EP 29: SCC Savor, Month 7, Days 20-25

Allen: Welcome back to the SCC Saver Podcast. We are savoring God through every bite of scripture. I'm Alan. I'm Chris. What's up, Chris? Just filling the vacuum of Jeremy as he's continues to rattle about over in England. Do you think he's gonna come back with an accent? No, he wishes. How much tiki has he consumed?

Chris: Welcome back to the SCC Savor Podcast. We are savoring God through every bite of scripture. I'm Alan. I'm Chris. What's up, Chris? Just filling the vacuum of Jeremy as he continues to rattle about over in England. Do you think he's gonna come back with an accent? No, he wishes. How much tiki has he consumed?

Allen: I don't know. What's their thing like beans and I don't d the food doesn't seem appealing there. Yeah, but what's the like the isn't it like beans and I don't know what the food is. Like it's like bread or beans and bread or something. People on the podcast know what I'm talking about and they're like, dude, how do you not know this? But maybe they can email me or something. Yeah. We're not very cultured. no, I'm not very cultured. I saw

Chris: I don't know. What's their thing like beans and I don't d the food doesn't seem appealing there. Yeah, but what's the like the isn't it like beans and I don't know what the food is. Like it's like bread or beans and bre something. People on the podcast know what I'm talking about and they're like, dude, how do you not know this? But maybe they can email me or something. Yeah. We're not very cultured. no, I'm not very cultured. I saw I think the other day it said, it was back in J July fourth time, the a word in English, like American English and British English. I don't remember what the word was, but the American way of spelling it, it h only had one L. The British way of spelling it had two L's. And Webster Dictionary posted a tweet on Twitter and said, What's X now? said

Allen: I think the other day it said it was back in Jul July fourth time, the a word in English, like American English and British English. I don't remember what the word was, but the American way of spelling it, it h only had one L. The British way of spelling it had two L's. And Webster Dictionary posted a tweet on Twitter and said, What's X now? said

Chris: Why does the American way of spelling it only have one L and Britain have two? And it said because we handed them that L in seventeen seventy six. What word was it? I d I'll try to find it. man. It was pretty funny. I'll try to find it. Yeah, we need to see that. Yeah. all right, I have a question for you. What was your first job? The first job that I recorded like taxes on W two, like actual

Allen: Why does the American way of spelling it only have one L and Britain have two? And it said because we handed them that L in seventeen seventy-six. What word was it? I d I'll try to find it. man. It was pretty funny. I'll try to find it. Yeah, we need to see that. Yeah. all right, I have a question for you. What was your first job? First job that I recorded like taxes on W two, like actual

Chris: Like not like babysitting or lawnmower. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Was Tim Hortons. Okay. So is that why you're a coffee guy? Is that what made you like your No, I didn't drink coffee back then. Really? But Tim C Tim Hortons it it is from Canada. One of the better drive-thru black cuckoo cup of coffee out there. That's true. So wait, there's no Tim Hortons down here. No. It's from Canada. Yeah, you're right. I didn't think about that. We have those all over Ohio. Yeah. I went to those all the time.

Allen: Like not like babysitting or lawnmower. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Was Tim Hortons. Okay. So is that why you're a coffee guy? Is that what made you like your No, I didn't drink coffee back then. Really? But Tim C Tim Hortons it it is from Canada. One of the better drive-thru black cuckoo cup of coffee out there. That's true. So wait, there's no Tim Hortons down here. No. It's from Canada. Yeah, you're right. I didn't think about that. We have those all over Ohio. Yeah. I went to those all the time.

Chris: after you know, we we'd play football on Friday nights and then Saturday we'd have like practice walkthrough and I'd always go to Tim Hortons before walk through on Saturday and get it was the ice what's the thing? It wasn't a cappuccino Fupuccino. It like that AC coffee drink, it was good and a little t donut. So people wait, do people here know about Timbits? Or is that like foreign? I mean it's donut holes. Like everybody knows what donut hole is. Yeah, but they're they're they're timbits. Yeah, Timbits are good. Yeah.

Allen: after you know, we we'd play football on Friday nights and then Saturday we'd have like practice walkthrough and I'd always go to Tim Hortons before walkthrough on Saturday and get it was the ice what's the thing? It wasn't a cappuccino Fupuccino. It like that AC coffee drink, it was good and a little t donut. So people wait, do people here know about Timbits? Or is that like foreign? I mean it's donut holes. Like everybody knows what donut hole is. Yeah, but they're they're they're timbits. Yeah, Timbits are good. Yeah.

Chris: Anyways. All right. What about you? mine was Top Golf. I was they call it Caddy, but I was a drink runner. Okay. Yeah. There you go. Yeah. Second Chronicles. Yeah. We're commenting on month seven, days twenty to twenty-five. So we're gonna wrap up Second Chronicles with chapters twenty-two to thirty-six. We're gonna wrap up Psalms with one forty-five to one fifty, Luke eleven, thirty seven.

Allen: What about you? mine was Top Golf. I was they call it Caddy, but I was a drink runner. Okay. Yeah. There you go. Yeah. Second Chronicles. Yeah. We're commenting on month seven, days twenty to twenty-five. So we're gonna wrap up Second Chronicles with chapters twenty-two to thirty-six. We're gonna wrap up Psalms with one forty five to one fifty, Luke eleven, thirty-seven through

Chris: through twelve fifty nine and then all of Second Thessalonians. So we're doing we're covering ending three books today, which is pretty wild. But second chronicles, marching through the Old Testament, history, in Israel's history.

Allen: twelve fifty nine and then all of Second Thessalonians. So we're doing we're covering ending three books today. Which is pretty wild. But second chronicles, marching through the Old Testament, history, in Israel's history. I'll just say I've as I've been reading Second Chronicles, it's been really fun for me. I've enjoyed the book. There's so many great biblical themes in Second Chronicles. there's obviously, you know, it's the ancient Near East is not our culture, so there's, you know, just a cultural gap and barrier to understanding what's going on. But but there's so many

Chris: I'll just say I've as I've been reading Second Chronicles, it's been really fun for me. I've enjoyed the book. There's so many great biblical themes in Second Chronicles. there's obviously, you know, it's the ancient Near East is not our culture, so there's, you know, just a cultural gap and barrier to understanding what's going on. But but there's so many

Allen: things that remain true about the human condition that we see in Second Chronicles and that we see today. And so I think it's still incredibly applicable and it it does tie a lot of biblical themes into one book. So, you know, things that we talked about beforehand, repentance, yep, God's faithfulness, the importance of scripture, God's grace, the correlation between pride and humility. Mm-hmm.

Chris: things that remain true about the human condition that we see in Second Chronicles and that we see today. And so I think it's still incredibly applicable and it it does tie a lot of biblical themes into one book. So, you know, things that we talked about beforehand, repentance, yep, God's faithfulness, the importance of scripture, God's grace, the correlation between pride and humility. Mm-hmm.

Allen: Back in chapter seven, kind of a key verse in Second Chronicles chapter seven, verse fourteen.

Chris: Back in chapter seven, kind of a key verse in Second Chronicles chapter seven, verse fourteen.

Allen: We read

Chris: We read.

Allen: If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open, my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. And I think that's kind of a through line of all the chapters in twenty two to thirty six at the end of the book.

Chris: If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open, my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. And I think that's kind of a through line of all the chapters in twenty two to thirty six at the end of the book.

Allen: Yeah. Yeah, I think that's definitely true. I I think, yeah, as you mentioned, that kind of through line if my people humble, there's a strong emphasis. We talked about this last time, about the temple and worship and them gathering to worship, destroying the high places, destroying the bales, destroying their dialogue's worship was a sick signal, a mark of that humility. It's like we are dependent upon the Lord, we worship him and we're not gonna turn to these other gods to supply us because we know that our God is gonna give us all.

Chris: Yeah. Yeah, I think that's definitely true. I I think, yeah, as you mentioned, that kind of through line if my people humble, there's a strong emphasis, we talked about this last time, about the temple and worship and them gathering to worship, destroying the high places, destroying the bales, destroying their dialogus worship was a sick signal, a mark of that humility. It's like we are dependent upon the Lord, we worship him and we're not gonna turn to these other gods to supply us because we know that our God is gonna give us all.

Allen: that we need. and yeah, so I think there's there's a sense in which all of these kings in Judah, some better than others, they all even the ones that are good, Hezekiah, right? He's he's great. He he restored temple worship. Yep. They start out great. Yep. They start out great. They're destroying high places, they're restoring worship. the their their emphasis actually is

Chris: that we need. and yeah, so I think there's there's a sense in which all of these kings in Judah, some better than others, they all even the ones that are good, Hezekiah, right? He's he's great. He he restored temple worship. Yep. They start out great. Yep. They start out great. They're destroying high places. They're restoring worship. the their their emphasis actually is

Allen: On the book of the law, doing things according to the book of the law. because essentially they weren't obeying the law, the Mosaic covenant given to to Moses to the people for how to worship properly. and they didn't have it, so they weren't worshiping properly. And then like Hezekiah comes, they find the law, and then they get excited that wait, we have the book of the law, we know how to obey God. And I think there's two implications there. One is obeying God for them.

Chris: On the book of the law, doing things according to the book of the law. because essentially they weren't obeying the law, the Mosaic covenant given to to Moses to the people for how to worship properly. and they didn't have it. So they weren't worshiping properly. And then like Hezekiah comes, they find the law, and then they get excited that, wait, we have the book of the law, we know how to obey God. And I think there's two implications there. One is obeying God for them.

Allen: was a was a joy and was a pleasure. It wasn't a burden to obey God and to worship according to his way. And then two, things ought to be done the way that God prescribes them in worship in life. So I was just thinking about that. Yeah, sorry, Josiah. Chapter thirty four. Yes. Sorry. Josiah is the one who recovers the book of the law. Yeah. Yep. It's Hezekiah right before Josiah who organized the priest. Right. And and

Chris: was a was a joy and was a pleasure. It wasn't a burden to obey God and to worship according to his way. And then two, things ought to be done the way that God prescribes them in worship in life. So I was just thinking about that that you're talking about Josiah. Yeah, sorry Josiah Chapter thirty four. Yes. Sorry, Josiah is the one who recovers the book of the law. Yeah. Yep. It's Hezekiah right before Josiah who organized the priest. Right. And and

Allen: Yeah. Yeah, I think something that's interesting about all these kings is as they're presented, they it starts off so great. you know, like Uzziah in chapter twenty six. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father had done. He set he set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.

Chris: Yeah. Yeah, I think something that's interesting about all these kings is as they're presented, they it starts off so great, you know, like Uzziah in chapter twenty six. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father had done. He set he set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper. You're like, wow, this is the guy. Yeah. Here he is. He's gonna do something great. And then in chapter 26, verse 16, but when he was strong, he grew proud. and to his destruction. So you think he's the these kings are gonna be good. They're like they're they're presented in such an amazing fashion, then boom, something happens, and he didn't do what was right. The same thing happens with Hezekiah, like you were talking about in chapter 32, and then it says

Allen: You're like, wow, this is the guy. Yeah. Here he is. He's gonna do something great. And then in chapter 26, verse 16, but when he was strong, he grew proud. and to his destruction. So you think he's the these kings are gonna be good. They're like they're they're presented in such an amazing fashion, then boom, something happens, and he didn't do what was right. The same thing happens with Hezekiah, like you were talking about in chapter 32, and then it says

Chris: but Hezekiah, and this is chapter 32, verse 25, did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. So they they're doing all these amazing things for the Lord, and they start to get this like sense of like we're doing great ministry. Like we're we're doing things according to God's word, like we're getting after it, we're obeying God, we're worshiping in the way he wants to be worshipped. And then they go proud and turn from the Lord. And the same thing happens with even with Josiah.

Allen: but Hezekiah, and this is chapter 32, verse 25, did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. So they they're doing all these amazing things for the Lord, and they start to get this like sense of like we're doing great ministry. Like we're we're doing things according to God's word, like we're getting after it, we're obeying God, we're worshiping in the way he wants to be worshipped. And then they go proud and turn from the Lord. And the same thing happens with even with Josiah.

Chris: Great, amazing king does not only is he cutting down all the false worship, he's trying to teach them to do Deuteronomy twelve, to worship in Jerusalem. and it says in chapter 35, verse 22, nevertheless, Josiah did not turn away from him but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Neko from the mouth of God. So it's kind of a progression with all of these kings.

Allen: great amazing king does not only is he cutting down all the false worship, he's trying to teach them to do Deuteronomy twelve, to worship in Jerusalem. and it says in chapter thirty-five, verse twenty-two, nevertheless Jo Josiah did not turn away from him but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Nico from the mouth of God. So it's kind of a a progression with all of these kings.

Chris: even good kings doing good things have lapses where they they grow proud. And so I think just the practical application for us of like how do we avoid growing proud you know even in our own church, even in our own ministries, like 'cause that's the temptation that we face. Like it it's not like

Allen: even good kings doing good things have lapses where they they grow proud. And so I think just the practical application for us of like how do we avoid growing proud you know even in our own church, even in our own ministries, like 'cause that's the temptation that we face. Like it it's not like

Chris: these guys weren't trying to obey God and worship him like they were. And so what so what does that for look like for us? Like, yeah, how do we avoid well, what do you think? How do we avoid growing proud in our ministry and in our church? Mm-hmm. Yeah, I think of Paul's words, far be it for me to b but to boast in anything, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, or says that it is God who works in us. So i in a way it's

Allen: these guys weren't trying to obey God and worship him like they were. And so what so what does that for look like for us? Like, yeah, how do we avoid well, what do you think? How do we avoid growing proud in our ministry and in our church? Mm-hmm. Yeah, I think of Paul's words, far be it for me to b but to boast in anything, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, or says that it is God who works in us. So i in a way it's

Chris: All these good things that I do is actually just God at work within me. And that's something I think about often, you know, doing a lot of ministry, doing a lot of great things for the Lord, but knowing that, man, it is God who works in me. Like I don't do this of myself. I'm unworthy of this calling. I was dead in my sins and trespasses. I was unable to bear good fruit. And Jesus, of course, in John chapter fifteen says that abide in me, for apart from you, me you can do nothing.

Allen: All these good things that I do is actually just God at work within me. And that's something I think about often, you know, doing a lot of ministry, doing a lot of great things for the Lord, but knowing that, man, it is God who works in me. Like I don't do this of myself. I'm unworthy of this calling. I was dead in my sins and trespasses. I was unable to bear good fruit. And Jesus, of course, in John chapter fifteen says that abide in me, for apart from you, me you can do nothing.

Chris: So I think something that I guess I try to cultivate is just remembering that man, if it wasn't for the Lord at work within me, none of this would be possible. So I think it it would be the same charge to others is hey, remember who's at work within you. Remember who's who is working in you and to what end? Well, the end is to the glory of the Lord. So I think if the prayer often is the Lord, keep me humble. Actually something I prayed every morning, pray every morning.

Allen: So I think something that I guess I try to cultivate is just remembering that man, if it wasn't for the Lord at work within me, none of this would be possible. So I think it it would be the same charge to others is hey, remember who's at work within you. Remember who's who is working in you and to what end? Well, the end is to the glory of the Lord. So I think if the prayer often is the Lord, keep me humble. Actually something I prayed every morning, pray every morning.

Chris: Is I pray that Alan Smith would die so Jesus Christ can live today, right? Out of Galatians two twenty, Paul's prayer. So yeah, just remembering who's at work within me and praying that I would be made small and Jesus would be made big. Mm-hmm. And and something we see practically those kings stop doing is once they think they got it, they stop listening. Mm-hmm. yeah. So like I I think practically like

Allen: Is I pray that Alan Smith would die so Jesus Christ can live today, right? Out of Galatians two twenty, Paul's prayer. So yeah, just remembering who's at work within me and praying that I would be made small and Jesus would be made big. Mm-hmm. And and something we see practically those kings stop doing is once they think they got it, they stop listening. Mm-hmm. yeah. So like I I think practically like

Chris: Asking yourself, like, are you listening to other people around you? Do you have other people around you who speak into your life? Do you listen to them? have you stopped listening to them? Have you stopped making your life available so that people can actually speak into your life? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then I think Jeremy's emphasis coming off sabbatical last summer was I want to be a church that's more committed to prayer. Yeah. Going back to Second Chronicles 7, 14, if my people who are called by my name

Allen: Asking yourself, like, are you listening to other people around you? Do you have other people around you who speak into your life? It's good. Do you listen to them? have you stopped listening to them? Have you stopped making your life available so that people can actually speak into your life? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then I think Jeremy's emphasis coming off sabbatical last summer was I want to be a church that's more committed to prayer. Yeah. Going back to Second Chronicles 7 14, if my people who are called by my name

Chris: Humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land. So it's like, I think the more that we can commit as a church corporately and individually and in groups and small groups to praying, the more that we can be protected from growing in in pride. Because it prayer is just a a confession. Yeah. It's

Allen: humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land. Mm-hmm. So it's like, I think the more that we can commit as a church corporately and individually and in groups and small groups to praying, the more that we can be protected from growing in in pride. Because it prayer is just a a confession. Yeah. It's

Chris: Depend daily reminder that you're not God. Yeah, we we can't do this. Like we're crying out to you because you're the only one who could do this. Yeah. Yeah, that's great. So Yeah. Any other themes out of Second Chronicles at the end that you think are worthwhile talking about? Yeah, I I think as it is always with God, is he's gonna demonstrate his faithfulness, right, and his grace and his commitment to fulfilling his promises, mm-hmm, which is that he would set a descendant of David upon the throne. Right. That's

Allen: Depend daily reminder that you're not God. Yeah, we we can't do this. Like we're crying out to you because you're the only one who could do this. Yeah. Yeah, that's great. So yeah. Any other themes out of Second Chronicles at the end that you think are worthwhile talking about? Yeah, I I think as it is always with God, is he's gonna demonstrate his faithfulness, right, and his grace and his commitment to fulfilling his promises, which is that he would set a descendant of David upon the throne. Right. That's

Chris: One of the major themes is is he would raise up one of his his heirs to be on the throne. And and the people of God need to know that. They need to know that. Second Chronicles is arguing to the people of God in exile. There's hope. There's hope. There's hope. Because they're like, Hey, we don't have a king right now. Is God still with us? Is he still gonna keep his promise? Mm-hmm. So they're asking the people of God are asking those questions. Mm-hmm. So this book is arguing, Yes. Yeah. Like God is faithful. He will keep his promises. You can trust him. Mm-hmm.

Allen: one of the major themes is is he would raise up one of his his heirs to be on the throne. And and the people of God need to know that. They need to know that. Second chronicles is arguing to the people of God in exile. There's hope. There's hope. There's hope. Because they're like, hey, we don't have a king right now. Is God still with us? Is he still going to keep his promise? Mm-hmm. So they're asking the people of God are asking those questions. Mm-hmm. So this book is arguing, yes. Yeah. Like God is faithful. He will keep his promises. You can trust him. Mm-hmm.

Chris: Yeah, yeah, absolutely. And I think one of the cool things we Jeremy and I talked about it a couple episodes ago, though, is how Second Chronicles is actually last in the Hebrew Bible. And at the end of of thirty-six is the very last verse of the book. Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia. So Jerusalem has just been captured and burned, and now they're in the Babylonian exile. and so they're in exile. So now th that's their current situation. thus says

Allen: Yeah, yeah, absolutely. And I think one of the cool things we Jeremy and I talked about it a couple episodes ago, though, is how Second Chronicles is actually last in the Hebrew Bible. And at the end of of thirty-six is the very last verse of the book. Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia. So Jerusalem has just been captured and burned, and now they're in the Babylonian exile. and so they're in exile. So now th that's their current situation. thus says

Chris: Cyrus King of Persia, the Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the Lord his God be with him. Let him go up. Dot dot dot. Dot dot dot. Because I don't know Hebrew. You know your Hebrew, but commentators who of people who really know Hebrew, said this is an incomplete sentence in the Hebrew. And

Allen: Cyrus King of Persia, the Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the Lord his God be with him. Let him go up. Dot dot dot. Dot dot dot. Because I don't know Hebrew, you know your Hebrew, but commentators who of people who really know Hebrew, said this is an incomplete sentence in the Hebrew. And

Chris: Matthew in his genealogy, when he says the book of the genealogy of Genus Jesus Christ and pulls it all the way back to Adam is actually basically a to be continued. And then Matthew says, Here it is, continued. Here's the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the fulfillment, the better king who would sit on the throne, son of David, who would be raised up to to be king over his people. And so Matthew connects that and actually is writing to give the hope and say, God is faithful, he has not forsaken his people.

Allen: Matthew in his genealogy, when he says the book of the genealogy of Genus Jesus Christ and pulls it all the way back to Adam is actually basically a to be continued. And then Matthew says, Here it is, continued. Here's the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the fulfillment, the better king who would sit on the throne, son of David, who would be raised up to to be king over his people. And so Matthew connects that and actually is writing to give the hope and say, God is faithful, he has not forsaken his people.

Chris: Yeah, he says the son of David, the son of Abraham. Yeah. And I think, you know, specifically this book is arguing that God is going to make good on that promise. And second second Samuel seven, you know, David will have an heir. Yeah. so yeah, it's it's a book arguing to God's people. You can trust that when God made that promise that there's going to be a king to rule you forever and ever and ever, that he's gonna make good on that promise. And good news.

Allen: Yeah, he says the son of David, the son of Abraham. Yeah. And I think, you know, specifically this book is arguing that God is going to make good on that promise. And second second Samuel seven, you know, David will have a an heir. Yeah. so yeah, it's it's a book arguing to God's people. You can trust that when God made that promise that there's going to be a king to rule you forever and ever and ever, that he's gonna make good on that promise. And good news.

Chris: He made good on that promise and Jesus is sitting on his throne right now. Mm-hmm. And there ain't no doubt about it. Yeah, I think just maybe one more thought on Second Chronicles is something you brought up, a verse you brought up is in chapter thirty six, verse fifteen and sixteen. This in in some ways felt like kind of a big summation of the different kings at the end of this book. as as you pointed out before we were talking.

Allen: He made good on that promise and Jesus is sitting on his throne right now. Mm-hmm. And there ain't no doubt about it. Yeah, I think just maybe one more thought on Second Chronicles is something you brought up, a verse you brought up is in chapter thirty six, verse fifteen and sixteen. This in in some ways felt like kind of a big summation of the different kings at the end of this book. as as you pointed out before we were talking.

Chris: The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers. Why? Because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy. And that's why in 586, Jerusalem was captured by Babylon. That's why the exile happened. Is because

Allen: The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers. Why? Because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy. And that's why in five eighty-six Jerusalem was captured by Babylon. That's why the exile happened. Is because

Chris: God, he he had been faithful over and over, even as his people had been faithless. They stopped reading the Bible, they stopped doing worship according to the way he wanted them to worship. They stopped trusting in him. They they looked or looked around at other gods. You know, all these things are happening. And over and over, God's faithful. He's pursuing them, he's sending messengers, he's disciplining them so that they'll turn back to him. He's doing all these things because he wants the heart of his people. And eventually there was no remedy. Yeah. And

Allen: God he he had been faithful over and over, even as his people had been faithless. They stopped reading the Bible. They stopped doing worship according to the way he wanted them to worship. They stopped trusting in him. They s they looked or looked around at other gods. You know, all these things are happening. And over and over, God's faithful. He's pursuing them. He's sending messengers. No. He's disciplining them so that they'll turn back to him. He's doing all these things because he wants the heart of his people. And eventually there was no remedy. Yeah. And

Chris: The wrath of the Lord rose against his people. Mm-hmm. And so that's why the exile happened. So it's not only hope for the future, but the explanation of like, why are we here? Yeah. Like, shouldn't we be in the in the promised land? And shouldn't everything be perfect. Yeah. Yeah, it's great. Hope for God's people. let's go over to the Psalms. We finished up Psalms, the last few Psalms.

Allen: The wrath of Lord rose against his people. And so that's why the exile happened. So it's not only hope for the future, but the explanation of like, why are we here? Yeah. Like, shouldn't we be in the in the promised land? And shouldn't everything be perfect. Yeah. Yeah, it's great. Hope for God's people. let's go over to the Psalms. We finished up Psalms, the last few Psalms.

Chris: which is kind of depressing because I love the Psalms. And not that you I can't go read them, but in our reading plan right now, I've been reading, you know, we started Proverbs, which is great. The proverb proverbs are great too. But Psalms, some of my my favorite books. favorite book, favorite things to read. But okay, so couple of things what are a couple of things that stood out to you in this last section, these last six six psalms or so. The book of Psalms is divided into five books.

Allen: which is kind of depressing because I love the psalms. And not that you I can't go read them, but in our reading plan right now, I've been reading, you know, we started Proverbs, which is great. The proverb proverbs are great too. But Psalms, some of my my favorite books. favorite book, favorite things to read. But okay, so couple of things what are a couple of things that stood out to you in this last section, these last six six psalms or so. The book of Psalms is divided into five books.

Chris: So this is in the fifth book of the Psalms. So as it there's an intentional conclusion to the book of Psalms, just like there's an intentional beginning. And so I think as I was reading these Psalms, I was thinking back to Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 and Psalm 8 and the beginning of the the Psalter. And so themes that carried all the way through the book that the that the psalmist and the compiler wants us to see, which was that

Allen: So this is in the fifth book of the Psalms. So as it there's an intentional conclusion to the book of Psalms, just like there's an intentional beginning. And so I think as I was reading these Psalms, I was thinking back to Psalm one and Psalm Two and Psalm eight and the beginning of the the Psalter. And so themes that carried all the way through the book that the that the psalmist and the compiler wants us to see, which was that

Chris: there's two ways to live. Hmm. Like the gospel track. Yeah. Two ways to live. Two ways to live. But there's the blessed life, like Psalm 146, verse five. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. That's the blessed life. That's the happy life. When you hope in God, when you fear God, when you walk with him. And then there's the that's one way to live and the other way to live.

Allen: there's two ways to live. Like the gospel track. Yeah, two ways to live. Two ways to live. But there's the blessed life, like Psalm 146, verse 5. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. That's the blessed life. That's the happy life when you hope in God, when you fear God, when you walk with him. And then there's the that's one way to live and the other way to live.

Psalms 146:5

Chris: As verse nine, Psalm 146, verse nine, the Lord watches over the sojourners, he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. Just like Psalm one, there's there's a clear divide between those who fear the Lord and how they live and those who don't. And Psalm one forty seven says, Those who fear the Lord, Psalm one forty seven, twenty, they know his rules. Praise God that we do. Praise God. Right? Yeah. Yeah, totally. how would you encourage

Allen: As verse nine, Psalm 146, verse nine, the Lord watches over the sojourners, he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. Just like Psalm one, there's there's a clear divide between those who fear the Lord and how they live and those who don't. And Psalm 147 says, Those who fear the Lord, Psalm 147, 20, they know his rules. Praise God that we do. Praise God. Right? Yeah. Yeah, totally. how would you encourage

Chris: Someone who maybe they feel like they aren't on the blessed life, aren't on the blessed path, and they actually feel more like maybe the fool is not obeying God's word. How does how does maybe the the these the psalms, the conclusion of these psalms encourage encourage someone to look back to the blessed path? Hmm. Yeah, I mean, I think th we talked about this, we can talk about it more. Psalm one forty six to one fifty. You just read all and you're like, This is awesome. Yeah.

Allen: Someone who maybe they feel like they aren't on the blessed life, aren't on the blessed path, and they actually feel more like maybe the fool is not obeying God's word. How does how does maybe the the these the psalms, the conclusion of these psalms encourage encourage someone to look back to the blessed path? Hmm. Yeah, I mean, I think th we talked about this, we can talk about it more. Psalm one forty six to one fifty. You just read all and you're like, This is awesome. Yeah.

Chris: Praise God. Yeah, praise God. This is so joyful. Like it's a culmination of yeah, it's just celebrating. Let's let's make music. Let's let's sing. Let's sing. You know, let's let's sing and dance. Let's praise God. Let's worship God. This is such a joyful celebration part of this book. And I think you kind of read that and it and it gives you the juice. And you're like, I want that. Yeah, I want that. And you're like, well, how do I get that? Well, live the blessed life. Yeah, walk with the Lord. Yeah. Know his commandments. Fear God. You know?

Allen: Praise God. Yeah, praise God. This is so joyful. Like it's a culmination of yeah, it's just celebrating. Let's let's make music. Let's let's sing. Let's sing. You know, let's let's sing and dance. Let's praise God. Let's worship God. This is such a joyful celebration part of this book. And I think you kind of read that and it and it gives you the juice. And you're like, I want that. Yeah, I want that. And you're like, well, how do I get that? Well, live the blessed life. Yeah, walk with the Lord. Yeah. Know his commandments. Fear God. You know?

Chris: So I think, you know, if you're discouraged, it's kind of like look at the fruit of the life, the blessed life. Mm-hmm. And look at and that's that's what the wisdom literature does in the Old Testament, even in the proverbs. Yeah. Look to the end of the road. Where is the path you're on taking you now? Mm-hmm. Do you want do you want that end? Or do you want the end of, you know, ceaseless praise, joyful celebration? Mm-hmm. I think when Jeremy and I

Allen: So I think, you know, if you're discouraged, it's kind of like look at the fruit of the life, the blessed life. Mm-hmm. And look at and that's that's what the wisdom literature does in the Old Testament, even in the Proverbs. Yeah. Look to the end of the road. Where is the path you're on taking you now? Mm-hmm. Do you want do you want that end? Or do you want the end of, you know, ceaseless praise, joyful celebration? Mm-hmm. I think when Jeremy and I

Chris: introduce the Psalms the very, very beginning, the conclusion you mentioned when we're talking about the Blessed Life. I'm pretty sure I mentioned this in the first podcast where I heard one time this this a pastor who travels on planes and he'll sit next to someone and when he starts small talking they ask him what he does. And he doesn't answer pastor. he answers, I'm a teacher of the way of the blessed life. And they're always like, you know, that sparks it 'cause you tell someone you're a pastor and that either

Allen: introduce the Psalms the very, very beginning, the conclusion you mentioned when we're talking about the Blessed Life. I'm pretty sure I mentioned this in the first podcast where I heard one time this this a pastor who travels on planes and he'll sit next to someone and when he starts small talking they ask him what he does and he doesn't answer pastor. he answers, I'm a teacher of the way of the blessed life. And they're always like, you know, that sparks it 'cause you tell someone you're a pastor in that either

Chris: gets into a great conversation 'cause they're Christian or they immediately stop talking to you. So I usually get the response, okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Right. Sor sorry I cursed earlier. Okay, that's that's h that's h that's literally hilarious. That happens all the time. And I'm like, yeah, I'm passorping to sit. And they're like, sorry. Or I should just ask you know, or or they'll they'll they'll comment about, you're a man in cloth or something like that. Or they'll just mock.

Allen: gets into a great conversation 'cause they're Christian or they immediately stop talking to you. So I usually get the response, okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Right. Sorry sorry I cursed earlier. Okay, that's that's h that's h that's literally hilarious. That happens all the time. I'm yeah, I'm passorping to sit and they're like, I'm sorry. Or I should just ask you know or or they'll they'll they'll comment about you're a man in cloth or something like that. Or they'll just mock.

Chris: I don't wanna get too far down this tangent, but it's kind of f it it's funny because once I like started being in vocational ministry, you probably had similar experience in like, hey, it's one thing to say like, yeah, like I that's your religion, that's your faith. It's another to stake your life on it. To say like, hey, this is how I make my money, make my living, and I'm so convinced of this that I'm gonna commit to this for the rest of my life. people have a little bit less to say because it's like, wow, you

Allen: I don't wanna get too far down this tangent, but it's kind of f it it's funny because once I like started being in vocational ministry, you probably had similar experience in like, hey, it's one thing to say like, yeah, like I that's your religion, that's your faith. It's another to stake your life on it. To say like, hey, this is how I make my money, make my living, and I'm so convinced of this that I'm gonna commit to this for the rest of my life. people have a little bit less to say because it's like, wow, you

Chris: Like you're that committed that you're gonna like stake your life upon this thing and like this is how you're gonna provide for your family and everything. So I think it actually adds a little bit to of like the weightiness and seriousness, right? Interesting. but anyway, in in these last few psalms, man, I was so encouraged. I was meditating on the fact that God is the the creator, sustainer, and provider. this is this is some of my favorite verses, maybe in the Bible.

Allen: Like you're that committed that you're gonna like stake your life upon this thing and like this is how you're gonna provide for your family and everything. So I think it actually adds a little bit to of like the weightiness and seriousness, right? Interesting. but anyway, in in these last few psalms, man, I was so encouraged. I was meditating on the fact that God is the the creator, sustainer, and provider. this is this is some of my favorite verses, maybe in the Bible.

Chris: and I'll probably say that a hundred more times before we're done with this podcast, but Psalm 147 verse four through six. He determines the number of stars, he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord and abundant in power. His understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the humble, he casts the wicked to the ground. The fact that God determines the number of stars, I think the other day I was reading in a book about how many how many galaxies

Allen: and I'll probably say that a hundred more times before we're done with this podcast. But Psalm one forty seven verse four through six. He determines the number of stars, he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord and abundant in power. His understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the humble, he casts the wicked to the ground. The fact that God determines the number of stars. I think the other day I was reading in a book about how many how many galaxies

Chris: scientists actually think there are. And it's something like let me let me pull let me pull up the number. right here. They estimate that there's two trillion galaxies. Think about two trillion. Not billion, trillion. What is that, 12 zeros? I think that's 12 zeros. But anyway, ridiculous amount of galaxies. And each galaxy, hear this each galaxy, one of two trillion

Allen: scientists actually think there are. And it's something like let me let me pull let me pull up the number. right here. They estimate that there's two trillion galaxies. Think about two trillion. Not billion, trillion. What is that, 12 zeros? I think that's 12 zeros. But anyway, ridiculous amount of galaxies. And each galaxy, hear this each galaxy, one of two trillion has one thousand to one hundred trillion stars.

Chris: has one thousand to one hundred trillion stars.

Allen: Maybe it's million, million stars. Each galaxy has 1,000 to 100 million stars in each of the one of the two trillion galaxies. And this tells us that he determines the number of stars and he gives to them all of their names. Like, are you kidding me? God is out here naming trillions and trillions and trillions of stars. Like that's that's an unfathomable amount to us. And yet.

Chris: Maybe it's million, million stars. Each galaxy has 1,000 to 100 million stars in each of the one of the two trillion galaxies. And this tells us that he determines the number of stars and he gives to them all of their names. Like, are you kidding me? God is out here naming trillions and trillions and trillions of stars. Like that's that's an unfathomable amount to us. And yet.

Allen: Like yeah, great is the Lord and abundant is power. And as we'll talk about in Luke, is you you read this, you're like, God is so big. We marvel at these things. And yet he cares about me more than these trillions and trillions and trillions of stars that could burn me up if I got too close to them. Yeah. And and this idea is so cool because it's a theme that runs all through the Psalms that God's the creator and he's to be worshipped. Go back to Psalm eight. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers.

Chris: Like yeah, great is the Lord and abundant is power. And as we'll talk about in Luke, is you you read this, you're like, God is so big. We marvel at these things. And yet he cares about me more than these trillions and trillions and trillions of stars that could burn me up if I got too close to them. Yeah. And and this idea is so cool because it's a theme that runs all through the Psalms. Mm-hmm. That God's the creator and He's to be worshipped. Go back to Psalm eight. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers.

Allen: The moon and the stars, which you have set in place. God set everything in place. He set all the moon and the stars, everything in its place. What is man that you're mindful of him? So it you know, God being the creator, the sustainer, provider, like you said, a theme that runs from the beginning to the end of the book of Psalms. Yeah. It's cool to see that even though you can read all the psalms and they stand on their own, there's there's a theme, there's a thread, yeah, there's a unity to this book.

Chris: moon and the stars which you have set in place. God set everything in place. He set all the moon and the stars, everything in its place. What is man that your mindful of him? So it you know, God being the creator, the sustainer, provider, like you said, a theme that runs from the beginning to the end of the book of Psalms. Yeah. It's cool to see that even though you can read all the Psalms and they stand on their own, there's there's a theme, there's a thread. Yeah. There's a unity to this book.

Allen: Yeah, because someone composed this book of the Psalms. Someone composed this Psalter. All right, here you go. the here's the total number for that. It says they roughly two hundred billion trillion to one septillion stars. I don't even know what a septillion is. It's written as ten to the twenty second to ten to the twenty fourth power. So it's a one followed by twenty two to twenty four zeros. That's how many stars there are, and God names them all. We have a really, really great and powerful God.

Chris: Yeah, because someone composed this book of the Psalms. Someone composed this altar. All right, here you go. the here's the total number for that. It says they roughly two hundred billion trillion to one septillion stars. I don't even know what a septillion is. It's written as ten to the twenty second to ten to the twenty fourth power. So it's a one followed by twenty two to twenty four zeros. That's how many stars are and God names them all. We have a really, really great and powerful God. Boom. Boom. Let's go over to the New Testament. talk about Luke. in Luke, I've s this this gospel focused on Jesus and the the final emphasis or the emphasis that we're we're reading about in eleven thirty seven through twelve fifty nine is is is really concerning.

Allen: Boom. Boom. Let's go over to the New Testament. talk about Luke. in Luke, I was this this gospel focused on Jesus and the the final emphasis or the emphasis that we're we're reading about in eleven thirty seven through twelve fifty nine is is is really concerning. Jesus and his kind of interactions with the people of this age, of this time, their misunderstanding of who he is, his teaching, and why his identity is actually so paramount in encouraging those who choose to follow him, and then also judgment towards those who are rejecting him. something that you mentioned, kind of that's a conclusion to this whole section.

Chris: Jesus and his kind of interactions with the people of this age, of this time, their misunderstanding of who he is, his teaching, and why his identity is actually so paramount in encouraging those who choose to follow him. And then also judgment towards those who are rejecting him. something that you mentioned, kind of that's a conclusion to this whole section, at the end of chapter twelve.

Allen: at the end of chapter twelve

Chris: is Jesus and a lot of times I think when when we think about Jesus, we think about like God is a wrathful God in the old testament and Jesus is this pillowy, nice, you know, guy in the New Testament. Warm fuzzies. Warm fuzzies. But is that true? Yeah, I I think it's just like we wanna be we wanna take God at his word and we wanna like

Allen: is Jesus. And a lot of times I think when when we think about Jesus, we think about like God is a wrathful God in the old testament and Jesus is this pillowy, nice, you know, guy in the New Testament. Warm fuzzies. Warm fuzzies. But is that true? Yeah, I I think it's just like we wanna be we wanna take God at his word and we wanna like

Chris: we wanna have a realistic

Allen: We want to have a realistic and accurate view of who Jesus is and his person and work. And in order to do that, we have to read the Bible. And so it's just like read when you read Jesus' life and ministry and you get a whole holistic picture of who he is. so I was looking at at chapter twelve, verse forty-nine through fifty-three. It says, I came to cast fire on the earth and would that it were already kindled.

Chris: an accurate view of who Jesus is and his person and work. And in order to do that, we have to read the Bible. And so it's just like read when you read Jesus's life and ministry and you get a whole holistic picture of who he is. so I was looking at at chapter twelve, verse forty nine through fifty-three. It says I came to cast fire on the earth and would that it were already kindled I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished. Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No. I tell you, but rather division. From now on, in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

Allen: I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished. Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No. I tell you, but rather division. From now on, in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother in law against her daughter in law, daughter in law against her mother in law.

Chris: This is this is the times we live in right now. Jesus told us this would happen. so so when you believe in the gospel, when you trust in Jesus, when you walk with him, when you when you surrender and submit your life completely to him, people are like, That's crazy. That's that's a lot. That's too much. Like, I wanna keep living my life the way I want to live my life. Don't impose all that, like.

Allen: This is this is the times we live in right now. Jesus told us this would happen. so so when you believe in the gospel, when you trust in Jesus, when you walk with him, when you when you surrender and submit your life completely to him, people are like, That's crazy. That's that's a lot. That's too much. Like, I wanna keep living my life the way I want to live my life. Don't impose all that, like I I love God too. Like just I don't do all that stuff. I live my life my the way I I want to live my life. Yeah, right, right. And it it it divides families when you when you stake your life on the truth of Jesus and on the promises of his word and on what he calls you to in holiness. and and I think this is just not the cultural picture that people have of Jesus. Mm-hmm. Like those Super Bowl commercials or the commercials you might have seen on T V where it says He gets us. Mm-hmm.

Chris: I I love God too. Like just I don't do all that stuff. I want to live my life my the way I I want to live my life. Yeah, right, right. And it it it divides families. When you when you stake your life on the truth of Jesus and on the promises of his word and on what he calls you to in holiness. and and I think this is just not the cultural picture that people have of Jesus. Mm-hmm. Like those Super Bowl commercials or the commercials you might have seen on T V where it says He gets us. Mm-hmm. They just paint a picture of Jesus that that I'm like, I'm not sure that that's giving people an accurate view of who Jesus is. Sure. Like they're like, He was a refugee and he bring came to bring peace. And it's like he came to be to bring peace in the sense that he wanted us to be restored to God and have peace with God. Yeah. Through the forgiveness of sins. And then through that, like we could have peace with each other. That's right. But like

Allen: They just paint a picture of Jesus that that I'm like, I'm not sure that that's giving people an accurate view of who Jesus is. Sure. Like they're like, He was a refugee and he bring came to bring peace. And it's like he came to be to bring peace in the sense that he wanted us to be restored to God and have peace with God. Yeah. Through the forgiveness of sins. And then through that, like we could have peace with each other. Yeah. That's right. But like He also says that he's not bringing peace. I didn't come to bring peace. Like so yes and no. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Which which goes to show your importance of let God tell you who God is. Mm-hmm. Right. Like if if that's what I could just charge our our listeners, our churches, like p like let God tell you who God is. above all else. Because when your picture idea, thought process about who God is comes from your own brain, that's idolatry. Yeah. You've shaped God.

Chris: He also says that he's not bringing peace. I didn't come to bring peace. Like so yes and no. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Which which goes to show your importance of let God tell you who God is. Mm-hmm. Right. Like if if that's what I could just charge our our listeners, our church is like p like let God tell you who God is. above all else. Because when your picture idea, thought process about who God is comes from your own brain, that's idolatry. Yeah. You've shaped God. In the image that you want him to be in. Yeah, that's right. Not in who he actually is and who he's revealed himself to be. That's right. Yeah. Yeah, especially just in our age where everyone is, my truth is my truth, right? through the the the subject everything's subjective. There's no truth. This is my version of God. This is my version like this is the world that we live in. And increasingly so. When we need to fight against that current, yeah, and look back to the Bible. And all of us are prone to like have our favorite ideas or passages that tell us about God.

Allen: In the image that you want him to be in not in who he actually is and who he's revealed himself to be. That's right. Yeah. Yeah, especially just in our age where everyone is my truth is my truth, right? through the the the subject everything's subjective. There's no truth. This is my version of God. This is my version like this is the world that we live in. And increasingly so. When we need to fight against that current, yeah, and look back to the Bible. And all of us are prone to like have our favorite ideas or passages that tell us about God.

Chris: And we just we need to keep being balanced as the Bible is balanced. That's great. maybe one theological thing then, if we want to talk about being balanced, is God's simplicity. Mm-hmm. And I also just wrote a book about this. So when we You wrote a book. Not a book. I wrote a paper. I wrote a paper. I didn't publish. I wished. That'd be cool. I didn't write a book. I'm not that talented. I wrote a paper. God is simple. When we say that we go, What do you mean he's simple meaning that he's not

Allen: And we just we need to keep being balanced as the Bible is balanced. That's great. maybe one theological thing then, if we want to talk about being balanced, is God's simplicity. Mm-hmm. And I also just wrote a book about this. So when we You wrote a book. Not a book. I wrote a paper. I wrote a paper. I didn't published. I wish. That'd be cool. I didn't write a book. I'm not that talented. I wrote a paper. God is simple. When we say that we go, What do you mean he's simple meaning that he's not

Chris: Complex, meaning he's not made up of parts, meaning God isn't part justice, part love, part mercy, part grace. But he is equally all of his attributes. He is fully love, fully, fully just, fully mercy, fully grace. So like, yes, you might appeal to something, an attribute of God, his mercy in a time of season when you feel like burdened by your sin, but he's equally just, he's equally grace all of the time. So we can worship God.

Allen: Complex, meaning he's not made up of parts, meaning God isn't part justice, part love, part mercy, part grace. But he is equally all of his attributes. He is fully love, fully, fully just, fully mercy, fully grace. So, like, yes, you might appeal to something, an attribute of God, his mercy in a time of season when you feel like burdened by your sin, but he's equally just, he's equally grace all of the time. So we can worship God.

Chris: And the fullness of his being all the time and he isn't just different parts at different times. And that can encourage our thinking about God. There you go. Good. hey, let's head over to Second Thessalonians. I know we're s we're skipping a lot in in Luke here. well, did you want to comment on anything about Luke before we move on? No, just that you know, this chapter, chapter twelve, speaks quite a bit to looking forward to the day of

Allen: And the fullness of his being all the time, and he isn't just different parts at different times. And that can encourage our thinking about God. There you go. Good. hey, let's head over to Second Thessalonians. I know we're s we're skipping a lot in in Luke here. well, did you want to comment anything about Luke before we move on? No, just that you know, this chapter, chapter twelve, speaks quite a bit to looking forward to the day of

Chris: Christ's return.

Allen: Christ's return, yeah, and having your treasure set on that, which ties right into the end of Second Thessalonians. Yeah. you know, Jesus is talking about the second coming and being ready for that. Well, here we are in Second Thessalonians, all about the second coming of Jesus. Yeah. And all about the second second coming of Jesus, because Paul, as he's writing this letter to this to the Thessalonians, the church of the Thessalonians,

Chris: Yeah. And having your treasure set on that, which ties right into the end of Second Thessalonians. Yeah. you know, Jesus is talking about the second coming and being ready for that. Well, here we are in Second Thessalonians, all about the second coming of Jesus. Yeah. And all about the second second coming of Jesus, because Paul, as he's writing this letter to this to the Thessalonians, the church of the Thessalonians. They were confused. They thought they had missed the day of the Lord, which is Christ's second coming, his second return, his second advent. and so they thought that that they had missed it. There was confusion over you know, hey, why why are we suffering? Why are we going through this? Did we miss the day of the Lord? first Thessalonians also talks about that too. There was confusion there. So he's correcting their theology. and essentially, if you could sum up his message to the Thessalonians, and it'd be like, hey, wait.

Allen: They were confused. They thought they had missed the day of the Lord, which is Christ's second coming, his second return, his second advent. and so they thought that that they had missed it. There was confusion over you know, hey, why why are we suffering? Why are we going through this? Did we miss the day of the Lord? first Thessalonians also talks about that too. There was confusion there. So he's correcting their theology. and essentially if you could sum up his message to the Thessalonians, and it'd be like, hey, wait.

Chris: Be patient and be faithful. Wait, be patient and be faithful. They thought their persecution revealed that God wasn't with them. God wasn't for them. But quite the opposite was the case, as Jesus just talked about, is hey, you're gonna suffer for my sake. You're gonna suffer for my name. So he's correcting them. Hey, the day of the Lord hasn't come yet. he's like, do good during this time when we're waiting for Christ and actually long for that. Stand firm, stand firm in the midst of confusion, maltreatment.

Allen: Be patient and be faithful. Wait, be patient and be faithful. They thought their persecution revealed that God wasn't with them. God wasn't for them. But quite the opposite was the case, as Jesus just talked about, is hey, you're gonna suffer for my sake. You're gonna suffer for my name. So he's correcting them. Hey, the day of the Lord hasn't come yet. he's like, Do good during this time when we're waiting for Christ and actually long for that. Stand firm, stand firm in the midst of confusion, maltreatment.

Chris: and faithfully wait for Jesus' return because he will judge. He'll set everything straight. And the fact that he's coming and you're gonna you're gonna see him in glory when he comes is actually your encouragement to stay faithful now. Yeah. I think in the book of Second Thessalonians, sometimes the man of lawlessness is a red herring. Because it's like we read Second Thessalonians for like,

Allen: and faithfully wait for Jesus' return because he will judge, he'll set everything straight. And the fact that he's coming and you're gonna you're gonna see him in glory when he comes is actually your encouragement to stay faithful now. Yeah. I think in the book of Second Thessalonians, sometimes the man of lawlessness is a red herring because it's like we read Second Thessalonians for like Who is this man of lawlessness? And that's an interesting question. Sure. Like I think it's important. Like it's in the text. We want to wrestle with those kind of questions. But it's kind of misleading. It's kind of red herring in the sense that the whole idea is that there's going to be deception, there's going to be apostasy, there's going to be confusion. But at the end of the day, look at verse eight. The lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord Jesus will kill.

Chris: Who is this man of lawlessness? And that's an interesting question. Sure. Like I think it's important. Like it's in the text. We want to wrestle with those kind of questions. But it's kind of misleading. It's kind of red herring in the sense that the whole idea is that there's going to be deception, there's going to be apostasy, there's going to be confusion. But at the end of the day, look at verse eight. The lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord Jesus will kill. with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing the appearance of his coming. Mm-hmm. The coming of the lawless one is the activity of Satan with all power and signs, false signs and wonders. and you know, here's the stuff that he's gonna do. but but Jesus is the one with the final authority. So he's kind of a r the the book of Second Thessalonians, it's all about the second coming of Jesus. There's gonna be a judgment, there's gonna be false teaching, there's gonna be a deceiver.

Allen: with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is the activity of Satan with all power and signs, false signs and wonders. and you know, here's the stuff that he's gonna do. but but Jesus is the one with the final authority. So he's kind of a r the the book of Second Thessalonians, it's all about the second coming of Jesus. There's gonna be a judgment, there's gonna be false teaching, there's gonna be a deceiver.

Chris: But Jesus is gonna have victory. Like that's the whole point of Second Thessalonians. You know he's accomplished it because he rose from the dead, and you know he's coming back. And when he comes back, there will be no mistaking it. Like you don't have to worry about if you missed it. Right. Like you don't have to worry about if you were left behind. There will be no mistaking Jesus coming back. My my my my seminar my hermeneutics professor, he when he was a kid.

Allen: But Jesus is gonna have victory. Like that's the whole point of Second Thessalonians. You know he's accomplished it because he rose from the dead, and you know he's coming back. And when he comes back, there will be no mistaking it. Like you don't have to worry about if you missed it. Right. Like you don't have to worry about if you were left behind. There will be no mistaking Jesus coming back. My my my my seminar my hermeneutics professor, he when he was a kid I'll never forget the story. When he was a kid, he said that so he grew up in kind of a I don't know if this will make sense to a lot of people, but dispensational framework, just like strong division between the Old Testament and New and the New Testament. And some people at our church would have that framework. Sure, sure. because we we have a we have a broad array of but he he was going to say that he's not a dispensationalist because of what happened. It there was a apparently this movie called Left Behind.

Chris: I'll never forget the story. When he was a kid, he said that so he grew up in kind of a I don't know if this will make sense to a lot of people, but dispensational framework, just like strong division between the Old Testament and new and the New Testament. And some people at our church would have that framework. Sure, sure. because we we have a we have a broad array of but he he was going to say that he's not a dispensationalist because of what happened. It there was a apparently this movie called Left Behind. Yeah, it's a series. Yeah, it's a book series. Yeah, yeah, the book series. I'm sure a lot of the people listening to the podcast have probably read it. Yeah or seen the I didn't know about it until he had told me about it. But yeah, left behind, right? And he was lost in the woods one time. And he he had like just seen the movie or the series or whatever. And he went back to like in the cabin like where they were staring and everyone was gone. He's like, no. It's it's and so he thought he was left behind and missed it.

Allen: Yeah, it's a series. Yeah. In the book series. Yeah. The book series. I'm sure a lot of the people listening to the podcast have probably read it. Yeah. Or seen it. I didn't know about it until he had told me about it. But yeah, left behind, right? And he was lost in the woods one time. And he he had like just seen the movie or the series or whatever. And he went back to like in the cabin like where they were staring and everyone was gone. He's like, no. It's it has And so he thought he was left behind and missed it.

Chris: And so he was basically saying that he's d he that scarred him against that interpretive framework because he was like, Yeah, I'm trying to be back to a better balanced scholar but I was too scarred. When I heard there was another option I had to choose it. Yeah. Yeah. I think

Allen: And so he was basically saying that he's d he that scarred him against that interpretive framework because he was like, Yeah, I'm trying to be back to a better balanced scholar but I was too scarred. When I heard there was another option I had to choose it. Yeah. Yeah. I think

Chris: You know, we ver verse chapter two, verse twelve, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness, verse thirteen, but we ought to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved. And it says to this he called you through their through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Allen: You know, we ver verse chapter two, verse twelve, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness, verse thirteen, but we ought to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved. And it says to this he called you through their through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Chris: So then, brothers, stand firm to the and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. So yeah, it's at the end of the day, like the point of second thessalonians, like you said, it's wait for the second coming, watch for the second coming, stand firm on your faith now and work hard to glorify the Lord and be ready. Just like Jesus said in Luke twelve, be ready for his coming.

Allen: So then, brothers, stand firm to the and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. So yeah, it's a at the end of the day, like the point of second thessalonians, like you said, it's wait for the second coming, watch for the second coming, stand firm on your faith now and work hard to glorify the Lord and be ready. Just like Jesus said in Luke twelve, be ready for his coming.

Chris: And let your life right now honor the Lord while you wait for that that that coming day. I think just an application for our church. you know, sometimes I think we consider like it's been 2,000 years since Jesus lived, like when's he coming back? And that that sort of doubt that can kind of creep in, like, but we need to be having the thought process. One of my old pastors always used to say, like, I am praying.

Allen: And let your life right now honor the Lord while you wait for that that that coming day. I think just an application for our church. you know, sometimes I think we consider like it's been two thousand years since Jesus lived, like when's he coming back? And that that sort of doubt that can kind of creep in, like, but we need to be having the thought process. One of my old pastors always used to say, like, I am praying.

Chris: That Jesus comes back before I die. Like I want that to happen. Yeah. I'd rather him come back than than to taste death. Like and we can pray and hope and wait and watch and be eager for to that end. Like, I really want Jesus to come back. Yeah. I mean that's that's actually how the Bible ends. Maranatha. Come Lord Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus. Come quickly. So why don't we end there? Come quickly, Lord Jesus. He will return. And you can have you can be encouraged that he he will return.

Allen: That Jesus comes back before I die. Like I want that to happen. Yeah. I'd rather him come back than than to taste death. Like and we can pray and hope and wait and watch and be eager for to that end. Like, I really want Jesus to come back. Yeah. I mean that's that's actually how the Bible ends. Maranatha. Come Lord Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus. Come quickly. So why don't we end there? Come quickly, Lord Jesus. He will return. And you can have you can be encouraged that he he will return.

Chris: keep trekking along in a reading path. We're in month eight now. Over well over halfway, almost three quarters of the way done now, which is which is which is really encouraging. let God tell you who God is and you you will be encouraged. This has been another episode of the SC C Saver Podcast. by the word, the w the the word was cancelled. That was the word that had one L in Americ American English and two in British English. There you go.

Allen: keep trekking along in a reading path. We're in month eight now. Over well over halfway, almost three quarters of the way done now, which is which is which is really encouraging. let God tell you who God is and you you will be encouraged. This has been another episode of the S C C Saver Podcast. by the word, the w the the word was cancelled. That was the word that had one L in Americ American English and two in British English. There you go.

Chris: Yep. Till next time.

Allen: Yep. Till next time.