Victory Belongs to the Wholehearted
James 1:13-18
wholehearted (adjective)
1 : completely and sincerely devoted, determined, enthusiastic, energetic
2 : marked by complete earnest commitment : free from all reserve or hesitation
1st The God of past victories wants to give present victories
2 KINGS 13:14 (ESV)
Now when Elisha had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die Joash king of Israel went down to him and wept before him, crying, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!"
2nd Regardless of your past failures God wants to bring victory to your life today
1st Regnal summary
2 KINGS 13:10 (ESV)
In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years.
2nd Religious evaluation
2 KINGS 13:11 (ESV)
He also did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin, but he walked in them.
2 KINGS 13:11 (ESV)
He also did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin, but he walked in them.
2 KINGS 13:15-17 (ESV)
And Elisha said to him, "Take a bow and arrows." So he took a bow and arrows. Then he said to the king of Israel, "Draw the bow," and he drew it. And Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands. And he said, "Open the window eastward," and he opened it. Then Elisha said, "Shoot," and he shot. And he said, "The Lord's arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! For you shall fight the Syrians in Aphek until you have made an end of them."
3rd Half-hearted participation on our part, limits God’s work in our lives
2 KINGS 13:18-19 (ESV)
And he said, "Take the arrows," and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground with them." And he struck three times and stopped. Then the man of God was angry with him and said, "You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria only three times."
ROMANS 12:11 (NIV)
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:58 (NLT)
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
