The God Of Second Chances Series

“THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCES” 2 Kings 20:1-21

FBCF – 5/5/24

Jon Daniels

INTRO – Student pastor at FBC Brookhaven. Students have traumatic experiences. Give testimony as to how life was forever changed – committed to Jesus now – back to old life 2 weeks later. But there’s one story that stands out as different. Kid named Jason. Called him “Cheese” b/c he always had a cheesy grin on his face. Here's his story:

Mid-90’s. Cheese was freshman at MC. It was a snow day in December // His life was in a downward spiral – me-centered for sure. He was kicked off the football team before the first game of the season // that semester he never went to class, flunked out, was looking for everything the world had to offer for peace.

Left a party one night - was catching a ride home – 4 guys in car. Cheese was passed out so they took the long way making a country loop. The road turned - they didn’t. Hit an embankment.

For the 3 other guys in the car- jaws of life, coma for one, metal rod put in his leg for another, not to mention the driver having the emotional trauma of it all.

Cheese was back left - when car hit embankment, his face came forward & lodged into the back of driver’s head (like biting an apple in a way) and his front teeth pulled out in the driver’s head – messing up his trademark smile.

As he was laid up recovering really doing some soul searching, he remembers saying, “If all this is real, I need new influences, new friends, a new life.” In other words: He needed a second chance. And in Cheese’s words, “The Lord was gracious in that.”

The Lord brought key people into Cheese’s life who prayed for him & let him know that they were there for him. Lived next door to him. Began to go over often. Began to see discipleship in action // saw direct spiritual influences // Jesus was part of regular conversation.

That was key for Cheese. The influence of that family was integral in his faith journey. Out of that, he eventually started reading the Bible // first verses learned were Proverbs 3:5-6 // no cliche here- Cheese had type A personality & had to learn to trust - to yield his life - to die to self and trust God // that changed his life // He was new & began soaking it up. And, he started using the wreck as a testimony — Cheese will tell you that God changed my life at 19 (as a freshman in college)

As Cheese testifies: “My life changed. I was new. The Lord was so gracious in that. He gave me what I needed, when I needed it.”

He needed a second chance - & God gave it to him. And he married the girl next door. And he works w/ the guy who discipled him after the wreck. And they both are on staff at FBC Madison where Cheese is the Family Equipping Pastor.

EXPLANATION – 2 Kings 20:1-21

Hez’s 2nd chance timeline:

A debilitating sickness – v. 1a, 7 – Hez probably about 39 yrs old when he “became sick & was at the point of death.” Not sure exactly what the sickness or disease was. We do know from v. 7 that it manifested itself in some type of boil. Could have been leprosy or cancer or a serious infection. Whatever it was, it brought Hez to the point of death – “mortally ill” (NASB) – “stricken w/ a terminal illness” (NET) – “a fatal illness” (ISB).

A disturbing message – v. 1b – Isaiah, the prophet who had brought such a defiantly strong message against Senn, now brings a disturbingly sad message to Hez. Prophets had to bring whatever message the Lord told them to bring, good or bad – pleasing or unpleasing.

- “Set your house in order” – Get your will up to date. Make sure you’ve made everything right w/ everyone as much as you can. Go see whoever you need to go see. Tell your kids you love them. Don’t have any regrets.

- “…you shall die.” – This is a fatal condition you have.

- Then to drive the point home further: “you shall not recover.” – “You won’t get well.” (GW) – “Get ready to die.” (GNT).

Hard message to hear but truthfully should be the way we all live. Our houses need to be in order right now! We should work to be reconciled to everyone right now! We should tell our family members we love them right now! We want to have as few regrets as possible in our lives right now!

A desperate prayer – v. 2-3 – Hez responded to this disturbing message in the right way – he called out to God in desperation.