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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.

TALK ON “GOD OUR HEALER” (2 Chron. 7:13-14)

INTRODUCTION

This is a well known passage that is often used by preachers to talk about the subject of revival. It is a revival verse. This word was spoken to King Solomon at the dedication of the temple. He is told by God that disobedience and rebellion will result in judgment upon the nation of Israel. This verse is God's promise that those who turn from their sins; call on Him and walk in His ways will experience a revival of the presence and blessing of the Lord. Now, this is a verse to Israel, but it speaks to every generation as well. Those who meet the conditions detailed in this verse will experience the promises mentioned in this verse.

Folks, we need revival! We Baptists love our meetings; but we need more than a meeting, we need a revival. We need something that we cannot produce by our own efforts. Revival is a supernatural event. It comes only by the sovereign decree of the Lord. We can have a meeting this week, but we cannot have a revival unless the Lord gives it. While we cannot produce a revival, we can meet the requirements set forth in these verses, and that will make revival much more likely.

The Chronicler speaks of the possibility and the problems associated with revival. While telling what we can have, he also tells us about what can prevent revival. I would to point out The Enemies of Revival today. There are four problems mentioned in this verse that can sabotage and prevent revival from taking place. We need to listen closely to what the Bible has to say about this matter and do whatever we need to do to see that these enemies of revival do not hinder us from getting what we need from the Lord. Let's look into this passage together and talk about The Enemies Of Revival.

The Sermon Notebook - 2 Chronicles.

(Note: This verse is directed to God's people. He says, “If My people, which are called by My name…” This is not a verse to lost people. Lost people do not need revival, they need to be saved! If you are not saved, you need to come to Jesus Christ, confess your sins and call on Him for your soul's salvation. If you do know the Lord today, then God has something to say to you from this verse. He will help us, if we will allow Him to. Here are the enemies of revival.)

The Sermon Notebook - 2 Chronicles.

(Note: The context of this verse relates to the dedication of the Temple under King Solomon. God has just finished demonstrating His acceptance of the new house of worship by sending fire down from Heaven to consume the sacrifice which was upon the altar, 7:1. He filled the Temple with His great glory, and the people worshiped their God with praises, humility, sacrifices and several days of celebration, 7:2-11. Then, God comes to speak to Solomon, 7:12-22. God tells Solomon that He will bless Israel if they will honor the Lord; but if they refuse, there will be serious consequences, 7:12, 19-22. However, our text promises them that God will hear them, heal them and help them if they will return to Him in humble repentance. This great promise to Israel has a great message for us this evening. Let's examine its words and learn How To Make A Great Church Even Greater.)

The Sermon Notebook - 2 Chronicles.

I. The Call

A. To God's People

John 1:12 ⇒ Not to the lost, but to those who bear His name! (⇒ Christian - Acts 11:26)

B. A Provision to Be Met

“IF” It all hinges on the willingness of God's people to do the Lord's will! (⇒ Elijah and Israel on Carmel - 1 Kings 18:21 - We must decide who is really God!)

I. Acknowledge Your Connection to God

A. It Is an Intimate Connection

“My people” — God claims those who are in a faith relationship with Him, Heb. 11:16. He purchased them and He owns them, 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 Cor. 6:19-20. There is an intimate relationship that is acknowledged here. The relationship we have with God is far more intimate than that of a Master and his servant. It is even more intimate than a god and his worshipers. The relationship we have with Him is as intimate as that of a Father and His sons. After all, those who are saved are in this very relationship with God Almighty, Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5; 1 John 3:1-2. There is a very close and intimate connection between God and His people!

Praise the Lord for this intimacy that we have with our heavenly Father! The fact that He would love us in spite of our sins; that He would save us by His grace; adopt us into His family; bless in more ways than we can imagine in this life; and then take us home to His heaven when this life is over; is a wonder greater than our ability to comprehend!

B. It Is an Identifying Connection

“Called by My Name” — These people who have been redeemed by the Lord are also identified with Him. They bear His name before a world that does not know Him. They carry with them, with every step they take, the responsibility of living like they belong to Him. They are to live and conduct themselves like they are the children of God. That is the responsibility of every child of God, 1 John 2:6; 1 Pet. 2:21.

The first step in making a great church even greater is for us to acknowledge our connection to the Heavenly Father. We are His by the new birth, and we have a responsibility before Him and before the world to carry His holy Name in a manner worthy of Him and His glory, Eph. 4:1.

The Sermon Notebook - 2 Chronicles.

PRELIMINARY OUTLINE

TITLE: GOD OUR HEALER

OLORUN OLUWOSAN WA

2 Chronicles 7:13–14 (ESV)

13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 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.

A. GOD’S ACTION

13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people,

- HEAVEN IS SHUT UP THEREFORE NO RAIN

- LOCUST IS SENT TO DEVOUR LAND

- PESTILENCE AMONG GOD’S PEOPLE

1. HEAVENS SHUT UP

What does it mean for heaven to be shut off?

All divine blessings are from heaven above and they are beyond human ability. They are grace bestowed from above.

Examples are:

- Rain for farming and harvest (opposite is drought,)

- Good weather conducive for healthy human living (opposite are hurricanes, storms, flood

- Fruitfulness: child bearing, position of authority; favor from known and unknown persons; peace; leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit; salvation; gifts: physical and spiritual

2. LOCUST IS SENT TO DEVOUR LAND

What is the implication of locust been sent to devour the land?

- The existing farms are devasted and hence no harvest

- Hunger

- Lack of prosperity in the work of human hands

- Laboring in vain

- Unemployment

- Loss of livelihood/businesses

- Enemy attacks and devastations on self or property

- Slavery/Oppression

- Opposition

- Obstacles to progress

- Curses/demonic possession/oppression

- Premature deaths

- Accidents/Disasters

- No life partners

- Childlessness or bareness

- Withheld Grace and mercy of God; Lack of helpers, favor; absence of spiritual gifts.

- Depending on one’s wisdom, strength.

- Lack of open doors or breakthrough Slavery/ Oppression by the enemy

- Attack on livelihood

- Hatred at home/work/community

- Loss of livelihood

- Demotion

- Ill-luck

- Destruction of property or works

- Bad leadership/governance

3. PESTILENCE AMONG GOD’S PEOPLE

- Plague, like that of Egypt

- Pandemic Virus attacks, HIV,

- Diseases: physical/Spiritual

- Insanity

- Bareness or infantility

- Demonic possession/oppression or afflictions/spirit spouses

- Premature death

- Closed doors

- Lack of prosperity

- Hatred/lack of helper/favor

- Near success syndrome

- Nightmares/evil dreams

B. GOD’S PEOPLE ACTION

, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways

- HUMBLE THEMSELVES

- PRAY

- SEEK GOD’S FACE

- TURN FROM WICKED WAYS

1. HUMBLE THEMSELVES

What does it mean to humble oneself?

Dictionary of Bible Themes defines humility/pride as follows:

An attitude of lowliness and obedience, grounded in the recognition of one’s status before God as his creatures.[1]

Pride is the opposite of humility

Arrogance or delusions of greatness on account of one’s achievements, status or possessions. Scripture frequently speaks of God humbling the proud.[2]

Pride means to swell up; to be full of oneself.

Example of the Laodicean Church

Revelation 3:17 (ESV)

17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Proverbs 8:13 (ESV)

13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.

Pride and arrogance and the way of evil

and perverted speech I hate.

Proverbs 11:2 (ESV)

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

but with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 16:5 (ESV)

5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;

be assured, he will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 16:18–19 (ESV)

18 Pride goes before destruction,

and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor

than to divide the spoil with the proud.

HOW CAN WE KNOW IF SOMEONE HAS PRIDE PROBLEM?

- Pride likes to talk about himself all the time

- Pride refuses to listen, it always interrupts others

- Pride has intense desire to be noticed

- Pride believes he deserves everything he gets

- Pride is not thankful

- Pride cannot be corrected

- Pride does not like to follow instructions

- Pride exalts itself in the presence of others; it brags

- Pride criticizes and tries to make itself look better by putting down others down

- Pride thinks of its own needs first.

WHAT HUMILITY MEANS

- “to bend the knees”

- To bend down

- To place self under another

God desires people who will take whatever is necessary to bring themselves under His authority

He wants us to know we cannot do it on our own

He wants us to know that we are dependent on Him for everything we have

He wants us to bend our knees to His authority in our lives.

We need to follow the steps laid down by our Lord Jesus for the church in Laodicea:

Revelation 3:17–18 (ESV)

17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

NINEVEH EXAMPLE

When Jonah entered Nineveh and preached his message of impending judgment, the king there proclaimed a fast and all the people there humbled themselves under God’s mighty hand.

Jonah 3:5–9 (ESV)

5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”

Psalm 51:16–17 (ESV)

16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;

you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

The sacrifice he had to bring was a broken and contrite (crushed) heart—a humbled spirit fully penitent for sin. That is what God desires and will receive[3]

A Call to Preparation

Humility - This word has the idea of being “under another”. One of the things God's people must do is remember Who is Lord! When we humble ourselves to the Lord, we are acknowledging His Lordship and headship in our lives. We are admitting our weakness and reaching out for His power. We are saying I can't, but you can! (⇒ This is the picture seen in Joshua 5:13-15. Joshua is told to remove his shoe. This was an ancient way of symbolizing the relinquishing of control to another. It was a way of saying “I can't, but you can.” It is also seen in Ruth 4:5-8.) Those who willingly humble themselves under the hand of the Lord open their lives to His blessings - Matt. 23:12; James 4:6; James 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:5-6. Please note that our humility is to be voluntary! If we do not humble ourselves, there may come a day when the Lord will do it for us. His methods are not always the most pleasant!

II. The Conditions Power Will Come When God's People Are Found to Be:

A. Humble (Psa. 9:12; Matt. 18:4; James 4:10)

We would do well to remember:

1. Where we came from - Isa. 51:1

2. That god is holy - Pro. 16:18

3. That God hates sin - Eze. 18:20; Rom. 6:23

4. That our best is filthy in His sight - Isa. 64:6 5. That god always judges sin - Gal. 6:7; Num. 32:23 (⇒ When we see God as He really is, and ourselves as we really are, then we will humble ourselves before Him! ⇒ Isaiah - Isa. 6:6 - “Woe is me!”

The Sermon Notebook - 2 Chronicles.

2. PRAY

The people of Nineveh prayed and fasted and God answered there

II. Prayerlessness Is the Enemy of Revival

A. The people of God are challenged to “pray”. Prayerlessness is the first cousin to pride. Prayerlessness says, “I do not need to call on the Lord, I can make it just fine without His aid.” Prayerlessness does not say, “He is all I need”; but “I am all I need.” Prayerlessness relies on self and the resources self can produce and refuses to lean on Jesus alone. Prayerlessness is the enemy of revival!

B. It is a fact that we can prayer and not have revival; but we will never have a revival apart from prayer! Prayer is the ultimate statement of inability. Prayer looks to God and says, “I can't, but you can!” Prayer acknowledges personal, profound dependence upon the Lord. We do not have revival because we do not pray! And, we do not have revival because we do not pray as we should, ⇒ James 4:2-3! Charles Finney said, “Prayer is the essential link in the chain of events that leads to revival!”

We have lost the art of waiting before the Lord in prayer! Too much of our praying is anemic, antiseptic, formal, repetitious and long-winded. We pray around issues and never really get down to trusting God by faith. Our prayers leave our mouths, but they do not move God in Heaven.

C. We pray for a few minutes and think we are ready for meeting. We recite our lists to the Lord and make our requests for our fleshly, material desires and we think God is going to move in mighty revival power. Well, it is not going to happen! We have to come to the place where we sacrifice our pride on God's altar; declare our utter helplessness; and cling to Him until He moves in power in our lives and church. Leonard Ravenhill said, “The church is dying on its feet because it is not living on its knees!”

D. When Jonah's message came to Nineveh, the people humbled themselves and they began to pray, Jonah 3:8b. When they did, God moved in power and sent a revival! Another example of revival praying can be found in Neh. 9:1-2. When we call on God from a pure, humble heart, we will see revival follow! How is your prayer life?

The Sermon Notebook - 2 Chronicles.

A. It Is a Challenge to Be Dependent

“Humble themselves and pray” — In the context, Israel was to come to the place where they admitted that they could not help themselves out of their problems. They were also to turn away from their idols and false gods and admit that they could not help them either. They were challenged to admit their total dependence upon the Lord Jehovah.

That is the same challenge that we face today! If we want the Lord's power on our lives and on our church, then we have got to come to the place where we readily admit that our rituals, our abilities, our organization, our feeble attempts at worship, etc will never get the job done for the glory of God. We have to come to the place where we humble ourselves before God, and admit to Him that we can do absolutely nothing without Him, John 15:5.

Let's face it; there are times when we think we can actually do it ourselves. We might not admit it, but that is how we feel and that is how we act from time to time. Well, I want to let you in on a little secret: you can do nothing with out Him! But, when we fall before Him; humble ourselves at His feet; admit our total dependence upon Him for everything we are, everything we have and everything we do; then we will see Him bless! Listen to His promises: James 4:6-10; 1 Pet. 5:6.

If we could ever get to the place where we understood this truth: I can't, but He can; then we would see God moving in great power in these days! When we acknowledge our own weakness and we express our faith in His greatness, we will see God use us in greater ways, Phil. 4:13.

When we humble ourselves before Him, we are admitting that we have no faith in our own inability.

When we call on His name in prayer, we are proclaiming our faith in His ability.

· B. Prayerful (Rom. 12:12; 1 Thess. 5:17)

· Calling on God for:

· 1. Spiritual needs

· 2. Other's salvation and needs

· 3. Power in the church

· 4. Our enemies - ⇒ Cliches and factions are not part of His plan! (⇒ The Corinthian church. Jesus has a better plan - Matt. 5:44!

B. A Call to Prayer

Prayer - This word means just what it says - pray! It is, in essence, humility in action. The praying person sees his own inability and recognizes God's ability. This causes him to come before the Lord to seek the help he needs. Prayer is an essential ingredient in the mystery of revival! In fact, our praying may seem weak, but it will yield far more fruit than the effort demands!

Therefore, let us determine that we will pray for revival! Pray in your homes, in your cars, at you jobs, in the prayer rooms, in the altars. Let us determine that we will take every moment of life as an opportunity to pray! James 4:2; John 14:13-14; Phil. 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:17. More could be said about prayer, but instead of talking about it, we should just do it!

The Sermon Notebook - 2 Chronicles.

3. SEEK GOD’S FACE

- To seek God’s face is to seek His presence. It is to make Him our priority.

- To seek His face is to turn to His direction and search Him out by all means especially by prayer and worship.

- To stop looking for help or purpose in any other things in life

- God should always be our primary focus and first priority

It is to fall in love with Jesus all over again. Revelation 2:1–4 (ESV)

2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Psalm 27:4 (ESV)

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in his temple.

Psalm 42:1–2 (ESV)

1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,

so pants my soul for you, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God,

for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?

James 4:8 (ESV)

8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Isaiah 55:6 (ESV)

6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;

A QUESTION TO ASK OURSELVES

What is your no. 1 priority in life?

- Your job; bank account; family; your church; your spouse; your hobby or the LORD?

When anything but God is priority in our lives, are out of balance.

C. A Call to Passion

Devotion - The third requirement is that of “seeking His face”. This word means to “desire something”. This idea here is that we come to the place where God is the number one priority and desire of our heart! That is, nothing in life is more important, more precious or more needful to us than having God and all He has to offer.

One of the problems with the modern church is that we have ceased to desire God. Often we have many pursuits in life and are so fragmented in our devotions that we have no place for a first place in our lives. May that attitude die the death it has long deserved! May the people of God once again fall in love with God to the point that He becomes the focus and the driving force of all of life!

B. It Is a Challenge to Be Devoted

“Seek my face” — This expression is translated form words which mean, “To seek to find; to seek, to require, to desire, to request” and “To seek with care, inquire, to frequent a place, tread a place; to seek deity in prayer and worship.” These words imply “a yearning, a frequency of inquiry, a desire to enter into the presence of someone!”

Not only are we to humble ourselves before Him, but we are to live our lives with a hunger for Him! The idea here is that nothing in your life or mine is to be greater than God. Nothing we are, have, think or do is to distract us from Him and from seeking His face. Our heart should settle for nothing less than all of His we can acquire!

Listen to what a couple of famous believers have said about this matter:

Paul — “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10.

David — “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4.

And — “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Psalm 17:15

And — “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” Psalm 42:1-2

Do you get the picture? Seeking the Lord's face is about wanting Him more than anything else in this world! It is about taking time to spend time with Him in prayer and study of His word. It is about placing His face before you as the single most important motivator in your life. How devoted would you say that you were to seeking his face?

III. Priorities Are the Enemy of Revival

A. God's people are told to “seek His face”. The word “seek” means “to search out by any method; especially by worship and prayer.” The word “face” refers to “the countenance; to turn toward His direction.” This little phrase is a call for God's people to stop looking for help and purpose in every other thing in life. They are called upon to make God their primary focus and their first priority.

You see, revival does not come to people who seek revival; but to people who seek God! Far too many people are caught up in what God can do for them. But, seeking His face means that we hunger for Him more than for what He can do. He wants us to love Him for Who He is! The essence of genuine revival is falling in love with Jesus all over again, ⇒ Rev. 2:1-7. Seeking Him will bring revival to His church, James 4:8; Isa. 55:6.

B. If you had to be really honest today, what is the number one priority in your life? Is it your job? Is it your bank accounts or retirement? Is it your family? Is it your church? Is it your spouse? Is it your hobby? Or, is it the Lord? When anything but God is the number one priority in your life, you are out of balance and you are not a candidate for revival.

When God is our first priority, the things He cares about are the things we will care about. When we are seeking His face, we will be able to see what has His attention. And, what has His attention is to be that which has our attention. He wants us to love what He loves, hate what He hates and do what He does. He wants us to develop that attitude Jesus adopted while He was here on earth, John 5:19-20.

C. If you really want to know what your priorities are today then ask yourself three questions:

1.) On what activity do you spend most of your time?

2.) On what do you spend the bulk of your money?

3.) On what do you focus your thoughts?

Look at where you go; what you do and where you spend your money. Do that and you will have a good idea of your priorities in life. Where does God fit in the equation of your life? Is He in first place? If He isn't than you are not a candidate for revival!

D. Misplaced priorities are the enemy of real revival. The priorities of Nineveh were all messed up. Then, Jonah came to town with his message of doom and destruction. The people of Nineveh, from the king on down, got their priorities fixed up and they began to seek the Lord, Jonah 3:8. They got interested in the things that interested the Lord. Things like prayer, holiness, worship, etc became a priority and God sent them a revival. He can and will do the same for us, when our priorities are what they ought to be.

The Sermon Notebook - 2 Chronicles.

4. REPENT

C. It Is a Challenge to Be Different

“Turn from their wicked ways” — Here, we are talking about the discipline of repentance. It is a challenge for the people of God to live clean and holy lives for the glory of the Lord. The people of Israel are told to “turn from their wicked ways.” Whenever you are turning away “from” one thing, you are naturally turning “to” some other thing.

The Idea contained in that phrase perfectly pictures what repentance is all about. You see, the word “repent” comes from a word that means, “To return, to turn back, to turn away.” God's people are called on to turn away from evil things and turn toward the Lord. We are challenged to make an about face in our lives that causes us to walk in a totally new direction.

If we want the Lord to bless us like He can and like He wants to, then we are going to have to search our hearts and lives for anything that might evil. We are going to have to locate anything that might be leading us away from the Lord. When a thing is identified, we are to turn away from it and turn toward the Lord in humility, a desire to seek His face and in repentance.

(⇒ Here is what you need to do. You and I need to search our hearts and lives to see if there are any “Idols there which are leading us into sin”? Here is a partial list:

Money or Job

Possessions

Position or Status

Pride and Hypocrisy

A relationship or a person

Sexual immorality or Lust

Cheating or stealing

Hobby or a Habit

Or, any number of things that you and I may have put before God in our lives!

If you have identified something in your life, the way to deal with it is in confession and repentance, I John 1:9; 2 Cor. 6:17. You see, before the Lord can bless us, He must first change us! That is His mission!)

IV. Presumption Is the Enemy of Revival

A. Finally, God's people are told to “turn from their wicked ways.” That is, they are to forsake their sins and embrace holiness. The problem in Israel is that they were guilty of presuming upon the grace and goodness of the Lord. The same trend is evident in the church.

We say, “I am saved and some of the things I do don't matter!” Yes they do! Sin keeps us out of the presence of the Lord, Isa. 59:2. Sin closes the Lord's ears to our prayers, Psa. 66:18; Pro. 15:8, 29; Pro. 28:9.

B. It is easy to see the hypocrisy and sin in our nation. We need more money for schools, so we legalize and promote gambling. We need to stop teen pregnancy, so we give out condoms and open abortion clinics. We want to balance the budget, so we raise taxes. We want to stop the spread of AIDS, so we practice "safe sex.” It's no wonder God won't send revival to America!

What about the church? Why aren't we having revival? We are just as bad! We do not have revival because we are just as guilty as the world! Church people sin! They drink, they steal, they lie, they cheat; they commit adultery; they engage in sexual activity outside of marriage; they carry hate in their heart; they walk in pride; they walk in hypocrisy; they drag the precious name of Jesus through the mud and He cannot and will not bless a mess like that! We are saved by grace, but grace is never a license to sin!

What we need is a season of repentance. We are good with our excuses; and we are quick to rationalize our behavior; but we are slow to fall before the Lord and confess our sins and receive His forgiveness. But, He will never bless us with revival until we do! We must come clean about our sins, before He can bless us, Pro. 28:13; 1 John 1:9.

C. James 5:16b says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” The key word in that verse is “righteous”. The word refers to a person who is “holy, upright and keeps the commandments of the Lord.” Does that describe you? Are you a righteous man or woman? Can God hear your prayers, and could you be an instrument of revival in His hands?

D. We need revival, but revival will not come to a presumptious people. It will only come to those who get honest about their sin; who confess them; forsake them and turn to God with all their hearts, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart,” Jer. 29:13. Revival will come when God's people adopt the attitude that gripped the hearts of the people of Nineveh. They dealt with their sin problem and God moved in a great revival, Jonah 3:8-10.

C. Obedient (1 Sam. 15:22; Acts 5:29)

1. Obeying God's Word - John 14:15

2. Obeying God's Will - Matt. 7:21

3. Obedience carries a sweet promise from Jesus - John 14:21

D. Broken

Malachi - Repent; John the Baptist - Repent ⇒ Eze. 18:30. Repentance involves:

1. Confession - Psa. 32:5; 1 John 1:7

2. Turning away from sin - Anything less is not real repentance!

3. The church needs to be broken over her sins! Not just those of the world as bad as they are! It is our sins that are killing us!

4. True repentance has double vision: It looks upon things past with a weeping eve and upon things future with a watchful eye!

C. Obedient (1 Sam. 15:22; Acts 5:29)

1. Obeying God's Word - John 14:15

2. Obeying God's Will - Matt. 7:21

3. Obedience carries a sweet promise from Jesus - John 14:21

D. Broken

Malachi - Repent; John the Baptist - Repent ⇒ Eze. 18:30. Repentance involves:

1. Confession - Psa. 32:5; 1 John 1:7

2. Turning away from sin - Anything less is not real repentance!

3. The church needs to be broken over her sins! Not just those of the world as bad as they are! It is our sins that are killing us!

4. True repentance has double vision: It looks upon things past with a weeping eve and upon things future with a watchful eye!

The Sermon Notebook - 2 Chronicles.

C. GOD’S RESPONSE TO HIS PEOPLE’S ACTION

then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

- GOD WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN

- FORGIVE OUR SINS

- HEAL THEIR LAND

GOD WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN

A. God Will Hear Us

Sin hinders prayer, Psa. 66:18. However, when sin is taken care of, prayer can flow unhindered to and from the throne of God! There is no more powerful force in the world than an unhindered prayer life! Why? Because it has the ear of God and is used by Him to accomplish His will upon the earth. ⇒ Luke 11:2.

B. God Will Help Us

God also promises to “forgive our sins”. This means that not only is the prayer line restored, but it means that we can be in close fellowship with Him. Nothing in this world compares with being able to have close communion with God Almighty! The ability to come into His presence, to worship Him, to sense His power, His peace, His joy and His presence is priceless! (Note: If you have allowed a cancer of sin to grow in your life, you need to know that it can be cut out and destroyed. If you will come before the Lord and deal with your sin His way, He will respond in forgiveness and restoration, 1 John 1:9. Like the Prodigal Son, you will find that your Father will receive you and restore you through His amazing grace, Luke 15:11-24.

C. God Will Heal Us

This great verse was given to Israel. They were warned that their sins would be answered by the Lord through drought. This would devastate their land and their population. However, the Lord's promise to them is that repentance equals rain. If they will honor Him, He will honor them! If they will open their hearts, He will in turn open the heavens. In a sense, we are in the same situation today. Our homes, communities and nation have been devastated through a drought of spiritual blessings and power. If God's children will come back to Him in genuine repentance and faith, we will see our nation impacted for and by the glory of God. We need that kind of revival!

III. Real Revival Yields Real Results

A. Notice that the condition and the promise are given to “God's people”. However, when the refreshing comes it would reach the entire nation. The implication is clear: Genuine revival affects those revived and all those around them!

B. If we, as a people, experience a true move of God in revival, we will see God's power touch this world in a tremendous way! Revival in our hearts and church will create a spiritual dynamic that will impact our homes, our communities, our schools, our neighbors, our nation and our world for the glory of God!

C. I don't know about you, but I am tired of seeing what sin is doing to our homes, our churches and our nation! Would to God that His people would get a real vision of what He could do for us and through us in revival. Would to God that we would pay the price to see that take place! If real revival ever came to our lives, we would never be the same! It would change us and everything we touch too! (⇒ It might be any type of need you can think of, but real revival can remedy that need through the power of God. He promises to “heal YOUR land”.)

III. The Covenant (If We Will, He Will!)

A. God Will Hear (Isa. 65:24)

⇒ God hears a repentant prayer - Psa. 66:18.

B. God Will Forgive (1 John 1:9; Psa. 103:12)

C. God Will Answer

(⇒ Jacob and the angel) We must have the power of God! Anything less just will not do! ⇒ When get our lives, our prayers, our hearts right with God, we can expect Him to pour out His power upon us in the church. But, not until! (⇒ There are definite hindrances to a move of the power of God. We need to be aware of these and address them, because it is dangerous for us to quench His Spirit - Eph. 4:30!

III. Anticipate the Confirmation From God

A. He Will Hear Us

“Then will I hear from Heaven” — When we, God's people, deal with this “if” situation; we are assured that God will hear us. We all know that sin terminates the lines of communication between the believer and the Lord, Psa. 66:18. But, when sin is dealt with and our lives are pleasing unto the Lord, He will incline His ear toward our prayers. An unhindered prayer life is a thing of terrible power! It is a wonder to behold as God hears and responds to the cry of His child, ⇒ Luke 11:2 and Luke 12:32; Matt. 7:7-11. (⇒ Psa. 84:11, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”)

B. He Will Help Us

“Will forgive their sin, and heal their land” — When we pay the price to honor our relationship to the Lord and accept His challenge to a dependent, devoted and different life; He will hear our prayers, forgive our sins and heal our land. What a tremendous promise! Not only will we be changed as a result of commitment to Him; but the effects will reach beyond the walls of this church and the world around us will be impacted for the glory of the Lord.

In other words, when we come clean with the Lord and we meet His expectations, He will bless us with His power, honor us with His greatness and thrill us with His glory. When we find that place before Him that honors Him, we will see Him take a great church and make it even greater!

The Sermon Notebook - 2 Chronicles.

GOD WILL FORGIVE OUR SINS

B. God Will Help Us

B. God Will Forgive (1 John 1:9; Psa. 103:12)

B. He Will Help Us

GOD WILL HEAL OUR LAND

C. God Will Heal Us

III. Real Revival Yields Real Results

A. Notice that the condition and the promise are given to “God's people”. However, when the refreshing comes it would reach the entire nation. The implication is clear: Genuine revival affects those revived and all those around them!

B. If we, as a people, experience a true move of God in revival, we will see God's power touch this world in a tremendous way! Revival in our hearts and church will create a spiritual dynamic that will impact our homes, our communities, our schools, our neighbors, our nation and our world for the glory of God!

C. I don't know about you, but I am tired of seeing what sin is doing to our homes, our churches and our nation! Would to God that His people would get a real vision of what He could do for us and through us in revival. Would to God that we would pay the price to see that take place! If real revival ever came to our lives, we would never be the same! It would change us and everything we touch too! (⇒ It might be any type of need you can think of, but real revival can remedy that need through the power of God. He promises to “heal YOUR land”.)

CONCLUSION

Conclusion

Yes, there are some enemies that must be defeated. They can be, and if they are, we can experience God's power. He promised Israel that He would “I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” That is a description of revival: God hearing; God cleansing and God working. The word “heal” means “to stitch back together; to repair thoroughly.” That is what we need today!

Are you a candidate for revival? Here is the invitation:

1.) Are you “His people”? If not, you need to be saved. You need to come today!

2.) Are the enemies of revival, pride, prayerlessness, misplaced priorities and presumption active in your life? If they are, you need to come today.

3.) Would you life to see God send us a real revival? It can happen, but we must meet His conditions.

Conclusion

I started out by talking about the church. When I speak of the church, I am not talking about bricks and mortar; lights and carpets; pews and hymnals. When I speak of the church, I am speaking about you! Calvary Baptist Church is what it is because you are what you are. This is a great church because it is a church made up of great people.

But, as great as this church is today, it can become even greater. If you and I will pay the price to humble ourselves before God and pray, seek His face, turn from our wicked way, then He will hear from His throne in Heaven and He will forgive our sins and heal our land. In short, if we comply with Him, He will confound us with the way He will move in this church in power, for His glory.

Is there business that you need to transact with the Lord tonight? If He has touched an area of your life that needs work, this altar is the place to deal with it. All I ask is that you be obedient to His voice! If you will, then a great church can be make even greater!

Conclusion

I encourage each person here to establish a solemn covenant, one with the other, that we will repent of any sin in our lives and actively seek the face of God so that we can experience true revival and true power in the church.

Conclusion

Revival is a real possibility! However, while genuine revival is always sovereign in its origin, we can create an atmosphere where it becomes more likely. In that atmosphere, while genuine revival is not a guaranteed event, at least on a corporate level, it will become a reality on a personal level! The key word in this verse is the word “If”. Everything hinges on us being in that place that God desires for us to abide in. If we will meet the requirements on our end, we can be sure that God will move on His end. Revival will happen to us as individuals “if”. Are you willing to consider a few questions before you leave today?

1. Are you His people? If not you can be!

2. Are you willing to come before Him humble yourself, pray, seek His face and turn from your wicked ways?

3. Are you willing to be and do whatever it takes to see real revival came to your life, your church, your family, your community and your nation?

If the Lord has spoken to your heart today about your need for personal revival, or the need for revival in our church, please come before Him right now and get about the business of meeting the requirements!

Conclusion

Are you a candidate for revival? Here is the invitation:

1.) Are you “His people”? If not, you need to be saved. You need to come today!

2.) Are the enemies of revival, pride, prayerlessness, misplaced priorities and presumption active in your life? If they are, you need to come today.

3.) Would you life to see God send us a real revival? It can happen, but we must meet His conditions.

The Sermon Notebook - 2 Chronicles.

Introduction

The context of these texts relates to the dedication of the Temple under king Solomon.

God has demonstrated His acceptance by sending fire down from heaven to consume the sacrifices on the altar (7.1). He filled the Temple with His glory, and the people worshiped with praises, humility, sacrifices, and several days of celebration. (7:2-11).

Then God came to speak to Solomon in a dream that He would bless them if they honor the Lord, but He would punish them if they do otherwise. (7:2, 19-22).

However, our text promise that if He shut the heavens and there is no rain, or if He releases locust to devour their farms, or if He sends pestilence to destroy them, if they humble themselves, and pray and seek His face and turn from their evil ways, He would hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.

Lets see the application of these words to us.

1. The words were spoken to Israel, His people. Today, these words are to the people of God.

Who are the people of God?

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

14 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.

OTHER SCRIPTURES/NOTES

Mouth, in a Dream or Vision of the Night

7:12-22

That God accepted Solomon's prayer appeared by the fire from heaven. But a prayer may be accepted and yet not answered in the letter of it; and therefore God appeared to him in the night, as he did once before (ch. 1:7), and after a day of sacrifice too, as then, and gave him a peculiar answer to his prayer. We had the substance of it befoRevelation 1 Kings 9:2-9.

I. He promised to own this house for a house of sacrifice to Israel and a house of prayer for all people (Isaiah 56:7): My name shall be there for ever (v. 12,16), that is, "There will I make myself known, and there will I be called upon."

II. He promised to answer the prayers of his people that should at any time be made in that place, v. 13-15.

1. National judgments are here supposed (v. 13), famine, and pestilence, and perhaps war, for by the locusts devouring the land meant enemies as greedy as locusts, and laying all waste.

2. National repentance, prayer, and reformation, are required, v. 14. God expects that his people who are called by his name, if they have dishonoured his name by their iniquity, should honour it by accepting the punishment of their iniquity. They must be humble themselves under his hand, must pray for the removal of the judgment, must seek the face and favour of God; and yet all this will not do unless they turn from their wicked ways, and return to the God from whom they have revolted.

3. National mercy is then promised, that God will forgive their sin, which brought the judgment upon them, and then heal their land, redress all their grievances. Pardoning mercy makes ways for healing mercy, Psa. 103:3; Matthew 9:2.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible.

[1] Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

[2] Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

[3] Ross, A. P. (1985). Psalms. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 833). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

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