2 Kings 22-24

Josiah was only 8 years old when he became king over Judah. This may have been a good thing, since he did not have time to be brought up by his father king Manasseh, who strayed away from God in a huge way.

Josiah examined God’s Word for guidance and when he learned what God had in store for Judah after their wide disobedience and chasing after other gods, he humbled himself before God and repented of the wicked ways. He sought God’s word from the prophets and listened. Josiah executed a wide spread campaign to rid Israel of the foreign gods, even going to what was the northern kingdom to clean up what was done there.

God still destroyed Judah, but spared Josiah from seeing it during his lifetime, because of how he humbled himself and repented. We see that God can be both general and personal in His approach at the same time. He can bring judgement and love at the same time. He is much more that we can imagine.

Josiah did not always handle being confronted with God’s Word the same. Later he took a more self-centered approach, and paid the price with his life. When, not if, we are confronted by God’s Word in our lives we have a choice to make. Do we ignore and focus on our self, or do we listen, humble ourselves, repent and obey?

2 Kings 19-21

When faced with a crisis do we try to fix it ourselves, do we pray that God will fix it for us, or do we wait and see what God has to say? King Hezekiah provides an example when Jerusalem was facing certain collapse by the armies of Assyria. His initial response was to humble himself and seek God’s direction, and he listened. God took control and delivered Jerusalem from destruction.

Later in Hezekiah’s life he became ill. When the prophet Isaiah told him he was not going to recover from the illness. Hezekiah prayed reminding God of all he had done to honor Him, and asked that God would relent. Another miracle was delivered to Hezekiah to extend his life by 15 years. However, this raised up pride that affected the kingdom of Judah for several years as his son Manasseh turned the people away from God, and lead to their ultimate captivity.

As we face crises in our lives we need to remember that hearing from God must take priority over God hearing us. the difference is showing pride or humility during these times.

2 Kings 16-18

Unlike his predecessors, king Ahaz did not do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, and he followed the kings of Israel from the north. He even used the treasures of the temple, God’s treasures, to pay off the king of Assyria to fend off Israel for him. This likely exposed the northern kingdom to the Assyrian army who was the super power of their time, and led to the fall of the northern kingdom.

His son Hezekiah however, returns his people back to God. In 18:5 it mentions, “He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him.”

Both of these kings and the king of Israel, Hoshea, faced overwhelming opposition, but handled it differently. Hoshea and Ahaz tried to manage it with their own influence and tried to alter what God had planned, without success. Hezekiah trusted in God and let God handle it, which led to an amazing miracle.

Today, as followers of Christ. we face many different oppositions from the world. We have a choice to make. Do we try to influence God and attempt to get out of what God has planned for us, or do we place our trust in Him who has the power to guide us through, and lean on His strength, knowing that although it may be tough now, the glory on the other side will be worth it.

2 Chronicles 26:3-21

King Uzziah, like his father and grandfather before him was identified as a king who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord”. Also like his predecessors, God blessed him with victories and strength as a powerful leader. Unfortunately, like his predecessors, this went to his head as pride, which led to their destruction, and leprosy for Uzziah.

It is quite clear that God does not like our prideful behavior. There are many passages and examples where God has provided warnings and shown how he deals with this sin. It is not just pride in our accomplishments, but we can even be prideful in our religious zeal, putting ourselves above others, even God.

The focus needs to be on what God has done, and is doing, rather than our own achievements. Micah 6:8 provides guidance on how we should live for God. Consider this as you examine yourself and your attitude for others.

NOTE: We had a technical issue this week with our video capture, and there will not be a recoding to view. We apologize to those who regularly view the sermon online. We are investigating and plan to have it resolved next week. the audio file can be downloaded or listened to above.

2 Kings 9, 10

Elisha sent one of his men to anoint Jehu king over Israel, while Joram, a descendant of Ahab, was still king. Jehu then proceeded to carry out the prophesy from Elijah against Ahab’s family by killing all those associated with Ahab both family and members of his court. Talk about tense times!

The part of this we tend to forget in that this was done in accordance with God’s prophesy, showing that God fulfills His promises, even if it brings tension and conflict.

The quesiton to consider is not that if we will have tension in our lives, but how we will handle it when it comes. If we are plugged into the “body”, which is the church, we are able to handle the tension with strength and work together in harmony. It is when we try to manage it ourselves that we find discord.

2 Kings 5:1-20

Naaman was a commander in the Syrian Military. The same Syrians who were arch enemies of the northern kingdom of Israel. When he contracted leprosy he listened to a young girl, who was a captive servant from Israel that trusted in God. She informed Naaman that there was a prophet in Israel who could cure him from his leprosy. She overcame her circumstances and proclaimed God with confidence to send Naaman.

Naaman also had a servant who guided him to listen to God’s word and see what He would do. Although the request seemed simple for such a large issue, Naaman complied and was cured.

We also looked at Elisha’s servant Gehazi, who was more focused on himself and what he could get, than being humble as Elisha instructed. His choice was self-centered, and not what God desired. When he returned to Elisha he received the penalty for his poor choice.

Are we able to listen to God even when the circumstances or situation seems hopeless? Are we able to simply obey, even when it does not make sense? We have a choice to make. Do we follow God’s leading or focus on our own desires?

2 Kings 1-4

The end of 1 Kings and opening chapters in 2 Kings take a break from discussing the battles and related events of the Kings of Israel and Judah and insert two key prophets of God with their amazing accomplishments. Elijah was born in the northern kingdom of Israel and lived with the kings who did not follow God. Even in the midst of this type of surroundings, he was able to demonstrate God’s power through prophesy and miracles.

Elisha, his successor, who was also from Israel witnessed God taking Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Receiving a blessing of God’s power, he immediately tested his gift by parting the waters so he could cross back over and begin his prophetic journey. As he learned about God’s gift to him he grew in Spirit and trust in God, showing others what God can do.

Both prophets were from a country and people who did not honor God, yet they were able to be the light to others in that area. As we look at the trouble and conflict in the world today, are we able to look through the negativity and see what God is doing through each of us and those around us to grow His Kingdom? We can if we choose to follow and obey.

2 Chronicles 19-20

King Jehoshaphat from Judah followed God and worked to steer his people away fromt he idols of the past. However, he did align himself with King Ahab of Israel and almost was tyaken in battle as Ahab tried to trick his enemy by disguising himself, while having Jehoshaphat appear to be the king. when Jehoshaphat returned safely to Judah, the prophet Jehu called him out for going to help Ahab, who did not follow God.

Following this, Jehoshaphat was faced with a test of his loyalty to God when a group of armies went up against him. Jehoshaphat sought God’s guidance, listened to what God had to say, and obeyed, even when it did not make sense. This allowed God to show His salvation when He delivered the people of Judah without having to fight themselves.

This is yet another example of how we should approach issues we face today and ask ourselves, “Do we hate what God hates?”, and “Do we love what God loves?” Are we willing to seek God in everything, listen to what His will has for us, do what He says, and sit back and watch how his salvation is glorified, even if we are not directly a part of the action?

John 14

There is a big holiday to celebrate this week. No, not the one you are thinking of. October 31, is Reformation Day, marking the day Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the church to begin the Reformation Period of the church and the beginning of Protestantism.

An outcome of the Reformation was the five solas, which distinguished the Reformers from the teachings of Rome, including sola scriptura (Scripture alone), solus Christus (Christ alone), sola fide (faith alone), sola gratia (grace alone), and soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone).

These define our path to salvation is from Christ not from ourselves, reinforcing that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Him.