Only half of people who attend a Christian Church describe themselves as “absolutely committed” to Christianity. George Barna

Among Christians 16% are involved in a discipleship process of regularly meeting with a group or individual for spiritual growth. George Barna

2 Chronicles 15 & 16 Asa – King of Judah

1. Rejected God’s Rules Asa – King of Judah

When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations…seven nations larger and stronger than you – Deuteronomy 7:1

…and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy. Deuteronomy 7:2

Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, Deuteronomy 7:3

…for they will turn your sons away from following me to serve other gods, and the LORD’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you. Deuteronomy 7:4

King Asa also deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. 2 Chronicles 15:16a

Asa cut the pole down, broke it up and burned it in the Kidron Valley. Although he did not remove the high places from Israel, Asa’s heart was fully committed to the LORD all his life. 2 Chronicles 15:16b-17

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double- edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight, everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119:15-16

Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, "I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the LORD." He gave it to Shaphan, who read it… 2 Kings 22:8

Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. 2 Kings 22:10-11

"If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15

1. Rejected God’s Rules Asa – King of Judah

1.Rejected God’s Rules 2.Rejected God’s Representative Asa – King of Judah

Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people. 2 Chronicles 16:10

Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. Luke 19:47

Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words. Luke 19:48

drunkards (Isaiah 28:7) False Prophets

drunkards (Isaiah 28:7) adulterous (Jeremiah 23:14) False Prophets

drunkards (Isaiah 28:7) adulterous (Jeremiah 23:14) treacherous (Zephaniah 3:4) False Prophets

drunkards (Isaiah 28:7) adulterous (Jeremiah 23:14) treacherous (Zephaniah 3:4) liars (Micah 2:11) False Prophets

drunkards (Isaiah 28:7) adulterous (Jeremiah 23:14) treacherous (Zephaniah 3:4) liars (Micah 2:11) opportunists (Micah 3:11) False Prophets

“By their fruit you will recognize them… Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit… Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Matthew 7:17-20 True Prophets

1.Rejected God’s Rules 2.Rejected God’s Representative Asa – King of Judah

1.Rejected God’s Rules 2.Rejected God’s Representative 3.Rejected God’s Remedy Asa – King of Judah

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians. 2 Chronicles 16:12

Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his fathers. 2 Chronicles 16:13

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you-even Jesus. Acts 3:19-20

“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” Robert Robinson

“I am the man who wrote that hymn many years ago. I’d give anything to experience again the joy I knew then.” Robert Robinson

Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:27

A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 1 Corinthians 11:28-29

That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 1 Corinthians 11:30-31

When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:32

1.Rejected God’s Rules 2.Rejected God’s Representative 3.Rejected God’s Remedy Asa – King of Judah

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9