"Nothing But God"
Date: 18 October, 2015
Text: II Chronicles 14:11
Proposition: We need to make certain that we are maintaining God dependence.
Introduction:
NOTHING BUT GOD
"And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee." 2 Chronicles 14:11
· King Asa's confession to God led to Judah's victory over the one million strong Ethiopean army as God fought for Judah.
· And, as long as they maintained that position of dependence upon God, they were guaranteed continued victories with God. The prophet, Azariah, "went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you." 2 Chronicles 15:2
If they would ONLY remain in dependence upon God, they could continually enjoy national victories. Sadly their dependence would soon shift from God to self.
Our dependence upon God is easily shifted to self as well. The flesh desires to trust in many things other than God.
The church can depend upon - programs, methods, personalities, music, etc.
The church member can depend upon - self control, abilities, finances, health, etc.
With everything clamoring for our dependence, we need to make certain that we are maintaining God dependence.
King Asa initially took Judah in the right direction when he made this confession of dependence upon God. His confession has several good reminders to us of the importance of GOD DEPENDENCE.
I. God is more than able to help. "Lord it is nothing with thee to help,..."
exp. We can easily read those words and say, "Amen!" But, the amen fades when we are up against a wall which we can not move. Is there anything bigger than God standing against your ministry? Are you praying in faith for God to work the impossible because He is God?
ill. Sarah - told as an elderly woman that she is going to become pregnant.
Sarah was asked, "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?" Genisis 18:14. Sarah had not said out loud, "God can't do this." But in her heart, she was in unbelief. It's easy to say, "Amen!" But it is much harder to get on your knees and pray believing that God is going to do it.
A. Can God help financially?
Ps 50:10-12 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
B. Can God help spiritually?
Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
C. Can God help physically?
Isaiah 40: 29-31 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
D. Can God help emotionally?
Ps 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Ps 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
E. Can God help relationally?
1 Pe 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
1Pe 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
F. Can God help politically?
Pr 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Ro 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
exp. These aren't Chinese fortion cookies. These are promises and statutes from the very breath of God. "It is nothing with thee to help."
question: Then why are we so anxious about those things and acting as if God is unable to meet the need?
app. Are you convinced today that it is no great thing for God to deal with your problem? Can you say with Asa, "It is nothing with thee to help." If you are not depending upon God, you will be depending upon the flesh.
II. God is not limited by man's inability. "...whether with many, or with them that have no power."
ill. Do you remember the words of Jonathan to his armor bearer as they two took on the Philistines killing 20 of them and putting the Philistines to flight? "And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few." 1 Samuel 14:6
exp. They spoiled the Philistines on that day as God gave them a great victory.
app. God is not up in heaven fretting over the poor qualifications of his servants. There are things of more importance to God than ability. (Which by the way He is the one who gave us both natural and spiritual abilities.)
A. God is interested in humility not ability.
1Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Luke 22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
ill. King Saul although full of natural leadership ability was dismissed as king because of pride. 1Sa 15:17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
app. Do you understand today your lack of ability? Let it humble you before God. He wants humility not ability. Are you full of yourself and your great qualifications to do something great for God. You may as well stop trying to serve God until you find out your need for God's help.
ill. David's testimony of humility thought a wealthy and powerful king.
Ps 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
B. God is interested in dependability not ability.
1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
question: Who do you want to hire? A stone mason with a beautiful vehicle nicely attired who never completes a job he starts or a dirty little man without transport who never quits until he is done.
exp. God isn't interest in flashy looks. He wants someone who is going to go and get the job done.
app. God doesn't need you today. He works with many or with them that have no power. It is all the same to Him. But, if you have humility and dependability, God will help you to get the job done. (Even if you can see no possible way that it will ever be accomplished.)
question: Are you in unbelief today? Do you believe that God can work even with you and with however many are willing to go with you?
III. God is to be rested upon. "....help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee,...."
exp. Asa was completely resting upon God at this point in his ministry.
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
ill. Trust fall - falling backwards into the arms of someone responsible.
app. Is your trust completely upon God?
A. Rest upon God alone.
ill. Another king of Judah, Amaziah, invested much money in dependence upon Israel instead of dependence upon God. God sent a prophet to warn King Amaziah against flesh dependence.II Chronicles 25: 7 But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.
8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.
exp. Watch out Amaziah - you are in a panic and have chosen flesh dependence instead of God dependence!
app. When you have a sudden crisis - to whom do you come? Are you qick to rush to others or quick to your knees in a quiet place with God? Are you willing to shun flesh dependence and rest uponGod alone.
B. Cuf off flesh dependence.
exp. Amaziah responded by saying "to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this. " 2 Chronicles 25:8-9
exp. Amaziah had a lot invested in Israel. He would suffer great loss to cut them off. And yet, his losses without God's blessing would be far greater than keeping his fleshly investments.
exp. Amaziah would fail God in other areas, but he chose God dependence in this instance. He cut off Israel (flesh dependence) and won the battle against the children of Seir.
app.
· Someone may trust in their religion and not be willing to go to another church. ill. Paul had to turn his back on all of his religious heritage and counted it but refuse for Jesus. Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
· Someone may trust in their family and be unwilling to displease them.
ill. Saul lost his friends who became his enemies.
· Someone may have put a lot of money into ccm and be unwilling to throw it away.
ill. The converted witches and wizards burned their books. Ac 19:19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
· Someone may have put a lot of time into a relationship and be unwilling to let it go.
ill. Marriage/ business/ etc with unbelievers is forbidden. 2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
note: But how will I ever get married or how will I ever suceed in business.... is it not better to trust in God rather than self to meet your needs? Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
If you are trusting in anything other than Jesus, no matter what it is - we ought to let it go to get God's blessing. GOD IS ABLE TO GIVE YOU MUCH MORE THAN THIS.
IV. God is greater than the adversary. ”...and in thy name we go against this multitude."
exp. Asa had to put feet to his confession. He had to go into battle. But, he went with the knowledge that God went with him.
ill. David fought Goliath in God's name. "Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." 2 Samuel 17:45
ill. Names of God - Some examples
EL, ELOAH: God "mighty, strong, prominent
ELOHIM: God “Creator, Mighty and Strong”
EL SHADDAI: “God Almighty,” “The Mighty One of Jacob”
YAHWEH-JIREH: "The Lord Will Provide"
YAHWEH-RAPHA: "The Lord Who Heals"
YAHWEH-NISSI: "The Lord Our Banner"
YAHWEH-NISSI: "The Lord Our Banner"
YAHWEH-SHALOM: "The Lord Our Peace"
YAHWEH-TSIDKENU: "The Lord Our Righteousness”
YAHWEH-ROHI: "The Lord Our Shepherd"
YAHWEH-SHAMMAH: "The Lord Is There”
YAHWEH-SABAOTH: "The Lord of Hosts"
EL ELYON: “Most High"
EL-OLAM: "Everlasting God"
EL-GIBHOR: “Mighty God”
exp. You have got to enter into the battle spiritually - but you do so in the Name of God.
song: Stand up, stand up, for Jesus "The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own. Put on the Gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer."
note: We are in a battle. 1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
app. In whose name do you fight and stand? Your name or the NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES.
V. God is on our side. "O Lord, thou art our God...."
exp. God had a personal interest in Judah. He was their God and they were His people. They weren't just fighting for their own personal agenda. They were fighting for God and God would fight for them.
ill. In Psalm 23 David used many personal pronouns because he served a personal God. To the Psalmist God was, "my Shepherd," who "maketh me to lie down..." and He who "restoreth my soul." We have a God who is personally aware of what is going on in the lives of His people. He is "our God."
app. Is He your God today? If not, you can not depend upon Him. If so, then be assured that your God is a loving caring God who will not leave you to fight alone. Hebrews 13: 5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
VI.) God is in charge. ”...let not man prevail against thee."
exp. Asa was King but God was in charge. Asa took the burden of success and put it in God's capable hands.
ill. If you are engaged in a battle under the orders of your king, when the battle plan appears to fail, who is at fault? But, if you are fighting under your own orders, whose fault is your loss?
question: Are you upset because of the apparent failure of your battle plan? Perhaps it is because you are taking too much responsability for the battle when the battle is the Lord's. We ought to be praying with Asa, "Let not man prevail against thee."
Conclusion: Sadly, we can't end this morning without remembering the warning of Azariah. As long as Judah was dependent upon God they would succeed. Sadly, when they left God dependence for flesh dependence they failed. "Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars." 1 Chronicles 16:9 (See chapter 16 for full story.)
Today there are many things clamoring for flesh dependence; abilities, personalities, music, atmosphere, etc. However, those things when trusted upon will all fail. What we need today is NOTHING BUT GOD! May God help us to depend upon Him and Him alone.
1.) God is more than able to help. 2.) God is not limited by man's inability.
3.) God is to be rested upon. 4.) God is greater than the adversary. 5.) God is on our side.
6.) God is in charge.
