Slide 1 From my college days I recall that sometimes at Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays, college students often took home a young man or young woman for the first time, to ‘meet the family.’ And sometimes it was the precursor to what often took place during Spring Break and which, at least at my college, was announced in chapel after we returned from Spring Break, namely, ‘Mr. and Mrs. So-and-So’ announce the engagement of their daughter, “So-and-So’ to ‘So-and-So,’ the son of ‘Mr. and Mrs. So-and-So.’ And there were times when the announcement was made between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The story is told that Jonathan Edwards, the third president of Princeton University and a great preacher of another generation, had a daughter who had a nasty temper, which was not well known to many people outside the family. Well it happened that a young man met and fell in love with this young woman and went to Edwards to ask for her hand (and the rest of her as well) in marriage.
‘You can’t have her,’ was his abrupt answer. ‘But I love her,’ the young man replied.
‘You can’t have her.’ ‘But she loves me.’
‘You can’t have her.’ ‘Why?’ the young man finally asked. ‘Because she is not worthy of you,’ Edwards replied.
‘But, she is a Christian, isn’t she?’ ‘Yes, she is a Christian. But the grace of God can live with some people with whom no one else could ever live with.’
I don’t know if this is true or not, it was stated as a legend, but the point it makes is very true. Our character and the actions which arise from that character have an impact on others and a very wise father knew what this young man would be facing and thought it best to not encourage the marriage.
Someone has said, ‘The collapse of character falls back down the steps of compromise.’ Character, our character, is a very, very important aspect to our lives and the Bible, directly and indirectly, speaks to the reality of our character and today we are going to look at the story of a man, a king, who followed and then turned away from God, not intentionally at first but little by little, and then in a moment of crossing a very important boundary, lost his power and throne and was literally set aside for the rest of his life from that power and throne.
His name was King Uzziah and from our main text we learn that he was 16 years old when he became king and that he did what was right in the sight of God as king and that (verse 5), ‘Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. And as long as the king sought the Lord, God gave him success.’
Then we go on to read that Uzziah’s leadership helped Israel to defeat their enemies and be well organized for defense against them. He also did some crucial building to improve the quality of life for the people of Israel. He was known also as a farmer as we read in verse 10. And as a result of this work, we note in verse 15, ‘His fame spread far and wide, for the Lord helped him wonderfully until he became very powerful.’
But then we come to verse 16 and a dramatic turn of events and circumstances, ‘But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the Lord his God by entering the sanctuary of the Lord’s Temple and personally burning incense on the altar.’
This is the second sermon in a series entitled, ‘Growing As We Go.’ Two weeks ago, we took time to review and re-examine Moses and his encounter with God at the Burning Bush and were told that it was ‘God and Moses’ not ‘Moses and God.’ In other words, to grow in our faith and relationship with Christ as we go along in life, we need to remember and accept our place as ‘second fiddle’ because the story, the musical score, is God’s and not ours.
Today, we take a look at King Uzziah and the lesson for growing and going is, as Eric Simpson noted in a talk that I heard about this story and passage, about the gap between giftedness and character.
And we notice this gap when we read the pivotal beginning word of verse 16, ‘but.’ When we read and hear the word, ‘but’ it says to us, ‘okay so far this is true about this situation or this person, however, there is something else to the story as well.’
We dread hearing this word, don’t we? ‘Mr. Jones, this is the Noble County Sheriff’s department, your son, Sam, has been in an accident, he is fine, Mr. Jones, but, your car is being towed away!’
Sometimes however, ‘but’ does indicate that good news is a part of the story as well, ‘It was a difficult surgery and we were not sure at first if we could get all of the infection, but we did and while he will be very sore for a while, and there is pain meds for that, prognosis for his recovery is very good.’
So when we hear or read ‘but’ in the Bible, there is something very important coming that we need to pay attention to. It is a word that is used to make a contrast between two different conditions, choices, or situations.
In Uzziah’s case, we read in verse 15, ‘His fame spread far and wide, for the Lord helped him wonderfully until he became very powerful.’ (Now that word, ‘until’ is another one of those important words that we need to pay attention to.’) Then there is verse 16, ‘But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall.’ So together we read, ‘His fame spread far and wide, for the Lord helped him wonderfully until he became very powerful.
But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall.’
Uzziah was a very skilled and today we say, ‘gifted’ person. He was talented (another word that we use) and as he served God with his talents, his gifts, he grew successful. But the problem came when his character failed; when it changed; when it was seduced by power and then pride and he began a downward journey that ultimately led him to be literally isolated from everyone and powerless.
In a recent article I read that was interestingly titled, Hero Boycott, Angie Ward wrote about an increasing ‘groupie’ mentality in ministry that causes us to be personality rather than Jesus driven. And she quoted one of her friends that goes to an Anglican church because, ‘as she put it, "I kinda like the personality taken out of my church experience." Ward went on to say, ‘What a contrast to the celebrity mindset so prevalent in our culture.’
Character transformation is at the heart of the Christian message and faith. The mission of the church is about helping people with life change through Christ. Skills are important but character is more important because we will stand before the Lord and give an answer about our character and not our skill base.
God is more concerned about who we are than what we do. Now granted Paul did say in 1 Corinthians 10:31, ‘Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God.’ But when we read that verse in context, it is part of a chapter that deals with the choices we make based on our values which is rooted in our character.
But why did Uzziah make the choices that he did to move away from a humble servanthood and into power and pride? This is a question that we must ask and answer if we are going to deal with our own character issues and the sinfulness of our hearts that impacts and shapes our character.
As I studied this passage, several things became clear to me as it relates to Uzziah’s choices and their impact on his character:
First, he (Slide 2) forgot the lesson of Moses – it is it is God’s story not Uzziah’s story. Please remember that in our look two weeks ago we were told that it was not Moses telling God to bring the Israelites out of Egypt it was God telling Moses to ‘go back’ and leading them out. It was God’s plan and Moses has a part to play.
In Proverbs 11:2, ‘Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.’ Somewhere in the time frame of chapter 26, Uzziah becomes too focused on his skills and ability and his success. Success is the result of faithfulness to God’s role for us not what we think is our role for God. Uzziah, somewhere along the line began to believe the press about himself and forgot who the true head of state was – God and not himself! Instead of wisdom becoming a hallmark of Uzziah’s character, pride became that hallmark.
Jesus had to deal with this issue when two of the disciple’s mother asked Him to grant her the request of a place for her sons near the head of the table in the heavenly boardroom. Paul faced it as well when he and another servant of God, Apollos had a bunch of groupies who said, ‘We follow Paul,’ and ‘We follow Apollos.’ But Paul said it is not Apollos or Paul that makes the difference it is Jesus who makes the difference.
Our character requires constant attention and submission to God’s power and direction. Uzziah was a gifted man and was a successful king primarily, not in part, but primarily, because he had ‘sought’ and followed the Lord.
About a decade ago I read a sentence that went something like, ‘hire for attitude, train for skill.’ The point being made was when it came time to bring new people on board (in this case new paid staff) a person’s attitude (their character) needs to be assessed before the hire takes place because it cannot be changed whereas new job skills (and perhaps the willingness to learn those new job skills) can be influenced. In other words, you can hire a gifted person but if their character is flawed all the giftedness in the world cannot change those flaws.
This brings me to my next point: (Slide 2a) ‘The choice when it comes to character development and maintenance is always our choice and no one else’s choice.’ We always have a choice. Though we may encounter a situation that is not of our own choosing, we still have a choice in how we are going to respond. Somewhere, deep in his heart, Uzziah made the choice, because of the influence of power and pride, to exceed the boundaries that God had created many, many years earlier when only the High Priest could enter the temple and burn the incense.
Now there are some who believe that our basic character and personality is shaped at birth and changes very little over the years. I used to believe that until I had children. Susan and I thought they would turn out one way and so far they have surprised us by turning out differently (not in a bad way, however)!
Now, does this mean Jim that God can’t change us? Absolutely not! Although I am reminded what Edwards said about his daughter and the grace of God, I am aware that God can change our bent toward anger or impatience or fear and replace it with love, joy and patience.
Another thing that I have noticed regarding the choices we make is that (Slide 3) we must identify our own character defects and deal with them. Here is a list of common character defects from Keith Miller’s book, A Hunger for Healing: (Slide 4)
Selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, fear, jealousy, self-pity, greed, envy, depression, hatred, self-will, self-reliance.
Do any of them hit home? Do you see your self here? Are any of these familiar friends?
In Proverbs 16:18 we read, ‘Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.’ And a comment on this verse makes clear this third point of being aware of our defects. It says, ‘Proud people take little account of their weaknesses and do not anticipate stumbling blocks. They think they are above the frailties of common people. In this state of mind they are easily tripped up. Ironically, proud people seldom realize that pride is their problem, although everyone around them is well aware of it.’
The Bible indicates that power or control and pride were Uzziah’s defects that led him to his downfall. The question I have is, ‘When did he finally realize that it was?’ Probably when, as we read in verse 20 Uzziah saw his leprosy develop and he was ‘was eager to get out because the Lord had struck him.’
After that, everything went down hill from there for Uzziah. He was, as was the custom of that day and for many centuries, removed from the population and his son was ‘put in charge of the royal palace, and he governed the people of the land.’
Uzziah’s power and his pride blinded him from seeing the boundaries that God sets in place that were for his benefit and are always a part of God’s will for humanity.
Finally, I note that it was not God’s will that Uzziah’s reign and really his life, should end this way. I think that just God is heartbroken over us when humanity disobeys and turns our backs on Him, He was heartbroken over Uzziah.
Now I think that most of us have heard Uzziah’s name quoted in an oft quoted passage of scripture that also deals with the transformation of character, Isaiah 6:1-8:
‘In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Hovering around him were mighty seraphim, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with the remaining two they flew. In a great chorus they sang, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” The glorious singing shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire sanctuary was filled with smoke.
Then I said, “My destruction is sealed, for I am a sinful man and a member of a sinful race. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord Almighty!” Then one of the seraphim flew over to the altar, and he picked up a burning coal with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us?” And I said, “Lord, I’ll go! Send me.”
‘In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord.’ A major transition was taking place in Israel as a popular king was dead and the seemingly endless cycle of kingly transition was taking place as Uzziah’s son would finally become king.
Was it this transition that brought Isaiah to his knees and to the realization that his character was flawed and in need of transformation? I think that a case can be made for this assertion.
Think about Peter and his declaration, ‘Lord, don’t just wash my feet, wash all of me!’ He made it at a crucial time in his life, at the last supper, and I think that two of those character defects, self-will and self-reliance, went down to defeat when Jesus said, ‘If I don’t wash you, you won’t belong to me.’ They crumbled within Peter who I think relinquished control, when he said, ‘Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!’
As we move toward conclusion this morning I would have you think about your own life and the transitions that you have been in or maybe are in right now. Have those transitions caused you to look at your life and your priorities? Probably it has, but what about your character? Is there a need for a reassessment in this area that requires a surrender to God? Is it time for some change?
In the past couple of weeks as I have been praying to the Lord about my own life and character, a question has come to me, a simple question that has burned into my mind and my soul (Slide 5): ‘What is in your heart today?’
As I began to process this simple question, a second one appeared, if you will, in my mind (Slide 5a): Is love there?
What I then began to realize was “Is God there?’
We talk to children about Jesus ‘being in your heart’ and I think after a time that may seem simplistic to us adults. But as I have had these questions enter my mind and conscious thought, it seems to be that they are not simple but profound, and necessary when it comes to our character and faith.
(Slide 5b) They have enabled me, required me even to view the interior of my heart as a spacious place with room for many things to love and give attention to such as family, faith, friends, work, and country.
But it in contrast to a spacious living room like you see on the screen, there are only two chairs in the room, in the center of the room to be precise. One chair is my spot, the center of my will and decision making. The other chair contains only one thing at a time and what I allow in that chair determines the course and direction of my character and life.
Lots of things can sit, do sit, and have sat in that chair. But for me to live as I was created to live and really live, only God, only Love because God is love, can sit in that chair. When that happens my heart becomes more ordered and at peace. When I demand that something else sit there – things like anger, fear, self-pity, discontentment, and loneliness that constitute major challenges for me, then there is disorder in my heart and in my character.
Uzziah made the fatal mistake of letting power then pride sit in that second chair and because he did, he exceeded the boundaries God had set down and thought that he could do something that God did not want him to do. In short, he sinned and he paid dearly for that choice and that sin.
(Slide 6)What is in your heart this morning? What sits in that second chair? Is it the Lord? Is it love? Or is it something else?
Our character matters. If we are going to not just play but live the role that God has for us in His plan then our character must have God and God alone in that other seat. Otherwise our giftedness (and we are all gifted in different and wonderful ways) will be rendered ineffective and our lives will be wasted. What does God say to you about this area of life today? Respond in obedience to Him. Amen.
Ward quote is from: http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2007/cln71022.html
Character list is found on page 176 of A Hunger for Healing. © 1991 Harper Collins books.
Comment is from the electronic Quickverse Life Application Bible. © 1995-1997 by Parsons Technology.
Power Points for this sermon are available by e-mailing me at pastorjim46755@yahoo.com and asking for ‘102807 slides’ Please note that all slides for a particular presentation may not be available.
