Calvary Chapel of San Antonio

Too many of us try to get God to bless us, to use us without having first been tested. Being tested and proved is not an option—every believer used by God has to pass! ....... Timothy passed—I pray you will pass.

This is a terrible chapter! In tonight’s tragic story, we find out who the land of Israel really belongs to. God has been a gracious landlord; He could have justly evicted Israel a long time before this. But in His patience and forbearance (it amazes me how patient God is). He is repeatedly described—even describes Himself—this way: Exod 34:6-7; "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.

Hoshea was not the worst king in Israel’s history by far. It appears that while he was pro-any god, he wasn’t opposed to worship of the real God. But he did fall short and falling short—by a little or by a lot—is still falling short…

New Years Special Message

Living like Jesus can be hard—unnatural in this world. That’s why Paul says we need to work out...

Ahaz (possibly the worst king in Judah’s history—Manasseh the other) is one of those very troubling examples of a king who is difficult to understand. His father, Jotham, was a great—a giant of faith. And Ahaz’s son, Hezekiah, is also a giant—a great king. The question, naturally, is what happened to him?

I guess we begin tonight with a disturbing reality: sometimes people just choose to be evil! Though Ahaz had all the advantages possible, he chose evil! Sometimes a godly heritage simply doesn’t pay off.

Another thing we will see tonight (and in ch.17 next time) is the needless pain and suffering inflicted on many because of the sins of some. Sin has consequences that cannot be avoided.

Sin starts small and grows but, because our hearts get harder and harder, we are unaware sin is strengthening its hold on us. If you refuse to stop sinning and if you do not make peace with God, you may find yourself in a place you never dreamed.