A King Moves Wisely 2 Chronicles 14:2-8

I. Prudent Actions vss. 2-5 “he removed…smashed…cut down…in every town….”

Knowing the difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I. Prudent Actions vss. 2-5 “he removed…smashed…cut down…in every town….” Knowing the difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doing what we believe is right in our own eyes. Doing what is right in the eyes of God.

I. Prudent Actions vss. 2-5 “he removed…smashed…cut down…in every town….” “You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. You shall tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and burn their Asherim with fire, and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods and obliterate their name from that place. Deuteronomy 12:2

He REMOVED the foreign altars He REMOVED the high places I. Prudent Actions vss. 2-5 “he removed…smashed…cut down…in every town….” He REMOVED the foreign altars He REMOVED the high places He SMASHED the sacred stones He CUT DOWN the Asherah poles

I. Prudent Actions vss. 2-5 “he removed…smashed…cut down…in every town….” “And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.” 1 Kings. 15:12 KJB

II. Predictable Results vs. 7 “…he has given rest on every side.” 60 & 70’s there was Vietanam, 80’s Invasion of Grenada 90’s the Gulf war, 2000 2010 – the war in Iraq, 2010 to 2018 – Turkey, Jordan, Chad, Somalia, Mali, Uganda…..

II. Predictable Results vs. 7 “…he has given rest on every side.” Peace only comes to those who make peace – lasting peace never comes to peace keepers. Pastor Jim

II. Predictable Results vs. 7 “…he has given rest on every side.” “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9 “As far as it is with you be at peace with all men.” Romans 12:18

II. Predictable Results vs. 7 “…he has given rest on every side.” “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you?” James 4:1 NLT

III. Perpetual Watch vs. 8 “Asa had an army….” “The price of liberty (freedom) is eternal vigilance.” Thomas Charlton 1809

III. Perpetual Watch vs. 8 “Asa had an army….” “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. …….. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34,36 ESV

III. Perpetual Watch vs. 8 “Asa had an army….” Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, 1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV

III. Perpetual Watch vs. 8 “Asa had an army….” For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

III. Perpetual Watch vs. 8 “Asa had an army….” What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31

Things to Remember and Practice 1. The best place to start is knowing the difference between these two things: Doing what we believe is right in our own eyes. Or doing what is right in the eyes of God. 2. Furthermore; peace only comes to those who make peace – lasting peace never comes to peace keepers. 3. Never lose your spiritual sobriety!!!!