Lessons from King Solomon

Lessons in MENTORING

If you have travelled a lot your will appreciate luggage with wheels and collapsible handles.. It makes moving your bags around easier, even though it still isn't fun. And if you have multiple pieces, it can quickly get overwhelming. Try pushing two of those bags together

One thing that is certain in life that is change… As you get a little older you find that change isn’t that easy… it is enviable part of life. Change is happening in just about every area of our lives.... and especially in technology...

more I realize that I need to comfortable with change.. it is enviable part of life. Change is happening in just about every area of our lives.... and especially in technology...

If you have travelled a lot your will appreciate luggage with wheels and collapsible handles.. It makes moving your bags around easier, even though it still isn't fun. And if you have multiple pieces, it can quickly get overwhelming. Try pushing two of those bags together

However, one company thinks it has a solution.

We've had luggage with wheels and collapsible handles for a while now. It makes moving your bags around easier, even though it still isn't fun. And if you have multiple pieces, it can quickly get overwhelming. However, one company thinks it has a solution.

Enter the "smart suitcase," courtesy of Israeli firm NUA Robotics. It's a small rectangular piece of carry-on luggage that can move itself around on flat surfaces. It uses a built-in camera to follow you around, and you can pair it up with your smartphone via Bluetooth so you always know its location. For bonus features, it can charge your gadgets and has an anti-theft alarm.

A huge part of my spiritual formation has been through godly mentors who have taken the time to make spiritual investments in me… These have come in the form of professors, colleagues and on going friendships. Some times they have been formal mentoring and other times it has been more casual. One of the blessings we have in the free church is a cluster of ministers who are resource for encouragement. Each of us will benefit from a mentoring relationship.

Now, the actual practical value of this smart suitcase is up for debate. It isn't going to be enough luggage space for anything more than a day trip, and the added tech is presumably going to add weight when you're lifting it into an overhead bin. You'll also have to lift it upstairs, escalators, and curbs. Still, it's an interesting idea, and NUA Robotics is hoping to expand the same tech to things like shopping carts.

Imagine a cart that follows you around the store instead of being pushed.... In this new series we are going to be talking about mentoring

In this new series we are going to be talking about mentoring

Who is in front of you and who is behind you?

A huge part of my PERSONAL spiritual formation has been through godly mentors— These are men and women of God who have taken the time to make spiritual investments in my life.

Dr. Rod Cooper,

Klipwicks…

So who is behind you—a child, a non-Christian, a friend, a coworker? (2) Good Deeds; Works; Rewards—The Bible says that our works do follow us—and that applies to believers and unbelievers.

—Someone is always following you. So who is behind you—a child, a non-Christian, a friend, a coworker? (2) Good Deeds; Works; Rewards—The Bible says that our works do follow us—and that applies to believers and unbelievers.

These have come in the from all the way back to S.S. and youth group… My Youth Pastor David Eden who met weekly a group of us youth and taught us how to study the Bible. There have been pastors and professors, colleagues and on going friendships. Men like Dr Ben and Doug Crandall - where I interned as a young pastor.. Dr Rod Cooper, Steve Kliwicks, Ginger Fox who headed up my mentoring program at seminary. I still have these sound bites that come back… Rod Cooper would always say when it came to leadership… Slower is always faster… but when it comes to conflict faster is always better. What we have in mentors is tried and tested wisdom…

A huge part of my spiritual formation has been through godly mentors who have taken the time to make spiritual investments in me… These have come in the form of professors, colleagues and on going friendships. Some times they have been formal mentoring and other times it has been more casual. One of the blessings we have in the free church is a cluster of ministers who are resource for encouragement. Each of us will benefit from a mentoring relationship.

I encourage each of us to consider seeking out two kinds of relationship — 1st - someone to be our mentor and 2d identify someone to mentor…It’s been said that each of us needs a Paul and a Timothy in our lives…

professors, colleagues and on going friendships. Men like Ben Crandall, Rod Cooper, Ginger Fox,

Ginger Fox who headed up my mentoring program at seminary.

Some times they have been formal mentoring and other times it has been more casual…there are men and women in our congregation that have rich experiences of faith…

Some times they have been formal mentoring and other times it has been more casual...

I encourage each of us to consider seeking out two kinds of relationship — 1st - someone to be our mentor and 2ns someone to mentor…It’s been said that each of us needs a Paul and a Timothy in our lives…

I would encourage each of us to consider seeking out someone to be our mentor and someone to mentor…It’s been said that each of us needs a Paul and a Timothy in our lives…

I encourage you to be thinking through the next several weeks about seeking out two kinds of relationship — 1st - someone to be our mentor and 2nd identify someone to mentor. Each of us needs a Paul and a Timothy in our lives…

Some times they have been formal mentoring and other times it has been more casual. I encourage each of us to consider seeking out two kinds of relationship — 1st - someone to be our mentor and 2ns someone to mentor…It’s been said that each of us needs a Paul and a Timothy in our lives…

There are different kinds of mentoring… and I would encourage each of us to consider seeking out someone to be our mentor and someone to mentor…It’s been said that each of us needs a Paul and a Timothy in our lives…

Paul Stanley and J. Robert Clinton state that

There are many benefits of being in a mentoring relationship.

Mentoring provides a way to share critical life truth in a way that applies it to the life of the individual being mentored

“Mentoring is a relational experience in which one person empowers another by sharing God–given resources.” Stanley/Roberts

Cotton, R. (2001; 2005). Effective Leadership Development. James L. Fleming.

The purpose of mentoring is really reproductive in nature… It is to produce in us spiritual and healthy habits… It is passing on the batten..

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

A reproducible pattern: Mentoring provides a reproducible pattern that shows those being mentored how to reproduce their life and leadership in others, just as they have received.

The apostle Paul knew the importance of spiritual mentoring.. He said in

Cotton, R. (2001; 2005). Effective Leadership Development. James L. Fleming.

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Now, there are basically three different kind of mentors...

- regular meetings with

Discipler - Enablement in basics of flowing Christ.

Spiritual Guide - Accountability, direction and insight for personal growth spirituality and maturity.

Coach - Motivation, skills, and application needed to meet a task or challenge.

Counselor Timely advice and correct perspectives on viewing self others, and ministry.

Teacher Gives knowledge, understanding, and insights regarding a particular subject. (what we are doing today)

Sponsor Career guidance, protection and support within an organization.

Contemporary - A person whose life or ministry currently serves as an example and inspiration.

Historical: A past life that teaches dynamic principles and values for life, ministry and/or profession

What we are going to be doing the next several weeks is to camp out in the Passive middle…

This morning we are beginning a new series out of 2 Chronicles entitled LESSONS IN MENTORING (passive mentoring)Over the next several weeks we are going to dive into the lives of the Kings of Judah and each week we are going to be doing a of case study on each King -

Over the next several weeks we are going to dive into the lives of the Kings of Judah and each week we are going to be doing a of case study on each King -

. Over the next several weeks we are going to dive into the lives of the Kings of Judah

There are three prominant kings in the History of Israel ---Saul David and King Solomon… Each really can be considered a type of leader...

There are three prominent kings in the History of Israel ---king Saul, king David and King Solomon… Each king is marked by a certain type of legacy..

and then you begin to work through it and solve issues and problems. The advantage of a case study is that you don't have to live it and you can learn from those who have gone before you… We can look at these leaders and what where there strengths, what were there weakness, what are the opportunities.. and the threats.

You are presented with a real life problem or situation and then you begin to work through it and solve issues and problems. The advantage of a case study is that you don't have to live it and you can learn from those who have gone before you… We can look at these leaders and what where there strengths, what were there weakness, what are the opportunities.. and the threats.

There are three prominent kings in the History of Israel ---king Saul, king David and King Solomon… Each king is marked by a certain type of legacy..

Mentored through the word.There are three prominant kings in the History of Israel ---Saul David and King Solomon… Each really can be considered a type of leader...

King Saul - Driven by power and ambition… He is a insecure leader who is always looking over his back. He plagued by jealousy and in it becomes his demiseGod removes him as King.. You could say King Saul is the antithesis of spiritual leadership

God removes him as King.. He is the antithes of spiritual leadership

Introduction

Then you have this golden Era of King David who has a heart after God, He is bold full of faith, he takes Giants and destroys the enemies of Israel…

Saul was antithesis of Spiritual leadership - Driven by power and self ambition…Then you have this golden Era of King David who has a heart after God, but he is also a man of war and is disqualified from building the temple.. Then King Solomon who God uses to complete the temple. What is unique to 2 Chronicles is the positive Spin that it puts on the life of David and Solomon. It uses this Golden era as a kind of Template for the qualities to be desired and emulated in a godly leader.

He has a heart of worship and a longing to see the establishment of the temple.. David is instrumental in gathering the resources to build the temple… but is disqualified from building the temple… because he is a man of war. DAVID is all time favorite… Every other King is going to be judged by this beloved King of Israel… he is the template that the chronicler is going to use to measure all coming Kings…

but he is also a man of war and is disqualified from building the temple. King David is the Template for all succesive leaders…

Every other King is going to be judged by this beloved King of Israel… he is the template that the chronicler is going to use to measure all coming Kings…

Then you have this golden Era of King David who has a heart after God, He is bold full of faith, he takes Giants and destroys the enemies of Israel… He has a heart of worship and a longing to see the establishment of the temple.. David is instrumental in gathering the resources to build the temple… but is disqualified from building the temple. Every other King is going to be judged by this beloved King of Israel… he is the template that the chronicler is going to use to measure all coming Kings…

who God uses to complete the temple… we see in Solomon, heart, wisdom, wealth, kingdom priorities.. but also, we see how easy even for great leaders to drift away from worship.

What is unique to 2 Chronicles is the positive Spin that it puts on the life of David. David was far from perfect…

This morning we are beginning a new series out of 2 Chronicles entitled LESSONS IN MENTORING. Over the next several weeks we are going to dive into the lives of the Kings of Judah

Introduction

One of the best ways to learn is through case studies. You present a real life problem or situation and then you begin to work through it and solve issues and problems. The advantage of a case study is that you don't have to live it and you can learn from those who have gone before you. Over the next several weeks we are going to do case studies on the kings of Israel. 2 Chronicles Gives us the unique opportunity to get insights to strengths, weakness, threats opportunities.. Mentored through the word.

This morning we are beginning a new series out of 2 Chronicles entitled LESSONS IN MENTORING. Over the next several weeks we are going to dive into the lives of the Kings of Judah..

2 Chronicles is a history of the Kings of Judah and their relationship to the temple and the worship to God.. We are presented with there prominent Kings.. Saul David Solomon…

The chronicler (the author) is looking at the life of David through the eyes of the Golden Era… and focuses on the positive attributes of David and Solomon…in their relationship to their hearts and worship.

Golden Era..

The chronicler (the author) is looking at the life of David through the eyes of the Golden Era… and focuses on the positive attributes of David and Solomon…in their relationship to their hearts and worship.

2 Chronicle 1

The book of 2 chronicles uses the Positive side of Davids life as a kind of Template for the qualities to be desired and imulated. The chronicler (the author) is looking at the life of David through the eyes of the Golden Era… and focuses on the positive attributes of David and Solomon…in their relationship to their hearts and worship.

David was far from perfect… but what David had was both a heart after God and a heart for worship

David was sinned with Bathsheba and was guilty of putting Uriah on the front line of the battle … In the book of kings we are told that Solomon in his old age turned to other gods…

These have been described as ‘types’ of leaders --- Saul represented by a legacy of apostasy, David a king of war and Solomon peace.. The question that arises is what kind of legacy are we going to leave?

What the book of Chronicles does is points to the positive attributes --- of David in order to bring about a contrast between them and all the Kings that followed in Judah. The Kings of Judah are either like David who seeks after God or they are not...

Kings are either like David or they or not they either seek God or don’t. They either lives lives worship God or they fail in the sight of God. Some times the fastest way to understand a situation is to to make a comparison.. Unlike other history books success is not based leadership or the ability to govern... 2 Chronicles measures a persons success on a persons desire to know and worship God. Will we repeat history or do better than i

Unlike other history books, success is not based leadership or the ability to govern and lead... 2 Chronicles measures a persons success of a persons on his or her desire to know and worship God.

The kings who follow are judged according to whether they conform to one or other of these types.

It picks up the history of Israel from the time of David until the destruction of the temple in 586 a period of 450 years… Here is the thing

This morning we are going to begin with King Solomon.

2 Chronicles 1:1–3 ESV

Solomon the son of David established himself in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great. Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to all the leaders in all Israel, the heads of fathers’ houses. And Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon, for the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness, was there.

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One of the best ways to learn is through case studies. You present a real life problem or situation and then you begin to work through it and solve issues and problems. The advantage of a case study is that you don't have to live it and you can learn from those who have gone before you. Over the next several weeks we are going to do case studies on the kings of Israel.

2 Chronicles Gives us the unique opportunity to get insights to strengths, weakness, threats opportunities.. Mentored through the word.

We learn from Solomon to;

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King Solomon

Case Study:

The first thing that Solomon does as leader … he leads the nation of Israel towards Spiritual renewal. He calls an assembly and then he sets the agenda… to seek the Lord.

Solomon Israel’s leaders… From the top brass of the nation - the Captains and judges, to the leaders and all the heads of the families.. Then takes the whole company on a pilgrimage with him to Gibeon to worship at the tent of Meeting....

The first thing that Solomon does as leader … he leads the nation of Israel towards Spiritual renewal. This really the heart behind church - and as pastors and leaders this is the direction that needs to be set… Solomon leads not only through his words but also through his actions - He calls an assembly and then he sets the agenda… to seek the Lord.

sets the spiritual direction of the nation.

He gives the nation of Israel a direction… and that is to make worship a priority...

2 Chronicles 1:1–3 ESV

Solomon the son of David established himself in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great. Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to all the leaders in all Israel, the heads of fathers’ houses. And Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon, for the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness, was there.

2 Chron

This is significant - -another name for the tent of meeting - “Tent of appointed meeting.” ---

This was the same tent of Meeting that was before the tabernacle - It was the place where Moses sought God to get revelation and direction from God… The tent of meeting had no connection with the Ark or any other religious symbol - it was simply a tent that Moses had pitched outside the camp during Israels wilderness experience.

This Tent was deliberately located outside the normal patterns of traffic and provided a place of access to the Presence of Yahweh for those seeking to know his will.

Durham, J. I. (1998). Exodus (Vol. 3, p. 442). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

PURPOSE:

Presence of Yahweh for those seeking to know his will.

When Moses went into the tent - people often watched from the tents because often the glory of God would come down and God.

Prayer is about building a relationship...

Moses face would glow after spending time with God in this meeting place…

— It is a place to experience the presence of God… Philip Yancey tells this story of a Rabbi who taught that experiences of God cannot be planned or achieved. “They are spontaneous moments of grace, almost accidental.” One of the student asked, “If God-realization is just accidental, why do we work so hard doing all these spiritual practices?”

There is a couple of reason why each of us needs a secret place… place of prayer..

Moses would often retreat to the tent of meeting to seek the face of God… it was pitch just outside the camp of Israel

and he would leave tent and his face shone with the Glory of God.

Tent of meeting is the place to seek guidance… and direction — It is a place to experience the presence of God…

Any relationship is based upon experiences…

For several years Pam scrap booked our family Photo Graphs… these photographs are evidence of a relationship we have enjoyed for more than 20 years.. Photo captures an experiences…The way that we grow in relationship with God is through these ongoing experiences… I was deep in conversation with an atheist… the greatest proof that I know God exists is that is a relationship.... is grounded in truth and its founded on sound principles of logic… but here is the thing I believe because of relationship in an experience. It’s like Billy Graham said, “I know He exists because I spoke to Him this morning>”

Prayer is a place to experience the presence of God… Philip Yancey tells this story of a Rabbi who taught that experiences of God cannot be planned or achieved. “They are spontaneous moments of grace, almost accidental.” One of the student asked, “If God-realization is just accidental, why do we work so hard doing all these spiritual practices?”

A ra

— It is a place to experience the presence of God… Philip Yancey tells this story of a Rabbi who taught that experiences of God cannot be planned or achieved. “They are spontaneous moments of grace, almost accidental.” One of the student asked, “If God-realization is just accidental, why do we work so hard doing all these spiritual practices?”

Experiences of God cannot be planned or achieved. “They are spontaneous moments of grace, almost accidental,” a rabbi said.

His student asked, “If God-realization is just accidental, why do we work so hard doing all these spiritual practices?”

“To be as accident-prone as possible,” said the teacher.

—Philip Yancey, Prayer

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We seek God to build a relationship - We also seek God to know His will… we..

2. Seeking God for guidance AND FOR WISDOM

Solomon gathers all the leaders of Israel together… From the top brass of the nation - the Captains and judges, to the leaders and all the heads of the families.. Quite a big group and then he takes the whole company with him to Gibeon to worship at the tent of Meeting.... and he says okay lets seek God together… and together as a community they begin to call upon God’s name.... we learn that the Ark of the covenant was actually not here at the time… but Solomon still has the faith that God was going to meet them.... and by faith offers sacrifices on the Altar…

Seeking God for guidance -

Learn from Solomon the importance of Seeking God.

We learn from Solomon that we should seek God first.

life can get a little complicated and there are times where we are going to get stumped… What do you do when you come to an impasse.. or what happens when you have a couple of choices you could make?

Decisions have to be made… sometimes its difficult to see forest for trees… James tells us that when facing difficulties we should be seekers of God.

James 1:5 ESV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Luke 11:9 ESV

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 1

wisdom Refers to the knowledge of God’s plans and purposes and the ability to live accordingly. Wise people can identify the nature and purpose of their trials and understand how to overcome them

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Turning Trials into Triumphs (James 1:2–12)

Someone has said that knowledge is the ability to take things apart, while wisdom is the ability to put them together. Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. All of us know people who are educated fools: they have brilliant academic records, but they cannot make the simplest decisions in life. I once met a gifted professor on a seminary campus, and he was wearing two hats

Someone has said that knowledge is the ability to take things apart, while wisdom is the ability to put them together.

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. All of us know people who are educated fools: they have brilliant academic records, but they cannot make the simplest decisions in life.

Why do we need wisdom when we are going through trials? Why not ask for strength, or grace, or even deliverance? For this reason: we need wisdom so we will not waste the opportunities God is giving us to mature.

life can get a little complicated at times… Decisions have to be made… and often we make decisions without seeking God...

We should seek God?

Wisdom helps us understand how to use these circumstances for our good and God’s glory. Prayer is not so much changing God will but to us to a place where accept his will.

“Prayer is not a convenient device for imposing our will upon God, or bending his will to ours, but the prescribed way of subordinating our will to his.”....Every true prayer is a variation on the theme ‘Thy will be done.’

John R. W. Stott

John R. W. Stott Every true prayer is a variation on the theme ‘Thy will be done.’

When we seek God we are looking for God solutions… we need to be confident in prayer that God loves us and he knows us and that when we never have to be afraid of the answer he gives.. \Jesus said that, “if an earthly father will do good for his children how much more your heavenly father.”

We should seek God?

Jesus tells us when you pray you are to Ask, Seek and to Knock..

Luke 11:9 ESV

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Lukes 11:9

We should seek God?

Lukes 11:9

What does this mean? The tenses of the verbs are important here: “Keep on asking … keep on seeking … keep on knocking.” In other words, don’t come to God only in the midnight emergencies, but keep in constant communion with your Father. J

The tenses of the verbs are important here: “Keep on asking … keep on seeking … keep on knocking.” In other words, don’t come to God only in the midnight emergencies, but keep in constant communion with your Father. Jesus called this “abiding” (), and Paul exhorted, “Pray without ceasing” (). As we pray, God will either answer or show us why He cannot answer. Then it is up to us to do whatever is necessary in our lives so that the Father can trust us with the answe

The tent of meeting was really place to seek revelation..a place where you would seek the Lord..

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Ten: Learning Life’s Lessons (Luke 11)

The tenses of the verbs are important here: “Keep on asking … keep on seeking … keep on knocking.” In other words, don’t come to God only in the midnight emergencies, but keep in constant communion with your Father. Jesus called this “abiding” (John 15:1ff), and Paul exhorted, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thes. 5:17). As we pray, God will either answer or show us why He cannot answer. Then it is up to us to do whatever is necessary in our lives so that the Father can trust us with the answer.

Jesus called this “abiding” (), and Paul exhorted, “Pray without ceasing” (). As we pray, God will either answer or show us why He cannot answer. Then it is up to us to do whatever is necessary in our lives so that the Father can trust us with the answer

The function of the tent as a place to receive revelation () and the immediate purpose of Solomon’s visit (“to seek him,” 1:5

Dillard, R. B. (1998). 2 Chronicles (Vol. 15, p. 9). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

We learn from Solomon that we each need a tent of meeting… we each need that appointment of prayer

The Chronicler specifically mentions

The reason Solomon went to the tent of meeting was because it was the place to get revelation.... When we seek God it is making a statement.... God is involved in everyday affairs of life!

When we seek God it is making a statement.... God is involved in everyday affairs of life!

We learn from Solomon TO:

Mentoring provides a way to share critical life truth in a way that applies it to the life of the individual being mentored

but there was a place where they could make sacrifices...

Cotton, R. (2001; 2005). Effective Leadership Development. James L. Fleming.

Despite the phobias that people have over air travel… it is is still ranked the safest mode of travel..

Air travel is ranked the safest way to travel

Out of the 30 million commercial flights in 2014, there were 21 fatal accidents, which means that you had a 0.000007 chance of being onboard any one of those flights, or roughly 1 in 1.43 million.

I was watching this show called Modern Marvells and they were featuring

If you are a very frequent flier and you boarded 100 flights last year, your chances were about 1 in 14,300 that one of those flights would experience a fatality, although not necessarily that you would be one of those fatalities.

For a more typical traveler who takes 10 flights a year, that risk declines to about 1 in 142…

There are more chance of you being struck by lightening, trapped in a tornado, attacked by a dog....

Can God be trusted? Is God Dependable?

God is always drawn towards worshippers.. From the begining we learn that was with King Solomon. James tells us that when we Draw near to God and He will Draw near to you…

God appears to him in the night and asks Solomon... What do you Want from me?

2 Chronicles 1:7–10 ESV

In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said to God, “You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. O Lord God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?”

1 Chronicles 1:7–10 ESV

The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim. The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan. The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. Cush fathered Nimrod. He was the first on earth to be a mighty man.

Can you imagine been asked by God what do you want? You could ask God for anything...Blank check.... Really the question is what is your passion… What is important to you?

This shows us something about the heart and the Objectives of Solomon --

His motivation... 1. continue the legacy of his father David. 2. His desire was to serve the people well by becoming a good leader...

b. True Dependance Begins with Humility and Reliance on God

Solomon Kingdom was one of a Kind of King… There is no no king before or after Solomon would surpass him in wealth. Solomon lined the hall of his palace with hundreds of solid gold shields. He furnishes his table with solid gold goblets. He has a throne made of ivory with a footstool of gold. His horses (of which he has thousands) are Egypt’s finest.

In the end, he has nothing made of silver, because silver has become too common.

Solomon Kingdom would be one of a Kind… There is no no king before or after Solomon would surpass him in wealth. Solomon lined the hall of his palace with hundreds of solid gold shields. He furnishes his table with solid gold goblets. He has a throne made of ivory with a footstool of gold. His horses (of which he has thousands) are Egypt’s finest. In the end, he has nothing made of silver, because silver has become too common.

God understands human nature..

And Solomon impressed God that he said, I am going to bless you like no other king.... and boy does he prosper Solomon.

Solomons has unusual wealth - God blessed

Solomon in such a way that no king before or after Solomon would surpass him in wealth. Solomon lines the hall of his palace with hundreds of solid gold shields. He furnishes his table with solid gold goblets. He has a throne made of ivory with a footstool of gold. His horses (of which he has thousands) are Egypt’s finest. In the end, he has nothing made of silver, because silver has become too common.

2 Chronicles 1:15 ESV

And the king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah.

The Kingdom of Israel would be the envy of the surrounding Nations.. When Queen of Sheba heard about the wealth and the wisdom of Solomon - She had to see it for her self… The Bible tells us that she was breathless...listen to what she said

The Kingdom would be one of prosperity the envy of the surrounding Nations.. When Queen of Sheba heard about the wealth and the wisdom of Solomon - She had to see it for her self… The Bible tells us that she was breathless...listen to what she said

The Kingdom of Israel would be the envy of the surrounding Nations.. When Queen of Sheba heard about the wealth and the wisdom of Solomon - She had to see it for her self… The Bible tells us that she was breathless...listen to what she said

2 Chronicles 9:5–6 ESV

And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, half the greatness of your wisdom was not told me; you surpass the report that I heard.

2 Chron 9:2

listen to what she said

What we see in Solomon is Humility and a reliance of God..

b. True Dependance Begins with Humility and Reliance on God

What we see this Young Leader is not a hunger for power and success…

but rather Humility..and reliance on God.

He recognized that he had a major challenge in leading Israel - the message says "you have given me a staggering task to rule this mob of people." There is this awareness of human limitations... we live in a society that honor Self sufficiency -- we can handle it. Solomon says "who is capable of leading you people"--- Solomon demonstrates that it is a strength to ask for help...

If we are going to have any success all the Credit needs to God.

2 Chronicles 1:11–13 ESV

God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.” So Solomon came from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem. And he reigned over Israel.

Solomon is not trying to impress anyone... he has this moment alone with God... God is basically asking what is the most important thing to you. Solomon could of asked find a wife, some cash would be great... Solomon has a kingdom perspective.

(ESV)

11 God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.” 13 So Solomon came from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem. And he reigned over Israel.

3. God uses Solomon to build the temple.

Dependance on God means He will take care of all the Details?

Because Solomons heart was in the right place--- God found a man who he could trust…

Seek first the Kingdom...

Solomon was one of a Kind of a King… There is no no king before or after Solomon would surpass him in wealth.

Solomon lined the hall of his palace with hundreds of solid gold shields. He furnishes his table with solid gold goblets. He has a throne made of ivory with a footstool of gold. His horses (of which he has thousands) are Egypt’s finest.

Matthew 6:33 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

In the end, he has nothing made of silver, because silver has become too common.

T/s We Learn from Solomon TO:

The Kingdom of Israel would be the envy of the surrounding Nations.. When Queen of Sheba heard about the wealth and the wisdom of Solomon - She had to see it for her self… The Bible tells us that she was breathless...listen to what she said

Helps us understand something about God... first of all God is able to provide... God examines the heart. Solomon is not trying to impress anyone... he has this moment alone with God... God is basically asking what is the most important thing to you. Solomon could of asked find a wife, some cash would be great... Solomon has a kingdom perspective. Seek first the Kingdom... God understands human nature..

2 Chronicles 9:5–6 ESV

And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, half the greatness of your wisdom was not told me; you surpass the report that I heard.

What we see in Solomon is Humility and a reliance of God....God was someone that God could trust with enormous amounts of wealth. Remember in the parable of the talents.

And Solomon impressed God that he said, I am going to bless you like no other king.... and boy does he prosper Solomon.

Luke 12:43–44 ESV

Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

Luke 12:

And Solomon impressed God that he said, I am going to bless you like no other king.... and boy does he prosper Solomon.

Solomons has unusual wealth - God blessed

Solomon in such a way that no king before or after Solomon would surpass him in wealth. Solomon lines the hall of his palace with hundreds of solid gold shields. He furnishes his table with solid gold goblets. He has a throne made of ivory with a footstool of gold. His horses (of which he has thousands) are Egypt’s finest. In the end, he has nothing made of silver, because silver has become too common.

T/s We Learn from Solomon TO:

Solomon lines the hall of his palace with hundreds of solid gold shields. He furnishes his table with solid gold goblets. He has a throne made of ivory with a footstool of gold. His horses (of which he has thousands) are Egypt’s finest. In the end, he has nothing made of silver, because silver has become too common.

2 Chronicles 1:15 ESV

And the king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah.

But a one-inch margin on a standard sized paper is 37.4 percent of a page's area. More than one-third of the page is given to space. And that's just around the edges. When you double-space the lines of text, a majority of the paper is blank.

The chronicler begins go measure Solomons wealth. Solomon traded in horses He bought thorough bred from EGYPT and sold them to surrounding kings.

I recently have seen two number plates that contrast a different set of priorities… This was one downtown Chico…

The empty border helps us focus on the printed text. It creates a comfortable feel for our eyes. Stylish magazines help readers focus on the text and images by using large amounts of margin on each page. Sometimes we use even more margin in catalogs and on blogs.

Our Superintend Neal Brower has the words “RESTFUL” on his license plate. That communicates volumes..

Goal 01 Buy a Mercedes - Now I found it quite funny..

What does this communicate? It says that if I attain a level of success then I am okay… I have made it! Then the other day I saw another number plate that communicates something totally different....

Sometimes people think that margin (sometimes called "white space") is wasteful and inefficient.

Goal 02

They pack as much print as possible on the page. But have you ever seen a page packed with text from top to bottom and side to side? You'll get tired looking at it, even before you begin reading it.

God uses Solomons gift wisdom and abilities to build the temple.

The second license plate is Our District Superintend Neal Brower has the words “RESTFUL.” When you meet Neal you will know immediately that he is striving for this in his life…

Hebrews 4:11 ESV

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

The problem is not to have goals - the issue is when we get these Goals upside down. The striving should be to enter into the rest and the promises that God has for us…

We live in a world where it is easy to get caught up in striving for goals… The problem is not to have goals - the issue is when we get these Goals upside down.

… we often working on Empty instead of working from the place of rest… I believe that we would all be far more productive if we all learned the importance-

The temple was in the middle of City of Jerusalem --- It was a magnificent building… Here is the thing Solomon could have gone to all this effort and expense and what happened if it wasn’t what God wanted? What happened if God’s glory didn’t come into the temple? All it would be was a buiding… a shell..

When Solomons Temple is completed there is this moment, when the cloud of God glory fills the temple. Solomons sees God’s promises fulfilled and David’s dream come true.

3. So

Solomon then Dedicates the temple. He kneels before on the altar before the congregation and spreads out his hands towards Heaven and He address the God of Israel… He exalts God and glorifies God… He declares that there is none like God...

Creating a Restorative Space Begins with:

With having an Enlarged view of God.

My very first Job as a teenager was actually working for a photographer… I worked in a darkroom and developed photographs.. One of the machines I used was called an enlarger… You would expose the photo onto a sheet film paper and you could resize the image by magnifying the size..

This what it means to Glorify God…Solomon Declares - There is none like you God… Sometime we need to tell God this very thing… There no god in the world that even comes close to God of Israel… Every other temple would be housed in the temple… Solomons temple would be a place to meet with God of Israel.

2 chronicles 6:14-15

2 Chronicles 6:14–15 ESV

and said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart, who have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day.

2 Chronicles 6:14 ESV

and said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart,

2 Chronicles 6:14 ESV

and said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart,

2 Chron 6:

Solomon Declares - There is none like you God… Sometime we need to tell God this very thing… There no god in the world that even comes close to God of Israel… Every other temple would be housed in the temple… Solomons temple would be a place to meet with God of Israel.

The temple was a magnicant building with the best and most expensive materials Cedar from Lebanon, gold and ivory.

Solomon acknowledges that despite how magnificent the temple was … it is pale in comparison to the reality of who God is… Man’s best effort to portrait who God is still falls short of the reality… Solomon says, will God actually dwell in a house on earth?

The temple was a magnicant building with the best and most expensive materials Cedar from Lebanon, gold and ivory.

In one of classes in Seminary we learned about the design of most Cathedrals.. Many of them are shaped in a cross.... The layout of these cathedrals are often designed for you to look up as soon as you walk in. It may be be some art work or something that points you heaven ward…

One of the ways that we live from the place of Rest is to track God’s faithfulness.

The proof of God’s faithfulness is staring Israel right in the FACE.. This nation who had been held captive as slaves in Egypt…who wondered as nomads for forty years in the wilderness. Has now taken center stage in the world… all trade routes had to pass through Israel and this just added to their prosperity… And here was this magnificent temple… opulent, over the top…Gold and Ivory....

Man’s best effort to portrait who God is still falls short of the reality…

The temple was never the “house” where God had His being, unlike the temples of the surrounding nations. Rather, Israel’s temple was a place to meet the Lord in worship

Has now taken center stage in the world… all trade routes had to pass through Israel and this just added to their prosperity… And here was this magnificent temple… opulent, over the top…Gold and Ivory....

Even though it is all materialistic… How can you deny the Favor and blessing of God…

We have to see God’s blessings in our lives?? Many of us get restless because we are not seeing God’s faithfulness… God has got you this juncture in your life… we so busy looking for the next thing…(this is creating a restlessness within us)

When Solomons Temple is completed there is this moment, when the cloud of God glory fills the temple. Solomons sees God’s promises fulfilled and David’s dream come true. He then Dedicates the temple…

This moment, with the cloud of glory filling the temple, sees God’s promises fulfilled and David’s and Solomon’s dream come true. The ark of the covenant, the royal line of David, the city of Jerusalem and the house of God are all brought together for the first time.

We only going to find rest when we are able to see God’s faithfulness.

the next blessing that we fail to appreciate the moment… A couple of years ago we went to Yosemite - each turn another amazing vista… because of time we just had moments to take it in....

The things of this world are actually

We only going to find rest when we are able to see God’s faithfulness.

Solomon acknowledges that despite how magnificent the temple was … it is pale in comparison to the reality of who God is… Man’s best effort to portrait who God is still falls short of the reality… Solomon says, will God actually dwell in a house on earth...

2 Chronicles 6:18 ESV

“But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built!

In Jesus tells his followers not to be anxious in anything what you will eat or drink, don’t be anxious about what your clothing.... look and the birds of the air they neither sow nor gather barns and yet the Lord feeds them… who of you can add a single hour to the span of your life? Jesus says consider Solomon in all his glory.... was not arrayed like one of these…

Matthew 6:29 ESV

yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

How do we inter into this restorative State of Rest?

2. Rest comes from understanding covenant.

2 Chronicles 6:15 ESV

who have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day.

2 Chornicles 6:15

Solomon declares the Faithfulness of God- God is a covenant keeping God… Covenant simply means that we have a relationship with God where we are his and he is ours.. It is more than a legal treaty it’s a intimate relationship… “God has a vested interest in you and you have a vested interested in Him” He is our God and we are his people.

T

The competition of the temple is evidence that God was keeping his promises to David...

One of the ways that we live from the place of Rest is to track God’s faithfulness.

The proof of God’s faithfulness is staring Israel right in the FACE.. Israel was a nation who had been held captive as slaves in Egypt…who wondered as nomads for forty years in the wilderness. Now God has blessed Israel…This is now the “Golden age” where Israel is now center stage in the world… all the trade routes had to pass through Israel and all taxes and tariffs just added to their prosperity… And here was this magnificent temple… opulent, over the top…Gold and Ivory....

The Temple becomes the meeting Place for renewal… When Israel failed God… They would have a place to bring offerings and to restore the relationship…When they sinned they would have a place that is restorative.

We have to see God’s blessings in our lives?? Many of us get restless because we are not seeing God’s faithfulness… God has got you this juncture in your life… we so busy looking for the next thing…(this is creating a restlessness within us)

the next blessing that we fail to appreciate the moment… A couple of years ago we went to Yosemite - each turn another amazing vista… because of time we just had moments to take it in....

3. Prescription for REST.

Solomon prays that when Israel fails -

In this prayer of Dedications - Solomon Beseeches the Lord to hear the cries of the people that the Lord would be attentive to the prayers of Israel — that the temple would be that place where God would hear and answer their prayers and bring healing.. Especially that God would be faithful with Israels failures.

In Solomon prayer of Dedications - Solomon Beseeches the Lord to hear the cries of the people that the Lord would be attentive to the prayers of Israel — that the temple would be that place where God would hear and answer their prayers and bring healing.. Especially that God would be faithful to Israels when it comes to sin and failures…

In this prayer of Dedications - Solomon Beseeches the Lord to hear the cries of the people that the Lord would be attentive to the prayers of Israel — that the temple would be that place where God would hear and answer their prayers and bring healing..

that the temple would be that place where God would hear their prayers and restore the relations..

Solomon prays that the temple will be a source of justice, mercy, healing and help; that God’s ‘eyes will be open and his ears attentive’ to his people’s prayers.

Solomon prays that the temple will be a source of justice, mercy, healing and help; that God’s ‘eyes will be open and his ears attentive’ to his people’s prayers.”

the temple will be a source of justice, mercy, healing and help; that God’s ‘eyes will be open and his ears attentive’ to his people’s prayers.

God response to the prayer of Solomon --- this response is actually 13 years after Solomon had completed the work on his palace as well…

God response to the prayer of Solomon

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

With that, fire falls from heaven and consumes the burnt offerings and sacrifices. The glory of the Lord—the cloud of his presence—fills the temple.

CONCLUSION:

Creating Space means allowing for Margin in your life. The paper used for standard letter writing and school essays is 8.5 x 11 inches, or 93.5 square inches. Most teachers require one-inch margins for class papers. That's the standard we've become accustomed to seeing. But have you ever stopped to consider what percentage of the page that margin occupies? When I ask people, most answer anywhere from 15 to 25 percent.

The paper used for standard letter writing and school essays is 8.5 x 11 inches, or 93.5 square inches. Most teachers require one-inch margins for class papers. That's the standard we've become accustomed to seeing. But have you ever stopped to consider what percentage of the page that margin occupies? When I ask people, most answer anywhere from 15 to 25 percent.

But a one-inch margin on a standard sized paper is 37.4 percent of a page's area. More than one-third of the page is given to space. And that's just around the edges. When you double-space the lines of text, a majority of the paper is blank.

2 Chronicles 8:1–6 ESV

At the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the house of the Lord and his own house, Solomon rebuilt the cities that Hiram had given to him, and settled the people of Israel in them. And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah and took it. He built Tadmor in the wilderness and all the store cities that he built in Hamath. He also built Upper Beth-horon and Lower Beth-horon, fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars, and Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had and all the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen, and whatever Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.

The empty border helps us focus on the printed text. It creates a comfortable feel for our eyes. Stylish magazines help readers focus on the text and images by using large amounts of margin on each page. Sometimes we use even more margin in catalogs and on blogs.

Solomons greatest accomplishment was to built the temple.

Sometimes people think that margin (sometimes called "white space") is wasteful and inefficient.

.

They pack as much print as possible on the page. But have you ever seen a page packed with text from top to bottom and side to side? You'll get tired looking at it, even before you begin reading it.

Solomon lines the hall of his palace with hundreds of solid gold shields. He furnishes his table with solid gold goblets. He has a throne made of ivory with a footstool of gold. His horses (of which he has thousands) are Egypt’s finest. In the end, he has nothing made of silver, because silver has become too common.

Solomon dies after forty years on the throne of David. The Chronicler leaves us in no doubt that this was one of Israel’s greatest kings.Solomon’s greatness was all from God. It was God’s throne that Solomon occupied. It was God’s wealth that Solomon accumulated. It was God’s wisdom that he acquired.

Solomon’s greatness was all from God. It was God’s throne that Solomon occupied. It was God’s wealth that Solomon accumulated. It was God’s wisdom that he acquired.

Matthew 6:29 ESV

yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

) and gifts that are greater than gold (). He is the wisdom of God, who leads his people into all truth ().

--- Answered the call to be a leader

---God was with him

-- The first thing that Solomon does when he becomes is king is he goes to Gibeon to worship God. Solomon had learned from his Father David the importance of worship the importance of the house of God.

Vrs 7 Solomon Worship was Extravagant.. He did not hold back in his offerings 1000 Burnt offerings..

Solomon begins with the worship - God receives the offering and asks Solomon What do you want from me.

vrs 8-10 Solomon sees God as generous..

Weakness

Threats

Opportunities

Lessons from King Solomon

Introduction

3 Kinds of Mentoring

1. Intense Mentoring

2. Occasional Mentoring

3. Passive Models

1. Create a Space for Divine Appointments.

2. Create a Space for Dependance on God

2. Lead from the PLACE of humility.

3. Solomon's Gift blesses the Nation.

3. Create a space that is Restorative.

4. Solomon Achievements and Failures

5. Solomon steward of the Redemptive Story.

Lessons from King Solomon

Introduction

3 Kinds of Mentoring

1. Intense Mentoring

2. Occasional Mentoring

3. Passive Models

1. Create a Space for Divine Appointments.

​

2. Create a Space for Dependance on God

2. Lead from the PLACE of humility.

3. Solomon's Gift blesses the Nation.

3. Create a space that is Restorative.

4. Solomon Achievements and Failures

5. Solomon steward of the Redemptive Story.