The Big Thought: Assyria hears three words or phrases that no one ever wants to hear from God.
1. .
1 Kings 13:30 (ESV) – And he laid the body in his own grave. And they mourned over him, saying, “Alas, my brother!”
Micah 2:1 (ESV) – Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand.
Habakkuk 2:12 (ESV) – Woe to him who builds a town with blood and founds a city on iniquity!
a. Woe to the life of unnecessary .
b. Woe to the one who is .
Revelation 21:8 (ESV) – But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
c. Woe to the one who is the .
Psalm 72:4 (ESV) – May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!
2. I am you.
a. Resulting in your .
b. Resulting in your .
c. Resulting in your .
3. .
Jeremiah 2:13, 15, & 19 (ESV) – For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water… The lions have roared against him; they have roared loudly. They have made his land a waste; his cities are in ruins, without inhabitant… Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the LORD your God; the fear of Me is not in you, declares the Lord GOD of hosts.
What do we want to hear from God?
1. Not “ to you,” but “ are you!”
Matthew 5:2-11 (ESV) – And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
2. Not “I am you,” but “I am you.”
Romans 8:31-32 (ESV) – What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?
3. Not a , but “Well done, good and faithful .”
Matthew 25:21 (ESV) – His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”