Breakthrough! (Name) (Date) Sermon Series 2 Kings 18-20 NLT

Saturn V Rocket measured Carried 5,000,000 lbs. of fuel on board Photo by NASA on Unsplash Breaking the Barriers Saturn V Rocket measured 133’ High x 38’ Wide Carried 5,000,000 lbs. of fuel on board 80% of that fuel expended on launch during the initial 2.5 minute burn Propelled to 38 miles above the Earth Introduction: To break through barrier of gravity requires tremendous power. Same is true in spiritual realm.

1 In the third year of the reign of Israel’s King Hoshea son of Elah, Ahaz’s son Hezekiah became king over Judah. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother was Abi, the daughter of Zechariah. Background of King Hezekiah - His father, King Ahaz, did not follow the Lord. He rebelled against the Lord but his son, Hezekiah, was not like him.

3 He did what the Lord approved, just as his ancestor David had done. 4 He eliminated the high places, smashed the sacred pillars to bits, and cut down the Asherah pole. He also demolished the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been offering incense to it; it was called Nehushtan. Hezekiah removed all the pagan shrines & idols set up by his father & grandfather.

5 He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; in this regard there was none like him among the kings of Judah either before or after. 6 He was loyal to the Lord and did not abandon him. He obeyed the commandments which the Lord had given to Moses. Belief of King Hezekiah – total commitment & trust in the Lord. His faith was demonstrated by removing every hindrance to his relationship with the Lord.

7 The Lord was with him; he succeeded in all his endeavors. 18:13 In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah’s reign, King Sennacherib of Assyria marched up against all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. Even complete obedience does not protect the believer from the attacks of the enemy.

In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah’s reign, King Sennacherib of Assyria marched up against all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. 2 Kings 18:13 Background of Sennacherib – Great rebuilder of Ninevah, capitol of Assyria – powerful general, innovative leader

The Report 2 Kings 18-20 King Hezekiah Breakthrough needed – enemy attacks you Breakthrough needed – enemy taunts you Breakthrough needed – enemy threatens you

Then the Assyrian king’s chief of staff told them to give this message to Hezekiah: “This is what the great king of Assyria says: What are you trusting in that makes you so confident? The Enemy’s Challenge - What is your confidence?

Do you think that mere words can substitute for military skill and strength? Who are you counting on, that you have rebelled against me? The Enemy’s Challenge – Who are you counting on?

21 On Egypt? If you lean on Egypt, it will be like a reed that splinters beneath your weight and pierces your hand. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, is completely unreliable!

But perhaps you will say to me, ‘We are trusting in the Lord our God But perhaps you will say to me, ‘We are trusting in the Lord our God!’ But isn’t he the one who was insulted by Hezekiah? Didn’t Hezekiah tear down his shrines and altars and make everyone in Judah and Jerusalem worship only at the altar here in Jerusalem? 2 Kings 18:19-23

29 This is what the king says: ‘Don’t let Hezekiah mislead you, for he is not able to rescue you from my hand! 30 Don’t let Hezekiah talk you into trusting in the Lord when he says, “The Lord will certainly rescue us; this city will not be handed over to the king of Assyria.” The Enemy’s Challenge – What can your God do against so great odds?

The Response 2 Kings 18-20 King Hezekiah Presented his need to the Lord – got alone with Him Prayed to the Lord – Looked only to Him – no other resources Praised the Lord – His awesome Breakthrough Power

Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers and read it Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers and read it. Then Hezekiah went up to the Lord’s temple and spread it out before the Lord. The correct way to deal with the attack and evil report – lay it out before the Lord

Hezekiah prayed before the Lord: “Lord God of Israel, who is enthroned on the cherubs! You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the sky and the earth. Prayer that starts with Praise is Powerful

Pay attention, Lord, and hear. Open your eyes, Lord, and observe Pay attention, Lord, and hear! Open your eyes, Lord, and observe! Listen to the message Sennacherib sent and how he taunts the living God! 2 Kings 19:14-16 The enemy’s attack against us is a direct assault on the Person and Power of the Lord

This will be your confirmation that I have spoken the truth: This year you will eat what grows wild, and next year what grows on its own from that. But in the third year you will plant seed and harvest crops; you will plant vines and consume their produce. God responds to prayer and faith – not pouting and fear. He gives a Word to hold on to in the midst of the attack.

Those who remain in Judah will take root in the ground and bear fruit. God’s response to prayer is His promise Doesn’t always get us OUT of problems but promises to get THROUGH the problems

The Results 2 Kings 18-20 King Hezekiah When breakthrough comes it will be with power When breakthrough comes it will be complete When breakthrough comes it will be with evidence to all that this is God!

That very night the Lord’s messenger went out and killed 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp. When they got up early the next morning, there were all the corpses. The Lord does not NEED us to win the battle.

So King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and went on his way So King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and went on his way. He went home and stayed in Nineveh.

One day, as he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him. 2 Kings19:35