Revival For God's People Series

HEALING AND FORGIVENESS FOR GOD'S PEOPLE

2 Chronicles 7:14

Sept. 29, 2024 (Antioch Revival(

Introduction:

Solomon built the most amazing building ever to be built to house the ark of God and to be a place of sacrifice and worship to Jehovah God When it was complete he prayed, "Now arise Lord God and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. And when he finished this prayer fire from heaven came down and consumed the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple because God's glory filled it. The people worshiped God and cried out..."God is good; His Love endures forever. And for 23 days they offered thousands of offerings and sacrifices. And King Solomon consecrated the temple, the people of God then went home filled with joy and gladness for what God had done for David, Solomon and the people of Israel

That evening when King Solomon went to bed God appeared to him saying, "I have heard your prayer. I have witnessed all the ceremonies and I have chosen this place as my house, but I want you to remember that if my people forsake me, I will send hard times upon them and you will know the reason for these trials. I will not continue to bless these people if they forsake me, even though they have built for Me this wonderful house!" "When these calamities fall upon them,

"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 I will hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land"

It doesn't take a spiritual eagle eye to see that our Nation is in trouble, and divided. On Facebook battles rage between liberals and conservatives. On every News channel we hear about how horrible one side is....or the other. Corruption, violence and crime rage in our cities. Lawlessness is celebrated and law keepers are vilified. Is there a remedy for all this hatred and disunity in our Nation? Is there any way out? Any way we can be rescued? Is there any hope for the people of God who live in America?

And the answer is a resounding YES!!!! Our hope lies in the same place as the people of Israel's. Our hope lies in the remedy given in our text in 2 Chronicles 7:14...With humility, in prayer, seek God's face and repenting from evil. The key is revival always begins with God's people....His remnant....you remember the song "God Bless America?" It's fallen out of fashion...but it says,

God bless America, land that I love

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with the light from above

From the mountains to the prairies

To the oceans white with foam

God bless America, my home sweet home

There is a lot of beauty in that song, but the most important truth is this....."God is the giver of blessings." And I believe with all my heart that He still wants to bless us....it's His nature...God is love....but He will not bless a people that forsake Him and reject Him.

He will not continue to bless a "Lukewarm" or "apathetic" people.....even if they gather in a building that bears the name of His Son. Jesus speaks to one of those churches in Revelation 3:14-22

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”