A Sick Nation From Sick Saints

Transcription

1 A Sick Nation From Sick Saints Tape: E- 63 E. Rome Time: 6 / 27 / a.m. Text: 2 Chronicles 7: Introduction: V.14d last phrase- say s, and will heal their land. This is talking about Divine Healing for a Sick Nation. He was talking about Israel when this was written. However, I think that we can use this passage for AMERICA and not be off one bit. America is Spiritually Sick and needs Divine Healing. The clear implication is that if God does not heal a nation, it will die. I want us to notice some SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES for a sick nation to be healed. By the way, did you notice who was making the nation sick? No, it wasn t the Sinners, but the SAINTS. So, we want to talk about, A Sick Nation From Sick Saints I. The Symptoms Of A Sick Nation A. There Are Symptoms In Our Political Life V.14 last phrase- and will forgive their sins and heal their land. Always in the past, we had Trusted Leaders as our Washington s, and Lincoln, but such, trust noble leaders are a gift of God to a nation. One sign that our nations has lost it s favor with God, is the absent of such leaders. Study the history of the past, when they walked close to God, they had their David s and their Solomon s, but when they got away, they had their Ahab s and Nero s. America IS in Trouble..etc. B. There Are Symptoms In Our Moral Life 1

2 > We have brought homosexuals out of the closet. > We have given our teenage girls the pills and made abortion readily available if the pills don t work. > We teach them sexual license in the name of progress, ( Sex Education Classes) It is progress toward Hell. > Alcoholism is a major problem among elected leaders. ( 3 parties in Whitehouse: Democratic, Republican, and Cocktail Party) > We have elected a group of leaders that have the morals of a barn yard. > I can remember when a man s relationship with his family and his morals were an important issue in any political campaign. > America needs to remember, you cannot live crooked and think straight. > When you get down to the bottom line, the sickness is basically a moral sickness. The Symptoms Of A Sick Nation II. The Sorrow For A Sick Nation 2 Chronicles 7: 13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or of I send a pestilence among my people. God had provided blessings, but it was conditional. If the conditions were not met, God was saying that he would providentially get their attention. He knows how to get America s attention. III. The Solution For A Sick Nation A. The Pride That Needs To Be Stopped V.14 a If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves- 2

3 Instead of God s people being HAUGHTHY, they need to be HUMBLE. James 4:6 God resisteth the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Proverbs 6: 6 God hateth a proud look. When Saints get that pride and haughtiness in their life, it is hard to talk with and deal with them in that condition. They get hard and they stop listening to God. They stop having a desire for God s word; they don t want to hear it. They are going to run their own life, and they don t want anyone telling them what to do. Without the Lord we are nothing. The Lord needs to be exalted. John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness; even so must the Son of man be lifted. John 12: 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. The Pride That Needs To Be Stopped B. The Praying That Needs To Be Serious 7:14b 2 nd phrase- shall humble themselves and pray. James 5: 16 The Effectual feverent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Question? Why do people not pray? Answer: Self Independence. Lack Of Burden Lack Of Burden Over Our Country Lack Of Burden Over Lost Souls Lack Of Burden Over Dead Religion Lack Of Burden Over Broken Homes. However: Repentance Praying Is Main Issue V.14 shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my 3

4 face, and turn from their wicked ways. What God s people in America need to do is repent and get right with God, confess sin and call sin what God calls it. The Pride That Needs To Be Stopped The Praying That Needs To Be Serious C. The Person That Needs To Be Sought V.14c 3 rd phrase- and pray, and seek my face- Notice: God didn t say: Seek my Hand, but my FACE. ( giving) Point: God wants you to seek Him, not his giving. Seek Him! Seek to get closer to Him. Seek his presence. Seek His Glory. Ch. 7: 2- last phrase- the glory of the Lord filled the house. The Symptoms Of A Sick Nation The Sorrow Of A sick Nation The Solution Of A Sick Nation IV. The Salvation For A Sick Nation A. We See The Hearing Of The Lord V.14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will for give their sins. Let us notice 2 Facts that are mentioned. 1. We See The Path Of Forsaking Sins..by true repentance V.14 middle of verse- then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins. The word then has reference back to what was said in the previous part of the verse, turn from their wicked ways. The Lord will only hear our prayers when there is true repentance in our lives. 4

5 Did you notice the REPENTANCE language, turn from their wicked ways? When a person REALLY repents, they will turn from their wicked ways. Repent means to turn and go in a different direction. When one really repents, they will have that desire. REPENTANCE is CONFESSING and TURNING and going in a different direction. We See The Path Of Forsaking Sins by true repentance 2. We See The Promise Of Forgiving Sins.from true repentance V.14 then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins. The Lord says that he WILL FORGIVE, which is a PROMISE. We are living in a society that believes in taking bathes. Staying Clean. WHY? Because you feel better! Americas Problem>Not feeling the need of staying clean. Isaiah 1:16 Wash you, make you clean- Isaiah 1: 18 Come now, let us reason together, saith, the Lord, though your sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow. Psalms 51: 2- Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquities, and cleanse me from my sins. We See The Hearing Of The Lord B. We See The Healing Of The Land V.14d last phrase I will heal their land. Conclusion: The Lord will give diving healing to our sick nation if we meet the conditions. 5

6 Hosea 14: 4 I will heal their backsliding. The Condition: shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my Face, and turn from their wicked ways. 1. The Proposition In The Remedy A. Release The Pride.14a humble thyself B. Return To Praying.14b pray C. Reverse Their Practice 14 turn from their wicked ways 2. The Promise In The Remedy A. Prayer That Is Received.14c then hear B. Pardoned That Is Released 14d - forgive C. Prosperity That Is Returned 14e heal their land 6