Sick Unto Death 2 Kings 20
2 Kings 20:1
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
In the lives of many Christians we give much thought and effort towards the manner in which we live our lives. We are constantly looking to improve the quality in the lives of our families, whether they be spiritual or physical improvements depend on which nature we adhere to; the spiritual nature, given through the Holy Ghost, or the carnal nature, that is the flesh. If you walk into a Christian bookstore anywhere in the city, county, state, or nation you will find aisle upon aisle of self-improvement guides authored by Dr. Do-good and Professor Bottlestopper, to borrow a quote from Brother Gregg Grant, of Marion NC. As much as seventy percent of any bookstore now is devoted to these "helps", often swallowing up space that used to be occupied by the King James Bible. The decline of the Holy Ghost filled study of the Word of God has been replaced with man’s commentaries and opinions written to improve the self-esteem of the reader. Again the emphasis has been moved from the Righteous opinion of God through His Holy Word and towards the many varying opinions of mankind. If mankind would spend as much time trying to please God as we do attempting to appease those around us, and even our own conscience, we would have a much closer walk with God.
When we understand God’s will for us we will no longer have to seek to better our lives. There can be no better life known to mankind than to obediently serve our Lord and Saviour and to rest in the Peace of God.
Philipians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Recently I attended a funeral service of a co-worker who had been stricken with a cancer for over twenty-eight years. Many times God had performed great miracles in the life of this man and his testimony was terrific and moving, but now God has called him home. Before the illness had taken his mind from him, he carefully planned his funeral service and designed it to reach the lost that he knew would be in attendance. Needless to say the service was moving and touched many people, both the saved and lost. The thought that kept ringing in my heart was the fact that my friend had time to prepare for his death and did great things with the time that the Lord have given him. Are most people ready to meet death, are we as prepared as this man was? The question rings true for both Christians and those who are lost and dead in the trespasses and sins of the natural birth.
Romans 3:23
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
The question must and will be answered, for death awaits each of us and it is unavoidable unless Jesus should come to claim His own in the rapture of the Church. (1 Thessalonians 4:16). It is a glad day in the life of a man when he realizes that we are all "Sick Unto Death."
Sick Unto Death: II Kings 20:1
From the moment we are born we are all in the process of dying "sick unto death." Hezekiah did nothing to deserve death, yet he was stricken and faced certain and imminent death. Death is has no respect for personage or privilege.
A. Hezikiah Was:
· A godly king
· A restorer of the Faith.
· A defender of the people.
· Faithful to the things of God.
· A young man (39) with the rest of life in front of him.
· Proof of the blessings and faithfulness of God.
· Sick unto death.
B. We are also sick unto death:
Every person ever born is under the penalty of death. Just as Hezekiah we too face death regardless of our age, status, or deeds.
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
C. Death is inevitable: Romans 5:12
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
· The lost, face eternal separation from God; the second death;
Rev 20:14-15
14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
· The saved must be prepared to answer: 2 Corinthians 5:10
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Though we have many things in common with Hezekiah there is one vital point in which neither any man, nor we can share. Hezekiah was given a rare gift from the Lord in that he was told the exact moment of his death. Knowing that death was coming Hezekiah was given a chance to repent and seek the Lord. It is rare in deed to have the opportunity for a death bed repentance, we must seek the Lord while He may be found.
Isaiah 55:6
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Set Thine House In Order:
What would it take to set your house in order? What, if you could, would you change? Are you prepared to die?
To the saved:
· Have you done all that the Lord has called you to do?
· Is your house Holy or is it filled with the world.
· Are you ready to meet Christ at the judgment seat?
Romans 14:10
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
To the Lost:
· If you knew that tomorrow was your last day, what would change?
· Are you ready to meet the Lord at the Great White Throne Judgment?
Revelation 20:11-15
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
· Why not accept Jesus as your personal saviour?
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Seek the Lord:
Hezekiah turned his face towards the wall and wept bitter tears. He knew who had delivered him from the Assyrians, he knew who it was that had blessed his kingdom, and he knew whom it was that could deliver him from his cancer.
To the saved:
Hezikiah was afflicted with a boil, or cancer, the word of God had come through the prophet Issiah and he knew it must come to pass. Hezekiah immediately began to pray for the grace and mercy of God to meet his need. When the trials and sufferings of this world come into our lives we should do as Hezekiah did and offer up prayers and thanks giving to the Lord for his blessings and ask for his grace and mercy in our lives. Paul had a thorn in the side and he ask the Lord three times for deliverance and received this reply:
2 Corinthians 12:8-9
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
To the Lost:
· Now is the time:
If the Holy Ghost has been dealing with your heart concerning salvation you should count yourself blessed. You are still living in the day of grace and have time to accept the Lord Jesus, but the time is NOW! God says that the time is now and that there is a coming a time when he will no longer strive with men and judgment will come. (Genesis 6).
· There is a sin unto death:
There is also a sin unto death, 1 John 5:16, this comes when the sinner repeatedly refuses the calling of the Holy Ghost and tramples the blood of Jesus Christ. After so long the Spirit will remove His conviction and the sinner is doomed for the lake of fire. The time is NOW!
· It is the will of God:
God is not willing that any should perish, (2 peter 3:9) if you should refuse the will of God and die in your sins it will not be because you were not warned.
Hezekiah wept and God honored his tears and gave him additional life. To those who will give their heart to Jesus he will honor them and give unto them abundant and eternal life
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Are you prepared to die?
