Who is this?  Reigned 41 years  Banished “perverted” persons from the land  Death for those who did not follow the Law  Grandparents Rehoboam & Maacha  27 uncles & 60 aunts – on his father’s side  “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power”  Imprisoned a prophet

Asa was the third ruler of Judah  Generally good & faithful  Enacted many reforms  Tarnished his life by turning to men

Asa inherited a nation drifting from God  Grandfather Rehoboam, 2 Chron. 12:13, 14  Father Abjiah/Abijam, 1 Kgs. 15:1-3

Made reforms in the land, 2 Chron. 14:2  Removed idols, 2 Chron. 14:3  Banished homosexuals, 1 Kgs. 15:12  Stood against his grandmother, 1 Kgs. 15:13  Commanded faithfulness, 2 Chron. 14:4  Prosperous & strong, 2 Chron. 14:6-8

Righteousness exalts a nation, Prov. 14:34  Nations need strong leaders ›Willing to stand against popular opinion ›With a moral standard, Prov. 20:8, 26  Moral leader infinitely more important than an economic leader, Prov. 29:4

Asa put his faith in God, not men, 2 Chron. 14:9-15  Faced great odds  Appealed to God for help, Psa. 46:1-3  Asa & Judah were victorious

God has the power to give us the victory: Temptations  Satan is strong & has many on his side, Mt. 12:29  God is stronger, 1 Jn. 4:4 ›Gives us armor, Eph. 6:10-18 ›Provides a way of escape, 1 Cor. 10:13  Try it our way – by our power: failure & sin  Not all up to God; we still must fight

Warned to follow God, 2 Chron. 15:1-7  God is with you while you seek Him  God will forsake you when you forsake Him  Why the warning?

Take heed lest you fall, 1 Cor. 10:12  Vulnerable after a great victory  Be on constant guard, 1 Pt. 5:8

Warned to follow God, 2 Chron. 15:8-19  Be strong & be rewarded  Asa was strong ›Took courage ›Removed idols, restored altar ›Nation entered a covenant with God, cf. Mt. 22:37

Turned to man for protection, 2 Chron. 16:1-6  Attacked by Baasha of Israel  Bribed Ben-Hadad of Syria  Asa & Judah delivered

Because it works doesn’t mean God approves  Lying to avoid trouble, Eph. 4:25  Gambling to pay debt, Eph. 4:28  Social gospel to bring people in, 1 Cor. 11:22

Rebuked for his sin, 2 Chron. 16:7-10  Relied on man, not God  Lost opportunity  Forgot God’s help in times past  Consequences  Asa mad at the prophet

God chastens those He loves, Prov. 3:11, 12  Finds a way to get the message to you  Don’t get mad at the messenger  See God’s care ›Modesty ›Apathy ›Behavior at worship

Did not seek God in sickness, 2 Chron. 16:11-14  Severe foot pain  Sought help from physicians

Tarnished his reputation,  How are you doing cp. 5, 10, 20 years ago?  Are you more or less spiritually minded?  What is your reputation now?  Beware, Heb. 2:1