STRENGTH TO FINISH WELL
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Be a Passionate Follower of Christ
(2 Chronicles 14:2, NLT) “Asa did what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God.”
Asa was a Courageous Man
(2 Chronicles 14:5, Message) “He cleaned house: got rid of the pagan altars and shrines, smashed the sacred stone pillars, and chopped down the sex-and-religion groves (Asherim). … Because he got rid of all the pagan shrines and altars in the cities of Judah, his kingdom was at peace.”
(Jonah 2:8, GW) “Those who hold on to worthless idols abandon their loyalty to you.”
Use Peaceful Times to Prioritize and Prepare
(2 Chronicles 14:4, NLT) “He commanded the people of Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his law and his commands.”
(2 Chronicles 15:17, NLT) “Asa’s heart remained completely faithful throughout his life.”
Rely Upon God
(2 Chronicles 14:11, NLT) “Then Asa cried out to the Lord his God, “O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O Lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!”
Listen to the Word of God
(2 Chronicles 15:1–8, NLT) “Listen to me, Asa!” he shouted. “Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you. … When Asa heard this message from Azariah the prophet, he took courage and removed all the detestable idols … and he repaired the altar of the Lord.”
Asa’s Folly
(2 Chronicles 16:7, NLT) “Because you have put your trust in the king of Aram instead of in the Lord your God, you missed your chance to destroy the army of the king of Aram.”
Growthwork
(2 Chronicles 16:9, NLT) “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
Loyalty, Words, Thoughts, Obedience, Stewardship, and Worship