LIVING FAR FROM THE EDGE (2 CHRONICLES 26:1-23)

 

LIVING FAR FROM THE EDGE

BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 CHRONICLES 26: 1 - 23

Picture taken from Google

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

Lesson ideas taken from: https://www.openthoumineeyes.com/bible-answers/separation

 MARCH 28, 2021

MEMORY VERSE

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

EPHESIANS 5:11

 

INTRODUCTION:

Many Christians fail in the area of separation. Most often, they will not separate themselves from the things of this world and separates themselves unto God. They want the comfort of knowing they will go to heaven, but their sincerity is lacking. They will not separate from the places they should not be. They want to dress like and look like the world. Their desire is to fit in like everyone else.

I remember the struggles I faced when I stepped up to college.  In the area of how I should look was hard; I don’t want to look weird. So, I understand the struggle of fitting in but if you failed to this part you would fail to the other area therefore, we need to overcome this. I experienced also the struggles at work (tell some of the struggles).

Too often Christians are more interested in fitting in with the world than they are fitting in with God. We should not strive to fit in and appear like everyone else. Remember when your mom would say to you scolding you for something, “If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do it?” We did not like her admonishment, but too many are doing that spiritually. We are doing what everyone does around us. Too many are following the world, rather than leading the world by a Christ-like example.  I remember what pastor Rod had said in some of her devotions, “You would not be happy in a place you did not belong with.” For example, the fishes, they would not be happy on the land; the right place for them is in water. 

 

The question, or place of confusion for many is, “Well, what is it I should be separated from?  What are the ungodly, works of wicked I am to keep away from?”

Reading the Bible will reveal the main source of what should be avoided — sin.  There are more sins than those found in the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20).  One man counted over 600 sins. One will not know what they should keep away from if they do not read in the Bible and learn what they are.

“Well, a lot of the sins are for Old Testament times,” is often the retort. The Old Testament, particularly the Law, is the schoolmaster (Gal. 3:24) that teaches us what God likes and dislikes. Since God never changes, what was sin to Him in those days, unless there is a retraction or permission given in the New Testament, is still sin today.

People feel more comfortable with a list of sins.  However, because of man’s devices, dealings, and different times, sins change.  A list of sins from Old Testament times would not apply today. Scales no longer have weights, so the sin about “false balances” would not be valid for most today.  However, the principle behind that sin, cheating and deceiving, still can be applied today. There were no guns in 1200 BC, but fatally shooting someone with one today is still a sin. Murder has always been sin, with a gun or a stone. Alcoholic beer is not mentioned in the Bible; however, drunkenness is to be avoided according to God’s Word.  Abortion also is not mentioned in the Bible, but the principle of not killing another and taking one’s life is clearly sin. Many insist the dress codes and standards of the Old Testament are only for by-gone days, but the principle that honors the differences in the sexes God created has not changed.

Many justify sin and lack of separation with the excuse, “Today is different.”  Sin is sin and always has been.  The principles of what is sin need to be learned from God’s Word and applied.

Man’s lifestyle and possessions are always changing.  A list of what not to do will never be accurate for more than several years.  It is the spirit of the doing the right things that must be established, and then an attitude of discernment will hold true and guide one no matter what changes in the world. It is the “spirit” of God’s law that needs to be the ruler to measure what is right and wrong, not just being on God’s list of sins (“the letter” of the law).
“Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” II Cor. 3:6

https://www.openthoumineeyes.com/bible-answers/separation

 

Our title for today is “Living Far From the Edge”; What does this mean? From the picture shown, we can see the edge of the cliff. When one lives a life far from the edge which means far of being “wrong or sinful”. Why we need to live far from the edge?

 

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  IT PROTECTS US FROM BEING TEMPTED AND FALLING INTO SIN (1 THESS. 5:22)

Abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

 

Many Christians do not want to live the separated life, yet they still want to have an appearance of being a Christian. They are so close to sin, that it takes very little to unbalance them spiritually.

A pastor illustrated this by stumbling off the line he was walking and tripped down the steps. “But” he went on to illustrate, “Those that have learned the wisdom that they need to stay away from anything that would tempt them or even give an appearance of their doing sin, get far away from that ‘tolerable’ line.”  He moved far away from the imaginary line separating right and wrong.  As he continued, he pointed out that, “As I get farther away the questionable ‘gray’ area, you will see that I am getting closer to God.”  That is what living far from the edge of right and wrong does; it protects us from being tempted and falling into sin.

He went back to the line of “what-one-can-get-away-with-and-still-not-be-involved-in-sin.”  As the preacher tried to balance on the line again, he warned, “Those that live close to the edge of where they were before they were saved, and what they know is sin, cannot lose their salvation when they get too close to their old lifestyle, but they can get involved in sin.  They may lose their testimony that may take a long time, if ever, to get back. Their witness as a godly example will be ruined.

“When one refers to Christian hypocrites it is those that got to close to the edge and fell into sin that are being referred to.  It is much safer to get as far from the edge, and get close to God.  If it is questionable, give God the benefit of the doubt, and stay away from its involvement.”

That is what separation is all about, separating oneself from anything that will make one fall.  That is why God wants us to separate from many things of this world and, of course, from sin. God loves us and does not want His children hurt by sin or weakened by its temptation.  Separate yourself from the world and unto God.

We have read the life of King Uzziah; he began well, but success and power went to his head and caused him to stop being faithful (summarize the story if needed upon explaining). But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was false to the LORD his God and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. In the ministry, sometimes we think that it’s better for us to do the work because we are like the description “worthy or fit” doing it. It’s possible we think that way because of our position: possible we are the leader, ministry leader, assistant, friend of the pastor’s wife, or the pastor’s son.

On a similar theme, there is a temptation, as you get older, to become casual and to assume that you have now learned how to handle pressures and temptations. You may then begin to loosen your standards and to think that it is safe for you to cut corners slightly, or to compromise a little on ethical issues relating to money, sex, work, relationships, or your use of power. It is precisely when you think you cannot, or will not, fall that you are in greatest danger of falling.

A person who is aware of their weakness, and concerned that they may fall, will take care to avoid tempting situations. But a person who has begun to trust themselves is in great danger. Therefore, never trust yourself. Never consider yourself to be above temptation, or immune to falling into any kind of sin, especially the ones that you feel drawn to, or about which you have ever felt tempted to compromise. Those are the very areas where you particularly need to redouble your vigilance and keep yourself on a short lead. As Malachi puts it, we need to guard ourselves: (https://realchristianity.com/dont-become-complacent-later/)

2.  WE CANNOT LIVE IN TWO WORLDS (1 JOHN 2:15-17)

¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

 

·       We have a great tendency of neglecting God’s purpose and design for us, and we end up glorifying all the wrong things: Giving all our money to entertainment, and actors, and holidays, Glorifying movie stars, and filthy musicians, and authors, Worshipping money and possessions and God calls this world unworthy of our love and worship (Gal 1:4)

 

·       We are the objects of God’s great love (Eph 2:4-7). Therefore, the appropriate responses we should have toward God is to praise Him, adore Him, magnify Him and fellowship with Him, at all times (Ps 34:1; 62:8).

·       The Bible teaches us that God is a jealous God, and He is jealous of whatever takes us away from Him.

·       Brethren, God's jealousy for us is the basis of being separated from sin unto Him. God wants every believer to be separate from everything that would draw our allegiance, our attention, our confidence away from Him.

·       If God does not have all of us, He is jealous of what takes us away from Him. Biblical separation is separating ourselves from that which we have allowed to take us away from God, and simply returning unto Him. It is taught throughout the Bible and needs to be seriously practiced by Christians today (Exodus 34:14).

 

God demands our separation from wicked places, practices, and people. He knows if we participate in these things, we will limit Him in our lives. Listen to me! Because God is a pure, holy, and righteous God, we cannot live long if we continue living in sin (Rom 6:23). Therefore, separation (putting some distance between our lives and the ways of this world) is not an option, but a survival act.

 

CONLUSION:

How To Live Separate Without Going OUT of this World

1.     By Choice - It is a Choice – YOUR Choice. It is called repentance

 

·       God’s choice was to draw you and I close to Himself (Dt 7:6-8)

·       Our choice must be to go ahead and draw close (James 4:8)

·       Since Christians are no longer children of the devil, we are commanded to walk and abide in the light of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:8 / Ephesians 5:11 — separation verse for sure/Romans 13:12-14

·       It involves putting distance between our eyes and ears, and the filth of this world (Lev 20:24-26)

What are the things we do: so much on your TV, so much of today’s music, even so much of the newspaper – so dark and un-educational – all only filth

You need to know what is good and clean and wholesome, and what is filthy and dirty and wrong – and keep it away from your eyes, and the eyes and ears of your children! It not only means protecting your eyes and ears, but your minds! It means bringing every thought into subjection to its design (2Cor 10:5,6) – They must be used for praise, and preaching, and encouragement, and edifying, and rebuking in love!

 

2.          By Constant Cleansing

 

·       by constantly reading and meditating on God’s word (John 15:3; 17:17)

·       Then by quickly confessing and apologising for all transgressions – never being stubborn (1John 1:9; king Saul taught you that)

·       Then by claiming the cleansing power of the eternal blood of Christ (Heb 9:13,14) to wash every stain away (1John 1:7)

 

3.         By Fearing God (2Cor 7:1) 

Just suffice it to say, that when we truly get back to fearing God, and knowing that He will always direct His attention at removing every sin in our lives, then that will help motivate us to keep “short accounts” with Him, and stay clean, and right with Him

 

Illustration:

One day a farmer grabbed his shot gun to shoot at a flock of pesky crows. Unfortunately, he didn’t see his sociable parrot that had joined the crows. After firing a few shots, he walked over to the fallen birds and was surprised to find his parrot badly ruffled with a broken wing. When the farmer’s children saw the injured bird, they asked, “Dad, what happened?” The farmer simply replied, “Bad company.”

Scripture often warns us to avoid harmful influences. Regardless of our age or spiritual strength, over time, unwise influences will negatively affect our walk with the Lord. Satan is determined to pull us into sin and wreck our lives, and he often uses wrong influences to accomplish his goal.

Source: Unknown

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

EPHESIANS 5:11

 

YOU ARE GREATLY LOVED (EPHESIANS 2:3-5,8; DANIEL CHAPTERS 1 & 2

 

YOU ARE GREATLY LOVED

BIBLE PASSAGE: Ephesians 2:3-5, 8 ; Daniel chapters 1 & 2

Picture taken from Google

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

FEBRUARY 21, 2021

MEMORY VERSE

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

EPHESIANS 2:4

 

INTRODUCTION:

When was the first time you had received or heard from someone “I love you”?

I’ll give you all few minutes to think about it; let’ go back to that later.

When I was a child, I thought I was not loved. (Give some situations why thinking this thing.)

To make it short, so when I first heard the gospel, the words “Someone loves you” struck me.

 

About the question, possibly, we first heard from our parents the words, “I love you”. In Daniel 9:23, Daniel heard the words “You are greatly loved” this is where our title came from. Let’s just give a brief explanation of the words, “You are greatly loved”. This is a passive voice which means the subject is not doer but receiver. Why I said this, the sentence “You are greatly loved” means you’re not the doer but rather the receiver – You are greatly loved and who’s the doer? It is GOD – “You are greatly loved by GOD”.  Amen! So when the angel said to Daniel, “You are greatly loved” means God greatly loves Daniel. 

 

When Daniel heard them from the words of an angel, it was not once but three times. Wouldn’t you love to hear from an angel saying, “You are greatly loved”? Before we read, let me explain that the word “beloved” which its Hebrew is “chumdah” is found 25 times in the Bible and it is translated “pleasant”, “desired,” “goodly,” and “precious”. The word seems to suggest what God’s love does rather that what it is. Daniel was “desired” by the Lord because the love of God made him “precious, pleasant, or goodly” in His sight.

It doesn’t matter whether we are cute, handsome, or ugly, God loves you. I remember the Psalm 139:14; this was always in my mind. I really memorized it because it helped me a lot every time I had problem in regard to my self-esteem. Other meaning of beloved is loved that’s why in other translations “beloved” translated to “Loved”.

·       Daniel 9:23 –  At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

·       Daniel 10:11 –  And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

·       Daniel 10:19 – And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

From whom do we want to hear the word, “I love You”? In Young People maybe you want to hear it from your long-time crush. In couples, you want it to hear from your spouse. Is it more pleasant to hear “You are greatly loved” from God or from an angel? Of course, from God! In fact, we heard it too, God himself says to us in His word – which is surer than an angel speaking – “You are greatly loved.”

 

There it stands in Ephesians 2:3–5, 8: We “were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. . . . For by grace, you have been saved through faith.”

 This is the only place where Paul uses this wonderful phrase “great love.” And it is better than an angel’s voice. If you have seen Jesus as true and received him as your supreme treasure, that is, if you are “alive,” you are greatly loved. Greatly loved by the Creator of the universe. Just think of it! Greatly loved! It’s good to memorize this verse from Ephesians 2:4, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,”

 

And now let’s study some of situations in the life of Daniel and what are the situations showing that He was greatly loved.

 

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  FROM HIS YOUTH, GOD’S GUIDANCE HAD BEEN THERE.

He was an Israelite, about 18 years of age when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah about the year 606 BC; he was captured and then deported to the fabulous city of Babylon, the most magnificent city in the world. He was of royal descent (relation) (verse 3), handsome, a man of culture and outstandingly intelligent (verse 4). Because of these qualities King Nebuchadnezzar chose him and gave orders that he should be trained in all the language and literature of the Chaldeans (verse 4); he was a Jew among Gentiles, living in an alien land, a believer among unbelievers –- and God had a great work to do through him over a period of 70-80 years. It was a terrible experience for him to be deported a thousand miles to Babylon.

 

The great love of God to Daniel appeared in his early and thorough nonconformity to the world. Everything was done that could be done to make the young Hebrew forget God of his fathers. Everywhere around them they saw idolatry, lust, and crime. There was nothing when they went abroad or when they stayed at home but what would suggest to them the abominations of the heathen.

 

Let’s try to put ourselves on Daniel’s shoes. You were kidnapped by an enemy then you are in the process of trainings. Part of the training is the food, and your belief contradicts to the food offered, possibly it was against Leviticus law or offered unto idols. Therefore, this was against his convictions.  It’s hard to live in a foreign land and stand up for your faith. Also, the emotions of being away from your home and away from your spiritual refuge is another struggle. Before the early YP of CBT had the thoughts like this, if Christians decided to work in Manila, the tendency is they adapted the worldly things. When they came back, there were changes in their lifestyles. Now, anywhere you go you can adapt many things (either good or bad) because SOCMED is there.

 

Sometimes if we have struggles and problems, questions begin to appear in our minds like why is this happening to me? Or why me? He had struggles and trials but at the same time, the trainings were in his favor. Don’t you think these favors were from their own? Let’s read Daniel 1: 9 and 20.

Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

 

So, you see though there are struggles but God’s guidance is there. Have you remembered your struggles from your youth?  Or the YP at this present time has struggles? Remember God is always there, and you are greatly loved.

I remember Joseph, one of my favorite Bible characters. Let’s read Genesis 50:20.

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive.

We think it’s bad but actually it’s for our own good. Everything has a purpose. Another verse from Philippians 1:12

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

Paul had many sufferings, but he said things happened for the furtherance of the Gospel.

Therefore, if we have struggles right now, let’s remember there’s a purpose and also a lesson we need to learn; we should have realization. Let’s pray for spiritual discernment.

2.  THE WISDOM OF INTERPRETING DREAMS

 

·       KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR

Remember no one could interpret the dream and even the astrologers said that no one on earth could tell the dream- only GOD (Dan.2:11). The king got furious and commanded them to be slain. To save their lives, Daniel asked God for wisdom and answered prayers followed. Everything he did, started through prayers.

After having the wisdom, the best thing is, he acknowledged and gave credit to God. Let’s read Daniel 2:27-28

²⁷ Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; ²⁸ But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

 

Another dream of Nebuchadnezzar is about a very high tree and again no one could interpret the dream (Daniel 4) except Daniel. The second dream was particularly about the king himself. Because of pride, he fell and became like a beast in the field and ate grass. Daniel’s interpretation happened to the king but the later end, the king repented and already acknowledged God.

 

·       KING BELSHAZZAR (Daniel 5:1-30):

In the time of reign of King Belshazzar, the son of Nebuchadnezzar, we have the story of the handwriting on the wall. Once again, the wise men of the land were unable to interpret what it meant. 

Why had the king seen vessels this handwriting?

The king used some of the utensils taken from the temple as common drinking while praising their idols. Daniel reminded the king about what happened to his father, Nebuchadnezzar, that in his life, he had everything, and pride rooted in his heart but at the end, he recognized God in his life. And yet, he didn’t learn lessons from his father’s mistakes.

Let’s see Daniel’s heart regarding rewards from King Belshazzar. When the king mentioned that he would be rewarded, his reply mentioned in verse 17.

Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

Daniel had no interest in doing the work of God for physical reward. Instead, he tells the king to give it to someone else.

Daniel warned the king that he would be killed because of the abominations and the interpretation had happened.

If we try to think back what was your life then, aren’t you thankful that you’re here today? Sometimes I have these thoughts “Oh this is the reason why this happened”. Do you have those kinds of thoughts too? I have a story to tell that this has really happened in true life. There was a couple entered in a certain church, and they got saved. This couple had no child for years and the pastor was started praying for their desire that they could have a child. After many months and years of kneeling God granted their request. They were so happy. The delivery came and sad to say, the mother died. At first, they got mad to the doctor, who is their church mate, but later on they accepted what happened. The husband said, “This is the reason why God hasn’t answered our prayers for years but because of our earnest prayers he answered our petition. If I could go back the time, I would rather have her.” We don’t know the reason of everything that’s why should lean on God. He is the source of wisdom. Whatever we have achieved and whatever courses we have finished still we don’t know everything. God knows everything.     

3.  IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS (DANIEL 6)

King Darius made a decree that everyone should bow down to the royal statue within 30 days. This is in favor of the enemies of Daniel who envied him. In his response, he prayed to the Lord three times a day (6:10). Daniel’s response is a good reminder that in the midst of trials the first thing we should do is PRAY. We all know how dangerous to be in the den of lions. They’re not tamed animals; they’re wild. God had a purpose why He kept Daniel alive. Answering his prayers makes God magnify.

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? (Dan.6:20)

If you’re still alive today, praise GOD! God has still purpose for you to fulfill.  Think of many times you supposed to be dead but through God’s grace you survive.

Today, do you have financial crisis? Maybe God wants you to learn something and be faithful to your financial obligations and be a wise spender, be dependent on Him or be prayerful. Do you have relationship problem? Possibly He wants you to consider something and check your heart. Do you have family problem? Maybe God wants us to check our spiritual life. Do you have work problem? Try to consider your priorities. Whatever situations we are in; always remember you are greatly loved!

CONLUSION:

There was a story about a lady. She owned and operated her own nursery. And she said that one day a 4-year-old girl was brought in for her to watch during the day, to take care of during the day, and this girl was different from other girls. She was born in a prison. Her mother was incarcerated for drugs and had taken drugs all throughout her pregnancy, and so this little baby was born, and she was a ''crack'' baby. And she had many, many problems and she had many fears. And she never spoke to any of the people at the nursery. And she would have fits of rage.

Well, they brought her in. And the proprietor of the nursery instantly took a liking to this girl, even though she was so unlovely and unlovable. And when the girl would have these tremendous fits, the, the owner would take her and take her up in her arms and take her into her office where there was a rocking chair. And she would rock her, and she would sooth her, and she would sing, ''Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.'' And she did that day after day and week after week and month after month and she started to notice some progress in girl. But every time they would take a step forward, they would take, seemingly, two or three steps backward.

Well, one day the girl was having an extremely bad day - fears and fits - and owner picked her up and took her into her office, and she began to rock her. And as she rocked her and soothed her, the little girl pulled away from the owner and with tears in her eyes, she spoke her first words. And she said to that owner, ''Sing to me about the man who loves me.'' The love of Jesus makes all the difference in the world.

The fact of the matter is that unless and until we feel
ourselves loved; we cannot love. That’s not only a principle of theology but
of psychology and sociology as well. Just as abused children grow up to
abuse their children, loved children grow up to love their children. Loved
persons are able to love. Unloved persons are not. Christianity says
something startling. It says that God loves and accepts us “just as we are.”
Therefore, we can love and accept ourselves and in so doing, love and accept
others.

The best key for depression and losing of hope is the LOVE OF GOD!

 

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.