2 Chronicles 21:1-20

The Weekend 2011
April 8, 2011

Kevin Miller

“Don’t Waste Your Life”

2 Chronicles 21:1-20

Satan conveniently leaves out the pain and consequences of sin. He is so good at advertising, he makes sin look fun. It shows repentance and our need for it.

1.       An Evil Alliance VS 4, 6, 11

Jehoram’s wife was probably Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter: Athaliah. Who you form close relationships with influences you greatly. Ultimately it’s about Jesus. Apart from choosing Christ, marriage is the biggest thing in your life. -2 Corinthians 6:14- Sin in your life is no one’s fault but your own. Not only was his alliance with Athaliah evil but also his alliance with sin. Like Ahab he influenced the people to idol worship. Both of them were evil. Jehoram killed all his brothers to keep them from power. Athaliah killed her grandchildren to keep her power.

2.       A Chance for Repentance VS 16-20

(fyi, repentance is never written here) We don’t like things that aren’t fair but mercy and grace from God isn’t fair to us, but when we see the punishment suddenly we’re all about mercy and grace. Every day you wake up is a chance for repentance.

VS 8-10- trouble arises. Now Jehoram is getting a taste of his own medicine. God is in charge of Jehoram and he rebelled. The people who he was in charge of are now rebelling against him. Sometimes it takes something drastic for God to shake us up out of our old lives.

VS 12 – could you imagine a list of your sins? If he would have repented God probably would have given him a second chance. –Colossians 2:14-

3.       Good Riddance VS 16-20

God doesn’t make empty threats, He makes empty promises. Now Jehoram has to pay. As horrible as his punishment had been that was just an appetizer for his eternity. He better have enjoyed his suffering because it was about to get worse. When he finally died no one was sad. They were happy to see him go. He wasn’t even buried with the rest of the kings. He impacted no one, contributed nothing, and he life was a waste. Sin makes a lot of promises but never follows through.

1 Kings 21:1-29

Resound
April 3, 2011

Bryne Palmer

Cribs: Old Testament Style

1 Kings 21:1-29

1.       Whiny

Ahab wants Naboth’s land but Naboth is a man of God and was told not to get rid of it. So Ahab throws a fit. The first mistake Ahab made was taking his eyes off God. He switched from one idol to another, he looked for fulfillment somewhere else, he focused on his possessions.

–Matthew 7:26-27- Ahab built his house on the sand. The second mistake he made was he allowed his loss to drive his desire. –Genesis 2:16-17 (temptation)- The one thing you can’t have is what temps you the most. –Genesis 3:1-6- The lie that’s told: you aren’t responsible, that’s why you can’t have it (the lie the serpent told eve).

His third mistake: He believed the lie that Jezebel told.

2.       Worthless  VS 8-15

Ahab didn’t fight back. We need to be careful not to believe the lie like Ahab or else if we go on believing it something good that God has given us will die. Jezebel got two worthless men to lie because if she would have found honest men they would have rejected her offer. Satan goes after the weakest one, he’ll still attack believers but he’ll really attack the weak. In that circumstance the rest of us (the body of Christ) need to come and reinforce the one who is being attacked and help him out, to show up Satan.

3.       Wicked VS 15-22

Somebody innocent will be killed for Ahab’s selfish gain. Something good dies if you let Satan gain control. Jezebel was the one who gave the command but it was Ahab’s fault because it was done in his name and seal. When you give up control you will still be held accountable for it. You authorized it, it’s your fault.

Wrath is coming. –Mark 9:42- not only did he sin, but he caused all of Israel to sin. Ahab’s millstone VS 23-24 “You’re going to be wiped out.” VS 25-26 sum up Ahab.

4.       Worthy VS 27-29

Ahab actually feels the weight of his sin this time. God shows him mercy. VS 25-29: replace Ahab’s name with your name. But thankfully God sent His Son Jesus for us to wipe away all that. -Hebrews 1- God spoke the loudest when He sent His Son. -1 Corinthians 15:20-22-

Esther 4:9-17

Christ Community Fellowship
April 3, 2011

Pastor Bob Brown

“Quench Not the Spirit”

The Holy Spirit Quenched Part II

Esther 4:9-17

Many people do the discipline of the Christian life in substitute for Christian living. –Galatians 2:20- - Colossians 1:18- We need to seek Jesus, not just the things of Him.

1.       The Response of Esther VS. 9-11

The Holy Spirit has commanded the human spirit to defend her people. Just like when the Holy Spirit tells us to do something. –John 14-16 (the Holy Spirit leading His people)- But sometimes we say “no,” we think we know a better reason not to obey Him. Like how Esther knew she would die if she did that, she told Mordecai “No.” To know who is in control of your life just look at who you obey.

A)     A Lack of Access VS. 10, 11

-Proverbs 3:5-6- What you’re leaning on and who you’re listening to shows who you obey. -1 Thessalonians 5:19- Quench not the Spirit. Quench – suppress, subdue, and silence. Comes from dampening of a fire, where it’s almost out.

B)      A Loss of Affection VS 11D

“He hasn’t asked for me in 30 days.” She begins to come up with things that’ll probably happen. Sometimes we do this. “God is responsible for the consequences of your obedience.” – Charles Stanley. She is saying, “God if I obey you I am going to die, so that’s why I don’t want to.” We often make excuses or reasons why our way is better also.

2.       The Response of Mordecai VS 12-17

The Holy Spirit convicts, especially when you say no. You can’t deal with the flesh only the Holy Spirit can, and in doing so you become stronger.

A)     The Cold Facts VS 12-13

“Don’t think for a minute that you’re safe because you’re in the palace.” The Holy Spirit will always speak the cold hard truth to us. He is more concerned with our holiness than our happiness.

B)      A Calm Faith VS 14

He reminds her that God is absolutely sovereign. “If you don’t do My will, I will carry out my plan anyway but you will suffer consequences for your disobedience.” The word “parish” was first used for a withering crop. It no longer bares fruit. (14B) There is a specific plan in your life. And Mordecai reminds Esther “Why did God allow all of this to happen in your life (becoming queen)? Maybe it was for a time like this.”

C)       Cautious Fortitude VS 15-17

3 days and night is very significant. It’s the time that Jonah spent in the whale. It’s significant in the story of Abraham and Isaac and also Joshua’s life. And most importantly, it was the time Jesus spent in the tomb. 3 Days and nights speak of dying to self. All true life comes out of death.

1 Kings 20:1-43

Resound
March 27, 2011

Bryne Palmer

“Expect the Unexpected”

1 Kings 20:1-43

1.       Ahab’s time to shine Vs. 1-30

Ahab was being wise because he cared about his people. He allowed Ben-hadad to take his gold silver, wives and children, but no to harm his people. Even though Ahab led all of Israel off into idolatry, he wasn’t a totally bad guy. Expect the unexpected -Proverbs 16:9- Ahab is told by God to throw the first punch. Ahab has to take a huge leap of faith to go against all these people. ~*~Remember who Ahab is: he served two gods, put a death warrant on Elijah’s head and let a woman tell him what to do ~*~ 232 men who didn’t really have any experience were to be led by Ahab into the surprise attack (they were backed by 10,000 additional men but the other army was still bigger, by like 10 to 1). The Aramaeans believed that the reason Ahab won was because his god was a god of the mountains so they wanted to fight him on the planes. But God is still going to win no matter where they’re at, because our God is sovereign. Ahab’s army was so small that they were referred to as two little flocks of sheep as the other army filled the valley.   

2.       Looks can be deceiving Vs. 31-40

…as Ben-hadad has come to realize. Ben-hadad surrenders and Ahab is merciful, he also gets all the land back that Ben-hadad’s dad stole from Ahab’s dad.

*the focus shifts*

To the man who wanted to be striked. If you don’t obey God there are consequences. God has a plan, no matter how weird or odd it looks, do it! The purpose of the sword whacking was so that the man would look like he had been there during the battle.

3.       The truth hurts Vs. 41-43

Ben-hadad was supposed to die. So now it’s Ahab’s life for Ben-hadad’s. –Romans 1:18-24- Replace “they” with your name. Vs 20-24 this is what happened to Ahab. –Ephesians 2:3- We are born like this. We all deserve Ahab’s punishment BUT Jesus came and dies for us. You deserve to die BUT Jesus came and took it for you. –Romans 5:8-