Sunday Morning April 11, 2010
Bel Aire Baptist Church
Series: “Royalty” [#14]
WHAT’S YOUR PRICE?
2 Chronicles 36:1-23
Introduction:
[Video: “What’s Your Price?”]
What is it that we put ahead of God? What have we made so important in our lives that we can’t see the truth? The last 4 Kings of Judah are evidence to us of what we can lose when we place things ahead of God. Unfortunately, we usually do not realize what we have until we lose it.
What is more important than God? Is it…
1. Your rights? How many times have you demanded that you get what is yours? King Jehoahaz lost his freedom, his position, his power, and his family.
What is more important than God? Is it…
2. Your identity? Is it your family name that you find pride in? Is it your Baptist background that you find pride in? Is it what you do for a living that you find pride in? Eliakim, Jehoahaz’s brother was made King by the King of Egypt; but the King of Egypt changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. Why? The Egyptian King wanted Jehoiakim to know who was in charge.
What is more important than God? Is it…
3. Your religious items? Under Jehoiakim and Jehoichin, the Babylonians came in and started taking all of the valuables out of the Temple. Under Zedekiah’s reign, the Temple was destroyed. We sometimes put church items and things ahead of God.
What is more important than God? Is it…
4. Your authority? These men put their “say so” over God’s “say so”.
What is more important than God? Is it…
5. Your dignity? Jehoiachin and his family was taken away as slaves; but when Evil-Merodach became king of Babylon, he was released. Instead of using his freedom to change, Jehoiachin made friends with the king and was taken care of. He traded his beliefs for comfort.
Conclusion:
This is one of those sermons that no one enjoys preaching; but we must see the point of these last 4 Kings of Judah- Whatever you put ahead of God can be taken from you.
The good news today is this: When you place God as your #1 priority, you will be satisfied. All of those other things will be taken care of.
What have placed ahead of God, and will you lay it down before the Lord today?
