Zane Hodges Library

Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab and the mother of the recently deceased King Ahaziah, steals the throne of the kingdom of Judah from the sons of David. The theft of power is a widespread human sin, that also happens in the Christian church. However Jehosheba, sister of King Ahaziah, in compassion hides the baby boy Joash, a descendant of King David from Athaliah. When we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for the free gift of eternal life, that gift can never be lost and it is ours forever. But, when we take power that does not belong to us, that power is sure to be lost and we must give an account at the Judgment Seat of Christ. All human power is eventually lost, and the only power that matters is the power that can be brought to us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Other passages mentioned: 1 Kings 2:13-20; 1 Kings 11:11-13; Matthew 5:7; 2 Chronicles 22:11; Revelation 2:26-29.

Jehu fulfills the word of God, because he destroys the house of Ahab. However, Jehu goes too far in acting deceptively in destroying Baal from Israel. You cannot serve the God of truth by telling lies. Later, Jehu does not go far enough by allowing the golden calves to remain. If we have the nerve to add to the word of God, rules that God has not spoken, then we are dummies, but if we fail to move on matters that God's word has told us to move on, then that is even dumber. It doesn't matter how dramatically you live the Christian life. It doesn't matter how successful you appear to be in the Christian life. It doesn't matter how many people you impress with the way you live the Christian life. The only thing that matters is whether you are doing what God has told you to do and that alone.

Other passages include: 2 Kings 9; 2 Kings 10:1-16; 1 Kings 18:16-46; Proverbs 30:5-6; 1 Kings 12:26-29

In this passage, we see how the apostle Paul values his Roman citizenship. Is it appropriate for a Christian to be patriotic for his country? How should patriotism affect us? What should patriotism lead us to think and do?

God's newly appointed king of Israel, Jehu, ignores the difficulties and pain and focuses on doing the word of God. Sometimes we know what God wants us to do, but we don't want to do it because we are afraid of the pain. The solution is that we should ignore the pain and do what the word of God teaches. Other passages include: Kings 3:1-2; Galatians 6:7; 1 Kings 21.

Over and over in the northern kingdom of Israel, men have seized the kingship, but now God is going to match the kingship with the man that God has chosen. God wants to match each believer in Jesus Christ with the kind of work that He wants that believer to do. Does God lead us by our feelings? Never once, does the Bible tell us that God leads us by our feelings. The Bible teaches us that God guides us through His word. We do not get to choose our spiritual gift or our ministry for God. Instead, God matches us to our ministry through the wisdom that we can glean from His word. Who made your match? Did you match yourself with whatever you are trying to do for God or did you let God through His word match you to the kind of work that He has for you to do?

Other passages mentioned: Ephesians 2:10; 2 Timothy 3:16.

In this passage, we see the contrast between Gehazi and the Shunammite woman. Gehazi's greed causes him to lose opportunities to serve God, that he will never find again. The Shunammite woman's obedience to God leads her to recover everything that she has lost. If you lose it, will you find it again? You will find it again, if you lose it for God. No loss in service to God or in obedience to God's word is a real loss, but rather a gain through God's gracious provision and reward.

Other passages: Romans 12:1; Mark 8:35; 2 Kings 5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Matthew 10:39.

In God's miraculous victory over the Syrians, we learn the lesson that it is always dangerous to make light of the word of God or to receive the word of God with proud unbelief. The word of God is the answer to our helplessness, despair and fear. Zane recounts his March 1998 heart attack and the comfort of God's grace by relying on His word. Other passages mentioned: Ephesians 2:8-9; Revelation 22:17; Proverbs 8:4.

Note, original recording cuts out at around 22 minutes. It is in the crises of life, that our true nature and character are best revealed. In this latest invasion by the King of Syria, the King of Israel has become impatient with God. When we are going through a trying time and we are tempted to become impatient with God, it is good advice to say to ourselves, "Be calm and be patient." If we become angry with God because of our impatience, and we make up our minds that we are going to defy Him, then we have begun a trip that will lead us to personal and spiritual disaster.

In this sequel to Naaman's story of leprosy, Naaman learns that the mercy and grace of God are absolutely free. One of the tragedies of the American church is that there are so many churches who teach and believe, that you cannot get into heaven unless you are willing to follow the Lord Jesus Christ or surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ. People who think that way about the God of the Bible, do not understand the God of the Bible. Elisha's servant, Gehazi, is afflicted with the disease of greed, which is similar to playing with a loaded gun. The Lord doesn't need our pennies, but if we are smart, we will invest everything we can into His capable hands, and He will return it with magnificent interest in the kingdom of God. Other passages: Romans 6:2-3; Ephesians 2:8-9; Revelation 22:17; John 5:24; 1 Timothy 6:10; Psalm 24:1.

The famous story of the healing of Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, from the disease of leprosy, is an illustration of one of the great principles of the Bible, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. We learn that the most important person in this story is not Naaman or even Elisha, but the unnamed slave girl from the land of Israel. God makes Himself known, not to the mighty and the wise and the educated but to those who are childlike in heart. In this message, Zane also recounts his graduation day from Dallas Theological Seminary on May 19, 1958. Other passages mentioned: Luke 6:27-28; Matthew 11:25-26; James 4:6; Matthew 18:4; Philippians 2:8.