We are either going into a crisis, in the middle of a crisis, or heading out of a crisis. What did Hezekiah do in the midst of a crisis that led people to a spiritual awakening?

I.   Evaluation (2 Chron. 29:4-9)
     Honestly assessing the situation

II.  Consecration (2 Chron. 29:5, 15-24)
      Purifying ourselves before the Lord

     Principle: Prepared hearts are more important than perfect practices.  (2 Chron. 30:18-20)

III. Adoration (2 Chron. 29:25-36)
     The priority of worship

IV. Determination (2 Kings 18:26-36)
      Staying singularly focused

     A warning: The danger of getting comfortable   (2 Kings 20:12-19)

• God’s Love  (John 3:16)

• Our Response  (2 Cor 5:14-15)

• The Heart of the Great Commission  (John 20:21)
• Proclaiming, Exemplifying, Giving of God’s Love…

John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:16-18; Mt 22:37-40
• Exhortation
• What the World Needs Most – Your Love: Love of Christ in You

Rom 12:1; Mt 5:43-48; 1 Cor 13:4-7
 
God is Love.
Children of God are Children of Love.

Outside of Scripture, Does God Still Speak Today?

Primarily through the Holy Spirit. (Jn. 16: 7-11, 13-15; 14:26)

a) The Bible. (2 Pet. 1:20-21)
b) Fellow brethren. (Acts 11:27-28; 21:10-11)
c) Placing barriers. (Acts 16:7)
d) Visions/Dreams. (Acts 9:9-20; 10:9-16; 16:9-10)
e) Discernable Voices. (Acts 8:29; 13:2; Rom 8:16)

Doubt:
a) That God would speak to me. (Jud. 6:15)
b) The way God would speak. (1 Kings 19:11-13; Num. 22:28)
c) The weirdness of it.

Discomfort:
a) Fear. (Ex 20:18-19)
b) Pride. (Is 30:16, 31:1)
c) Rebellion. (Zech 7:11-12)

Disconnectedness:
a) Busyness.
b) Talkativeness.
 

Silence and Solitude.

I. How do you know whether a message is really from God?

1) Saturate your mind with scripture. (Is. 8:20)

• to know its commands.
• to know the character of God and Satan.

(Ex. 34:6-7, Ps. 103:11-14, Rev. 12:9-10, Jn. 8:44)

2) Know thy self.

• your past.
• your passions.

3) Solicit others. (Prov. 20:18)

1) Listen when you read.  Col. 4:4-5

2) Listen when you pray.  Eph. 6:18

3) Listen when you talk.

4) Listen through your day.

IV. A Reminder:

God’s messages are often God-sized!