## Do Right

## II Kings 18:1-8

We study Old Testament and New Testament characters for one reason: that we might learn from their lives. As we consider the life of an individual we can learn what to do and what not to do. They enrich our Bible study, because they are not just facts, they are people. All of us learn from people. Tonight I want us to look briefly at Hezekiah and learn.

Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. said, "Do right - till the stars fall from the sky - do right." All of us desire to do right but it takes more than desire - it takes simultaneous action along with our thoughts. Hezekiah was a man of action, and he did the will of God.

I. Chose the Right Motive.

A. "He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord." (3)

1. He wasn't foolish enough to trust his own heart.

2. He refused to be guided by what he saw was right or wrong.

3. He wasn't influenced by others.

4. He chose, rather, to do what God saw was right.

B. What motivates us?

1. All too often we are led by the desires of the flesh rather an being led by the Spirit of God.

2. We have the promise of God that He will never lead us wrong. Ex. Going back to serve as an associate pastor.

3. "The Spirit of truth ... will guide you into all truth" Jn. 16:13

C. If we are to do right - we must do that which is right in the sight of the Lord.

1. How it looks to us or to others is inconsequential.

2. We must continually compare our lives and our actions to the Word of God to check for accuracy - we need a standard.

3. Ex. Butcher says it looks right?

4. God's Word reveals His will for our lives.

5. The Bible is our plumb line.

II. Put Things In Their Right Place.

A. "He removed the high places ... (4)

1. The things, which dishonored God, were broken down and cast out.

2. He called things by their right names: "Nehushtan".

3. Nehushtan = piece of brass

4. The people were calling it a piece of God and worshipping it.

5. They had kept it sacred for 700 years!

6. I imagine that some of them didn't like the idea of change.

7. Ex. Church's red carpet and red curtains

B. We must remove the hindrances.

1. There are no 'places' or 'images' that should occupy a higher position than the things of God.

2. God should never take second place to anything in our lives.

a. But often God must surrender His rightful place to riches.

b. Or to family

c. Or to a job

(Mat 6:33) "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

C. We must call things by their right name.

1. Sin is still sin whether it is politically correct or not to call it that or not.

2. If we are to do right - we must put things in their right place and call things by their right names.

3. The world wants to change terminology.

a. Alternate lifestyle…

b. Dysfunctional…

c. Dependency…

III. Walked the Right Path (5-6)

A. "He trusted in the Lord…"

1. His faith was so apparent that he stood out among all the kings of Judah.

2. His faith was real - so real that others could recognize it.

3. Ac. 4:13, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John... they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."

4. Can others see our faith? James said, I will show thee my faith by my works." Jas. 2:18b

B. "He clave to the Lord...

1. There can be no cleaving unto Him without following Him.

2. If we would abide in Him and with Him, then we must be prepared to obey Him.

3. Following Him and obeying Him are inseparable.

4. We cannot say we are following Christ if we are not obeying His commands.

C. If we are to do right, we must walk the right path.

1. The path of faithfulness

2. The path of obedience

3. He will never lead us wrong.

IV. Enjoyed the Right Kind of Success (7a)

A. "And he prospered whithersoever he went forth"

1. There can be no failure when He is with us.

2. Defeat comes with our departure.

3. How many failures are blamed upon God?

4. When we begin to trust our own judgment and make our decisions apart from the Lord failure will come.

B. This prosperity is only preceded by our willingness to:

1. Choose that which is right in the sight of God.

2. Put things in their right places.

3. Walk in the right path

C. Our natural tendency:

1. We are often like the young man who wants to start at the top rather than work.

2. To have success in our life we must be willing to yield ourselves to God.

3. True success is always in line with the will of God.

4. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.

- Tonight, are our motives right?
- Do we have our priorities in line with God's?
- Are we walking down the right path?
- Are we experiencing success in our Christian life?
- If not…we need to get back on track.