
happened to those who served
Yahweh.
142
00:10:25,800 –> 00:10:30,240
His grandfather was struck with
leprosy, his dad’s untimely
143
00:10:30,240 –> 00:10:34,120
death.
He would find, as he did in
144
00:10:34,120 –> 00:10:38,520
Damascus, a God who would help
him, who would give him benefit,
145
00:10:38,880 –> 00:10:43,000
who would give him advantages.
And so he sought all the gods
146
00:10:43,000 –> 00:10:47,040
around of the nations.
He’d find a God more to his
147
00:10:47,040 –> 00:10:51,600
liking.
A has judged God very harshly
148
00:10:52,560 –> 00:10:56,320
and you get the sense as almost
bitterly and the way he views
149
00:10:56,320 –> 00:11:00,000
Yahweh.
And my theory is that because
150
00:11:00,000 –> 00:11:04,200
good things did not happen to
God’s servants that Ahaz
151
00:11:04,200 –> 00:11:09,160
thought, well, there’s no sense
serving this God because Ahab
152
00:11:09,160 –> 00:11:11,480
did not.
Ahaz did not believe.
153
00:11:15,960 –> 00:11:22,960
Was it right for Ahaz to expect
only good things from God?
154
00:11:24,240 –> 00:11:27,040
You know, we just sang a hymn
and we tend to miss sing it
155
00:11:27,320 –> 00:11:30,640
because of the way that the
verses are grouped together as
156
00:11:30,640 –> 00:11:32,400
Robin just played for us
beautifully.
157
00:11:33,000 –> 00:11:36,680
We tend to sing it like this,
Take my life and let it be.
158
00:11:40,280 –> 00:11:44,840
We don’t realize it continues
consecrated Lord to thee.
159
00:11:45,200 –> 00:11:48,520
And it’s almost as if we say,
Lord, here I am, I’m yours now
160
00:11:48,520 –> 00:11:51,760
Just keep it all nice and even,
right?
161
00:11:51,760 –> 00:11:56,800
Let it be, everything’s good.
And that’s not what that hymn is
162
00:11:56,800 –> 00:12:00,920
about.
As you realize, we sometimes get
163
00:12:00,920 –> 00:12:04,600
the idea that we’re
surrendering, but leave well
164
00:12:04,600 –> 00:12:10,280
enough alone, you know?
Only God knows why Jotham died
165
00:12:10,280 –> 00:12:15,240
so young, the father of Ahaz.
But it was not Ahaz’s
166
00:12:15,240 –> 00:12:19,960
prerogative to judge that, or to
judge God by the untimely death
167
00:12:19,960 –> 00:12:24,040
of his Father.
If God took his Father at 3141
168
00:12:24,440 –> 00:12:33,360
or 101, that is God’s right.
Jotham and all believers,
169
00:12:33,360 –> 00:12:38,800
including us, are God’s vessels.
As we just read in Timothy.
170
00:12:39,320 –> 00:12:43,000
We have been sanctified by God.
We have been consecrated for him
171
00:12:43,000 –> 00:12:52,520
to use as He sees fit.
Jotham accepted this to you.
172
00:12:54,320 –> 00:12:59,920
Take my moments and my days.
You know, in First Corinthians,
173
00:13:00,160 –> 00:13:11,000
First Corinthians 6 verse 19,
Paul writes this 1st Corinthians
174
00:13:11,000 –> 00:13:17,160
6 verse 19.
What know ye not that your body
175
00:13:17,160 –> 00:13:20,840
is the temple of the Holy
Spirit, which is in you, which
176
00:13:20,840 –> 00:13:25,280
ye have of God, and ye are not
your own.
177
00:13:27,360 –> 00:13:32,160
That’s part of the deal.
It’s when we start thinking that
178
00:13:32,160 –> 00:13:35,200
we are our own to decide what
should happen.
179
00:13:36,480 –> 00:13:39,440
Then we get into trouble.
When we think we know what’s
180
00:13:39,440 –> 00:13:42,120
best, That’s when problems come
up.
181
00:13:43,280 –> 00:13:47,960
And Isaiah 64 I’ll read it to
you, Isaiah 64 verse 8 Isaiah
182
00:13:47,960 –> 00:13:51,160
looking at the Potter says, but
now, O Lord, thou art our
183
00:13:51,160 –> 00:13:57,600
father, we are the clay, and
thou our Potter, and we all the
184
00:13:57,600 –> 00:14:01,640
work of thine hand.
Where Paul in Ephesians 2 verse
185
00:14:01,640 –> 00:14:04,400
5 says, for we are his
workmanship.
186
00:14:06,440 –> 00:14:10,480
You know, there’s at least two
reasons why we received trials,
187
00:14:10,960 –> 00:14:14,160
maybe more, but there’s two that
are very obvious in Scripture.
188
00:14:14,560 –> 00:14:19,680
The one is to prove us, to teach
us, to make us stronger, and we
189
00:14:19,680 –> 00:14:22,960
received trials for that reason,
and we should accept that.
190
00:14:24,560 –> 00:14:29,120
The one we have a harder time
with, perhaps, is when we suffer
191
00:14:29,120 –> 00:14:34,920
things to teach others, to set
an example that something
192
00:14:34,920 –> 00:14:37,880
happens to me.
So you take stock of your life
193
00:14:39,040 –> 00:14:42,920
and see where you’re headed.
You know, Job suffered some
194
00:14:42,920 –> 00:14:46,760
pretty terrible things.
It was all because other people
195
00:14:46,760 –> 00:14:51,920
needed to be taught.
He didn’t understand why, but he
196
00:14:51,920 –> 00:14:55,280
accepted it.
The Lord gave the Lord taketh
197
00:14:55,280 –> 00:14:57,640
away.
Blessed be the Lord, he says in
198
00:14:57,640 –> 00:15:02,400
Job 121 or to his wife in Job 2
verse 10.
199
00:15:02,600 –> 00:15:07,040
Shall we indeed accept good from
God and not accept adversity?
200
00:15:08,960 –> 00:15:13,080
Think of Jeremiah.
The prophet Jeremiah endured
201
00:15:13,080 –> 00:15:16,120
many adversities and it
culminated in his death.
202
00:15:17,200 –> 00:15:21,760
And all of that happened with
the intent to teach others to be
203
00:15:21,760 –> 00:15:26,080
a witness to others.
He was imprisoned in a horrible
204
00:15:26,080 –> 00:15:30,680
pit.
He was told to walk 1200 miles
205
00:15:31,040 –> 00:15:34,960
and to bury a piece of clothing
by the Euphrates River by foot.
206
00:15:35,720 –> 00:15:38,840
It seemed crazy to him, but he
did it.
207
00:15:39,960 –> 00:15:42,080
Ezekiel was, we’re told, was
made dumb.
208
00:15:42,080 –> 00:15:45,800
He was unable to speak.
Another time, as a sign, he was
209
00:15:45,800 –> 00:15:49,360
told to lay on his side on the
ground for over a year.
210
00:15:50,560 –> 00:15:53,200
Both prepare meals, do
everything laying on his left
211
00:15:53,200 –> 00:15:56,360
side, and when he was done, he
was told to lay on his right
212
00:15:56,360 –> 00:16:02,080
side for 40 days.
It seemed crazy, but he did it.
213
00:16:02,800 –> 00:16:07,000
God was using him, and we could
fill the whole talk with just
214
00:16:07,000 –> 00:16:09,240
examples of where this has
happened.
215
00:16:10,600 –> 00:16:15,160
God asked a lot of these
believers, and they all accepted
216
00:16:15,160 –> 00:16:18,320
it.
I doubt any of them understood
217
00:16:18,320 –> 00:16:20,760
it.
They might have thought, well,
218
00:16:20,760 –> 00:16:23,080
maybe there’s an easier way to
make this point.
219
00:16:23,160 –> 00:16:26,400
Maybe instead of laying down for
a year and a half, I can just
220
00:16:26,400 –> 00:16:29,040
teach in the synagogue.
Yeah, but they didn’t.
221
00:16:30,680 –> 00:16:34,160
They allowed God to use them as
God saw fit.
222
00:16:36,120 –> 00:16:39,560
And you know, it wasn’t
unreasonable for God to ask that
223
00:16:40,520 –> 00:16:45,160
from his, his believer, from his
chosen vessel.
224
00:16:46,360 –> 00:16:53,800
If you look at Hebrews 11 verse
33, I’m sorry, Hebrews 11, verse
225
00:16:53,800 –> 00:17:07,680
37, they were stoned, they were
sown asunder, were tempted, were
226
00:17:07,680 –> 00:17:11,480
slain with the sword.
They wandered about in
227
00:17:11,480 –> 00:17:17,160
sheepskins and goat skins, being
destitute, afflicted, tormented,
228
00:17:17,839 –> 00:17:19,960
of whom the world was not
worthy.
229
00:17:20,880 –> 00:17:25,680
They wandered in deserts and in
mountains, in dens and caves of
230
00:17:25,680 –> 00:17:30,600
the earth because God asked them
to.
231
00:17:32,600 –> 00:17:34,520
Now let’s make it a little
personal.
232
00:17:36,440 –> 00:17:40,840
Don’t you think it’s possible
that God uses one of his
233
00:17:40,840 –> 00:17:46,880
disciples and allows them to
suffer, perhaps an accident, a
234
00:17:46,880 –> 00:17:51,320
disease, Because maybe that’s
the only way he can bring unity
235
00:17:51,320 –> 00:17:55,520
back to an ecclesia?
That he can unite an ecclesia or
236
00:17:55,520 –> 00:17:58,880
individuals back in prayer and
unity?
237
00:18:01,440 –> 00:18:04,280
Don’t you think it’s possible
that the only way to shake up
238
00:18:04,600 –> 00:18:10,520
non believers, to turn them to
God is maybe when a loved one is
239
00:18:10,520 –> 00:18:13,480
taken?
I do.
240
00:18:16,320 –> 00:18:20,440
Would you give your life up if
that’s what it took for your
241
00:18:20,440 –> 00:18:26,400
family to come into the truth?
Is it unreasonable for God to
242
00:18:26,440 –> 00:18:31,400
ask that of us?
You know, I would hate to be so
243
00:18:31,400 –> 00:18:36,720
hardened to God, so callous to
his angels working in my life,
244
00:18:37,640 –> 00:18:41,640
so disrespectful of the signs
intended for me that at one time
245
00:18:41,640 –> 00:18:45,920
in my life God would say that
Steve Cheatham, who ignores
246
00:18:45,920 –> 00:18:50,720
everything that God did to turn
me around, that was Ahaz.
247
00:18:52,160 –> 00:18:56,600
We just sung Take my life and
let it be consecrated Lord to
248
00:18:56,600 –> 00:18:59,800
thee.
What saddens me is that
249
00:18:59,800 –> 00:19:03,560
Christianity out there teaches
that if you serve God, you’ll be
250
00:19:03,560 –> 00:19:07,440
materially blessed.
Life will be easy, life will be
251
00:19:07,440 –> 00:19:10,280
smooth.
Just send your check in.
252
00:19:12,200 –> 00:19:16,680
Tell that to Jeremiah.
Try to convince Ezekiel of that,
253
00:19:16,680 –> 00:19:20,200
or John the Baptist.
Take my life means that we
254
00:19:20,200 –> 00:19:27,520
surrender fully to God
willingly, joyfully, like Paul
255
00:19:27,520 –> 00:19:32,640
and Silas in prison, that we
accept that what happens to us
256
00:19:32,640 –> 00:19:39,240
is God’s will, that God uses us
as he sees fit and we go with
257
00:19:39,240 –> 00:19:43,240
it.
Let’s get an example, John 9
258
00:19:43,240 –> 00:19:59,000
verse 3
here’s a poor guy who was blind
259
00:19:59,000 –> 00:20:02,560
from birth, John 9 verse one and
we’re going to read verse 3.
260
00:20:03,440 –> 00:20:09,000
Jesus answered neither hath this
man sinned nor his parents, but
261
00:20:09,000 –> 00:20:11,960
that the works of God should be
made manifest in him.
262
00:20:12,800 –> 00:20:15,360
Now you put yourself in that
blind man shoes.
263
00:20:15,960 –> 00:20:20,720
His whole life was spent blind
because God chose to use him at
264
00:20:20,720 –> 00:20:24,160
that moment in time to show the
power of His Son.
265
00:20:26,800 –> 00:20:31,320
Paul had an affliction.
We’re not sure what it was, but
266
00:20:31,520 –> 00:20:33,920
it was there to keep Paul in the
truth.
267
00:20:34,600 –> 00:20:38,120
God could have healed him.
God saw it fit that Paul had
268
00:20:38,120 –> 00:20:41,000
that affliction because that’s
what kept him in the truth.
269
00:20:42,800 –> 00:20:46,680
We should not be serving God so
we can be blessed in this life.
270
00:20:47,840 –> 00:20:57,320
In first Corinthians 3, Paul
says in verse 16, Know ye not
271
00:20:58,600 –> 00:21:02,240
that ye are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God
272
00:21:02,240 –> 00:21:06,000
dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the temple of
273
00:21:06,000 –> 00:21:11,040
God, him shall God destroy, for
the temple of God is holy, which
274
00:21:11,040 –> 00:21:15,800
temple ye are.
We destroy this sanctified
275
00:21:15,800 –> 00:21:19,640
vessel of the Lord when we fill
it with the flesh.
276
00:21:21,320 –> 00:21:27,320
Our duty is to bear God’s name,
to let God’s character shine
277
00:21:27,320 –> 00:21:33,160
through this weak vessel.
You see, before you, King Ahaz
278
00:21:33,160 –> 00:21:40,760
of Judah never reflected God’s
name, and in fact, He defiled
279
00:21:41,120 –> 00:21:45,520
God’s temple, the place where
God chose to put His name and He
280
00:21:45,520 –> 00:21:49,200
filled it with idols.
And finally, He has to make His
281
00:21:49,200 –> 00:21:52,320
point clear.
He locks the doors of the temple
282
00:21:52,320 –> 00:21:56,520
once and for all.
The one place on earth where God
283
00:21:56,520 –> 00:21:58,880
chose to put His name and He
locked the door.
284
00:21:58,880 –> 00:22:04,880
No one would enter that place.
Look at Acts 9 verse 15.
285
00:22:11,160 –> 00:22:19,400
What does Paul say?
Acts 9, verse 15 But the Lord
286
00:22:19,400 –> 00:22:24,640
said unto me, Go thy way.
For he this is talking about
287
00:22:24,680 –> 00:22:28,400
Paul is a chosen vessel unto me,
to bear my name before the
288
00:22:28,400 –> 00:22:33,160
Gentiles, and kings, and the
children of Israel, For I will
289
00:22:33,160 –> 00:22:36,840
show him how great things he
must suffer for my name’s sake.
290
00:22:37,960 –> 00:22:40,640
Here Paul bears God’s name to
the Gentiles.
291
00:22:40,800 –> 00:22:47,240
He’s called a chosen vessel.
It was anything but easy. 2nd
292
00:22:47,240 –> 00:22:50,480
Corinthians 4I mean look at how
he describes himself and his
293
00:22:50,480 –> 00:22:52,960
companions.
He says we are troubled on every
294
00:22:52,960 –> 00:22:58,320
side, we’re perplexed, we’re
persecuted, we’re cast down,
295
00:22:59,640 –> 00:23:04,920
always delivered to death.
That was how God chose to use
296
00:23:04,920 –> 00:23:08,760
that vessel.
Paul lived a hard life.
297
00:23:09,840 –> 00:23:17,800
Yet in 2nd Corinthians 4 verse
17, he goes on and says this 2nd
298
00:23:17,800 –> 00:23:25,560
Corinthians 417 For our light
affliction, which is but for a
299
00:23:25,560 –> 00:23:30,920
moment worketh for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of
300
00:23:30,920 –> 00:23:36,480
glory, while we look not at the
things which you’re seen, but at
301
00:23:36,480 –> 00:23:38,200
the things which you’re not
seen.
302
00:23:38,840 –> 00:23:42,200
For the things which are seen
are temporal, but the things
303
00:23:42,200 –> 00:23:44,960
which you’re not seen or
eternal.
304
00:23:48,440 –> 00:23:53,440
No matter how bad things got for
Paul, his hope was in God.
305
00:23:54,280 –> 00:23:58,640
His desires for the promises to
be fulfilled is what kept him,
306
00:23:58,760 –> 00:24:01,120
what kept him golly, what gave
him strength.
307
00:24:01,960 –> 00:24:05,360
Weymouth translates his verse.
I like the way he does it.
308
00:24:05,800 –> 00:24:08,080
Weymouth translates what Paul
wrote this way.
309
00:24:08,800 –> 00:24:14,200
Our life affliction and
transitory burden of suffering
310
00:24:14,600 –> 00:24:18,760
is achieving for us a vastly
preponderating and eternal
311
00:24:18,760 –> 00:24:22,920
weight of glory.
I don’t like preponderating, but
312
00:24:22,920 –> 00:24:27,160
I do like how he describes life
as transitory, as a light
313
00:24:27,160 –> 00:24:29,440
affliction.
It’s temporal.
314
00:24:30,840 –> 00:24:35,080
You know, it’s very helpful when
we view life, the problems we
315
00:24:35,080 –> 00:24:40,480
suffer, the burdens we carry as
transitory.
316
00:24:41,800 –> 00:24:46,200
God has said all things.
God works for the good of those
317
00:24:46,200 –> 00:24:50,600
who love Him and have been
called according to His purpose.
318
00:24:51,200 –> 00:24:53,920
All things work for good.
Do we believe that?
319
00:24:54,520 –> 00:24:57,240
It’s easy to be faithful, isn’t
it, When things are going well,
320
00:24:57,240 –> 00:24:59,920
when things are smooth, when
life is good?
321
00:25:01,560 –> 00:25:07,680
But really it’s only in trials
and difficulties, in sadness.
322
00:25:08,800 –> 00:25:14,480
Their faith is really revealed
in Second Chronicles Chapter 7,
323
00:25:14,920 –> 00:25:27,760
verse 14.
Second Chronicles 7, verse 14.
324
00:25:31,360 –> 00:25:35,680
If My people, which are called
by My name, shall humble
325
00:25:35,680 –> 00:25:42,240
themselves, and pray and seek My
face, and turn from their wicked
326
00:25:42,240 –> 00:25:47,600
ways, then will I hear from
heaven, will forgive their sins
327
00:25:48,200 –> 00:25:52,280
and heal their land.
Solomon here is told of the
328
00:25:52,280 –> 00:25:57,520
great blessings that come to
those who bear God’s name, and
329
00:25:57,520 –> 00:26:03,120
they are, but not in this life
in Micah.
330
00:26:03,680 –> 00:26:07,640
Back to the prophet of Ahaz,
Micah 4 verse 5.
331
00:26:08,200 –> 00:26:13,680
I’ll read it for you.
For all people will walk
332
00:26:14,080 –> 00:26:17,680
everyone in the name of his God,
and will walk in the name of the
333
00:26:17,680 –> 00:26:22,600
Lord our God forever and ever.
That may not mean a lot, but
334
00:26:22,600 –> 00:26:27,320
remember Monday is the prophet,
the king Ahaz, and he shows the
335
00:26:27,320 –> 00:26:29,520
same hope and promise to the
king.
336
00:26:29,520 –> 00:26:35,200
He says, Ahaz, if you walk in
God’s name, turn yourself along,
337
00:26:35,840 –> 00:26:41,640
things will be different.
How important it is to walk in
338
00:26:41,640 –> 00:26:45,280
God’s name, to bear his
character, to reflect his glory.
339
00:26:46,480 –> 00:26:50,440
Life is transitory.
This isn’t a resting place.
340
00:26:51,600 –> 00:26:55,480
You know in that lesson never
sunk in that he has, He has
341
00:26:55,480 –> 00:27:01,080
never, ever viewed himself as
the servant, as the clay in
342
00:27:01,080 –> 00:27:04,640
God’s hands.
And you think of the irony of
343
00:27:04,640 –> 00:27:07,880
that.
The king whom God revealed, the
344
00:27:07,880 –> 00:27:12,120
Emmanuel prophecy, God’s Son
with us, the one who would be
345
00:27:12,120 –> 00:27:14,840
hailed blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
346
00:27:15,120 –> 00:27:19,720
This king would reject God and
refuse to bear the name of God
347
00:27:20,160 –> 00:27:28,480
till the bitter end.
In the British Museum, there’s a
348
00:27:28,480 –> 00:27:33,000
tablet describing the tribute
received by the Assyrian king
349
00:27:33,800 –> 00:27:37,880
Tiglath to the user, and it’s
the tribute that this king
350
00:27:37,880 –> 00:27:40,040
received from all the nations
round about.
351
00:27:40,760 –> 00:27:46,040
These would include nations like
Edom and Moab Abben, and from
352
00:27:46,400 –> 00:27:56,040
Yehlahas in Judah.
That’s right, God’s name was
353
00:27:56,040 –> 00:28:02,800
associated with Ahaz.
He was called Yehlahas, Yahweh.
354
00:28:04,280 –> 00:28:09,960
That’s a prefix to his name.
And you think how sad it is that
355
00:28:09,960 –> 00:28:13,160
because of his wickedness,
because of his failure to seek
356
00:28:13,160 –> 00:28:17,640
God, Scripture never refers to
him as Jehovah has.
357
00:28:18,560 –> 00:28:23,240
God refuses to have his name
associated with its king because
358
00:28:23,240 –> 00:28:29,400
of his wickedness.
Come follow me, Jesus says to
359
00:28:29,400 –> 00:28:33,160
us.
The road may not always be easy,
360
00:28:34,320 –> 00:28:39,920
but it’s a road worth travelling
in the bread and the line before
361
00:28:39,920 –> 00:28:43,440
us.
Let us say in each symbol, it’s
362
00:28:43,440 –> 00:28:52,200
the Son of man who endured all,
who gave all to save us.
363
00:28:54,280 –> 00:28:57,280
We’ll end it with what Paul
exhorted the Hebrews in in
364
00:28:57,400 –> 00:29:03,080
Hebrews 12 verse 1, he says.
Therefore, since we have so
365
00:29:03,080 –> 00:29:08,040
great a cloud of witnesses
surrounding us, let us also lay
366
00:29:08,040 –> 00:29:12,720
aside every incomparance, the
sin which so easily entangled
367
00:29:12,720 –> 00:29:17,240
us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set
368
00:29:17,240 –> 00:29:24,040
before us, fixing our eyes on
Jesus, the Author and Perfector
369
00:29:24,040 –> 00:29:29,200
of faith, who for the jewelry
set before him and toward the
370
00:29:29,200 –> 00:29:34,400
cross the spot of the machine,
and the sat down at the right
371
00:29:34,400 –> 00:29:50,560
hand of the throne of God.
Thank you for listening to the
372
00:29:50,560 –> 00:29:52,160
good Chris Adelphian Talks
podcast.
373
00:29:52,960 –> 00:29:55,400
We hope this talk helped you in
your walk and brightened your
374
00:29:55,400 –> 00:29:57,800
day.
If you would like to hear more,
375
00:29:57,800 –> 00:29:59,520
please subscribe for new
episodes.
376
00:29:59,920 –> 00:30:03,160
We are on all major podcast
platforms and also on YouTube.
377
00:30:04,360 –> 00:30:06,760
If you enjoyed this particular
talk, please share it with
378
00:30:06,760 –> 00:30:08,680
someone else who you think might
enjoy it too.
379
00:30:09,600 –> 00:30:12,280
For show notes on the talk you
just listened to, visit
380
00:30:12,280 –> 00:30:16,160
[email protected]
or check out the Show Notes
381
00:30:16,160 –> 00:30:19,920
section of your podcast player.
Please share your thoughts on
382
00:30:19,920 –> 00:30:22,920
the talk from this week on our
Facebook or Instagram pages
383
00:30:22,920 –> 00:30:25,880
where we are at Good
Christadelphian talks or leave a
384
00:30:25,880 –> 00:30:28,640
comment on our YouTube channel
where these talks are posted as
385
00:30:28,640 –> 00:30:30,360
well.
If you enjoy listening to the
386
00:30:30,360 –> 00:30:33,040
talks that we post and hear one
that you think we should share,
387
00:30:33,240 –> 00:30:36,000
please tell us about it.
You can send us a suggestion
388
00:30:36,200 –> 00:30:39,600
using the Contact us tab on our
website or message us on any of
389
00:30:39,600 –> 00:30:42,320
our social media accounts.
Thank you for listening.
390
00:30:42,560 –> 00:30:44,520
God bless and talk to you next
week.
Leave a Reply