Kings of Judah: Abijah and Asa

Passage: 1 Kings 15:1-24; 2 Chronicles 13-16

Attribute: Preserver

Doctrine: Faith

Big Idea: Wholehearted devotion to God

Aim: God is worthy of our wholehearted devotion to Him.

I. Introduction 2 minutes

II. Division 1: Divided Devotion (Abijah) 1 Kings 15:1-8; 2 Chron. 13-14:1 minutes

a. Not fully committed: 15:1-8

b. Momentary Faith 2 Chronicles 13

c. Doctrine: Faith

e. Principle/Application 2

III. Division 2: Wholehearted Devotion (Asa) 1 Kings 15:9-24; 14:2-16:14 minutes

a. Through Peace and Victory Seeking God

b. Through Reformation and Renewal

c. Through Relapse and Discipline

d. Principle/Application 2

IV. Conclusion 2 minutes

Introduction 2 minutes

II. Division 1: Divided Devotion (Abijah) 1 Kings 15:1-8; 2 Chron. 13-14:1

This week we again find ourselves in both 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Last week, I briefly gave you an introduction to each of these books…as we move into this week- remembering the purpose of each is important to keep in mind.

Kings purpose was to show the people that their captivity was a consequence of their sin.

Chronicles: was written after the exile with the purpose of emphasizing the hope of restoration. To go a little deeper- The people had come out of exile and were currently under control of Persia. They were defeated. They were in the process of rebuilding and the Chronciler was pointing out the blessings and benefits that come when doing things God’s way and following His laws.

As we move into our scripture this week, we are going to start by talking about King Abijah.

King Abijah was King of Judah- so that is the Southern 2 kingdoms, Judah and Benjamin.

Last week we studied Solomon and Rehoboam, and saw how their choices led to the entire Kingdom of Israel to divide into two tribes..and that that division ultimately started in their divided hearts, which led to sin, which led to painful consequences...

King Abijah was the son of Rehoboam. and in 1 Kings 15:3, right away, it tells us that he committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been.

Right away- we are told, that Abijah also was leading with a divided heart.

It’s of note here that God is again concerned about the heart...

He wants your heart- and he wants all of it- because that is what is best for YOU. So over and over again God goes out of his way in scripture to point out 1/2 hearted devotion and it’s consequences as we choose sin over God.

King Abijah had a chance to repent and walk in the ways of his great, great grandfather, King David…but, scripture tells us that he did not do that.

Picking up in vs. 4: Nevertheless, for David’s sake the Lord God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed Him and by making Jerusalem strong.

This verse is again pointing out the Davidic covenant and how God is continuing to keep his promises:

Davids throne is continuing despite Abijah’s heart not being fully devoted AND

the light that was promised- is the coming Messiah- right here in the middle of Kings and a 1/2 hearted king we get a reminder about the promise of a coming savior- who would be a light to the world.

God is worthy of all our devotion because he constantly keeps our promises to us, even we we are not faithful to him.

A we move into 1 Kings 15:6-8 2x it tells us that Abijah and Jeroboam were at war throughout Abijah’s lifetime.

Over and over again we see that when God’s people are fully devoted to Him- there is blessing- but when they are not- there are consequences. It’s not an accident that we are told that he was not fully devoted and that he was constantly at war with the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

But while we are not fully devoted to God, he is fully devoted to us- he continuously pursues us and keeps his promises to redeem and restore despite our constant rebellion.

As we go on to read in 2 Chronicles 13, we learn more about King Abijah as 1 of his many battles with Jeroboam is described in detail.

2 Chronicles 13:3 tells us that Abijah initiated this specific battle and Jeroboam comes ready to fight.

Now, based off of what we read in 1 Kings 15, 1-8, this story seems a little peculiar.

In 2 Chronicles 13:4-12 They come to battle and Abijah starts by delivering a speech pointing out that:

Jeroboam does not belong on the throne

blames him for the division

points out how they are failing to follow God’s laws

and then tells them not to bother fighting b/c they are fighting God and will lose

Jeroboam ignores Abijah and makes a clever military move- and attacks them from the front and back.

Judah responds by CRYING OUT TO THE LORD.

in vs 16 we see God’s sovereignty as we find out GOD is the one who delivered Israel into Judah’s hands

In this moment of desperation we see them calling out to God and in vs 18. we learned that because they relied on the Lord- they were given victory.

They were completely overwhelmed…and yet they had the victory.

When was the last time you felt completely overwhelmed? Like- if you had one more thing happen, or got one more piece of bad news you would crumble?

What is your response in those moments?

Do you cry out to God?

Do you run to something to try to numb it- forget what is going on?

How many times do we aimlessly sit in front of the TV hoping to forget about everything happening in our lives instead of taking our needs and concerns to the one who has the power to give us victory.

Now- it’s true in the case of Judah that their reliance on the Lord is what caused them to win the battle. But it’s important that we don’t read this and think- if I do things God’s way- He will give me what I want.

We have to see victory like God see’s victory.

Their reliance on God showed a moment of faith.

In that moment they cried out to God and asked Him to change their circumstances- to make a way when there seemed to be no way.

And while we can see this moment in Abijah’s life as a moment of following God- God made it clear that his heart was not fully devoted to Him.

God did not save Judah because they did everything right. This was not an award for obedience.

This was a moment of faith- a moment where the people acted in faith through 3 things:

1. Content- they put their faith in the promises of God- that he was a promise keeper and that he was going to bring a savior to them.

2. Conviction-

3. Commitment- to repent from sin and foll

God used their moment of faith to carry on his sovereign plan to sustain the line of David to one day bring a savior. By giving them victory, he made His name great and showed that he is in fact a promise keeper.

Scripture tells us that God gives people the faith to believe and then we also have to take the step to act on the faith we have been given...the people did take the step to rely on God- they acted on the faith they had been given by crying out to God.

They had a choice to put their faith in their army and combat training and military strategy…or…they could put their faith in God.

We all put our faith in something.

and true saving faith puts hope in Jesus.

But what does it mean to put your hope, or faith, in Jesus.

Saving faith can be broken down into 3 components:

1) Content – the people of Judah put their faith in the promises of God- that he was a promise keeper and that he was going to bring a savior to them. We know that the savior they were looking forward to was Jesus Christ.

God’s plan to redeem the world came through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus became the sacrificial lamb- and paid the price for our sin through his death. He was raised from the dead on the 3rd day and now he is ruling and reigning over all people and creation.

2) Conviction –is a trust in and response to Jesus’ love and offer of salvation;

it isnt enough just to know the truths and promises of God- the NT book of James 2:19 tells us that the demons believe that...

You can choose not to accept. The people could have chosen to believe that God was not a promise keeper and that he would not sustain them and that a savior was not coming through their line.

But instead they chose to believe in God’s promises to them and then ACTED on that belief through crying out to him in prayer instead of relying on themselves.

3) Commitment – to repent from sin and follow Christ…we talked about the importance of repentance from sin last week- that as long as we are on this earth we daily need to confess our sin because he need to daily remember that we are not God- we need daily reminders about who sits on the throne and who is worthy of all of our devotion.

True faith always results in action. We always

True faith is more than a warm feeling or recitation of truth. God the Holy Spirit opens our hearts and unlocks our minds to understand eternal truth and live by that truth.

The word faith is not unpacked for us until we get to the new Testament.

However, the book of Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

The ancients here are the people of the OT.

Their ability to depend and rely and put their trust in God..their belief that a savior was coming and that God was worthy of all of their devotion....was their faith…their faith was all in Jesus.

PRINCIPLE:

APPLICATION:

III. Division 2: Wholehearted Devotion (Asa) 1 Kings 15:9-24; 14:2-16:14 minutes

a. Through Peace and Victory Seeking God

b. Through Reformation and Renewal

c. Through Relapse and Discipline

d. PRINCIPLE:

APPLICATION:

it’s interesting here that we don’t learn of Abijah’s failures- in fact, quite the opposite- we learn of a battle where he was successful.

Remember the purpose of this book....it’

None of us are fully devoted

Whole-hearted devotion means that you are devoted to God whether you are at bible study, church, at work, or totally alone at home. There should be no secret closet where you act one way and then act totally different someplace else.

I will seek God with all my heart, and all my soul, and all my heart…

Seek Him…

You are either seeking Him or seeking something else.

13:12- they were at a high point in their lives; they had victory

Forsake

It’s one thing to seek God when there is a crisis. Or sickness or disease.

Building up faith for the hour of tribulation

Seek God with all in your heart

No one is immune from attacks from the enemy- even

LARGEST INVADING ARMY RECORDED IN HISTROY- 1 MILLION MEN ARMY FROM ETHIOPIA

Vs 14:10. Asa went out against this army- HE HAD NO OTHER WAR PLAN EXCEPT TO SEEK GOD

14:11

No other strategy but to seek the face of God

Where did this man get this spirit of. Rest

His life was not void of turmoil or chaos..

He built it up during a time of peace- of rest- there was no crisis..

The man who is READY to face is the man or woman who looks to God when there is no crisis and still seeks his face and then at the hilltop with a million man army he is not coward-

A praying man is as bold as a lion..

He prayed in faith…

They returned with great spoil

There is danger in becoming spiriturally lazy after the greatest victories

15:1- they are coming back with their spoil

Forsake…if you forsake him he will forsake you- why would God sent that. Message to someone who was godly?

You have come this far…you have brought everything to god and because of that you are blessed and if you will continue- stay on your knees- you will have order in your kingdom and in your life…

But if you neglect it- if you fo what people have done before and. Turn your back I’m gonna lift my favor

Forsake- means to relinquish…to let Go…if you let go of me, if you no longer trust me with everything in you I will have to let go…

GOD NEVER FAILS TO RESPOND TO THOSE WHO SEEK HIM…

If you don’t seek God you will blame Him.

You had a great victory but now you are gonna be tested and now you need him…

Be careful that you get so busy and building and into projects and let your ministry and all the other things take you away from me.