Mentoring Prayer

Brenden Bridges

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We are in this Series of sermons entitled mentored.. We are in the book of 2 Chronicles and we are learning lessons from the Kings of Judah.

An architect and columnist for the Washington Post, Roger Lewis, wrote after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti about disaster-proofing buildings. What is so telling is how Lewis ended his article:

“In the end, it’s hard to avoid comparing Port-au-Prince and New Orleans, the former sitting atop colliding tectonic plates and the latter sitting below sea level. The comparison elicits an inescapable observation: If we could start from scratch, we would choose neither location for building a modern city, despite all our modern construction technology.”

This architect is saying it not just about how a structure stands, even more so, it’s about where that structure stands.

We are all going to experience pressure in life?

That’s what the gospel is all about. We stand firm in His work and not our own. .That Big Battle reality has everything to say about the battles we face today.

We are in this Series of sermons entitled mentored.. We are in the book of 2 Chronicles and we are learning lessons from the Kings of Judah.

There were Kings Judah that walk in the ways of God and tore down the high places and the symbols of baal worship… there were those who lived somewhere in the middle compromise… Kings who served God only..

learning lesson from the Kings of Judah. We have this record of how one generation impacts the next generation… Every King in Judah is compared to King DAVID who was a King whose heart was after God… He lived his life to serve and to worship God.... The kings that followed in Judah either followed their fathers who had been impacted by aliences and foreign worship… or they

We have this record in Chronicles of how one generation impacts the next generation… the importance of mentoring… or we may call it one on one discipleship… these kinds of relationships are key with in the body of Christ… It is one generation impacting the next generation…

Paul said to timothy…

D.A. Carson said that “a church is never more than three generations from losing the gospel: one generation to believe it and proclaim it, a second generation to assume it, and a third generation to lose it.”

Jesus mentored the 12 who mentored others who mentored the church fathers… We need to appreciate the generation before us because they have faithfully passed the faith the next generation… Every generation is responsible for reaching the next generation…

Every King in Judah is compared to King DAVID who was a King whose heart was after God… He lived his life to serve and to worship God.... The kings that followed in Judah either followed their fathers who had been impacted by alliances with foreign nations and caught up idolatry … or they returned to the example of David who sought after God.

2013 the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey said this..

“Unless the church makes a substantial breakthrough in attracting young people back to the faith, Christianity in Britain is just "a generation away from extinction,"

These were Kings of Judah that walk in the ways of God and tore down the high places and the symbols of baal worship… there were those who lived somewhere in the middle compromise… Kings who served God only..

Do you have a heart that seeking after God?

Seeking the Lord means a longing for his presence. “Presence” is a common translation of the Hebrew word “face.” Literally, we are to seek his “face.” But this is the Hebraic way of having access to God. To be before his face is to be in his presence.

This morning we are going to be looking at another moment in the Life of King Jehosphat… where we LEARN THE POWER OF PRAYER.

As other men, Jehoshaphat had his ups and downs. He was spiritually up most of his career as king (Chaps. 17, 19–20), though to some degree a compromiser in his alliance King Ahab--- Northern tribe… remember Israel were completely apostate during this period of time.

Jehosphat models for us is a life that seeks after God.

“Seeking God” is one of the main themes in the book of Chronicles.. seeking God is equal to faithfulness… Kings Sauls death is attributed to his failure to seek God. David, in contrast, sought God when he brought the ark to Jerusalem. When making preparations for the temple, David encouraged Israel’s leaders to seek God . He also encouraged Solomon to faithfully seek God.

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 15: 2 Chronicles Comment

“Seeking God” is one of the main themes of the Chronicler’s theology

1 Chronicles 22:17–19 ESV

David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has he not given you peace on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and his people. Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the Lord.”

). He also encouraged Solomon to faithfully seek God ().

Why is it important that we as church community learn how to seek God?

In 2 Chronicles Seeking and serving the Lord is the secret of a vital religion and a life of victory.

There is always going to be opposition to leadership… that is a given… When ever you make a stand for God --- it is going to be tested… that is absolute… it is a given.. If I were a teaching in Bible college , I would make sure that every student pastor knew this one principle… You are going have opposition… not everyone is going to follow your leadership.… you need to be sure of your calling…because you are going to a battle zone...

seeking God is evindence of — implies that God transends his creation.. He is involved in human affairs..

Seeking and serving the Lord is the secret of a vital religion and a life of victory.

Why is it important that we as church community learn how to seek God?

Part of it is the environment that we are in… as Christians we are involved in a spiritual conflict… we walk in the flesh.. in the flesh speaks of our human nature…

but there are spirtual forces… at work in the world...

Samuel Chadwick

Why Do we need to Seek after God? Main reason is that we are in a conflict

understanding that we are involved in a spiritual conflict… we walk in the flesh.. in the flesh speaks of our human nature… but there are spirtual forces… at work in the world...

but there are spirtual forces… at work in the world...

… seeking God is evindence of — implies that God transends his creation.. He is involved in human affairs..

Part of being part of the community of those who follow Christ — is understanding that we are involved in a spiritual conflict… we walk in the flesh.. in the flesh speaks of our human nature… but there are spirtual forces… at work in the world...

One of Satan’s strategies is to persuade people that he does not exist. We need to remember this and be aware of his activity.

The one concern of the devil is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, he mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.

One of Satan’s strategies is to persuade people that he does not exist. Christians should remember this and be aware of his activity.

Samuel Chadwick

Kendall, R. T. (2000). Understanding Theology, Volume Two (p. 464). Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus.

He uses

The enemy will always wage war according to the flesh—‘the standards of this world’ We know his MO - mode of Operation..

Here is how He Operates.

He uses

2. LIES

3. DISCIET OR FLATTERY

4. DIVISIVENESS - OR DISSENT

The enemy will always wage war according to the flesh—‘the standards of this world’

Paul tells the corinthians that they need to understand the nature of the spiritual walk.. .

As other men, Jehoshaphat had his ups and downs. He was spiritually up most of his career as king (Chaps. 17, 19–20), though to some degree a compromiser in his alliance with Ahab

2 Corinthians 10:3–4 ESV

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

2 Corinthians 10:

To deal with high place…

Our walk is first of all in the world… we are going to have all same problems… as those in the world… we are going to have relationship challenges, you are going to have bills, taxes,

We are not to be a recluses and life is lived in the going to be lived t in the world… you are not going to escape the context of our world… but the point here is ---Even though the world is our reality this is not where the real battle is.. it is spirtual in nature and therefore, we don’t use weapons of the world… don’t have muscle our way through things… we don’t have to push through…

but rather as we walk in the world GOD EMPOWERS US .... so we can live in victory and overcomes..

a. Destroy High Places - things that we have elevated above the worship of God..

a. tearing down of High places

b. Renewed Commit to know Gods word

c. Commitment to Prayer and Worship/

The power of prayer is it is DIVINE POWER…

we need a renewed passion for prayer in our personal lives and in our churches..

As we speak of reform --- we need a renewed passion for prayer in our personal lives and in our churches..

This morning we are going to be looking at the Life of King Jehsophat… He is a great example to us --- He is teacher of Israel… who sent lay people throughout Judah and taught them the word… He was both a leader and reformer and established righteous judges…throughout Judah…

Four lessons in prayer from the life of Jehosphat.

1. The Power of Prayer

Marriage is being threatened work on it… Unity in the Home work on strengthening communication.... When there are threats within church the mature in the church need to build unity...

Soon as the threat comes the the king devoted himself to seek God’s remedy. He called his people to fast, and summoned them to Jerusalem to seek God in unison. Standing before the assembly in front of the temple, he himself led in prayer.

An Exposition on Prayer in the Bible: 1 Kings–Malachi His Dependence on the Lord (1–13)

The faith he fosters. Quickly the king devoted himself to seek God’s remedy. He called his people to fast, and summoned them to Jerusalem to seek God in unison. Standing before the assembly in front of the temple, he himself led in prayer.

King Jehosphat is a great example to us to follow--- He was both a leader and reformer and brought back worship and established righteous judges…… He is one of the kings who is known to have sought after God...

Jehoshaphat had his ups and downs. He was spiritually up most of his career as king (Chaps. 17, 19–20), though to some degree a ccompromiser in his alliance King Ahab--- Northern tribe…

Jehosphat models for us is a life that seeks after God.

2 Chronicles 20:1–3 ESV

After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

2 Chronicels 20:1-3

Jehoshaphat gets word of an imminent threat.. an invading army from the direction of Transjordan, a coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites. A “great multitude from Edom and beyond.”

It is overwhelming — the odds are against them...

Jehoshaphat fights a coalition of three peoples—known later in the chapter as the Ammonites, Moabites, and the people from Mount Seir

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 15: 2 Chronicles Comment

Jehoshaphat fights a coalition of three peoples—known later in the chapter as the Ammonites, Moabites, and the people from Mount Seir

“great multitude from Edom and beyond”

Jehoshaphat was warned of an invading army from the direction of Transjordan, a coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites.

Think about this..

- before this moment things are going relatively smooth. Jehoshaphat continues to put in place good structures of government. He has appointed priests and restored worship and righteous judges to rule in the nation.. the cities have been fortified they are in good shape…

he has restored worship and righteous judges in the nation.. the cities have been fortified they are in good shape,…

We know this narrative.... don’t we… we then he open the email.. gets that phone call … check engine comes on.... all of sudden… the information is to much to bear..

Then he gets some bad news..We know this narrative.... don’t we… we then he open the email.. gets that phone call … ... all of sudden… the information is to much to bear..

Knowles, A. (2001). The Bible guide (1st Augsburg books ed., p. 187). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg.We know this narrative.... don’t we… we then he open the email.. gets that phone call … check engine comes on.... all of sudden… the information is to much to bear..

There is a sense of urgency in the messengers voice…as he messager tells the king these nations are gathered in a large number at Engedi which is just 35 miles southwest of Jerusalem.. about two or three days journey away.

We know this narrative.... don’t we… we then he open the email.. gets that phone call … check engine comes on.... all of sudden… the information is to much to bear..

these nations are gathered in a large number at Hazazon-tamar about 35 miles southwest of Jerusalem..

— This is alarming news....

They are faced with a very real threat...

1. They were hopelessly outnumbered.

2. There were no human solutions.

3. They became dismayed and terrified.

4. Their plight was overwhelming.

How does one respond to problems?

A man can do many things in a Crisis..some cover up, some give up others panic.. some deny they have a problem (Keep bleieivein.com)

But the king does neither. He acknowledges his fear and then looks to God. He prays his fear. That’s standing firm.

Jehoshaphat’s first response was fear, an appropriate response in the circumstances.

We already know that Jehosaphat has a courageous heart… we told that it took courage to tare down the high places of worship.. Courage is not the absence of fear--- but having courage in the face of our fears..

Franklin Roosevelt Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.”

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.”

Jehoshaphat’s initial response was to fear but immediately “He set his face to seek the Lord”

The New American Commentary: 1, 2 Chronicles Jehoshaphat’s Great Victory (20:1–30)

Jehoshaphat’s first response was fear, an appropriate response in the circumstances. Jahaziel later counseled, “Do not fear” (v. 17), counsel that occurs 365 times in the Bible, enough for each day’s quota of fearful situations. Jehoshaphat’s second response was (literally) to “give his face to seek Yahweh.” In fact, the two verbs “feared and gave” begin the verse in Hebrew almost as one verb. Jehoshaphat knew how to deal with fear. Seeking the Lord is stressed here with two synonyms, the first (dāraš) translated “inquire” and the other (biqqēš) translated “seek” (see comments at 14:4). In this emergency situation Judah expressed their serious need for divine help by fasting.

Jehoshaphat’s first response was fear, an appropriate response in the circumstances. Jehoshaphat’s second response was (literally) to “He set his face to seek the Lord”

Jehoshaphat’s second response was (literally) to “He set his face to seek the Lord”

In fact, the two verbs “feared and set” begin the verse in Hebrew almost as one verb… ....Jehosphat set his face to seek the Lord... and his heart for the presence of God bleeds over into his leadership… he calls the people from all the cities of Judah - for one purpose and that is to seek the Lord.

Jehoshaphat’s second response was (literally) to “give his face to seek Yahweh.” In fact, the two verbs “feared and gave” begin the verse in Hebrew almost as one verb.

Psalm 34:10 ESV

The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Jehoshaphat knew how to deal with fear. Seeking the Lord is stressed here with two synonyms, the first (dāraš) translated “inquire” and the other (biqqēš) translated “seek” (see comments at 14:4). In this emergency situation Judah expressed their serious need for divine help by fasting.

Jehoshaphat knew how to deal with fear...Jehosphat set his face to seek the Lord. There comes a point where we need have godly resolve..

Jehosphat set his face to seek the Lord.

There comes a point where we need have godly resolve..

Opening Up 2 Chronicles A Valued Victory (20:1–37)

this kind of resolve is when we read that the Lord Jesus ‘set his face to go to Jerusalem’ (Luke 9:51). He knew what that would involve, but nothing would deflect him from the cross and the salvation of his people. We need a similar one-track mind as we follow the Saviour.

The proclamation of a fast (v. 3) brings the whole of Judah together to express their dependence upon the Lord. This seeking has one aim in view: ‘help’ (v. 4). And they need it.

Jehosphat... Proclaims a Fast… How desperate do things have to be before we resolve to seek God?

Leonard Ravenhill said, “Revival tarries because there is a lack of urgency in prayer in the church.” He went on, and said, “Hell has nothing to fear but a God anointed, prayer-powered church.

… Think of king Asa who… was so compromised in his faith that even when his own leg had withered… the bible says YET HE STILL FAILED TO SEEK THE LORD.

There are times of seasons when we NEED a… Holy resolve to seek God... How desperatedo things have to be before we seek God… Think of king Asa who… was so compromised in his faith that even when his own leg had withered… the bible says YET HE STILL FAILED TO SEEK THE LORD.

Jehosophats father King Asa --- refused to seek the Lord - even when his own leg had withered…

in his faith that even when his own leg had withered… the bible says YET HE STILL FAILED TO SEEK THE LORD.

One of the principles we learned last week is that is in time when we are faced with threat that we should strengthen our faith…

In this emergency situation He sort the Lord and he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah… the purpose of the fast was to seek God only....

Judah expressed their serious need for divine help by fasting.

Marriage is being threatened work on it… Unity in the Home work on strengthening communication.... When there are threats within church the mature in the church need to build unity...

Soon as the threat comes - Jehosophat devoted himself to seek God’s remedy. He called his people to fast, and summoned them to Jerusalem to seek God together..

Fasting is a point of desperation long forgot, and that is the central picture of fasting. It is saying to God, “More than my body wants food, my life wants you; my soul needs you. In a way that supersedes even the basic daily necessity of food, my life longs for you.”

Standing before the assembly in front of the temple, he himself led in prayer.

One of the challenges in life is that there is always a battle to be fought and there always a victory to be won.. In the History of Israel there is both threats from within and threats from without..

How do we handle big battles…we need to seek God..

Battles should bring us to prayer...

2. The Power of Praise

There are threats from within and thre

2. The Prayer

Jehosphat gathers Israel together in cooperate prayer… and together they seek help from the Lord.

2 Chronicles 20:4–12 ESV

And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, and said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’ And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy— behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Jehoshaphat leads his nation in prayer. This is one of the great prayers of the Chronicles, second only to Solomon’s prayer when he dedicates the temple

Starts with who God is… Prayer reminds us who God is..

There are different aspects of His prayer..

The first is praise (6–8)

Prayer and praise are powerful weapons… Need to regain the Power of PRAISE.

In the book of - Paul and Silas were stripped and beaten and put in the city prison. It looked like the end of their witness in Philippi, but God had other plans.

and Silas were stripped and beaten (see , ) and put in the city prison. It looked like the end of their witness in Philippi, but God had other plans.

Instead of complaining or calling on God to judge their enemies, the two men prayed and praised God…

Acts 16:25 ESV

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,

We are told that at the midnight they were praising God and place was shaken..

When you are in pain, the midnight hour is not the easiest time to praise, but God gives “songs in the night”

Psalm 42:8 ESV

By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

Charles Spurgeon said..

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Fifteen: More Open Doors (Acts 15:36–16:40)

“Any fool can sing in the day,” said Charles Haddon Spurgeon. “It is easy to sing when we can read the notes by daylight; but the skillful singer is he who can sing when there is not a ray of light to read by … Songs in the night come only from God; they are not in the power of men.”

Prayer reminds us who God is..

Praise focuses on who God is..

Jehosophat is standing in Solomons temple — this beautiful.. place that was build as the meeting point between God and the people… The temple is not God’s house in the sense that he lived there.

Second question: Did you not drive out the inhabitants of the land before Israel and give it to your people (descendants of Abraham)? the answer again is yes.. a question and then he answers it. — are you not God in heaven?? The answer is yes...

God is in the heavens, God is in control over all kingdoms

In your hands is

Rhetorical questions — are you not God in heaven?? The answer is yes...

You rule over all kingdom and nations...

While we cannot comprehend God in his fulness, we can know enough about him through his revelation to praise him appropriately. R. C. Sproul

In your hands are power and might --- non can stand against Him.

While we cannot comprehend God in his fulness, we can know enough about him through his revelation to praise him appropriately.

Praise stands on the promises of God

Second question: Did you not drive out the inhabidants of the land before Israel and give it to your people (descendants of Abraham)? the answer again is yes.. He recalls how God conquered their enemies in the past, and promised the land to the descendants of Abraham for ever

God gave them this promise

R. C. Sproul

While we cannot comprehend God in his fulness, we can know enough about him through his revelation to praise him appropriately. R. C. Sproul

He recalls how God conquered their enemies in the past, and promised the land to the descendants of Abraham for ever.

Second question: Did you not drive out the inhabidants of the land before Israel and give it to your people (descendants of Abraham)?

God also promised that the temple in which they now were standing would be the place where he would hear and help in times of need. He reminds God of the covenant In times of peril the people will stand in God’s presence and cry to him, and he will hear and save.

No one can stand before you.

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

if 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 and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Praise reminds us what God has done.

b. Prayer reminds us what God has done.

. God also promised that the temple in which they now stand would be the place where he would hear and help in times of need. The promise - and reminds God of covenant

The promise - and reminds God of covenant

The New American Commentary: 1, 2 Chronicles Jehoshaphat’s Great Victory (20:1–30)

The substance of Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple (chap. 6) is recalled (20:9). In times of peril the people will stand in God’s presence and cry to him, and he will hear and save

c. Prayer states the problem.

The second prayer aspect is intercession (9–12a). As Solomon also had prayed, Jehoshaphat tells God whatever peril threatens His people, they will come before His face at this house, cry to Him for safety, and gain His deliverance

Knowles, A. (2001). The Bible guide (1st Augsburg books ed., p. 187). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg.c. Prayer states the problem.

Problem invaders.

Another Aspect of prayer is DEPENDANCE OR FAITH-

2 Chronicles 20:12 ESV

O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

2 chronicles 20

is admitting weakness and our total dependance on God.

A lecturer was giving a lecture to his students on stress management. He raised a glass of water and asked the audience, "How heavy do you think this glass of water is?"

The students’ answers ranged from 20g to 500g. "It does not matter on the absolute weight. It depends on how long you hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it is OK.

If I hold it for an hour, I will have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you will have to call an ambulance. It is the exact same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." "If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, we will not be able to carry on, the burden becoming increasingly heavier." "What you have to do is to put the glass down, rest for a while before holding it up again." We have to put down the burdens

James 1:5–6 ESV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

James 1:4–5 ESV

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James

d. Part of intercession means admitting weakness

There are two reason that we should pray…

1. it is because we are powerless…agains that thing - obstacle that we are going to face.

We are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us..

2. We do not know what to do… You want to fix the situation… but have no idea..

Prayer means depending

In contrast to being powerless and not knowing what to do.... There is one thing that you can do..

“Our eyes are on you.” What an incredible statement…

Faith is confidence in the person of Jesus Christ and in his power, so that even when his power does not serve my end, my confidence in him remains because of who he is.

—Ravi Zacharias, philosopher, apologist, and evangelist (1946-)

Ravi Zacharias, Jesus Among Other Gods (Thomas Nelson, 2002), p. 58; submitted by Van Morris, Mount Washington, Kentucky

The temptation in life is to get caught up in the problem…get caught up in the fear and threat…

FAITH SAYS my Eyes on you… In -When the disciples were in the middle of the sea of Galilee at the winds picked up and the waves began to beat agains the side of the boat… the disciples become afraid.. they see what they think is apparition a ghost.. Jesus immediately responds “Take heart it is I.” “Don’t be afraid”… And Peter responds,”if it is you command me to come on the water… an so Peter got out the boat… and he walks on the water towards Jesus… but the minute he took his eyes off Jesus on to the storm he sank… he cries out and Jesus reaches his hand took hold of him.

FAITH SAYS WE ARE —Powerless and our Eyes on you.

FAITH SAYS my Eyes on you.

John Owen “We can have no power from Christ unless we live in a persuasion that we have none of our own.”

We can have no power from Christ unless we live in a persuasion that we have none of our own.

NOTICE THAT Praise precedes the actual answer, because the promise is believed…

Jehoshaphat encourages the people to believe, and faith is able to transform the most unlikely of places into a ‘Valley of Blessing’ (20:26; see marginal note).

3. The Power of the Prophetic Word

The Prophecy.

In the OT Spirit would come upon the prophet for specific message.. means of communication… God will to the people.. What the prophets spoke were the very words of God to Israel… they are recorded in scripture as Divine revelation… NT Prophetic gift is proclaiming the declared…It is saying it is Written… to be honest most of prophecy is really the gift of encouragement… exhortation.

There is Power in declaring the Word of God…

Tim Keller writes:

me upon the prophet for specific message..

Speech-act theory makes a convincing case that our words not only convey information; they get things done.

However, God's words have power infinitely beyond our own.

God's words are identical with his actions … We humans say, "Let there be light in this room," but first we have to make sure the room has been properly wired. Then we have to walk across the room and flick a switch, or go to the cabinet and grab some matches so we can light a candle. Our words need deeds to back them up and can fail to achieve their purposes. God's words, however, cannot fail their purposes because, for God, speaking and acting are the same things.

2 Chronicles 20:15 ESV

And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.

2 Chronicles 20:15

God says to Jehosophat , “DO NOT BE AFRAID” THE BATTLE IS THE LORDS.

1. Do not be afraid because the battle is not yours

God says over and over in His word Do not be affraid.

The words “Do not fear” occurs 365 times in the Bible, enough for each day’s quota of fearful situations.

2. You will not need to fight this one..

3. Stand firm, Hold your position and see the salvation of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 20:17 ESV

You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

The New American Commentary: 1, 2 Chronicles Jehoshaphat’s Great Victory (20:1–30)

Even if there was a disparity in the forces, with the Lord fighting for Israel they were assured of success. The substance of the oracle is restated in v. 17 with a quotation from Exod 14:13. The God who had parted the Red Sea had not changed in hundreds of years, and he is still the same today (cf. Isa 52:10; Zech 9:9). The assurance of God’s presence was more than a theological statement; it was to be a source of strength.

The expression to “stand before the Lord” is found frequently in Scripture (cf. ; ; ;

Ill never forget the words of a missionary Bunny Bates… She was in o

4. The Victory

4. The Power of Worship.

Worship

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 15: 2 Chronicles Comment

There can be little doubt that the office of the Levitical musicians was of great importance to the Chronicler; a prophetic function among the temple singers of his own day is provided legitimation in the past. His singling out the Kohathites and a subclan within that larger group, the Korahites (1 Chr 6:22, 37–38) may indicate some ascendancy on the part of this family (Gese, Petersen).

The modern historian may be tempted “to poke fun at Jehoshaphat in Chronicles for sending out the temple choir to meet an invading army; it is still funnier when the choir puts the foe to flight and causes great slaughter with a few well-directed psalms

2 Chronicles 20:21 ESV

And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

2 chronicles 20:21-

Road rage is ugly thing isn’t it --- but the other day I saw this funny clip whre

Jehoshaphat and his people were in worshipful awe upon hearing this reassurance of deliverance. Some bowed, some fell down, all giving thanks/praise to the Lord. What God does, or what His word assures He is yet to do, ought to stimulate believing hearts to magnify His name.

As they worshiped, the Lord responded to their prayers of deliverance by causing the enemy to turn upon one another.

God brings confusion to the enemy and they destroy themselves… Judah benefits from the spoils of war...

In Prayer God has a Valley of Blessing...

God brings confusion to the enemy and they destroy themselves… Judah benefits from the spoils of war...

2 Chronicles 20:24–25 ESV

When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much.

2 Chronicles 20:24-

The valley of Berachah, lit. “blessing” (modern Bible class name—Baraca) was perpetuated for the encouragement of succeeding generations to trust in God and to remind us that our praises should be as oft repeated as our prayers

Brooks, K. (2009). Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the Old Testament (p. 89). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

CONCLUSION

The New American Commentary: 1, 2 Chronicles Final Observations on Jehoshaphat’s Reign (20:31–34)

The rhetorical question of v. 6 is thus answered in the affirmative. The Lord does rule over the kingdoms of the nations. Evidence of his favor is the victory and peace Jehoshaphat again enjoyed.

An architect and columnist for the Washington Post, Roger Lewis, wrote after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti about disaster-proofing buildings. What is so telling is how Lewis ended his article:

a. Destroy High Places - things that we have elevated above the worship of God..

b. Renewed Commit to know Gods word

This architect is saying it not just about how a structure stands, even more so, it’s about where that structure stands.

This architect is saying it not just about how a structure stands, even more so, it’s about where that structure stands. And our text shows where we stand is “IN the Lord.” (vs 20) All other ground is sinking sand.

That’s what the gospel is all about. We stand firm in His work and not our own. Our Warrior God squarely conquered death, and sin, and our ancient foe, THAT is the reality we now stand firm in. That Big Battle reality has everything to say about the battles we face today.

c. Commitment to Prayer and Worship/

The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive The Problem of Injustice—Part 2

In 1851, there was an English missionary named Allen Gardiner

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Mentoring Prayer

1. The Power of Prayer

2. The Power of Praise

3. The Power of the Prophetic Word

4. The Power of Worship.

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