WEEK 3: Appealing from Allegiance
In those days Hezekiah became deathly ill, and Isaiah the son of Amoz the prophet came to him and said to him, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Command your house, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’ ” 2 Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh, saying, 3 “O Yahweh, please remember how I went about before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and remember the good that I have done in your eyes.” Then Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 Isaiah had not gone out from the middle of the city when the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, 5 “Return; you must say to Hezekiah, the leader of my people, ‘Thus says Yahweh the God of David your ancestor, “I have heard your prayer and I have seen your tears. Look, I am about to heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the temple of Yahweh. 6 I will add to your days fifteen years, and from the hand of the king of Assyria I will deliver you and this city. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of David my servant.”’” – 2 Kings 20:1–6
People who hear “yes” from God when they really need Him have a history of ACTIVE ALLEGIANCE which aligns with their appeal
[Hezekiah] did right in the eyes of Yahweh according to all that David his ancestor had done. 4 He removed the high places, and he smashed the stone pillars; he cut down the poles of Asherah worship and demolished the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for up to those days the Israelites were offering incense to it and called it Nehushtan. 5 He trusted in Yahweh the God of Israel; there was no one like him, before or after, among all the kings of Judah. 6 He held on to Yahweh; he did not depart from following him, and he kept his commands that Yahweh had commanded Moses. 7 Yahweh was with him; everywhere he went, he succeeded. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. 8 He attacked the Philistines up to Gaza and its territory from the watchtower up to the fortified city. — 2 Kings 18:3–8
Many people who hear “no” from God don’t have a history of hostility toward Him. Instead, they have a history of cordial indifference and the re-definition of His terms (“faith”, “disciple”, “follow”, etc.)
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” — Revelation 3:15–16
Before doubting God because of how He responds to what we ask, we must get honest about how we’ve responded to what He’s asked
• Love God with everything we are (Mark 12:30)
• Love neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31)
• Make Disciples of all nations and teach them to ob**ey Christ the King (Matthew 12:18-20)
• Bring justice to the LEGITIMATELY oppressed, impoverished, and marginalized (Matthew 25:31-46)
• Build up our local church family (Ephesians 4:11-16)
• Serve one another (John 13:14; Galatians 5:13)
What’s an easy next step to ACTIVATE ALLEGIANCE? Get on mission with other people who make up this church body: (1 Corinthians 12:15–20)
- First Impressions
- KidsMin
- Grunt Corps
- Sunday Production
- Worship Band
- DBS Host Home
- DBS Facilitator
- DBS KidsFriend
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” —Luke 11:23
