IF
II Chronicles 7:14
Brothers and sisters as I look around and see the situation that we are in today, abroad and here at home. We just recently remembered the events of 9-11 from two years ago. We are in the midst of wars and rumors of wars, kidnappings and killings, downfall of corporate entities, political posturing, terrorist attacks; it causes me to wonder what can be done. It makes me think what will it take to stop the downward spiral that this world is in. I mediate on how can we pull out of the nosedive that we find ourselves in.
What will it take to become the people we once were? This morning I believe that I have the answer. And I believe that the answer is in the word “if.” Some of you may say, “pastor I’ve heard this sermon before”, which may be true. But it seems that even though we have heard it and many others also, we still aren’t putting it into action. My bible says in James 2:26-faith without works is dead. Just for a few moments this morning I want to talk to you about “if”.
If, one of the smallest words in the English language, yet can have some of the biggest effects on or in a person’s life. The dictionary defines “if” as the cause or reason or motive for something to happen. “If”, is the word that evokes a response for action. The word “if” is considered the cause portion of the cause and effect in English grammar. When “if” statements are used, they are generally followed by “then” statements, which are the effect part of the cause and effect.
The “then” statement tell what can or will happen do to fulfilling the “if” statement. An example of this is seen in our text this morning. God said, 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. Notice that the Lord said, “His people.” And called by “His name.” God was only stating that if anyone is going to turn around, it should first begin with those who consider themselves children of God.
The word “if” is a conditional word. It gives a condition that must be fulfilled before a result is seen. God’s conditions were for his people to become humble, pray, seek his face and turn from their wicked ways.
The result or benefit or gain was that then would god hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land. We must realize that god has conditions to be fulfilled before he does his work. One of god’s conditions is humbleness. Pride only leads to destruction. Jesus says in Matthew 18:3, “unless you become as little children, Ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Humbleness, as defined by the new Webster’s dictionary, is having or possessing the virtue of humility.
Humility, as defined by nelson’s bible dictionary, Is a freedom from arrogance that grows out of the recognition that all that we are and have comes from God. Some look at humbleness as a sign of weakness or worthlessness. But this is not the meaning that the bible gives. Biblical humility is not a belittling of oneself, but an exalting and praising of others.
It is recognition that by ourselves we are nothing, but because we are created by God and in his image and are believers in Christ, we have infinite worth and value.
True humbleness does not produce pride but thankfulness. Humbleness is a condition that god requires. God also wants prayer. Prayer is how we communicate with god. James 5:16 says, “ the effectual and fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Prayer is our way of expressing our thanks, supplications, our adoration, and our confession to god. When we sincerely pray, bodies are healed, walls are torn down and people are lifted up. God wants us to be in constant communication with him.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “pray without ceasing”. God wants us to pray. God wants the people to seek his face. God wants total commitment. God wants to lead the path of the people. Matthew 6:33 tells us to “seek ye first the kingdom of god and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Yes, the things that you tried to attain but couldn’t; was God sought first? The decisions that were made but turned out to be the wrong one; was god sought first?
Do you make god first in everything you do? Seeking god first is just like a ship in a storm being guided to shore by the light from the lighthouse.
The light helps the ship to steer clear of the rocks and hazards in the water. Seeking god first helps us to steer clear of the rocks and the hazards laid out by the world. It allows us to have a guide to go by. God wants us to seek his face. Another condition god wanted is for the people to turn from their wicked ways god wants the people to repent.
Wicked ways are sin and god hates sin. Wicked ways are drinking, gambling, stealing, and cheating and god hates them all. Wicked ways are lying, backbiting and disobedience, and god hates them all. Wicked ways are anything against the will of god. Wicked ways are what god wants his people to turn away from. He wants us to stop doing what we’re doing wrong; stop going where we’re going wrong; stop saying what we’re saying wrong. Stop living how we’re living wrong.
God wants us to turn from them all. Our text this morning gives detail about the covenant that god has confirmed between himself, Solomon and Israel. Background shows that Solomon had been praying to god to keep the
Promises which he had made unto David, his father, And to hear the prayers and supplications of this people, and when he heard them to forgive them. Solomon was asking god that when heaven is shut up, and there is no rain because they had sinned against him; That when they prayed, to hear them and forgive them.
Solomon was praying that when there is dearth or famine in the land, when there is pestilence or locust, when their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land, that whatsoever prayer or supplication be made by any man, that God hear him. You see brothers and sisters Solomon was praying for grace and mercy. Solomon was praying the same prayer that some of us need to pray sometimes. Asking for god’s grace and for god’s mercy. Solomon was praying that even though I have done wrong, forgive me.
He was praying that even though I have gone astray, forgive me. Solomon was praying even though I deserve judgment, have mercy upon me and this people. My brothers and sisters I’m here to tell you this morning that god heard Solomon and answered Solomon. God’s answer to Solomon was “if.” God said if my people humble themselves, if my people pray, if my people seek my face, and if my people turn from their wicked ways. Then will I hear from heaven.
Then will I forgive their sin. Then will I heal their land. My brothers and sisters, I just stopped by this morning to let you know that whenever you ask god for something the answer just may be “if”. So many times we want something from god and we want it right now. But god says, “if”. It maybe if you stop smoking, if you stop gambling, if you stop cursing, if you stop cheating, if you stop lying, if you stop backbiting, if you stop coveting, if you stop killing, if you stop stealing, if you stop taking my name in vain,
If you stop being disobedient, if you stop whoremongering, if you stop being selfish, if you obey those in authority over you or if you just do my will. Then will He hear from heaven, then will He wipe out disease, then will He make your enemy your footstool, then will He stop your children from killing one another, then will He show you peace, then will He heal your land. If, a small two letter word, yet demands large reactions. If, a word that causes the greatest minds to ponder and take notice.
If Adam and eve had not disobeyed god, then they would not have been removed from the Garden of Eden. Jesus said to Peter and Andrew; if you follow me, then I will make you fishers of men. Brothers and sisters, if husbands would love their wives as the bible instructs them to, then submitting would be a lot easier. If wives would help and respect their husbands and not downgrade them or try to lead them, then the husband’s job is made easier.
If mothers would take the time to be mothers, then the homes would be more stable. If fathers would be and act like real men, (men of god), then less of our young men would wind up in gangs or behind bars. If children would take the time to listen to their parents before they tune them out, then less teenage pregnancy and drug use would occur. If families would care for one another instead of competing with each other, then there would be no dysfunctional families.
If people would take the time to get to know a person for who he or she is and not the color of his/her skin, then hatred and racism could be destroyed. If churchgoers would keep their church clothes on after church, then sinners can see what a difference that Christ can make in their lives. If we love one another as Jesus instructed us to, then we are keeping God’s command. My brothers and my sisters, I just stopped by this morning to ask what if God had not so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, then we would not have a right to the tree of life.
But because He did send his Son, and because His Son did give His life, and because on that third day morning, Jesus rose with all power in his hands; we are entitled to the tree of life. Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection gives us that claim no ifs ands or buts about it. Jesus can fulfill the if statements in your lives. He is the then statement to answer all conditions. As I leave you this morning, I have one more ifs for you.
The songwriter said it best when he penned; if I just hold my peace and let the lord fight my battles; If I just stand still and know; if I just think of god’s goodness; if I just take time to meditate on his word; then victory sweet victory shall be mine. My brothers and my sisters all I am trying to tell you this morning is;
If you need a friend that sticks closer than any brother;
If you need a mother;
If you need a father;
If you need a way out of no way;
If you need water when you’re thirsty;
If you need bread when you’re hungry;
If you need rest when you’re weary;
Then I recommend Jesus;
The rose of Sharon;
Jesus, alpha and omega;
Jesus, the beginning and the ending;
Jesus, my bright and morning star;
If you don’t understand what I’m talking about then I suggest you get to know a man from Galilee that if you’re in trouble then He’ll set you free.
Do you know Him this morning? I want to know if you know who I’m talking about! I’m talking about Jesus;
If you’ve been sick and you can’t get well; then He’ll be a healer!
If you can’t find what you’re looking for; He’s the compass to guide your way!
If you’ve tried the night clubs;
If you’ve tried the drugs and alcohol;
If you’ve even tried the psychic hotline and you still can’t find that peace, that calm and that joy!
Then I want to invite you to try Jesus;
He will give you a natural high like no other; he will show and tell you things you have never seen or heard;
He will give you peace in the midst of your storm; He will give you a calm that can’t be disturbed; and He will give you joy that no man can ever take away!
If you don’t know Him; today is a good time to get to know Him!
If you think you have time to wait; I want you to know that tomorrow may be to late!
If you want peace;
If you want joy;
If you want salvation;
Then I want you to invite Jesus into you heart today; He’s standing at the door knocking waiting on you to open the door!
Brothers and sisters, If we have ever needed the Lord; we sure do need him right now!
Murderers and robbers running rampant! Terrorist attacks everywhere! Wars and rumors of wars! Drug use and rapes on the rise! Mothers against daughters; fathers against sons!
If we ever needed the Lord we sure do need Him right now! I don’t know about you but I’m not going to wait to see if He’s coming back! I’m going to get my house in order right now!
He said in His word, “in my father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also”.
Brothers and sisters, If you want to be with Jesus you need to get right while you still have time! If you want to live as they say in the fairy tales, “happily ever after”, let Jesus into you heart!
Then he will make your life brand new! He’ll be there when you call! It may not be exactly when you want Him but He’ll always be there on time! If you just trust him!
