Awake Us Now

Questions about the Trinity are often asked this way: • Is the word "Trinity" in the Bible? • Do Christians worship three Gods? • Was "Trinity" invented by the Church? • Isn't the notion of "Trinity" irrational? • Don't you think this is a minor issue? Pastor digs into the question of the Trinity by starting at the beginning, in Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." In Hebrew the word for God that is used in this verse is Elohim. Elohim is a plural noun. God is being described in plural terms! Genesis 1:2 "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." In Hebrew the Spirit of God is "Ruah Elohim". This is describing God as the Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:3 "And God said, "Let there be light, and there was light." The word that stands out here is "said". Observation: Genesis 1 1. Plural noun for God the Creator 2. Spirit of God involved in Creation 3. God's Word brings forth the Creation This three-fold pattern continues throughout the Hebrew Scriptures: 1. Father - Deuteronomy 32:6 "Is He not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you?" 2. Spirit - Job 33:4 "The Spirit of God has made me, the breath of the Almighty gives me life." 3. Word - Psalm 33:6 "By the Word of the Lord the heavens were made and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth." But the Old Testament also says there is but ONE God. Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel; The LORD our God, the LORD is one." And yet one God is describe in a multiplicity of terms. One God and three very distinct Persons. This pattern continues in the New Testament: 1. Father - 1 Peter 1:2 "…chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father." 2. Spirit - Acts 5:3-4 "…you have lied to the Holy Spirit…you have not lied just to human beings but to God." 3. Word - John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." In John 1:14 we read more about the Word, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." THE WORD is none other than Jesus, Himself. The Bible sets forth clearly that the One God has revealed Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus says in Matthew 28:19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…" The word that stands out in this verse is the word NAME - singular - yet THREE are named. 2 Corinthians 13:14 "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." This is clear Biblical teaching that the One true God has revealed Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is complex!!! His ways are higher than ours! God who created us…. • Planned to Save us (God knew we would wander away from Him, but His plan from the beginning was save us) • Came to Save us (we cannot save ourselves, we need a divine rescue. Our Divine Rescuer is Jesus who came to earth taking on human flesh and enduring the cross) • Dwells in us to Save us (the God who created us dwells in us, brings us to faith, changes hearts, gives power and testifies to Jesus the Savior) God works as a unity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - each unique and distinct but also uniquely ONE. Is the word "Trinity" in the Bible? The word is not but "the Trinity" is found: Father, Son and Holy Spirit in both Old and New Testaments. Do Christians worship three Gods? No, there is but ONE God, but has revealed Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We do not need to comprehend this to know God's power and presence and truth. Was "Trinity" invented by the Church? The term is invented but The TRUTH of THE TRINITY has been there since the beginning. Isn't the notion of "Trinity" irrational? This is a profound mystery, but not irrational. Pastor shares a lesson from Dr. Walter Martin and the Triple Point of Water where water is solid, gas and liquid all at one time. Three yet one. Is it irrational that the God of the universe can "three yet one." Don't you think this is a minor issue? No because when we start ignoring what God says about Himself and what the Bible teaches we go into false teaching and false testimony. This is where false religions come in. We're living in a culture that has walked from God and it is disastrous. This is NOT a minor issue - God is above ALL things and He is worthy of our worship and praise. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Pastor focuses in on Gamaliel's Speech found in Acts 5:34-39. We know about Gamliel from the Bible, the writings of Josephus and rabbinical writings: Grandson of the Jewish teacher Hillel Especially influential ca 25-50 A.D. President of the Sanhedrin A devout and respected Pharisee Teacher of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 22:3) In comparing Josephus' writings with the Bible we find an issue with Acts 5:36-37 "Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered." The Controversy is the dating of the two men as this is what we know about them from Josephus: Theudas - revolt at the time of the Roman procurator, Cuspius Faus (44-46 A.D.) Judas the Galilean - rebellion in 6 A.D. According to the Acts verses written by Luke, he quotes Gamaliel as saying that Judas the Galilean's rebellion came AFTER Theudas' revolt, but what we know about these two men from Josephus, shows us that Judas the Galilean's rebellion came BEFORE Theudas' revolt. The Alternatives we can consider: Josephus was correct, Luke was wrong Luke was correct, Josephus was wrong Both Luke and Josephus were correct. Pastor leans toward "Both Luke and Josephus being correct." In Josephus' writings we read of Judas the Galilean as having led a band of people in revolt in 6 A.D. In Josephus' writings we also read that after the death of King Herod the Great (about 4 B.C.) many revolted. Josephus does not name them.but clearly these rebellions were BEFORE Judas' revolt. Consider this: Is it possible that one of those individuals was named Theudas? Then the writings of Josephus and the Bible align. Additionally, Luke gives this insight, he tells us that Gamaliel said the following, "Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered." Note that Gamaliel said ALL Judas' followers were scattered." But history shows us that Gamaliel saw Judas' rebellion as having come to nothing. However, about 25-30 years after Gamaliel spoke these words, those followers of Judas the Galilean not only were around, but had grown in number and ultimately triggered the revolt against Rome in 66 A.D. What we see is an accurate account by Luke of what took place on the day the Apostles were flogged for speaking the name of Jesus and rejoiced for being worthy to suffer for His name. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class For the full list of videos in this series, Dig Deeper, https://www.awakeusnow.com/dig-deeper For more check out our Sunday series, God ACTS! https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Or watch from our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/streams Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Last week we ended our study time looking at a great king of Judah, Hezekiah. Today we start with one of the worst kings of Judah, Manasseh, Hezekiah's son. Manasseh reigned from 697-642 B.C. His story is found in 2 Kings 21:1-18 and 2 Chronicles 33:1-20. Manasseh reigned 55 years. He reigned longer than any other king and did more damage than any other king. He did evil in God's eyes. It is a disgusting and tragic story. He destroys everything good his father had done. King Manasseh ⁃ Apostasy and Idolatry - 2 Chronicles 33:33 ⁃ Sacrificed his children - 2 Chronicles 33:6 ⁃ Innocent blood shed including the blood of prophets - 2 Kings 21:16. (Hebrews 11:37 - ancient Jewish tradition that says it was during Manasseh's reign that Isaiah was sawn in half by Manasseh) ⁃ Captivity in Babylon - Manasseh was taken prisoner by Assyria and taken to Babylon - 2 Chronicles 33:11 ⁃ Repentance and return to Judah- while in prison Manasseh had a change of heart, humbling himself greatly before God and praying. The Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so God brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom, proving to Manasseh that He is the true God - 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 What we learn: God is a gracious God and hears the cries of those who humble themselves before Him. He responds to a repentant heart. In the final years of his life, Manasseh worked to redo things but to no avail as his son, King Amon takes the throne. Amon reigned from 642-640 B.C. and his story is found in 2 Kings 21:19-26 and 2 Chronicles 33:21-25. Amon did evil in the eyes of the Lord. King Amon ⁃ Return to idolatry - 2 Chronicles 33:22-23 ⁃ Conspiracy and Assassination - 2 Chronicles 33:24-25 - Josiah, Amon's son was then made king. King Josiah Josiah is just a boy when he begins his 31 year reign and in Pastor's opinion, the greatest king of Judah. Josiah reigned from 640-609 B.C. His story is found in 2 Kings 22:1-23:30 and 2 Chronicles 34-35. During his reign there were many prophets: Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Nahum, Habakkuk and Huldah. God is working to bring the nation back to Himself. During King Josiah's reign, Judah experienced three of its happiest decades: peace, prosperity and revival. King Josiah ⁃ Young King seeks the God of David - he followed in the ways of David - 2 Kings 22:1-2 and 2 Chronicles 34:3 ⁃ Spiritual cleansing of Jerusalem - 2 Chronicles 34:4-5 ⁃ Book of the Law of God written by Moses (possibly the original Torah) is discovered - 2 Chronicles 34:8, 2 Chronicles 34:14, 2 Chronicles 34:19, 2 Chronicles 34:22. In 2 Chronicles 34:27 we read of Huldah who tells the king that God says that judgment is coming, but because he (Josiah) had humbled himself before God, wept and torn his robes, that Josiah will not live to see the destruction. Josiah recognizes the Lord's graciousness and he sets forth to bring revival. ⁃ Revival happens 2 Kings 23:2-3 - God's people pledge themselves to the covenant of God. ⁃ Revival and reform go beyond Judah - 2 Kings 23:15, 17 Josiah was a bright, brilliant, incredible and godly leader, a man bold in his faith and one who trusted God. May we learn from his example. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

The prayer found in Daniel 9 is one of the most powerful and profound penitential prayers in all the Bible, and it has dramatic application to our lives today!

Our story picks up with Joash (the hidden royal) being brought forth at the age of seven and hailed as the king of Judah followed by the death of Athaliah. Peace reigns in Judah as we see over 100 years of four fairly "good" kings reigning in Judah from 835-731 B.C. These kings started well but didn't always finish well: Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah and Jotham. King Joash ⁃ Takes the kingship at age 7 ⁃ Jehoiada, the High Priest, is Joash's mentor, advisor and instructor ⁃ Spiritual reformation was taking place across Judah as Joash starts out so well with Jehoiada as his advisor - until Jehoiada's death ⁃ Joash then gets new advisors (2 Chronicles 24:17-18) and they led him astray, worshiping idols and God's anger came. ⁃ Zechariah is the High Priest after Jehoiada. Zechariah was Jehoiada's son. He tells Joash and his new advisors of their sin against God, so they plot to kill him. 2 Chronicles 24:20. Zechariah is stoned to death. ⁃ Hazael is victorious in bottles over Judah ⁃ Then Joash's assignation follows Amaziah ⁃ Amaziah is Joash's son - Amaziah starts well but doesn't finish well, following the pattern of his father. ⁃ Mercenaries come from Israel ⁃ Amaziah is given victory as he acts on the words of God through a prophet. 2 Chronicles 25:9 ⁃ But then Amaziah brings idols back from that victory. 2 Chronicles 25:15. Again a prophet comes to Amaziah to warn him, but this time Amaziah doesn't listen. ⁃ He is then defeated by Jehoash, king of Israel and he too is assassinated. King Uzziah (also known as Azariah) ⁃ Uzziah is Amaziah's son. 2 Chronicles 26:4-5 tells that he had godly counsel and as long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success. ⁃ He was an extremely capable king ⁃ Ruled for 52 years ⁃ In Israel, Jeroboam II was ruling. Uzziah and Jeroboam II expanded both nations to the original size of the kingdom at the time of David and Solomon. ⁃ New prophets arise during the reign of Jeroboam II and Uzziah: Jonah, Amos, Hosea and Isaiah ⁃ Their kingdoms experienced the glory days of David and Solomon ⁃ But then Uzziah does not finish well. His pride went to his head and he usurped the role of the priests in burning the incense and immediately gets leprosy. 2 Chronicles 26:16-17 King Jotham ⁃ Uziah's son, Jotham becomes king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 27:2. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but the people, however, continued their corrupt practices. ⁃ Battle with the Ammonites - Godly king who is victorious over the Ammonites. 2 Chronicles 27:6 ⁃ Prosperity & Spiritual decline begins. The renewal did not spread throughout all the people. ⁃ We see the growing power of their enemy in Assyria Next week our story continues with the rise of the power of the Assyrians. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Today we will be taking a look at 25 chapters that are both exciting and complex. The 25 chapters: 1 Kings 15 - 22 2 Kings 1 - 11 2 Chronicles 17 - 22 A period of approximately 33 years. As our study begins we see Ahab (874-853 BC) - is the ruler of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Jehoshaphat (870-848 BC) - is ruler of Judah, the Southern Kingdom. There's good news and bad news from this period of 33 years… There was an alliance made between Israel and Judah. Bad news: 2 Chronicles 18:1 tells us, "Now Jehoshaphat (Judah) had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab (Israel) by marriage." As we dig into this we see Ahab (Israel's worst King) was married to Jezebel, they had a daughter named Athaliah. We also see that Jehoshaphat had a son named Jehoram. Athaliah and Jehoram marry. This is the alliance between Israel and Judah, but the marriage brought great tragedy. Ahab invites Jehoshaphat to Samaria in Israel. Ahab tells him he wants land back that had taken from him and he wants Jehoshaphat to help him fight to get it back. Ahab has 400 false prophets that say he should attack Judah because he will be victorious. Jehoshaphat listens but requests a 2nd opinion. That 2nd opinion comes from a prophecy of Micaiah son of Imlah a prophet of the Living God. Micaiah tells them, "I saw all Israel was scattered on the hillside because the shepherd was gone." And what happens is that he is thrown in jail. Judah and Israel go to battle and attack Remoth Gilead and the bettle ends in great defeat for Israel and Judah. King Ahab is killed and one of his sons takes over his throne. About 5 years later we read in 2 Chronicles 21:1 that Jehoshaphat dies and his son Jehoram succeeds him as king of Judah. Additionally, in 2 Chronicles 21:4-5 we see Jehoram puts all his brothers to death in order to protect his throne. And now we see Elijah stepping in with a letter to King Jehoram. 2 Chronicles 21:12-13 we see Elijah tell Jehoram that he has not followed the way of his father and grandfather in following God and instead follows the worship and practices of idolatry of the Northern Kingdom. Jehoram has turned away from the God of David. Vs 13-14 he holds Jehoram accountable for killing his brothers, and tells him that he will become sick and die of disease. This is a warning to the way Jehoram is headed and it's God's call to stop and to come back to Him. But Jehoram continues to do what he had always done. So he dies and his son, Ahaziah, becomes King of Judah. Reminder: Athaliah is King Ahab and Jezebel's daughter. Ahab and his wife led Israel away from God. Their daughter Athaliah is married to Jehoram (King of Judah) and when Jehoram dies their son Ahaziah becomes King of Judah. The spiritual pollution of Israel has not only come down to Judah, it has taken the throne. The line of Ahab is on the throne in both Israel and in Judah. In Israel Ahaziah's uncle, Joram, is King. There is a second Battle of Remoth Gilead at this time. Ahaziah (King of Judah) and his uncle Joram (King of Israel) decide to do the battle again, expecting to win this time. Joram, King of Israel is severely injured in the battle, Ahaziah, King of Judah, goes to check on his uncle. 2 Kings 9:1-3 Elisha has a man go to Remoth Gilead and anoint Jehu as King over Israel. The result is found in 2 Kings 9:22-23, Jehu confronts the Joram King of Israel and Ahaziah King of Judah at the bedside of Joram, Ahaziah's uncle, where he and Ahaziah are talking. Jehu says there can be no peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of Ahaziah;s mother Jezabel abounds. Joram flees and Jehu pulls out his bow and arrow and hits Joram in the back killing him. Jehu then chases Ahaziah wounding him. Ahaziah dies, too, and now both the King of Israel and the King of Judah are dead. I Kings 11:1 tells us that when Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah saw he son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of Judah. She desired to eliminate the whole line of David through which the Messiah was to come. 2 Kings 11:2 but the Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash, son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed. And as a result a godly king will ultimately come to the throne against the desire of Ahaziah. Join us next week as our story continues! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

This question is often asked this way: ⁃ Is the Holy Spirit an impersonal force? ⁃ What does the Bible say about this? ⁃ What does the Holy Spirit do? ⁃ Why are some afraid of the Holy Spirit? Let us consider: Is the Holy Spirit a "Force" or a "Person" Marks of Personality: ⁃ Intellect ⁃ Emotion ⁃ Will Are these evident in the Holy Spirit? Let's look in the Bible and see what we find, as there is so much confusion about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit ⁃ Speaks - Acts 13:20 (….the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." ⁃ Forbids certain things - Acts 16:6-7 (….having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching….but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to." ⁃ Guides - gives direction - John 16:13 Jesus says, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth…." ⁃ Teaches - John 14:26 Jesus says, "but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my team, will teach you all things…." ⁃ Helps - John 14:16-17 Jesus says, "And I will ask the Father and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of truth….." ⁃ Predicts - insight and prophetic revelation - Acts 21:11 "Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'" And this is something that did happen to Paul. ⁃ Can Be Lied to - Acts 5:3-4 The story of Ananias and Sepphira selling property. Peter says, "Ananias how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit ….. You have not lied just to human beings but to God." ⁃ Can be Grieved - disappointed by our behavior or when we do not listen to God - Ephesians 4:30 "And do not grieve the Holt Spirit of God…" ⁃ Intercedes for us - he prays - Romans 8:27 "And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God." ⁃ Testifies - bears witness to Jesus and makes Jesus known - John 15:26 Jesus says, "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who goes out from the Father, He will testify about the Me." The Holy Spirit testifies to who Jesus is and what Jesus has done. The Holy Spirit testifies to each one of us that Jesus is our only Hope, and our Messiah. Back to the question of why be afraid of the Holy Spirit? Father - Son - Spirit = three in One. The Holy Spirit is real and is part of the essence of the One True Living God. And Holy Spirit desires to move in power in our lives and desires that we experience a real and personal relationship with Him. It is only in the Living God that we have life forever. Pastor closes with: The Father gives the Holy Spirit to those that ask Him. That's a promise for each one of us.(Luke 11:13 "…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!") Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Pastor opens today's class with the words from Psalm 135:15-18 "The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them." We will see the truth of these words in today's study. Elijah' Days: Most of this prophet's ministry was during the height of King Ahab in the north in Israel and King Jehoshaphat in the south in Judah. His name, Elijah, is even prophetic. In Hebrew it literally means, my God is Jehovah. ⁃ A time of great apostasy - under Ahab and Jezebel there was an attempt to get rid of any semblance of worship of the Living God and to supplant God with the worship of Baal. ⁃ A prophet of great faith (Elijah) ⁃ A man of insignificance (very little is know about him, was he even an Israelite?) ⁃ A time of great danger for believers. Ahab and Jezebel sought to destroy God's prophets. ⁃ A ministry of great impact Elijah's ministry is recorded in 1 Kings 17-19, 21 2 Kings 1-2 2 Chronicles 21 Elijah's Ministry: ⁃ Prediction and Provision (1 Kings 17) Elijah speaks that there will not be rain or dew for the next few years. This is a direct attack on King Ahab's gods. And the drought begins. Elijah goes into hiding. There are some great stories of God's miraculous provision for Elijah during the famine. ⁃ Contest at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18-19) God tells Elijah 3 years after the drought started that he was to go to Ahab and tell him that God would send rain. Elijah confronts Ahab about abandoning God and says for Ahab and his people and 850 prophets of Baal to meet him, a prophet of God, at Mt. Carmel and offers them the choice to follow God or Baal. Elijah is severely outnumbered against 850 false prophets, but the contest begins. ⁃ The Contest - those prophets worshiping Baal were told to pray to Baal for Baal to bring fire onto their altar, but it never comes. Elijah then builds his altar of 12 stones (1 for each tribe of Israel), slaughters the bull and then covers the altar in water and at 3pm he prays to God and the fire of the Lord falls on Elijah's altar. When the people see this they fall and cry out, "The Lord, He is God, the Lord, He is God!" They destroy the false prophets, and the rains start falling. ⁃ The Aftermath - Elijah runs to Jezreel (the summer palace) where Jezebel threatens him saying she is going to ensure he is killed. Elijah becomes fearful and runs for his life. He hides in the wilderness and becomes very discouraged and depressed. He tells God that he's had enough, and to take his life. Then an angel of the Lord comes and tells him to head to Mt. Sinai where the Lord will appear to him. Join us next week as we continue our study of Elijah! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

This class will focus on Rehoboam the king of Judah, the southern kingdom, and his son Abijah as found in 1 Kings 14-15 and 2 Chronicles 11-13. They reigned 931-910 BC. In 2 Chronicles 12:1-5 we read that 5 years into Rehoboam's reign that he and his kingdom have abandoned the law of the Lord. Rehoboam rules from Jerusalem and is attacked by the king of Egypt who has a huge army and captures the cities along the way to Jerusalem. Then the prophet Shemaiah comes and tells Rehoboam, "This is what the Lord says, 'You have abandoned me; therefore I now abandon you to Shishak (Egyptian king).'" In verse 6 we read that after hearing the prophets words, Rehoboam humbled himself and his people humbled themselves and they understand that the Lord is just. Their humility is an example for us today. We too must be humble before God. Verse 7, we see that when they humbled themselves the mercy of God was displayed as He says that He will not destroy them but will give them deliverance and will not pour out His wrath on Jerusalem through the Egyptian king, Shishak. But that there would still be a consequence to having abandoned God's law. Rehoboam reigned 17 years and what we learn is: There is nothing more important than knowing the living God and walking with Him. Rehoboam's son Abijah succeeds him as king and reigns 3 years. The war between Jeroboam (Northern kingdom) and Rehoboam continues while Abijah is king as well. In 2 Chronicle 13:3 we see Abijah battling with 400,000 and that Jeroboam had a troop total of 800,000. Abijah announces to Jeroboam and his men, "God is with us; he is our leader. The priests with their trumpets will sound the battle cry against you. People of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed." Abijah recognizes it's important to follow God and at the sound of Judah's priests' trumpets the men of Judah raised the battle cry and God gave them victory over Jeroboam and his men. Though Abijah and his men were outnumbered 2 to 1, we read in verse 18 that the people of Judah were victorious because they relied on the Lord. This is a truth not just for back then, but it is a truth for us today. This story is a reminder to rely on the Lord no matter how bleak the outlook appears, no matter how difficult things look, we can rely on the Lord! Abijah's son, Asa, succeeded Abijah. Asa does rule for 40 years, ruling Judah from 910-870 BC. His story is found in 1 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 14-16. In 2 Chronicles 14:2 we read that Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord. Asa was the 1st of 8 "good" kings of Judah. Judah had 19 kings, 8 were "good." Israel also had 19 kings - none of them are described as "good". While Asa ruled, he removed the foreign altars, cut down the Asherah poles and commanded Judah to seek the Lord and to obey the Lord's laws and commands. The kingdom was at peace under him. He got rid of the false worship, wanting His "people to worship God alone." Near the end of Asa's reign they are under several major attacks. Asa calls on the Lord to help them and outnumbered they win because they relied on the Lord. Azariah, the prophet, then speaks to Asa, 2 Chronicles 15:1-2, and tells Asa that the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And revival brakes out across Judah. They turned their hearts back to God. May we too seek the Lord, humble ourselves and turn our hearts to Him, for in God alone is Salvation, in God alone is strength and in God alone is victory! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Pastor begins with a brief overview of Solomon's divided kingdom. Judah was in the south with two tribes ruled by a descendant of David, Reheboam. Israel in the north with ten tribes was ruled by Jeroboam (1 Kings 11-14) 931-910 BC. God had said that Jeroboam's kingship would be blessed if he followed the Lord, but he chose the exact opposite path. In today's class we will look closely at three incidents with Jeroboam. In 1 Kings 12:31-33 we read some of the first things he did that were against God, everything Jeroboam did was counterfeit, just like what the enemy always tries to do - the enemy counterfeits what God desires. We read; "Jeroboam built shrines on high places and appointed priests from all sorts of people, even though they were not Levites. He instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the festival held in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar. This he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves he had made. And at Bethel he also installed priests at the high places he had made. On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a month of his own choosing, he offered sacrifices on the altar he had built at Bethel. So he instituted the festival for the Israelites and went up to the altar to make offerings." Jeroboam puts forth a fake tabernacle celebration as he acts as both king and priest. So what happens when God sees this fake festival, one that He has not instituted and one in which King Jeroboam choose his own way of things instead of God's. Confrontation: Next comes a confrontation (1 Kings 13:1-10). Jeroboam has gone against God's plan. A man of God speaks to Jeroboam saying that the altar would split apart. And as Jeroboam says for the man to be arrested the altar splits and Jeroboam's hand is shriveled up. The man of God prays for Jeroboam's hand to be restored and it is healed. So the man of God is invited to Jeroboam's house but the man of God does not go because it was not part of God's plan. Betrayal: Next comes betrayal (1 Kings 13:11-32). An old prophet's sons tell him what had happened during the story of confrontation. The old prophet lies to the man of God and the old prophet was able to convince the man of God to not do as the Lord had said. The man of God goes to the old prophet's house - disobeying God's plan and God speaks through the old prophet saying to the man of God, "You have defied the word of the Lord and have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you." And then the old prophet sent the man of God on his way and down the road the man of God and his donkey are killed by a lion. God is communicating to the wayward people of Israel and specifically to Jeroboam that He is to be obeyed. Jeroboam goes to see the dead man of God which was not eaten by the lion and Jeroboam has the man buried in his own grave because of the truth the man of God had spoken earlier in the day at the altar. What is the lesson in this story? God is doing this to encourage us to do ONLY what He says. And yet we read that Jeroboam did not change. 1 Kings 13:33-34 "Even after this, Jeroboam did not change his evil ways, but once more appointed priests for the high places from all sorts of people. Anyone who wanted to become a priest he consecrated for the high places. This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall and to its destruction from the face of the earth." Deception: Lastly we see an act of deception (1 Kings 14:1-18). Abijah, Jeroboam's son, becomes ill and Jeroboam has his wife disguise herself and go to Ahijah the prophet with 10 loaves of bread, 1 for each tribe Jeroboam has in his kingdom, so tells his wife to have the prophet tell her what will happen to their son Abijah. Ahijah the prophet knows who she is - her disguise did not work. He shares the words God gives him, telling of the evils of Jeroboam and that God says judgement will come. Ahijah tells her that her son Abijah will die on her way home and all of Israel mourned for their son. Jeroboam reigned for 22 years and continued to be wayward from listening to God. Such a sad story of Jeroboam but one that teaches us to follow God's Word and to do what He says. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

The story in chapter 3 continues in chapter 4. Pastor reminds us of the story from last week and the miraculous healing of the lame man. After the healing the people, the healed man and Peter and John, they all gathered in Solomon's Colonnade - an area inside the Temple walls. Chapter 4 As Peter and John were talking to the multitude teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus' name the resurrection of the dead, the priests, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees come and they are greatly disturbed by what Peter and John are preaching. So they seize Peter and John and put them in jail until the next day. Yet many who had heard their message believed and the number of believers grows. The message of Jesus is spreading quickly. Prophecy Then: using the prophetic scripture they tell people the gospel message quoting Genesis and Isaiah showing them that Jesus was the fulfillment of the scriptures. God's prophecies of a Savior were fulfilled in their lifetimes. In Luke 12:11-12 Jesus' prophetic word to His disciples were not to worry when brought to authorities because the Holy Spirit would teach them what to say. In verses 5-9 we see Peter and John brought before authorities and "then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit" just as Jesus had predicted. Now: Today in our lifetimes we've not only seen these same prophecies fulfilled in the scriptures by Jesus, but also we see those things spoken by Jesus coming to fulfillment. And like Peter we too are filled with the Spirit as Jesus prophesied would happen. Power Then: Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and accomplished God's divine purposes through the power of the Holy Spirit. Now: We too are filled with the Holy Spirit and are to keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit's power. We are to allow the Holy Spirit to have control of our lives because that is how we accomplish divine purposes through the Holy Spirit's power. Proclamation Then: Peter proclaims to the authorities and the people that it is by the name of Jesus Christ, whom they crucified (but God raised from the dead), that the man was healed. He tells them that they have rejected the Cornerstone (Jesus). Peter ends with, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 Peter shares the gospel message. Jesus is the perfect sacrifice who saves us. Peter proclaims the Name of Jesus and the gospel message: Death, Deity and Resurrection. Pastor does a dive into "the Name" used in the chapters 2-4 of Acts. There is power in the name of Jesus and no name above the name of Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11) Now: We are to proclaim the gospel today. Have we received the proclamation in our own lives? Because everyone who calls on Jesus' name will be saved. Is that proclamation guiding and controlling and directing our attitude and speech? Is it how we deal with others? Jesus' name is a powerful name that brings healing and forgiveness and gives certain and sure hope for all eternity. We are called to respond to the proclamation - the gospel message. The gospel message always demands a response. The Dilemma Acts 4:13-18 - what could the authorities do with Peter and John? They decide to warn them not to speak to anyone any further in "the Name." Passion Then: in Acts 4:19 Peter and John reply "Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you or to Him… As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." (They were eyewitnesses to Jesus' life on earth) Peter and John have given everything for the Lord Jesus. Now: We too are called to do the same, to yield and surrender our lives to Him. To be filled daily with the Holy Spirit and live a life of service, joy and peace even in opposition. In the end the authorities could not decide how to punish them so they let them go, because the people were praising God for the miraculous healing of the man who had been lame for 40 years. There's more to this chapter! There's a 5th "P" to go along with the four P's Pastor shares today. If you are wondering what the 5th "P"is check out our Bible Class Dig Deeper playlist for the title: "Together in Prayer" https://www.awakeusnow.com/dig-deeper This week's READING ASSIGNMENT: Acts chapter 3-4 (read and reflect on these two chapters together) Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now Or watch from our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/streams Join us Sundays live or on demand from our website https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Solomon: Builder ⁃ Temple construction - 1 Kings 6 (took 7 years to build) ⁃ Temple dedication - 1 Kings 8 ⁃ God appears to Solomon - 1 Kings 9 ⁃ Solomon's palace - 1 Kings 7 (took 13 years to build) Pastor shares archeological discoveries around Solomon in recent years including a massive stone wall and gate and more. Solomon: Reputation ⁃ Fleet at Ezion Geber - 1 Kings (for the first time Israel had its own navy - 1 Kings 9:26-28 - we read that they brought gold from Ophir. Pastor shares ideas of where Ophir may have been.) ⁃ Solomon's wealth - 1 King 10 (1 Kings 10:14-15 we read he received 25 tons of gold yearly. Solomon brought financial wealth to the nation.) ⁃ Queen of Sheba - 1 Kings 10 (Pastor shared the ideas of where this queen came from to visit Solomon. She's overwhelmed by Solomon's wisdom and by the wealth that she sees in her visit. Yet we know there is a wisdom and wealth greater than gold and that is our Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 12:42 tells us … Jesus says, "for the Queen at the South ….came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here." That something is a Someone and that Someone is Jesus, Himself. It is easy to fall into the trap of wanting stuff and being financially secure. And we can have everything the world has to offer and still be bankrupt if we don't have a relationship with the living God through faith in Jesus.) ⁃ Solomon's Wisdom - 1 Kings 10 (1 Kings 10:23-24 we read he was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. He wrote Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon and also some Psalms as well.) ⁃ Labor Policies - 1 King 5 (Soloon had labor practices that caused difficulties with his people - 1 Kings 5:13-14 we read that 30,000 men were under forced labor.) Solomon: Decline & Fall ⁃ Solomon's Wives - 1 Kings 11 (One man and one wife for life, that has always been God's plan. But in 1 Kings 11:3-4 we read that Solomon had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been. This incredibly gifted king who started so well descended into idolatry in his last days. Solomon even built a high place for Chemosh and Molek for his foreign wives who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods. He was led away from God.) ⁃ Solomon's enemies - 1 Kings 11 (As Solomon wandered further from God, God raised up enemies against Solomon.) Three main adversaries: ⁃ Haded the Edomite ⁃ Rezon in Damascus ⁃ Jeroboam son of Nebat was an Israelite (a prophetic word come to Jeroboam - God would give him 10 tribes. And Solomon's successor, his son Reheboam, would have 2 of the tribes. God told Jeroboam that he was to obey Him and follow Him.) Conclusion Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter; Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.