Early Success

Sermon of the Week

2 Chronicles 26:1-5 (NIV)

"Early Success"

2 Chronicles 26:1-5 (New International Version)

¹ Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah (U-SI-A), who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. ² He was the one who rebuilt Elath (EE-LATH) and restored it to Judah after Amaziah rested with his fathers.  ³ Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother's name was Jecoliah (JEK-O-LI-A); she was from Jerusalem. ⁴ He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done. ⁵ He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.

Message Introduction

     From this passage, we can see that our young Christians . . . our youth . . . can do what is right in the eyes of the LORD . . . at an early age!  We can see that Uzziah reigned as king for fifty-two years, and he started with “Early Success”.  His success was not in becoming a king at an early age, but the success was in being prepared to be a king at such an early age!  There are a lot of young actors, singers, etc. who make it big at an early age, but they were not prepared, and therefore they did not have Early Success.  They had temporary success with an early failure!  Whatever you decided to be in life, start preparing yourself for success now!  Amen!

     Now, we always ask our youth what do they want to be when they grow up, but we hardly ever ask them what do they consider being successful?  Even for adults, the question should be answered, “What is the definition of being successful?”

1.      Setup for Early Success (vs. 1)

Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. 

·         If all the people of Judah took Uzziah to be their king, I’m sure he had a few mentors who were Godly people, giving Godly advice! 

·         Notice, Uzziah did not have an attitude of “I already know that” or “I am in charge, so everyone has to listen to me!”

·         When you have the right GOD in your life, HE will put the right people in your life, and you will be setup for Early Success

2.      Follow Success Early (vs. 4)

⁴ He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done.

·          Uzziah did what was right, just as his father had done!  Uzziah's father lead by example, and the son was learned from his father's success!
·         Parents must lead by example to ensure the child knows what is right.  When a child sees their parent(s) doing right, they see that it actually works.  When a child see a spiritual breakthrough because they saw their parents praying continuously . . . they are easily convinced that prayer works!

·         Unfortunately, not all parents are living a Godly life.  It may seem that the child has no good examples to follow!  That’s when the child must look to JESUS!  HE is the perfect role model!

3.      Learn Success Early (vs. 5a)

 ^5a He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God.

·         Uzziah sought after GOD, and GOD put Zechariah in his life to keep him grounded and humble!  Zechariah instructed Uzziah to have reverence for GOD!

·         Imagine! A sixteen year old boy with all that power!  It would be easy for him to think highly of himself and all the things he was doing! Remember, He was the one who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah after Amaziah rested with his fathers.  But GOD placed Zechariah in his life to keep him grounded!

·         Once again, we all may not have a Zechariah in our lives to keep us grounded, but if we are Christians, we have the Holy Spirit in our lives to keep us grounded and GOD will place those in our lives to help!

4.      Seek for Early Success (vs. 5b)

^5b As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.

·         Where will you find the root of success!  You will find true success . . . the kind of success that will last forever . . . has to start with GOD!  As long as we seek GOD in everything we do, HE will give us success.  Yes!  GOD does want us to work and do what is right.  Like anything else in life, you have to put in something to get something out!  Put all your faith in GOD, and HE will ensure you are everything HE intended you to be!

Message Conclusion

Of course you should strive to be educated, strong, and knowledgeable!  However,

·         Your education should be rooted in the foundation of GOD

·         Your strength should come from CHRIST JESUS

·         Your knowledge should come from the HOLY SPIRIT

You do not need a bunch of worldly examples of success.  Don’t look at the athletes, rappers, or movie stars!  Look at the Godly examples of success! So, as of this day, you now know of at least two Godly examples of success!  Uzziah was a young king who reigned for 52 years, and JESUS was a young king of kings and Savior who reigns FOREVER!

     Most of us know what Philippians 4:13 (NIV) says, I can do everything through him who gives me strength, but let’s go back a few verses before that to see why Paul was able to make such a confident statement!  Philippians 4:10-13 reads, ¹⁰I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

The NKJV translation reads, I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. 

·          Write this down and remember it!  Success is not the key to pleasing GOD.  Pleasing GOD is the key to success.

Prayer

LORD, we thank YOU that YOUR time is always the right time.  It is never too early for us to successfully serve YOU!  Thank YOU for calling upon the young and the old, the rich and the poor!  Thank YOU for calling us into salvation and righteousness for YOUR name sake.  Let us be strong in what YOU have for us to do, knowing that if YOU have called us to do something . . . YOU have also qualified us to do it!  Bless YOUR name from the valleys low and from the mountains peak!  For YOU are worthy of all the honor, glory and praise.  In the matchless name of YOUR son we pray.  Amen!

Invitation

Please, don't wait until you think the time is right!  When GOD calls, you must answer!  It is GOD's Will that none should perish, and that includes you and me!  No matter what we have done, GOD is not through with us.  No matter how many mistakes we have made in the past, GOD is ready for us to come to HIM.  It doesn't matter what your life was . . . let GOD make it what it is suppose to be!  Call on the name of JESUS, and pray, "LORD, I am a sinner and I need YOU to save me!  I ask that YOU please hear my cry of repentance!  I am sorry for all the sins and I ask YOU to save me!  Please forgive me!  I confess with my mouth that YOU are the son of GOD who died for my sins and was raised from the grave with all power in YOUR hand.  JESUS, thank YOU for defeating death so that I may now live in victory!  It is this day I accept YOU as my Savior and LORD! Amen!

If you have accepted JESUS as your Savior (HE died for your freedom) & LORD (submit yourself to HIM), then you are saved.  All it takes is for you to confess with your mouth and believe in your heart (read Romans 10:9-10).  But please find a place to worship GOD in spirit and in truth!  Demonstrate your love to GOD, by being baptised!  Understand, salvation is when you accept HIM, baptism is the expression of gratitude for what HE has done!  You do not need to be baptised to be saved, but it is a great way of showing HIM that you are thankful for what HE has done!  In you have any questions, please feel free to email me at nhishand@comcast.net