Water of life and water of death
Dr. Roberto Miranda
(Audio: Spanish)
SUMMARY: The passage from Second Kings Chapter 3 tells a story about the cooperation of three Jewish kings in a war campaign against the king of Moab. The sermon highlights the character of King Jehoshaphat, a man of God who loved and feared God but had a weakness for being impressed by wicked people and allowed them to lead him into ways that were not approved by God. The passage also speaks to the tension that exists in Scripture between Christians and the world and the difficulty in managing that relationship. Christians must be careful not to let the world dictate their path and keep a healthy distance that makes them distinctive. It is a balance between putting on a nice face of the gospel and standing firm on principles that go against the world's practices.
The speaker discusses the delicate balance of being a Christian in a world that often intimidates and tries to bribe us into compromising our values. He uses the example of Jehoshaphat being invited into a military campaign by Joram, and Jehoshaphat's insecurity and desire to compare himself with Joram. He warns against Christians trying to prove themselves to be "cool" or like the world, as this does not attract the world to Christ. Rather, it is the presence of God in our lives and the fruit of the Holy Spirit that will make a difference. He encourages Christians to be careful when the world invites us into its affairs, as it can be a trap to co-opt and change our way of being. The speaker emphasizes the need for wisdom and discernment in navigating these tensions and dangers in our current times, and the importance of studying the Word of God and praying.
The sermon discusses the story of King Josaphat in the Bible, who made the mistake of allying himself with a wicked king and following the world's methodology instead of seeking God's guidance. The sermon urges listeners to seek the methodology of the Kingdom of God, not the world's, and to put their faith in God's supernatural weapons instead of relying on human reasoning and science. The sermon also emphasizes the importance of giving one's life to Jesus and living a holy life.
The speaker discusses the delicate balance of being a Christian in a world that often intimidates and tries to bribe us into compromising our values. He uses the example of Jehoshaphat being invited into a military campaign by Joram, and Jehoshaphat's insecurity and desire to compare himself with Joram. He warns against Christians trying to prove themselves to be "cool" or like the world, as this does not attract the world to Christ. Rather, it is the presence of God in our lives and the fruit of the Holy Spirit that will make a difference. He encourages Christians to be careful when the world invites us into its affairs, as it can be a trap to co-opt and change our way of being. The speaker emphasizes the need for wisdom and discernment in navigating these tensions and dangers in our current times, and the importance of studying the Word of God and praying.
The sermon discusses the story of King Josaphat in the Bible, who made the mistake of allying himself with a wicked king and following the world's methodology instead of seeking God's guidance. The sermon urges listeners to seek the methodology of the Kingdom of God, not the world's, and to put their faith in God's supernatural weapons instead of relying on human reasoning and science. The sermon also emphasizes the importance of giving one's life to Jesus and living a holy life.
Let's go to the word of the Lord, brothers. Second Book of Kings, Chapter 3, Verses 4 onwards. It is a rather long passage but I am going to try to shorten the reading as much as possible and then I will enter the story itself to get the benefit that God wants us to get in the time we have left. Second Kings Chapter 3. We're going to start with verse 4. And I want to talk about… I've titled this sermon 'Water of Life and Water of Death.'
Let's start. It says here, "Then Mesha king of Moab owned cattle, and paid the king of Israel..." Do you know that Israel was divided? The Jewish nation had been divided between two kingdoms: the northern kingdom called Israel, to which ten tribes belonged, and the southern kingdom of Judah, whose capital was Jerusalem, which was where the Davidic line followed. Kings who were descendants of King David and the Kingdom of Israel, the northern kingdom, were generally distinguished as very, very bad kings. Pagan kings, idolatrous kings who had turned away from God completely. In the kingdom of Judah there were good kings and sometimes bad kings and Jehoshaphat was a man of God, a pious king, a man who loved the Lord. But the king of Israel was a wicked man.
Let's start. It says here, "Then Mesha king of Moab owned cattle, and paid the king of Israel..." Do you know that Israel was divided? The Jewish nation had been divided between two kingdoms: the northern kingdom called Israel, to which ten tribes belonged, and the southern kingdom of Judah, whose capital was Jerusalem, which was where the Davidic line followed. Kings who were descendants of King David and the Kingdom of Israel, the northern kingdom, were generally distinguished as very, very bad kings. Pagan kings, idolatrous kings who had turned away from God completely. In the kingdom of Judah there were good kings and sometimes bad kings and Jehoshaphat was a man of God, a pious king, a man who loved the Lord. But the king of Israel was a wicked man.
