If We Sit Here We Die

If We Sit Here We Die

2 Kings 7.1-8

Introduction: Benhadad, king of Syria, had been besieging Samaria, during the days of Jehoram, and brought the people to poverty, and great hunger. So great was the famine that a child was boiled and eaten (2 Kings 6.28-29). They were eating the head of a donkey, and droppings from a dove (verses 25-26). Four lepers sat at the gate and realized their condition (2 Kings 7.3-4). They were going to die from leprosy but more immediately they were going to die from starvation. To sit and do nothing was a sure way to die. Life was possible if they acted and went to the Syrians.

Coming to the Syrian camp they found it empty ( 2 Kings 7.5). Why? God caused the Syrians to believe a great army was approaching and the people fled (verses 6-7).

The lepers found food, clothing, and precious items had been left behind, verse 8. They went back and told the king in Samaria what had happened.

God expects His children to believe that things can be accomplished if we are willing to put forth the effort, if we act by faith. If we sit and do nothing we will die spiritually.

I) We Can Sit Here and Die or We Can Increase Our Faith

A) For three years the disciples had been with Jesus, they did not know it all

1. Jesus knew this as well as the apostles, John 14.26; 16.13

2. We need to desire to know more.

a. There is direct inspiration, that which the prophets and apostles received, 2 Timothy 3.16-17. That type of inspiration has ended.

b. There is indirect inspiration, that which we receive when we read the Bible, we should seek it.

B) We should not think we know it all, sit down and die.

1. The disciples did not need more learning they needed more doing, Luke 17.5

2. We must walk by faith and not by sight, 2 Corinthians 5.7

II) We Can Sit Here and Die or We Can Be Content And Press Onward

A) Paul was content despite his surroundings, Phil. 4.11; 3.5-8

1. The rich young farmer was called a fool, Luke 12.16-21

a. He was not satisfied with what he had.

b. He was a fool because he was content spiritually but not physically.

c. He was a fool because he was pressing onward physically but not spiritually.

B) There is a pressing onward that is necessary, Phil. 3.14

III) WE Can Sit Here and Die or We Can Grow To Maturity, Hebrews 5.12-14

A) "Full age" "maturity" "to perfection"

1. Definitions: to bring to the end proposed, to accomplish, to add what is lacking.

2. Examples:

a. Romans 12.2 – to grow in the way we think

b. Phil. 3.15 to grow in our attitude and priorities

c. Col. 4.12 to grow in our confidence

3. One who is seeking to be perfect in the sight of God is not one who sits down to die.

B) Congregations must be growing to maturity, Titus 1.5

1. The use of our talents and resources to spread the gospel

2. Developing men to teach classes, provide leadership, and service.

a. Each congregation is its only teaching society, its own edification society, its own missionary society

3. All a congregation has to do to die is:

a. Quit making bold decisions, based on faith

b. Rely on the same people to do the same jobs, not incorporate new Christians into the work

c. Discourage young Christians

IV) We Can Sit Here and Die or We Can Increase In Our Conviction Without Being Contentious

A) Faith is some times uses referring to our personal trust and conviction, 2 Peter 1.5-7

1. Some people are willing to compromise their convictions to the point of accepting sin.

2. Some people are contentious to the point of pressing their personal convictions on to others.

B) The solution is to be willing to study in the spirit of love

1. Some things are personal convictions, others are more doctrinal. We must know the difference.

V) We Can Sit Here and Die or We Can Learn the Lesson From Sardis, Revelation 3.1-6

A) What had happened?

1. It is possible they were engaged in the practice of failing to do the work of the Lord and were substituting, back biting, and devouring one another.

a. They may have decided to sit down and talk about the way things used to be. Lost their desire to evangelize, new converts were not taught to grow.

B) If we sit here we will die!

1. The four lepers knew that inaction was death.

2. They did not know for certainty how things were going to turn out.

3. Even if they camp was full of people and they were killed, what would they had lost?

4. Can we learn the same thing?

a. In action results in death

b. We do not know for certainty how things will turn out

c. Even if things do not turn out as we wish, what will we have lost?

Conclusion: The one sure way to be lost is to do nothing. To remain in the kingdom of Satan is to be lost. To not grow in our service to God, to not repent of our sins, to not strive for the goal of heaven is to be lost. On the other hand to obey God is to succeed. What do we have to lose?

D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 01.07.07

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