Series: 3:16- Numbers That Bring Hope [#13]
THE HOPE THAT COMES FROM GOD’S PLANS
1 Chronicles 3:16
Introduction:
This morning, we are going to continue our series from chapter 3 verse 16 of each Book of the Bible. I know that for each of you, when you hear that God has a great plan for your life, that there are times that you aren’t really sure about that; but I’m here today to tell you that God does have a great plan for your life. You just need to be obedient to the Lord and follow His plan for your life and not your own.
How many times this week have you said to someone, “That’s enough”? What do these 2 words really mean? I’m tired of your fighting, your disobedience, and your overall bad attitude. At my house these 2 words were generally followed up with punishment. This is the case with the men in our text. After King Josiah died, the Kingdom of Judah followed after other gods and became God’s enemy. The last 4 kings of Judah were all very evil. Our text names the last 3 kings of Judah.
1 Chronicles 3:16 (NIV)
“The successors of Jehoiakim: Jehoiachin his son, and Zedekiah."
There are more details about these last 3 kings of Judah found in 2 Chronicles 36. The king of Egypt had dethroned the 4th to last king of Judah, King Jehoahaz. The king of Egypt appointed Eliakim, a brother of Jehoahaz, as the king of Judah. He also changed his name to Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim continued to do evil in the eyes of the Lord; and God used King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to attack him and carry him off as a captive. King Nebuchadnezzar also carried off many items from the Temple. Jehoiachin, succeeded his father, King Jehoiakim, as the king of Judah; and he also continued to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. Jehoiachin was the king of Judah for about 100 days and then King Nebuchadnezzar sent for him and took him and some more treasure from the Temple to Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar appointed Jehoiachin’s uncle, Zedekiah as the King over Judah. Zedekiah continued to evil in the eyes of the Lord.
God had enough. I want us to see and realize this morning that as this world seems to live more and more like they did before the great flood that God will one day say, “That is it. Time is up”.
2 Chronicles 36:15 (NIV)
“The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place.”
There is hope in…
1. God’s patience.
God sent prophets to preach warning and repentance. God blessed the Kingdom of Judah every time they would repent. It grieved God to watch His people continually rebel.
Today is no different. God has sent preachers, teachers, and evangelist to proclaim the need for Christ and repentance. God has blessed us time and time again when we are repentant, although it never seems to last. It hurts God to watch His children and His creation continually rebel. For now, God is holding back His great wrath. Why? He is waiting for that last soul to be saved.
There is hope in…
2. God’s punishment.
God said, “That’s it”. King Nebuchadnezzar took all of the treasure he could find in the Temple and in the king’s palace. Many people were killed and many were carried off to Babylon as slaves. The people lost their freedom; and their very symbol of God’s presence, the Temple, was destroyed.
There will be a day when no one knows that God will send Jesus to bring His children home. There will then be a peace treaty made between the Antichrist and Israel; which will begin 7 years of Tribulation. God’s wrath will be poured out upon this earth. After the Tribulation, Christ will be victorious at the Battle of Armageddon and will reign as King for 1000 years. During this time, Satan will be bound; but after the Millennial reign, Satan will be loosed for 1 last time. Christ will be victorious and Satan and any who followed him, (which is any that did not receive Christ as Savior), will be cast into the Lake of Fire. God will destroy the 1st Heaven and the 1st earth.
2 Chronicles 36:22-23 (NIV)
“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing: "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: "`The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you--may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.'"
There is hope in…
3. God’s promise.
God had given David a promise many years before.
2 Samuel 7:16 (NIV)
“Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'"
Although God severely punished the Kingdom of Judah, He never stopped loving them. He once again was going to show His presence to the people.
God has made a promise to us also.
John 3:16 (NIV)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
God will destroy this world as we know it, but He will never stop loving us. God will place His children with Him for all eternity.
Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Conclusion:
Are you here today having never repented of your sins and confessed Jesus as your Savior and Lord? If not, don’t wait until time is up. Christians, we must get serious. Time is short. When should we get started? Now.
