God is Calling us to Repentance
By: Ken Jarman
Please turn with me to:
2CH 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2Timothy 4:3-5
2TI 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2TI 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2TI 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
2 Timothy is the second letter Paul wrote to Timothy with instructions about teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Although this letter was to Timothy and Paul was speaking of the religious people of his day. I believe when we look around us at the religious people of this day. We can see much of the same things Paul was speaking of then.
(Prayer)
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine
People today are turning away from sound doctrine because sometimes it cuts deep into their lives and their hearts.
They don’t want to be told about sin
They don’t want to hear about repentance
They don’t want to hear about obedience to God
They don’t want to hear about the commandments of God
They don’t want to hear about living holy and righteous lives
In other words they don’t want to hear the word of God.
But after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
They want to be in a church where the Pastor will preach nothing but what they want to hear.
They want to be in a church where if it feels right it’s got to be right.
They want to be in a church where they can be entertained and amused and pacified
(Don’t say or preach anything that will upset anyone)
They want to be in a church where they can shout and cut a two-step just for the sake of doing it and they tell each other “my, my we had church today”
They want to be in a church where they can shout and holler at the preacher as he preaches. Then tell you “child, did he preach today” but they have no idea what he was preaching about.
They have turned their ears so far from the truth that they will believe anything
Paul warns Timothy and us about these people
2TI 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2TI 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2TI 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2TI 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2TI 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2TH 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2TH 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2TH 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had
pleasure in unrighteousness.
These people will tell you
“I’ve been saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost.”
Yet they live like they’re full of the devil.
They’ll tell you they’re religious folk. Born again Christians
But when you look at their lives you’ll see that’s all they are
Is religious folk.
Yes, they go to church
They might sing in the choir
They might teach Sunday school
They might even be board members
And they might even be the Pastor
They are loyal and close to their church
But they are far from God
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
They get caught up in religion
Refusing the Word of God
Hanging on to the things that are wrong but seem right to them
You need to be sure that you are in a church where you can receive correct
instruction and sound doctrine from someone who is teaching sound doctrine from the word of God and is rightly dividing the Word.
They have religion but not relationship
Relationship is a partnership between you and someone else
Relationship is intimate companionship between you and someone else (ex. a man and a wife.)
Relationship is the ability to communicate with someone else
Relationship is a closeness that allows you to know someone
God wants us to have a meaningful, productive and fruitful relationship with Him.
Paul instructs us how to have this relationship just as he instructed Timothy.
1. 2TI 4:5 But watch thou in all things
Watch the company you keep
Watch the things you say
Watch the places you go
Watch the example you set
(Phi 4:8) Finally, brothers, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things
are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there
be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
(Phi 4:9) Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and
heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
2. 2TI 4:5 Endure afflictions
Endure hard times
Endure heartache
Endure Heartbreak
Endure persecution
Endure being misunderstood
Endure being unappreciated
Endure suffering and affliction
Why endure afflictions
Paul tells us why
2CO 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2CO 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
3. Do the work of an evangelist,
How do we do the work of an evangelist?
2TI 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Attend Bible Study learn the word of God.
But don’t let it stop there take the word of truth that you learn and witness to others
Jesus said:
AC 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
4. Make full proof of thy ministry.
We have all been called to minister. Paul tells us to make full proof of our ministry.
(carry out fully (in evidence)
(entirely accomplish)
(fully know)
God has called us in to this ministry that we might receive
A new level of life
A new level of service
A new level of giving
A new level of prayer
A new level of praise
A new level of worship
A new level of stewardship
A new level of commitment
A new level of holiness
A new level of relationship
Above anything else we must desire a relationship with God.
We must never be satisfied with religion
We must have a desire to truly know Him not just know of Him
We must do as Jesus did
He watched: as they turned their backs on Him.
JOH 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
He endured: as they falsely accused Him
MR 15:3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.
MR 15:4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.
MR 15:5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.
He did the work: Even while he hung on the cross
1PE 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
He made full proof of His ministry: by giving His life so that we might live
JOH 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
It’s all about relationship
How do We Achieve this relationship
Relationship Begins in the Heart
2CH 7:11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.
2CH 7:12 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.
2CH 7:13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
2CH 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2CH 7:15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
2CH 7:16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
In 1949 in the small Scottish Islands called the Hebrides, devotion to God had been replaced with devotion to Whiskey. The Churches were nearly empty and many were about to close. But even at a time like this there were people willing to intercede. Two elderly ladies in their eighties had been praying for some years. Then a small group of men had gathered in a barn. They prayed for six hours a day, three days a week for several months, determined to keep seeking God until He sent revival.
In one meeting they read the following verse.
2CH 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
They cried out to God for cleansing from personal sin and that night they faced the glory of God. God told the two elderly ladies that same night, that he would send his reviving Spirit within two weeks, and that He would use a man by the name of Duncan Campbell. The promise came true, and these small Scottish Islands experienced one of the most powerful outpouring of God’s Spirit in history. In one village, within two days, every young person had been converted. Eye witness accounts describe people suddenly coming under the conviction of sin, even while they were out working on their boats, or down in the mines. Conversions were numbered not by a one-time decision but by their
commitment to prayer meetings.
What God did then He can do again in America!
In this Church!
In me! And in you!
2Chronicles 7:14 holds the answer to revival
IF
Why would the Holy Spirit direct the writer to put that small word in this spot? Why not use the word when or whenever.
Because the word “if” shows that the choice is ours.
If my people which are called by my name
My people, those that have a relationship with Me, Those that have become My
Children, Those that have become My heirs in Christ Jesus.
This is me
This is you
This is the church
This is America
JOH 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
JOH 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
RO 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
GA 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
GA 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
If my people, which are called by my name. Shall humble themselves
Humble them-selves (ourselves) (yourself) (myself)
It starts with each individual.
Our restoration to God begins in our heart
Jesus told his disciples
MT 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased (or humbled); and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
JAS 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
JAS 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
JAS 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye
sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
JAS 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
JAS 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray,
Jesus told his disciples
MT 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
MT 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
1TH 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,
PR 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
JER 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
PS 27:7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
PS 27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
PS 27:9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves,and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways,
EZE 18:27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
EZE 18:28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
EZE 18:29 Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?
EZE 18:30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
EZE 18:31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
EZE 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
PR 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
All of this can be clearly seen in Jesus’ story of the Prodigal Son
LU 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
LU 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
LU 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
LU 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
LU 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
LU 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
LU 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my
father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
LU 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
LU 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
LU 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
LU 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves,
and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;
Three promises follow:
Then will I hear from heaven,
HEB 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
HEB 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
HEB 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
And will forgive their sin
JER 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
God will forgive our sin, he will not hold them against us. Just like the Prodigal Son’s Father. God is eager and waiting for our return
LU 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
LU 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
This father spared no expense in joyously receiving his son back.
LU 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
And heal their land
God promises to heal the land.
America is suffering from being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
America needs healing
The church needs to be teaching on 2Chronicles 7:14 and making this a plea to the church every Sunday.
