 Hey man Deuteronomy chapter 17 interesting chapter in the Bible here So at the end especially the last half towards the end of Deuteronomy chapter 17 It's interesting because but the Bible God starts kind of prophesying What's going to happen and what the children of Israel are actually going to ask for once they get into the Promised Land? Keep in mind this is before even the book of judges has happened You know remember the book of we had the judges that come and they rule over the children of Israel And they you know judge the land you know you have Samson and all the different judges of the Bible and then you know Samuel the last judge Basically, you know after Samuel they decide that they want a king They want a king just like all these other nations around them, right? And I mean is that a good thing does God it did God encourage the children of Israel when they went into the Promised Land to? You know mimic the ways that those other nations were doing things You know they were supposed to completely wipe them out. They were supposed to not Adopt any of their culture at all right so here in Deuteronomy chapter 17 It's very interesting that God is basically tell that telling them You know a mistake that they're going to make and a road that they're going to go down that's against what he told them to do and The the thing that he does is you know this shows the mercy of God by the way So what he does is he says hey you guys are going to ask for a king just like those other nations Which is basically against what I've told you to do, but since you're going to do that here's some advice on What that king should be like what you should look for in a king? So I mean God is just like ever merciful to the children of Israel and it shows his mercy You know I mean we can see that mercy today, you know we'll get into that a little bit further into the sermon But basically this sermon I had to just like stop writing it because it was just great It was gonna be like five hours long. Okay, so there's just too much here But basically I want to start out by saying that Deuteronomy chapter 17 is giving advice to kings Okay, and you say what does that have to do with me? Turn to Revelation chapter 1 Turn to Revelation chapter 1 so God is giving advice to kings in Deuteronomy chapter 17 Turn to Revelation chapter 1 you're saying what does that have to do with me? So he tells the kings to do all this stuff and you know So what I'm not a king from the Old Testament turn to Revelation chapter 1 look at verse number 4 The Bible says John to the seven churches which are in Asia grace be unto you and peace from him Which is and which was and which is to come and from the seven spirits which are before his throne and from so Here's John writing this letter right and he's saying this is from John But then in verse number 5 he says really it who's it from it's from Jesus Christ Okay, who is the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead and the prince of the kings of the earth There's the kings unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood So who is us us is the people that have had their sins washed from them in the blood of Jesus Christ All right, and then he says and hath made us there's the same us hath made us Kings and priests unto God his father to him be glory and dominion forever and ever turn to first Peter chapter 2 again In revelations chapter 5 and verse number 10 we hear the same language and hath made us unto our God Kings and priests and we shall reign on the earth will you say okay? Well, he's just talking about the end times because that's revelation right. I mean it's just end time stuff I mean I'm not a king and a priest I mean this just end time stuff turn to first Peter chapter 2 Turn to first Peter chapter 2. I'm not going to let you off the hook here first Peter chapter 2 look at verse number 5 ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house and Holy priesthood to offer up that means to bring offering by the way to offer something Okay, spiritual sacrifices you're not to offer like lambs and goats and all those things, but these spiritual sacrifices Acceptable to God by Jesus Christ look at verse number 9 of the same chapter, but ye are a chosen generation He's talking to saved people here. Okay a royal Priesthood what doesn't that make sense if you're kings and priests you're a royal Priesthood folks and holy nation a Peculiar people look that's that that's evidence that you should be separated People are going to think you're peculiar that's different. That's strange That's not the same as everybody else that you should show forth the praises of him who have called you out of darkness Into his marvelous light turn to 2 Timothy chapter 1 So look you're a royal priesthood So you are kings and priests if you're saved if you're saved you're a king and a priest You're a royal priesthood you say Okay, but why? To what end I mean, why would this language be used to describe me a saved? Christian today look at 2nd Timothy chapter 1 Look at what the Bible says in verse number 8 He says be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord What is the testimony of our Lord? Well, if we keep reading it tells us, okay? Be thou therefore not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord nor of me his prisoner talking about Paul but be thou partaker of the afflictions of then he Defines what the testimony of our Lord is afflictions of the gospel According to the power of God who has saved us and called us here. It is again within holy calling Not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace Which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began so look if you're saved It's because you were you know you were called within holy calling all right now This isn't don't don't get me wrong everybody is called to be saved God wants everybody to be saved It's just look very few people pick up the phone all right think about it that way All right, but we're called to be saved, but also there's a purpose here There's a purpose for us here turn to John chapter 15. We're getting closer So you know that you're a king and a priest you're a royal priesthood and you have this Purpose you have this purpose for you. So what is the purpose? You say, okay, I see that we're kings and I see that we're priests, but but for what it to what end? Look at verse number 16 of John 15 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you There's your priesthood right there that you should go they should do what that you should go and bring Forth fruit and that your fruit should remain that whosoever you shall ask of it Whatsoever you shall ask of the father in my name he shall give it to you so look your Royal priesthood that I'm looking at here today, and you have one mission your main mission your main purpose is to bring forth fruit in this life That is why that this is such a It's the number one emphasis emphasis of this ministry is to bring forth fruit Because you're a royal priesthood you've been ordained as a save believer to bring forth fruit That that's why there's such a heavy emphasis on it because it's the emphasis it's the point For the purpose of preaching the gospel to a lost world all that to say this This spiritual advice to Kings in Deuteronomy chapter 17. It applies to you All that to say that so look here in Deuteronomy chapter 17. We see advice for Kings look at verse number 18 and It shall be When he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom that he shall write him a copy of the law in the book In a book out of that which is before the priests and the Levites and it shall be with him And he shall read therein all the days of his life So he's supposed to go and get a copy of the law from the priests He's supposed to write out a copy, and he's supposed to read it all The days of his life look that means he's supposed to read it every day It doesn't say you know every month or every year he's supposed to glance at it He's supposed to read the law So it gives things specifically in Deuteronomy chapter 17 that will happen if he reads the law It gives reasons for it, and it you know Then we can infer from there the things that will happen if he doesn't read the law So this morning since your kings and priests and we see advice to kings and priests here we're going to talk about the importance of reading your Bible and That is why I mean there is so much on this in the Bible That I just had to click save and print at some point Because it's just it's just too much There's too much importance on Reading the Bible so the first thing the first thing let me just give you a few points And then we'll we'll apply that to your lives this morning But the first point and the first major reason that a king needs to read the law or the Bible is this Turn to first Kings chapter 3 first Kings chapter 3 Something that you will need as a king as a matter of fact It's so important that when God said to Solomon. What do you want? It's the one thing that he asked for and You say what is it and it is this it's judgment It's judgment. You say this doesn't sound good. Well, just let's get into what the Bible says Look at first Kings chapter 3 in verse number 5 That's the first time that God has appeared to Solomon right here in Gibeon The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night and God said ask what I shall give thee What would you ask for if God literally appeared to you and asked you what you know? He should give you he's like I'll give you anything. What would you like look at verse number 9? Solomon goes on and then in verse number 9 he gets to what he wants and he says give thy therefore give therefore thy servant and understanding heart why to judge the people That I may discern between good and bad for who is able to judge this Thy so great a people and the speech Pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing and God said unto him because thou had asked this thing and not asked for Thyself a long life neither asked for riches for thyself No, we're asked for the life of nine enemies, but has asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment Behold I have done according to thy words low I have given thee a wise and understanding heart so that there was none like thee before thee neither after these shall any Arise like unto thee so here first of all here's a young man less than 20 years old and he asked for this So that's impressive in itself. Okay, so look, but he asked for judgment He asked for you know discernment in judgment to judge the people properly So, you know the question that we ask ourselves and so many different people ask themselves today is should we be judgmental? I mean, what does it mean to judge? First of all the the secular definition means this to form an opinion or conclusion about But guess what the Bible defines it in first Kings chapter 3 in verse number 9 Give thy therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge the people and then here's your really your definition right here Why so he wants an understanding heart so it takes it takes an understanding heart to judge Okay, so that's that's what you need. That's the tools like I need a wrench to take a bolt out right I need an understanding heart and able to judge. But what is judging? To judge thy people that I may what discern between good and bad That's it. That's the definition of judgment right there judgment is dis I mean judgment is discerning between good and bad. I mean It's one of the stupidest doctrines of fake Christianity today that you are not to judge You are not to discern between good and bad. I mean what in the world I mean even the secular definition to come to a conclusion about something I'm never to come to live a life where I never to come to a conclusion about anything Are you serious? I mean who are these people who worse? I mean who who's sitting in these churches? That's what I want to know. I mean, what's the point? I mean imagine imagine a guy at work even in the simplest job that just can't come to a conclusion about anything I mean, I think some of you guys are laughing because you met this guy Look imagine me at work one engineer comes to comes to a conclusion of 12 And the other engineer comes to a conclusion of 120 and I'm just like well You know I Think you're both right And let's hey, let's compromise and let's just call it 66 Because if you add 12 and 120 and you divide by two you get 66 We'll take the average. Are you happy? Are you happy? All right, and then the building falls down and everybody dies Look somebody missed a decimal point Happens all the time Somebody was right Somebody was wrong And it takes someone with some understanding to figure out The good from the bad. I mean does this not make sense? I mean what's happening today, right? I mean look There's sometimes where somebody is mistaken Maybe there's times when somebody is lying. I Mean we're all liars, right? I mean what's the one sin we use out soul winning? That everybody has like no problem admitting that they've done lying So how do you tell when someone's lying like look there is almost nothing worse than a leader who can't make a decision And I've said this many times like look Sometimes any decision is better than no decision at all and that is very true I mean just think of like you know a power plant that needs a new pump or a new motor or something in the mechanics They come to the the boss and they're like hey boss, you know We could either rebuild this pump or motor or or we could buy a new one What do you think and then he's like well, you know, let me think about it for a month and then the power plant explodes Right, I mean any decision in that case would be better than no decision So this idea of no judgment is the dumbest thing It takes like five seconds of a logical linear thinking to prove it false Solomon even knew this are you still in first Kings chapter 3? He knew this and look it was his not only is his was it his number one concern as being king But he used it right away Look at first Kings chapter 3 same chapter look at verse 16 Solomon as soon as he asked for this He's put in a terrible situation where someone's life is literally on the line here a human being's life is on the line Look at first Kings chapter 3 in verse number 16. So he asked for a discerning heart He's like God. I need to know how to judge properly Look at first Kings 3 in verse number 16 There came to then there came two women that were harlots unto the king and stood before him and the one said Oh, my Lord I and this woman dwell in one house and I was delivered of a child with her in the house And it came to pass the third day that after I was delivered that this woman was delivered Also, and they were together and there was no stranger with us in the house save we too So look these two women they had babies just days apart from each other Okay, and it would there was nobody else to witness this just these two ladies and this lady says and this woman's child Died in the night because she overlaid it So one of the ladies like rose over at night and like accidentally suffocates her child terrible story And she rose at midnight and took my son from beside me while thine handmaid slept and laid it in her bosom And laid her dead child in my bosom. So here this lady that accidentally killed her child She switches with the other baby and takes the other lady's baby And when I arose in the morning to give my child suck behold it was dead But when I considered it in the morning behold it was not my son first of all, I mean a mom knows her baby Right, I mean a mom knows her baby by the smell of the baby by the look of the baby by the sound of the baby Right. I was always amazed by the sheep and we would have hundreds and hundreds of lambs everywhere And whenever the moms were separated from feeding or whatever their lambs Lambs would get together and run around like a bunch of little kids for about ten minutes And then the moms would all go out in the lambs. They all looked the same to me and The moms would just make a sound and the lamb would make a sound within five minutes They all had their own baby back So this lady knew who her baby was right like it's hard-wired and the other woman said nay But the living is my son and the dead is thy son and this said no But the dead is thy son and the living is I son so they're arguing thus they spake before the king So I mean how is the king to know? Who's lying here? Then said the king the one sayeth This is my son that liveth and thy son is the dead and the other said nay But thy son is dead and my son is the living and the king said bring me a sword And they brought a sword before the king and the king said divide the living child into and give half to the one and Half to the other Then spake the woman whose living child was unto the king for her bowels yearned upon her son and she said oh My lord give her the living child and then no wise slay it But the other said let it be neither mine nor thine but divide it Then the king answered and said give her the living child and then no wise slay it She is the mother thereof that's brilliant right there so he says just cut the child in half kill the child basically and Right away and I'm sure Solomon even even though the other lady totally gave it away by saying yeah Just killed the child look the first one to pipe up here is the mom Can can you imagine I mean you ought to be able to just have those two ladies sitting there and the king By the way, the king can do it every once if he says divide the child the child will get divided The king can do it every once and when he when he lays that judgment forth I'm sure just before she even said anything he knew By the look on that mother's faith face So look He had to judge Okay, first of all he he he had to judge properly, but look he had to judge or someone's life Well, I mean someone would have lost their child. I Mean evil would have prevailed a child would have been kidnapped if he didn't judge. I Mean think about it. So it's a belief that you should never judge is to believe the idea that there's no right and wrong That's what it means. I Mean, how could evil ever be recognized turn to Romans 13 or I mean it couldn't be recognized or it couldn't be punished Evil couldn't be punished if no one ever judged Look at Romans 13 in verse number three. I Mean the Bible says that even secular government even government. This is their main job Right here to judge Look at Romans 13 and verse 3 for rulers are not a terror to good works But to the evil So the whole point of rulers the whole point of good government is to be a terror to the evil Not the good and to understand to discern the good from the evil you have to judge That's the main or God ordained Responsibility of rulers is to punish evil. So look when these idiot new and Evangelicals or whatever you call them say, you know, don't ever judge, you know what they're advocating. They're advocating anarchy They're advocating chaos is what they're advocating. You know what that's what they're getting Out there they're advocating it and they're getting it because no one will stand up Against evil anymore Because they all go to church. Oh, don't judge everything's right. No, it is not right We are to judge righteous judgment turn to John chapter 7 Now look, there are times in your life where you will need to judge and as a king and priest you will need to judge John 7 24 says judge not according to the appearance but judge righteous judgment You say, okay, great All that to say this you say, okay, great. We're to judge righteous judgment But God gave God gave Solomon all that wisdom. He just gave it to him Right, which is true. God said you're just gonna get more wisdom than anyone that's ever lived You're gonna have it right now, but how am I supposed to get that? Well turn to Hebrews 5. I'm glad you asked Turn to Hebrews 5 So in Hebrews 5 Paul is chastising believers a little bit here He is kind of you know has some harsh words for some believers in Hebrews 5 look at verse number 12 But we get an idea of what we need to do to get this discerning heart So we can judge properly because look here's something you don't want to do You don't want to be this person that goes around making the wrong decision all the time All right, you don't want to be this person that goes around just judging wrong all the time All right, that'll be disastrous as well. Look at Hebrews chapter 5 in verse number 12 The Bible says for when for when for the time you ought to be teachers You have need that one teach you again He's like you're supposed to be teachers and here I am going over the same stuff with you again that I've already got He's a little frustrated. Can you can you hear it in his voice? Which be the first principles of the oracles of God and are become such as have need of milk and not strong meat So he's saying he's comparing these first principles, you know the simple things the main things of the Bible to milk and Not strong meat look at verse 13 for everyone that uses milk is unskillful in the here We see calls it the oracles of God and now he calls it the word of righteousness for he is a babe But strong meat Belongeth to them that are of full age even those who by reason of their of use have their senses exercise to what Discern both good and evil so he's talking about reading the oracles of God Reading the word of righteousness. He's talking about reading the Bible here He's talking about reading the word of God. He's like hey when you do it by reason of use. He's like when you actually use it You will be able to discern good and evil So you want to be like Solomon and have that wise judgment you better know what the Bible says That's what Paul is saying and so he's going back and he's visiting You know a bunch of people and they just like have forgotten or they're not you know remembering You know even the simple things of the Bible and he's like look how are you going to ever learn to discern? You know Good and evil if you never actually use if you never actually read the words of God If you never actually read the oracles of God, so look God is telling the kings and Deuteronomy chapter 7 that reading his word will allow them to do this effectively Otherwise, you know judgment will be perverted by this king that doesn't know what the law says So, you know, you don't want to judge situations incorrectly You could do a lot of damage to people especially if you're a king or a priest I mean, have you ever wondered, you know, how how a good pastor just seems to know You know what to do in certain situations. Yeah, have you ever wondered that? I mean they just seem to know I mean, that's why look that's why people ask counsel of their pastor a good pastor should know what to do in situations when you're like when you've taken your life and you've made it the horrible twisted up Mess and you're like look what I've done and the pastor is like well. Here's what we're gonna do We're gonna peel this one back. We're gonna take this string around here. We're gonna do this and do that And he unravels the mess for you. How did he know how to do it turn to 1st Timothy chapter 3? How did he know how to do that? 1st Timothy chapter 3 look at verse number 6 talking about the qualifications of a pastor Look, there's a lot of bad pastors out there They call themselves pastors There's a lot of bad people out there that have you know decided to be a pastor of some group of people And are leading people astray see Jeremiah 23 Look at 1st Timothy chapter 3 the Bible says the very first thing here in this verse It says not a novice less being lifted up with pride He fall into the condemnation of the devil if you've ever wondered how a pastor can do that a good pastor a Qualified pastor it's because he is required to know the word of God He is required to have serious command of the Bible Serious command and then and only then will he have sound judgment Will he have that ability to know what to do and know how to unravel your ball that you've created? Or you know he could judge situations incorrectly I bet there's a lot of people out there that have gotten divorced because some spiritual leader told them that it was okay to get divorced I Mean that's just one example. I Mean you could really I mean you should never want to be a pastor Never want to go into any kind of position like that unless you have command of the Bible Because you could you could wreck a lot of stuff So first of all it's to get judgment so they can judge and discern good from evil second of all Go back to Deuteronomy chapter 17 Deuteronomy chapter 17 Deuteronomy chapter 17 look at verse number 20. So there's another reason there's another reason that the Bible says that this king Should read God's word and that he should read it every day and look at the first part of verse 20 It says that his heart be not lifted up amongst above his brethren look folks a major theme in the Bible is humility and The Bible says that if you read the word of God it will keep you humble Why well turn to Philippians chapter 2 for a couple different reasons, but the first one is this just simply by command Just by command. I mean humility is one of the major themes of the entire Bible to be humble Look at Philippians chapter 2 and verse number 3 we could read verses on humility For the next hour no problem look at Philippians chapter 2 look at verse number 3 The Bible says let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind Let each esteem other better than himself than themselves look We are not to be lifted up turn to Colossians chapter 3 while I read for you Luke chapter 14 verse number 11 It says for whosoever Exalted himself shall be abased and he that humble with himself shall be exalted So the Bible is teaching us to be humble look at Colossians 3 verse 12 Put on therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercies Kindness humbleness of mind meekness and long suffering James 410 says humble yourself in the sight of God and He shall lift you up So the Bible teaches again and again and again as a main theme that we need to be humble So first of all if you're reading that and you're I mean look if you're not getting that you're not reading the Bible Because it's everywhere in the Bible and the second reason is this By seeing men and women greater than us fall We are taught to be humble through the word of God by example I mean think about it from Saul to Hezekiah to pretty much all the kings like everyone missed this one Basically all the kings, you know men and women greater than us that many of them had greater resources than us, you know Have fallen Hard and when we read the Bible we see that and it's humbling turn to Proverbs chapter 16 That should keep us humble that should make us realize that you know what if it can happen to King David I Should be humble if it can happen to somebody that was in such high Standing with God that had such a perfect heart towards God Maybe I should watch myself. Maybe I'm not just safe from ever falling Look at Proverbs 16 and verse 18 The Bible says this about the opposite of humility. It says pride Goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall Look the opposite of humility is pride and pride the Bible says will literally destroy you It says look it says destruction I Mean that's rough. I mean it's kind of nice because what pride at least at least pride Goeth before destruction Right, so There's another reason to come to church right here because the problem with pride is this a lot of times pride won't show up When you look in the mirror It's always nice to have brothers and sisters in Christ friends That will wound you look I'd rather be wounded than be destroyed So it's nice to surround yourself with real friends But they're not just you know your friends to just be in sin with you to just validate your sin It's nice to have friends that will wound you before you destroy yourself I mean, I'm thankful for that that it's before destruction. I'm thankful. That's not hey pride is At the same time as destruction as soon as you get pride done I'm glad that it goes before it so you can read some at least somebody can recognize it Maybe maybe wound you and stop you from destroying yourself So it keeps you humble if you read the Bible you will be humbled That's why he tells the king to read the Bible every day Second of all and here's an important one especially, you know if you want to grow up and have a family and Have kids or whatever, but he tells him that reading the Bible reading the law is important for prolonging your kingdom You want to prolong your kingdom Go back to Deuteronomy chapter 17. It's not only for proper judgment. It's not only for humility, but It's to teach the next generation Look at Deuteronomy chapter 17 in verse number 20 That is heart not be not lifted up above his brethren that he turned not aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left To the end that he may prolong His days in his kingdom so it'll prolong your kingdom personally. Hey, there's something in it for you personally He and his children in the midst of Israel So it'll protect your kingdom. I mean think about it. I mean it'll protect your family it'll protect the next generation against perversions of the law against heresy, I mean exact I mean think about lawyers, you know arguing a case against each other. I mean who is going to be better I mean think of one lawyer arguing and he just doesn't even know what the law is. I mean, how's that going to go? Whoever whoever has better command of the law has a much better chance of prevailing I Mean knowing the law will help you protect the gospel On earth well you say, but what we have the right gospel here. How many people have the right gospel like nobody How many churches if we were to add up all the churches and even just Fresno How many of them if we said correct gospel and not correct gospel, where would the majority of churches be? It wouldn't even be close It wouldn't even be close Knowing the law will help protect the gospel and look for future generations. It needs to be protected It's our job as kings and what? priests to protect the gospel Your knowledge of the Bible will have generational effects Your knowledge of the Bible will have generational effects. You say, how is that possible because the Bible tells you? Period, I mean I can preach a whole sermon series on that one thing But for today just for sake of time because the Bible tells you that it will It says it will prolong you and your children's generation and their kingdom in the midst of Israel So look There's some serious points there for these kings to be reading the Bible every single day But look let's just let me just wrap this up for you and just say this the lack of knowledge of the Bible today in general is shocking and I can see it personally over the last few years even getting worse Look nobody has a feel or their finger on the pulse of a population like a soul winner does Nobody because you're out there. You're literally talking to the people you're literally talking to the general population and look Most people not only can they not quote anything from the Bible? Most people have forgotten the main themes of the Bible. They don't even know what they are This is the reason folks that we have the issues that we have in our country today I mean at least throughout the majority of our history, you know people had a general knowledge of the Bible You know I mean say what you want about you know the founding fathers You know some were saved some were unsaved, but they all had respect and some sort of command of what the Bible said Pretty much every single one of them They all I mean they all had respect for it I mean even the unsaved ones were like it's the best book ever written and You know living life by that book will you know ensure the This country continues in the providence of God. These were the unsaved ones saying this But nobody has any knowledge any more of the Bible in the last 50 60 years by the way This has been thrown away. I Mean in the last 50 60 years of a country who is 230 some years old. We've ruined it in the last 50 years You know how many times are you out there explaining who Jesus is to people now? You guys are not in your heads. I Mean you never would have thought of something like that 30 years ago Now they're like, you know who Jesus is no what who? Nobody has any idea So how will it turn out turn to Hosea for I know how it's gonna turn out. I Know how the story ends and so do you why because we have the Bible Turn to Hosea chapter 4. Look folks How do I know it's gonna turn out because it's the same story over and over and over again It's the same story turned to Hosea chapter 4 and look at verse number 6 and look what the Bible says look I mean, this is amazing right here. The Bible says this I'm gonna wait for you all to get there, but this is as Many times as you've read the Old Testament, maybe if you've read it a few times I know for sure when you read it the first few times or the first couple times when you read it You're just like man. They did it again. You're like, what is wrong with these people? Like they did it again what they forgot God again They just forgot him three pages ago What what's wrong with these morons? I mean, that's how you feel when you read the Old Testament especially the first couple times and then you start to realize all It's us Look at Hosea 4 6 the Bible says my people are destroyed. Why it says I mean my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge Because thou has rejected knowledge. I will also reject thee. Look, that's God talking That thou shall be no priest to me. Uh-oh Seeing that thou has forgotten the law of God. I will also forget thy children Look, this will be our downfall right here. You say what's gonna bring this country down? Is it abortion? Is it the demo the Democrats the Democrats are gonna bring us down man Is it you know the abortions of you know 55 million or whatever? I mean you could even count that high or You know gun control is that gonna bring us down? No, look these are all effects. These are all effects. Let's go back to third grade for a moment Okay, you remember cause and effect Remember cause and effect sentences. I'm gonna read you a couple real simple ones. Look John failed the test Because he did not study I've actually used this on a couple of you, you know if you fail a test, you know why because he didn't study You know how I know that because you fail But that's not the point. Okay, the point is John failed the test because he did not study So the effect is that John failed the test The cause was that he did not study. Here's another one Because Jenny hates liver she never eats it Okay, so look the effect is what? She never Jenny never eats liver Why? Because she does not like it. Okay, so look They point out words like because you should look for words like because right go back to Hosea Chapter four and verse number six. So, you know the public school will teach you Hey look for words like because they won't tell you hey think Hey, use your brain Use your brain. Is there a cause and effect here? They'll say look for words like because so let's look in the Bible at words like because Look at Hosea chapter four in verse number six. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge because thou hast rejected knowledge The cause brings about the effect the cause is lack of knowledge We forgot the law the effect our people are destroyed and look you forget the law the causes you forgot the law The effect is God forgets you whoa So if we forget the law in this country, which we've forgotten God will forget us That is what's going to happen. All the other things are effects They're just effects. I mean You forget my law and I'll forget you That sounds judgmental. I mean that sounds judgmental. I mean it should because that is judgment. I Mean, that's a decision that someone made That's a decision that said look because look look if you forget the law if I give you a law I give you direction and you just don't take that direction. I have some choices available to me. I Can do nothing I Can not I mean say we're at work and I tell you to do something you don't do it. I Could do nothing. I could just ignore it, right? I mean, that's an option on the boss. I can do whatever I want. I Could not pay you I Could fire you means lots of options, right or I could destroy you I mean I couldn't as your boss, but I mean God can destroy you. I Mean as far as the spectrum Goes of what God can do. I would say destroying you and forgetting you is like the the far end of The spectrum that's where we're at and they're just effects for forgetting the law We're seeing it happen, right? We should notice these things, right? We should notice the the the gun control and the control of the government We should notice the slaughtering of unborn children. We should notice these things We should judge against these things. We should speak against these things We should preach against these things. We should try to get people saved and change their mind in this spiritual war That's what we're supposed to do. We're kings and priests We're supposed to do this. We're supposed to judge righteous judgment to discern good and evil But in order to do that you need to know what the Bible says period You need it for judgment For proper judgment You need it for humility, and you know what maybe most importantly You need it for the next generation If they are to have a fighting chance in this mess Because it will be worse for them Because we're fighting we're fighting, but we're losing according to the numbers. We're not winning You should know that soul winner But we stay we keep fighting. It's our job It's what we are put here to do no matter what no matter what the numbers say no matter what the polls say we go We have some charts in the back And I don't know if you've seen him take one That chart will show you how you can read through the end. You know most people have never read through the whole Bible Most saved Christians don't read the Bible much less read through the whole Bible But if you take those charts and you read what not once a month Not once a week you will notice that that chart is a daily chart And if you follow that chart you will read the Bible through cover to cover in one year Don't worry about being behind just start on the date that you're on and by you know August 16th of next year You will have read the whole Bible If you are a saved Christian and you've not read the whole Bible You need to make that a goal Because it is you say why because you will forget the law Look you will forget it. I'm telling you You will forget it because there is a constant pressure To fill you with other things and to take over your heart and to to direct you to other things That are of this world to choke you out With thorns of this world and if you do not read the law you will for you will forget it You will forget it look I read through chapters in the Bible that I haven't read for a while and I'm like I have forgotten that You say you yeah me look I don't read every chapter of the Bible every day When you when you don't read it, it's not only that you will just forget what it says There is this huge pressure that will make you forget it faster and God forbid that your heart gets turned against it Because then you're in trouble So listen folks you are kings and priests You must read the Bible You must read the Bible or you will forget the law and if you forget the law You know as a nation we have forgotten the law and God says I will forget you Read the Bible every day. It's super important. Take a chart Take it home with you look we have this we have this Bible I've read books from like the 1800 1700s that having a Bible was like people sold like half their goods to get a Bible They're like they're like my dad this one story was like my dad sold our only cow to get a Bible They had one cow and he sold the cow to get a Bible. I Mean weed. I mean a Bible is they're they're everywhere now. So we take them for granted. See Don't forget the law What's power heads and have a word of prayer?