2 Kings Overview Part 6 - Judah Failed To Preserve and Advocate The Promise of 4 Gospelizations In Plain Words

 

* Preserve hearts and minds => Meet God By Promise iff 4G

 

Recap

1.-4. Success, Failure, Division, Ahab vs Elijah

5. Era and Prophets: Inherit (follow till the end), Double portion (miracles: nil -> possession), Prophets (discipleship -> Word rooted and founded), Shunammite woman, Influence church of this era (Jehu), Influence the world (Hazael)

6. Israel's Destruction: Follow Jeroboam (carbon copy), do not know how to repent, wait 7000 remnants

 

7. Judah's exile

Reason of Mercy on Judah: God never forgets the covenant made before, God fulfills our lifetime only by covenant, be unmovable at the main stem

1) 4G (Gen): all explanations, preservation of hearts and minds come from here

2) 5M (Ex)

3) Confirm and see Evidences (Lev)

4) Process: Live one day by itself -> Test and Approve, Submit -> Open rivers in desert (Nu)

5) Anticipate -> Boast in promise (Dt)

 

Reason of Exile

1) Lost Promise (Foundation): no promise = killing (mysticism, legalism killing, this era’s church/fellowship vote leaders with talent), only promise (fixed perspective) -> made covenant -> able to explain -> exaggerate to pass down comfortable promise

David's path = enjoyment of promise like no other (90% people need enjoyment of promise in all normal circumstances)

2) Rely on Gentiles (world) - Highest wisdom to let them come to us

3) Cannot discern God's will: true and false prophets - discern perfect will to know tomorrow

4) Cannot pass down (advocate in plain words) -> worst wrath on late kings of Judah - leadership renewal: (1) format, (2) confirm

 

=> Most blessed Judah: Daniel, prime minister of Babylon

 

 

We can do anything, but if we do anything that is not alive, it is nothing. When I prepare messages or sing hymns with an anxious heart, I cannot pray for brothers and sisters and I cannot enjoy what the Lord is going to reveal to me. Through countless experiences, I discover this. Therefore, I have fixed a mindset that I must preserve my hearts and minds in doing all things. The bible says that all fruits and effects come out from the heart. In whatever we do, it does not really matter that it is not done fully well in the eyes of all. I discover that when I do it with preservation of the hearts and minds, when I leave the scene, God uses all the faces and expressions of all the brothers and sisters that I have seen to comfort me and give me a greater vision.

 

When God accomplishes to bless our family because of our prayers for them, we feel so good that God has heard our prayers. However, is it not so that God has already said that all prayers are answered? And shall we be sad when things do not go well? Therefore, I find that it is not anything but whether we can preserve our hearts and minds in all kinds of situation so that we will not be influenced or deceived by any situations.

 

Meet God (Start)

 

How you meet God is going to preserve your hearts and minds. Many of you think that my conditions are so good. However, do you know that for the preparation of a discipleship-training message, I have to spend hours to prepare the message? During those few hours, the preservation of the heart and mind is really a challenge. When I stand on stage, it is a fight against my heart in little things that happen, for example, like everyone’s attention taken away because of a mobile phone ring. I am talking about the things that happen in our hearts and minds here. Though it is like preparing for the O-levels or A-levels every weekend for me, while everyone heaves a sigh of relief that the busyness of workweek is temporarily over, it is this very role of mine that also protects our hearts and minds. Therefore, the most important thing is about how you meet God:

 

Genesis (Image of God, breath of the Holy Spirit, Noah, Shem, Abraham, believed the promise, given everything, Joseph accomplished)

Exodus (Lost the promise that Joseph enjoyed, Leviticus couple definitely bring Moses to daughter of Pharaoh, failed when used the world to be zealous, meet God as the start of his blessedness)

Leviticus (D&R 5 offerings)

Numbers (I am in the midst - identity, how to walk by pillar of cloud and fire)

Deuteronomy (past promise how God has accomplished already)

Joshua (Do not let the words of promise leave you, 4 gospelizations, be strong and courageous, no one can stand up against you)

Matthew (Genealogy: Ab, Dv, JX)

John (In the beginning was the word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The world did not know Him, therefore did not receive Him. But those who received this Word, they are called children of God, and the works of God were all accomplished)

1 Corinthians (Those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy)

Ephesus (From the creation of the world ... you will know how much hope, inheritance and power you have)

Romans (Blessed)

Revelation (Blessed are those who heard, believed and do the word of God)

 

1, 2 Kings

* Inheritance

1. Success

2. Failure

3. Division (personality, family, ideas, etc. Recently there were 300 gays that united as one voice to the Singapore government to request for a law that legalizes homosexuality. However, when they are together doing things, there will be 300 voices)

4. Ahab vs Elijah

5. Era (Ahab’s smell) and Prophets (voices)

6. Israel’s destruction

7. Judah’s exile (have the Lord’s word but cannot pass down)

 

 

5. Era and Prophets

 

1) Inherit (Follow Till The End)

 

2) Double portion of power (Miracles: nil -> possession)

 

We experience God’s signs coming to us sometimes when we are so weak.

 

3) Prophets (discipleship): Word

 

Do we realize why we fall so easily and become weak? However, we need God’s word to stabilize. When the pastor says, “God will take care of you when you become missionaries.” There are testimonies common in all churches. However, such things only come by once in a while. We require the word so that we can continue to remain strong in Him. We need to be rooted and founded. Therefore, we need discipleship training.

 

4) Shunammite woman

 

No miracles can attract such a woman. Such a person loves one who always speaks the word of God.

 

5) Anoint Jehu (Influence the church)

 

Those who escaped the sword of Hazael could not escape the sword of Jehu, and those who escaped Jehu could not escape the sword of Elisha. No one can escape the sword of prophets for the word of God will surely be fulfilled. When Paul preached to King Agrippa, everyone was so fearful. During the passing out of Officer Cadet School, the drawing of the sword has great significance.

 

6) Anoint Hazel (Influence the world)

 

Actually the weakness of the world is because of the insufficiency of the prayers of the church.

 

 

6. Israel’s Destruction

 

1) Follow Jeroboam (Start: carbon copy)

 

2) Do not know how to repent

 

Many people know how to repent this and that, but they do not know how to repent with their life. Therefore, they remain the same. Satan continually attacks the saints through their hearts and minds.

 

3) Wait: 7000

 

Those who will be destroyed should quickly be destroyed, however, God waited for the remnants. When the numbers are fulfilled, God will destroy the world.

 

 

7. Judah

 

Why did God have mercy on Judah?

 

Passage Reading: 2Kg. 8:19

 

Nevertheless, for the sake of his servant David, the LORD was not willing to destroy Judah. He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants for ever.

 

<8:19>

 

Even though Judah did whatever Israel did, there was a difference. The forces of darkness of Ahab even spread to Judah by marriage. But even though a daughter of Ahab, Athaliah was married to the king of Israel Jehoram, God had mercy. Because of the covenant He made with Abraham and David, God is a merciful God. God never forgets. We can be hopeful about tomorrow because of the promise we have made covenant with God before. God found pleasure in just one David, therefore we are hopeful because of the covenant we had made to God before. Have you ever thought of this before, about how grateful we are because of this?

 

Those who cannot be forgiven would not be forgiven (Israel). When we think about this, we do not become afraid because we are so grateful that we do not belong there. When we meet problems such as those regarding our children, we only bring them to the Lord. If we worry for our studies, we bring them to God, “Lord, this is what You have given to me.” God will surely remember the promise you have made before God. What have you not received freedom about?

 

Last year when Meiling had not entered prison, she bought a bible for me. When I went back home, there was so much gratefulness in me. I never promised her anything (whether she would enter prison or not) when I counsel her. Back at home, I knelt down before the Lord, “Lord, I will not want to be a great pastor, but only that I can open up Your word.” Remember that it was during that time that God fulfilled in me the light I continually receive from the bible. I went to attend the court hearing with sadness, but also with praises to God. I know that God will want to tear down the worldliness in her and rebuild her. It is okay that we are weak after making a covenant, because God remembers. It is only when such covenant is made that God can fulfill. Have we made such a covenant and seen such accomplishment?

 

Everything must be established on the promise. We must become one that never changes. Everything can change, but I do not change. A few branches with the leaves of the tree can move, but when you do not let the main stem move, all the branches will not be affected. Only let the main stem not be moved. When this happen, the branches will be safe and protected. Remember this, all of you who are family heads. The root must be firm. Those who have received the promise can surely be unmovable.

 

1) 4 Gospelizations (Genesis)

 

What is the promise? Does it mean if there is money, then God is good? If I ask for a good job, is God’s promise to me merely a good job? Only when you have the 4 gospelizations can you judge that God loves you. Only upon this foundation is everything explained. If you have this content, you can preserve your hearts and minds.

 

Individual gospelization: the problems that happen to us actually blesses myself.

Family gospelization: Yes, this problem is for family gospelization. The failure of the child has surely a reason for family gospelization.

Regional gospelization: How does your family accomplish for regional gospelization? How can Rouqian practically be used for the kingdom? What is regional gospelisation to you at present as I am not talking about the future? For me, because of the most blessed church, when I pray for Mary, David and Caleb, they are born for the church. When they are sick, they are to comfort The Life Church and Missions. When they are a bit naughty, they are to give me answers to bless LCM parents. Many people say that their children are for the kingdom. However, just because of the inconvenience of having children, they cannot come to church. Therefore the promise is still only abstract to them, but not yet practical.

World gospelization: Era (universal church), Penang/KL -> SEA. I have experienced a lot of failures before. Therefore, once, I sat down and formatted in my mind about what the four gospelizations is.

 

2) 5 Mysteries (Exodus -> With me, guidance, fulfillment, victory, inheritance) (Exodus)

 

3) Confirm and See Evidences (Leviticus)

 

And even greater still, those who can test and approve the 5 mysteries will see evidences.

 

4) Process => Test and Approve and Submit (Numbers)

 

There will surely be deceits and trials. But do not worry. God will open up rivers in the desert. Live one day by itself, “Whatever You have given me, I live by it.”

 

5) Anticipate (Deuteronomy)

 

This is my heartbeat as I pray for the church every day. I am so little, but I speak like this only to you. This is because I find that one day, one can really boast in the promises.

 

 

Why did Judah go into exile?

 

1) Lost the promise (foundation)

 

Look at the churches of this era, including the previous church where we were in. A lot of words they give do not come from the foundation of promise. The words in fact kill. For example, “Study hard, and do this for the glory of God”, “Have faith to pray, the problem will go away”, etc. These words kill. They cause people to be further away from the gospel.

 

Which one of you here will think, "because of the promise, 'Lord, let this suffering heal and gospelize our family, and let the testimonies received be to all churches' "? This is the normal faith because it starts with the foundation of promise! If you learn prayer without the correct start, you will surely pray mystically. If there is no promise but you want to be sanctified, you will not know how clean you are because of the blood of Jesus Christ, and therefore you will surely go into legalism. The smell of religion kills everyone. If you understand this, the whole era and people will need you. Again, "How do you know that you are blessed?" “Because God gives me grace here and there.” No! Without the promise as the barometer, how do we know by absoluteness what are curses and blessings?

 

I see that in the church, there are people with life, but just because of their little weaknesses, they are not chosen as deacons or elders. In fact, those who have learnt the nice words of prayers or are more talented or better in doing things are chosen as deacons or elders. And why do we need to vote? It can be judged just by one look who are those with life. Some people have the heart and desire to be used by God. By just the conscience, we cannot doubt them. However, we must know the truth so that the correct conscience can be built correctly. If one has not seen the love of God for him, and he goes into the field, what will happen?

 

Because of the 4 gospelizations, God has already done everything. Therefore, with this perspective, I can understand how He is with me, leads me, answers me, and gives me victory and inheritance.

 

Before this, you may have given zealousness and love to people. If the promise has not become our fixed perspective, so that one has made covenant to God with it, no matter how one tries to explain the promise, he will not be able to explain.

 

“This home is a palace because the king is here.” People will feel comfortable to hear this because it is with foundation. In fact, I encourage you to be a bit exaggerated if people can accept. People will surely be amazed at your faith and love for God and want to learn from you. I treated my auntie a last lunch before she went China, and she was amazed that my wife and I were so free to even go out for such a lunch. However, I told her that our in-laws and parents are arranged by God to take care of our children. I took the chance not to boast about anything, but to tell her that God will need her so much that God will give many people to her just to help the ministry for the promise, and so tell her to go to China with this promise as a missionary. If we know the promise, this is just normal.

 

“Hallelujah! God gave us money when we really needed it.” If we only have such a testimony, the Buddhists also have such testimonies. Buddha can give wisdom to my children to let them study well. Buddha can give children when you cannot bear children. Merely with such testimonies, there is no difference and we cannot share the gospel.

 

Did not follow the path of David

 

If you hear the bible overview and still think that David followed whatever laws with so much details, you are wrong! He knows the promises of God so clearly. Ps 23 “The Lord is My Shepherd ... He uses the rod and staff to lead and guide me.” David committed adultery, but yet was so thick-skinned and could be a king. He told God, “I am bad to the core already!” He knew the promise that normal people could not see. Ps 16, "I often put the Lord in front of me." Therefore, David is the ancestor of Jesus Christ. If there were kings that were like David, it would be so good. However, the good deeds that the 8 good kings did were only to remove the high places, to read the books of the Law, like what Josiah did for 31 years. They never knew the promises of the Lord as well as David. Joash was afraid of the Gentile nations and gave them gifts from the temple. Hezekiah was going to die, and was afraid.

 

Therefore, there were no teachings centered upon the promise after David in Judah. There were no enjoyments of promise like David.

 

If you want to save this era, I tell you how now. I discover that the Christians in this era will naturally respond well to God and give praises when they receive good things from the Lord. In our church, the sadness and difficulties that happened in our family, we can endure and go through with the grace of God. However, with these 2, we will not be able to bless this era. We can only do so if we are able to enjoy His promise, advancement, and miracles at normal times. There are 5% who are really good in the world and everyone respect them. There are another lower 5% who suffered like Job. The rest of the people 90% live, wake up, work, go to Sunday worship service, a lifetime of being calloused. These 90% are the majority people that we can influence if we have such mystery to enjoy God in all normal things.

 

Today, I live differently. When I go to jog, when I go and meet my parents and get the comfort of God, when I go to wake up or sleep, and you can see God in all these, God will surely give an era to you. Remember this, are you living without reason today? Many times, we never think of God. Judah was exiled, and this is the same that we are never being able to be joyful. We are busy on a lot of things but we never accomplish anything. If a saint cannot be joyful, be with whoever and cannot give blessings to whoever he is with, sighs wherever he goes, busy like a robot, this is already a spiritual problem. Know this, this is the problem of Singaporeans. If you become like this, God needs you and the world needs you.

 

2) Rely on Gentiles (world)

 

If you read the book of Jeremiah, Judah was asking, “Should we rely on Egypt, Babylon, Assyria?” Jeremiah told them, “Do not rely any of them” and they put Jeremiah into prison. If we always think about the ways of the world, on relying on the goodness of the world, we are not separated from the world. Yet we are already on the promise of God, the highest wisdom, how can we rely on the wisdom of the world? Actually we do not need to rely on the finance, interpersonal, management in the company, health foods that the world has researched and proven. Our God has surely given us the wisdom to do all things. It is not about reading a lot of books about children psychology. When you are in agony over the problems of your children, you will not be able to use such wisdom. How to treat your superiors and people below? All these are in the gospel. I read some books not to gain, but for the gospel. What do doctors know? Many times doctors do not know. God knows more. What medicine we take, if God gives peace, we will know. Through being blessed, one will know the most accurate method to bless one’s own body. After being blessed, I know the ministry that pulls me along fixes my living schedule. There is no problem when I take up ministry and take dinner after that, then go to sleep. How can I not sleep late? God takes care of me, and there is no problem.

 

I hear the contemporary hymns and I know that the lyrics are done with the tune. The songs sound like they fit into the category of the worldly music. Pray, our sister Suyun, to make our own hymns. Why can’t we do so?

 

Look at the 318 warriors of Abraham. They conquered 5 nations. I continually wait for the period when God gives us the creativity and wisdom that is out of this world, so that when people interview, you can speak wisely to them.

 

3) Cannot discern God’s will: True and false prophets

 

Those who cannot say the true things from the foundation will need to be a bit courteous and smile as they speak. If you are a little bit upright, you know that some words that you speak will not be fulfilled because you do not know whether it comes from the foundation. If you say that you will earn one million at the end of next year, but right now, your finance is still not managed by your life, you know in your heart that this will not happen.

 

4) Cannot pass down (cannot explain)

 

I know the words of Minister Lee must come from the bible, “Our Singapore cabinet ministers come from leadership renewal.” Words and knowledge can be passed down, but life cannot be passed down. Look at the ministries that remain. The structure remains but the life is not there.

 

Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh did evil. His son also did evil. Josiah destroyed the high places, restored the book of the Law, but his son Jehoahaz only served 3 months and his bones were not buried in Jerusalem but in Egypt. Jehoakim was taken to Babylon but his uncle Zedekiah became king. He was the worst as he rebelled against Babylon, and his eyes were gorged out.

 

Cannot pass down means that we cannot explain the truth. This is because there is

 

(1) No Format

 

If there is no format, you cannot teach, and all things cannot be taught.

 

(2) Promise that is not practical (because there is no confirmation)

 

I still find that there is no practicality in our brothers and sisters. What is our timetable? What is our church timetable? God cannot be seen, and is the promise to them is still abstract. Therefore, your children cannot feel it and enjoy it. They need strength to believe. Therefore, we must meditate more on this.

 

Next week, we will talk about Judah and the world. Judah is the most blessed. The prime minister of Babylon was Daniel. He conquered the whole world by the promise.

 

 

Taken from Discipleship Training on 10 August 2007, 2 Kings Overview Part 6.