THE BIG “IF”
II Chronicles 7:11-16 – Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king’s house: and all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected. 12 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. 13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. 16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
Just recently a group of students from a catholic school were kicked out of the Smithsonian air and space museum in Washington DC. Their crime – they all had hats that said pro-life on them. “ They were told they could not wear them in the museum. I applaud them for standing firm and refusing, even in the face of being kicked out, they refuse to compromise on the issue. My friends, America is in trouble. In Nebraska, a state senator is introducing a bill that would “BAN” kids under 19 from attending Sunday School and Vacation Bible school – The reason, it indoctrinates children and leads to child abuse.
- Note: This command was to be carried out in the HOUSE OF GOD.
- His house is to be a place of sacrifice, not a place of comfort.
- NOTE; God sends the pestilence – It is often to rebuke the sinfulness of His people
- The solution begins with IF.
a. Humble– to be subdued, be brought down, be low, be under, be brought into subjection
b. Pray – Not to just ask, but here to intercede
c. Seek – to seek, require, desire, exact, request
d. My face – Desire His presence
e. Turn – To return, to turn back.
f. Wicked ways – Evil, displeasing.
g. Then –
- I will hear – to hear with the intent to give attention too.
- I will forgive – pardon.
- I will heal – to make healthy.
II Corinthians 5:17-21 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Our standing in Christ
- We are made new.
a. That means the old ways are to be forsaken.
b. That means our attitudes, actions, thoughts, and love change. - All things now are of God – we now live Godly in Christ
II Timothy 3:10-17 – But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
We have been given THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION – the restoration of the favor of God to sinners that repent and put their trust in the expiatory death of Christ
Acts 1:16-18 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
He hath been made SIN FOR US.
- He knew no sin.
- He took my sin on Himself.
- The Father looked a Jesus as if He were me.
- The Father looked at me as if I were Jesus.
- We have been given His righteousness
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Romans 8:1-4 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 10:3-4 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.