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Reforming a Nation

A lesson from history on national renewal

August 7, 2014 • Benham Brothers

God had spoken 2 Chronicles 7:14 to Solomon years before, and now we get a glimpse into what this looks like in real life.
vs 5-6 - The peace of the city had been replaced with violence (sound like a public school to you?).
vs 7 - God promised a reward if Asa remained faithful to Him (in the next chapter we see him aiming for the reward and not God).
vs 8 - Asa responded by "doing" something (3 parts to prayer - Keep Watch, Pray, Get Up And Do Something!).
1) He removed what was evil - he got rid of idols (anything that stands in the way of God, even good things!).
2) He restored what was good - he brought back true worship so they couldn't worship however they saw fit.
This wasn't just creating good culture, but reinstituting that which drew people toward God.
vs 9 - He gathered them for a solemn assembly.
Note - many non-Jews wanted to become Jews at this time, not because of Asa's cool programs but by his spirit - they saw him as someone whom had the presence of God on him - this is the Law of Attraction.
How did Asa manifest God's Spirt? 1) Resisted Evil 2) Restored Good.
vs 10-11 - They sacrificed abundantly to God - people were getting right with God!
vs 12-14 - They entered back into the covenant God had made with His people because they sought Him with their WHOLE heart.
The covenant still existed but they had voluntarily walked away from it, but by their repentance they were back in.
vs 15 - God gave them rest. The peace of God inside you will manifest itself outside you.
What happens internally will manifest itself externally, so if we want peace in our land it starts with us!
2 Chronicles 31:1-2:
When Hezekiah's assembly was over they went and tore down anything that stood between them and God.
He then restored that which needed to be restored (the duties and roles of the Levites).
This is what reformation "looks like." It doesn't end with the prayer.

Marketplace Ministry

April 22, 2021 • Benham Brothers

Judges 3:31 - Marketplace Ministry * Our primary form of worship is work. * This is why excellence in the workplace is so important. * The workplace consists of both for-profit and nonprofit models. * People call the for-profit space the “Marketplace.” * They call the non-profit space the “Ministry.” * This is wrong, but it is what it is. * ** God often uses the marketplace as the training ground for His leaders. * Look at Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David - all shepherds. * Look at Elisha, Amos, Gideon - all farmers. * Look at Joseph, Daniel, Obadiah - all employed by kings. * Look at the disciples and Jesus Himself - all trained in the workplace. * God uses the marketplace to winnow and wield strong men and women. * The marketplace judges by ACTION, not INTENTION. * ** So when it came time to find a leader for Israel, God tapped a farmer on the shoulder. * Vs 31 - After Ehud, Shamgar used the tool of his business to fight God’s battles. * He struck down 600 Philistines over time. * His way of life included work, worship, and warfare! (Sword and Trowel - Nehemiah) * The same thing happened years later when Israel was about to go into battle. * Joel 3:10 - "turn your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears"   * The tools of their sustainability would now be used as weapons for their deliverance.   * 100 years later……in a time of peace: * Micah 4:3 - "turn your swords into plowshares and your spears into pruning hooks"   * The weapons of their deliverance would now be used as tools for their sustainability.  * This is why your work is so important. God has made it to be your primary form of worship. * Judges 6:11 - God shows up when you do common work in an uncommon way. * Judges 6:12 - Your work prepares you for warfare. * EX: Love Life.

Government Gone Bad

August 16, 2018 • Benham Brothers

* This verse shows the importance of good government. * A hardworking productive person can have their stuff taken away by a bad government. * The role of government is to praise the good and punish the wicked. * They do this so that we can have an environment that allows us to flourish. * As Christians we need to concern ourselves with discipling nations, not just people. * This means we have to be involved in shaping our environment so people can flourish. * Example - if you started a business in America you can make a lot of money. * But if you started the same business in North Korea there’s no chance.

God the Governor

January 7, 2016 • Benham Brothers

• God forms and fills everything for man to govern the world we live in. • The world needed order first - then we could have dominion. • LIGHT has to come first - this is God’s presence. • Light did two things: • 1) SEPARATION - Holy means “set apart” - like a chocolate chip. • 2) GOVERN - the sun, moon, and stars are used to govern. • vs 22 - The first blessing - taking part in creation. • vs 28 - The difference in this blessing is that we have the authority to govern.