|
Book: 2 Chronicles
Print ( PC Only )
II CHRONICLES 36:15, 16
"NO REMEDY"
Intro: In Chapter 36 we have recorded for us the tragic story of the death
of a nation. A nation that was at one time nourished by God.
I. THEIR DEADLY ILLNESS.
A. They had removed God from the heart and center of their
national life.
1. At the birth of the nation, completely centered
around God.
a. The Tabernacle was at the center of the camp.
b. Each man was conscious of his own
responsibility and relationship to God.
2. "They had forsaken the fountain of living water and
had hewn out cisterns..."
B. The symptoms of their illness.
1. A proliferation of false gods. They sought for truth
and peace apart from Jehovah.
a. Astrology became popularized.
b. T .M. swept the country.
c. Altars were built to the false gods.
2. There was continual international strife.
(with God a. "And Jehovah gave them rest from their enemies round about."
at center)
II. GOD'S ATTEMPTS TO CURE THEIR ILLS.
A. He sent unto them His prophets.
1. They called unto the people to turn back to Jehovah.
a. They assured them of God's mercy and
forgiveness.
2. They warned of the impending judgments if they
refused to return to God.
a. They warned of the impending invasion and
destruction of the land.
3. The prophets were mocked. Their messages were rejected.
4. The prophets themselves were abused.
a. Imprisoned, stoned, Isaiah was sawed in two.
B. God was patient and longsuffering.
1. He gave them chance after chance.
Ill. GOD'S DIAGNOSIS "NO REMEDY."
A. The people failing to respond to every effort of God to bring
them back to himself, chose their own course of destruction.
1. They would not trust in God, but chose rather to trust
in themselves.
2. They refused God's strength and chose to rely on
their own.
3. They closed their ears to the prophets of God and
chose to listen to the soothing words of the lying
prophets.
4. The results were predictable.
B. God had warned them in His word, "He that being often
reproved, hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed.
1. They took that fatal last step where they went
beyond the point of no return.
a. They mistake the patience of God as approval
His longsuffering as weakness.
b. Their rationale was "how could a God of love
punish us?"
c. To the heartbreak of God their destruction
came.
1. "God is not willing that any should
perish...."
2. He cried to them "Turn ye, turn ye
for why will you die."
3. "As I live saith the Lord, I have
no pleasure in the death 4 the
wicked."
2. Each man who was ever lost one day took that step
beyond the point of no return where God declared
"no remedy."
THREE STATEMENTS OF FACT
I. "THE LORD IS WITH YOU."
A. What a wonderful assurance.
1. Eliminating fears.
a. "Ye, walk through the valley."
2. Giving confidence.
a. David's speech to Goliath.
b. Elijah's contest with prophets of Baal.
3. Bringing joy. Ps. 16:11 = "In His presence is fullness
of joy."
B. Conditional - "While ye be with Him."
1. Notice ---- man breaks fellowship (Adam hld himself..
II. "HE WILL BE FOUND OF YOU."
A. Possible to know film in vital personal relationship.
1. "In that day ye shall know that I am In thee."
B. Some seeking to find God in works.
C. Condition - "If ye seek Him."
1. Some waiting for God to knock them over.
2. God does not force His love.
III. WARNING - "IF YE FORSAKE HIM, HE WILL FORSAKE YOU" - "FORSAKEN OF
GOD."
A. In life.
1. "Spirit of Lord departed from Samson."
2. "I am sore distressed for the Philistine make war
against all and God is departed from me."
B. In death.
1. Death without hope.
2. "Seek the Lord while he may be found."
C. At the Judgment.
1. "If ye deny me before men, I will deny you."
God with my problems."
b. "I don't believe in asking God for anything
for myself."
c. "God bless
|