C

C. BOSTIAN EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED PT.2 1/3/99

Jer 32:17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the

heaven and the earth by thy great power and

stretched out arm, and there is nothing too

hard for thee: (KJV)

Jer 32:18 Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands,

and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers

into the bosom of their children after them:

the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts,

is his name, (KJV)

Jer 32:19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for

thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the

sons of men: to give every one according to

his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: (KJV)

Jer 32:20 Which hast set signs and wonders in the land

of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel,

and among other men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;

Jer 32:21 And hast brought forth thy people Israel out

of the land of Egypt with signs, and with

wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a

stretched out arm, and with great terror;

Jer 32:22 And hast given them this land, which thou

didst swear to their fathers to give them, a

land flowing with milk and honey; (KJV)

Matt 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them,

With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. )

Luke 18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible

with men are possible with God. (KJV)

Jer 32:27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh:

is there any thing too hard for me? (KJV)

GOD IS IN THE BUSINESS OF DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE, THE

UNIMANGINALE AND THE UNEXPECTED. HE IS THE GOD OF ALL

FLESH AND THERE IS NOTHING, NO, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO

HARD FOR HIM. WHAT IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH MAN IS POSSIBLE

WITH GOD. HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED THAT GOD WILL WAIT

UNTIL WE HAVE EXHAUSTED EVERY ATTEMPT, EVERY STRENGTH,

AND EVERY HUMAN RESOURCE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE HE

BEGINS TO WORK ON OUR IMPOSSIBLE TASK. DO YOU KNOW WHY

WE DO THAT? ITS REALLY A MATTER OF UNBELIEF AND AND

THE NATURAL MAN'S DESIRE TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE TO FIX

THINGS BY OURSELVES. HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT IT'D BE

BETTER TO DEFER EACH AND EVERY PROBLEM WE HAVE TO THE

MOST EFFICIENT PROBLEM SOLVER IN THE UNIVERSE AND THAT

IS JESUS CHRIST.

Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (KJV)

Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head

of all principality and power: (KJV)

Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins: (KJV)

Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the

firstborn of every creature: (KJV)

Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are

in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and

invisible, whether they be thrones, or

dominions, or principalities, or powers: all

things were created by him, and for him:

Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (KJV)

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church:

who is the beginning, the firstborn from the

dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (KJV)

DO YOU KNOW THAT GOD WANT TO HAVE THE PLACE OF PRE-

EMINENCE IN OUR LIVES. THAT MEANS THAT HE WANTS TO

HAVE THE FIRST PLACE IN EVERY AREA OF OUR LIVES. WHO

DO YOU TURN TO FIRST WHEN A PROBLEM? DO WE GO DIRECTLY

TO THE THRONE OR DO WE GO TO THE PHONE? DO WE TRY AND

FIX IT OURSELVES OR DO WE COMMITT IT OURSELVES AND OUR

PROBLEM TO THE LORD, CASTING ALL OUR CARES, WORRY AND

STRESS UNTO THE LORD BECAUSE HE CARES FOR US? WE MUST

LEARN ONE OF THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIANITY MAT-

URITY AND THAT IS TOTAL DEPENDENCE ON GOD AND NOT ON

SELF OR ANYONE ELSE.

LAST WEEK WE LOOKED BACK INTO THE HISTORY OF JUDAH

AND ITS IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION. LIKE LITTLE KUAIT, JUDAH

WAS FACING A CERTIAN DEEAT TO THE HANDS OF THREE ALLI

NATIONS WHO HAD COME TO ATTACK THEM. THIS MORNING WE

ARE GOING TO LOOK AT TEN THINGS THAT JEHOSHAPHAT AND

THE PEOPLE DID TO PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR GOD UNEXPECTED

INTERVENTION AND DELIVERANCE FROM THIER IMPOSSIBLE

SITUATION SO THAT WE CAN GO INTO 1999 WITH THE ATTITUDE

OF EXPECTENCY. CAN YOU EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED IN 1999?

YOU SEE I BELIEVE IN THIS PRINCIPLE: THE WAY YOU GO OUT

DETERMINES THE WAY YOU COME IN. THE WAY YOU LEAVE A

CHURCH DETERMINES THE WAY YOU COME INTO THE NEXT

CHURCH. IF YOU LEAVE ANGRY AND IN REBELLION YOU COME

INTO THE NEXT PLACE WITH THAT SAME ANGER AND REBELLION.

IF YOU LEAVE A BUSINESS OR A MARRIAGE WITH UNRESOVELD

PROBLEM AND CONFLICTS YOU BRING ALL THAT EXTRA BAGGAGE

INTO THE NEXT MARRIAGE OR THE NEXT BUSINNESS ENDEAVOR.

WHY? BECAUSE GOD WILL NEVER LET YOU RUN AWAY FROM THE

PROBLEM AND LIVE IN DENIAL, HE WILL BRING YOU TO A PLACE OF BROKENESS AND SURRENDER TO HIM, CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDES AND DEVELOP YOUR CHARACTER INTO THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF CHRIST UNTIL YOU SURRENDER TO HIM AND GIVE HIM THE PLACE OF PREEMENIENCE THAT HE DESERVES! SO THE WAY WE COME OUT DETERMINE THE WAY WE COME IN. THE WAY WE COME OUT OF 1998 WILL DETERMINE TH WAY WE COME INTO 1999. INSPITE OF ALL THE UNSOLVED PROBLEM WE FACED IN 1998 WE NEED TO COMMIT THEM TO GOD WITH A GREATER SENSE OF TRUST AND EXPECTANCY AND DARE TO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED IN 1999. WE NEED TO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED BECAUSE OF THE UNLIMITED

RESOURCES THAT GOD HAS TO DELIVER US AND BRING US OUT

OF ANY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCE OR PROBLEM. GOD CAN

QUICKLY AND SUDDENLY REVERSE YOUR PRESENT DELEMIA.

GOD CAN AND WILL DO SOMETHING FASTER THAN WE THINK HE

CAN, IN A WAY WAY WE NEVER THOUGHT HE COULD, TO BRING A

SUDDEN CONCLUSION TO YOUR PROBLEM. ANYONE CAN SAY, I

KNOW GOD COULD, I KNOW GOD CAN BUT YOU DON'T BELIEVE HE WILL OR THAT HE WANTS TO. WE NEED TO KNOW BEYOND A SHADOW OF DOUBT THAT GOD CAN, GOD WILL AND GOD DESIRES TO HELP US IN ANY SITUATION AND CIRCUMSTANCE EVEN IF WE CAUSED IT THROUGH SOME AREA OF WEAKNESS OR FAILURE! WE NEED TO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. NOW LET'S REVEIW JUST A LITTLE BIT FROM LAST WEEK SO THAT WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME

WAVELENGTH, THIS MORNING.

2 Chr 20:1 It came to pass after this also, that the

children of Moab, and the children of Ammon,

and with them other beside the Ammonites,

came against Jehoshaphat to battle. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat,

saying, There cometh a great multitude

against thee from beyond the sea on this

side Syria; and, behold, they be in

Hazazon-tamar, which is Engedi. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to

seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast

throughout all Judah. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to

ask help of the LORD: even out of all the

cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

2 Chr 20:5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of

Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the

LORD, before the new court, (KJV)

2 Chr 20:6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not

thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over

all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in

thine hand is there not power and might, so

that none is able to withstand thee? (KJV)

2 Chr 20:7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out

the inhabitants of this land before thy

people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of

Abraham thy friend for ever? (KJV)

2 Chr 20:8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee

a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,

2 Chr 20:9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword,

judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand

before this house, and in thy presence, (for

thy name is in this house,) and cry unto

thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and

Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not

let Israel invade, when they came out of

the land of Egypt, but they turned from

them, and destroyed them not; (KJV)

2 Chr 20:11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come

to cast us out of thy possession, which

thou hast given us to inherit. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we

have no might against this great company

that cometh against us; neither know we

what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

2 Chr 20:13 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with

their little ones, their wives, and their children. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah,

the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the

son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of

Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the

midst of the congregation; (KJV)

2 Chr 20:15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye

inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king

Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you,

Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of

this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold,

they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye

shall find them at the end of the brook,

before the wilderness of Jeruel. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle:

set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the

salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and

Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to

morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his

face to the ground: and all Judah and the

inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the

LORD, worshipping the LORD. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:19 And the Levites, of the children of the

Kohathites, and of the children of the

Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God

of Israel with voices loud and high. (KJV)

DON'T TALK TO ME ABOUT IT BEING TOO LOUD

AND TO TURN IT DOWN BECAUSE THAT'S NOT IN

THE BIBLE: ITS LOUD, ON HIGH....

2 Chr 20:20 And they rose early in the morning, and

went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa:

and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood

and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye

inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the

LORD your God, so shall ye be established;

believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

2 Chr 20:21 And when he had consulted with the people,

he appointed singers unto the LORD, and

that should praise the beauty of holiness,

as they went out before the army, and to

say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:22 And when they began to sing and to praise,

the LORD set ambushments against the

children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir,

which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up

against the inhabitants of mount Seir,

utterly to slay and destroy them: AND WHEN

THEY HAD MADE AN END of the inhabitants of

Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

2 Chr 20:24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower

in the wilderness, they looked unto the

multitude, and, behold, they were dead

bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to

take away the spoil of them, they found

among them in abundance both riches with

the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which

they stripped off for themselves, more than

they could carry away: and they were three

days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:26 And on the fourth day they assembled

themselves in the valley of Berachah; for

there they blessed the LORD: therefore the

name of the same place was called, The

valley of Berachah, unto this day. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and

Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront

of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy;

for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. (KJV)

OUR KEY TEXT THIS MORNING IS 2 Chr 20:20 "Hear me O Judah and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. SO JEHOSHAPHAT IS SAYING THAT THE PROPHESY THEY HAD RECEIVED FROM THE

LORD WAS THE GOD WAS GOING TO RESCUE THEM QUICKLY OR

SUDDENLY IN A WAY THEY HADN'T EXPECTED.

NOW LET ME PAINT THE PICTURE FOR YOU THINS MORNING.

SO OFTEN WE READ A BIBLE TEXT LIKE THIS AND WE FORGET

THAT THESE WERE REAL PEOPLE WITH REAL PROBLEMS. THEY

HAD A REAL ENEMY, THREE NATIONS, WHO WANTED TO DESTROY

THEM AND WIPE THEIR NAME OFF THE MAP. WHEN TROOPS

COME, PEOPLE ARE KILLED, AND WOUNDED. FAMLIES ARE

BROKEN UP, CHILDREN ARE TAKEN AS SLAVES, THE FATHERS

ARE BEATEN AND SENT TO SLAVE CAMPS AND THE WOMEN ARE

RAPED. SO CATCH THE FEELING HERE, THESE PEOPLE ARE

FACING A CERTIAN DOOM UNLESS GOD INTERVENS. HAVE YOU

EVER FACED A PROBLEM OF INSURMOUNTABLE PROPORTIONS THAT

LOOKED IMPOSSIBLE IN THE NATURAL? YES, WE ALL HAVE AT

ONE TIME OR ANOTHER. OUR BUSINESS AND HOMES HAVE BEEN

ATTACKED BY THE DEVIL. HE WANTS TO ENSLAVE OUR

CHILDREN WITH DRUGS, REBELLION, PRE-MARITAL SEX. HE

TRIES TO DIVIDE THE HOME AND SEPARATE THE CHILDREN FROM

THEIR FATHER OR MOTHER. BUSINNESS GO INTO BANKRUPCY

AND INSTEAD OF HAVING THE JOY OF THE LORD PEOPLE LIVE

UNDER OPPRESSION AND DEFEAT. IN VERSES 3 - 15 WE CAN

LEARN WHAT THE INHABITANTS DID TO PREPARE THEMSELVES

AND TO GET READY FOR GOD TO WORK IN THEIR LIFE AND

DELIVER THEM FROM THEIR PROBLEM. THE OBJECTION OF OUR

LESSON THIS MORNING IS FOR YOU TO BE FREE TO EXPECT THE

UNEXPECTED.

Romans 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it

short in righteousness: because a short

work will the Lord make upon the earth.

CUT SHORT: Strong's # 4932 suntemno (soon-tem'-no); from 4862 and the base of 5114; to contract by cutting, i.e. (figuratively)

do concisely (speedily): KJV-- (cut) short. (DIC)

THE PHRASES, CUT IT SHORT AND A SHORT WORK LIT.

MEANS TO DO A SUDDEN WORK, TO DO IT QUICKLY AND

UNEXPECTEDLY. GOD'S GONNA FINISH THE WORK IN YOUR LIFE

AND MINE, SUDDENLY OR QUICKLY, OR SOONER THAN YOU

THOGUHT, SO BEGIN TO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. I THINK

GOD TAKES GREAT JOY AND PLEASURE BY BREAKING INTO OUR

MUNDANE, DAY TO DAY LIVES AND WITH HIS MIRACLE WORKING

POWER TO LIFT US OUT OF THE NATURAL INTO THE

SUPERNATURAL, TO TAKE US OUT OF THE ORDINARY TO THE

EXTRAORDINARY. SO PUSH YOURSELF ON THIS MORNING TO

BELIEVE FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE AND TO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. DON'T JUST HEAR THIS MESSAGE AS ANOTHER GOOD TEACHING BUT BE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY IT TO THE CIRUMSTANCES OF YOUR LIFE AND DARE TO BELIEVE AND EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. I WANT TO GIVE YOU TEN THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR GOD TO WORK IN OUR LIVES IN A SUDDEN OR QUICK WAY. BUT BEFORE I DO THAT I WANT TO LOOK AT THIS VERSE THAT WE STUDIED LAST WEEK:

2 Chr 20:20 And they rose early in the morning, and

went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa:

and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood

and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye

inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the

LORD your God, so shall ye be established;

believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

WE NEED TO LISTEN TO WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO US, I MEAN WE NEED TO REALLY HEAR WHAT HE'S SAYING AND DROWN OUT ALL THE OTHER VOICES AND SITRACTIONS IN OUR LIFE SO THAT HIS VOICE HAS THE PREMENENCE IN OUR LIVES. PSA.46:10 SAYS BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. THIS HEB. WD. STILL LIT. MEANS TO ABANDON YOURSELF TO GOD. IT MEANS TO DESERT EVERY OTHER AFFILIATION AND WAIT ON THE LORD. WHEN WE WAIT ON THE LORD WE MAKE AN EXCHANGE, OUR WEAKNESS FOR HIS STRENGTH. AS WE WAIT GOD WILL ESTABLISH US AND PROSPER US AND LEAD US ON TO REACHING OUR FULL POTENTIAL IN CHRIST AND FULFILLING OUR DESTINY AND PUPOSE IN LIFE AND IN THAT WHICH IS TO COME. IN 2CHRON.20:20 THE PROPHET TELLS THEM TO BLIEVE IN THE LORD:

BELIEVE: Strong's # 539 'aman (aw-man'); a primitive root; properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be)

firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain; once (Isa. 30:21; interchangeable with 541) to go to the

right hand: KJV-- hence, assurance, believe, bring up, establish, + fail, be faithful (of long continuance, stedfast, sure, surely, trusty, verified), nurse, (-ing father), (put), trust, turn to the right.

THE NEXT THING WE NEED TO LOOK AT IN THIS VERSE IS

THE COMMAND, BELIEVE. ITS THE HEBREW WORD "AMAN." NOW

IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WE USE THE WORD AMAN OR AMEN. ITS

USED IN THE O.T FOR THE TAKING OF A CHILD THAT HAS BEEN

ORPHANED OR REJECTED AND IS TAKEN BY FOSTER PARENTS AND

IS NOW NOURISHED, SECURED, NURSED AND SETTLES. THE

LORD SAYS, "BELIEVE!" BECAUSE HE'S A FATHER TO THE

FATHERLESS. YOU MAY FEEL THAT YOUR SITUATION HAS BEEN

ABANDONED OR REJECTED, THE LORD SAYS COME ON BELIEVE

ME. ANOTHER WAY BELIEVE IS USED IS TO REFLECT THINGS

THAT ARE FIXED OR SECURED VERY FIRMLY. SOMETHING THAT

HAS BEEN MADE FIRM OR STRONG. SO THE LORD SAYS,

BELIEVE FOR I AM YOUR PILLAR OF STRENGTH. I CAN HOLD

YOU UP WHEN YOU ARE WEAK AND TIRED AND THERE'S NO

SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM IN SIGHT. AMAN IS THE WAY OF

SAYING THIS WORD OF THE LORD IS TRUE, ITS FIRM AND WE

SAY AMEN. SO WHEN GOD SAYS TO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED WE

NEED TO EXPECT GOD TO BREAKTHROUGH IN THIS CHURCH OR IN

YOUR LIFE THAT YOU DIDN'T WORK FOR, YOU DIDN'T BATTLE

FOR, OR YOU DIDN'T DO SOME RELIGIOUS PERFORMANCE FOR

BUT SIMPLY BELIEVED GOD, TOOK HIM AT HIS WORD AND SAID

AMAN, AMEN!

2 Cor 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was

preached among you by us, even by me and

Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. (KJV)

2 Cor 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea,

and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (KJV)

2 Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in

Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; (KJV)

2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the

earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (KJV)

Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but

delivered him up for us all, how shall he

not with him also freely give us all things? (KJV)

1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the

world, but the spirit which is of God; that

we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (KJV)

NOW WHAT HAPPENED TO JUDAH, THREE ARMIES IN ALLI WITH ONE ANOTHER CAME TO DESTROY JUDAH BUT IN THE PROCESS TURN ON THEMSELVES AND UTTERLY KILL AND DESTROY

THEIR ALLI ARMIES. THAT IS EXTREMELY UNUSUAL, IT IS

TOTALLY UNEXPECTED AND YET GOD DID IT. ALL THEY HAD TO

DO WAS TO BELIEVE, TO AMAN GOD'S SPOKEN WORD BY THE

PROPHET. NOW YOU NEED TO BELIEVE FOR YOUR PROBLEM AND

SITUATION TO TURN AROUND AND WE NEED TO BELIEVE FOR

THIS CHURCH TO TURN AROUND BECAUSE THERE IS A CHANGING

OF OUR SEASONS. WE ARE COMING INTO A SEASON OF GOD

QUICK AND SUDDEN DELIVERANCE AND ITS NOT JUST FOR THIS

CHURCH IT FOR EVERY ONE OF YOU IN YOUR BUSINESS, IN

YOUR FAMILY, AT HOME AND AT WORK. REMEMBER, WE ALL GO

THROUGH DIFFERENT SEASONS AND WE'RE ABOUT TO CHANGE

SEASONS. HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW AFTER WINTER COMES

SPRING, WHEN NEW LIFE COMES AND THE SOUND OF THE SING

OF THE BIRDS HAS COME. GET READY FOR THINGS TO COME

ALIVE IN YOUR HEART AND LIFE AND DARE TO EXPECT THE

UNEXPECTED. SUDDEN GROWTH, AND INCREASE OF FINANCE, A

SUDDEN BREAKTHROUGH, A SUDDEN ADVANCEMENT IN YOUR JOB,

A SUDDEN DELIVERANCE ON THAT CHILD OR A SUDDEN

DELIVERANCE IN YOUR DELIMA. NO THERE'S NO NATURAL SOL-

UTION THAT LOOKS QUICK OR SUDDEN UNLESS GOD GETS IN AND

SAYS I'M GIVING YOU A SUDDENLY. SO HE HAS TO GIVE ME

SOME ILLUSTRATIONS THAT ITS POSSIBLE, THAT ITS HAPPENED

BEFORE, THAT HE WANTS TO DO IT AND THAT HE WILL DO IT.

SO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED, SAY AMAN, AMEN TO THE WORD OF

GOD SPOKEN INTO YOUR LIFE.

IF WE WERE TO READ 2 CHRON.20:1-14 AGAIN WE COULD

DISCOVER TEN THINGS THAT JEHOSHPHAT AND JUDAH DID TO

PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR GOD'S SUDDEN AND UNECPECTED

INTERVENTION INTO THEIR LIVES. LET'S LOOK AT THIS

QUICKLY THIS MORNING AS A PATTERN THAT WE CAN APPLY TO

OUR IMPOSSIBLE SITUATIONS, CIRCUMSTANCES AND UNRESOLVED

PROBLEMS GOIN INTO 1999.

2 Chr 20:1 It came to pass after this also, that the

children of Moab, and the children of Ammon,

and with them other beside the Ammonites,

came against Jehoshaphat to battle. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat,

saying, There cometh a great multitude

against thee from beyond the sea on this

side Syria; and, behold, they be in

Hazazon-tamar, which is Engedi. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to

seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast

throughout all Judah. (KJV)

1. THE FIRST THING WE SEE JEHOSHAPHAT DO WHEN HE WAS

PRESENTED WITH THIS IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION WAS TO SEEK

THE LORD, IN IS OWN PRIVATE HEART AND LIFE. WHAT DO

YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE FACED WITH A CRISIS. DO YOU CALL

PSYCHIC HOTLINE? DO YOU JOIN MCI'S FRIENDS AND

FAMLIES? OR DO YOU ABANDON YOURSELF TO THE MERCIES OF

GOD AND SEEK HIM WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART?

Ps 9:9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the

oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. (KJV)

Ps 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their

trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not

forsaken them that seek thee. (KJV)

Ps 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger:

but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. (KJV)

Ps 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee:

my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth

for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; (KJV)

Ps 63:2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have

seen thee in the sanctuary. (KJV)

Ps 63:3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life,

my lips shall praise thee. (KJV)

Ps 63:4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will

lift up my hands in thy name. (KJV)

Ps 63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and

fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: (KJV)

Ps 63:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate

on thee in the night watches. (KJV)

Ps 63:7 over name for ever: and let the whole earth be

filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. (KJV)

Ps 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,

and that seek him with the whole heart. (KJV)

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward

you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and

not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jer 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go

and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. (KJV)

Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye

shall search for me with all your heart.

Jer 29:14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD:

and I will turn away your captivity, and I

will gather you from all the nations, and

from all the places whither I have driven

you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you

again into the place whence I caused you to

be carried away captive. (KJV)

THERE IS NO BETTER TIME TO SEEK THE LORD WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART THAN WHEN AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION ARISES THAT IS BEYOND HUMAN HELP OR CONTROL. JESUS SAID THAT WE ARE TO SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ALL THESE OTHEr MUNDANE THINGS WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. HERE WE SEE THAT JEHOSAPHAT SET HIS HEART TO SEEK GOD. YOUR MIND MAY WONDER AIMLESSLY BUT A DISCIPLINED BELIEVER WILL ENGAGE HIS HEART TO SEEK GOD WHEN A CRISIS ARISES BECAUSE OF THE RESULTS RECORDED IN:

Ps 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and

delivered me from all my fears. (KJV)

2. THE 2ND THING YOU NEED TO DO WHEN A CRISIS ARISES

IS TO HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE THE LORD.

2 Chr 20:3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to

seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. (KJV)

FASTING IN SCRIPTURE ALWAYS SPEAKS ABOUT BROKENESS AND HUMILITY AND INVOLVES A CONFESSION OF SIN AND REPENTANCE. ITS A GOOD TIME WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MIDST OF A BAD SITUATION TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF SOUL SEARCHING. ASK YOURSEL THIS QUESTION: 'WHAT AM I DOING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROBLEM?' LORD I'M IN A MESS AND I KNOW THAT A LOT OF IT IS PROBABLY MY FAULT. YOU WANT TO BLESS ME, ESTABLISH ME AND PROSPER ME BUT I'VE BEEN IMMERESED IN MY WORK, I HAVEN'T BEEN TITHING, I'VE BEEN TAKING COUNSEL FROM CARNAL CHRISTIANS AND I'VE HAD NO PLACE FOR YOU OR TIME TO SEEK YOUR FACE AND ITS SHOWING UP IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF MY LIFE. YOU SEE, NOW IS A GOOD TO SEEK THE LORD, EXAMINE YOUR LIFE AND REPENT,

HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE THE LORD.

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace

unto the humble. (KJV)

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist

the devil, and he will flee from you. (KJV)

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to

you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and

purify your hearts, ye double minded. (KJV)

James 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your

laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy

to heaviness. (KJV)

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up. (KJV)

1 Pet 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. (KJV)

1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty

hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (KJV)

1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (KJV)

2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the

faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not

your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in

you, except ye be reprobates? (KJV)

NOW WHEN A BAD SITUATION ARISES AND YOU HUMBLE

YOURSELF AND SEEK THE LORD HE'LL SHOW YOU IF THERE'S

ANYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE WRONG THAT IS CONTRIBUTING

TO THE SITUATION OR IS CREATING AN OPEN DOOR FOR THE

DEVIL TO WORK. UNCONFESSED SIN GIVES THE DEVIL LEGAL

ACCESS TO WORK CHAOS AND HAVOC IN YOUR LIFE. WHEN YOU

REPENT AND CONFESS OF YOUR SIN THE PEACE OF GOD RULES

IN YOUR LIFE.

3. THE 3RD THING THEY DID WHEN PRESENTED WITH THIS IM-

POSSIBLE SITUATION WAS, THEY GATHERED TOGETHER:

2 Chr 20:4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to

ask help of the LORD: even out of all the

cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

THIS MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO GIVE GOD TIME AND PLACE

WHEN A STORM HITS. WHEN THINGS GO BAD, DON'T DROP OUT

OF FELLOWSHIP. DON'T QUIT COMING TO CHURCH IN A

CRISIS. THE BEST PLACE TO HEAR FROM GOD IS AT CHURCH

BECAUSE HIS PEOPLE HAVE GATHERED TOGETHER BY FAITH TO

WORSHIP GOD, TO SEEK HIS FACE AND TO HEAR HIS WORD. I

REMEMBER A TIME WHEN I WAS STRUGGELING TO HEAR FROM GOD

FOR A WORD TO PREACH. I DECIDED TO GO TO A TUESDAY

NIGHT MEETING AND AFTER THE WORSHIP AND DURING THE

PREACHING GOD BEGAN TO SPEAK TO ME AND I STARTED

HEARING FROM GOD FASTER THAN I COULD WRITE. I DIDN'T

HEAR A WORD THE PASTOR HAD SPOKEN BUT I WAS IN A PLACE

AND ATMOSPHERE WHERE THE REVELATION OF GOD WAS FREELY

FLOWING. WHEN A PROBLEM COMES GO TO CHURCH, GET IN A

PRAYER GROUP, A HOME MEETING AND SEEK THE LORD.

THERE'S A CORPORATE AND THE SCRIPTURE SAYS THAT TWO ARE

BETTER THAN ONE:

Eccles 4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a

good reward for their labour. (KJV)

Eccles 4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his

fellow: but woe to him that is alone when

he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. (KJV)

Eccles 4:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have

heat: but how can one be warm alone? (KJV)

Eccles 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall

withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (KJV)

ONE OF THE BASIC TRICKS OF THE ENEMY IS ISOLATION.

WHEN A PROBLEM COMES THE DEVIL WILL TEMPT YOU TO TRY

AND MAKE IT ON YOUR OWN, TO SEVER YOURSELF FROM THE

REST OF THE BODY. ANY PART OF MY BODY THAT AMPUTATED

WILL DIE AND YET THERE ARE TONS OF CHRISTIANS WHO

REFUSE TO BELONG TO A BODY OF BELIEVERS. NO I DON'T

WANT TO GET LEGALISTIC HERE THIS MORNING. THE

SCRIPTURES TELLS US NOT TO FORSAKE THE ASSEMBLING OF

OURSELVES. DON'T JUST COME TO CHURCH TO FULFILL SOME

RELIGIOUS PERFORMANCE , COME FOR THE RIGHT REASONS AND

THE RIGHT MOTIVATION AND YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID CAUSE

GOD WILL MEET WITH YOU, HE'LL HEAL YOU, ENCOURAGE YOU, FILL

YOU WITH HIS SPIRIT AND BLESS YOU AN IF YOU COME FOR

ANY OTHER REASON HE WON'T. SO WHEN A PROBLEM COMES

GATHER TOGETHER WITH OTHER BELIEVERS AND THEY PICK YOU

UP,STRENGTHEN YOU AND ENCOURAGE YOU IN THE LORD!

4. THE 4TH THING THEY DID WHEN THIS CRISIS CAME WAS

THAT THEY REMEMBERED HOW THE LORD HAD DELIVERED THEM

BEFORE.

2 Chr 20:5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of

Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the

LORD, before the new court, (KJV)

2 Chr 20:6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not

thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over

all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in

thine hand is there not power and might, so

that none is able to withstand thee? (KJV)

Ps 77:10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will

remember the years of the right hand of the most High. (KJV)

Ps 77:11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely

I will remember thy wonders of old. (KJV)

Ps 77:12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. (KJV)

Ps 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so

great a God as our God? (KJV)

Ps 77:14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast

declared thy strength among the people. (KJV)

Ps 77:15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people,

the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. (KJV)

Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am

God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

Jonah 2:6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains;

the earth with her bars was about me for

ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from

corruption, O LORD my God. (KJV)

Jonah 2:7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered

the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee,

into thine holy temple. (KJV)

Ps 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is

within me, bless his holy name. (KJV)

Ps 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: (KJV)

Ps 103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; (KJV)

Ps 103:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who

crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; (KJV)

Ps 103:5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so

that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Ps 103:6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment

for all that are oppressed. (KJV)

5. THE NEXT THING THEY DID WAS TO DECLARE THEIR RELA-

TIONSHIP WITH THE LORD AND TO RE-AFFIRM THEIR COVENANT

WITH GOD.

2 Chr 20:7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out

the inhabitants of this land before thy

people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of

Abraham thy friend for ever? (KJV)

HE IS NOT JUST THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB.

HE IS NOT JUST THE GOD OF JUDAH OR ISRAEL, HE IS MY GOD, HE IS MY PERSONAL SAVIOR AND LORD. HE HAS SENT THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO OUR HEARTS WHEREBY WE CRY ABBA FATHER, A TERM OF INTIMACY. DAVID SAID IN PSA.23:1, THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT. RE-AFFIRM YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND THAT HE IS THE SOURCE OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND SUBSEQ-UENTLY THE PROVIDER, NOURISHER, PROTECTOR AND SUSTAINER OF YOUR LIFE...HE IS YOUR FATHER AND CHILDREN COME FROM FATHERS AND FATHERS ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR

CHILDREN.

Matt 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son

ask bread, will he give him a stone? (KJV)

Matt 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? (KJV)

Matt 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good

gifts unto your children, how much more shall

your Father which is in heaven give good

things to them that ask him? (KJV)

Ps 17:7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that

savest by thy right hand them which put their

trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

Ps 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under

the shadow of thy wings, (KJV)

Ps 17:9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly

enemies, who compass me about. (KJV)

6. OUR 6TH RESPONSE TO A CRISIS IS TO SPEAK FORTH YOUR

TESTIMONY. IN VERSE 7 THEY ARE SPEAKING, YOU ARE OUR

GOD, YOU ARE OUR FRIEND AND YOU DID DRIVE OUT THE

INHABITANTS OF THIS LAND.

2Chron 20:7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out

the inhabitants of this land before thy

people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of

Abraham thy friend for ever? (KJV)

JN. RECORDS FOR US THE VICTORY THAT IS OUR THROUGH

JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD IN REV.12:10, AND THEY OVERCAME

HIM BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB AND THE WORD OF THEIR

TESTIMONY AND BECAUSE THEY LOVED NOT THEIR LIVES UNTO

DEATH. THE TONGUE IS A POWERFUL WEAPON AND CAN

INITIATE BOTH BLESSING AND CURSES FOR THE POWER OF LIFE

AND DEATH ARE IN THE TONGUE.

Prov 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the

tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (KJV)

Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee,

even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that

is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth

the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine

heart that God hath raised him from the

dead, thou shalt be saved. (KJV)

Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto

righteousness; and with the mouth

confession is made unto salvation. (KJV)

7. THE 7TH RESPONSE THEY MADE WHEN FACED WITH THIS

IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION WAS TO RE-STATE GOD'S COVENANT.

2Chron 20:8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee

a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,

2Chron 20:9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword,

judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we

stand before this house, and in thy

presence, (for thy name is in this house,)

and cry unto thee in our affliction, then

thou wilt hear and help. (KJV)

WHEN SOLOMON DEDICATED THE TEMPLE TO THE LORD HE

MADE THIS COVENANT WITH THE LORD. IF WE HAVE SINNED

AND COME BEFORE THIS PLACE AND ACKNOWLEDGE AND TURN

FROM OUR SIN THE HEAR IN THIS PLACE AND FORGIVE AND

TURN OUR ENEMIES AWAY FROM US AND SEND THE RAIN FOR OUR

HARVEST. WE HAVE A SIMILAR COVENANT WITH GOD THAT IS

RECORDED IN IJN.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive

ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and

just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse

us from all unrighteousness. (KJV)

REMIND GOD OF THE COVENANT THAT YOU MADE WITH HIM.

IT IS A BLOOD COVENANT THAT IS SIGNIFICANT. WHAT GOD

IS SAYING TO US IN A BLOOD COVENANT IS THAT ALL HE HAS

IS OURS, ALL HIS RESOURCES AND WEAPONS ARE OURS, ALL

OUR ENEMIES BECOME HIS ENEMIES AND HE WILL FIGHT TO

PROTECT US AND DEFEND US. ALL THAT IS IMPLIED IN A

BLOOD COVENANT MADE BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE. IN THE MIDST

OF A CRISIS, RE-STATE YOUR COVENANT WITH GOD.

8. WHEN YOU'RE FACED WITH AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION YOU

SHOULD SIT DOWN AND DEFINE YOUR PROBLEM ACCURATELY.

HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT FEAR CAN BE IRRATIONAL?

2Chron 20:10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and

Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest

not let Israel invade, when they came out

of the land of Egypt, but they turned from

them, and destroyed them not; (KJV)

2Chron 20:11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come

to cast us out of thy possession, which

thou hast given us to inherit. (KJV)

WHEN A PROBLEM COMES, INSTEAD OF RE-ACTING TO THE

PROBLEM IN SOME WILD EMOTIONAL FRENZY, TAKE THE TIME TO

UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM. IT IS HELPFUL TO WRITE DOWN

THE PROBLEM, DO SOME BRAINSTORMING, ANALYZE THE PROBLEM

AND WRITE DOWN SPECIFICS AND AVOID GENERALITIES THAT

HAVE A WAY OF MAKING OUR PROBLEM SEEM BIGGER AND MORE

IMPOSSIBLE.

9. IN VERSE 12 WE SEE THAT THEY CALLED FOR GOD'S SALVATION.

2Chron 20:12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for

we have no might against this great

company that cometh against us; neither

know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. (KJV)

HAVE YOU EVER REACHED THE END OF YOUR RESOURCES AND

IN A STATE OF DESPERATION CRIED OUR FOR GOD'S HELP?

Ps 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous,

and his ears are open unto their cry. (KJV)

Ps 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and

delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Ps 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a

broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (KJV)

Ps 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but

the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

10. THE 10TH RESPONSE AFTER THE FIRST NINE HAVE BEEN

DONE IS TO WAIT ON THE LORD.

2Chron 20:13 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with

their little ones, their wives, and their children. (KJV)

2Chron 20:14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah,

the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the

son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of

Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;

AFTER THEY HAD DONE ALL THEY COULD THEY SIMPLY

WAITED ON THE LORD. IN OTHER WORDS THEY GAVE GOD TIME

TO WORK ON THEIR BEHALF. NOW HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT

OUR TIMETABLE AND GOD'S TIMETABLE ARE DIFFERENT? GOD'S

SOON, IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY CAN BE SEVERAL YEARS. WE

THINK OF WAITING IN TERMS OF HOURS AND BECOME A LITTLE

AGITATED AND CONCERNED WHEN IT TURNS INTO DAYS AND

WEEKS MUCH LESS YEARS. NO, THEY WAITED ON THE LORD

UNTIL HE CAME TO THEM BY HIS SPIRIT AND MINISTERED HOPE

AND EXPECTATION.

IF WE WILL FOLLOW THIS PERSCRIPTION WHEN WE ARE FACED

WITH AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION WE CAN EXPECT THE

UNEXPECTED AND WAIT AND SEE THE SALVATION OF OUR GOD.