VICTORY WITH THE LORD
2 CHRONICLE 13:1-19
REVIEW
YOUR HISTORY WITH THE LORD
V:1.
In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam, Abijah became king of Judah, 2
and he reigned in Jerusalem for three years. His mother's name was Maacah, a
daughter of Uriel of Gibeah.
There
was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. 3 Abijah went into battle with a force of
four hundred thousand able fighting men, and Jeroboam drew up a battle line
against him with eight hundred thousand able troops.
V:4.
Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim, in the hill country of Ephraim, and said,
"Jeroboam and all Israel, listen to me! 5 Don't you know that the Lord,
the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his
descendants forever by a covenant of salt? 6 Yet Jeroboam son of Nebat, an
official of Solomon son of David, rebelled against his master. 7 Some worthless
scoundrels gathered around him and opposed Rehoboam the son of Solomon when he
was young and indecisive and not strong enough to resist them.
A.
It is not good when family fights family
1. Jeroboam was a descendant of Ephraim,
the second son of Joseph.
2. God delivered the nation of Israel from
slavery and put them in the promised
land under Joshua. The nation of
Israel was consolidated under King David
and continued under King Solomon.
3. After King Solomon died, the nation
became divided. They began to worship
idol gods and fought among themselves.
B.
Generations later, Abijah King of Judah and Jeroboam King Of Israel fought
for control of the promised land that was
already theirs by divine proclamation.
God divided the promised land among the 12
tribes that came out of
Egypt.
1. Jeroboam King of Israel worshiped idol gods. Abijah
King of Judah
2.
Worshiped the Lord.
a. God created two classes of people.
b. There are some who worship the Lord
and some who reject Him.
3. The source of our troubles is
disobedience to God’s commands.
A
DIVIDED FAMILY IS SATAN’S PLEASURE
A.
When we fight among ourselves we play into the hands of the real
enemy.
1. Satan came to still kill and to
destroy.
2. Before we fight family members we
should remind ourselves who we are,
who’s we are, and how we got to be
where we are.
3. The covenant for the promises land was first given to
Abraham for all
Israel.
Leviticus 25:23-24
"'The land must not be sold
permanently, because the land is mine and you
are but aliens and my tenants.
4.
Abijah reminded his
rebellious relative, Jeroboam that the land was given
to David and his descendants forever.
5. We oppose God when we take what has
not been given to us.
6.
When you are in sin, you may win a battle, but you will not be
Victorius,
EXPRESS
YOUR CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD
V:8.
now you plan to resist the kingdom of the Lord, which is in the hands of
David's descendants. You are indeed a vast army and have with you the golden
calves that Jeroboam made to be your gods. 9 But didn't you drive out the
priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and make priests of
your own as the peoples of other lands do? Whoever comes to consecrate himself
with a young bull and seven rams may become a priest of what are not gods.
A.
It is good for us to remind ourselves of our sins.
1. All have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God.
2. Before we point the finger at others,
see ourselves.
3. When we see ourselves as sinners, we
can see how tolerant God has been
with us.
4. A humble spirit provides wisdom to
others.
B.
It is a good friend who reminds another that he is headed toward destruction.
1. Jeroboam opposed God in all his
actions.
2. King Jeroboam of Israel worshiped idol
gods and established a priesthood
of none Levites.
3. Jeroboam disregarded the covenant God
made with King David.
BE
AN EXAMPLE FOR THE LORD FOR OTHERS TO SEE
V:10
"As for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. The priests
who serve the Lord are sons of Aaron, and the Levites assist them. 11 Every
morning and evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the
Lord. They set out the bread on the ceremonially clean table and light the
lamps on the gold lampstand every evening. We are observing the requirements of
the Lord our God. But you have forsaken him.
12
God is with us; he is our leader. His priests with their trumpets will sound
the battle cry against you. Men of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the
God of your fathers, for you will not succeed."
A.
Claim the Lord as your God
1. Review in truth how you are following
God’s commands
2. Repeat the Lord's worship procedure as
an example for you and others to
follow.
3. Express confidence in the Lord as your
protector.
B.
Do what you can to avoid a confrontation because lives can be lost.
1. The Word encourages us to be at peace
with each other.
Colossians
3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your
hearts, since as members of one body
you
were called to peace. And be thankful.
2
Corinthians 13:11
Finally,
brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of
one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and
peace will be with you.
2. Abijah warned Israel not to fight against
the Lord
3. Acknowledge that enemy has strength, but it
is worthless against God.
B.
Let those who opposed you know that no weapon formed against you will
prosper.
1. Express confidence that Lord will fight
your battle and give you victory.
2. Prepare yourself for battle by putting on
the full armor of God.
3. You are the priest of God, therefore
consecrate yourself before the Lord.
4. Put God before you in battle.
TRUST
THE LORD TO FIGHT YOUR BATTLES
V:13.
Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to the rear so that while he was in front
of Judah the ambush was behind them. 14 Judah turned and saw that they were
being attacked at both front and rear. Then they cried out to the Lord. The
priests blew their trumpets 15 and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. At
the sound of their battle cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah
and Judah.
A.
While you may want peace, others may want war.
1. Do not get discouraged because the enemy
will not listen to reason.
2. John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give
you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid.
3.
When attacked, God gives us directions.
1st Go to the Lord in prayer.
2nd Put on the full armor of
faith.
3rd Shout for the Lord.
4th Watch the glory of the Lord
and follow his lead.
GIVE
GOD THE CREDIT FOR YOUR VICTORY
V:16
The Israelites fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hands. 17
Abijah and his men inflicted heavy losses on them, so that there were five
hundred thousand casualties among Israel's able men. 18 The men of Israel were
subdued on that occasion, and the men of Judah were victorious because they
relied on the Lord, the God of their fathers.
A.
When God has put the enemy on the run, see it as a sign to pursue and destroy.
1. Jeroboam had twice as many men as
Abijah.
2. God put fear in their hearts and they
ran
3. In battle, you have to complete the
job, because the enemy will regroup and
come back.
B. Give God the credit for your victory.
Rev. M. Mitchell
Asst. Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church
5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North
Houston, Texas 77041
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