APRIL 2007 SERMONS
APRIL 1, 2007
“ACCEPTING AND REJOICING IN CHRIST’S COMING”
SCRIPTURE READING: ISAIAH
35:1-10
SCRIPTURE TEXT: Isaiah 35:4
(NLT)
“Say
to those who are afraid, "Be strong, and do not
fear, for your God is coming to destroy your
enemies. He is coming to save you."
INTRO:
When
Jesus entered Jerusalem there were two groups of
people to greet Him.
Our attitude toward the first coming
of Jesus Christ will be reflected by our attitude
towards His second coming and will affect us
throughout eternity.
Jesus came the first time as the
“Lamb of God” to redeem fallen man; He will come the
second time as the “Lion of Judah” to judge fallen
man.
Those who have rejoiced in His first coming will
rejoice in His second coming.
Those who despised His first coming will fear His
second coming.
I.
HIS FIRST COMING.
Philippians 2:5-8 (KJV)
Let this mind be in you, which was
also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But
made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the
form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of
men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross.
NOTE:
The first coming of Jesus was
surrounded by humility.
A. HIS BIRTH.
-
He was born
into an enslaved race to save an enslaved
people.
John
8:34 (KJV)
Jesus answered them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth
sin is the servant of sin.
Romans 7:23 (KJV)
But I see another
law in my members, warring against the law of my
mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of
sin which is in my members.
Luke
2:7 (KJV)
And she brought
forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because
there was no room for them in the inn.
B. HIS LIFE.
Matthew 8:20 (KJV)
And Jesus saith unto him,
The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have
nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his
head.
-
His entrance
into Jerusalem.
Zechariah 9:9 (KJV)
9:9
Rejoice greatly, O
daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem:
behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and
having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and
upon a colt the foal of an ass.
C. HIS DEATH.
-
The betrayal
of a friend and the denial of another.
-
The desertion
of His followers.
Matthew 26:56 (KJV)
But all this was done, that the
scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then
all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Mark
14:55-59 (KJV)
And the chief priests and
all the council sought for witness against Jesus to
put him to death; and found none. For many bare
false witness against him, but their witness agreed
not together. And there arose certain, and bare
false witness against him, saying, We heard him say,
I will destroy this temple that is made with hands,
and within three days I will build another made
without hands. But neither so did their witness
agree together.
Galatians 3:13 (KJV)
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the
law, being made a curse for us: for it is written,
Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Matthew 27:38 (KJV)
Then were there two thieves crucified
with him, one on the right hand, and another on the
left.
Matthew 27:59-60 (KJV)
And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it
in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new
tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he
rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre,
and departed.
C. HIS PURPOSE.
NOTE:
Jesus came as a lamb to be slain.
Galatians 4:4-5 (KJV)
But when the
fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his
Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem
them that were under the law, that we might receive
the adoption of sons.
Hebrews 9:11-14 (KJV)
But Christ being come an
high priest of good things to come, by a greater and
more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that
is to say, not of this building; neither by the
blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he
entered in once into the holy place, having obtained
eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls
and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling
the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the
flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who
through the eternal Spirit offered himself without
spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works
to serve the living God?
II.
HIS SECOND COMING.
NOTE:
Jesus will come as a lion to reign.
Revelation 19:11-16 (KJV)
And I saw heaven
opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat
upon him was called Faithful and True, and in
righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes
were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many
crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew,
but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture
dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of
God. And the armies which were in heaven followed
him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white
and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp
sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and
he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he
treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath
of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on
his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF
LORDS.
Revelation 20:11-15 (KJV)
And I saw a great white throne, and
him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and
the heaven fled away; and there was found no place
for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand
before God; and the books were opened: and another
book was opened, which is the book of life: and the
dead were judged out of those things which were
written in the books, according to their works. And
the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death
and hell delivered up the dead which were in them:
and they were judged every man according to their
works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of
fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was
not found written in the book of life was cast into
the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:1-7 (KJV)
And I saw a new heaven and
a new earth: for the first heaven and the first
earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming
down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride
adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice
out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God
is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they
shall be his people, and God himself shall be with
them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all
tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more
death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall
there be any more pain: for the former things are
passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said,
Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me,
Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he
said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the
beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is
athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
e that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I
will be his God, and he shall be my son.
CONCLUSION:
If we
accept Jesus as the Lamb of God we will reign with
Him as the Lion of Judea.
APRIL 8, 2007
“WHY
SEEK YE THE LIVING AMONG THE DEAD?”
SCRIPTURE READING: LUKE
15:11-32
SCRIPTURE TEXT: Luke 24:5 (KJV)
And as they were afraid, and bowed
down their faces to the earth, they said unto them,
“Why seek ye the living among the dead?”
INTRO:
“A Man Looking For His Ring Under A Street Light”
We
live in a very materialistic world.
We
believe that we will find happiness and fulfillment
in what we possess.
We
are too often like the Prodigal Son.
-
He lived in a
good home.
-
His father
provided everything for him.
-
He left it
all to seek the living among the dead.
He
wanted to be the king of his own castle.
He
took his inheritance and wasted in stuff that did
not last.
Where are we seeking to find happiness?
Where are we looking to find fulfillment in life?
Jesus’ resurrection reveals to us where true joy is
found and how we can reach fulfillment.
Not only is Easter a time to reflect on the past, it
is also a time to consider the future.
“Only one life will soon be
past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”
The resurrection of Jesus shows us that we need to
prepare for our own resurrection.
As
we all experience death, we will all also all
experience resurrection.
Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)
And as it is appointed unto
men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Revelation 20:6 (KJV)
Blessed and holy is he that
hath part in the first resurrection: on such the
second death hath no power, but they shall be
priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with
him a thousand years.
Revelation 20:14 (KJV)
And death and hell were cast into the lake of
fire. This is the second death.
Why do we waste so much time and energy seeking life
among the death things of this world?
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness; and all these things shall be
added unto you.
THINGS
THE RESURRECTION BRINGS:
NOTE:
These are the things that are important, the things
that bring life.
-
The assurance
of eternal life.
1
Corinthians 15:51-58 (KJV)
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We
shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in
a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead
shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be
changed. For this corruptible must put on
incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality. So when this corruptible shall have
put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put
on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the
saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in
victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where
is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the
strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye
stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is
not in vain in the Lord.
-
The promise
of victory over sin.
Romans 8:9-17 (KJV)
But ye are not in the flesh, but in
the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in
you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,
he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the
body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life
because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him
that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he
that raised up Christ from the dead shall also
quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that
dwelleth in you.
Therefore,
brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live
after the flesh.] For if ye live after the flesh, ye
shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify
the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many
as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons
of God. For ye have not received the spirit of
bondage again to fear; but ye have received the
Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,
that we are the children of God: and if children,
then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with
Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we
may be also glorified together.
John
14:1-6 (KJV)
Let not your heart be
troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In
my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not
so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place
for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I
will come again, and receive you unto myself; that
where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go
ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto
him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how
can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the
way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me.
The Prodigal Son could have died there among the
pigs but instead he arose and returned to his
father.
What is keeping you seeking the Living among the
dead?
CONCLUSION:
The little girl and her string of pearls.
Give up the dead things of this life and seek the
living (eternal things) in the Resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
APRIL 15, 2007
“THE
DANGERS OF DISCOURAGEMENT”
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah
36:14-22
SCRIPTURE TEXT: 1 Samuel
30:6 (KJV)
And David was greatly distressed; for the people
spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the
people was grieved, every man for his sons and for
his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the
Lord his God.
INTRO:
Discouragement is one of the devil great weapons.
Discouragement leads to despondency
and despondency will lead to defeat.
It
is very easy to become discouraged when things are
not going the way we want them to go.
When we are in the midst of adversities, we are
faced with the choice of either encouraging
ourselves in the Lord or allowing discouragement to
overcome us.
Discouragement comes against us in two different
directions: from within ourselves or from
circumstances (people or things) that surround us.
Whenever we seek to do the will of God, Satan will
seek to discourage us.
I.
THE CAUSES OF DISCOURAGEMENT.
A.
OPPOSITION.
Jerusalem was surrounded by the Assyrian army.
Rabshaqeh, rob-shaw-kay'. Spoke words of
discouragement to the people of Jerusalem.
The Church of
God is
surrounded by Satan as he seeks to discourage us
from fulfilling God’s will; whether it’s physical or
spiritual.
NOTE:
There will always be those around us
who will speak words of discouragement no matter
what we are trying to do.
David’s men were against him. Sought
to stone him. Blamed him for all their troubles.
David had a choice, feel sorry for himself or seek
God for His direction in his circumstance.
B.
CIRCUMSTANCES.
NOTE:
They
were surrounded by the enemy.
There seemed to be no help in sight.
Psalm
142:4 (KJV)
I looked on my right hand,
and beheld, but there was no man that would know me:
refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
Often times when we are facing negative
circumstances beyond our control, discouragement
sets in.
Anyone can experience discouragement at any time
even when we are doing God’s will.
ILL:
ELIJAH 1 Kings 19:10
(KJV)
And he said, I have been very jealous
for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of
Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine
altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and
I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to
take it away.
Circumstances will cause discouragement when we view
them from our concepts and not God’s.
Often times, failure is a detour to victory.
We only experience failure when we stop trying.
C.
LACK
OF VISION.
NOTE:
When we only see through our natural
eyes it is very easy to become discouraged.
2
Kings 6:15 (KJV)
And when the servant of the man of
God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host
compassed the city both with horses and chariots.
And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how
shall we do?
Eyes that can only see the negative will grope about
in the darkness of discouragement.
Isaiah 59:10 (KJV)
We
grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as
if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the
night; we are in desolate places as dead men.
Satan seeks to blind us from the truth of God’s
Word.
2
Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)
In whom the god of this world hath
blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest
the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is
the image of God, should shine unto them.
II.
HOW TO COMBAT DISCOURAGEMENT.
NOTE:
We will all face times of
discouragement.
The question we must address is what will we do when
discouragement comes?
A. WE CANNOT RELY ON OUR OWN PERSPECTIVES.
Proverbs 3:5-8 (KJV)
Trust in the Lord with all
thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and
he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own
eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall
be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
ILL:
The servant of Elisha only saw what
could be seen with the natural eye.
2
KINGS
6:16-17
And he answered, Fear not: for they
that be with us are more than they that be with
them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray
thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord
opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and,
behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots
of fire round about Elisha.
B. WE MUST ENCOURAGE OURSELVES IN THE LORD.
I
Samuel 30:6
And David was greatly distressed; for
the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of
all the people was grieved, every man for his sons
and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself
in the Lord his God.
1.
David
sought God’s advice.
Psalm
5:8 (KJV)
Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness
because of mine enemies; make thy way straight
before my face.
Psalm
25:5 (KJV)
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me:
for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I
wait all the day.
Psalm
27:11 (KJV)
Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain
path, because of mine enemies.
Psalm
143:10 (KJV)
Teach me to do thy will;
for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me
into the land of uprightness.
2.
He
believed what God told him and acted upon it.
NOTE:
It is one thing to seek God’s advice
it something totally different to follow His
advice.
Matthew 7:24-25 (KJV)
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine,
and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man,
which built his house upon a rock: and the rain
descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it
was founded upon a rock.
There are many who claim to believe God’s Word but
when it comes to trusting God’s promises they rely
on their own reasoning.
CONCLUSION:
Discouragement often comes through disappointments;
if you change the first letter in Disappointments to
an H it becomes His appointments.
When
we are faced with discouragement we must seek to
destroy it through our Faith in God, or it will
destroy us.
Stand and read PSALMS 13 together.
APRIL 22, 2007
“STANDING
STILL AND TRUSTING GOD”
SCRIPTURE READING: ISAIAH
37:9-17, 33-38
SCRIPTURE TEXT: Exodus
14:13
(KJV)
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not,
stand still, and see the salvation of the
Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the
Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see
them again no more for ever.
INTRO:
Each
of us is faced at different times with situations
that we can’t handle.
It is then we need to look up not give up.
When we come to the end of our rope, we will find
God waiting there.
Jerusalem is surrounded by the enemy.
There is no help available to them.
I.
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN GOD EXPECTS US TO DO OUR PART.
-
THE WIDOW OF
ZAREPHATH.
I KINGS 17:8-16
(Elijah)
-
THE VALLEY OF
DITCHES:
II KINGS 3
(Jehoram & Jeshoshphate)
-
THE PROPHET’S
WIDOW.
II KINGS 4:1-7
(Elisha)
-
NAAMAN’S
LEPROSY.
II KINGS 5:1-14
-
THE FEEDING OF
FIVE THOUSANDS.
JOHN 6:1-13
-
PETER PAYING
TAXES.
MATTHEW 17:24-27
II.
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE CAN DO NOTHING.
NOTE:
We are facing something that is
beyond our control.
We have exhausted all possibilities of help.
There is nothing or no one we can turn to.
-
The credit
cards are maxed out
-
The bank has
so no
-
The doctor
says there is nothing he can do
-
Their spouse
says there is no chance of reconciliation
This is when we must fear not, stand still and trust
God.
-
Syria’s army
smitten with blindness. II Kings 6
-
Samaria
surrounded by Syrian army. II Kings 7
-
Assyrian army
surrounded Jerusalem. Isaiah 37
NOTE:
God
expects us to use wisdom and all the resources we
have, but there are times when we are unable to help
ourselves.
This is when we need to look up not give up.
A. THREE REASONS WHY JUDEA SHOULD SURRENDER.
-
They were
unable to defend themselves.
-
Egypt could
not help them
-
God was
against them
Satan seeks to convince us that it is
useless to continue living the Christian life.
NOTE:
The first two were correct but the
third was not.
-
We cannot
help ourselves.
-
The world can
not help us.
-
But God is
for us.
NOTE: The people did not say a word.
Isaiah 36:21
But they held their peace, and
answered him not a word: for the king's commandment
was, saying, Answer him not.
There are times we need to be still when the enemy
attacks us and just let God be God.
Psalm
46:10 (KJV)
Be still, and know that I
am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will
be exalted in the earth.
B. HEZEKIAH STOOD FAST FOR THE
LORD
NOTE:
No matter what may confront us—no
matter how terrible the trial or temptation, the
pressure or distress, the threat or ridicule, the
persecution or abuse, we must stand fast for the
Lord
Philippians 1:27 (NIV)
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner
worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come
and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I
will know that you
stand
firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the
faith of the gospel
C. HEZEKIAH HUMBLED HIMSELF BEFORE THE LORD.
Isaiah 37:1 (KJV)
And it came to pass, when
king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes,
and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into
the house of the Lord.
NOTE:
When we come to God we must come in a
spirit of humility and repentance.
2
Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall
humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and
turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from
heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal
their land.
D. HEZEKIAH SOUGHT ISAIAH’S INTERCESSION.
NOTE:
When we are faced with a difficult
situation it is always good to have the prayers of
others to strengthen and help us.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (KJV)
Two are better than one;
because they have a good reward for their labour.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow:
but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he
hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie
together, then they have heat: but how can one be
warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two
shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not
quickly broken.
Matthew 18:19 (KJV)
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall
agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall
ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is
in heaven.
III.
GOD BROUGHT A GREAT VICTORY
A. HEZEKIAH’S
PRAYER.
Isaiah 37:15-20
NOTE:
Hezekiah’s prayer can be broken down into three
parts.
-
He acknowledges
God’s greatness. (vs. 16)
-
He presents the
need to God. (vs. 17-19)
-
He asks for
God’s intervention. (20)
NOTE:
Hezekiah wanted God to be glorified
above all else.
B. GOD GAVE HEZEKIAH HIS PROMISE OF DELIVERANCE.
Isaiah 37:21-35
Psalm
91:3 (KJV)
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the
fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
1 Cor.
10:13 (KJV)
There hath no temptation taken you
but such as is common to man: but God is faithful,
who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye
are able; but will with the temptation also make a
way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
2
Tim. 4:18 (KJV)
And the Lord shall deliver me from
every evil work, and will preserve me unto his
heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and
ever. Amen.
2
Peter 2:9 (KJV)
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the
godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust
unto the day of judgment to be punished:
C. GOD BROUGHT A GREAT VICTORY WITHOUT MAN’S HELP.
NOTE:
We cannot allow our own inabilities
in resources or talent, to keep us from trusting God
for whatever we may need.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV)
Wherefore seeing we also
are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the
sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run
with patience the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our
faith; who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set
down at the right hand of the throne of God.
CONCLUSION:
Deliverance is one of the great promises of God.
When we call upon God for deliverance, one of two
things happens: either God miraculously delivers us,
or else He gives us the power to walk through the
obstacle standing in our way.
APRIL 29, 2007
“THE
WAYS OF GOD ARE BETTER THAN THE DESIRES OF MAN”
SCRIPTURE
READING:
ISAIAH 38:1-8
SCRIPTURE TEXT: Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
Trust in the LORD with all thine
heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In
all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct
thy paths.
INTRO:
Pray
is the key to heavens riches and God’s power.
Are there right ways and wrong ways
to pray?
As
you look back, are there prayers that you are glad
that God did not grant you what you prayed for?
Too
often our prayers are self-serving. We have already
decided what is best.
We
fail to allow God to be God.
I.
HEZEKIAH WAS A GODLY KING.
NOTE:
Hezekiah was one of the most Godly
kings of Judea.
2
Kings 18:3-8 (KJV)
And he did that which was right in the sight of
the Lord, according to all that David his father
did. He removed the high places, and brake the
images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces
the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto
those days the children of Israel did burn incense
to it: and he called it Nehushtan. He trusted in
the Lord God of Israel; so that after him was none
like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that
were before him. For he clave to the Lord, and
departed not from following him, but kept his
commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses. And
the Lord was with him; and he prospered
whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against
the king of
Assyria,
and served him not. He smote the Philistines, even
unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower
of the watchmen to the fenced city.
-
He did what was
right in the eyes of the Lord.
-
He removed the
high places and their gods
-
He destroyed the
brazen serpent the Moses had made.
-
He put his trust
in God.
-
He repaired the
Temple.
2
Chronicles 29:3 (KJV)
He in the first year of his reign, in
the first month, opened the doors of the house of
the Lord, and repaired them.
-
He cleansed the
House of God.
2
Chronicles 29:18-19 (KJV)
Then they went in to
Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all
the house of the Lord, and the altar of burnt
offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the
shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.
Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his
reign did cast away in his transgression, have we
prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they are
before the altar of the Lord.
-
He restored true
worship.
2
Chronicles 29:27-29 (KJV)
And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt
offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering
began, the song of the Lord began also with the
trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David
king of
Israel. And all the congregation worshipped, and the
singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all
this continued until the burnt offering was
finished. And when they had made an end of offering,
the king and all that were present with him bowed
themselves, and worshipped.
-
He restored the
Passover.
2
Chronicles 30:13 (KJV)
And there assembled at
Jerusalem much
people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the
second month, a very great congregation.
NOTE:
Even Godly men and women can pray
selfish prayers without knowing.
Hezekiah did. He placed his desires ahead of the
will of God.
II.
THE RESULTS OF HEZEKIAH’S PRAYER.
NOTE:
There are three important parts to
prayer.
1.
Faith
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
But without faith it is impossible to
please him: for he that cometh to God must believe
that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him.
2.
Fervency
James
5:16 (KJV)
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for
another, that ye may be healed. The effectual
fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
3.
According to God’s will.
1
John 5:14-15 (KJV)
And this is the confidence that we have in him,
that, if we ask any thing according to his will,
he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us,
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the
petitions that we desired of him.
Hezekiah did the first two but failed
to put God’s will above His own desires.
NOTE:
Four negative things happen when God
answered Hezekiah’s prayer the way Hezekiah wanted.
A.
HEZEKIAH DID NOT SERVE GOD AS HE DID BEFORE.
2
Chronicles 32:24-25 (KJV)
In those days Hezekiah was sick to
the death, and prayed unto the Lord: and he spake
unto him, and he gave him a sign. But Hezekiah
rendered not again according to the benefit done
unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore
there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and
Jerusalem.
B.
HEZEKIAH’S HEART WAS LIFTED UP WITH PRIDE.
2
Chronicles 32:27-30 (KJV)
And
Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and
he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold,
and for precious stones, and for spices, and for
shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;
storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine,
and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and
cotes for flocks. Moreover he provided him cities,
and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance:
for God had given him substance very much. This same
Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon,
and brought it straight down to the west side of the
city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his
works.
C.
HE ENTERTAINED AMBASSADORS (spies) OF BABYLON.
2
Chronicles 32:31 (KJV)
Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the
princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of
the wonder that was done in the land, God left him,
to try him, that he might know all that was in his
heart.
NOTE:
He failed to seek God’s advice when
they came.
ILL:
Joshua:
Battle of Ai Joshua 7 & the Gibeonites
Joshua 9
D.
MANASSEH REIGNED IN HEZEKIAH’S PLACE.
2
Kings 20:21 (KJV)
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers:
and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
NOTE:
Manasseh had the longest reign and
was the most wicked of Judea’s kings.
III.
GUIDELINES FOR OUR PRAYERS.
A.
WE MUST PRAY WITH FAITH.
Mark
11:22-26 (KJV)
And Jesus answering saith unto them,
Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That
whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou
removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall
not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those
things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall
have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you,
What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe
that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And
when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought
against any: that your Father also which is in
heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye
do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in
heaven forgive your trespasses.
NOTE:
An unforgiving heart will block our
prayers
B.
WE MUST PRAY WITH FERVENCY.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you,"
declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then
you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I
will listen to you. You will seek me and find me
when you seek me with all your heart.
NOTE:
The key to God’s prosperity is
seeking Him fervently.
C.
WE MUST PRAY SEEKING GOD’S WILL ABOVE OUR OWN
DESIRES.
Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)
After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and
the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
CONCLUSION:
Are
we will to accept Gods will above our own desires?
