Sometimes we think people in the Bible were different than we are today.  But, we find that the basic nature of people has not changed throughout history.  In our lesson this morning we will examine some very interesting attitudes from 2 Kings 3.
This is the account of a rebellion by the Moabites against Israel.  The attitudes of all the different groups in this chapter are typical of many today. 

1)  THE REWARD COMES WITH EFFORT - VSS 1 - 20
     A.  As was mentioned the chapter begins with a rebellion by the nation of Moab.  Because of that Isrel's  king, Jehoram, joined with the kings of Judah and Edom and together marched to a battle with Moab. 
     B.  Their march to the battle took them through the wilderness (3:8).   But, there was no water for the  troops and the cattle and beasts that followed them.
     C.  The Lord told them, through the prophet Elisha, to dig ditches and He would provide water for them and would deliver the Moabites into their hands vss 16 - 20.
     D.   If you want God's blessings...prepare for them.
    
2)   LESSON LEARNED
     A.  Many want to be saved today without doing anything
     B.  Is a man saved by works today? - NO                                 POWERPOINT-CLICK HERE
          1.  Romans 3: 27-28
          2.  4: 4-5
     C.  Is a man saved apart from works? - NO
          1.  James 2: 24
          2.  James 2:22 - Faith operates through the individual's works, and works bring to perfection his faith.
          3.  Ephesians 2: 28 - What is the basis of salvation? Grace
          4.  Hebrews 5:9 - Salvation is still conditional.  Acts 2:38; Marks 16:16

3)  MANY BELIEVE WHAT THEY WANT TO BELIEVE - VSS 21-26
     A.  When the Moabite soldiers looked in the morning toward the enemy camp they saw the water that looked red. 
     B.  They wanted to believe that the kings in the opposing camp fought each other and what they were seeing was blood.(vss 22 - 23)
     C. This emboldened them say "to the spoil!" (vs 23).  They advanced toward the enemy camp believeing they would take the goods only to find a big surprise!
     D   They found no blood.  They found a camp of soldiers of Israelites that soundly defeated them, then the Moabite cities were destroyed

4)  LESSON LEARNED
     A.  People today haven't changed much.  Many want to believe...
          1.  They are saved..
          2.  There is no God
          3.  They will be around tomorrow
          4.  Sometimes they want it so badly, to them it is real, or they can see it.

     B.  Many times they are wrong!
          1.  1 Cor. 3: 18 - self-deceptive
          2.  2 Thess 2: 10-12 - will believe a lie
          3.  Jeremiah 17: 9
        
     C.  What about in Jesus' day? 
           1.  Many wanted to believe they were already saved.
           2.  John 9: 40-41 - Jesus answered them.

Do you believe you are saved?  Is it just a feeling or based on scriptural evidence?  Do you know the scriptures say about salvation?  Look for the truth in God's word and obey it!