Rely on God

2 Chron.13-16

Introduction:

• Read 13:1-3, summarize and 13:17-18 (First use of “relied”)
• “Relied” only in Bible 3 times. “Rely” only once!
• God has only one context for this word, Rely on God!
• Examples of Definition:
  • Your car, depended totally on it to get here
  • Children rely on parents
  • Much more than “trust” rely means to take your hands off!

Chapter 16 – The balance of uses of Rely and Relied –

• Asa did it all wrong verses 1-8
• Trouble came
• Relied on Riches, other men, and all seemed to work!
• Finished bad verses 9-13

From Chapters 14 and 15 – How Asa Did it right!

If you are going to Rely on God:

• You better be Right with God [14:1-6]
  • Never presume that you can rely on God is you are not Right with Him
  • Many of us spend all our efforts pleading with God for His mercy and longsuffering
  • Rely on God to help you get right and stay right!
  • Illustration of George Muller’s beginnings and results because he understood God’s promises and the fact that He must be in a good relationship with God

• You must learn to Rest on God [14:6-12]
  • Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
  • To Rest on God is something that you know only when you Rely on God for the help!
  • It is that peace that passes all understanding.
  • Illustration of George Muller’s learning to rest on God, slowly but completely

• You will be Rewarded by God [14:12-15]
  • It Works!!!!!
  • “very much spoil and abundance”
  • Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
  • Illustration of George Muller’s years of provision and protection

• You will be Reminded by God [15:1-8]
  • We are reminder by God’s words and His Spirit working in us
  • God also test us, sometimes with a review, sometimes it’s a pop test (15/16)
  • Illustration of George Muller’s test on “monthly collection for rent”

• You can be Renewed by God [15:8-15]
  • Asa had slipped a bit, but turned back to God and renewed the altar
  • Wow, we can always start over.
  • God loves for us to Rely on him because of the opportunity for others to join in
  • Illustration of George Muller’s reason for all of the orphan work. He wanted a visual source for others to see how God can and will supply for His work! Over 150 years later, it is still working.