I Samuel 13:13-14 -God has sought a man after His own heart
Acts 13:22 -David, a man after God’s own heart
David was a man after God’s own heart. But what does this mean, exactly? We know it doesn’t mean David was perfect, but rather, we can see that it was because David continually sought the Lord.
I Samuel 19:1-18 -Saul sends men to kill David, who escapes
David, as he so often was, found himself hounded by other men. Saul, the king over Israel, has been trying to send men to kill David, who is forced to flee. There are a number of things that men would commonly do in this circumstance. What does David do? He turns to God.
Psalm 59 -David’s psalm for the occasion
I Samuel 22 -David and his followers harried by Saul
Again, we see David harried and his followers slain. We see people turning on David to win favor with the king. And yet, once again, what does David choose to do? Go to the Lord.
Psalm 63 -David’s psalm for the occasion
We must be like David. In all things, we must turn to God. Not as a last resort, but as our first action. No matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, we must turn to God.
James 5:13-18 -Prayer and psalms in all circumstances
In so doing, and in continuing to follow the Lord and set our hearts on Him, we do as David did. We are men and women after God’s own heart.
Luke 12:22-34 -Put your heart in the right place
What is your heart set after? Is it after God’s own heart? Is it set on following Him? Or is your heart set in other things?
Showing posts with label Kings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kings. Show all posts
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Repentant Idolater - 5/17/09am
II Chronicles 33:1-20
What can we learn from Manasseh?
He was an idolater (vv 2-7)
Though we do not bow down before carved or sculpted images, how often do we elevate something in our life to a higher status than God?
Deuteronomy 5:7 -Do not make or worship idols
Colossians 3:5-11 -Greed/covetousness, which is idolatry
He committed murder (v 6)
While we may not have ever killed someone, Christ has some interesting things to say about murder, unrighteous anger, and how they will be judged.
Exodus 10:13 -Do not murder
Matthew 5:21-22 -Unrighteous anger is condemned
He failed to properly head his family (v 6)
To say that Manasseh failed to in a guiding leadership role in his family is gross understatement. Yet we must remember that there are proper roles for each member of the family to fulfill.
Ephesians 5:25-6:4 -Fathers, mothers, and children
Proverbs 22:6 -Bring up a child in the way he should go
He was an evil influence on others (vv 9, 16-17)
We must be careful not to walk in the way of Manasseh, and lead others into sin. We must remember that we have an influence on others, and be careful of the example we set. Likewise, we must be careful not to allow others to influence us for evil!
I Corinthians 10:32-33 -Do not cause anyone to stumble
I Corinthians 15:33 -Bad company corrupts good morals
He was punished by God for his sin (vv 10-11)
As Manasseh was punished for his evil, so we too, if we follow in his way, will be punished by God. Manasseh’s punishment was temporal, ours will be eternal.
Revelation 20:11-15 -Judgment according to deeds
Galatians 5:19-21 -These will not reach heaven
He returned to God, and was accepted (vv 12-16)
Manasseh repented of what he had done, and turned back to God. When he did so, God forgave him and accepted his repentance. So it is with us. If we truly turn to God, it does not matter what sins we have committed in the past, they will no longer be held against us.II Corinthians 7:10 -Godly sorrow brings repentance, leading to
salvation
Luke 5:30-32 -Christ came to bring sinners to repentance
I Timothy 1:15-17 -Paul, chief of sinners, repented and was
accepted by God
There are other lessons we can learn from the account as well
Children do not always follow after their parents (v 3)
Manasseh’s father, Hezekiah, had served God well. Yet Manasseh did not turn out that way. It serves as a reminder that just because we serve God and strive to teach our children to do so, we each much make our own decisions.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 -The word must be with us constantly, and we
must strive to impress its importance on our
children
Genesis 4:1-12 -Adam and Eve had two sons who were very
Different
Proverbs 22:6 -Bring up a child in the way he should go is a
general statement
A person’s reputation and influence can outlast their actions (II Kings 21:17)
Manasseh repented and turned back to God. Yet he is still recorded as the worst king to ever rule of Judah. So too, we can be remembered for the wrong we have done. We must strive to do good instead!
Acts 9:10-16 -Ananias remarks on what Paul had been doing
against the church
Acts 9:19b-22 -The people are leery of Paul after his conversion
What can we learn from Manasseh?
He was an idolater (vv 2-7)
Though we do not bow down before carved or sculpted images, how often do we elevate something in our life to a higher status than God?
Deuteronomy 5:7 -Do not make or worship idols
Colossians 3:5-11 -Greed/covetousness, which is idolatry
He committed murder (v 6)
While we may not have ever killed someone, Christ has some interesting things to say about murder, unrighteous anger, and how they will be judged.
Exodus 10:13 -Do not murder
Matthew 5:21-22 -Unrighteous anger is condemned
He failed to properly head his family (v 6)
To say that Manasseh failed to in a guiding leadership role in his family is gross understatement. Yet we must remember that there are proper roles for each member of the family to fulfill.
Ephesians 5:25-6:4 -Fathers, mothers, and children
Proverbs 22:6 -Bring up a child in the way he should go
He was an evil influence on others (vv 9, 16-17)
We must be careful not to walk in the way of Manasseh, and lead others into sin. We must remember that we have an influence on others, and be careful of the example we set. Likewise, we must be careful not to allow others to influence us for evil!
I Corinthians 10:32-33 -Do not cause anyone to stumble
I Corinthians 15:33 -Bad company corrupts good morals
He was punished by God for his sin (vv 10-11)
As Manasseh was punished for his evil, so we too, if we follow in his way, will be punished by God. Manasseh’s punishment was temporal, ours will be eternal.
Revelation 20:11-15 -Judgment according to deeds
Galatians 5:19-21 -These will not reach heaven
He returned to God, and was accepted (vv 12-16)
Manasseh repented of what he had done, and turned back to God. When he did so, God forgave him and accepted his repentance. So it is with us. If we truly turn to God, it does not matter what sins we have committed in the past, they will no longer be held against us.II Corinthians 7:10 -Godly sorrow brings repentance, leading to
salvation
Luke 5:30-32 -Christ came to bring sinners to repentance
I Timothy 1:15-17 -Paul, chief of sinners, repented and was
accepted by God
There are other lessons we can learn from the account as well
Children do not always follow after their parents (v 3)
Manasseh’s father, Hezekiah, had served God well. Yet Manasseh did not turn out that way. It serves as a reminder that just because we serve God and strive to teach our children to do so, we each much make our own decisions.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 -The word must be with us constantly, and we
must strive to impress its importance on our
children
Genesis 4:1-12 -Adam and Eve had two sons who were very
Different
Proverbs 22:6 -Bring up a child in the way he should go is a
general statement
A person’s reputation and influence can outlast their actions (II Kings 21:17)
Manasseh repented and turned back to God. Yet he is still recorded as the worst king to ever rule of Judah. So too, we can be remembered for the wrong we have done. We must strive to do good instead!
Acts 9:10-16 -Ananias remarks on what Paul had been doing
against the church
Acts 9:19b-22 -The people are leery of Paul after his conversion
Saturday, May 2, 2009
The King Who Was Almost Good - 4/26/09pm
II Kings 9:1-13 -Jehu anointed, told to destroy Ahab’s family
Destruction of Ahab’s Family
Jehu was told to destroy Ahab’s family. And we see that he set out to do so. While other passages imply that he perhaps did so for his own reasons, or in the wrong way, he began to do so according to what he had been commanded.
II Kings 9:14-16 -Jehu conspires against Joram
II Kings 9:17-26 -Jehu kills Joram, Ahab’s son
II Kings 9:27-29 -Jehu kills Ahaziah of Judah, grandson of Ahab
II Kings 9:30-37 -Jehu sees to Jezebel’s death
II Kings 10:1-8 -Jehu sees to the deaths of Ahab’s sons
II Kings 10:9-11 -Jehu declares Jezreel to be guiltless in their deaths
II Kings 10:12-14 -Jehu kills Ahaziah’s brothers
II Kings 10:15-17 -Jehu kills the rest of Ahab’s family
Destruction of Baal Worship
We see that, unlike prior kings of Israel, he took steps towards ridding the land of the worship of Baal.
II Kings 10:18-24 -Jehu assembles the leaders of Baal worship
II Kings 10:25-28 -Jehu destroys the worship of Baal in Israel
Jehu’s Failure
And yet, we see that Jehu failed to tear down the golden calves that had been set up in Dan and Bethel by Jeroboam. He failed to seek the Lord wholeheartedly.
II Kings 10:29-31 -Jehu kept the golden calves
II Kings 10:32-36 -Jehu’s death
Will we be an “almost”
Just as Jehu was “almost” a good king, and just as Moses “almost” was permitted to enter the promised land, we can be an “almost.” We may be almost saved. We might almost be admitted to heaven. We might almost obey Christ. “Almost” is not enough.
Acts 2:24-29 -Agrippa was almost persuaded
Matthew 19:16-22 -Rich young ruler, who almost had eternal life
Destruction of Ahab’s Family
Jehu was told to destroy Ahab’s family. And we see that he set out to do so. While other passages imply that he perhaps did so for his own reasons, or in the wrong way, he began to do so according to what he had been commanded.
II Kings 9:14-16 -Jehu conspires against Joram
II Kings 9:17-26 -Jehu kills Joram, Ahab’s son
II Kings 9:27-29 -Jehu kills Ahaziah of Judah, grandson of Ahab
II Kings 9:30-37 -Jehu sees to Jezebel’s death
II Kings 10:1-8 -Jehu sees to the deaths of Ahab’s sons
II Kings 10:9-11 -Jehu declares Jezreel to be guiltless in their deaths
II Kings 10:12-14 -Jehu kills Ahaziah’s brothers
II Kings 10:15-17 -Jehu kills the rest of Ahab’s family
Destruction of Baal Worship
We see that, unlike prior kings of Israel, he took steps towards ridding the land of the worship of Baal.
II Kings 10:18-24 -Jehu assembles the leaders of Baal worship
II Kings 10:25-28 -Jehu destroys the worship of Baal in Israel
Jehu’s Failure
And yet, we see that Jehu failed to tear down the golden calves that had been set up in Dan and Bethel by Jeroboam. He failed to seek the Lord wholeheartedly.
II Kings 10:29-31 -Jehu kept the golden calves
II Kings 10:32-36 -Jehu’s death
Will we be an “almost”
Just as Jehu was “almost” a good king, and just as Moses “almost” was permitted to enter the promised land, we can be an “almost.” We may be almost saved. We might almost be admitted to heaven. We might almost obey Christ. “Almost” is not enough.
Acts 2:24-29 -Agrippa was almost persuaded
Matthew 19:16-22 -Rich young ruler, who almost had eternal life
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The Ark Comes to Jerusalem - 4/19/09pm
Disobedience Contrasted with Obedience
II Samuel 6:1-8 -The ark loaded on a cart, Uzzah touches it and dies
Ephesians 5:1-7 -The wrath of God comes upon the disobedient
II Samuel 6:9-11 -David fears the Lord, the ark stays with Obed- Edom, who is blessed
Joyful Godliness Contrasted with Appearances
II Samuel 6:12-19 -David’s joy and exuberance at bringing the ark to Jerusalem
Acts 8:26-40 -The Ethiopian eunuch goes on his way, rejoicing
II Samuel 6:20-23 -Michal derides David for his exuberance
I Peter 2:19-25 -Follow Christ’s example of patient endurance
I Kings 8:1-5 -Solomon summons the leaders of Israel and brings the ark to the temple
The Presence of God
I Kings 8:6-9 -The ark is in the holy of holies
I Kings 8:10-13 -The presence of the Lord
II Thessalonians 1:3-10 -Unrighteous eternally separated from God’s presence
The Covenant of God
I Kings 8:14-21 -Solomon recounts the building of the temple and that the covenant is in the ark
I Corinthians 11:23-26 -The new covenant of Christ’s blood
Romans 1:16 -The gospel is the power of God unto salvation
II Samuel 6:1-8 -The ark loaded on a cart, Uzzah touches it and dies
Ephesians 5:1-7 -The wrath of God comes upon the disobedient
II Samuel 6:9-11 -David fears the Lord, the ark stays with Obed- Edom, who is blessed
Joyful Godliness Contrasted with Appearances
II Samuel 6:12-19 -David’s joy and exuberance at bringing the ark to Jerusalem
Acts 8:26-40 -The Ethiopian eunuch goes on his way, rejoicing
II Samuel 6:20-23 -Michal derides David for his exuberance
I Peter 2:19-25 -Follow Christ’s example of patient endurance
I Kings 8:1-5 -Solomon summons the leaders of Israel and brings the ark to the temple
The Presence of God
I Kings 8:6-9 -The ark is in the holy of holies
I Kings 8:10-13 -The presence of the Lord
II Thessalonians 1:3-10 -Unrighteous eternally separated from God’s presence
The Covenant of God
I Kings 8:14-21 -Solomon recounts the building of the temple and that the covenant is in the ark
I Corinthians 11:23-26 -The new covenant of Christ’s blood
Romans 1:16 -The gospel is the power of God unto salvation
Monday, April 6, 2009
Saul's Hypocrisy - 4/5/09pm
I Samuel 28:3-6 -Saul inquires of God, who does not answer
I Samuel 28:7-10 -Saul consults a medium, regardless of forbidding it
I Samuel 28:11-25 -Samuel appears, tells Saul the outcome of battle
Saul, having outlawed mediums as he should have, goes and consults one. Instead of following what he had rightly said, he plays the hypocrite when it is more convenient. We must cautious not to do the same!
James 3:13-18 -Wisdom from above is without hypocrisy
I Peter 1:22-2:3 -Rid yourself of hypocrisy
Christ upbraided many for their hypocrisy. We see a number of specific occasions which Christ condemned as hypocritical. We must be careful not to fall into the same path.
Matthew 6:1-7 -Hypocritical charity and praying
Matthew 6:16-18 -Hypocritical fasting
Matthew 23:13 -Hypocritically shutting the kingdom against men
Matthew 23:14 -Hypocritical religion of pretense
Matthew 23:15 -Hypocritically seek others
Matthew 23:23-24 -Hypocritically keeping the measurable parts of law
Matthew 23:25-28 -Hypocritically appear clean, with internal uncleanness
Matthew 23:29-30 -Hypocritically ignore lessons
Colossians 3:17 -In word or deed to all in the name of the Lord
One of the issues of hypocrisy is that it is not just an action. As with other things, it comes from the heart. Perhaps we are deliberately working to make others think we are better than we are. Perhaps we are deceiving ourselves that our hypocritical actions are acceptable. Perhaps we do as Saul did, and act different from what we teach when it is convenient. Each time, it speaks of what is truly in our heart.
Matthew 5:8 -Blessed are the pure in heart
Matthew 15:10-20 -What comes out of man, from the heard, defiles him
We know that we will be judged by our actions in the last day. That does not mean that those actions can be hypocritically done, however. Our hearts must be in line with serving the Lord, as well as our deeds.
Psalm 7:9-17 -The Lord justly judges hearts
I Samuel 28:7-10 -Saul consults a medium, regardless of forbidding it
I Samuel 28:11-25 -Samuel appears, tells Saul the outcome of battle
Saul, having outlawed mediums as he should have, goes and consults one. Instead of following what he had rightly said, he plays the hypocrite when it is more convenient. We must cautious not to do the same!
James 3:13-18 -Wisdom from above is without hypocrisy
I Peter 1:22-2:3 -Rid yourself of hypocrisy
Christ upbraided many for their hypocrisy. We see a number of specific occasions which Christ condemned as hypocritical. We must be careful not to fall into the same path.
Matthew 6:1-7 -Hypocritical charity and praying
Matthew 6:16-18 -Hypocritical fasting
Matthew 23:13 -Hypocritically shutting the kingdom against men
Matthew 23:14 -Hypocritical religion of pretense
Matthew 23:15 -Hypocritically seek others
Matthew 23:23-24 -Hypocritically keeping the measurable parts of law
Matthew 23:25-28 -Hypocritically appear clean, with internal uncleanness
Matthew 23:29-30 -Hypocritically ignore lessons
Colossians 3:17 -In word or deed to all in the name of the Lord
One of the issues of hypocrisy is that it is not just an action. As with other things, it comes from the heart. Perhaps we are deliberately working to make others think we are better than we are. Perhaps we are deceiving ourselves that our hypocritical actions are acceptable. Perhaps we do as Saul did, and act different from what we teach when it is convenient. Each time, it speaks of what is truly in our heart.
Matthew 5:8 -Blessed are the pure in heart
Matthew 15:10-20 -What comes out of man, from the heard, defiles him
We know that we will be judged by our actions in the last day. That does not mean that those actions can be hypocritically done, however. Our hearts must be in line with serving the Lord, as well as our deeds.
Psalm 7:9-17 -The Lord justly judges hearts
Friday, March 27, 2009
Give Us a King! - 3/29/09am
I Samuel 8:1-5 -The people ask for a king
I Samuel 8:6-9 -Samuel and God are displeased
I Samuel 8:10-18 -The people are warned what a king will do
I Samuel 8:19-21 -The people refuse to listen
I Samuel 9:1-14 -Saul, looking for donkeys, seeks Samuel
I Samuel 9:15-10:1 -Saul’s humility, anointment as king
I Samuel 13:1-15 -Two years later, Saul is rejected for disobedience
We see Saul, a humble, handsome man, selected to be king over a disobedient people. And the people are happy about it. Yet within two years of Israel following Saul, Saul had sinned to the point that the kingdom was taken from his family by the Lord.
Spiritually, we do the same if we follow a man, instead of Christ. Even if that person teaches Christ and His gospel accurately and properly, we must not be focused on the teacher, but rather on the Word of God.
Matthew 23:6-12 -Be not called rabbi, father, or teacher
Galatians 2:20 -Not I who live, but Christ living in me
No man is our king. God is. We should not follow after men, but after God, and what He says. We should follow after the King.
John 18:33-37 -Jesus is a king and bears witness of the truth
I Timothy 6:13-16 -Jesus Christ, our sovereign, King of kings
I Samuel 8:6-9 -Samuel and God are displeased
I Samuel 8:10-18 -The people are warned what a king will do
I Samuel 8:19-21 -The people refuse to listen
I Samuel 9:1-14 -Saul, looking for donkeys, seeks Samuel
I Samuel 9:15-10:1 -Saul’s humility, anointment as king
I Samuel 13:1-15 -Two years later, Saul is rejected for disobedience
We see Saul, a humble, handsome man, selected to be king over a disobedient people. And the people are happy about it. Yet within two years of Israel following Saul, Saul had sinned to the point that the kingdom was taken from his family by the Lord.
Spiritually, we do the same if we follow a man, instead of Christ. Even if that person teaches Christ and His gospel accurately and properly, we must not be focused on the teacher, but rather on the Word of God.
Matthew 23:6-12 -Be not called rabbi, father, or teacher
Galatians 2:20 -Not I who live, but Christ living in me
No man is our king. God is. We should not follow after men, but after God, and what He says. We should follow after the King.
John 18:33-37 -Jesus is a king and bears witness of the truth
I Timothy 6:13-16 -Jesus Christ, our sovereign, King of kings
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Misled Monarch - 9/14/08pm
Genesis 12:10-20
What can we learn from Pharaoh?
He was deceived by lies (vv 11-15)
Much as Pharaoh was deceived, so we can be to. And being deceived can lead us into as much, and more, trouble as he received.
II Thessalonians 2:8-12 -Being deceived can result in eternal condemnation
II Timothy 4:3-4 -People will want their ears tickled and turn aside to deceptions
Colossians 3:5-11 -Do not lie to one another
He treated others well (v 16)
Pharaoh extended hospitality and saw to it that he treated others well. Even at the end, when he had justification for punishing Abram, he did not, but simply sent them on their way.
Matthew 22:34-40 -Love your neighbor
Matthew 7:12 -Do unto others…
Galatians 6:10 -Do good to all men, especially the household of faith
He had to deal with the consequences of another’s sin (vv 17-18)
Pharaoh had to deal with the consequences of another man’s sin. He was not the one who had lied, yet he had to deal with what came of it.
Genesis 3:14-19 -We have the consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin
Genesis 39:6-20 -Joseph suffers from the sin of Potiphar’s wife
He took steps to correct the problem when he discovered it (vv 18-20)
When the problem became apparent, Pharaoh did not ignore it. He did what was necessary to solve it. We need to be sure to take the same approach: when it is our error, we much fix it, and when it is another’s, we work in love to help them correct it.
I Corinthians 5:1-5 -Paul took steps, the Corinthians were to take steps, the individuals involved should have taken steps
Galatians 6:1 -Restore the sinner GENTLY, watching yourself
He did not remain close to the sin, but put it away from himself (vv 18-20)
Sometimes we are tempted to remain close to what tempts us. Pharaoh did not! He put away and had no more to do with it. We should follow his example in this.
II Timothy 2:22 -FLEE youthful lusts, pursue righteousness
I Peter 4:2-4 -USED to do these things, but they no longer run with
those people
I Corinthians 6:9-11 -Such WERE some of you
I Corinthians 10:14 -FLEE idolatry
There are other lessons to be learned from the account as well.
Physical vs. spiritual thinking (vv 10-13)
Abram was thinking more about his physical condition and well being than about what was spiritually right. It is something that is easy to do, and as we can see, even this great man of God fell into this trap. We must be certain to first put our thoughts and focus on all things spiritual!
Philippians 3:18-19 -If your focus is the physical, you are an enemy of Christ
Hebrews 11:13-16 -The great people here looked to the spiritual, so
should we
Abram faced consequences for his sin (v 20)
Abram was sent away from Egypt, where he had sought relief from the famine, because of what he had caused. As he was sent away, so we will be sent from the presence of God for our sin.
Ezekiel 44:10-14 -The Levites who turned away were kept from the holy
things
Matthew 25:31-46 -The sheep and the goats
God is displeased with sin (v 17)
God does not like sin. He hates it. And, in serving Him, we are to hate it as well. We should strive to put away that which is evil, and strive to follow after what is good.
Isaiah 59:1-2 -Sin is repugnant to God, and you are separated from
Him by it
Romans 12:9 -Hate what is evil
What can we learn from Pharaoh?
He was deceived by lies (vv 11-15)
Much as Pharaoh was deceived, so we can be to. And being deceived can lead us into as much, and more, trouble as he received.
II Thessalonians 2:8-12 -Being deceived can result in eternal condemnation
II Timothy 4:3-4 -People will want their ears tickled and turn aside to deceptions
Colossians 3:5-11 -Do not lie to one another
He treated others well (v 16)
Pharaoh extended hospitality and saw to it that he treated others well. Even at the end, when he had justification for punishing Abram, he did not, but simply sent them on their way.
Matthew 22:34-40 -Love your neighbor
Matthew 7:12 -Do unto others…
Galatians 6:10 -Do good to all men, especially the household of faith
He had to deal with the consequences of another’s sin (vv 17-18)
Pharaoh had to deal with the consequences of another man’s sin. He was not the one who had lied, yet he had to deal with what came of it.
Genesis 3:14-19 -We have the consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin
Genesis 39:6-20 -Joseph suffers from the sin of Potiphar’s wife
He took steps to correct the problem when he discovered it (vv 18-20)
When the problem became apparent, Pharaoh did not ignore it. He did what was necessary to solve it. We need to be sure to take the same approach: when it is our error, we much fix it, and when it is another’s, we work in love to help them correct it.
I Corinthians 5:1-5 -Paul took steps, the Corinthians were to take steps, the individuals involved should have taken steps
Galatians 6:1 -Restore the sinner GENTLY, watching yourself
He did not remain close to the sin, but put it away from himself (vv 18-20)
Sometimes we are tempted to remain close to what tempts us. Pharaoh did not! He put away and had no more to do with it. We should follow his example in this.
II Timothy 2:22 -FLEE youthful lusts, pursue righteousness
I Peter 4:2-4 -USED to do these things, but they no longer run with
those people
I Corinthians 6:9-11 -Such WERE some of you
I Corinthians 10:14 -FLEE idolatry
There are other lessons to be learned from the account as well.
Physical vs. spiritual thinking (vv 10-13)
Abram was thinking more about his physical condition and well being than about what was spiritually right. It is something that is easy to do, and as we can see, even this great man of God fell into this trap. We must be certain to first put our thoughts and focus on all things spiritual!
Philippians 3:18-19 -If your focus is the physical, you are an enemy of Christ
Hebrews 11:13-16 -The great people here looked to the spiritual, so
should we
Abram faced consequences for his sin (v 20)
Abram was sent away from Egypt, where he had sought relief from the famine, because of what he had caused. As he was sent away, so we will be sent from the presence of God for our sin.
Ezekiel 44:10-14 -The Levites who turned away were kept from the holy
things
Matthew 25:31-46 -The sheep and the goats
God is displeased with sin (v 17)
God does not like sin. He hates it. And, in serving Him, we are to hate it as well. We should strive to put away that which is evil, and strive to follow after what is good.
Isaiah 59:1-2 -Sin is repugnant to God, and you are separated from
Him by it
Romans 12:9 -Hate what is evil
Thursday, April 3, 2008
The King for Seven Days - Bonus Sermon!
This is the first sermon I delivered for the Eastside congregation, when we were first trying to see if I would fit here. That was back in October 2007, if I remember correctly. I've also delivered this one at 2 other congregations.
1 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is good ans useful, so what can we learn from Zimri, king of Israel for seven days?
1 Kings 15:33-16:20
The Sins of Zimri
Murder
1 Kings 16:10, 16:18
Zimri evidently had little value in life. To achieve his goal, he was willing to take life. And to avoid probably humiliation and death he killed himself!
Exodus 20:13
Matthew 5L21-22
Now, most of us are not guilty of murder, but do we qualify under the extreme and unrighteous andger Christ describes in Matthew? Do we fall into the same trap? If so, we are following the same path laid down by Zimri.
Pride
1 Kings 16:10, 16:16
Zimri evidently thought highly enough of himself to think that he should be king. It's easy to imagine Zimri as being arrogant and full of pride, but can you honestly picture him as humble?
Zephaniah 2:8-11
Proverbs 16:18
1 Peter 5:5
So we ever do things, or think things, or aim for things based on how highly we think of ourselves? Do we let pride interfere? Are we truly humble? If we fail in this, we once more find ourselves like the seven day king.
Failure to Sumbit to Authority
1 Kings 16:9-10
Zimri doesn't seem to care what position someone else held. It certainly wasn't enough to concern to keep him from killing the king, son of the previous king!
Romans 13:1-7
Hebrews 13:17
2 Peter 2:10
Are we willing to follow civil laws (so long as they are con accordance with God's law)? Do we listen to the elders of the congregation? Do we heed the authority given to Christ and follow the word? If not, we are like Zimri!
Idolatry
1 Kings 16:19
Notice the time given to him: 7 days. In that time he did not undo Jeroboam's sin, and so was held accountable for it. When we din, we must act immediately to correct the problem, not put it off. We can see pretty clearly that, "I was going to get around to it," won't count.
Deuteronomy 5:7
1 Corinthians 10:14
Colossians 3:5
Do we let other things interfere with our service towards God? Are we allowing material posessions, people, or ideas become more important than the Almighty? Guess what? If we do this, we are once more following in the footsteps of Zimri, and who wants that?
Encouraging Others to Commit Wrong
1 Kings 16:9, 16:20
Zimri was part of a conspiracy. It was his rebellious conspiracy to achieve his own aims. He had recruited other people to rise up against the more rightful king, thus encouraging them to sacrifice their souls. Although it does seem unlikely that he chose upright men to assist him.
1 Corinthians 10:32
Do we lay down stumbling blocks for others through our actions, speech, way of dressing, or apaprent lack of concern? We are like Zimri. Or are we allowing ourselves to be influenced by others in ways that would offend Christ? Do we let ourselves be led astray? Is so we're not like Zimri, we're like the ones that followed Zimri!
Wrong Focus
His focus was on earthly things, not the spiritual or righteous. Apparently, to him, being king was more important than anything else, and so he worked towards it, regardless of cost. And he achieved his goal! But at what cost?
Matthew 6:33
What is your goal? Do you put everything behind Christ in living for Him? Or are you focusing on work, money, retirement, or fun? What is your purpose? Where are your priorities? If we are pointing the wrong way, we walk like Zimri.
What Else Can We Learn?
Men Do Not Change
I'm not talking about individuals, I'm speaking of humanity. People are people. Look around, and you will find people like Zimri, those who do not respect authority, those who murder, those who are proud. You will see many who put other things before God, and many who will encourage you to stumble and sin.
Ecclesiastes 1:9-11
Romans 1:28-32
1 Timothy 4:1-3
Hebrews 4:8-11 (If we are so different, then why the warning not to follow their example?)
Which example do you follow? Those who follow God or those who do not? Do you heed the scriptures and learn how to address others? Do you understand the parable of the sower in this contxt?
God Can Make Use of You
1 Kings 16:19, 16:11-13
Regardless of how evil a man Zimri was, no matter how much he strove against God, the Lord found a use for him, and Zimri found himself carrying out God's will. Imagine how much more productive we can be if we strive to follow Him! Regardless, no matter how evil we may be, we cannot thwart God's will.
2 Timothy 2:20-21
Matthew 25:14-30
Is God going to look at us as a faithful servant who has furthered His cause, or will He see us as unprofitable? Are we working for Him or against Him? Those are the only options we have.
God Keeps His Promises
1 Kings 16:1-4
God promises punishment on the house of Baasha, and through Zimri that promise is fulfilled. Notice that it isn't done immediately, but occurs in the generation after Baasha. Nonethless, God's judgement is carried out.
2 Peter 3:9
Revelation 21:1-9
That is God's promise to us. If we obey Him, if we are truly His disciples and follow Him, we will have our reward for eternity. If, however, we do not obey Him, if we choose to serve sin and ourselves, then we are promised eternal punishment. God keeps his promises either way. Will you be saved?
1 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is good ans useful, so what can we learn from Zimri, king of Israel for seven days?
1 Kings 15:33-16:20
The Sins of Zimri
Murder
1 Kings 16:10, 16:18
Zimri evidently had little value in life. To achieve his goal, he was willing to take life. And to avoid probably humiliation and death he killed himself!
Exodus 20:13
Matthew 5L21-22
Now, most of us are not guilty of murder, but do we qualify under the extreme and unrighteous andger Christ describes in Matthew? Do we fall into the same trap? If so, we are following the same path laid down by Zimri.
Pride
1 Kings 16:10, 16:16
Zimri evidently thought highly enough of himself to think that he should be king. It's easy to imagine Zimri as being arrogant and full of pride, but can you honestly picture him as humble?
Zephaniah 2:8-11
Proverbs 16:18
1 Peter 5:5
So we ever do things, or think things, or aim for things based on how highly we think of ourselves? Do we let pride interfere? Are we truly humble? If we fail in this, we once more find ourselves like the seven day king.
Failure to Sumbit to Authority
1 Kings 16:9-10
Zimri doesn't seem to care what position someone else held. It certainly wasn't enough to concern to keep him from killing the king, son of the previous king!
Romans 13:1-7
Hebrews 13:17
2 Peter 2:10
Are we willing to follow civil laws (so long as they are con accordance with God's law)? Do we listen to the elders of the congregation? Do we heed the authority given to Christ and follow the word? If not, we are like Zimri!
Idolatry
1 Kings 16:19
Notice the time given to him: 7 days. In that time he did not undo Jeroboam's sin, and so was held accountable for it. When we din, we must act immediately to correct the problem, not put it off. We can see pretty clearly that, "I was going to get around to it," won't count.
Deuteronomy 5:7
1 Corinthians 10:14
Colossians 3:5
Do we let other things interfere with our service towards God? Are we allowing material posessions, people, or ideas become more important than the Almighty? Guess what? If we do this, we are once more following in the footsteps of Zimri, and who wants that?
Encouraging Others to Commit Wrong
1 Kings 16:9, 16:20
Zimri was part of a conspiracy. It was his rebellious conspiracy to achieve his own aims. He had recruited other people to rise up against the more rightful king, thus encouraging them to sacrifice their souls. Although it does seem unlikely that he chose upright men to assist him.
1 Corinthians 10:32
Do we lay down stumbling blocks for others through our actions, speech, way of dressing, or apaprent lack of concern? We are like Zimri. Or are we allowing ourselves to be influenced by others in ways that would offend Christ? Do we let ourselves be led astray? Is so we're not like Zimri, we're like the ones that followed Zimri!
Wrong Focus
His focus was on earthly things, not the spiritual or righteous. Apparently, to him, being king was more important than anything else, and so he worked towards it, regardless of cost. And he achieved his goal! But at what cost?
Matthew 6:33
What is your goal? Do you put everything behind Christ in living for Him? Or are you focusing on work, money, retirement, or fun? What is your purpose? Where are your priorities? If we are pointing the wrong way, we walk like Zimri.
What Else Can We Learn?
Men Do Not Change
I'm not talking about individuals, I'm speaking of humanity. People are people. Look around, and you will find people like Zimri, those who do not respect authority, those who murder, those who are proud. You will see many who put other things before God, and many who will encourage you to stumble and sin.
Ecclesiastes 1:9-11
Romans 1:28-32
1 Timothy 4:1-3
Hebrews 4:8-11 (If we are so different, then why the warning not to follow their example?)
Which example do you follow? Those who follow God or those who do not? Do you heed the scriptures and learn how to address others? Do you understand the parable of the sower in this contxt?
God Can Make Use of You
1 Kings 16:19, 16:11-13
Regardless of how evil a man Zimri was, no matter how much he strove against God, the Lord found a use for him, and Zimri found himself carrying out God's will. Imagine how much more productive we can be if we strive to follow Him! Regardless, no matter how evil we may be, we cannot thwart God's will.
2 Timothy 2:20-21
Matthew 25:14-30
Is God going to look at us as a faithful servant who has furthered His cause, or will He see us as unprofitable? Are we working for Him or against Him? Those are the only options we have.
God Keeps His Promises
1 Kings 16:1-4
God promises punishment on the house of Baasha, and through Zimri that promise is fulfilled. Notice that it isn't done immediately, but occurs in the generation after Baasha. Nonethless, God's judgement is carried out.
2 Peter 3:9
Revelation 21:1-9
That is God's promise to us. If we obey Him, if we are truly His disciples and follow Him, we will have our reward for eternity. If, however, we do not obey Him, if we choose to serve sin and ourselves, then we are promised eternal punishment. God keeps his promises either way. Will you be saved?
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