WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:06.959 Turn with me this morning in your Bibles to Isaiah chapter six. 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:15.279 Today's message is titled Knowing God. 00:00:18.640 --> 00:00:22.079 And knowing God is seeing God. 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:26.160 You'll never know him until you see him. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:29.600 And that is so important this morning. 00:00:31.039 --> 00:00:32.880 I love this passage. 00:00:33.119 --> 00:00:38.079 It's been one of my favorites for years when I first started preaching. 00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:45.039 One of the first messages I God gave me to preach was Isaiah 6. 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:53.200 And the setting here is King Uzziah has just died. 00:00:54.479 --> 00:01:01.920 Now, something about Uzziah, he was a very unbelievable righteous king. 00:01:03.039 --> 00:01:06.719 He took the throne at age 16 in Israel. 00:01:07.359 --> 00:01:12.719 And for fifty-two years he reigned. 00:01:13.120 --> 00:01:22.159 He built an economy that was far greater than it had ever been in the history of Israel. 00:01:22.480 --> 00:01:28.879 He built a military far greater than it had ever been. 00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:34.319 Seems like when you study history, strong military equals strong economies. 00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:36.079 Really does. 00:01:36.319 --> 00:01:38.640 And a lot of people don't realize that. 00:01:38.959 --> 00:01:42.400 So we see it's just prospering. 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:42.959 Jobs. 00:01:43.120 --> 00:01:45.200 Anybody wanted a job had a job. 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:47.760 I mean, it was a prospering time. 00:01:48.560 --> 00:01:54.799 But then something happened right toward the end of King Uzziah's reign. 00:01:54.959 --> 00:01:58.079 He got proud, he got cocky. 00:01:59.359 --> 00:02:07.359 In 2 Chronicles 26, I believe it's verse 6, I think it is, 16. 00:02:07.760 --> 00:02:19.280 2 Chronicles 26, verse 16, the Bible says that King Uzziah decided that he would take the position and office of the priest. 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:25.360 And so he goes into the temple and he tries to usurp the authority of the priest. 00:02:25.520 --> 00:02:29.759 And there were about 19 of them that came against the king. 00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:42.000 And sure enough, while he was there trying to usurp his authority over the priest, saying that he's the king, and that he, if he wanted to be a priest, could be the priest. 00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:45.599 God brings judgment on him immediately. 00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:47.680 And he becomes a leper. 00:02:48.319 --> 00:02:49.680 Even in the temple. 00:02:49.919 --> 00:02:52.479 Leprosy consumes his body. 00:02:54.080 --> 00:03:01.520 And for the next 16 years, he's really outcasted. 00:03:03.520 --> 00:03:06.960 And he's no longer on the throne, even though he's still the king. 00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:09.439 And then he dies. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:23.840 And sure enough, you read back chapter 5, and you see the moment that the king, and actually it started taking place after he had been ostracized out. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:29.840 He's no longer kind of able to have the hands-on leadership that he once had for all those years. 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:31.039 Things start going down. 00:03:31.120 --> 00:03:34.879 But then when he dies, sure enough, all hell breaks loose. 00:03:35.280 --> 00:03:40.159 And I meant the country goes berserk, immorality, stealing. 00:03:40.240 --> 00:03:44.000 I mean, kind of reminds us of America. 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:46.240 All that's going on. 00:03:46.319 --> 00:03:47.120 It's unbelievable. 00:03:47.360 --> 00:04:05.039 In fact, when you get to chapter 5, you see Isaiah's preaching, and he's preaching, woe is you, woe is you, woe is you, woe is you, of all the things that's going on, woe are you that are drinking all day long, woe are you that are lying and stealing, and woe of you that all this stuff that's going on. 00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:07.840 He says it six times, woe is you. 00:04:10.319 --> 00:04:15.680 He's just, you know, telling them what's happened, why are you like this? 00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:16.879 And what's going on? 00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:18.319 Because the king's dead. 00:04:18.480 --> 00:04:25.279 In other words, there was mass confusion and chaos going on. 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:31.040 When all of a sudden the prophet goes to the temple. 00:04:31.519 --> 00:04:36.720 He went to the right place when all confusion and chaos is going on. 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:39.759 There's only one place to go, and that's to the house of God. 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:41.120 Can I get an amen? 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:46.879 And he runs in, and we pick up the story. 00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:56.560 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 00:04:56.720 --> 00:04:58.800 Now that means his glory. 00:04:59.199 --> 00:05:04.319 Back in the days, the longer the robe, the longer the king had defeated armies. 00:05:04.399 --> 00:05:09.759 And every time he had taken over lands and defeat another king, he would add to his robe. 00:05:09.920 --> 00:05:16.639 So this robe was, hey, hey, let me tell you, there's no match for the king of kings and the Lord of Lords. 00:05:17.279 --> 00:05:23.199 His robe is so massive that his whole glory filled the temple. 00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:26.959 It wasn't a little robe, it was a massive robe. 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:32.000 Because it symbolized the Shekana glory of God. 00:05:32.160 --> 00:05:35.920 Can you a little bright here on the lights? 00:05:37.279 --> 00:05:41.279 And I need what I need more house lights. 00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:42.160 Yeah, there we go. 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:42.480 Good. 00:05:42.560 --> 00:05:43.439 Thank you, Benji. 00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:51.759 So we see this happening here, and we see right here that the glory of God is all around. 00:05:51.920 --> 00:06:00.000 And it's unbelievable that Isaiah right here is hey, hey, his robe filled the temple, and above it stood seraphim. 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:02.160 Now the word seraphim, there's a very good word. 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:08.160 It means Sarah or Saraphah is really the way you pronounce it. 00:06:08.240 --> 00:06:08.959 Sarapha. 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:11.120 And it means burning ones. 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:13.360 It means burning ones. 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:24.319 In other words, they these serapins had a burning desire to honor God, to serve God, to be all that God wanted them to be. 00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:25.839 Tremendous. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:29.279 They look like humans, but yet they had six wings. 00:06:29.519 --> 00:06:35.360 And with those wings they covered their face because you could not see the real glory of God and live. 00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:38.800 And then they covered their feet in honor and adoration. 00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:44.319 And with uh and then with the wings they flew in in service for God. 00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:48.319 Unbelievable picture here. 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:50.319 So we see. 00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:55.759 One cried to another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. 00:06:55.920 --> 00:07:03.439 The whole earth is full of his glory, and the post of the doors were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. 00:07:03.759 --> 00:07:05.680 So I said, Woe is me. 00:07:06.079 --> 00:07:10.079 Now notice six times in chapter five, it's woe is you. 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:12.240 See, here's the problem. 00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:17.360 Most of the time we go around saying, Woe is you, woe is others when it's really us. 00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:18.560 Hello. 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:24.079 Not my brother, not my sister, but it's me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer. 00:07:24.240 --> 00:07:30.160 And now all of a sudden, but when he really comes into the presence of an awesome God, he says, Woe is me. 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:34.000 You cannot come in God's presence and not say, Woe is me. 00:07:35.600 --> 00:07:36.639 Can't do it. 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:39.120 Can't do it. 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:45.759 And so he says, Woe is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips. 00:07:45.920 --> 00:07:49.040 By the way, your mouth always tells you what you really are. 00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:50.160 Hello. 00:07:50.720 --> 00:07:52.000 Can I get a know me? 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:55.759 I should have said maybe that was a little harsh. 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:59.839 Your tongue always tells you who you are. 00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:00.879 Amen. 00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:09.040 He says, I'm a man of unclean lips, and I dwell, not only him, he says, I dwell in a bunch of people on unclean lips. 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:12.240 For my eyes have seen the king. 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:14.879 Woohoo! My eyes have seen the king. 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:16.560 Have you seen him? 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:31.600 The Lord of hosts, the one of the serpent, flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongues from the altar, and he touched my mouth with it and said, Behold, this has touched your lips, your iniquity is taken away, and your sins purge. 00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:37.200 Hallelujah! For the power and the Holy Spirit of the living God. 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:42.720 And also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? 00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:43.600 And who will go for us? 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:45.759 Then said, I hear am I send me. 00:08:46.399 --> 00:08:49.279 And he said, Go and tell this people. 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:52.879 Knowing God is seeing God. 00:08:55.279 --> 00:08:56.879 Most people stop there. 00:08:57.200 --> 00:08:58.480 That's where they preach. 00:08:59.519 --> 00:09:04.080 And they just and we're gonna get we're going, but I'm gonna do something I've never done before. 00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:06.960 I'm gonna start at the end of the chapter. 00:09:08.080 --> 00:09:09.200 Because I've never done it. 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:12.080 I've never seen it like I've seen it this time. 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:14.080 That's just gonna be good. 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:16.639 It's gonna be illuminating. 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:21.039 Two things we're gonna look at this morning. 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:24.639 Why do we fail to see God clearly? 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:29.279 And number two, what happens when we do see God clearly? 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:30.240 Amen. 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:34.480 Number one, why do we fail to see God clearly? 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:37.200 See, Isaiah sees God clearly. 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:38.559 Now, watch this. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:41.600 And it changes him totally. 00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:46.320 But the nation Israel, watch this. 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:52.000 They don't see Judah, the nation Judah, Israel, does not see God at all. 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:53.519 Hello? 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:55.519 They don't see him at all. 00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:57.919 And you know what I realized? 00:09:58.080 --> 00:10:01.759 I went and studied the, went back and did a review of history. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:03.600 This is worth writing down. 00:10:03.679 --> 00:10:11.360 I didn't, I really didn't think about putting it in the outline, but you may find a place to write it down if you want to. 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:19.919 There's a cycle throughout the Old Testament and New Testament, but especially the Old Testament with Judah, with Israel. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:21.600 And here's the cycle. 00:10:21.840 --> 00:10:26.240 One, it's they start out reckless. 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:28.240 They're reckless. 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:30.000 Right here, we see that. 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:31.919 It's a heart ungrateful. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:35.600 They're ungrateful about what God has done. 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:41.120 For 52 years, they were the most prospering nation in the world. 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:42.960 And they were ungrateful. 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:43.759 They didn't care. 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:44.879 They didn't thank God. 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:46.480 They didn't give him the glory. 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:48.480 They didn't give him the credit. 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:49.919 They were reckless. 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:51.759 They took it all for granted. 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:54.080 Is that not where America has been? 00:10:54.320 --> 00:10:54.879 Come on. 00:10:57.919 --> 00:11:00.240 See if America fits in this cycle. 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:05.840 Number two, it goes from recklessness, that is a hard ungrateful, to rebellion. 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:10.799 Hard, stiff-necked people. 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:13.519 In fact, why do we fail to see God clearly? 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:15.120 Number one, put it in. 00:11:15.360 --> 00:11:16.399 Rebellion. 00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:18.639 Rebellion. 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:21.600 Rebellion against God. 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:25.039 They were rebellious. 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:27.120 They were stiff-necked. 00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:28.799 Now let me show you this. 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:30.320 Isaiah. 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:37.120 Isaiah and boy, this is a pretty good, I think it's, well, first of all, we know Isaiah 1, 19 and 20. 00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:37.919 You know it. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:41.120 If you're willing and obedient, you should eat the good of the land. 00:11:41.440 --> 00:11:47.279 But if you refuse and rebel, watch, you should be devoured by the sword. 00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:48.559 Wow. 00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:51.279 But what's this? 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:54.559 Look at Isaiah, and I think I have that up for you. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:57.279 Look at Isaiah 65, verse 2. 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:59.519 And you know what it says? 00:11:59.840 --> 00:12:05.440 I have stretched out my hands all day long to a rebellious people. 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:07.120 Can I say something? 00:12:08.159 --> 00:12:11.279 Hey, go back, go back, Jason, to the first part of it. 00:12:11.440 --> 00:12:14.879 I have stretched out my hands all day long to rebellious people. 00:12:15.039 --> 00:12:19.759 Aren't you glad that God's grace, hey, lasts all day long? 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:24.080 Aren't you glad we don't get what we deserve? 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:29.679 Man, I saw that and I thought to myself, man, you are a gracious, loving God. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:36.240 Hey, all day long to a rebel, hey, he's trying to reach a rebellious people. 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:37.200 Now watch this. 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:38.879 What's a rebellious people? 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:40.720 Next phrase answers. 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:43.360 Who walk in a way that is not good? 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:45.679 Hey, hello. 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:48.559 Who walks in a way that's not good? 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:50.080 Young people, listen to me. 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:51.840 Old people, listen to me. 00:12:55.360 --> 00:13:00.080 When you walk in a way that's not good, and you say, well, what is a good way? 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:02.639 There's only one good way, and that's God's way. 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:03.360 Hello? 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:09.759 So when you're walking against what God's called you to do and the purpose of God, you're walking in the wrong way. 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:11.600 Hey, and where does that come from? 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:13.039 Look at the next phrase. 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:14.960 According to their own thoughts. 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:19.440 In other words, you choose to do what you want to do instead of what God's called you to do. 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:20.159 Hello. 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:22.000 That's good, preacher. 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:26.799 And you're rebellious? 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:28.720 You're stiff-necked. 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:30.480 You know what that means? 00:13:30.799 --> 00:13:33.519 Have you ever been stiff-necked with Heather? 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:35.679 I'll put you on the spot, didn't I? 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:38.559 Usually it's me, and I'm tired of getting all that. 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:39.679 But no, I'm joking. 00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:41.679 Have I ever been stiff-necked with Susan? 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:42.879 Quite often. 00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:44.960 Because why? 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:46.399 I want my way. 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:49.840 You men aren't helping me one bit. 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:51.360 You're not getting in this one, are you? 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:53.279 You're on your own, preacher. 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:54.879 I got it. 00:13:57.759 --> 00:14:00.240 Has Susan ever been stiff-necked to me? 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:01.919 Absolutely. 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:05.120 And all it is is one word. 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:06.000 Pride. 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:09.039 Pride's what does us all in. 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:10.080 Hello. 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:12.960 Pride's what did Uzziah in? 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:15.440 Pride. 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:20.480 The proud, in fact, the backslider, are you ready for this? 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:21.279 Oh, this is good. 00:14:21.440 --> 00:14:22.720 Proverbs 14, 14. 00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:25.919 The backslider is filled with his own ways. 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:30.080 So if you're backsliding, guess what? 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:31.919 You're rebellious. 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.279 Amen. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:38.879 And let me tell you what else it says about being rebellious. 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:46.720 Isaiah 30, verse 1 says, they do not take, God says, you do not take my counsel, nor do you follow my path. 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:47.440 Hello. 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:49.200 Now what does that lead to? 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:52.639 Let me share with you what a rebellious spirit leads to. 00:14:52.879 --> 00:15:00.159 It leads to Psalm 68, verse 6, the rebellious dwell in a dry land. 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:09.919 There's no joy, there's no happiness, there's no contentment, there's no fulfillment, there's no peace that passes all understanding. 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:12.399 You are fully dry. 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:15.519 And here's the bad thing about it. 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:17.039 We caused it. 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:20.879 Because we choose to go our way instead of God's way. 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:25.759 Israel got in trouble every time because they chose to go their way instead of God's way. 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:28.080 Which brings me back to that church. 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:36.879 They were reckless, ungrateful, rebellious, hard, stiff-necked people, willfully disobedient. 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:40.799 And then the next cycle, guess what it leads to? 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:41.840 Ruin. 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:46.559 Watch this recklessness, rebellious, then ruin. 00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:50.480 Spiritually and morally, hey, dead. 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.720 Ruined. 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:56.639 In fact, ended up in captivity for years. 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:59.039 God brought judgment on them. 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:06.559 Proverbs 14, 34, when the righteous and in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked bear through, the people mourn. 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:10.240 But then guess what? 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:12.399 The cycle then goes, guess what? 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:14.320 Guess what's next? 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:15.360 After ruin? 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:16.720 Repentance. 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:19.039 You repent. 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:21.200 You repent. 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:23.519 And then guess what happens? 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:24.879 Restoration. 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:26.799 God restores you. 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:30.799 That's a whole cycle of the Old Testament with Israel. 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:31.840 Isn't that good? 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:34.480 And that's all really us. 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:36.960 What happens to us when we get away from God? 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:43.759 We're reckless, we're rebellious, we ended up ruined, then we come back, we repent, and God restores us. 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:46.159 And I love Psalms 85, verse 6. 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:48.000 One of my favorite verses. 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:53.120 Will you not revive us again that your people may rejoice in you? 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:56.000 Will you not revive us again? 00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.360 Wow. 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:03.279 Why do we fail to see God? 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.400 Rebellion. 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:06.319 Rebellion against God. 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:09.119 Number two, why do we fail to see God? 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:13.440 They received not the potential of God. 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:18.000 In other words, they tried to put God in their box. 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:20.240 You ever done that? 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:24.480 You ever tried to put God in your box? 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:26.480 Look at verse 9. 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:29.680 And he said, Go and tell this people. 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:32.720 Now watch this people, the rebellious. 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:35.200 They keep on hearing but do not understand. 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:38.000 They keep on seeing but do not perceive. 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:43.359 They make their heart, hey, their heart is, this people is dull. 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:53.440 Their ears are heavy, and their eyes shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and return and be healed. 00:17:53.519 --> 00:18:01.519 In other words, they just reject anything God has to them and for them and decide they're going to do it their way. 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:05.279 They're going to do it their way. 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:08.880 And they decide to put God in a box and do it their way. 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:14.240 Do you remember the story in 2 Kings 5 about Naaman? 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.759 Nobody remembers. 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:20.559 Alright, Nate, let me quickly bring it up. 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:24.400 I was going to read it, but I like to tell the story anyway. 00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:30.880 First of all, Naaman was the commander of the army of Syria under the king. 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:33.039 And he would, great general. 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:37.440 He was a man of integrity, a righteous man. 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:43.200 I mean, really, it was unreal, even that Syria was worshiping other gods. 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:45.200 For he was just unbelievable. 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:48.240 But there was one thing wrong with Naaman, he had leprosy. 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:59.839 And so they had won this battle and uh a skirmish against some uh Israeli village, and they captured this girl, this little servant girl, and brought her in. 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:10.079 And the servant girl turned to the commander, Naaman, and said, Uh, I know how you can get healed through your leprosy. 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:17.759 There's a prophet in Israel, in Jerusalem, that can heal you. 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:21.920 So he went to the king and he told the king of Syria this. 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:33.759 And so the king wrote a letter to the king of Israel, and he grabbed it and took off and went to Jerusalem, gave the king the letter, and the king was petrified. 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:43.680 The king read the letter and said, Oh my goodness, this letter says that I'm supposed to heal the commander of Syria. 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:45.359 I can't heal this guy. 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:46.559 What are they talking about? 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:48.000 Oh, they got a plot. 00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:48.960 They got a plot. 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:51.119 He came to do this so they could start. 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:53.680 Hey, get mad at me and start a war with us. 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:55.680 I know what they're trying to do. 00:19:56.000 --> 00:20:00.480 About that time, word got out that the king rent his clothes. 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:10.559 He was upset, worried that they're about to have war with Syria because the king of Israel was supposed to heal the commander in chief of the Syrian army. 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:12.559 About that time Elijah heard about it. 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:14.799 He said, Go tell him, bring him to me. 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:19.440 He said, I'll let them know that there's a God in this land. 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:20.880 Just bring them to me. 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:22.000 So they get word. 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:30.640 All of a sudden now he comes, he comes to Elijah's house, and go out and say, Hey, I'm here. 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:32.960 The big commander says, I'm here. 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:36.319 Now he was expecting him. 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:37.599 Watch this. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:41.200 He had put God in his box. 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:46.880 You know when you put God in your box, it's when you want him to do what you want to do. 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:49.680 Or you want him to do what you think he ought to do. 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:53.279 Hello, hello, you okay out there? 00:20:54.720 --> 00:21:07.519 See, he thought that the man of God, the prophet, ought to come out here and greet him and wave his magic arm and heal him. 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:10.319 The prophet to the commander. 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:12.559 I mean, that's the way you do it. 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:16.480 I'm a man of prestige and honor and valor. 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:18.480 That's what it says. 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:19.440 He was. 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:21.839 So I expect that respect. 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:24.720 He was expecting God to respect him. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:28.079 Like he respected his king. 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:31.839 Hello, that's putting him in his box. 00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:34.640 You know what Elijah did? 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.920 He didn't come out. 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:37.519 You know what he told him? 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:42.559 Hey, tell him to go dip seven times in the dirty Jordan River. 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:46.960 Woo! Yeah, he sent his servant out and told him that. 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:48.160 And you know what he did? 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:50.319 Instead of being grateful, what'd he do? 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:54.160 Who does that prophet Thomaki is? 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:57.759 If he wants me to dip in water, why didn't he let me do it in Damascus? 00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:59.519 There's a lot cleaner water over there. 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:06.319 Read it, read the book, read the book. 00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:11.359 So, what'd you say? 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:13.279 He didn't react well. 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.240 No, he didn't. 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:15.599 So, what does he do? 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:17.680 He, I'm gonna go home. 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.880 Isn't that what we do? 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:23.920 You get upset, well boy, this is gonna hurt. 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:29.759 You get upset with Sister Fluffy Head, Dickie Potato Head, you get upset with the preacher. 00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:31.200 Well, I just leave the church. 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.160 I'm gone. 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:38.720 I don't care. 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:42.880 What will they do without me? 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:49.200 Oh, you're a nerd. 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:56.960 Praise the Lord for some low service. 00:22:58.400 --> 00:23:01.279 They say, Master, please. 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:03.519 Don't do this. 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.440 Don't do this. 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:07.039 We've come this far. 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:10.640 We really believe this is what the Lord wants you to do. 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:16.640 You mean you think I ought to go dip myself seven times in that dirty water? 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.559 I've been to Jordan. 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:20.079 I baptized in Jordan. 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.200 It's dirty. 00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:23.920 He said, yes. 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:25.039 And he did. 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:26.720 Seven times. 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.599 And guess what? 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:30.880 Seven times he came up, leprosy was gone. 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:36.240 Nevertheless, at his never. 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:46.720 Nevertheless, at his word, will I let down my nets, Peter said in Luke 5, 5. 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:50.000 But hey, don't you know Jesus? 00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:52.400 Jesus, we've been fishing all night. 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:55.519 Jesus, we you don't, you don't catch fish in the deep. 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:57.119 You catch them in the shallow. 00:23:57.200 --> 00:24:00.480 We've been we've cleaned the nets up, but that's okay. 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:02.960 Nevertheless, I'm gonna drop the nets. 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:09.119 Yes, you may think it's crazy. 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:11.839 Yes, you may think it doesn't make sense. 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:15.519 Yes, you may think that's the most ridiculous thing I ever heard. 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:20.000 But if God says to do it, do it! 00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:26.240 Do it. 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:28.000 Just do it. 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:30.720 You think Nike invented that. 00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:32.720 He didn't. 00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:36.319 Jesus did. 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:42.559 Just do it! Remember what his mother said in John three? 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:49.119 Whatever he says to you about the barrel, barrels of water to turn into wine, just do it. 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:57.200 Number three. 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.680 Another reason. 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:07.359 Boy, this is so good. 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:10.799 They see God through themselves. 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:11.920