What Have They Seen In Your House

WHAT HAVE THEY SEEN IN YOUR HOUSE?

2 Kings 20:1-19; Isa. 39:1-8

INTRODUCTION:

1.      Read text.

2.     Regarding text:

(1)         Hezekiah, is king on the throne of Judah.

(2)         Israel has fallen to Assyrian captivity (722 BC).

(3)         Isaiah is prophesying to the nation of Judah (Read Isa. 39:1-8).

(4)         Babylon is on the rise as a world empire.

A.       Baladan, king of Babylon sends his son Berodach Baladan down to Judah.

B.       The purpose was to make an alliance between Babylon and Judah.

(5)         Hezekiah was anxious to make an alliance and to impress Babylon.

A.       Isaiah warned that all Hezekiah’s goods would end up supporting Babylon.

B.       Isaiah warned that Babylon would enslave them.

C.       Isaiah asks, “What have they seen in your house?”

3.     Question of the hour = What have they (world) seen in your house?

(1)         If we are not careful, our house may seek to impress the world.

(2)         If we are not careful, we will tilt towards seeking their acceptance more than the Lord’s.

4.     If we are not careful, it may be likely that our children, and all that we have are in service to the world instead of our God.

DISCUSSION: WHAT HAVE THEY SEEN IN YOUR HOUSE?               

I.            HAVE THEY SEEN WORSHIP?

1.      Do you pray?

(1)           Anxious for nothing, but by prayer and supplication… (Phil. 4:6).

(2)           Pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17).

(3)           Jesus often times was found in prayer (Lk. 6:12).

(4)           It is often overlooked opportunity to praise and petition God.

A.         There is forgiveness to be found.

B.         There is reassurance in the relationship.

C.         There is power in God’s providence.

(5)           Prayer is not only for times of desperation or desire. 

2.      Do you ponder the Holy Scriptures (2 Tim. 2:15; Col. 3:16; James 1:21).

(1)           Some subscribe to the Newspaper on a daily basis but do not study.

(2)           Some view the most vulgar materials but God’s word does not vie for attention.

(3)           Television gleans an average of 20+ hours of our week.  Where does the word of God rate in your life?

3.      Do you proclaim Gods precepts to others? (Gen. 18:19; Deut. 6:6,7; Eph. 6:4).

(1)           Families.

(2)           Neighbors & foreign fields (cf. DS efforts).

(3)           I do not think God requires you to be somebody that you are not, but I do believe He expects you to grow.

4.      Do you purpose or devote time for God.

(1)           “…In His law he meditates day and night” (Psa. 1:2).

(2)           “Because zeal for your house has eaten me up…” (Psa. 69:9).

(3)           “Whatever your hand finds to do…” (Eccl. 9:10)

II.          what have they seen?  Have they seen worldliness?

1.      Have they seen gambling and covetousness (cf. Lk. 12:15; 1 Tim. 6:6)?

(1)           Who among us over the age of 35 would have thought gambling would be an activity endorsed, embraced, and encouraged by the government?

(2)           We are very desensitized to the unscripturalness of gambling.

(3)           Money should not be the motivating factor in our life.

2.      Have they seen immodesty  (1 Tim. 2:9-10)?

(1)           We may not be in complete agreement as to what is and is not modest, but if we cannot agree that there are some things that are absolutely immodest , then we are in trouble.

(2)           We need to be careful and not allow the world to become our standard.

3.      Have they seen the improper use of your tongue (Prov. 21:23; 29:20; James 1:19)?

(1)           Ex. 20:7.

(2)           The problem with filthy language = Mt. 12:34.  It’s a heart problem not a mouth.

4.      Have they seen lack of commitment?

(1)           Mt. 6:24.

(2)           Hypocrisy was condemned by our Lord (Mt. 6:1-5; 23:13-29).

(3)           Hypocrisy will kill your good influence.

A.         Would you buy a bottle of hair restorer from me?

III.        have they seen war?       

1.      We do have a way of treating those closest too us with the least kindness and understanding.

2.      Every member of a family should respect God’s desire for the family with each member complimenting the other (cf. Eph. 5:23 – 6:4).

3.      It is in our homes that foundation is laid for our thinking and treatment of others.

(1)           Our thoughts become our beliefs, our beliefs become our actions and our actions become our attitudes.

(2)           Children are a sponge.  Their attitudes are more “caught” than “taught.”

4.      Some folks are in a continuously objective / cold mood or possibly pessimistic mood.

5.      Sometimes for some folks even their Sunday mornings begin with fussing as they prepare for worship services.

6.      Read James 4:1-4.  (Discuss).

CONCLUSION:

1.     Hezekiah was told by Isaiah to, “set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live” (2 Ki. 20:1).  And Hezekiah submitted to the judgment of God (20:19).

2.     Is your house in order?  You too shall die and not live (Heb. 9:27).

APPEAL:

1.      Is there a lack of worship in your house?

2.      Is there a worldliness?

3.      Is there war?

4.      One reason we gather on such occasions is for each of us to set our house in order.