When is Your
Need for the Lord?
Introduction:
It is interesting to study
the history of the divided kingdom. Israel – remained 2 centuries –
not one good king. Judah – remained a little over 3 centuries. Several
good kings. One of these was Asa. Read about Asa in 2 Chr. 14-16. Asa did good
& right in the sight of the Lord. In later years, this dedication would
wane as he began to care about himself more than God. His need for the Lord
dimished. What is our need for the Lord? Personally?
I. Asa did good & right in the sight
of God.
A. Rehoboam & Abijah allowed idol
worship to infiltrate the land.
B.
2 Chr. 14:3-5 - Asa took
away the opportunity for idol worship to take place.
1.
14:6-8 – given
peace/rest/time to build & prosper.
C.
Note first thing he did as
king – destroyed idol worship.
1.
First step in spiritual
awakening is demolition.
2.
Before I can put on
righteousness – I must put off sin.
3.
See Eph. 4:17-24
D.
If you really need the Lord
– be ready to be handed a broom & dustpan.
1.
Be ready to clean up your
life – 2 Cor. 13:5
II.
God seeking does not exempt one from attack.
A.
2 Chr. 14:9 – Zerah;
1 million soliders; 300 chariots.
1.
Heb. 11:6 – seekers
are blessed. Js. 1:25 –
doers are blessed.
2.
14:12 – God routed
the Ethiopians.
B.
2 Chr. 15:1-7 – God
speaks through Azariah – commends Asa & Israel.
1.
Note 15:7
2.
15:8-19 – Asa doesn’t
sit down. He dedicates Himself to more service.
III.
Asa excelled in seeking God.
A.
2 Chr. 15:8-19 –
fought idolatry outside Judah.
1.
15:12 - restores altars;
covenant
2.
15:13 – makes
idolatry a capital crime.
3.
15:16-17 – removed
Maachah because of her idol worship.
B.
But…somewhere along the way
Asa stopped feeling his need for God.
1.
16:2-6 – makes treaty
with Ben-hadad.
2.
What’s missing here? Was God consulted?
C.
Some today – do the
same thing. Make plans w/o God.
1.
God not even consulted/considered. Js. 4:13-14;
2.
Slow down; think a little;
and let God take control.
IV.
Good or bad ending?
A.
2 Chr. 16:7-9 –
Hanani – imparts bad news. Here’s one of the drawbacks to having Hanani’s job – 16:10
B.
Sadly – Asa continued
trying to go his own way.
C.
There is no ending to
following self.
1.
Heb. 11:6 - Don’t serve
self & expect to be rewarded by God.
Conclusion:
A.
How much do you need God? Enough
to trust, obey, serve Him?