Lessons from Kings: Be Wholehearted with Loyalty
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
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Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
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Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
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Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
4“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5You
4“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5You
shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all
shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your might. 6And these words that I
your soul and with all your might. 6And these words that I
command you today shall be on your heart. 7You shall teach
command you today shall be on your heart. 7You shall teach
them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when
them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when
you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and
you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and
when you lie down, and when you rise. 8You shall bind them
when you lie down, and when you rise. 8You shall bind them
as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between
as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between
your eyes. 9You shall write them on the doorposts of your
your eyes. 9You shall write them on the doorposts of your
house and on your gates.” –Dt. 6:4-9
house and on your gates.” –Dt. 6:4-9
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
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Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will
guide you into all the truth,
guide you into all the truth,
for he will not
for he will not
speak on his own authority, but whatever he
speak on his own authority, but whatever he
hears he will speak
hears he will speak
, and he will declare to
, and he will declare to
you the things that are to come.” –Jn. 16:13
you the things that are to come.” –Jn. 16:13
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
“All Scripture is
“All Scripture is
breathed out by God
breathed out by God
and
and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness,
correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete,
17 that the man of God may be complete,
equipped for every good work.”
equipped for every good work.”
-2 Tim. 3:16-17-
-2 Tim. 3:16-17-
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Loyalty
Loyalty
Jesus commanded it …
Jesus commanded it …
The Father demanded it…
The Father demanded it…
The Spirit breathes it…
The Spirit breathes it…
“if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He
“if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He
cannot deny Himself.” -2 Timothy 2:13
cannot deny Himself.” -2 Timothy 2:13
God is
God is
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
What is a man without
What is a man without
loyalty
loyalty
?
?
Ungodly
Ungodly
…a lack of life
…a lack of life
“He who pursues righteousness and loyalty
“He who pursues righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness and honor.”
Finds life, righteousness and honor.”
-Pro. 21:21-
-Pro. 21:21-
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
1 The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of
1 The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of
Oded. 2 So he went out to meet Asa and said
Oded. 2 So he went out to meet Asa and said
to him, “Asa and all Judah and Benjamin,
to him, “Asa and all Judah and Benjamin,
hear me.
hear me.
The LORD is with you when you
The LORD is with you when you
are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be
are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be
found by you, but if you abandon Him, He
found by you, but if you abandon Him, He
will abandon you.
will abandon you.
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
3 For many years Israel has been without
3 For many years Israel has been without
the true God, without a teaching priest, and
the true God, without a teaching priest, and
without instruction, 4 but
without instruction, 4 but
when they turned
when they turned
to the LORD God of Israel in their distress
to the LORD God of Israel in their distress
and sought Him, He was found by them.
and sought Him, He was found by them.
5
5
In those times there was no peace for those
In those times there was no peace for those
who went about their daily activities because
who went about their daily activities because
the residents of the lands had many
the residents of the lands had many
conflicts.
conflicts.
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
6 Nation was crushed by nation and city by
6 Nation was crushed by nation and city by
city, for God troubled them with every
city, for God troubled them with every
possible distress. 7
possible distress. 7
But as for you, be strong;
But as for you, be strong;
don’t be discouraged, for your work has a
don’t be discouraged, for your work has a
reward.”
reward.”
8 When Asa heard these words
8 When Asa heard these words
and the prophecy of ⌊Azariah son of⌋ Oded
and the prophecy of ⌊Azariah son of⌋ Oded
the prophet,
the prophet,
he took courage
he took courage
…
…
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
…
…
and removed
and removed
the detestable idols from the
the detestable idols from the
whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from
whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from
the cities he had captured in the hill country
the cities he had captured in the hill country
of Ephraim.
of Ephraim.
He renovated
He renovated
the altar of the
the altar of the
LORD that was in front of the portico of the
LORD that was in front of the portico of the
LORD’s ⌊temple⌋.
LORD’s ⌊temple⌋.
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
9
9
Then
Then
he gathered
he gathered
all Judah and Benjamin,
all Judah and Benjamin,
as well as those from ⌊the tribes of⌋
as well as those from ⌊the tribes of⌋
Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had
Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had
settled among them, for they had defected
settled among them, for they had defected
to him from Israel in great numbers
to him from Israel in great numbers
when
when
they saw that Yahweh his God was with him
they saw that Yahweh his God was with him
.
.
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
10 They were gathered in Jerusalem in the
10 They were gathered in Jerusalem in the
third month of the fifteenth year of Asa’s
third month of the fifteenth year of Asa’s
reign. 11 At that time
reign. 11 At that time
they sacrificed
they sacrificed
to the
to the
LORD 700 cattle and 7,000 sheep from all
LORD 700 cattle and 7,000 sheep from all
the plunder they had brought. 12
the plunder they had brought. 12
Then they
Then they
entered into a covenant to seek the LORD
entered into a covenant to seek the LORD
God of their ancestors with all their mind
God of their ancestors with all their mind
and all their heart.
and all their heart.
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
13 Whoever would not seek the LORD God
13 Whoever would not seek the LORD God
of Israel would be put to death, young or
of Israel would be put to death, young or
old, man or woman. 14 They took an oath
old, man or woman. 14 They took an oath
to the LORD in a loud voice, with shouting,
to the LORD in a loud voice, with shouting,
with trumpets, and with rams’ horns. 15 All
with trumpets, and with rams’ horns. 15 All
Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had
Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had
sworn it with all their mind. They had
sworn it with all their mind. They had
sought Him with all their heart,
sought Him with all their heart,
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
…and He was found by them. So the LORD
…and He was found by them. So the LORD
gave them rest on every side. 16 King Asa
gave them rest on every side. 16 King Asa
also removed Maacah, his grandmother,
also removed Maacah, his grandmother,
from being queen mother because she had
from being queen mother because she had
made an obscene image of Asherah. Asa
made an obscene image of Asherah. Asa
chopped down her obscene image, then
chopped down her obscene image, then
crushed it and burned it in the Kidron
crushed it and burned it in the Kidron
Valley.
Valley.
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
17 The high places were not taken away
17 The high places were not taken away
from Israel; nevertheless,
from Israel; nevertheless,
Asa was
Asa was
wholehearted his entire life
wholehearted his entire life
. 18 He brought
. 18 He brought
his father’s consecrated gifts and his own
his father’s consecrated gifts and his own
consecrated gifts into God’s temple: silver,
consecrated gifts into God’s temple: silver,
gold, and utensils. 19 There was no war
gold, and utensils. 19 There was no war
until the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign.
until the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign.
-2 Chronichles 15:1-19-
-2 Chronichles 15:1-19-
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
What led to the end of King Asa’s reign?
What led to the end of King Asa’s reign?
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
1.
King Asa failed to
King Asa failed to
inquire/pray
inquire/pray
of the
of the
LORD’s will.
LORD’s will.
King Baasha of Israel went to war against Judah
King Baasha of Israel went to war against Judah
(2 Chr. 16:1-6)
(2 Chr. 16:1-6)
King Asa sent silver and gold from the
King Asa sent silver and gold from the
treasuries of the Lord’s temple and royal palace
treasuries of the Lord’s temple and royal palace
to King Ben-hadad of Aram, to encourage him
to King Ben-hadad of Aram, to encourage him
to break his treaty with King Bashaan and attack
to break his treaty with King Bashaan and attack
Israel.
Israel.
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
2.
King Asa failed to
King Asa failed to
seek
seek
of the LORD’s will.
of the LORD’s will.
Unlike he did previously (2 Kgs 14:11):
Unlike he did previously (2 Kgs 14:11):
Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “LORD, there
Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “LORD, there
is no one besides You to help the mighty and those
is no one besides You to help the mighty and those
without strength. Help us, LORD our God, for we
without strength. Help us, LORD our God, for we
depend on You, and in Your name we have come
depend on You, and in Your name we have come
against this large army. Yahweh, You are our God. Do
against this large army. Yahweh, You are our God. Do
not let a mere mortal hinder You.”
not let a mere mortal hinder You.”
Do you seek the Lord? in sickness?
Do you seek the Lord? in sickness?
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
3.
King Asa failed to
King Asa failed to
depend
depend
on the LORD.
on the LORD.
Hanani the Seer rebuked King Asa with the
Hanani the Seer rebuked King Asa with the
word of the Lord saying,
word of the Lord saying,
“Because you
“Because you
depended on the king of Aram and have not
depended on the king of Aram and have not
depended on the LORD your God, the army of
depended on the LORD your God, the army of
the king of Aram has escaped from your
the king of Aram has escaped from your
hand…you have been foolish in this matter, for
hand…you have been foolish in this matter, for
from now on, you will have wars.” (v. 7, 9b)
from now on, you will have wars.” (v. 7, 9b)
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Lesson #1
Lesson #1
:
:
A lack of dependence upon the
A lack of dependence upon the
LORD is foolishness and will lead to war.
LORD is foolishness and will lead to war.
Do I want war with God? In my: Finances, Work,
Do I want war with God? In my: Finances, Work,
Nation, Future, Church, Government, Culture,
Nation, Future, Church, Government, Culture,
Society, Family, Marriage, Children?
Society, Family, Marriage, Children?
Am I depending upon the Lord?
Am I depending upon the Lord?
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Lesson #2
Lesson #2
:
:
Man would rather depend on
Man would rather depend on
man (or himself).
man (or himself).
Why?
Why?
1.
We have a broken tendency to turn away from God
We have a broken tendency to turn away from God
(Gen. 1; Romans 1:21; 3:23)
(Gen. 1; Romans 1:21; 3:23)
2.
We think & believe we are god (Genesis 1)
We think & believe we are god (Genesis 1)
3.
We suppress truth by our unrighteousness (Rom.
We suppress truth by our unrighteousness (Rom.
1:18)
1:18)
4.
We think and believe God is not worthwhile to
We think and believe God is not worthwhile to
know & understand (Romans 1:28)
know & understand (Romans 1:28)
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
“
“
For though they knew God, they did not
For though they knew God, they did not
glorify Him as God or show gratitude.
glorify Him as God or show gratitude.
Instead, their thinking became nonsense,
Instead, their thinking became nonsense,
and their senseless minds were darkened.”
and their senseless minds were darkened.”
-Romans 1:21-
-Romans 1:21-
“
“
For all have sinned and fall short of the
For all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God” –Romans 3:23
glory of God” –Romans 3:23
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
“18 For God’s wrath is revealed from
“18 For God’s wrath is revealed from
heaven against all godlessness and
heaven against all godlessness and
unrighteousness of
unrighteousness of
people who by their
people who by their
unrighteousness suppress the truth
unrighteousness suppress the truth
, 19
, 19
since what can be known about God is
since what can be known about God is
evident among them, because God has
evident among them, because God has
shown it to them.” –Rom. 1:18-19
shown it to them.” –Rom. 1:18-19
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
“
“
And because they did not think it
And because they did not think it
worthwhile to acknowledge God
worthwhile to acknowledge God
, God
, God
delivered them over to a worthless mind
delivered them over to a worthless mind
to do what is morally wrong.”
to do what is morally wrong.”
-Rom.1:28-
-Rom.1:28-
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
“For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal
“For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal
power and divine nature, have been clearly seen
power and divine nature, have been clearly seen
since the creation of the world, being understood
since the creation of the world, being understood
through what He has made.
through what He has made.
As a result, people
As a result, people
are without excuse.
are without excuse.
21
21
For though they knew
For though they knew
God, they did not glorify Him as God or show
God, they did not glorify Him as God or show
gratitude.
gratitude.
Instead, their thinking became
Instead, their thinking became
nonsense, and their senseless minds were
nonsense, and their senseless minds were
darkened.” -Rom. 1:20-21
darkened.” -Rom. 1:20-21
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Lesson #4
Lesson #4
:
:
A man can crack even if devoted
A man can crack even if devoted
unto God.
unto God.
Asa had a scepter of unchallenged power and he
Asa had a scepter of unchallenged power and he
became corrupted.
became corrupted.
The strongest principled leader will eventually break
The strongest principled leader will eventually break
under pressure and enticement.
under pressure and enticement.
Wholehearted means undivided, complete, whole
Wholehearted means undivided, complete, whole
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
“nevertheless, Asa was
“nevertheless, Asa was
wholehearted
wholehearted
his
his
entire life.” -2 Chr. 15:17
entire life.” -2 Chr. 15:17
The LORD is strong for those who undivided
The LORD is strong for those who undivided
in their hearts toward Him.
in their hearts toward Him.
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the
whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is
whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is
blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for
blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for
from now on you will have wars.” -2 Chr. 16:9
from now on you will have wars.” -2 Chr. 16:9
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Lesson #5
Lesson #5
:
:
God brings war into our lives
God brings war into our lives
when we fail to depend upon Him.
when we fail to depend upon Him.
Depend means to lean, to rely, to support oneself
Depend means to lean, to rely, to support oneself
Who or what do I lean on for support in my
Who or what do I lean on for support in my
life?
life?
King Asa brought war into his life because
King Asa brought war into his life because
he choose the wrong support.
he choose the wrong support.
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
“5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
“5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he
will make straight your paths.”
will make straight your paths.”
-Proverbs 3:5-6-
-Proverbs 3:5-6-
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
Asa: Be Wholehearted!
When you destroy the altars in your life, do
When you destroy the altars in your life, do
so wholeheartedly, completely, depending
so wholeheartedly, completely, depending
upon God to lead you and guide you, making
upon God to lead you and guide you, making
you strong along the way.
you strong along the way.
Learn from King Asa about the importance of being wholehearted and loyal. Discover the significance of loyalty in relationships, as commanded by Jesus and demanded by the Father. Embrace the core principle of loving God wholeheartedly, as emphasized in the Scriptures. Allow the Spirit to guide you in truth and breathe loyalty into your life.
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Presentation Transcript
Asa Asa Lessons from the Kings: Lessons from the Kings: Be Wholehearted! Be Wholehearted! 1 Kings 15:9 1 Kings 15:9- -24; 2 Chronicles 14 24; 2 Chronicles 14- -6 6
Asa: Be Wholehearted! What is the #1 commodity you can trade or What is the #1 commodity you can trade or give in the world? give in the world? Loyalty Loyalty Can you really say you love someone unless Can you really say you love someone unless you are loyal to them? Can you trust you are loyal to them? Can you trust someone unless there is established loyalty? someone unless there is established loyalty?
Asa: Be Wholehearted! Loyalty Loyalty Jesus commanded it Jesus commanded it You are My friends if you do what I You are My friends if you do what I command you. command you. Jn. 15:14 Jn. 15:14
Asa: Be Wholehearted! Loyalty Loyalty Jesus commanded it Jesus commanded it The Father demanded it The Father demanded it
Asa: Be Wholehearted! 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5You 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6And these words that I your soul and with all your might. 6And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7You shall teach command you today shall be on your heart. 7You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8You shall bind them when you lie down, and when you rise. 8You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9You shall write them on the doorposts of your your eyes. 9You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. house and on your gates. Dt. 6:4 Dt. 6:4- -9 9
Asa: Be Wholehearted! Loyalty Loyalty Jesus commanded it Jesus commanded it The Father demanded it The Father demanded it The Spirit breathes it The Spirit breathes it
Asa: Be Wholehearted! When the Spirit of truth comes, he will When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak hears he will speak, and he will declare to , and he will declare to you the things that are to come. you the things that are to come. Jn. 16:13 for he will not Jn. 16:13
Asa: Be Wholehearted! All Scripture is All Scripture is breathed out by God breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. equipped for every good work. - -2 Tim. 3:16 2 Tim. 3:16- -17 and 17- -
Asa: Be Wholehearted! Loyalty Loyalty Jesus commanded it Jesus commanded it The Father demanded it The Father demanded it The Spirit breathes it The Spirit breathes it God is God is if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. cannot deny Himself. - -2 Timothy 2:13 2 Timothy 2:13
Asa: Be Wholehearted! What is a man without What is a man without loyalty Ungodly Ungodly a lack of life a lack of life He who pursues righteousness and loyalty He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor. Finds life, righteousness and honor. - -Pro. 21:21 Pro. 21:21- - loyalty? ?
Asa: Be Wholehearted! 1 The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of 1 The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded. 2 So he went out to meet Asa and said Oded. 2 So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin, to him, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin, hear me. hear me. The LORD is with you when you The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you abandon Him, He found by you, but if you abandon Him, He will abandon you. will abandon you.
Asa: Be Wholehearted! 3 For many years Israel has been without 3 For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and the true God, without a teaching priest, and without instruction, 4 but without instruction, 4 but when they turned to the LORD God of Israel in their distress to the LORD God of Israel in their distress and sought Him, He was found by them. and sought Him, He was found by them. 5 In those times there was no peace for those In those times there was no peace for those who went about their daily activities because who went about their daily activities because the residents of the lands had many the residents of the lands had many conflicts. conflicts. when they turned 5
Asa: Be Wholehearted! 6 Nation was crushed by nation and city by 6 Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every city, for God troubled them with every possible distress. 7 possible distress. 7 But as for you, be strong; But as for you, be strong; don t be discouraged, for your work has a don t be discouraged, for your work has a reward. reward. 8 When Asa heard these words 8 When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of and the prophecy of Azariah son of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, the prophet, he took courage he took courage Oded
Asa: Be Wholehearted! and removed and removed the detestable idols from the the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had captured in the hill country the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. of Ephraim. He renovated He renovated the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD s LORD s temple temple . . the altar of the
Asa: Be Wholehearted! 9 Then Then he gathered he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, all Judah and Benjamin, as well as those from as well as those from the tribes of the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, for they had defected to him among them, for they had defected to him from Israel in great numbers from Israel in great numbers when they saw that Yahweh his God was with him that Yahweh his God was with him. . Ephraim, when they saw
Asa: Be Wholehearted! 10 They were gathered in Jerusalem in the 10 They were gathered in Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa s third month of the fifteenth year of Asa s reign. 11 At that time reign. 11 At that time they sacrificed LORD 700 cattle and 7,000 sheep from all LORD 700 cattle and 7,000 sheep from all the plunder they had brought. 12 the plunder they had brought. 12 Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their ancestors with all their mind God of their ancestors with all their mind and all their heart. and all their heart. they sacrificed to the to the Then they
Asa: Be Wholehearted! 13 Whoever would not seek the LORD God 13 Whoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel would be put to death, young or of Israel would be put to death, young or old, man or woman. 14 They took an oath old, man or woman. 14 They took an oath to the LORD in a loud voice, with shouting, to the LORD in a loud voice, with shouting, with trumpets, and with rams horns. 15 All with trumpets, and with rams horns. 15 All Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn it with all their mind. They had sworn it with all their mind. They had sought Him with all their heart, sought Him with all their heart,
Asa: Be Wholehearted! and He was found by them. So the LORD and He was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side. 16 King Asa gave them rest on every side. 16 King Asa also removed also removed Maacah Maacah, his grandmother, from being queen mother because she had from being queen mother because she had made an obscene image of Asherah. Asa made an obscene image of Asherah. Asa chopped down her obscene image, then chopped down her obscene image, then crushed it and burned it in the Kidron crushed it and burned it in the Kidron Valley. Valley. , his grandmother,
Asa: Be Wholehearted! 17 The high places were not taken away 17 The high places were not taken away from Israel; nevertheless, from Israel; nevertheless, Asa was wholehearted his entire life wholehearted his entire life. 18 He brought his father s consecrated gifts and his own his father s consecrated gifts and his own consecrated gifts into God s temple: silver, consecrated gifts into God s temple: silver, gold, and utensils. 19 There was no war gold, and utensils. 19 There was no war until the thirty until the thirty- -fifth year of Asa s reign. fifth year of Asa s reign. - -2 2 Chronichles Chronichles 15:1 Asa was . 18 He brought 15:1- -19 19- -
Asa: Be Wholehearted! What led to the end of King Asa s reign? What led to the end of King Asa s reign?
Asa: Be Wholehearted! 1. 1. King Asa failed to King Asa failed to inquire/pray LORD s will. LORD s will. King King Baasha Baasha of Israel went to war against Judah of Israel went to war against Judah (2 Chr. 16:1 (2 Chr. 16:1- -6) 6) King Asa sent silver and gold from the King Asa sent silver and gold from the treasuries of the Lord s temple and royal palace treasuries of the Lord s temple and royal palace to King Ben to King Ben- -hadad hadad of Aram, to encourage him of Aram, to encourage him to break his treaty with King to break his treaty with King Bashaan Israel. Israel. inquire/pray of the of the Bashaan and attack and attack
Asa: Be Wholehearted! 2. 2. King Asa failed to King Asa failed to seek Unlike he did previously (2 Kgs 14:11): Unlike he did previously (2 Kgs 14:11): Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: LORD, there Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: LORD, there is no one besides You to help the mighty and those is no one besides You to help the mighty and those without strength. Help us, LORD our God, for we without strength. Help us, LORD our God, for we depend on You, and in Your name we have come depend on You, and in Your name we have come against this large army. Yahweh, You are our God. Do against this large army. Yahweh, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal hinder You. not let a mere mortal hinder You. Do you seek the Lord? in sickness? Do you seek the Lord? in sickness? seek of the LORD s will. of the LORD s will.
Asa: Be Wholehearted! 3. 3. King Asa failed to King Asa failed to depend Hanani Hanani the Seer rebuked King Asa with the the Seer rebuked King Asa with the word of the Lord saying, word of the Lord saying, Because you depended on the king of Aram and have not depended on the king of Aram and have not depended on the LORD your God, the army of depended on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your the king of Aram has escaped from your hand you have been foolish in this matter, for hand you have been foolish in this matter, for from now on, you will have wars. (v. 7, 9b) from now on, you will have wars. (v. 7, 9b) depend on the LORD. on the LORD. Because you
Asa: Be Wholehearted! Lesson #1 Lesson #1: : A lack of dependence upon the A lack of dependence upon the LORD is foolishness and will lead to war. LORD is foolishness and will lead to war. Do I want war with God? In my: Finances, Work, Do I want war with God? In my: Finances, Work, Nation, Future, Church, Government, Culture, Nation, Future, Church, Government, Culture, Society, Family, Marriage, Children? Society, Family, Marriage, Children? Am I depending upon the Lord? Am I depending upon the Lord?
Asa: Be Wholehearted! Lesson #2 Lesson #2: : Man would rather depend on Man would rather depend on man (or himself). man (or himself). Why? Why? 1. 1. We have a broken tendency to turn away from God We have a broken tendency to turn away from God (Gen. 1; Romans 1:21; 3:23) (Gen. 1; Romans 1:21; 3:23) 2. 2. We think & believe we are god (Genesis 1) We think & believe we are god (Genesis 1) 3. 3. We suppress truth by our unrighteousness (Rom. We suppress truth by our unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18) 1:18) 4. 4. We think and believe God is not worthwhile to We think and believe God is not worthwhile to know & understand (Romans 1:28) know & understand (Romans 1:28)
Asa: Be Wholehearted! For though they knew God, they did not For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. and their senseless minds were darkened. - -Romans 1:21 Romans 1:21- - For all have sinned and fall short of the For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God glory of God Romans 3:23 Romans 3:23
Asa: Be Wholehearted! 18 For God s wrath is revealed from 18 For God s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of unrighteousness of people who by their people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19 since what can be known about God is since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has evident among them, because God has shown it to them. shown it to them. Rom. 1:18 , 19 Rom. 1:18- -19 19
Asa: Be Wholehearted! And because they did not think it And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a worthless mind delivered them over to a worthless mind to do what is morally wrong. to do what is morally wrong. - -Rom.1:28 Rom.1:28- - , God
Asa: Be Wholehearted! For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. are without excuse. 21 21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. gratitude. Instead, their thinking became Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. darkened. - -Rom. 1:20 Rom. 1:20- -21 As a result, people For though they knew 21
Asa: Be Wholehearted! Lesson #4 Lesson #4: : A man can crack even if devoted A man can crack even if devoted unto God. unto God. Asa had a scepter of unchallenged power and he Asa had a scepter of unchallenged power and he became corrupted. became corrupted. The strongest principled leader will eventually break The strongest principled leader will eventually break under pressure and enticement. under pressure and enticement. Wholehearted means undivided, complete, whole Wholehearted means undivided, complete, whole
Asa: Be Wholehearted! nevertheless, Asa was nevertheless, Asa was wholehearted entire life. entire life. - -2 Chr. 15:17 wholehearted his 2 Chr. 15:17 his The LORD is strong for those who undivided The LORD is strong for those who undivided in their hearts toward Him. in their hearts toward Him. For the eyes of the LORD run to and For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars. from now on you will have wars. - -2 Chr. 16:9 fro throughout the throughout the 2 Chr. 16:9
Asa: Be Wholehearted! Lesson #5 Lesson #5: : God brings war into our lives God brings war into our lives when we fail to depend upon Him. when we fail to depend upon Him. Depend means to lean, to rely, to support oneself Depend means to lean, to rely, to support oneself Who or what do I lean on for support in my Who or what do I lean on for support in my life? life? King Asa brought war into his life because King Asa brought war into his life because he choose the wrong support. he choose the wrong support.
Asa: Be Wholehearted! 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. will make straight your paths. - -Proverbs 3:5 Proverbs 3:5- -6 6- -
Asa: Be Wholehearted! When you destroy the altars in your life, do When you destroy the altars in your life, do so wholeheartedly, completely, depending so wholeheartedly, completely, depending upon God to lead you and guide you, making upon God to lead you and guide you, making you strong along the way. you strong along the way.
