HIGH PLACES IN LIFE
Gtcotr/ss111702
I. 1Kings 15:9-14 King Asa’s Good Reign
A. v.10: He reigned 41 years in Jerusalem
B. v.11: Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord ... like David
1. he took away the sodomites out of the land
2. he removed all the idols his fathers had made
3. he also removed his (grand) mother for making an idol in a grove
a. he destroyed her idol
b. he burnt it up
C. v.14: but ... the high places were not removed
1. nevertheless (even though) Asa’s heart was right with God
2. it was not a heart problem, but it was a problem nonetheless
II. High Places
A. In O.T. times people lived in the Kingdom of God as His chosen people
B. In N.T. times the Kingdom of God lives inside God’s chosen people
C. High Places in the O.T. times
1. traditional and contemporary places of worship to pagan deities, false gods.
2. prevalent places of social, military and religious gathering, sacrifice and celebration.
3. spoken against by God through both the law and prophets:
a. It was from the high places of baal that Balak expected Balaam to curse the Israelites (Numbers 22 - Balaam)
b. Numbers 33:52 God tells the Israelites to completely “destroy all the high places” of the Canaanites.
c. In Leviticus 26 Israel is warned: “do not make high places” and walk contrary to God or else He would walk contrary to them.
d. 1 Kings 12 Jeroboam committed sin in that he made high places and set up idols and made priests of the lowest people who were not Levites.
(1) 1 Kings 13:1-5 the prophecy against the altar of the high places and gave a sign that Josiah would destroy these high places
(2) 360 years later ... what a prophecy!
(a) 2 Kings 22:1-2 Josiah was 8 when he began to reign
1. took over from his father Amon
2. Amon was evil and served idols and worshipped them
(b) 2 Kings 22:15-16
1. Josiah broke down the altar at the high place of Bethel that Jeroboam had made as prophesied
2. burned the high place
3. stamped it to powder
4. burned the grove
5. took dead men’s bones out of their graves and burned them on the high place altar polluting it according to the Word of the Lord.
D. High Places in the New Testament
1. Ephesians 6:12 says our wrestle is against spiritual wickedness in high places
2. places of socially accepted, doctrinally or religiously allowed and personally worshipped departures from the will of God.
3. they can exist and find harbor even in the life of a good Christian, one who serves God and has a perfect heart.
III. Kings & Leaders
A. Many kings did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord and their hearts were right with God, however He adds this testimony to their account:
1. Asa, King of Judah 1 Kings 15 Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, nevertheless, the high places were not removed.
2. 1 Kings 22:42-43 Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord nevertheless the high places were not taken away out of Israel and the people sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places
3. 2 Kings 12:2-3 Jehoash, King of Judah ... still the people ...
4. 2 Kings 14:3-4 Amaziah, King of Judah did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord ... howbeit the high places were not taken away and the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.
5. 2 Kings 15 Azariah, King of Judah did what was right in the sight of the Lord save that the high places were not removed and the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places
6. 2 Kings 15:32 Jotham, King of Judah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord ... howbeit the high places were not removed and the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places. He did build the higher gate of the house of the Lord though.
7. 2 Chronicles 15:17 Asa did not take away the high places away out of Israel, “nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.”
B. Chief Stewards, Kings if you will, over the portion of God’s Kingdom in you.
1. In O.T. Times chosen people lived in the Kingdom of God
2. In N.T. Times the Kingdom of God lives in chosen people (Luke 17:21)
3. Kings determine what goes on or is allowed in the kingdoms they oversee.
4. What is socially acceptable, religiously allowed, personally worshipped or spiritually desired in your kingdom is up to you, O King!
5. You may be doing what is right and pleasing in the sight of the Lord, but if you do not also remove the high places and destroy them in your own life, you will not have the best testimony.
a. your heart might be right with God, however
b. your legacy may not measure up
c. and your posterity, those you influence and leave behind, may pay for it!
d. America may be a monotheistic society but we are polytheistic in our practices.
IV. High Places I Have Observed (submitted to; allowed; worshipped)
A. Fornication: (The god of lust and sex) SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE
1. living together without the covenant of marriage
2. premarital sex
3. extramarital sex
4. extra biblical sex
5. cyber sex
6. phone sex
7. mail order sex
8. sex sells and lust lures
note: because these things are so prevalent in our society and are tolerated, even promoted, worshipped by some, Kings of today have great social challenges facing them as they attack these high places head on and destroy them, even in their own kingdoms.
B. Deception: (The god of lies, half truths and hidden motives) Little needs to be said about this high place allowed in many lives & kingdoms
1. From income tax fraud to deceptive trade practices
2. Most is done in the name of the almighty dollar & greed
C. Polytheism: (the god of idolatry and priority)
1. sports (take the time and worship belonging to Almighty God)
2. television and other entertainment
3. careers
4. time off (people protect and even worship it above God)
5. money
6. Special interest groups & orders which demand undivided loyalty
D. Immediate Gratification Syndrome
1. I can’t wait, won’t wait ... why wait ... I shouldn’t have to
2. chronic behavioral disorders
a. road rage
b. many, not all, but many medically diagnosed disorders
c. some addictions ... (like chocolate or spending or gadgets)
3. Instead of working and waiting, they sell their soul for soup
HIGH PLACES: Social pressures and socially acceptable departures from God’s Kingdom will and purposes.
4. American dream drive
5. It’s all about me!
E. Meism (the god of self)
1. causes high divorce rates even in the church among Christians who are right with God ... it’s a high place.
2. increased frivolous law suits
* Stella’s - Read from the list of 2002 Awards
3. increased profit taking
a. price gouging
b. stock market sell offs
c. premature & unnecessary layoffs
d. extended work hours
e. excessive consumer credit debt loads
4. abortion ... you can be right with God and still wrong
5. poor job performance and bottom line financials
note: Like Smokey the Bear says, “Only you can prevent forest fires.”
You are also the only one who can break down and wipe out the high places in God’s Kingdom. God does not expect the world to follow Him, but He does hope you will.
V. Hezekiah, King of Judah, 2 Kings 18:1-7 is our Pattern King
A. He did that which was right in the sight of God
1. He removed the high places
2. He broke the images (idols)
3. He cut down the groves
4. He broke in pieces the brass serpent Moses had made because it had become an object of worship, an idol, and called it just a thing of brass.
B. So that there was none like him after him nor before him
1. He trusted God
2. He clave to the Lord
3. He followed Him
4. He kept His commands
C. And the Lord was with him
1. and prospered him
2. because he also sought the Lord in his troubles
a. 2 Kings 20 God sent Isaiah the prophet
b. God more than doubled his reign by giving him 15 years more to live above his appointed time to die.
(1) a man of prayer
(2) walked in truth
(3) walked in brokenness
Not only did King Hezekiah live a broken life toward God, but he also broke all of the devil’s stuff he could get his hands on. (2 Kings 18)
Break up the devil’s stuff in your life.
Tear down the high places you wrestle with.
Be a person of prayer, truth and brokenness.
Determine this morning to decree the end of high places in your kingdom.
No more: Fornication; Deception; Idols and misplaced priorities; being ruled by immediate gratification; and no more Meism thinking and living.
VI. Recovery
A. 2 Timothy 2:25-26
1. God gives repentance
2. to those who acknowledge the truth
3. we recover ourselves from the snare of the devil
4. who have been taken captive at his will
B. An Old Chinese Proverb
1. One who does not know and does not know that he does not know is a fool, shun him.
2. One who does not know and knows he does not know is humble, teach him.
3. One who knows and does not know that he knows is asleep, wake him.
4. One who knows and knows that he knows is wise, follow him.
C. Proverbs 16 says that a sluggard, (also fool), is wiser in his own conceit that seven men can render a reason.
1. He does not acknowledge the truth, when only the truth can set him free.
2. John 8:31-32 continue in word, know the truth and be set free
D. Here is the problem:
1. when you are one of the only ones who believes that you are right
2. and you don’t have a solid vision, dream, prophecy or greater spiritual direction which:
a. agrees with the word
b. achieves God’s kingdom goals
c. passes the test of pastoral counsel
3. you are most likely wrong!
a. deal with it
b. it may be a high place:
(1) fornication
(2) deception, deceiving yourself or others
(3) misplaced priorities or idolatry
(4) immediate gratification syndrome
(5) just plain selfish ... Meism
c. acknowledge the truth
d. turn away from satisfying that urge or desire, even though it is socially acceptable, religiously tolerated, personally desirable ...
(1) don’t submit to it,
(2) don’t allow it in your life,
(3) don’t worship it!
e. pray for God’s deliverance
f. allow yourself to be broken, if need be, to get God’s covering.
