Honoring God: Trust, Wisdom, and Past Victories
Summary
### Summary
Tonight, we delved into the theme of honor, exploring its significance throughout the Bible. We began by acknowledging the privilege of serving God in any capacity, emphasizing that it is an honor to be part of His work. We then transitioned to the story of King Asa from 2 Chronicles 16, highlighting the consequences of relying on human wisdom and resources instead of trusting in God. Asa's decision to take silver and gold from the Lord's treasury to form an alliance with the King of Syria was a pivotal moment that demonstrated a lack of reliance on God. This act of dishonor led to a series of unfortunate events, including continuous wars and personal affliction.
We contrasted Asa's actions with those of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord and walked in the ways of his ancestor David. Jehoshaphat's reliance on God brought prosperity and peace to his kingdom, illustrating the blessings that come from honoring God. We also discussed the importance of remembering past victories and maintaining a "book of victory" to remind ourselves of God's faithfulness during challenging times.
The sermon concluded with a call to action, urging the congregation to seek God's wisdom in all situations and to honor Him in every aspect of their lives. We were reminded that true deliverance and prosperity come from God alone, and that our trust should always be placed in Him rather than in our own understanding or the counsel of others.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Privilege of Serving God: Serving God in any capacity is a profound honor. Whether preaching, welcoming, or assisting in any church activity, it is a privilege to be part of God's work. This service is not done in isolation but through the grace of God that empowers us. [14:22]
2. The Consequences of Self-Reliance: King Asa's decision to rely on his own wisdom and resources, rather than trusting in God, led to continuous wars and personal affliction. This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of self-reliance and the importance of seeking God's guidance in all situations. [22:12]
3. The Importance of Remembering Past Victories: Keeping a "book of victory" helps us remember God's faithfulness in past challenges. This practice strengthens our faith and reminds us that the same God who delivered us before will do so again. It is crucial to document and reflect on these victories to maintain our trust in God. [27:35]
4. The Blessings of Honoring God: Jehoshaphat's story illustrates the blessings that come from honoring God. By walking in the ways of his ancestor David and seeking the Lord, Jehoshaphat brought prosperity and peace to his kingdom. This demonstrates that true honor and prosperity come from a life dedicated to God. [38:59]
5. The Call to Seek God's Wisdom: In every situation, we are called to seek God's wisdom and trust in His guidance. Relying on our own understanding or the counsel of others can lead to detrimental outcomes. Instead, we should place our trust in God, who knows the way out of every situation and has our best interests at heart. [33:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[14:22] - The Privilege of Serving God
[15:54] - Introduction to the Theme of Honor
[17:19] - The Story of King Asa
[18:50] - The Consequences of Self-Reliance
[20:31] - The Importance of the Lord's Treasury
[22:12] - Relying on God vs. Self
[24:49] - The Danger of Self-Reliance
[27:35] - Remembering Past Victories
[30:18] - God's Faithfulness
[33:10] - Seeking God's Wisdom
[36:04] - The Consequences of Sin
[38:59] - Jehoshaphat's Honor and Prosperity
[47:37] - The Sin of Israel
[50:37] - The Blessings of Honoring God
[55:10] - The Importance of Righteous Leaders
[01:00:05] - Closing Prayer and Call to Salvation
[01:03:51] - Offering Time
[01:12:07] - Announcements and Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Chronicles 16:1-9 - The story of King Asa's reliance on human wisdom and resources instead of trusting in God.
2. 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 - The story of Jehoshaphat's reliance on God, leading to prosperity and peace.
#### Observation Questions
1. What did King Asa do with the silver and gold from the Lord's treasury, and what were the consequences of his actions? ([18:50])
2. How did Jehoshaphat's approach to seeking God differ from Asa's, and what were the results for his kingdom? ([38:59])
3. What is the significance of keeping a "book of victory," and how does it help in times of challenge? ([27:35])
4. According to the sermon, what does it mean to honor God in every aspect of our lives? ([33:10])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is relying on human wisdom and resources, as Asa did, considered dishonoring to God? How does this impact our relationship with Him? ([22:12])
2. What lessons can we learn from Jehoshaphat's story about the blessings that come from honoring God? How does this apply to our daily lives? ([38:59])
3. How does remembering past victories strengthen our faith and trust in God? Can you think of a time when recalling a past victory helped you in a difficult situation? ([27:35])
4. What does it mean to seek God's wisdom in every situation, and how can we practically do this in our lives? ([33:10])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own understanding instead of seeking God's guidance. What were the outcomes, and how could you have approached the situation differently? ([22:12])
2. Jehoshaphat's story shows the blessings of honoring God. What are some specific ways you can honor God in your daily life, whether at work, home, or church? ([38:59])
3. Do you have a "book of victory" or a similar practice to remember God's faithfulness? If not, how can you start one, and what past victories would you include? ([27:35])
4. In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to seek God's wisdom? What steps can you take to make seeking His guidance a regular part of your decision-making process? ([33:10])
5. Serving God is described as a profound honor. How do you view your role in serving within the church or community, and how can you embrace it as a privilege? ([14:22])
6. Think of a recent situation where you faced pressure or affliction. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently in the future by relying on God? ([18:50])
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to honor God and seek His wisdom in their lives? What practical steps can you take to support each other in this journey? ([33:10])
Devotional
Day 1: The Privilege of Serving God
Serving God in any capacity is a profound honor. Whether you are preaching, welcoming, or assisting in any church activity, it is a privilege to be part of God's work. This service is not done in isolation but through the grace of God that empowers us. Recognizing this privilege helps us to approach our tasks with humility and gratitude, understanding that we are part of a larger divine plan. It is essential to remember that our service is not about seeking personal glory but about glorifying God and advancing His kingdom.
When we serve God, we are participating in something much greater than ourselves. This perspective can transform mundane tasks into acts of worship. By acknowledging the honor of serving, we can find joy and fulfillment in our roles, no matter how small they may seem. This mindset encourages us to serve with excellence and dedication, knowing that our efforts contribute to God's work on earth. [14:22]
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: Think about the specific ways you serve in your church or community. How can you approach these tasks with a renewed sense of honor and gratitude, recognizing them as opportunities to glorify God?
Day 2: The Consequences of Self-Reliance
King Asa's decision to rely on his own wisdom and resources, rather than trusting in God, led to continuous wars and personal affliction. This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of self-reliance and the importance of seeking God's guidance in all situations. Asa's actions remind us that when we take matters into our own hands without consulting God, we can face unintended and often detrimental consequences.
Self-reliance can be tempting, especially when we feel capable and confident in our abilities. However, the story of Asa teaches us that true wisdom and strength come from God. By seeking His guidance and relying on His provision, we can avoid the pitfalls of self-reliance and experience the peace and prosperity that come from trusting in Him. [22:12]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made without seeking God's guidance. How might the outcome have been different if you had relied on God's wisdom instead of your own understanding?
Day 3: The Importance of Remembering Past Victories
Keeping a "book of victory" helps us remember God's faithfulness in past challenges. This practice strengthens our faith and reminds us that the same God who delivered us before will do so again. It is crucial to document and reflect on these victories to maintain our trust in God. By recalling past victories, we can find encouragement and hope in the midst of current struggles, knowing that God is always faithful.
Remembering past victories also helps us to cultivate a heart of gratitude. When we take the time to reflect on what God has done for us, we are reminded of His goodness and love. This practice can transform our perspective, helping us to see our current challenges in light of God's past faithfulness. [27:35]
Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV): "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."
Reflection: Take a moment to write down three specific instances where you experienced God's faithfulness in your life. How can these past victories encourage you in your current situation?
Day 4: The Blessings of Honoring God
Jehoshaphat's story illustrates the blessings that come from honoring God. By walking in the ways of his ancestor David and seeking the Lord, Jehoshaphat brought prosperity and peace to his kingdom. This demonstrates that true honor and prosperity come from a life dedicated to God. When we honor God in our actions and decisions, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and favor.
Honoring God involves more than just outward actions; it requires a heart that seeks to please Him in all things. This means prioritizing God's will above our own desires and making choices that reflect His values. As we honor God, we can trust that He will guide us and provide for us, bringing peace and prosperity into our lives. [38:59]
2 Chronicles 17:3-5 (ESV): "The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor."
Reflection: Consider one area of your life where you can more fully honor God. What specific steps can you take to align your actions and decisions with His will?
Day 5: The Call to Seek God's Wisdom
In every situation, we are called to seek God's wisdom and trust in His guidance. Relying on our own understanding or the counsel of others can lead to detrimental outcomes. Instead, we should place our trust in God, who knows the way out of every situation and has our best interests at heart. Seeking God's wisdom involves prayer, studying His Word, and being open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
When we seek God's wisdom, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and our need for His direction. This posture of humility allows us to receive the guidance and insight we need to navigate life's challenges. By prioritizing God's wisdom over our own understanding, we can make decisions that align with His will and experience the peace that comes from knowing we are following His path. [33:10]
James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Reflection: Think of a current decision or challenge you are facing. How can you intentionally seek God's wisdom and guidance in this situation? What steps will you take to ensure you are relying on His direction rather than your own understanding?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Do you know doing anything for God is truly an honor and a privilege? Whether it's preaching or being a part of the welcome team or parking lots or kids world. No matter what it is that we're called to do, it's truly an honor and a privilege. Because one, we don't do it by ourselves, but we do it by the grace of God that rests upon us." [14:22] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "See, one of the things when you, when you read the Bible, don't sit down and say, okay, I'm going to give you 30 minutes. I'm going to speed read. I'm going to get everything. You know, I'm just going to read a whole bunch of verses because what you can do is you can miss the good parts. You can miss the nuggets that's in there. You can miss things that God is trying to show you in there." [18:50] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "There is no situation that is too dire that is too hard that it seems like there's no way that you come out that God doesn't know the way out. Now you may know a way that seems to be out but not actually be true and right here with the king of Asa there was a way that seemed like it was a way out but it wasn't the truth." [24:49] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "See, one of the things about it, what is that? What is affliction? It's pressure. I mean, in a tight squeeze, in the moment when you're in a tight squeeze, you need to remind yourself of who it is that you, who is your father and who it is that who has you in his hand. And the same one that delivered you out of all the other problems that you had in the past is the same one who will deliver you out of the situations that you have now." [27:35] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He is the deliverer. Now he, now he's a, he doesn't just deliver. He is the deliverer. Oh, praise God. And he showed himself to be faithful to do that. Oh, let's just take a moment and honor the deliverer. Oh, we honor you. The great deliverer. Hallelujah. Praise God." [28:53] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So what he did was he took money out of the Lord's house. Dude, he took money out of the Lord's house. That which was now remember that is in the Lord's treasury is what? It's holy. It's set apart, right? It is. That which is meant for God. In other words, not only, remember we found out when we looked at, when we saw about talking about Abel and we talked about Cain, when we look in the book of Genesis, it says this, that God had respect unto Abel and to his offering, right? And it says unto Cain and his offering, he did not have respect." [20:31] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So now he's mad when the word of God comes. Can you see that? We should never be offended at the word of God. Why? Because the word of God is the truth. You know what? I, I dare say if he would have repented, I, I said, God, God could have did some things. Come on. Remember there was one when there was a handwriting on the wall that said, man, you're going to die. So he was like, oh Lord, forgive me. You know, next thing you know, he said, go back and tell him I'm going to give you 15 more years. See, there's something about repenting." [34:48] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So now he has another opportunity where he has disease in his feet and it kept increasing. It wasn't like a hangnail and that was it. It wasn't like he just stuffed his toe and that was it, but it continued to get worse and worse and worse. But instead of turning to the true and living God, the one that had delivered him before the one that told him, Hey, look, I had delivered Israel from out of all these other people. And guess what? If you would have sought me, I would did the same thing." [37:35] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So what happens? The people, they're saying, oh, we're turning back towards God. There's relief that happens. Can you see that? Right here. Okay. So they bring presence and they, they, and they had them riches and honor and abundance. And he had riches and honor and abundance. So where did this honor come from? Where did the honor come from for Jehoshaphat? Let's go back over to verse one. And Jehoshaphat, his son reigned in his stead and strengthened himself against Israel." [51:07] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So now this was the, this was the sin of Israel. They walked away from God. They walked away from how God said, prescribed to do things, right? To go their own path in their own way. And as a result, a lot of people, a lot of people went away. They walked away from God." [46:53] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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