“Kings, Prophets & Kingdoms” part BC… Jer 29:10-13 (Page 558) & Selected Pastor Dave Martin, Cross Creek Community Church, Nov 16, 2014

Background… King Solomon builds God’s Temple in Jerusalem King Solomon builds God’s Temple in Jerusalem

Background… True worship by God’s people grows cold & routine True worship by God’s people grows cold & routine

Background… King Solomon builds God’s Temple in Jerusalem King Solomon builds God’s Temple in Jerusalem True worship by God’s people grows cold & routine True worship by God’s people grows cold & routine Israel’s downward out- of-control ‘spiritual spiral’ continues… Israel’s downward out- of-control ‘spiritual spiral’ continues…

I. During the Reign of Kings over Israel… BC 9 Kings of Israel who “did right in the eyes of the Lord” 2 Kings 18:3 3 He [Hezekiah] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done.

I. During the Reign of Kings over Israel… BC 33 Kings of Israel who “did evil in the eyes of the Lord” 1 Kings 11:6 6 So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done.

Three Downward Steps: 1Kings 11: Disobedience - He didn’t keep God’s covenant and statues, v11

Three Downward Steps: 1Kings 11: Disobedience - He didn’t keep God’s covenant and statues, v11 2. Worldliness - His heart was turned away from the Lord, vs 1-4,9

Three Downward Steps: 1Kings 11: Disobedience - He didn’t keep God’s covenant and statues, v11 2. Worldliness - His heart was turned away from the Lord, vs 1-4,9 3. Idolatry - He went after other gods, v10

“God’s chastening follows”

II. God raises up and sends Prophets to “Speak” to His people Hebrews 1:1-2 1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

Prophets There are 17 O.T. books written by the Prophets (Major & Minor) There are 17 O.T. books written by the Prophets (Major & Minor)

Prophets Devil also raises up his “false prophets” to deceive and confuse… Devil also raises up his “false prophets” to deceive and confuse…

Example: King Ahab & wife Jezebel (1Kgs 16:30-33), their 450 false prophets of Baal false prophets of Asherah versus God’s man Elijah (1Kgs 18)

1 Kings 18: "I have not made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you [King Ahab] and your father's family have. You have abandoned the Lord's commands and have followed the Baals. 19 Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."

1 Kings 18: ”…Elijah prayed to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob… 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. 39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The Lord--he is God! The Lord--he is God!"

III. God’s Patience runs out, Judgment pronounced Jeremiah 25: This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12 "But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt," declares the Lord, "and will make it desolate forever.

God’s Prophet Ezekiel prophesied what will happen: God’s Prophet Ezekiel prophesied what will happen: Ezekiel 5:12 12 A third of your people will die of the plague or perish by famine inside you; a third will fall by the sword outside your walls; and a third I will scatter to the winds and pursue with drawn sword.

Israel experiences a great famine so severe they cooked their children and ate each other to survive, Lam 5, Eze 5, Deut 28:49-57 Israel experiences a great famine so severe they cooked their children and ate each other to survive, Lam 5, Eze 5, Deut 28:49-57

Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon attacks, surrounding Jerusalem who under wicked King Zedekiah [false prophets] refusing to surrender. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon attacks, surrounding Jerusalem who under wicked King Zedekiah [false prophets] refusing to surrender.

Israel experiences a great famine so severe they cooked their children and ate each other to survive, Lam 5, Eze 5, Deut 28:49-57 Israel experiences a great famine so severe they cooked their children and ate each other to survive, Lam 5, Eze 5, Deut 28:49-57 Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon attacks, surrounding Jerusalem who under wicked King Zedekiah [false prophets] refusing to surrender. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon attacks, surrounding Jerusalem who under wicked King Zedekiah [false prophets] refusing to surrender. Nebuchadnezzar’s armies finally broke through on July 18, 586BC… Slaughter was great, ransacking & destroying God’s glorious temple, taking many Jewish people into Babylonian captivity lasting 70 years. Nebuchadnezzar’s armies finally broke through on July 18, 586BC… Slaughter was great, ransacking & destroying God’s glorious temple, taking many Jewish people into Babylonian captivity lasting 70 years.

IV. God has Incredible Plans for us Jeremiah 29: This is what the Lord says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord

Psalms 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Choose to Experience God… Run to Him before He comes to you! Run to Him before He comes to you!

Choose to Experience God… Run to Him before He comes to you! Run to Him before He comes to you! Nurture Daily Quiet Time in His Word & Prayer! Nurture Daily Quiet Time in His Word & Prayer!

Choose to Experience God… Run to Him before He comes to you! Run to Him before He comes to you! Nurture Daily Quiet Time in His Word & Prayer! Nurture Daily Quiet Time in His Word & Prayer! Watch God’s perfect plan begin to unfold in your life! Watch God’s perfect plan begin to unfold in your life!

God’s Perfect Plan…

Jer 29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…

Next Week: “HIS story – OUR story” Join us Wednesday’s at 6:30 for “Digging Deeper” Bible study!