THE COURAGE TO MOVE FORWARD (2 CHRONICLES 15:1-19)

 

THE COURAGE TO MOVE FORWARD

BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 CHRONICLES 15:1-19

Picture taken from Google

Lesson Prepared by: Krisha of Solomon’s Wisdom FB page

JANUARY 31, 2021

MEMORY VERSE

Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak; for your work shall be rewarded.

2 CHRONICLES 15:7

 INTRODUCTION:

We can see in the life of Israelites the ups and downs of their spirituality. If they were obedient and forgot the Lord, they suffered afflictions and wars. In verses 1-6, we have read that in long season they had been without God, without teaching priest and without law (verse 3). Imagine their lives without the important things. The Prophet Azariah describes the bad state of Israel in their overconfidence and distance from God. They had rejected God, those who teach them the Word of God, and the law itself. But when they were in trouble they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and sought Him, and He was found by them. This is a reminder that even when the people of God were set low because of their disobedience, God would restore them when they turned to the Lord God of Israel. In verses 5 and 6, let’s read:

And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries. And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.

We can see that they are no peace in Israel. What reminders we can get from these verses? If we are distant from the Lord, there’s no peace, AMEN!

 

All of us here were decided to commit in the ministry. I don’t know what motivate you of doing that decision. Again, I remember the commercial of Nescafe, “Kanino ka bumabangon? (For whom you wake up?”) Of course, the commercial encourages people to drink coffee to motivate them to stand up and work or face their day with strength. How about in spiritual aspect, what motivates us to move?

 

In verse 8 when Asa heard these words from the prophet, the state of Israel, and the encouragement which mentioned in verse 7, “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded,” King Asa made a decision. What made king Asa decide? When he heard the words of the prophet; it is by God’s Word and promises. What did he do after hearing God’s words and promises?

 

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  HE TOOK COURAGE AND PUT AWAY THE ABOMINABLE IDOLS (2 CHRONICLES 15:8)

And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim…

 

To commit there are something or someone we need or should give up and this is what I think one of the reasons why some Christians don’t decide to commit. For example, you have a non-christian boyfriend or girlfriend, that is hard to give up especially if he or she hinders you in some ways. Sometimes this happens also to a Christian boyfriend or girlfriend; he or she doesn’t help you in the ministry instead he hinders you in unnoticeable situations. This is also for marriage couples. The wives are encouraged to let their husbands commit; don’t disconnect to a local church.  Another thing, not just relationships also the work, careers and dreams in life are in the list. Everything that holds you for not committing is on this list.

 

Do you think it would be easy for King Asa to just put away the idols? Remember the verse says, “He took courage…” because this wasn’t easy. Why it wasn’t easy? It is because he would go against his mother. Let’s read verse 16, “And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron”. So, you see it was hard especially this involves your family.

 

So I’m thankful that you took courage and commit because I know there are many things you do in the flesh that you need to give up. THANK GOD!

 

2.  RENEWED THE ALTAR OF THE LORD (2 CHRONICLES 15:8B)

“… and renewed the altar of the Lord, that was before the porch of the Lord.”

 

The meaning of renewed here means “restored” because that time the altar was broken and needed to be fixed because it wasn’t used for a long time. Altar talks about fellowship and this what King Asa wanted to restore too. Imagine your personal relationship with the Lord is wiggling and need to restore. Sorry to say that when your heart was not good in the sight of God, it’s hard for you to commit. Part of commitment is renewing our fellowship with the Lord.

 

3.  THEY GATHERED THEMSELVES TOGETHER (2 CHRONICLES 15:10)

“So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.”

You can’t separate church from commitment to the Lord. Committing yourself is seen through your attendance in gatherings and assembly. Hebrews 10: 25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Remember the rules the church had before regarding our church attendance, we had some little debate about this but it’s part of the ministry – to talk and reconcile for the ministry. There is no question if you have few absences or no absences at all but the problem is when your absence is over the number of times you should be present.  In times like this, we should search our hearts and accept what your faults heartily; it’s between you God who knows exactly your reasons.  We can understand the reasons, but the basis should be the Bible. Are we following Hebrews 10:25? It’s up to us to answer.

Upon hearing God’s words, king Asa renewed the altar and made gatherings which mentioned in verse 10. So, what’s the purpose of restoring the altar? Of course, for the Israelites to gather and worship. Same with us, what’s the purpose of church? For us to have an assembly and worship.

4.  THEY OFFERED UNTO THE LORD THE SAME TIME (2 CHRONICLES 15:11)

“And they offered unto the Lord the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.”

 

If you’re really committed there are no questions anymore about giving. I remember the little issue before about giving our pledges to the Lord. Some members said, it was like “bidding”. They don’t like to mention how much they gave. Actually, this is not a big deal, but this is what I see, if your heart is not right with GOD, small things become big things. You always see things a big issue.

 

5.  THEY ENTERED INTO A COVENANT WITH ALL THEIR HEART AND SOUL (2 CHRONICLES 15:12)

“And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;”

 

They swore unto the Lord with a loud voice, with shouting, with trumpets and with cornets. They rejoiced at the oath. Hoping some of us would not say, “Patay na” upon an oath. Rejoicing should see on our face not regrets. Asa brought into the house of God the hings his father had dedicated and that he himself dedicated silver, gold and vessels (verse 18).  And the blessing of their decision and commitment, the Lord gave them rest. Imagine no wars within 5 – 13 years of Asa’s reign (verse 19). Would that be blessing, no wars? Yes, amen! Remember that entering the covenant or commitment is not only responsibility but blessings and guidance from the LORD.

 

 CONCLUSION:

We see that courage that made King Asa, and the Israelites decided to enter the covenant is through God’s words. In the same way with us, our courage comes from the Lord with His words. Now we see the blessing of being committed but be careful because in a moment you forget- miss God’s fellowship and everything will go upside-down. Don’t think that you’re strong enough today; you might fall. Don’t say I’m active, busy and usable; there’s no way to be stumble. Bible says, “Take heed lest ye fall…”

If times come that you don’t rely on God’s word anymore that’s the beginning of affliction and wars in our lives. After years of no wars and blessings, king Asa came to the point of his life that he was no longer rely on God’s words. When king Asa of Judah and king of Israel had issues, he made a league to an enemy which made God not pleased to his actions.  2 Chronicles 16:7 says, “And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.”

Whatever spiritual status we have for now, we need God’s words every day in our lives. Bible says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”.  In verse 12, “And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.”

So, you see that not relying on God is a great mistake we could ever do in our lives. Always remember we cannot move forward successfully without God’s words.

LIFE IN SERVICE (2 SAMUEL 1:11; 2:18-21,26)

 

LIFE IN SERVICE

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 SAMUEL 1:11; 2: 18-21, 26

Picture taken from Google

Lesson Prepared by: Krisha of Solomon’s Wisdom FB page

Lesson ideas taken from: https://becomingchristians.com/

AUGUST 28, 2022

MEMORY VERSE

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

EPEHSIANS 5:16

 

INTRODUCTION:

Let me ask you a question, when did you start in the ministry? Let’s see who among here has been in the ministry for so long and also who has just started. I’ve asked that because I have a second question – “Have you thought that ‘Life in God’s Service’ is already your life?  This is a hard question because you don’t know what will be your attitude in the next season of your life but I know all of us would agree that is what we pray for, right? Bible says in Psalms 27:4

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.”

 

 

 

To achieve this, Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:14, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;” DON’T JUST SAY that I’ll be in the ministry all the days of my life, DO IT. Bible warns us, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Pastors, preachers, leaders and teachers of the Bible are not exempted to this. They fail and so do we.  Let’s always remember that we can’t do it in this life without GOD.

 

In our passage today, you already know the character we’re going to talk about. Just for recap, Samuel’s story began with his mother Hannah who was a barren or childless woman. Hannah could not have a child and became very distraught over the fact that she could not conceive children. She begged God to give her a child and in return she would place the child in his service. God honored her request and allowed her to become pregnant. After she had given birth to Samuel, she took care of him for the early years of his life. By the time Samuel was a teenager, he was given to the care of a priest named Eli. Once he was placed in Eli’s care, he learned about God’s ways and by the time he was a teenager God had appointed him to his future position as a prophet and leader in Israel.

 

In Samuel’s service, we can see that things weren’t always smooth in the service for God. Today, let’s learn some lessons we can get from his service.

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  LIFE IN SERVICE HAS NO AGE LIMIT

“And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.” (1 Samuel 1:11)

 

If you notice at the last line of this verse, “…then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life…” That caught my attention and I’ve come up to this question – who among here wants her or his children to be found in the service of the Lord all their lives?

But how can parents do that if they, themselves, are not in the service? I imagine a life of a family who takes the ministry for granted and that is a failure. For sure, the enemy gives you so many hindrances in life in order for you to say “I can’t commit on this.”

 

Parents have the great responsibility in leading their children in the right path. This should be the joy of all Christian parents, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4). One of the ways to be aware of spiritual matters in early age is bring them in Sunday School, that’s the first step. At early age teach them the Bible and don’t teach your kids principles which is against the teaching of the Bible.

 

In Samuel’s case, Hannah, his mother, prepared him in the ministry. The life of Samuel shows us that we can never be too young to serve God. Surely, God has given us talents and the abilities that we can use to play a role in God’s work. The words of King Solomon should ring true in our lives today:

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;” (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

 

Service at work or outside the church has age limit but in God’s vineyard, there’s no age limit. We can serve GOD whatever age we have, therefore, don’t say, “I am old I can’t make it in the ministry” because whatever your situation or your age, there are ministries fitted for us in the vineyard.

 

2.  LIFE IN SERVICE HAS UPS AND DOWNS

God doesn’t promise that life in the world is peaceful and so in the ministry but the best thing is, He’s with us. In Samuel’s service had ups and downs:

v Samuel received favor from God and man: 1 Samuel 2:26 “And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.”

v God anointed Samuel to the position of prophet and judge (1 Samuel 3:4-11)

v Samuel became a famous prophet throughout Israel:  1 Samuel 3:20 “And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.”

v Samuel led the forces of Israel against the Philistines at Mizpah: 1 Samuel 7

v Samuel as judge of Israel: 1 Samuel 7:15 “And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.”

v Samuel was rejected: 1 Samuel 8:7 “And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.”

v God anointed Saul as king and told Samuel about his decision: 1 Samuel 9:17 “And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.”

v God told Samuel to reject Saul as king: 1 Samuel 15:26 “And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.”

v Samuel anointed David as king: 1 Samuel 16:13 “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”

We know that in the ministry has ups and down and we can see that in the life of Samuel. Time comes that when people see that he was no longer needed as a prophet and judge in Israel and they wanted another. Imagine the feeling of rejection but God comforted him in 1 Samuel 8:7. So you see that’s part of the ministry.

Also, times come that we are used the systems in the ministry and we are not careful in our attitude and something caught you off guard. The enemy surprises you and you need to be careful. Bible warns in 1 Corinthians 6:3

2 Corinthians 6:3 – “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:”

Tagalog: Na di nagbibigay ng kadahilanang ikatitisod sa anoman, upang ang aming ministerio ay huwag mapulaan;

 

Sad to hear to see or hear that after 39 years in the ministry, you found yourself trapped in the things you were not careful. It’s impossible to get out of that situation, unless the power of God overshadowed that situation. We see pastors, leaders and teachers are trapped and so everyone are not exempted. The enemy tries everything in order for us not by God properly in the field of God’s ministry.

 

If you do your best in the ministry and lean on God everyday of your life, the Bible encourages us in 1 Corinthians 15:58 (Let’s recite).

 

3.  LIFE IN SERVICE MEANS ‘TILL THE END

 

We need to realize the importance of redeeming the time. May I ask young people here to stand. As young people in the Church, you will never know when your life ends. You will never know what tomorrow will bring. Also, please stand to those who are not young people anymore. The same is true for everyone. Planning our lives apart from God is like aimlessly sailing in the middle of the vast ocean.

 

We need to develop a SENSE OF URGENCY. Remember that today is the first day of the rest of your life. Each passing day brings us closer to God’s coming Kingdom. It is a tragedy to chase the wrong things in life because, at the end, the only thing that will matter is the relationship we build with God.

 

All the physical things in this world will just fade away and be dissolved (II Peter 2:11). With this being said, the Apostle Peter asked a question, “What manner of persons ought you to be?”

 

Pastor said, “I have heard a lot of older people in the church who wished they have been called in the church in an earlier age. I am one of them. I have seen first-hand the joy and blessings of living God’s way of life in a very young age and how I wish that I was in the church during an earlier time.”

 

Each day of our lives, we are getting older. There is no better way to spend the prime of our years than to do God’s work. We should not delay answering the call of God because each passing day we waste is an also opportunity to live a blessed life.

“There is no better way to spend the prime of our years than to do God’s work.”

I hear some young people that they would serve God after finishing their studies; after they are stable enough to start a family; and after they have enough money to be independent. This is a HUGE delusion that Satan has cast on the minds of our young people! There is no better time to serve God than TODAY!

Samuel had been in the service since the day his mother offered him in the temple and until the day of his death (1 Samuel 28:3).

CONCLUSION:

Have you asked yourself, “How would you rather be found?” If time comes that your life ends what are you doing? Bible says in Matthew 24:26,

“Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”

 

WHO KNOWS?

 

WHO KNOWS?

picture taken from Goggle

BIBLE PASSAGE: Ecclesiastes 6:12; 7:13-14

THEME VERSE:

For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

INTRODUCTION:

Who knows what is good for man in this life?

As we become adults, we act like we’re good. In decisions, future plans, family issues, and everything. Let’s see and learn from the characters in the Bible and then let’s answer with our mind who really knows what is good for man in this life?

·         King Saul – He chased David in order to kill him. He made desperate measures to make his son, Jonathan, to be in throne. Normally, his son should be the successor but he saw that David was the great possibility because the hand of the Lord was in him. He wanted his son to be in throne which is what a king wanted to be but his will is different from God’s. 

·         King Rehoboam – He asked the two different opinions: the nation’s elders versus his childhood friends. This was regard to the kind of labor that would be given to the workers but he chose the wrong counsel- his childhood friends.

·         King David – When David committed sin (adultery), he solved the problem in his own way. Instead of repenting, he tried to cover it up by killing the husband of Bathshaba.

·         King Solomon – He was given the wisdom, wealth and fame but he came to a point in his life where his wives led him to the wrong way.

·         Ananias and Sapphira – They are married couple, sell a piece of property and promise to donate but they secretly hold back a portion. They chose to lie in the presence of God.

 

These are some of the adults in the bible who had wrong decisions and chose the wrong path. Most of them had higher positions and had higher status in life but these are not guarantee that you know how what is good in your life. Ecclesiastes 6:12 reminds us…

For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

LESSON POINTS:

1)   WHO KNOWS WHAT IS GOOD FOR A PERSON IN THIS LIFE?

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 14:12 reminds us that we don’t know the right path. In fact, we don’t know the best for us that’s why we need Someone to guide us and that Someone is not our friends, parents and others- HE IS OUR CREATOR. Our friends, parents and others are used by God for our guidance but the greater SOURCE of wisdom is the Lord. Psalms 139: 1-4 mentioned that God knows all.

O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

Ignoring God and make your own way is a great mistake. In 2 Kings 1:1-15, the king, Ahaziah, fell down from the lattice in his upper chamber and he got ill. With this, he sent messengers to inquire Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron if he would recover. God talked to Elijah and commanded to meet the messengers and reminded them if Israel has no great God to be inquired about and rather inquired to other god. The messengers hadn’t continued inquiring and they went back to the palace. Then the king sent captain with his fifty men to get Elijah in his place but God consumed them. The king sent another captain with his fifty but they were also consumed like the first group of men. For the third time, the king sent another captain with his fifty to get Elijah. This time the captain fell on his knees and begged Elijah to spare him and fifty men. Elijah went with them and told everything to the king what God had asked him to tell. Because he didn’t acknowledge the God of Israel, sad to say, he didn’t recover with this and died.

 

2)   WHO KNOWS WHO CAN MAKE A STRAIGHT LIFE INTO CROOKED?

Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

Ecclesiastes 7:13 reminds us to consider the work of God. In this life, God can make everything into place. He can make your life crooked for us to learn something and your crooked life can be straight depending on God’s will.

 

Let’s remember Naomi’s life. She had a better life in Israel but when famine comes, she moved to Moab. When they were in Moab, there were bad things happened in her life. Her husband died and her sons too; her two daughters-in-law left without husbands. Her daughter-in-law, Ruth, begged to come with her in going back to her country. Ruth and Naomi went back to Israel and this was she said when asked by the people, “I went out full, and the Lord brought me home again empty.” Personally, this caught my attention and truly, only GOD can make you full and empty. It’s not the place that gives you wealth and opportunities, it’s our CREATOR. He has the power to give you wealth. 

 

3)   WHO KNOWS WHAT THE FUTURE LIES AHEAD?

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 is a greatly reminder that everything happens for a reason. In prosperity be joyful and if other bad things happen consider God’s dealings.

One of my favorite characters in the Bible is Joseph. Though there are many bad things happened to him, we can see that God’s still in control. His brothers treated him badly, he was sold to a merchant, he was served in a place he was not comfortable, a different country and away from family. He was accused of being a rapist by the wife of his boss. He was in prison for years. Though we may see these things a bad luck or being unfortunate and we may not consider that the hands of the Lord are still there or still in control but the fact is all things happened for a reason. He was given by God the ability to interpret dreams. He helped one of the prisoners by interpreting his dreams but sad to say the prisoner forgot that someone in prison helped him and that was Joseph. Though he was forgotten by the prisoner, God would never forget him. He made a way for Joseph to be recognized by Potiphar.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 is the best verse for us to remember that whatever we face at this moment, God has better plans for us. Let’s consider God’s works and trust Him.

CONCLUSION:

In order for us to know God’s hands in the midst of trials and sufferings, let’s consider what Romans 12:2 says,

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We need God’s wisdom for us to determine what is right from wrong and also to discern what is right and almost right. We can do this by renewing our minds and fill our minds with God’s words. Why fill our minds with God’s words? So it could help us with the implanted views we have by the world.