"RELYING ON GOD"
I. THE IMPORTANCE OF RELYING ON GOD.
A. Asa began his career as king with spiritual reformation.
1. He rid the land of the images and places of worship of
the false gods.
2. He ordered the people to worship Jehovah and to keep
his law.
B. The Ethiopians invaded the land with a huge host of one
million men and 300 chariots.
1. King Asa relied on the Lord.
a. His wonderful prayer of dependence, 14: 11.
b. The Lord smote the Ethiopians.
C. His kingdom became strong and prosperous.
1. God's message to him through the prophet, "If you
seek the Lord."
D. The glorious covenant they made to seek Jehovah with all their
heart and soul.
E. The ensuing years of power and success brought a subtle danger.
1. Self-reliance.
F. King Baasha began to build a fortified city against him.
1. Rather than relying on the Lord he called on the king
of Syria.
2. Baasha wasn't that strong, nothing compared to the
Ethiopians.
a. Strange how well we can fare in the big
problems yet stumble in the small trials.
b. Big problems we know we must rely on God.
c. Small ones we often take the attitude it's all
right Lord, I don't need you, I can handle this
one.
G. His strategy was successful in opening the second front against
Baasha, they defeated him.
1. Yet he developed a pattern that ultimately cost him
his life.
II. GOD'S WARNING AGAINST SELF-RELIANCE.
A. He may have gained a temporary advantage over Baasha but he
has opened the door for Syria to return and invade whole land.
Ill. THE GLORlOUS TRUTH OF GOD REVEALED. "The eyes of the Lord go to and
fro."
A. God is not passive in His desire to bless you, but active.
B. How God gives.
1. Men, three basic types.
a. Those you must sell on idea.
b. Those who lust need to know.
c. Those who are looking for place.
2. Some picture God as giving as the first type others
as the 2nd.
3. The prophet revealed that the third type best
typifies God.
C. God is just looking for those who will rely totally on Him.
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Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013)
Pastor Chuck was used in the Jesus People revival where he was used along with others to minister to the hippy young people. They saw a work of the Spirit where many were added to the church and discipled. He has raised up many pastors who are a part of the Calvary Chapel movement now and where he pastors the large Costa Mesa church in California.The Calvary Chapel movement is based of simple principles that Chuck Smith taught over the years such as: The priority of agape love, Simple fellowship amongst the saints, the breaking of bread, the teaching of God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse. And lastly and most importantly the principle not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord.