ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON OUTLINES
Questionable Partnership
Text: II Chronicles 20:35-37 IBCWPM March 29, 2006
Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar
Partnership in any business endeavor is rewarding and pleasing to God if it is well-appropriated and is found within the boundary of Christian ethics. Some people who are in partnership with others are more excited to pursue their goals in life because they believe that two is better than one. Partnership contributes strength and gives them an opportunity to work with others harmoniously so they may attain an extraordinary level of success.
In the Old Testament times, King Jehoshaphat tried to partner with other kings. He first joined himself with King Ahab to fight side by side against their enemies, and then with Ahaziah king of Israel to do some business activities. King Jehoshaphat was a godly king, but he displeased the LORD because of his questionable partnership with questionable people.
We believe that God wants His people to be meticulous when it comes to choosing partners to work with. God uses His servants to remind us not to have fellowship with questionable people. Jehoshaphat’s alliance with King Ahab displeased God.
In II Chronicles 19:1-3, it is written, And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. (KJV) These passages emphatically remind us that wrong association blurs the clarity of our true identity with the Lord Jesus Christ. King Jehoshaphat was a godly king and yet he had a problem in choosing people to work with. As we study king Jehoshaphat’s life, may we learn to respect our God-given image so we may not gravitate into the line of mediocrity and questionable partnership.
(I) Partnership With Wicked People
II Chronicles 20:35-37
-Take heed of God’s warning
II Chronicles 19:1-3
Playing games with wicked men are dangerous activities, more so when godly people make alliance with evil men. Believers should not put themselves in a troublesome situation by partnering with the ungodly. Before tragedy strikes, believers must be sensitive to the warning of God through His servants’ words.
-Offensive to God
II Chronicles 20:35-37 II Corinthians 6:14-18
In II Chronicles 19:2, it is written, And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. (KJV) This verse clearly states that agreement with the ungodly is offensive to God. It reminds us also that doing such questionable alliance means misplacing our due love for the Lord.
-God will not give His blessing
II Chronicles 20:37
From time to time we ask the Lord to bless the works of our hands so we may prosper in a great way. We should also keep in mind that God does not only bless His children, but He would also destroy our works if we keep on compromising with the world.
In II Chronicles 20:35-37, it is written, And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly: And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Ezion-geber. Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish. (KJV) What a relevant warning for us to consider so we may avoid the snare of questionable partnership. (I Kings 22:48-50)
We should then make our identity with the Lord clear and unspotted. We strongly believe that God would dramatically bless the works of our hands if we are obedient to His Word and willing to demonstrate the uncompromising principles of Truth. In Romans 12:1-2, it is written, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV) Be associated with godly people, prove what is right and be blessed!
Lastly, we must not forget that the Lord Jesus Christ is our best partner in all comings and goings of life.
ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH
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