answered

THE DANGER OF ANSWERED PRAYER!

Introduction
2 Chron. 32:24-31

[24] In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.

[25] But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

[26] Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

[27] And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;

[28] Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.

[29] Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.

[30] This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

[31] Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

INTRO – I BELIEVE TONIGHT I CAN SHARE WHAT HINDERS MOR EOF OUR PRAYERS THAN ANYTHING ELSE— ONE OF THE REASONS SOME OF YOUR PRAYER LIVES ARE AT BEST SMALL!

Titanic— in 1912, the “unsinkable” Titanic was launched in Liverpool, England. So haughty was the hoopla surrounding the Titanic’s safety and structural integrity that it caused dismay among some of the God fearing public. Such pride it was felt was tempting God to show man his folly. And while it’s certainly, not our place, 90 years later to say that what happened when ship met iceberg was God’s answer to the pride of the ship’s builders and promoters, we do know for certain that their pride was misplaced and the "unsinkable ship" took 1500 lives with it to the bottom of the ocean. The Titanic was one famous case of Pride coming before a fall, less known to us today— but probably of greater spiritual benefit is the case of Hezekiah at the end of His life.

A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I BROUGHT A MESSAGE FROM HEZEKIAH ON WHY GOD WANTS ME TO PRAY!

1- IT REVEALS MY PASSION

2- IT REVEALS MY PERSONAL COMMITMENT

3- IT REVEALS HIS AWESOME POWER

4- FOR HIS PLEASURE

The revival of Hezekiah--of how his life and reign pleased the Lord and how the Lord responded by pouring out his blessings, how the Lord visited his people in revival power because of the king’s faithful leadership.

Here at the end of Hezekiah’s life are several lessons we would do well to learn if we hope to see the Lord move in revival power among us.

1 - The Power of Prayer

Assyria was a great empire by Hezekiah’s time, controlling most of the Middle East. From a small strip of land located in present-day Iran and Iraq, it began to establish its power.

Sennacherib wanted to “conquer them for himself” so he could force the cities to pay tribute.

Forcing captured cities to pay tribute was a way for kings to build their income base. Often Assyria would require an oath of allegiance from a country, including the promise to pay taxes in the form of livestock, wine, battle equipment (horses, chariots, and weapons), gold, silver, and anything else that pleased the invading king.

Tribute was more important to Assyria than captives because captives cost money.

Thus captives were taken only in cases of extreme rebellion or to repopulate cities that had been destroyed.

When Hezekiah was confronted with the frightening prospect of an Assyrian invasion, he made two important decisions.

He did everything he could to deal with the situation, and he trusted God for the outcome.

That is exactly what we must do when faced with difficult or frightening situations. Take all the steps you possibly can to solve the problem or improve the situation. But also commit the situation to God in prayer, trusting him for the solution.

Hezekiah could see with eyes of faith. The number of his opponents meant nothing as long as he was on the Lord’s side.

Zech. 4:6

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

Hezekiah could confidently encourage his men because he had no doubt about where he stood with God. Are you on the Lord’s side? You may never face an enemy army, but the battles you face every day can be won with God’s strength.

2 Chron. 32:24

In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.

Hezekiah receives the word of the Lord from the prophet Isaiah that he is going to die, but Hezekiah calls out to the Lord for mercy and the Lord answers his prayer not only with healing but with a miraculous sign, literally making the sun go backwards in the sky.

The lesson is clear for us even today, we serve a God who answers prayer, and answers miraculously.

You say those are just Bible stories, things like that don’t happen anymore. Try to explain that to

Dr. Helen Roseveare

ILLUSTRATION: The longtime missionary to Zaire is still living today and loves to tell this story. "A mother at our mission station died after giving birth to a premature baby. We tried to improvise an incubator to keep the infant alive, but the only hot water bottle we had was beyond repair. So we asked the children to pray for the baby and for her sister.

One of the girls responded, ‘Dear God, please send a hot water bottle today. Tomorrow will be too late because by then the baby will be dead. And dear Lord, send a doll for the sister so she won’t feel so lonely.’ That afternoon a large package arrived from England. The children watched eagerly as we opened it. Much to their surprise, under some clothing was a hot water bottle! Immediately the girl who had prayed so earnestly started to dig deeper, exclaiming, ’If God sent that, I’m sure He also sent a doll!’ And she was right! The heavenly Father knew in advance of that child’s sincere requests, and 5 months earlier He had led a ladies’ group to include both of those specific articles."

God answers prayer today like He did in Hezekiah’s time. If you have a need bring it to the Lord in Prayer, he wants to hear your needs and he wants you to trust Him for the answer, there is Power in Prayer.

Well that’s an encouragement so how about a caution?

PRAISE GOD FOR THE TRUTH THAT GOD ANSWERS PRAYER—

NOTE THE SECOND LESSON FOR US TONIGHT!

1 - THE POWER OF PRAYER

2 - The Problem of Pride

2 Chron. 32:25

But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

Proverbs 13:10

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

1 John 2:15-17

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

[17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

After Hezekiah’s miraculous healing, which came after His miraculous victory over the ancient World’s only superpower, Hezekiah develops a problem, the problem of pride.

2 Kings 20:12-15

At that time Berodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.

[13] And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

[14] Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon.

[15] And he said, What have they seen in thine house?

And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.

When the king of Babylon sends "messengers" with a get well gift he invites them in and shows them not only all of his wealth but all of his weaponry, as if to say to them, "This is how we defeated the king of Assyria."

So what is the moral of this story?

Not only are those who have been blessed by God not immune from the trap of pride, they are probably more susceptible to it.

ILLUSTRATION: The great British preacher Charles Spurgeon was keenly aware of the dangers of pride. After his sermon one Sunday, Spurgeon was met by a woman who exclaimed, "Oh, Mr. Spurgeon that was wonderful." "Yes, madam," Spurgeon replied, "So the devil whispered in my ear as I came down the steps of the pulpit."(Today in the Word, February 27, 1997, p. 34)

Spurgeon understood that God’s blessings wrongly construed as our own accomplishments are dangerous territory. One reason the enemy uses this trick so often is that it is so successful.

When you have been blessed by God, Beware the Problem of Pride.

Be quick to give glory to God for his blessings,

Be not anxious to draw attention to self, because pride indeed does come before a fall.

1 - THE POWER OF PRAYER

2 - The Problem of Pride

3 - The POWER OF REPENTANCE

2 Chron. 32:26

Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

Once again the Prophet Isaiah plays a key role in the story. He confronts Hezekiah with His pride and Hezekiah, along with the nation repents and true to Deuteronomy 30, when His people repent, God is anxious to receive them back.

Deut. 30:8-20

And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the Lord, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.

[9] And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the Lord will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:

[10] If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

[15] See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

[16] In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

[17] But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

[18] I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.

[19] I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

[20] That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Never let the enemy deceive. If you have drifted far from the Lord, because of pride or even because of willful sin or just plain negligence,

The Lord is calling you home to fellowship with Him. Like the Father of the prodigal son, he longs to restore you, but first you must return in faith and repentance to Him.

And as the text this morning indicates this is both an individual and a corporate need.

Perhaps the most eloquent call for corporate repentance

I’ve seen outside the Scripture was the one offered by

President Abraham Lincoln in his Proclamation of a Day of National Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer, 1863

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

Yes we as a nation we as a church have a need to confess our collective pride and like the prodigal return home humbled before our father, who longs to give us a share in His blessings.

The final lesson is again a caution.

1 - THE POWER OF PRAYER

2 - The Problem of Pride

3 - The POWER OF REPENTANCE

4 - The Price of Pride

2 Chron. 32:26

Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

2 Chron. 32:31

Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land,

God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

I BELIEVE RIGHT HERE IS WHERE MOST OF FAILTO PRAY— HE HAD GOD’S BLESSINGS AND KNEW GO DCOULD NOT AND WOULD NOT LIE— GOD WILL NOT BLESS AND CURSE IN THE SAME SENTENCE!

THE SADDEST STATEMENT YOU WILL EVER HEAR IS THIS:

Rev. 3:17

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Sin has consequences and pride is one of the most basic forms of sin.

There is a price to be paid for pride.

Though the Lord relented during the time of Hezekiah, his sin of pride in sharing his secrets with the Babylonians is the first step toward the eventual defeat and exile of Judah and the humiliation of the line of David.

Our sin and our pride reaps a crop too, sometimes immediate and sometimes down the road. Like Mad cow disease, you may have ate that burger yesterday and feel fine today, but the consequences are brewing and 6-30 years down the road the payment comes due.

Sometimes we see this with physical consequences in our bodies--the drunkard will pay a price.

Sometimes like Hezekiah it is visited upon future generations, how’s that you say?

Exodus 20:5

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

One way is that our dedication or lack thereof is affecting the formation of our children.

The emphasis you place on serving the Lord will be seen in them, if you are lax in your commitment, don’t be surprised when your children are NOT COMMITTED.

HEZEKIAHS RESPONSE USED TO SURPRISE ME -- BUT I HAVE PASTORED LONG ENOUGH THAT I SEE THIS TODAY!

2 Kings 20:19

Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken.

And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?