Wicked

Repent & Return!

2 Chronicles 7:14

Introduction

This morning we come the final command God gives to His people who are called by His Name.

When calamity comes we are to humble ourselves.

That is think of ourselves in comparison to who God is.

In so doing we see who we really are and not what so many have taught us that we are.

With humility comes the command to pray.

Certainly an act of humility

And a recognition of from where all of our help comes.

Then we are to seek God.

That is forget all things human

Desires, dreams, plans.

Submit to the only one who can bring deliverance.

But one thing remains.

Turn from our wicked ways.

Wicked? Who among us is wicked?

2 Chronicles 7:14 NASB 95

14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Pray

What is Wickedness?

What is Wickedness?

Doing what God's word says not to do. is wickedness

Lying to the IRS

Desiring something that is not yours

Allowing greed or pride to overwhelm our beliefs.

What is Wickedness?

Not doing what God's word says to do is also wickedness.

God commanded us to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to visit the sick and imprisoned.

God commanded us to observe all His commandments.

To do otherwise is sin.

God gave us scripture to tell us what wickedness is.

Proverbs 6:16–19 NASB 95

16 There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, 19 A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.

Many a church person has been guilty of all these but especially the last one.

Now Paul tells us...

Ephesians 5:11–12 NASB 95

11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

Many of us in church do not think of ourselves as wicked,

Therefore this last command of God is seldom obeyed

And therefore the promise of God cannot be fulfilled.

Hear

Forgive

Heal

Let’s say that you and I work for an evil boss

When he calls our name it is always with evil intent.

So we cower before our boss and utterly disdain all that he/she does.

Every time he/she crosses our thoughts evil comes to mind.

Of course our answer to this evil is to stop working for the boss or to confront the boss which will be the same thing.

Our problem is the boss!!

Jesus says,

Mark 7:20 NASB 95

20 And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man.

Jesus had to explain his meaning to the disciples because they are like us...

Mark 7:21–23 NASB 95

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. 23 All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”

Do you see that Jesus is telling us the boss is not the problem.

We react as we do not because of the boss but because of the heart.

Look at a further description of the heart of man

Galatians 5:19–21 NASB 95

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

This filth, I think we all will agree, is filth.

Not one of us believes we have a heart filled with such filth.

But just think of jealousy...

or factions-Have you ever chosen sides in a dispute?

Dissensions...disagreements

If this is wickedness then all of us have hearts like this.

How can we reconcile a heart that is so broken?

Turn from Wickedness (How to turn)

That is the only way this nation can become what God wants us to be. 2 Chronicles 7:14

God has commanded that we turn from Wickedness

Ezekiel 18:31 NASB 95

31 Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel?

God, speaking through Ezekiel tells us to cast away our sin, or desires.

Matthew 3:1–2 NASB 95

1 Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Turning from wickedness is called repentance.

An example of turning from Wickedness Jonah 3:6-9

Jonah 3:6–9 NASB 95

6 When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes. 7 He issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. 8 But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. 9 Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.”

How do I repent?

We must realize where the problem lies

The heart of the problem is the heart.

Jesus has a cure for that heart.

This world teaches us to live with that heart, those ungodly ways.

Jesus says, ...

John 14:27 NASB 95

27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Do you have that peace

Or do you live a life in fear?

Are you troubled about the future?

Jesus has left us with peace but we must choose to live in that peace

To live in peace, we have to turn from our wickedness.

That requires change...

What is change or turning from our wicked ways, really like...

We can realize we need to change but that isn’t change

We can will our behavior to change but that isn’t change, that is change our mind to never do that evil again.

We can wish we were different but that doesn’t make us different

Change is when it no longer matters what others think or the consequences are immaterial, no matter the cost, I am going the other direction.

It takes a conscious decision on your part.

You have to decide that God's way is right and what I am doing is wrong.

You have to decide to change your present behavior.

Instead of making excuses to continue walking away from God we turn to God.

Go to God's word and find a specific verse to memorize so that when that temptation comes your way you can defeat Satan as Jesus did, with God's word.

Sometimes you need to find a trusted friend who will keep you accountable. (tell about my need for accountability)

don't take repentance lightly.

don't say I'll have to do that someday.

recognize your wickedness.

Turn from it.

Turning from wickedness requires the HS.

Repentance is not something you can do alone.

Remember what Jesus said about the spirit that goes out and returns to the room that has been swept clean?

He will return with seven other spirits. (Luke 11:25)

When we repent we must return to God.

Return to God. (Where to go)

Our repentance is met with God's blessing

Joel 2:13 NASB 95

13 And rend your heart and not your garments.” Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil.

Go back to God with a broken heart.

What do you find? grace, compassion, love and patience.

Why would you try to get your life right by yourself? (yet so many do try it)

Psalm 34:18 NASB 95

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Too many of us have failed that brokenhearted and crushed test.

We believe we can get back to God ourselves.

Why, I don't need to go to that altar to pray!!

I don't need to ask for help from someone who will hold me accountable.

Don't try it alone but go to God.

Godly return leads to salvation 2 Corinthians 7:10

2 Corinthians 7:10 NASB 95

10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Look at the difference between Godly repentance and worldly sorrow.

Worldly sorrow

brings death in more than one way.

It brings eternal death for we reject God.

It brings physical death because we work and worry ourselves to death.

Godly Sorrow

produces repentance

there is no regret.

it leads to salvation. that is life eternal

Conclusion

We grin and say I'm not wicked.

Conclusion

Do you do what the Bible says to do?

Conclusion

Do you not do what the Bible says not to do?

When we grin at our wickedness Satan just hollers knowing he has us where he wants us.

God said to turn from your wicked ways.

The question is will you do it?

For some that means giving your life to the Lord.

For others it means realizing I have been following the ways of the world too closely and recommit to following the Lord.

God is there waiting for your broken heart.

411 Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

1.'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word; Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord." (Refrain)

2.O how sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to trust His cleansing blood; Just in simple faith to plunge me 'Neath the healing, cleansing flood! (Refrain)

3.Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease; Just from Jesus simply taking Life and rest, and joy and peace. (Refrain)

4.I'm so glad I learned to trust Him, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that He is with me, Will be with me to the end. (Refrain)

Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I've proved Him o'er and o'er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!