1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:14Amplified Bible (AMP)But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.
Jud 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Jud 1:18 How that they told you there should be mockers ( scorn contempt see as worthless) in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
Jud 1:19 These be they who separate (separate from the church and their ministry) themselves, sensual,(controlled by appetites ruled by human feeling and reason) having not the Spirit.
Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, (pistis persuasion reliance belief constancy) praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Building up and separating are opposites
So the natural man is at a decided disadvantage, because he cannot know the things of the Spirit. He cannot receive them; he cannot know them because they are spiritually discerned.
The deaf man cannot enjoy the symphony, the blind man cannot enjoy the beauty of the sunset. Why? Because he lacks the faculties by which these things are appreciated. So, in the same logic, the natural man cannot receive or know the things of the Spirit, because he lacks the faculty by which these things are known. He lacks the Spirit. And lacking the Spirit, it's impossible for him to know the things of the Spirit.
But [in contrast to the natural man] he that is spiritual discerns all things, ( 1Co_2:15 ).
Now the natural man cannot understand your love for the Word of God. He cannot understand your love for the people of God. He cannot understand your love for the things of God. They're foolishness unto him. What do you do for fun? And the natural man is just at a loss to understand. He walks away and says, "those people are crazy. He talks about the Lord all the time, something's wrong."
TEXT: II Chr. 20:1-5 (KJV)
1 It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Am-mon, and with them other beside the Am-mon-ites, came against Je-hosh-a-phat to battle.
2 Then there came some that told Je-hosh-a-phat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syr-I-a; and, behold, they be in Haz-a-zon--ta-mar, which is En-ge-di.
3 And Je-hosh-a-phat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
5 And Je-hosh-a-phat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,
I believe that our text offers to us; a pattern for praying for and receiving miracles.
(1) It describes a unique Israelite Victory
(2) On other occasions God had enabled the Israelite forces to be victorious.
(3) But here the credit is due entirely to God while the army of Israel
Is reduced to the level of spectators.
I believe that you can have a miracle by following the pattern set here by Judah’s King Je-hash-a-phat;
As you begin the pray;
I. Remind Yourself Who God Is
2 Chron 20:6-9 (KJV)
[A] Je-hosh-a-phat had done a pretty good job serving as King, He did make one mistake, that of forming an alliance with King Ahab. But Jehoshaphat learned from his past mistake, and turned to God for forgiveness and led Israel to revival.
Now faced with a new threat that man of Godly reform, stands and declares inn prayer that God is;
(1) “You are the God of our fathers”
(2) “You are the God of heaven”
(3) “You rule over all the kingdoms of the heathen (the enemy).”
(4) “You have all power and might”
(5) “ NO ENEMY can withstand You.”
(6) “You are God”
(7) “You drove the Canaanites before Israel.”
(8) “You gave their land to the seed of Abraham.”
(9) “You are the God who hears us in our times of famines and pestilence, and wars and when evil tempts us you are the one We cry to and you deliver us from them all.”
We know who you are;
(10) “You are the God who hears us and helps us.”
In order to receive a miracle, you have to know who God is and be convinced that what He has done for others, He will do for you! What He has done in the past, He can do NOW!
Today; We need leaders who know who God is and who are not ashamed to stand up and proclaim it to the people. Leaders who will lead our nation in a prayer of repentance and a time of seeking God’s wisdom as well as the intervention of His Mighty Hand.
We need leaders who know who God is and who are
not afraid to stand up before the churches of God’s people and declare it!
II. Remind God Who You Are Vv. 10-13
2 Chron 20:10-13 (KJV)
[A] We have been Obedient to you
V.10 “You would not let Israel invade these people”
[B] We are in great need
V.12 “On our own we have No Power, No Knowledge”
[C] We are dependent upon you V.12 “our eyes are upon you”
[D] We will Wait in Faith V.13 “And Judah Stood before the Lord”
III. Make Your Petition Known Vv.11-12
2 Chron 20:11-12 (KJV)
[A] “Lord Your Possession Is In Danger”
[B] Our future is doubtful without your intervention
[C] Judge Our Enemy -- Put our enemies in their place!
IV Act In Obedience To The Holy Spirit Vv. 14-17
2 Chron 20:14-17 (KJV)
[A] Look At The Spirit’s Message;
(1) It was a message delivered by a man of Integrity.
“Ja-haz-i-el” meaning “Beheld Of God” or “Seeing God.”
Jahaziel is not a fast flight by night prophet who rides into Town on the whim, fetches up his tent and begins to prophesy.
On the contrary the Word of God traces his geneology back 5
generations, back to Asaph
Asaph- meaning “One who gathers together, collector”
You might remember, Asaph was appointed by King David as
Chief Musician in charge of playing music and leading worship
Around the “ARK OF THE COVENANT” after its return to
Jerusalem.
I am very careful as to who I receive prophecy from, but God
sent His Word by a man who was known to be one of great
integrity.
(2) Through Jahaziel, The Holy Spirit Offered Judah Inspiration;
“The Battle is not yours, but the Lord’s”
(3) Through Jahaziel, The Holy Spirit Gave Divine Instruction;
{a} Face Your Fear “Go down against them.”
{b} Rest In The Power Of The Lord “Need Not Fight”
{c} See Your Victory “See Salvation”
{d} Turn Away Your Worries “Be not dismayed”
In Conclusion ; Vv. 22-26
[A] Israel marched, singing their way onto the Battle Field where they
Were prepared to praise Him and to watch Him work the miracle.
[B] God confused the enemy
(1) It appears that the different armies that had came up against
Israel, killed each other.
[C] It took 3 days to collect all the valuables and the Jewels.
[D] They called it a Blessing “Valley of Ber-aw-caw”
“Valley of Blessing”
Today, I have Good News To Bring; If you came here with a need,
If you need nothing short of a miracle in your life……
This day you can walk in the Valley of Blessing!
Just do as Israel did;
(1) Remind Yourself Who God is
(2) Remind God Who You Are
(3) In humility, call upon the name of the Lord
(4) Request what you need
(5) Respond In Obedience to the Holy Spirit When He Answers
(6) And go out to face your enemy with confidence, while singing
& praising the Name of the MOST HIGH GOD
