The High Places Of Life
Gtcotr/ss040404
Today is the day we historically enter into the most important season and week of the year for the Christian. This is the first day of the Passion Week, this is Palm Sunday. This is a day to remember and reflect.
On the first day of the last week Jesus walked the earth prior to His arrest, crucifixion, death and resurrection, He entered Jerusalem to the cheering and praises of His followers. Many people cut palm branches and laid them in the way.
Just as was prophesied by Zechariah, this humble man, King of the Jews and Savior of the world, came riding on a young colt, meek and lowly, listening to the cries of Hosanna, “Save Lord, Please Save”
So loud were the cries that the religious leaders took offense and asked Jesus to make them stop. Jesus replied, “If they were to hold their peace the very rocks would cry out.”
Today we celebrate this event. Lets stand and join our voices together in prayer as we too cry Hosanna, Save Lord, Please Save.
Our Text Today Will Be Found In The Book Of:
1 Kings 15 (NIV)
9 ¶ In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king of Judah,
10 and he reigned in Jerusalem for forty-one years. His grandmother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom.
11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done.
12 He expelled the male shrine-prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his fathers had made.
13 He even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa cut the pole down and burned it in the Kidron Valley.
14 Although he did not remove the high places, Asa’s heart was fully committed to the LORD all his life.
I. King Asa Was A Good King
A. He reigned 41 years in Jerusalem
B. Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord ... like David
1. he expelled the sodomites from the land
2. he removed all the idols his fathers had made
3. he even removed his grandmother for idolatry
a. he cut down the idol
b. and burned it up
C. He did not remove the high places
1. Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord - all his life.
2. Asa’s heart was right with God
3. it was not a heart problem, but it was a problem nonetheless
II. What Are High Places?
A. In The Old Testament
1. They were traditional and contemporary places of worship to pagan deities, false gods.
2. The prevalent places of social, military and religious gathering for sacrifice or celebration.
3. God spoke against maintaining high places through both the law and prophets:
a. It was from the high places of baal that Balak took Balaam to curse the Israelites (Numbers 22)
b. Numbers 33:52 God tells the Israelites to completely destroy all the high places of the Canaanites. God knew that if they were not destroyed, they would creep into the lives of His children and ultimately take over their lives.
c. In Leviticus 26 Israel is warned not to make high places and walk contrary to God or else God would walk contrary to them.
B. What About High Places In The New Testament?
1. Ephesians 6:12 ‘spiritual wickedness in high places’
a. places of socially acceptable
b. religiously supported
c. personally worshipped
d. spiritually desired departures from the will of Almighty God.
C. There Are High Places Even In Our Own Times
* They can exist and find harbor even in the life of a good Christian, one who serves God and has a perfect heart like Asa.
III. Let’s Take A Look At Some Kings & Kingdoms Past
A. In the Old Testament many kings did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord and their hearts were right with God, however God adds this testimony to their account:
1. 1 Kings 15:14 Asa, King of Judah, did what was right in the eyes of God with a perfect heart, but he did not remove the high places.
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 Jehoash, King of Judah, did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days … But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
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.
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.”
* It does not have to be a problem of the heart to be a problem.
B. Each one of us are Chief Stewards, Kings, if you will, over the portion of God’s Kingdom in us.
1. In O.T. Times people lived in the Kingdom of God
2. In N.T. Times the Kingdom of God lives in people (Lk 17:21)
3. Kings still determine what is allowed in their kingdom.
4. What is socially acceptable, religiously supported, personally worshipped or spiritually desired in your kingdom is up to you.
a. We can have a good heart and a bad record
b. Our legacy may not measure up to our potential
c. Our posterity, those we influence and leave behind, may have to pay for it!
IV. Some Modern Day High Places
A. Places in our lives where we worship: the god of sex
* SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE
* RELIGIOUSLY SUPPORTED
* PERSONALLY WORSHIPPED
* STRONGLY DESIRED
* This god wants to be your god.
* This god teaches
1. living together before marriage is not wrong
2. premarital sex is alright if it is true love
3. extramarital sex is acceptable, as long as it is not your spouse
4. Extra-biblical sex is a matter of choice
5. cyber sex is harmless
6. phone sex is nothing more than a cheap thrill
7. mail order sex is anonymous
8. sex sells and lust lures, why be left out?
Note: Because these things are so prevalent in our society and are tolerated, even promoted, worshipped by some, strongly desired by others, the Kings of today have great social challenges facing them as they attack these high places head on to 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. Shades of God
2. James 1:17 … the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (NKJV)
C. Polytheism - The god of idolatry and skewed priorities
1. sports (which take the time and worship belonging to God)
2. television and other entertainment (burning bush)
3. Careers (lust of flesh, eyes & pride of livelihood 1 John 2:16)
4. time off (people protect and even worship it above God)
5. Money (Jesus said this god will not allow you to serve the true God, but will cause you to despise and even hate the Almighty)
6. Special interest groups & orders which demand undivided loyalty
Christianity is a monotheistic religion however, America is a polytheistic society.
* We are raised to worship three Gods:
* Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Happiness.
D. Immediate Gratification Syndrome - The god of now
1. I can’t wait, won’t wait ... why wait ... I shouldn’t have to
2. Unchallenged it leads to chronic behavioral disorders
a. road rage
b. several medically diagnosed disorders have their roots in nothing more than selfishness and the instant gratification approach to life.
c. Dysfunctional families and dysfunctional people are often the result of worshipping the god of now.
HIGH PLACES - socially acceptable departures from God’s Kingdom will and purposes.
3. American dream mentality - “You’ve got one chance to satisfy me and then you’re toast” mentality.
4. These are the take back people - I thought I wanted it then, but then was then and now is now and now I don’t want it. I only want and should only have to pay for what I want now.
5. Telemarketers are prophets and priests of the god of now
The reason you cannot afford what you want is because you bought what you wanted. (learn not to bow to the god of now)
E. The Places We Worship Me - 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
3. Abortion ... you can be right with God and still wrong
4. Poor job performance
5. Lack of ability to keep commitments
No wonder high places are a problem with God. He wants them destroyed and not rebuilt.
note: Like Smokey the Bear says, “Only you can prevent forest fires.”
Only you can tear down the high places.
God does not expect the world to follow Him, but He does hope you will.
V. Did Any King Ever Get It Right? Yes!
* Hezekiah, King of Judah, 2Kings 18:1-7
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.
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
5. He broke up the devil’s stuff
Break up the devils stuff in your life - in your kingdom & community.
Tear down the high places you wrestle with.
VI. Three Things We Can Do To Destroy The High Places In Our Life, Family, Community and Church
1. Make A Quality Decision
* I am not going to allow any departures from God’s will and word in my kingdom.
* Even if society accepts it
* Even if others pursue it
* Even if I desire it
Joshua 24:15 “As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (NIV)
2. Declare Our Decision
Job 22:28 You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways.
3. Recover Ourselves
* 5 Steps To Recovery
(1) Prayer
(2) Bible Reading
(3) Personal Worship
(4) Time With Christian Friends & Church
(5) Serving God By Helping Others
John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
