Robert Little

ID 87259Date unavailable

ID 54391Date unavailable

Jehoshaphat's life serves as a cautionary tale of a ruler who began with great promise but ultimately faltered due to compromising alliances. Initially, Jehoshaphat followed the "first ways of David," strengthening Judah, teaching God's law, and experiencing peace and prosperity. However, his decision to allow his son Jehoram to marry Athaliah, daughter of the wicked King Ahab, led him to "join affinity" with the ungodly house of Israel, a compromise that marked a significant turning point. Despite a period of repentance and revival, Jehoshaphat later allied with King Ahaziah, resulting in broken ships and a tragically diminished legacy. The sermon emphasizes that true godliness requires unwavering commitment, not partial adherence, and that compromising with the world can lead to a broken life and a broken testimony.

ID 52157Feb 23, 1960

Jehoshaphat's life demonstrates how a strong start in faith can falter due to misplaced affections and ungodly alliances. Initially walking in the first ways of David, Jehoshaphat strengthened Judah, taught God's word, and experienced peace and divine protection. However, his decision to allow his son to marry into Ahab's wicked family led him to make compromising alliances, famously stating, "I am as thou art, and my people as thy people." Despite a period of revival and renewed commitment to God after a rebuke, he later joined forces with the wicked king Ahaziah, resulting in broken ships and a tragically diminished legacy. The sermon emphasizes that true godliness requires putting God first in all aspects of life, guarding the heart against idols, and maintaining integrity even when loved ones stray.

ID 51395Date unavailable

The story of Arana the Jebusite and David in 2 Samuel 24 illustrates the profound lesson of sacrificial giving. Arana, despite his people facing destruction, generously offered his threshing floor, oxen, and instruments for David to build an altar. David, unwilling to offer God something without cost, insisted on purchasing the land at full price. The central teaching is that the value of any act for God is determined by its sacrificial cost, not its monetary worth. True worship and service originate from a heart fully yielded to God, reflecting the spirit of Arana and the poor widow in Mark 12, who gave all they possessed out of love and devotion.

ID 108629Date unavailable

The significance of David's sin in numbering Israel and the subsequent judgment, highlighting the pivotal role of Arana the Jebusite. It contrasts David's initial pride and later repentance with Arana's humble generosity, emphasizing that true worship and service to God are measured by their sacrificial cost. The message draws parallels to the New Testament, using the example of the poor widow to illustrate that the value of a gift or action lies not in its magnitude but in the willingness to give all, even when it means personal sacrifice. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to offer God their all, recognizing that all they have comes from Him and that genuine devotion is demonstrated through costly, cheerful giving.