EP 28: SCC Savor, Month 7, Days 14-19

Allen: Well, welcome back to another episode of the SEC Saver. I'm your host, Alan Smith. No, wait. This is Chris. And I'm here with my good brother in Christ, Alan Smith. He's my co-host today. I'm taking a back seat. We savor every bite of scripture by doing this podcast. Mm-hmm. So, Alan, you ready to this?

Chris: Well, welcome back to another episode of the SEC Saver. I'm your host, Alan Smith. No, wait. This is Chris. And I'm here with my good brother in Christ, Alan Smith. He's my co-host today. I'm taking a back seat. We savor every bite of scripture by doing this podcast. Mm-hmm. So, Alan, you ready to this?

Allen: What did you what did I mess up? Nothing. I literally just choked on a spit. You didn't mess up anything. Are you gonna cut that out? No. Okay. I was choking at how bad that interests. What's in the notes that I missed? I don't know. Swag? just I don't know, flavor.

Chris: What did you what did I mess up? Nothing. I literally just choked on a spit. You didn't mess up anything. Are you gonna cut that out? No. Okay. I was choking at how bad that interests. What's in the notes that I missed? I don't know. Swag? just I don't know, flavor.

Allen: You know what? Maybe you're missing some seasoning. Some salt? Some mm, I don't know. Maybe some like cumin. I don't know. I'm just trying to have my salt. Speech flavored with seasoning. We missed that section. We did. We missed we sure did. It's in it's in the end of closh wash. Yeah, let all your speech be flavored with seasoning with salt. Yeah, flavor. Flavorful. Yeah, flavorful. Well, it's savor.

Chris: You know what? Maybe you're missing some seasoning. Some salt? Some mm, I don't know. Maybe some like cumin. I don't know. I'm just trying to have my salt. Speech flavored with seasoning. We missed that section. We did. We missed we sure did. It's in it's in the end of closh wash. Yeah, let all your speech be flavored with seasoning with salt. Yeah, flavor. Flavorful. Yeah, flavorful. Well, it's savor.

Allen: So we don't even need to mention it because it's just so ingrained into that's crazy. We missed a chance to just really hit on our our podcast. Yeah, we did. Well we can do it now. We're we're savoring God through every body of scripture by having our speech be seasoned with salt. I don't know why we get this a lot, but people have been telling us that we look alike. I think it's just 'cause we've been spending a lot of time together. That's true.

Chris: So we don't even need to mention it because it's just so ingrained into that's crazy. We missed a chance to just really hit on our our podcast. Yeah, we did. Well we can do it now. We're we're savoring God through every bite of scripture by having our speech be seasoned with salt. I don't know why we get this a lot, but people have been telling us that we look alike. I think it's just 'cause we've been spending a lot of time together. That's true.

Allen: Just brothers in Christ. Yeah. so we were at youth camp last week and I think we mentioned this in the last episode. And Chris's wife, she's been she's been mentioned a lot, Claire. She's a good woman. She loves the Lord. She's great to mention. she goes, Alan, have you gotten recovered from your sleep this past week? She's like, I'm sorry, Chris snores. And I was like Keep in mind we're sharing a room. Yeah.

Chris: Just brothers in Christ. Yeah. so we were at youth camp last week and I think we mentioned this in the last episode. And Chris's wife, she's been she's been mentioned a lot, Claire. She's a good woman. She loves the Lord. She's great to mention. she goes, Alan, have you gotten recovered from your sleep this past week? She's like, I'm sorry, Chris snores. And I was like Keep in mind we're sharing a room. Yeah.

Allen: Not even just sharing a room. A full mattress. A full mattress. so Claire Claire's like, Alan, did you recover from your sleep of snoring? I'm like, the snoring's not the problem. Although I did just wake up from a 14 hour sleep when she had texted that. So but here was the problem. It wasn't the snoring. It was the fact that I was sleeping next to Dracula. This brother Chris falls asleep. I'm not kidding. This isn't a joke. With in less than 10 seconds.

Chris: Not even just sharing a room. A full mattress. A full mattress. so Claire Claire's like, Alan, did you recover from your sleep of snoring? I'm like, the snoring's not the problem. Although I did just wake up from a 14 hour sleep when she had texted that. So but here was the problem. It wasn't the snoring. It was the fact that I was sleeping next to Dracula. This brother Chris falls asleep. I'm not kidding. This isn't a joke. With in less than 10 seconds.

Allen: I might be part narcoleptic. Part narcoleptic, part vampire. Because you literally cross your arms and your hands are on your shoulders and you're stiff as a board. Like you I could put you in a coffin. And you're just out within ten sec if I've never seen anything like it. I didn't know if I was gonna wake up in a pool of blood. I heard you and Jacob taking bets on how many seconds it was gonna take to fall asleep. I it was freakish. Like that's what that's why I didn't get any sleep 'cause I didn't know if I was gonna wake up with your teeth in my neck.

Chris: I might be part narcoleptic. Part narcoleptic, part vampire. Because you literally cross your arms and your hands are on your shoulders and you're stiff as a board. Like you I could put you in a coffin. And you're just out within ten sec if I've never seen anything like it. I didn't know if I was gonna wake up in a pool of blood. I heard you and Jacob taking bets on how many seconds it was gonna take to fall asleep. I it was freakish. Like that's what that's why I didn't get any sleep 'cause I didn't know if I was gonna wake up with your teeth in my neck.

Allen: gosh. Okay. We talked about First Chronicles last time. We did talk about First Chronicles last time. Second Chronicles. Yeah. What's the difference? One was written before the other. You know what? The beginning of or the end the beginning of Second Chronicles picks up right where First Chronicles left leaves off. Great. Which is really convenient. Yeah, it's really nice. It's just like it's a one big book. Yeah.

Chris: gosh. Okay. We talked about First Chronicles last time. We did talk about First Chronicles last time. Second Chronicles. Yeah. What's the difference? One was written before the other. You know what? The beginning of or the end the beginning of Second Chronicles picks up right where First Chronicles left leaves off. Great. Which is really convenient. Yeah, it's really nice. It's just like it's a one big book. Yeah.

Allen: but it's it really 'cause it actually was. Yeah. It actually was, yeah. It's really just a continuation of the triumph story that's happening. And the shocking part of the beginning of Second Chronicles is the omission of of Solomon's issues and flair. Like all the all the wives and contemplations and all the games. We don't get that. We get all of the

Chris: but it's it really 'cause it actually was. Yeah. It actually was, yeah. It's really just a continuation of the triumph story that's happening. And the shocking part of the beginning of Second Chronicles is the omission of of Solomon's issues and flair. Like all the all the wives and contemplations and all the games. We don't get that. We get all of the

Allen: Sort of like the beauty of the unified kingdom. Mm-hmm. So so remembering all of the good things that happened under Solomon. Like him pursuing wisdom, asking the Lord for wisdom. Yeah. It starts up in in in on this episode, we're covering Second Chronicles one, chapter one through chapter twenty one. yeah, that's what we should mention. This is month seven, days fourteen through nineteen, but we adjust it a little bit. So this is Second Chronicles one through nineteen.

Chris: Sort of like the beauty of the unified kingdom. Mm-hmm. So so remembering all of the good things that happened under Solomon. Like him pursuing wisdom, asking the Lord for wisdom. Yeah. It starts up in in in on this episode, we're covering Second Chronicles one, chapter one through chapter twenty one. yeah, that's what we should mention. This is month seven, days fourteen through nineteen, but we adjust it a little bit. So this is Second Chronicles one through nineteen.

Allen: Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Well I ha I'm gonna take us through chapter twenty one. Okay, so beginning in chapter one.

Chris: Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Well I ha I'm gonna take us through chapter twenty one. Okay, so beginning in chapter one.

Allen: Solomon's praying, and he asks God, he says in in verse nine, O Lord God, let your word to David, my father, be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great? And God answered Solomon, because this was in your heart.

Chris: Solomon's praying, and he asks God, he says in in verse nine, O Lord God, let your word to David, my father, be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great? And God answered Solomon, because this was in your heart.

Allen: And you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not asked for a long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king. Wisdom and knowledge are granted to you, and bonus, I'm gonna give you all those things. I'm gonna give you riches and possession and honor, such as no no kings have had. So I was thinking about prayer, because this whole

Chris: And you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not asked for a long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king. Wisdom and knowledge are granted to you, and bonus, I'm gonna give you all those things. I'm gonna give you riches and possession and honor, such as no no kings have had. So I was thinking about prayer, because this whole

Allen: actually section it's bookended in prayer. and and I wanted to highlight the theme of prayer in Second Chronicles because I think what's the book of Second Chronicles all about? It's telling the the people of God in exile like, how did we get here and how do we get back? Right. Like what's the hope for the future? Right. And it starts with seeking the Lord in prayer. And so one definition of prayer what is prayer? Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God.

Chris: actually section it's bookended in prayer. and and I wanted to highlight the theme of prayer in Second Chronicles because I think what's the book of Second Chronicles all about? It's telling the the people of God in exile like, how did we get here and how do we get back? Right. Like what's the hope for the future? Right. And it starts with seeking the Lord in prayer. And so one definition of prayer what is prayer? Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God.

Allen: For things agreeable to his will in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies. So thinking about that which is agreeable to the will of God, Solomon models that here in that he's not seeking pr God in prayer, so he can get a good bunch of good stuff for himself. He wants wisdom and knowledge from the Lord so that he can bless God's people and lead God's people. Yeah.

Chris: For things agreeable to his will in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies. So thinking about that which is agreeable to the will of God, Solomon models that here in that he's not seeking pr God in prayer, so he can get a good bunch of good stuff for himself. He wants wisdom and knowledge from the Lord so that he can bless God's people and lead God's people. Yeah.

Allen: And we see that again in chapter six, where he has this beautiful prayer, model prayer. Yeah. A long prayer. And and going to that definition, it's an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to his will and and with confession of our sins. So he's humble in prayer. and and

Chris: And we see that again in chapter six, where he has this beautiful prayer, model prayer. Yeah. A long prayer. And and going to that definition, it's an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to his will and and with confession of our sins. So he's humble in prayer. and and

Allen: Yeah, I I just think that this whole section is marked by prayer. God answers his prayer in chapter seven. Mm-hmm. He said, in verse twelve, I've heard your prayer and have chosen this place as for myself as a house of sacrifice. And he talks to his people about what happens when they sin and go away. It's kind of like we we learned in first John. He's like, I'm writing these things to you, my children, so that you may not sin. But if we anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ.

Chris: Yeah, I I just think that this whole section is marked by prayer. God answers his prayer in chapter seven. Mm-hmm. He said, in verse twelve, I've heard your prayer and have chosen this place as for myself as a house of sacrifice. And he talks to his people about what happens when they sin and go away. It's kind of like we we learned in first John. He's like, I'm writing these things to you, my children, so that you may not sin. But if we anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ.

Allen: Right. And and in the same way, God's telling his people, listen, like I love you, my covenant is with you. Yeah. And when you turn away from me, if you would seek me in prayer, if you would repent and turn back to me, if you'd humble yourself. So this whole section, actually, we see the word humble quite a bit, humbling themselves, repenting, turning back, seeking the Lord in prayer. And it ends in chapter twenty one with this same theme of prayer. it

Chris: Right. And and in the same way, God's telling his people, listen, like I love you, my covenant is with you. Yeah. And when you turn away from me, if you would seek me in prayer, if you would repent and turn back to me, if you'd humble yourself. So this whole section, actually, we see the word humble quite a bit, humbling themselves, repenting, turning back, seeking the Lord in prayer. And it ends in chapter twenty one with this same theme of prayer. it

Allen: In chapter 19 and 20 and 21, Jehoshaphat has a prayer. He seeks the Lord's face. And he believes in the Lord, and the Lord's like, watch this, you're gonna go out to battle, you're not gonna do anything, but your worship in prayer will be your armor. and so if you look in chapter 20, believe in the Lord your God.

Chris: In chapter 19 and 20 and 21, Jehoshaphat has a prayer. He seeks the Lord's face. And he believes in the Lord, and the Lord's like, watch this, you're gonna go out to battle, you're not gonna do anything, but your worship in prayer will be your armor. and so if you look in chapter 20, believe in the Lord your God.

Allen: And you will be established, believe in his prophets, and you will succeed. And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire as they went before the army and say, Give thanks to the Lord for his steadfast love endures forever. So they go out and their b their their battle, their battle plan is let's worship. And the Lord gives them victory. So hope for God's people is to turn back to the Lord in prayer in second chronicles.

Chris: And you will be established, believe in his prophets, and you will succeed. And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire as they went before the army and say, Give thanks to the Lord for his steadfast love endures forever. So they go out and their b their their battle, their battle plan is let's worship. And the Lord gives them victory. So hope for God's people is to turn back to the Lord in prayer in second chronicles.

Allen: So I think the question I want to ask you is, how how do we do prayer in this way, you know, in offering up of our desires unto God, yeah, but also with things agreeable to his will. What does that look like in your prayer life? Yeah. I wanna hit l two more expressions of a theology of prayer that others have expressed that have been really helpful for me. in that same line of thinking.

Chris: So I think the question I want to ask you is, how how do we do prayer in this way, you know, in offering up of our desires unto God, yeah, but also with things agreeable to his will. What does that look like in your prayer life? Yeah. I wanna hit l two more expressions of a theology of prayer that others have expressed that have been really helpful for me. in that same line of thinking.

Allen: is one Tim Keller's definition of prayer, which he says in his book on prayer. prayer is continu continuing a conversation with God that he's already started in his word. Michael Reeves says it this way that we breathe in scripture in in breathe or in breathe out prayer. Like breathe in scripture, breathe out prayer. So this this this notion that God is I'm in conversation with God. It's so

Chris: is one Tim Keller's definition of prayer, which he says in his book on prayer. prayer is continu continuing a conversation with God that he's already started in his word. Michael Reeves says it this way that we breathe in scripture in in breathe or in breathe out prayer. Like breathe in scripture, breathe out prayer. So this this this notion that God is I'm in conversation with God. It's so

Allen: I think about my prayer life as like a conversation with God. I think, you know, all of us would be like, Yeah. And in in that in chapter seven, as you mentioned, Solomon's prayer actually begins with the Lord. or sorry, chapter chapter six when he says, Lord God of Israel, there's no one like you in the heavens or on earth. So he he appeals to his character, to his name. Yep. Yeah, we we know Jesus, and we're gonna comment on this on Luke. It was in our section on Luke. He says, you know, of course, teach us to pray. And he says, Our Father who art in heaven.

Chris: I think about my prayer life as like a conversation with God. I think, you know, all of us would be like, Yeah. And in in that in chapter seven, as you mentioned, Solomon's prayer actually begins with the Lord. or sorry, chapter chapter six when he says, Lord God of Israel, there's no one like you in the heavens or on earth. So he he appeals to his character, to his name. Yep. Yeah, we we know Jesus, and we're gonna comment on this on Luke. It was in our section on Luke. He says, you know, of course, teach us to pray. And he says, Our Father who art in heaven.

Allen: Hallowed be thy name. So this theology of prayer is grounded in Jesus recognizing who he's praying to and then how great he is, and then things agreeable to his will. Not our will, but your will be done. And so the way I think about my prayer life is I read scripture, I meditate it, meditate on it, I chew on it, and then I pray back the scripture to God because He's speaking to me. It's like I'm I'm talking to you. It's I'm talking to you right now, but God's talking to me. He's saying, He's saying, you know.

Chris: Hallowed be thy name. So this theology of prayer is grounded in Jesus recognizing who he's praying to and then how great he is, and then things agreeable to his will. Not our will, but your will be done. And so the way I think about my prayer life is I read scripture, I meditate it, meditate on it, I chew on it, and then I pray back the scripture to God because He's speaking to me. It's like I'm I'm talking to you. It's I'm talking to you right now, but God's talking to me. He's saying, He's saying, you know.

Allen: seek the seek the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and love your neighbor yourself. And so I I I pray, Lord, would you search me? Where am I not? seeking your will and Lord, would you help me to do this? And it it becomes my prayer. Donald Whitney to mention another book. we're throwing out resources left and right. Praying the Bible, right? is a great book. Little book, pick it up. In our new book, Nook by the way book, Nook, book.

Chris: seek the seek the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and love your neighbor yourself. And so I I I pray, Lord, would you search me? Where am I not? seeking your will and Lord, would you help me to do this? And it it becomes my prayer. Donald Whitney to mention another book. we're throwing out resources left and right. Praying the Bible, right? is a great book. Little book, pick it up. In our new book, Nook by the way book, Nook, book.

Allen: Nook, get a nook for your book. it's in the back lobby. you can there's on d donation based or suggested donations. There's a bunch of book back there. Don Donald Whitney's praying the Bible is a great one. But anyway, so I'm continuing the conversation when that God has already started. and so yeah, I'm praying back his word to him because that's how I know it's his will, right? I know things agreeable to his will. I don't have to conjure up what his will is because his will is what he's told me. Mm-hmm. With confession of our sins, Psalm one forty three was one of our

Chris: Nook, get a nook for your book. it's in the back lobby. you can there's on d donation based or suggested donations. There's a bunch of book back there. Don Donald Whitney's praying the Bible is a great one. But anyway, so I'm continuing the conversation when that God has already started. and so yeah, I'm praying back his word to him because that's how I know it's his will, right? I know things agreeable to his will. I don't have to conjure up what his will is because his will is what he's told me. Mm-hmm. With confession of our sins, Psalm one forty three was one of our

Allen: Psalms, and it says, Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my pleas for mercy, answer me in your righteousness, enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. Right? He's like, I confess, like I'm a sinner. Like you'd be right to judge me, but but have mercy on me. Right. Like don't enter into judgment because you're faithful and you're righteous and I'm seeking that.

Chris: Psalms, and it says, Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my pleas for mercy, answer me in your righteousness, enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. Right? He's like, I confess, like I'm a sinner. Like you'd be right to judge me, but but have mercy on me. Right. Like don't enter into judgment because you're faithful and you're righteous and I'm seeking that.

Allen: And I want your righteousness. I seek first his righteousness. so yeah, it's it's all of those things wrapped up together. And so the Bible collectively teaches that idea of prayer. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah, it's great. Any other comments on the chronicler? The chronicler before we move on. I think there's lots of themes in chronicles that are helping the God's people in exile, looking forward to the future. Mm-hmm.

Chris: And I want your righteousness. I seek first his righteousness. so yeah, it's it's all of those things wrapped up together. And so the Bible collectively teaches that idea of prayer. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah, it's great. Any other comments on the chronicler? The chronicler before we move on. I think there's lots of themes in chronicles that are helping the God's people in exile, looking forward to the future. Mm-hmm.

Allen: are we in exile? In like you and me, other believers, people are listening, are we in exile currently? I mean that's what the New Testament says. Yeah. So Yeah. I mean, just using the language of Peter, we're sojourners in exile. We're foreigners. Yeah. you know. So in a way, like this prayer in the people of God here in the Old Testament and the Israel are in this

Chris: are we in exile? In like you and me, other believers, people are listening, are we in exile currently? I mean that's what the New Testament says. Yeah. So Yeah. I mean, just using the language of Peter, we're sojourners in exile. We're foreigners. Yeah. you know. So in a way, like this prayer in the people of God here in the Old Testament and the Israel are in this

Allen: in exile. And we in the same way are in an exile. Mm-hmm. And so it shapes our theology of prayer now. Yeah. Going back to the idea we talked about in the last podcast with kingdom of God, you know, some people have used the definition God's people in God's place, under God's rule. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And in in Israel, God's people, in the land, God's place, under his rule, and and

Chris: in exile. And we in the same way are in an exile. Mm-hmm. And so it shapes our theology of prayer now. Yeah. Going back to the idea we talked about in the last podcast with kingdom of God, you know, some people have used the definition God's people in God's place, under God's rule. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And in in Israel, God's people, in the land, God's place, under his rule, and and

Allen: Is worship, right? And and we don't have that physical place yet. But Jesus says that we will inherit the earth. Yeah. in in the Sermon on the Mount. And so we're we're exiles, we're waiting for the day where He'll come back and restore to us the ownership of of the earth, where where the new heavens and the new earth will be ours fully and finally. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah.

Chris: Is worship, right? And and we don't have that physical place yet. But Jesus says that we will inherit the earth. Yeah. in in the Sermon on the Mount. And so we're we're exiles, we're waiting for the day where He'll come back and restore to us the ownership of of the earth, where where the new heavens and the new earth will be ours fully and finally. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah.

Allen: In in the same way of where sojourn is exiles our prayers, Lord, your will be done. Your will be done. That I really wish we could go to Thessalonians right now, but we gotta slow down. Well, I mean Thessalonians, I was just impressed when I when I was reading this, 'cause we're in First Thessalonians, yeah, this week. Talk about it. tell me about this whole idea of waiting, like we just talked about.

Chris: In in the same way of where sojourn is exiles our prayers, Lord, your will be done. Your will be done. That I really wish we could go to Thessalonians right now, but we gotta slow down. Well, I mean Thessalonians, I was just impressed when I when I was reading this, 'cause we're in First Thessalonians, yeah, this week. Talk about it. tell me about this whole idea of waiting, like we just talked about.

Allen: Awaiting on the Lord. This is how they received the gospel, First Thessalonians one, verse nine. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned from idols, you were worshiping idols, you were going astray. And what did you do turn from to? You turned to serve the living and true God and to wait for his son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Chris: Awaiting on the Lord. This is how they received the gospel, First Thessalonians one, verse nine. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned from idols, you were worshiping idols, you were going astray. And what did you do turn from to? You turned to serve the living and true God and to wait for his son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Allen: So when you become a Christian, you're you're born again, you trust in Jesus, you turn from idols to serve him, to worship him now, but also to wait. You know, like that's that's the Christian aim is we're waiting for Jesus to come back. Yeah. Yeah. you can think about it this way where the the end fuels the beginning. Yeah. if you when you get in the car, most all of the time, hopefully you have a destination and like it's what keeps you driving. Mm-hmm.

Chris: So when you become a Christian, you're you're born again, you trust in Jesus, you turn from idols to serve him, to worship him now, but also to wait. You know, like that's that's the Christian aim is we're waiting for Jesus to come back. Yeah. Yeah. you can think about it this way where the the end fuels the beginning. Yeah. if you when you get in the car, most all of the time, hopefully you have a destination and like it's what keeps you driving. Mm-hmm.

Allen: Like if you just got in there, someone just said, Go get the car and drive, you'd be like, Why am I doing this? I'm just gonna stop. You know, why am I gonna spend this gas? Why am I gonna spend the money? Why am I gonna spend the energy? Why am I gonna spend the efforts? Because if you have no destination, you have no hope, you have no purpose, you have no drive, you'll stop doing what you're doing. But what Paul's arguing is, as you mentioned it, is like he has the end in mind in this eschatological hope, which eschatology just means the study of the end times. In other words, Christ return. Like

Chris: Like if you just got in there, someone just said, Go get the car and drive, you'd be like, Why am I doing this? I'm just gonna stop. You know, why am I gonna spend this gas? Why am I gonna spend the money? Why am I gonna spend the energy? Why am I gonna spend the efforts? Because if you have no destination, you have no hope, you have no purpose, you have no drive, you'll stop doing what you're doing. But what Paul's arguing is, as you mentioned it, is like he has the end in mind in this eschatological hope, which eschatology just means the study of the end times. In other words, Christ return. Like

Allen: The idea that Christ is coming back is what he uses as their motivation and fuel for joy right now. Joy in your persecution. joy in your obedience, in your hope. you know, to be holy, to be like Christ, to stop sir you stop serving idols and you serve Christ and receive the word of God with joy because the end is coming. Like hope in the midst of sorrow too. Hope's in the midst of sorrow. Right. As he's talking about death. Yeah. And we're awaiting the resurrection to come. Yeah.

Chris: The idea that Christ is coming back is what he uses as their motivation and fuel for joy right now. Joy in your persecution. joy in your obedience, in your hope. you know, to be holy, to be like Christ, to stop sir you stop serving idols and you serve Christ and receive the word of God with joy because the end is coming. Like hope in the midst of sorrow too. Hope's in the midst of sorrow. Right. As he's talking about death. Yeah. And we're awaiting the resurrection to come. Yeah.

Allen: Yeah. So the the end fuels the the beginning. And it's the same for believers now who are going through persecution. So yeah, just to say that, and maybe I know we're kind of jumping around a little bit, but we're all over the place right now. It's okay. It's okay. It w it's okay. thinking even back to Psalm one thirty nine, like, hey, believer listening to this.

Chris: Yeah. So the the end fuels the the beginning. And it's the same for believers now who are going through persecution. So yeah, just to say that, and maybe I know we're kind of jumping around a little bit, but we're all over the place right now. It's okay. It's okay. It w it's okay. thinking even back to Psalm one thirty nine, like, hey, believer listening to this.

Allen: Like you might be in the midst of tribulation and hardship and uncertainty or disease or cancer or death. And like just know that God is with you. Like the idea in Psalm 139, where the psalmist he he he's calling out David, he's like, Lord, you've searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up, you discern my thoughts from afar.

Chris: Like you might be in the midst of tribulation and hardship and uncertainty or disease or cancer or death. And like just know that God is with you. Like the idea in Psalm 139, where the psalmist he he he's calling out David, he's like, Lord, you've searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up, you discern my thoughts from afar.

Allen: he know even before a word is on my tongue, behold, you know it, Lord, altogether. He knows all things. He and then he goes on to this appeal, where should I go from your spirit, or where should I flee from your presence? If I ascend to the heaven, you're there, if make b my bed and shield, the place of the dead, you're there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely d darkness shall cover me, and the light of my about me be night, even the darkness is not dark to you. Mhm.

Chris: he know even before a word is on my tongue, behold, you know it, Lord, altogether. He knows all things. He and then he goes on to this appeal, where should I go from your spirit, or where should I flee from your presence? If I ascend to the heaven, you're there, if make b my bed and shield, the place of the dead, you're there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely d darkness shall cover me, and the light of my about me be night, even the darkness is not dark to you. Mhm.

Allen: The night is bright as the day, for the darkness is as light with you. And then he goes on and you form my inward parts. You knitted me together in my other mother's womb. In other words, whatever you're going through, the Lord is with you. You can't go anywhere apart from his presence. Yeah. And that's that's that's that's a cheer. That's a hope. Yeah. And and on the theme of hope, I feel like that that's running in all of the different books we're in right now. Cause Second Chronicles, it's a

Chris: The night is bright as the day, for the darkness is as light with you. And then he goes on and you form my inward parts. You knitted me together in my other mother's womb. In other words, whatever you're going through, the Lord is with you. You can't go anywhere apart from his presence. Yeah. And that's that's that's that's a cheer. That's a hope. Yeah. And and on the theme of hope, I feel like that that's running in all of the different books we're in right now. Cause Second Chronicles, it's a

Allen: Book about hope, right? Like there's hope for the restoration of Israel. There's hope for the people of God who are in exile. And the way to hope is repentance and prayer, humbling yourself before God. It's like no matter how far you've gone, no matter the idol worship that's happened, no matter the injustice that's happened, no matter the how many times like they broke God's command and then like had fake repentance kind of and this cycle.

Chris: Book about hope, right? Like there's hope for the restoration of Israel. There's hope for the people of God who are in exile. And the way to hope is repentance and prayer, humbling yourself before God. It's like no matter how far you've gone, no no matter the idol worship that's happened, no matter the injustice that's happened, no matter the how many times like they broke God's command and then like had fake repentance kind of and this cycle.

Allen: Like no matter all of that, God's faithful to his his covenant, his steadfast love endures forever. And if you'd humble yourself, turn back and and get back to the basics, like the fundamentals, right? Like pray, seek the Lord in prayer, give your heart to him in prayer. And and there's hope for the future. And so maybe I think second chronicles, Psalms, even as we're looking at first Thessalonians, the hope for the Christian, maybe who's like wandered

Chris: Like no matter all of that, God's faithful to his his covenant, his steadfast love endures forever. And if you'd humble yourself, turn back and and get back to the basics, like the fundamentals, right? Like pray, seek the Lord in prayer, give your heart to him in prayer. And and there's hope for the future. And so maybe I think second chronicles, Psalms, even as we're looking at first Thessalonians, the hope for the Christian, maybe who's like wandered

Allen: Who feels far from the Lord, who feels like what's next, what's coming in the future, is is just that the Bible is is a whole message of hope. And that as we wait on the Lord, he will be faithful and he will answer our prayers and he will draw near to us as we draw near to him. Yeah. Yeah, what a hope, you know. What a hope. That's what you already mentioned it. if my people would pray, humble themselves and pray.

Chris: Who feels far from the Lord, who feels like what's next, what's coming in the future, is is just that the Bible is is a whole message of hope. And that as we wait on the Lord, he will be faithful and he will answer our prayers and he will draw near to us as we draw near to him. Yeah. Yeah, what a hope, you know. What a hope. That's what you already mentioned it. if my people would pray, humble themselves and pray.

Allen: Seek my face and turn from their wicked ways. I'll hear them from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. And yeah, if you've wandered, come back. The Lord is not waiting to smite you. He is not wanting to judge you because all of those who are in Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation. The Lord is gracious. His grace leads us to repentance. His kindness leads us to repentance. There you go. Any other psalms that as you're reading or

Chris: Seek my face and turn from their wicked ways. I'll hear them from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. And yeah, if you've wandered, come back. The Lord is not waiting to smite you. He is not wanting to judge you because all of those who are in Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation. The Lord is gracious. His grace leads us to repentance. His kindness leads us to repentance. There you go. Any other psalms that as you're reading, or maybe hope.

Allen: Maybe hope. Let's yeah. A message of hope for God's people. because it's a book of hope. Is there any other hope that any of these psalms give us?

Chris: Which yeah, a message of hope for God's people. because it's a book of hope. Is there any other hope that any of these psalms give us?

Allen: Yeah, I mean they're all they're all rich.

Chris: Yeah, I mean they're all they're all rich.

Allen: I don't know. What what were you which ones were you looking at? Yeah. I was looking at it this is a little bit out of our section, but Psalm one forty five. Yeah. I mean, just I will extol you, my God and my king. I'll bless your name for never and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and greatly be pr be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. It talks about his character, gracious and merciful and

Chris: I know. What what were you which ones were you looking at? Yeah. I was looking at it this is a little bit out of our section, but Psalm one forty five. Yeah. I mean, just I will extol you, my God and my king. I'll bless your name for never and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and greatly be pr be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. It talks about his character, gracious and merciful and Slow to anger, bounding in steadfast love, good to all, and his mercies over all that he's made. so yeah, just the the hope in God's character, as we've been talking about. There's so much hope in God's character. Yep. The Lord is near to all who would call on him. Yeah. To all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him, and he also hears the cry and saves them. Yeah. That's great. one that we've talked about decent amount about youth camp, but

Allen: Slow to anger, bounding in steadfast love, good to all, and his mercy is over all that he's made. so yeah, just the the hope in God's character, as we've been talking about. There's so much hope in God's character. Yep. The Lord is near to all who would call on him. Yeah. To all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him, and he also hears the cry and saves them. Yeah. That's great. one that we've talked about decent amount about youth camp, but My prayer ended up being if we talked about things go back to that theology of prayer, things agreeable to his will. Mm-hmm. one forty three, verse ten, Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on level ground. Just pray like that. God, teach me to do your will. Teach me to do your will.

Chris: My prayer ended up being if we talked about things go back to that theology of prayer, things agreeable to his will. Mm-hmm. one forty three, verse ten, Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on level ground. Just pray like that. God, teach me to do your will. Teach me to do your will.

Allen: Set over to Christ, the living hope, the only one in whom there is hope. Luke. So we're gonna comment on 1017 through eleven thirty-six here. and in this section, right at the end of chapter nine, there's a huge shift in the rest of the narrative of Luke and the focus shifts. So

Chris: Set over to Christ, the living hope, the only one in whom there is hope. Luke. So we're gonna comment on 1017 through eleven thirty-six here. and in this section, right at the end of chapter nine, there's a huge shift in the rest of the narrative of Luke and the focus shifts. So

Allen: You know, the first section is kind of talking about you know, what Christ came to do. The beginning of his ministry. Yeah, the beginning of his ministry. Yeah, his identity as the Christ. And then the next one talks about the next section is focused on the call and the response to who Jesus is and to his mission and his message. and it turns his the then the narrative to his journey to Jerusalem and the the passion narrative as as we affectionately know it.

Chris: You know, the first section is kind of talking about you know, what Christ came to do. The beginning of his ministry. Yeah, the beginning of his ministry. Yeah, his identity as the Christ. And then the next one talks about the next section is focused on the call and the response to who Jesus is and to his mission and his message. and it turns his the then the narrative to his journey to Jerusalem and the the passion narrative as as we affectionately know it.

Allen: and it the call of disciples, the call of this kingdom of who he's gonna in gather and bring in this. there's a structural shift in in nine fifty one when it says when the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. Yeah. So that everything changes in Luke from this point on. Yeah. Yeah. So everything we're reading now in this section is all about Jesus heading to Jerusalem on his way to be crucified, to to suffer.

Chris: and it the call of disciples, the call of this kingdom of who he's gonna in gather and bring in this. there's a structural shift in in nine fifty one when it says when the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. Yeah. So that everything changes in Luke from this point on. Yeah. Yeah. So everything we're reading now in this section is all about Jesus heading to Jerusalem on his way to be crucified, to to suffer.

Allen: the Christ must suffer many things. He starts predicting his death. He starts preaching more boldly, and and he knows he's on his way to the cross and and to the to the holy week. Yeah. and as he's gone to the cross and this idea of Holy Week and the response to Christ and who he is, you have the sense of hope and you have the sense of judgment. The hope is, man, God's Messiah, the Christ, would go and accomplish

Chris: the Christ must suffer many things. He starts predicting his death. He starts preaching more boldly, and and he knows he's on his way to the cross and and to the to the holy week. Yeah. and as he's gone to the cross and this idea of Holy Week and the response to Christ and who he is, you have the sense of hope and you have the sense of judgment. The hope is, man, God's Messiah, the Christ, would go and accomplish

Allen: the will of God, which was to save sinners. He came to seek and save the lost, right? Our our fourth current, seek the lost, because Christ came to seek the lost. and then also judgment. there's actually this kind of showdown in this scene as you cast out demons and some came come and say he casts out demons by Belzebal, who's this idol or idle god, prince of demons, and Jesus proclaims to them, just kind of summarized that

Chris: the will of God, which was to save sinners. He came to seek and save the lost, right? Our our fourth current, seek the lost, because Christ came to seek the lost. and then also judgment. there's actually this kind of showdown in this scene as you cast out demons and some came come and say he casts out demons by Belzebal, who's this idol or idle god, prince of demons, and Jesus proclaims to them, just kind of summarized that

Allen: how could Satan be divided against itself? If I cast out demons by Satan, a house divided itself can't stand. I couldn't be cr the the Christ and Satan. And then he goes on to say to them that there's gonna be more judgment on this generation than there were the people of Nineveh. When we remember we know the infamous story of Jonah, who when he goes and preach, he goes, even the people of Nineveh repented at the preaching of the good news of God's victory over sin. and then the Queen of Sheba back to Second Chronicles, who

Chris: how could Satan be divided against itself? If I cast out demons by Satan, a house divided itself can't stand. I couldn't be cr the the Christ and Satan. And then he goes on to say to them that there's gonna be more judgment on this generation than there were the people of Nineveh. When we remember we know the infamous story of Jonah, who when he goes and preach, he goes, even the people of Nineveh repented at the preaching of the good news of God's victory over sin. and then the Queen of Sheba back to Second Chronicles, who

Allen: came to hear of Solomon's wisdom, she goes, even she went to go hear of Solomon's wisdom. He goes, This jet this generation is extra wicked. There's gonna be they're actually the Queen of Sheba and the people of Nina are gonna raise up and judge this generation because they have denied the Christ and that they've attributed to God and to Jesus what is done by Satan. And so it's it's it's a ugly scene.

Chris: came to hear of Solomon's wisdom, she goes, even she went to go hear of Solomon's wisdom. He goes, This jet this generation is extra wicked. There's gonna be they're actually the Queen of Sheba and the people of Nina are gonna raise up and judge this generation because they have denied the Christ and that they've attributed to God and to Jesus what is done by Satan. And so it's it's it's a ugly scene.

Allen: Really ugly. And so there's a sense of judgment for rejecting Christ, but a sense of hope that he is the Christ and he is going to accomplish victory on the cross for his people.

Chris: Really ugly. And so there's a sense of judgment for rejecting Christ, but a sense of hope that he is the Christ and he is going to accomplish victory on the cross for his people.

Allen: we ended last episode in prayer, which is great, but maybe we can end it in Jesus' prayer. which again it's not Jesus didn't say this prayer to follow this exactly. It's giving us more of a theology of prayer of how to pray. and it's Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins.

Chris: we ended last episode in prayer, which is great, but maybe we can end it in Jesus' prayer. which again it's not Jesus didn't say this prayer to follow this exactly. It's giving us more of a theology of prayer of how to pray. and it's Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins.

Allen: For we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us and lead us not into temptation. So that's our prayer. Seek the Lord with humbleness and with repentance and faith, asking him to teach us as well so that we might do what is pleasing to him. Not that we might earn his approval, but we might continue to glorify his name through our actions. This has been another episode of the SCC Saver podcast. Till next time, friends.

Chris: For we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us and lead us not into temptation. So that's our prayer. Seek the Lord with humbleness and with repentance and faith, asking him to teach us as well so that we might do what is pleasing to him. Not that we might earn his approval, but we might continue to glorify his name through our actions. This has been another episode of the SCC Saver podcast. Till next time, friends.