II KINGS "The Road to Captivity"
A BURDEN TO BUILD
HEZEKIAH'S EXAMPLE
HOW TO BE USED OF GOD
TRIUMPH INTO TRAGEDY
HOW TO ENDURE AND OVERCOME TRAGEDY
TWICE AS MUCH
REJECTED REPENTANCE
BAD WATER
A BURDEN TO BUILD
II Kings 6:1 7 9 16 87 Prayer Meet Grace
Elisha is one of my favorite Prophets. He was as different from his fore-runner, Elijah, as Christ was from John the Baptist (God uses different people for different jobs).
Elisha followed Elijah and got a double portion, cured the waters of Jericho, provided water for an army, multiplied the oil for the widow, reaised up the Shunamite's son, cured the Posion pot of Pottage, Multiplied bread for the multitude,and told Naaman how to be cured of Leprosy. He was a great worker for God.
Tonight I want us to look at a time that others decided to work for God and see how Elisha encouraged them and helped them.
I. THE REASON TO BUILD - Needed more room
a. Become dissatisfied with things as they are
b. Get a Vision
II. THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDING
a. Progress- Let us go: Leave where you are
b. Participation- Every man a beam; Willing to work with others
c. Plan- Make a place to dwell
III. THE POWER TO BUILD- Borrowed Axes: God's Power
a. Trees must be cut with axes and not hands
b. The axes can be lost while we're busy (and only a miracle of God can restore it. Sadly many today are still trying to build without the axe and working hard to accomplish little).
HEZEKIAH'S EXAMPLE
II Kings 18:1 7
Hezekiah is an example of what happens when a person is willing to turn their life over to the Lord. As Judah approached captivity God raised up a Prophet (Isaiah) and a King (Hezekiah) to show that defeat was not necessary. All that was needed was a dependence on God instead of the world. (God thought it was so important until He had it recorded 3 times- II Kings 18 20, II Chron 32, Isaiah 36 37)
1. The way he lived- vs 3 he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did.
God's Commands and his forefather's example
2. The Things he changed- vs 4 He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses made: for unto those days the Chidren of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehustan (A Piece of Brass). He dealt with obvious sin and with good gone bad
3. The Faith He manifested- vs 5 He trusted in the Lord God of Israel...
4. The way he stood- vs 6 He clave to the Lord, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses.
5. The Results- The Lord was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.
ARE YOU FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF HEZEKIAH???
HOW TO BE USED OF GOD
II Kings 18:1 8
Most people today want to "Use God" for their benefit and Blessing. The real Christian wants to BE USED of GOD for HIS GLORY. Today I want us to look at the example of good king Hezekiah and find out how we can be used of God to accomplish His Will on earth- because in the Will of God is the only place of Peace and contentment.
vs 3 1. Make the Best of your Background! Hezekiah had a Bad Father (II Kings 16:1 4) but a good mother. He chose to follow the good example and teachings of his mother instead of using his dad's sins as an excuse for his own sorriness.
vs 4 2. Deal with Sin in your life- Hezekiah:
a) Removed the sinful things- burn books and destroy "idols"
b) Removed Symbols without substance (The serpent that Moses had used for a good purpose now was a hindrance because men trusted in the symbol instead of seeing the Saviour)- Don't allow yourself to be satisfied with a "Form" of Christianity instead of a commitment to Christ.
vs 5 3. Live by Faith, Walk by Faith; for without Faith it is impossible to please God. (Trust in, Rely upon, Depend on)
vs 6 4. Build a Relationship. He "Clave" (Cling with all might)
a) He "Departed Not". Regular Walk, consistent living
b) He "Kept the commandments"- He lived according to God's rules
vs 7 5. WORK for the Lord- far too many Christians talk a good relationship but don't do anything for God.
You will want to work because:
a) The Lord was with Him- "joint venture"
b) He Prospered wherever he went- "Joint Victory"
c) He broke the yoke of Assyria (Which had just deported Israel for her sins)- Judgment averted (God will not allow us to be taken captive as long as we are doing His work in His way= Jesus could not be taken until it was time. Paul had to finish his course).
vs 8 6. Don't just "Defend and Despair"; War and Win- Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Knock down some giants, break down some walled cities, show the world that God is not dead.
Are you looking for an excuse or an opportunity?
Do you have a form of Godliness but deny the power thereof?
Do you just "Defend the Faith" or do you Defeat the Devil?
God is looking for yielded vessels that He can use to do mighty things in His name. Will you be such a vessel??
II KINGS: "The Road to Captivity" Rev Mike Jones
TRIUMPH INTO TRAGEDY
II Kings 18:13, 19:1 3
While traveling with my brother and his wife once we stopped at a truck stop for a snack. We all ordered "BLT" sandwiches and were all set to enjoy them when I noticed that my sister-in-law's sandwich had a roach sticking out of it- a time of joy was suddenly turned into dismay. Magnify this 100 times and you have the difficulties that many people face today: Their marriage started with candy and flowers and "undying love" but somehow "roaches" got into the "Honey"! They entered High school with good grades and a good reputation but "good times" replaced grades and they started doing anything to make friends and find themself in the "Hog Pen" now.
Defeat, Despair, and even Death find a way into all of our lives. What brings these "roaches in our refreshment"? and what can we do when it happens?
WHY DO WE HAVE TRAGEDY INSTEAD OF TRIUMPH??
There are 4 basic reasons that suffering comes into our life:
1. Self-
a. Because we're human we "Stick our foot in our mouth" sometimes, or we carelessly pick up a hot pot.
b. The personality we have. Some people are just naturally hard to get along with.
THE CURE- The greatness of Christianity is that we have hope of dealing with Self thru the power of the Spirit and taking up our Cross.
2. Circumstances- Sometimes we call it "Luck", being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Because the rain falls on the unjust as well as the just we sometimes have our "Picnic rained on" or suffer thru a drought just like everyone else.
THE CURE- Rom 8:28
3. For Christ's Sake- I Pet 4:16 If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. This is suffering that comes as a direct result of our relationship and standing for the Lord. Our good is evil spoken of.
THE CURE- God calls us "Blessed" when we suffer for His sake; and it makes us "partners in Pain" with the Lord.
4. Sin- Sin brings Pain in this life and Punishment in the next. In the Life of a Christian, Sin brings Chastisement and lost of fellowship with God.
THE CURE- For the Sinner it is to accept Christ as Saviour and allow His sacrifice to pay your sin debt.
For the Saint, it is confession, repentance, and returning to first love.
Those are the basic reasons that Problems come into our lives. Now let's see what we can do to keep from falling under the troubles that come our way. How can we be victorious like Job in the midst of disaster?
HOW TO ENDURE AND OVERCOME TRAGEDY-
1. FOUNDATION- Matt 7:24 27 When life's storms come your way you need:
A) Stability- Jesus is the Rock. People change, Circumstances Change. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
B) Security- When you build your house in the midst of the Rock you can withstand any storm as you look on it with interest instead of agony.
Jesus said this "Foundation" was someone who Heard his sayings and then did what was taught- That's Education and Application. You need to Know what Jesus wants from you and then you need to live the way He says. That's why Church attendance and Christian living are so important.
2. FAITH- Ps 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. We don't worry about what might happen because we're resting in God's love and care. How do you get this kind of Faith and confidence?
Faith comes from Hearing the Word of God.
Faith without works is dead, being alone.
Again it's Education and Application
3. FIGHT- God did not call us to be people who live in a "dream world" about life. He called us to participate- which involves both Triumph and Tragedy. When Hezekiah got the bad news he went to Church and fought a great "Prayer Battle" [vs 14 19] that left 185,000 enemy soldiers dead (II Kings 19:35).
Most times the best defense is a good offense- There are Prayer Promises [Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. ] and Scriptural covenants [Josh 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.] in the Bible that Christians can use when they are attacked to turn Tragedy back into Triumph.
You have a choice today, you can decide to never eat a sandwich again because you found a roach in one; or you can throw that bad sandwich away and enjoy good food. You can Blame God and everyone else for your troubles and try to escape in drugs or drink or apathy or you can stand on the Rock and fight the good fight of faith.
HOW TO ENDURE AND OVERCOME TRAGEDY
When the sun is suddenly blotted from your horizon and the lightening begins to flash you need to be able to stand and withstand. Multitudes of Christians spend their time and energy worrying about the possibility of a storm or else "putting pots under a leaking roof" once the storm hits instead of enjoying their security and realizing that the storms simply bring the rain needed to produce fruit.
Let's look at 3 principles that will allow us to endure and overcome the storms of life.
1. FOUNDATION- Matt 7:24 27 When life's storms come your way you need:
A) Stability- Jesus is the Rock. People change, Circumstances Change. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
B) Security- When you build your house in the midst of the Rock you can withstand any storm as you look on it with interest instead of agony.
Jesus said this "Foundation" was someone who Heard his sayings and then did what was taught- That's Education and Application. You need to Know what Jesus wants from you and then you need to live the way He says. That's why Church attendance and Christian living are so important; before the storms hit!!
2. FAITH- Ps 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. We don't worry about what might happen because we're resting in God's love and care. How do you get this kind of Faith and confidence?
Faith comes from Hearing the Word of God.
Faith without works is dead, being alone.
Again it's Education and Application
3. FIGHT- God did not call us to be people who live in a "dream world" about life. He called us to participate- which involves both Triumph and Tragedy. King Hezekiah was "sailing along" until suddenly on the horizon came the Chaldeans invading his country. When he got the bad news he went to Church and fought a great "Prayer Battle" [II Kings 19: 14 19] that left 185,000 enemy soldiers dead (II Kings 19:35).
Most times the best defense is a good offense- There are Prayer Promises [Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. ] and Scriptural covenants [Josh 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.] in the Bible that Christians can use when they are attacked to turn Tragedy back into Triumph.
Education (Learning the Prayer Promises) and Application (Applying the Scriptural Covenants) are again the key.
Jesus is our shelter from the wrath of sin and from the storms of life-- rest in Him today.
TWICE AS MUCH
When Elijah was translated to Heaven, Elisha asked that he receive a double portion of his spirit. He did and the scriptures record over twice as many miracles for Elisha as for Elijah. We all should want to have this "Double Portion" of the Spirit in order to accomplish more for God.
I find THREE GUIDELINES that go with having more of God's Power.
I. STAY CLOSE TO GODLY PEOPLE- II Kings 1:1-11 (P720) Elijah said Elisha would get a double portion if he saw Elijah translated. In order for that to happen Elisha had to stay close to Elijah.
Elisha was discouraged by Elijah, by the prophets, and by circumstances.
Name 5 principles you want to pass on to the next Generation
Name 5 principles you have learned from adults
II. WATCH THINGS THAT INFLUENCE YOU- Elisha called for Music II Kings 3:10-20 (P725)
III. SPEND TIME ALONE WITH GOD- They that wait upon the Lord renew strength.
REJECTED REPENTANCE
And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets. Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon (2 Ki 24:2-4).
One version says that "the Lord would not Pardon" actually means "The Lord was not willing to Forgive". How Horrible to be in a place where you have rejected the Ways of God and the Word of God until God says He will not Forgive or Pardon you.
You say a God of Love would not do such a thing. Look at some Bible examples:
1) Lot's Wife- Looked back and instantly turned to salt
2) Belshazzer- God wrote on the wall that he would be killed that very night; even as his enemies entered the city.
3) Ananias and Sapphira- Saw Pentecost, Saw Miracles of God and yet lied to God and were destroyed immediately.
It is True that God waits long and makes every effort to save people but there comes a time when you cross His line. The sad fact about that is that it sometimes destroys your family as well as you:
1) Noah's day- 120 years of preaching, 7 days the ark left open- Then ALL died.
2) People of Canaan- 420 years God kept Israel in Egypt to give them chance to repent. Then God's command was to kill men, women and children--no survivors!!
God listed 3 Sins that brought King Jehoiakim to this place:
1. He Rejected the warnings from God's word given by God's Prophets.
2. He Followed the ways of the World (His Wicked Grandfather, Manasseh) instead of living for God.
3. He had innocent Blood on his hands:
A) Over 1 1/2 Millions babies aborted in America each year. And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood (Psa 106:38)
B) Reject the Prayers and Pleas of Christian Family and Friends- They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood (Psa 94:21).
C) Chose the World instead of Christ, like Judas- Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that (Mat 27:4).
It takes more than washing your hands, you must wash your heart- When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it (Mat 27:24).
Even God cannot fill something that is already full. If you remain full of the World, one day you will face the full fury of His Wrath. Don't come to the Place that God says, "I will not Pardon".
BAD WATER
2Kings 2:19-22 (Rev Mike Jones)
BACKGROUND: Elijah had just been translated to Heaven. Elisha was now God’s spokesman (Note the difference: Elijah was a thundering voice like John the Baptist who was a “loner”. Elisha was a teacher who lived around people).
After Elisha returned to Jericho the “sons of the prophets” (Bible Students) persuaded him to allow them to hunt for Elijah. During this time, Elisha remained in Jericho where he became known to the leaders.
[Jericho was built at the cost of a curse- And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it (Joshua 6:26).
This curse was fulfilled in the actions of Hiel- In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun (1 Kings 16:34)].
These leaders came to Elisha with a town problem- Bad Water: And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren (2 Kings 2:19).
Like most of the world today their Situation was pleasant but the water of their life tasted so bad until they compared it to human waste (“naught” is the Hebrew word for urine) and this bad water caused their land to be barren instead of fruitful. Can you relate this to a world that has never had more but enjoyed it less?
THE CURE FOR BAD WATER:
1) A New Cruse (vessel)- Repent of your wrong actions / attitudes and receive Christ into your heart: If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
2) Salt- Makes no sense to add salt to water to make it pure but the acid in the water was changed by the chemicals in the salt. [The other time God made Bad Water good was by adding a Tree (the Cross) to the water (Ex 15:23-25)].
Today we must remember that “substitute salt” will not produce the necessary changes- Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men (Matthew 5:13).
3) The final part of the cure for Bad Water is Confidence in the Word of God- And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land. So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake (2 Kings 2:21-22).
The situation surrounding your Life can be “Pleasant” but Bad Water can make your joy taste horrible and your activities barren instead of fruitful. The cure is to come to the real water of life today: And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17).