the disgraceful end of a king’s good reign could be one of several

WELCOMETO 160th Ave

CHURCH OF CHRIST

WE ARE GLAD YOU’RE HEREScripture reading: 1 Cor.

10:11-12

The Disgraceful End of a King’s Good Reign

Could be one of several.

Describes End of Several Good Reigns

• Solomon’s (1 Kings 11:4)• Joash (2 Chronicles 24:17-22)• Amaziah (2 Chronicles 25:14-16)• Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 32:25)• Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:20-24)

• Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26)

Good Starts Don’t Demand Strong Finishes

• Strong starts set the stage for great finishes but doesn’t guarantee them. – We can’t take for granted that accomplishments in

the past will translate into such things for the future without continuing to work!!!

– We can’t give up/in before crossing the finish line

Utah vs. Oregon

Utah vs. Oregon

Good Starts Don’t Demand Strong Finishes

• Strong starts set the stage for great finishes but doesn’t guarantee them. – We can’t take for granted that accomplishments in

the past will translate into such things for the future without continuing to work!!!

– We can’t give up/in before crossing the finish line– 1 Cor. 9:27– Perseverance is a must!!!

A Remarkably Successful Reign• Victorious in war (2 Chron. 26:6-8)• Fortified Jerusalem (2 Chron. 26:9)• Active in Agriculture (2 Chron. 26:10)• Large and powerful army (2 Chron. 26:11-13)• Army well equipped (2 Chron. 26:14-15)• Widely known and respected (2 Chron. 26:15)• Had an unusually long reign of 52 years.

What Kind of Burial Would You Expect for Such a King?

2 Chron. 26:23 So Uzziah rested with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field

of burial which belonged to the kings…

“To this place, the remains of Uzziah, King of Judah, were placed. Do not disturb”

What Kind of Burial Would You Expect for Such a King?

2 Chron. 26:23 So Uzziah rested with his fathers, and they buried him with his

fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings…

for they said, “He is a leper.”

A most disgraceful disease for Uzziah

Leprosy• Physically a devastating problem. • Socially a devastating problem– Highly contagious– God’s law demanded separation from lepers (Lev.

13:45-46; Num. 5:1-3)

Leprosy would be tragic, but why disgraceful?

It was a judgment from God.“the Lord had smitten him”

(2 Chronicles 26:20-21)

1. God punishes sin.• Rom. 11:22• 1 Cor. 10:11• Eph. 5:3-6• Heb. 2:1-3

What Terrible Sin did He Commit?• “he entered the temple of the LORD to burn

incense on the altar of incense.“ (2 Chron. 26:16)

• Doesn’t seem so bad to us—” just worship.”• The priests did it every day.– “does God love them more than me?”

2. God assigns roles .• OT Roles:

– Gen. 49:10– Num. 8:11

• Roles Observed Today:– Eph. 5:23– 1 Tim. 2:8-15

• Several sins punished for entering unassigned roles:– Adam and Eve (Adam was supposed to lead). – Miriam and Aaron rebel against Moses (Num. 12)– Korah’s rebellion (Num. 16)

Could He Not Have Been Forgiven?David was!

• Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! (2 Ki.12:7)

• So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” (2 Kings 12:13)

• And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.

Note the difference• …”eighty priests of the LORD

— withstood King Uzziah: “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD.”

• “Then Uzziah became furious…And while he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead,

3. Forgiveness Requires a Penitent Heart.

• Rebellion of sin followed by rebellion in rebuke, will not receive forgiveness.

• Prov. 9:8-9• Prov. 15:23• If you wish to be forgiven how do you respond

to rebuke/correction?– This determines whether we can be forgiven!

Why was Uzziah Angry Rather than Penitent?

But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar

of incense. (2 Chron. 26:16)

4. Pride Prevents Penitence..• Prov. 16:18; “Pride goes before destruction…”• Matt. 5:3; “Blessed are the poor in spirit…”• James 1:17; “Every perfect gift comes from

above”• 1 Cor. 4:7; “what do you have that you have

not received?”

What was the Source of the Strength that caused his pride?

He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions[ of God; and as long as

he sought the LORD, God made him prosper. (2 Chron. 26:16)

5. Ingratitude is the source of Pride.

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12)

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