Beginning in 2 Kings chapter 3, in verse 1, Jehoram isn't as bad as his father Ahab. He restores worship back to God, but not the correct way, temple worship in Jerusalem, but rather in the way that Jeroboam, Son of Nebat, had set up worship in the northern kingdom of Israel. Which wasn't true worship of God.
After Ahab's death, the king of Moab, rebelled against the king of Israel. Thus Jehoram sends for Jehoshaphat, King of Judah to align with him to go against Moab.
Jehoshaphat, aligns with Jehoram as family, both descendants of Abraham. They bring in the Edomites, their cousins into a three person alliance against Moab.
They pass through Edom, the harsh dessert south of the dead sea.
Jehoshaphat seeks for a prophet of the Lord. Elisha, the prophet, is brought. Elisha knows not to trust the prophets of Jehoram. Elisha says that if it weren't for righteous Jehoshaphat he wouldn't even address the king.
But, since Jehoshaphat made this alliance to Jehoram Elisha offers them a way to succeed.
There is a lack of greatness in the Lord's church. What happened to men an dwomen who took a stand and refuse to do anything that is against the will of God.
There seems to be a lack of greatness in individual Christians. WE need greatness befoe we get to the wilderness and run out of water, like Jehoram, and Jehoshaphat did.
Christians Need to Be Great Before it's Too Late
Solomon had the potential for so much greatness, yet was led astray. And, he didn't turn back to God until later in life.
We need to understand who we are.
In order to achieve any level of greatness we must ...
- 1 John 3:1-3
If we remain faithful we shall see God.
- Matthew 5:8
The phrase, "Fake it until you make it." is the thought that if you think positively you'll achieve what you want.
While we do need to feel good about ourselves, it should be because we are children of God, not because of something we try to achieve on our own.
- James 1:22-25
There is limitation to positive thinking. When reality hits we lose all thought of who we want to be. Rather, we should look at who we ought to be in Christ.
- Judges 6:11-16
Gideon is hiding from his enemies threshing the wheat in the wine vat. The Lord presents himself and calls him a mighty man of valor. Gideon, however didn't know it.
You might be a mighty man or woman of valor, and not know it.
Don't mingle with the mediocre.
- Revelation 3:16
This church was mediocre.
- Proverbs 27:17
Lead will not sharpen iron. Iron will sharpen iron. If we want greatness we need to not hangout with those who are mediocre. We need to be around friends who help us to be the best we can be. We need men and women who will help us to be the best we can be for God.
We Need to Forgive to be Great
Often, a grudge between two people causes generational feuds and often a separation within a congregation of the church.
- Colossians 3:13
When you forgive, you must fully forgive. You can't hold onto bitterness to bring back later.
- Hebrews 12:1
Along with laying aside our sin, we are to lay aside every weight. So we must forgive, and not mingle with the mediocre
We need to Focus on the Main Thing
Paul remained focus on the things of God.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7
Paul's focus on God kept him going.
- Philippians 3:12-15
Paul kept his focus on the things he was going to attain, and forgot about the things behind him. Everyone faces difficult things in life. We must focus on the things ahead, rather than the things behind. We cannot lean on the things in our past to move us forward.
- 1 Corinthians 5:9-11
We must remember that when we are saved the blood of Christ cleanses us of all sins. So forget the things that are behind. We have to remind ourselves that the one who did those things, now in Christ, is dead.
"Never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up, never give up." — Winston Churchill
Some in this room may have given up. Whatever wronged you of your passion for Christ must be forgotten and we must look forward to the prize.
To Be Great - Never become Self Satisfied
Successful men are always writing down their dreams and chasing after them.
- Philippians 3:14
We can never be satisfied until we have achieved he prize there is always work to do.
Regret is the cancer of life. That what if, living in the recesses of mind. You are a mighty man, and woman, of valor.
- 2 Timothy 2:1-4
Lay hold on eternal life, and don't' let go. Turn to God with your whole heart and don't let anyone turn you away.
We turn to God when we believe in His Son, and turn away from sin, repenting of them, confessing the name of Jesus and being baptized for the forgiveness of sins.
If we can assist you in being Great for the Lord, please contact us so we can meet with you.
