Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      03/18/12

“Repentance”

2 Chronicles 33:1- 36:1

INTRODUCTION:  The Bible is very clear that God wants us to be in a good relationship with him. He will give a second chance and a fresh start to anyone who comes to him in true repentance. The Old Testament repeats the refrain, “you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” (Neh. 9:17). The New Testament says that God “is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Everyone can experience God’s favor and forgiveness. We just need to repent, do a u-turn back toward God. The next three kings of Judah show us the consequences of obeying or resisting the Lord.

YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO CHANGE YOUR WAYS.

• Manasseh lived most of his life in rebellion against God until God punished him. Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD...The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. So the LORD brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon.  (2 Chron. 33:1-11).
• The king bowed in repentance.  In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God (2 Chron. 33:12-13).
• Manasseh cleansed the land and brought restoration to Judah. He got rid of the foreign gods…Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the LORD (33:15-16).

YOU ARE NEVER TOO SECURE TO AVOID GOD’S WAYS.

• Amon rejected God’s ways and met an early end.  Amon was

twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD...But unlike his father Manasseh, he did not humble himself before the LORD; Amon increased his guilt.  Amon’s officials conspired against him and assassinated him in his palace (33:21-24).

YOU ARE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO LEARN GOD’S WAYS.

• Josiah became king and later began to follow the Lord at age sixteen.Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years...In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David (2 Chron. 34:1-3).
• Josiah cleansed Judah of false worship at the age of twenty. In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of    high places, Asherah poles, carved idols and cast images (34:3).
• At the age of twenty-six, Josiah began to repair the temple and the priests found the Book of the Law. In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, to purify the land and the temple, he sent Shaphan...and Maaseiah the ruler of the city, with Joah... the recorder, to repair the temple of the LORD his God...These men paid the workers who repaired and restored the temple... While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the temple of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD that had been given through Moses (34:8-14).
• Josiah humbled himself before God when he heard the Law and God accepted his act of repentance. “Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people... I have heard you, declares the LORD. Now I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here” (34:27-28).
• Josiah renewed the covenant with God and his people. Then the king called together all the elders...He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant. The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD—to follow the LORD and keep his commands...(2Chron. 34:30).

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      03/11/12

“Resistance”

2 Chronicles 27-32

INTRODUCTION:  Judah was on the road to recovery. God had blessed the obedience of the three previous kings. Faithfulness had produced prosperity. The danger when things go well is to become complacent and not recognize the threat of those things which try to move us away from the Lord. We need to resist everything that attacks our walk with God. We need to guard our spiritual life and resist the adversary. Spiritually speaking, the Bible tells us to “resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). The next three kings of Judah show us the ups and downs of resistance.

BE ON GUARD AGAINST THE ENEMY (2 Chron. 27:1-9).

*Jothambuilt up his defenses and depended on God. Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the temple of the LORD and did extensive work on the wall...He built towns in the Judean hills and forts and towers in the wooded areas. Jotham made war on the king of the Ammonites and conquered them...Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God (27:3-6).

*Know the enemy and prepare for spiritual warfare. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:10-12).

DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN (2 Chron. 28:1-27).

*Ahazrebelled against God, defiled the Temple, and was defeated by his enemies. Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD. He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and also made cast idols for worshiping the Baals. He burned sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire... Therefore the LORD his God handed him over to the king of Aram... He was also given into the hands of the king of Israel... The LORD had humbled Judah...for he [Ahaz] had promoted wickedness in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the LORD. Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came to him, but he gave him trouble instead of help... In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD... Ahaz gathered together the furnishings from the temple of God and took them away. He shut the doors of the LORD’s temple and set up altars at every street corner in Jerusalem (28:1-24).

*Resistance requires that you continually stand against the enemy. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand (Ephesians 6:13).

LET GOD BE YOUR GUARD (2 Chron. 29-32).

*Hezekiahresisted the enemy and revived Judah in three ways:

• Praiseand Worship – he repairedthe Temple and renewed Temple worship. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD...In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the temple of the LORD and repaired them…This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered. (2 Chron. 29:2-31:21).
• Preparation and Protection – he fortified the city and stockpiled weapons and water resources as Assyria came near. Hezekiah said, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria...for there is a greater power with us than with him” (2 Chron. 32:7).
• Prayer – he prayed fervently and God delivered Judah.King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this. And the LORD sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace (2 Chron. 32:20-21).

*Stand against the enemy and trust God. Stand firm then…And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (Ephesians 6:14-18).

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      03/04/12

“Recovery”

2 Chronicles 24-26

INTRODUCTION:  Judah went through a horrible time of rebellion. The faithful efforts of Jehoida and the priests restored the true king to Judah’s throne and renewed the covenant with the Lord. Judah began a period of recovery during the reigns of the next three kings. Recovery is messy. There are gains and then there are set-backs. You make advances and then you seem to throw away all the good you have achieved. Recovery requires persistent practice and consistent obedience. Let’s look at Judah’s road to recovery through these kings.

RECOVERY DEPENDS ON RESTORATION OF WORSHIP.

*Joash began a project to repair the Temple and resume worship. Some time later Joash decided to restore the temple of the LORD... At the king’s command, a chest was made and placed outside, at the gate of the temple of the LORD...All the officials and all the people brought their contributions gladly, dropping them into the chest until it was full...The men in charge of the work were diligent, and the repairs progressed under them. They rebuilt the temple of God according to its original design and reinforced it (2 Chron. 24:4-13).

 *The danger of insincere worship: outerobedience and inward rebellion. After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. They abandoned the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem. Although the LORD sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen (2 Chron. 24:17-19).

RECOVERY MAINTAINS ATTENTION TO GOD’S WORD.

*Amaziahlistened to the prophet and sent the mercenary soldiers back to Israel.He [Amaziah] did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly...He also hired a hundred thousand fighting men from Israel for a hundred talents of silver. But a man of God came to him and said, “O king, these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the LORD is not with Israel”...So Amaziah dismissed the troops who had come to him from Ephraim and sent them home. They were furious with Judah and left for home in a great rage” (2 Chron. 25:2-10).

*Amaziah began to worship other gods and God sent a prophet to warn him. He rejected the Word of God and later was captured and killed. When Amaziah returned from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the people of Seir. He set them up as his own gods, bowed down to them and burned sacrifices to them. The anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him, who said, “Why do you consult this people’s gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?” (2 Chron. 25:14-15).

*The danger of listening to God’s Word: selectivefaithfulness.

RECOVERY LEADS TO AN EXPANSION OFWITNESS.

*Uzziah reigned a long time in Judah because he was faithful to God. He rebuilt Jerusalem and Judah’sarmy. He expanded the economy of Judah in agriculture and livestock. Judahprospered. Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years... He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done. He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success (2 Chron. 26:3-5).

*The danger of prosperity and influence: presumption and pride.

But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the LORD followed him in. They confronted him and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD”... Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the LORD’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead...King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died (2 Chron. 26:16-21).

Recovery is messy and requires a constant effort to maintain.

Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      02/26/12

“Rebellion”

2 Chronicles 21:4 – 23:21

INTRODUCTION:  Rehoboam’s foolishness led to the loss of the northern kingdom. The wisdom and faithfulness of the next three kings led Judah to prosperity. The Bible teaches there is a way of wisdom (Prov. 4:11) and a way of foolishness (Prov. 12:15). The Psalmist talks about the “righteous” and the “wicked” (Psalm 1:6). Jesus said there is a “narrow way” and a “broad way” (Matt. 7:13; 12:30).  The narrow road leads to life. The broad way leads to destruction. Rebellion leads to destruction. King Jehoram destroyed all the good and prosperity his father had built because he turned from the Lord and chose evil. Let’s see how we can avoid a life of rebellion.

REBELLION BEGINS WITH YOUR BELIEFS ABOUT GOD.

*Jehoram chose to marry into Ahab’s family, worship foreign gods and set up false religious shrines. He turned from the Lord in rebellion.

Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD...Libnah revolted at the same time, because Jehoram had forsaken the LORD, the God of his fathers. He had also built high places on the hills of Judah and had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray (2 Chron. 21:5-6, 10-11).

What you do reveals what you really believe.

REBELLION CONTINUES WITH YOUR CHOICES IN LIFE.

*Jehorammurdered his family members and joined in the evil of the house of Ahab. He died but led Judah and his family into punishment.

When Jehoram established himself firmly over his father’s kingdom, he put all his brothers to the sword along with some of the princes of Israel... The LORD aroused against Jehoram the hostility of the Philistines and of the Arabs who lived near the Cushites. They attacked Judah, invaded it and carried off all the goods found in the king’s palace, together with his sons and wives. Not a son was left to him except Ahaziah, the youngest. After all this, the LORD afflicted Jehoram with an incurable disease of the bowels (2 Chron. 21:4-18).

*Jehoram’s son Ahaziah continued his father’s evil ways and followed his mother’s wicked ways until he too was killed.

Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri. He too walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father’s death they became his advisers, to his undoing (2 Ch. 22:2-4)

*Athaliah took over the throne and killed the royal family except for one who escaped.  When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah. But Jehosheba,  the daughter of King Jehoram, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered and put him and his nurse in a bedroom ...He remained hidden with them at the temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land (2 Chron. 22:10-12).

Rebellion is contagious and spreads like a disease.

REBELLION ENDS WITH YOUR DOWNFALL.

*Jehoram died with a wasting disease. Ahaziah died by the sword. Athaliah was overthrown as ruler and killed. Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; they presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him and shouted, “Long live the king!” When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and cheering the king, she went to them at the temple of the LORD...Then Athaliah tore her robes and shouted, “Treason! Treason!” … So they seized her as she reached the entrance of the Horse Gate on the palace grounds, and there they put her to death. (2 Chron. 23:11-15).

*God always keeps his covenant and rescues his faithful people. Jehoiada then made a covenant that he and the people and the kingwould be the LORD’s people. All the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down (2 Chron. 23:16).

God always wins. In the midst of total rebellion, God is at work. 

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      02/19/12

“Renewal”

2 Chronicles 13:1 – 21:3

INTRODUCTION:  The foolishness of Rehoboam had caused the northern kingdom of Israel to separate from the southern kingdom of Judah. Fortunately, the next three kings of Judah attempted to return to the Lord and his ways. Abijah led Judah to defeat Israel and strengthen its borders (2 Chron. 13-14). Asa led Judah into a time of spiritual and political renewal (2 Chron. 14-16). Jehoshaphat instructed the people in God’s Law and led them to victory in battle (2 Chron.16-21). Judah prospered because of the faithfulness of these three kings. King Asa’s process of renewal set the course for this prosperity. We all need spiritual renewal. Let’s see how Asa led Judah into renewal.

REMOVAL

*Asa removed everything in his life that was contrary to God.

Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. (2 Chron. 14:2-3).

REVIVAL

*Asa directed spiritual and civic renewal in the land.

He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands...No one was at war with him during those years, for the LORD gave him rest.  “Let us build up these towns,” he said to Judah, “and put walls around them, with towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the LORD our God; we sought him and he has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered (14:4-7).

RELIANCE

*Asa was a man of prayer and faith who depended in the Lord.

Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, “LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you.” The LORD struck down the Cushites before

Asa and Judah (14:11-12).

REFORM

*Asacleared the land of idols, constructed the altar, confirmed the covenant, and cleansed his own house of idolatry. He was committed.

The Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you...” When Asa heard these words... he took courage. He removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and…of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD’s temple...Then he assembled all Judah and Benjamin and the people from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon...They assembled at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa’s reign...They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul... King Asa also deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole...Asa’s heart was fully committed to the LORD all his life (15:1-17).

RELAPSE

*Asa sinned but refused to repent. He died old and cold.

At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand...

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people... In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians (16:7-11).

Early victories do not ensure later obedience.

Renewal is an ongoing process.

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      02/12/12

“Young and Foolish”

2 Chronicles 10-12

INTRODUCTION:  The Chronicler’s goal is to establish Solomon’s reign as the standard of excellence for the future kings of Israel. All future kings would measure their success by comparing their kingdoms to Solomon and David. Rehoboam did not compare well.  He was inexperienced and foolish in his actions as king. Foolishness can be corrected with a healthy dose of reality. Rehoboam had to learn the hard way how to be wise and obedient toward the Lord.

THE BIBLE CONTRASTS FOOLISHNESS WITH WISDOM.

The Scripture lists some traits that identify a fool:

• Self-centered instead ofGod-centered: Psalm 14:1 - The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
• Unteachable and undisciplined: Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
• Refuses advice: Proverbs 12:15 - The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
• Surrounds himself with other foolish people: Proverbs 13:20 - He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
• Careless and headstrong: Proverbs 14:16 - A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.

Foolish actions can be avoided or corrected by wise, godly counsel.

HUBRIS IS THE ROOT OF FOOLSIHNESS.

*Rehoboamrejected wise counsel and embraced foolish advice.

Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, as the king had said, “Come back to me in three days.” The king answered them harshly. Rejecting the advice of the elders, he followed the advice of the young men and said, “My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.” So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from God, to fulfill the word the LORD had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite… So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day (2 Chronicles 10:12-15, 19).

We embrace foolish actions when we are influenced by pride, position or peers.

HUMILITY IS THE ANTIDOTE FOR FOOLISHNESS.

*Rehoboamlost most of his kingdom to northern Israel and was conquered by the king of Egypt before he finally submitted to the Lord.

After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD. Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 12:1-2).

*The Lord spared Judah and Jerusalem only after Rehoboam humbled himself before the Lord.

Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had assembled in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the LORD says, ‘You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.’”  The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The LORD is just.”  

When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the LORD came to Shemaiah: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak. They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands” (2 Chron. 12:5-8).

Proverbs 11:2 - When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      01/29/12

“Water for Life”

John 4:4-15

INTRODUCTION: Several years ago I went to Africa with some other pastors.  We observed the work of our missionaries in Kenya and Zambia. One need became clear: the need for clean, available water. Both missionaries we talked to had water projects going as part of their basic ministries. For the missionaries, water was as essential for the spread of the gospel as it was for the health of the people. Jesus also used water as the common ground for witness. We see this in the story of the woman at the well in John 4:4-15.

WE ALL NEED WATER FOR LIFE.

Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) (John 4:4-8).

WE ALL NEED LIVING WATER FOR ETERNAL LIFE.

The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”  “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?...Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (4:9-14).

WE CAN GIVE WATER FOR LIFE.

The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water” (4:15).

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      01/22/12

“Setting the Standard”

2 Chronicles 8-9

INTRODUCTION: The writer of the Chronicles told the story of David and Solomon building the kingdom and Temple of God. The writer does not include the sins or failures of Solomon and David in his accounts.  His goal is to establish Solomon’s reign as the standard of excellence for the future kings of Israel. His goal is to set a high mark for living: Give your best for God.All future kings would measure their success by comparing their kingdoms to Solomon and David. How are we to measure our lives? Jesus Christ is the standard of excellence for us. Solomon shows us some ways we can excel.

BE EXCELLENT IN WORSHIP.

*Solomonexpanded the kingdom and built the Temple (8:1-11, 16). All Solomon’s work was carried out, from the day the foundation of the temple of the LORD was laid until its completion. So the temple of the LORD was finished (16).

*Solomonsupported the Temple and participated in worship (8:11-15). On the altar of the LORD that he had built in front of the portico, Solomon sacrificed burnt offerings to the LORD...(12).

Maintain the place of worship andpraise the Lord of worship.

BE EXCELLENT IN SERVICE.

*Solomon strove for quality in all his work. When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built,  the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed (9:3).

*Solomon was creative and innovative in his work. The king used the algumwood to make steps for the temple of the LORD and for the royal palace, and to make harps and lyres for the musicians. Nothing like them had ever been seen in Judah...Then the king made a great throne inlaid with ivory and overlaid with pure gold... Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like it had ever been made for any other kingdom (9:11, 17-19).

Do your work well and do not be afraid to try new things for God.

BE EXCELLENT IN WITNESS.

*Solomon’s work and wisdom gave a positive witness for the Lord. The Queen of Sheba said, “Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the LORD your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness” (9:8).

*Success with God brings success with other people.King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. All the kings of the earth sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart (9:22-23).

Faithful worship and diligent effort make an excellent testimony.

APPLICATION:

 *Jesus is the measure of excellence for every Christian. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:28-29).

The King deserves our very best in worship, service, and witness.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place 
   and gave him the name that is above every name, 

 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, 
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 
 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, 
   to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      01/15/12

The House of Prayer

2 Chronicles 6-7

INTRODUCTION: We continue our new study on Preserving Your Kingdom.  Solomon built the Temple as a place of prayer and sacrifice. He finished the work his father David had begun. Solomon dedicated the Temple and led the people in prayer. His prayer shows the importance Solomon placed on prayer. Jesus said we should always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1).  He said, “My house will be called a house of prayer” (Matt. 21:13). Prayer should permeate everything we do as individuals and as a church.  Let’s look at Solomon’s prayer to get an idea of how we can pray better.

ANYTIME IS A GOOD TIME TO PRAY (6:1-42).

• National events. Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD...and then knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven (6:12-13).
• Broken relationships.“When a man wrongs his neighbor”(22).
• Times of defeat.“When your people Israel have been defeated by an enemy...” (24).
• Times of drought. When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain...” (26).
• Disaster or disease.“When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when enemies besiege them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come”(28).
• Times of travel and relocation. “As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your great name...” (32).
• Times of war and conflict. “When your people go to war against their enemies...” (34).
• Times of sin and captivity. “When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to a land far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity...” (36-37).

WORSHIP IS A SPECIAL TIME TO PRAY (7:1-10).

• Place of Praise:When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “He is good;   his love endures forever” (7:3).
• Place of Sacrifice:Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD (4).
• Place of Dedication:So the king and all the people dedicated the temple of God (5).

A PROMISE IS GIVEN TO THOSE WHO PRAY (7:11-22).

*God is ready to hear and answer our prayers IF we are willing to humble ourselves and repent.

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people,  if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

 (2 Chronicles 7:13-14)

Are you taking time to pray? 

Are you going to worship on a regular basis?

Are you willing to humble yourself and pray, seek God’s face and turn from your sins?

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      01/08/12

Great Things for God

2 Chronicles 2-5

INTRODUCTION: We did a study in First Chronicles in the fall called Building Your Kingdom. David established his kingdom and laid the foundations for the building of a new Temple for God. In Second Chronicles, Solomon builds the Temple and expands the kingdom. We continue our new study today on Preserving Your Kingdom.  Solomon led the people to put first things first by worshipping God. He asked for wisdom and began the work.  Solomon wanted to do great things for God.  If you are going to do great things for God, then God must get all the glory. How does God get glory?  Solomon shows us how. Let's use the acrostic GLORY to understand these passages.

GIVE GOD THE GLORY (2:1-18).

*Solomon gave God glory. “The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods” (5).

*Hiram gave God glory. “Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth!” (12).

LAY A STRONG FOUNDATION (3:1-4).

*Buildsolidly on past successes. Then Solomon began to build the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David (3:1).

OFFER YOUR VERY BEST TO GOD (3:15-4:22).

REJOICE IN THE LORD (5:1-13).

The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang:“He is good; his love endures forever” (5:13).

YIELD TO GOD’S PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE (5:13-14).

Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God (5:13-14).