Hezekiah's Great Passover

2 Chronicles 30-1-13

Review: Israel had reached the end of God’s tolerance and mercy. It was time that sin be reckoned with. “Whatsoever a man soweth, that will he reap.” Israel had refused to listen to the preaching of God’s men. They were given every opportunity to turn to God. But they refused to heed God’s warning. Sin that has not been confessed will be dealt with. God will not let sin go unchecked. God is faithful, and if we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive. If confession is not made, the wages of sin is death. The judgments of God are sure.

Rise of a Godly King
1. Influence of a Godly maternal grandfather- zacharias- priest
2. Following after God and His instructions

Revival in the Land
1. He saw that things were not right
2. Revival of compliancy
3. Revival of the backslider- Return to the God of your fathers

Return to Worship
1. The invitation- called to worship
2. True worship start in the heart of God’s people
3. Ordaining of God’s house- A place to worship

Render to God your Heart
1. Yield to God your life
2. God will show mercy- His judgment will be deferred
3. Your decision to serve him will yield benefits
4. God will not turn away a penitent heart

Refusal of the Invitation
1. Not all will heed the call- but the invitation was given
2. Expect to be rejected- They are rejecting God, not you

Restoration of God’s People
1. May require us to destroy sacred shrine- the bronze serpent
2. Removal of all that is contrary to God’s holiness

The Captivity of Israel

2 Kings 17:6-18

Review: The passing of Elisha left Joash without a spiritual mentor. Even though he had someone that knew God and trusted God, he was not willing to believe God for himself. His unwilliness to claim total victory over the Syrian, indicated his little faith in God’s ability to give him complete victory. The example of Joash should show us that God is able to do anything if we don’t limit Him by our small faith by trusting in our abilities to get things done.

Israel made captive of the enemy

1. Warned by the prophets
2. Circumstances of life- God’s providence to show and lead?
3. Hoshea, king of Assysia took Samaria
4. Consequences of refusal to follow his commands- Captivity

Israel’s calamity was of their own doing

1. They Forgot God
1. His deliverance
2. His provisions
2. The Focused on the Things of the World
1. They followed the ways of the world-huminism
2. They put others things before God
3. They Lived a False Life
1. They still claimed to be serving God
2. They did things in secret- deception
4. They were Fascinated with idol worship
1. Sinful pleasure of the world
2. No moral restraints- If it feels good, do it!
5. They Forsook the counsel of the prophets
1. Refuse to listen to others
2. Closed their minds to anything that represented right
6. Their Faith in God was gone
1. They refuse to believe that God could do anything
2. They Would not commit to God’s ways
7. Their Foolishness brought them to unthinkable deeds
1. Children pass through the fire
2. The unthinkable sins of our day- abortion, witchcraft

Israel Caused The Lord to be Angry

1. God will not let sin go unpunished
2. Whatsoever a man soweth, that will he reap

The Death of Elisha

2 Kings 13: 14-25

Review: Joash in his early years of his reign desired for the house of God (temple) to be restored. It pleases the Lord that His house be maintained and presented acceptable at all times. This is only accomplish when those who worship there are willing to give of their resources. Not giving to the needs of the house of God is a reflection of one’s attitude toward the work of the church and God’s kingdom.

The Passing of a Prophet

• A life of plains, valleys, and mountain top experiences
• Weeping for Elisha- Joash stability was leaving
• Regarded as more importance than all the armies of Israel

The Prophecy of the Prophet

• Demonstrated the meaning of the arrows
• Shooting the arrow eastward
• The defeat of the enemy- Syrians in Aphek
• Joash strikes the arrow only 3 times- Limiting God’s power

The Passion of the Prophet

• He was wroth.
• Joash knew better- He refuse to believe
• He was disappointed and frustrated with Joash
• He saw Joash as a faithless man who depended on his own.

The Power of Influence of the Prophet

• Man made alive in Elisha’s tomb
• Bore testimony his character-activity- preserver- life giver
• Bore witness to his connection to God- “Surely this was a prophet of God”
• God still wanted to work his divine purpose for Israel even though the prophet was no longer on earth.
• It showed that God was the “God of the living and dead”

The Promise of the Prophet fulfilled

• God kept his promise/covenant with Israel
• The promises of God are always kept, but we must also keep our promises that we make to God.

The Temple Repaired

2 Chronicles 24:4-14

Review: The Famine in Samaria

God does not always answer prayers our way

The Lepers- Just don’t sit there, Do something!

Put some actions to your prayers-

Don’t keep the blessings to yourself, share with others.

The Reign of Joash- King of Judah- Bad blood. Jezebel & Ahab, but raised by a good man- Jehoiada. His life started out good, but he succumbed to the influence of those he associated with.

1. The affects of worldly associations.
1. Love the sinner, but hate the sin
2. Jesus, a friend of sinners
3. Where do we draw the line? Unequally yoked?

The Reform of Joash- The house of God- the temple was left in disrepair because the desire for the glory of God was gone. When true worship of God is gone, then His house is no longer a priority

2. Working toward Reform- the physical and spiritual
1. Making a new start- Opportunity taken- Remember God
2. Unity the people- Focus on a goal- Sin is denounced
3. Organize effort- discipline your life

The Repair of the temple was neglected- The Levites failed to follow through with their responsibility.

3. Reasons for neglect
1. They hasten not… it was not a priority
2. The task seem overwhelming- insurmountable odds
3. The money was not coming in- no support
4. The people did not see their money at work
5. Lack of trust in God to do something

The Revenue is abundant for God’s house

4. Inspiring people to give
1. Method of collection- creativity- trying new ideas
2. Attitude change- give unto the Lord with joy
3. Keeping it safe- don’t be careless
4. Accountability- Use it for the original purpose
5. Pay out for those who go beyond and above what is expected- don’t take advantage of the workman.