Five Signs Of Stubbornness Towards God

Five Signs of Stubbornness Toward God

(adapted from a message preached by Dr. Dave Hartson)

June 1, 2003 Chester First Baptist, Chester, Illinois Mike Fogerson, Speaker

Introduction:

A From Proceedings, the magazine of the Naval Institute, Stephen Covey captured a great truth about authority. While on maneuvers, a battleship lookout noted a light in the dark, foggy night. After noting the light’s coordinates, the captain recognized his ship was on a collision course with the other vessel. The captain instructed, "Signal the ship: We are on a collision course, advise you change course 20 degrees." The return signal countered, "Advisable for you to change course 20 degrees." The captain signaled, "I’m a captain, change course 20 degrees." The response was, "I’m a seaman second class, you’d better change course 20 degrees." By this time the captain was furious. His signal curtly ordered, "I’m a battleship. Change course 20 degrees." The reply: "I’m a lighthouse. You make the call." God’s authority is never changing, it’s always constant. Whenever a change of course is required we must make the correction from our end.

* The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey, 1989, p. 32-33

a The Captain was stubborn, but he hasn’t cornered the market on it.

b Sometimes stubbornness is good. Man/bread winner. Woman/protecting her kids from the wrong influences.

*Most of the time, our stubbornness can cause a plethora of other problems, especially when our stubbornness is directed towards God.

B Today’s message is "Five Signs of Stubbornness Toward God."

a 2 Chronicles 16:1-14 (Don’t put entire text in listening Guide.)

b Asa, King of Judah, severe stubbornness crippled his relationship with God. (ETS)

C Our stubbornness towards God can be terminal to our walk with Him. (ESS)

a I hope you’ll diagnose if your stubbornness towards God. (Objective)

b Who is showing signs of stubbornness towards God? (Probing Question)

T.S.: Lets look at five (5) signs that indicate you may be being stubborn towards God.

I The first sign that indicates you may be being stubborn to God is. . .

You chose to fix problems on your own rather than go to God with them. v:1-3

A God had given Asa peace for thirty-six (36) years.

a Baasha (King of Israel) had set up a blockade around Judah.

(Detrimental to the commerce, trade, travel of Judah)IL. Cuba Missile Crisis. Iraqi Freedom.

b Instead of Asa going to God, Asa went out on his own.

Went to a pagan king, Ben-hadad of Aram. Bribed him with church money to break his word/treaty with Baasha and to attack Baasha’s Israel.

Asa had a problem and he handled it all on his own! (STUBBORN)

B How many of us have problems we’re handling all on our own?

a "Look God how good I am, I can handle it without you!" Stubborn and PRIDEFUL!!

b An ancient Indonesian parable tells of a turtle who flew through the air by biting hard on a stick that was carried by two geese. The turtle was thrilled to take flight, but became increasingly troubled by comments from onlookers. Those who viewed the spectacle praised the geese for being so clever. The turtle felt he was the one who deserved attention and praise so he opened his mouth and shouted, "This was my idea." Pride is a destructive force that robs us of life.

T.S.: Stubborn people believe they can handle their problems all on their own.

II The second sign that indicates you may be being stubborn to God is. . .

You settle for less than the best just to say "I’ve done it." v.4-8

A Asa solved a immediate problem at the cost of a permanent solution.

a Asa’s stubbornness sacrificed long term (security, relief) for short-term (sanctuary, reprieve).

b The prophet of God, Hanani, told Asa don’t be so prideful about what he had accomplished.

v.7 "Because you have relied on the king of Aram and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Aram has escaped out of you hand."

If you would have went to God in the first place, not only would you have whipped Israel, you would also have got Aram too!

* "You could have had the best, but you settled for less because your stubborn"

B How often do you settle for less than the best to say we did it rather than wait for God to give us the very best?

a If your anything like me, more often we’d like to admit.

b Patricia Christy. After Hurricane Andrew devastated Florida in 1992, this South Florida resident was standing in line waiting for food. She decided then and there that she was going to run as far away from this problem as possible. She boarded the first available flight and headed for a restful vacation on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. She arrived just in time to experience Hurricane Iniki. Running your problems usually just leads to more problems.