Three Essential Questions
After watching the message take some time reflect on the following three questions.
- What did you hear? What point in this message was most impactful for you?
- What do you think? How did this message challenge, change, or affirm your thinking?
- What will you do? How will you put into practice what you've learned today?
THE PATH & PROMISE OF GOD
"If MY PEOPLE who are called by MY NAME will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will HEAR from heaven and will FORGIVE their sins and HEAL their land." 2 Chron. 7:14 (NIV)
National healing only happens if God's people lead by example.
1. WE MUST HUMBLY CONFESS OUR SINS
"If my people who are called by my name will HUMBLE themselves…" 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6b (NIV)
"If we claim that we are not sinning, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8
THE PROBLEM: Instead of practicing humility, we spend more time accusing others and excusing ourselves.
"For it is time for judgment to begin and it must begin with us. Judgment must start with the Family of God." 1 Peter 4:17
"People who try to cover up their sins will not succeed. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy." Prov. 28:13 (NLT)
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." James 5:16a (NIV)
ACTION PLAN:Humbly confess before God. Review 2 Timothy 3:2-5 (see below). Go on a walk or sit outside and ask God to bring to mind any sin in your life. As He reveals sin in your life, confess each sin individually and be as specific as possible. Receive the forgiveness of God and the freedom and healing that comes with confession!
2. WE MUST PRAY SINCERELY
"If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and PRAY…" 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
THE PROBLEM: We spend more time complaining than praying
"They do not cry out to me with sincere hearts. Instead, they sit on their couches and wail (complain loudly)." Hosea 7:14a (NLT)
"Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer, being alert and intent in your praying with thanksgiving." Colossians 4:2 (AMP)
"Pray in the Spirit at ALL times with ALL kinds of prayers, asking for ALL you need. To do this you must ALWAYS be ready and never give up! ALWAYS pray for ALL God's people." Ephesians 6:18 (NCV)
ACTION PLAN:To be more sincere in your prayers be more specific in how you pray. Begin a prayer journal and write down your prayers. Make four columns – date the first column and write your prayer request in the second column. As God answers your prayers, date the third column and in the fourth column record how God responded. As your list of answered prayers grows, so will your faith.
3. WE MUST SEEK GOD INTENSELY
"If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and SEEK MY FACE…" 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
"God rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6b (NIV)
"If you seek the Lord your God, you will find him IF you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. For He is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you..." Deut. 4:29-31a (NIV)
THE PROBLEM: We spend more time seeking everything else
"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
ACTION PLAN:This week in your quiet time, change your focus. As you spend time in the Word and prayer, focus on getting to know God and make knowing him your highest passion. Ask yourself as you engage in various activities whether it is helping you to seek him – and not his blessing. Practice reading the bible first thing in the morning and at night before you go to sleep. ("His Word First Word, His Word Last Word")
4. WE MUST TURN BACK TO GOD COMPLETELY
"If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS…" 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
THE PROBLEM: We don't see our own wicked ways
"People will be self-absorbed, loving only themselves. They will be greedy for money. They will be boastful and arrogant, insulting to God, rude and disrespectful, even to parents. They will consider nothing sacred. They'll be unkind and unforgiving. They will enjoy slandering others. They will have no self-control. They will love violence and be cruel. They will be cynical, despising anyone and anything that is good. They will betray those loyal to them. They will be reckless and rash. They will be inflated with self-conceit. They will love pleasure more than God. They'll claim to be spiritual but will reject the true power that could make them godly." 2 Timothy 3:2-5 (Multiple)
THE PROMISE OF GOD
"IF...then I will HEAR from heaven and will FORGIVE their sins and HEAL their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Weekly Action Steps
We recommit our lives to Jesus Christ. Text NEWSTART (1 word) to 83000 or email newstart@saddleback.com
We express our gratitude to God for his goodness by giving back to him. Because of your faithful generosity, we have been able to provide food and supplies to over 600,000 people in Southern California during this COVID crisis. Give at saddleback.com/give.
We meet in small groups online to discuss what we have heard. To join a group, text SMALLGROUP to 83000 or email smallgroup@saddleback.com.
To be baptized, email mYBAPTISM@saddleback.com.
Listen to our "Doable Discipleship" and "The Well" podcasts from our Saddleback Growth team at Saddleback.com/learn
