The Mentoring Advantage

Mentored by the Kings  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
0 ratings
· 1,608 views

Mentored

Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
View more →
We are in this series entitled Mentored.... The word Mentoring is not in the Bible but it is a good visual word for us. Because it helps us understand the concepts of discipleship and discipling. You could say that, mentoring is “one on one” discipleship.
is not in the Bible but it is a good visual for us to understand what discipleship should look like. Mentoring is really “one on one” discipleship.
to understand the concepts of discipleship. You could say that, mentoring is “one on one” discipleship.
Jesus chose twelve men to “be with him.” He mentored by allowing His disciples to be with Him: they did life together side by side while Jesus modeled love, patience, friendship, generosity, and kindness. Jesus was mentoring His disciples even when they weren’t ready to accept His mentoring. When Jesus instructed Peter in what was coming, Peter felt the need to pull Him aside and rebuke Him
Jesus was mentoring His disciples even when they weren’t ready to accept His mentoring. When Jesus instructed Peter in what was coming, Peter felt the need to pull Him aside and rebuke Him
Jesus poured His life into His disciples so they would pour their lives into others. In , Paul writes, “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Jesus mentored men who would go on to mentor church fathers who would go on to mentor leaders who oversaw the spread of Christianity around the known world. Mentors don’t see their protégés as buckets, but rather as conduits to mentor and teach other believers.
Jesus chose twelve men to “be with him.” He then mentored them by allowing His disciples to be with Him: they did life together side by side while Jesus modeled love, patience, friendship, generosity, and kindness. Jesus had a relatively short ministry… three years but… Jesus poured His life into His disciples so they in turn pour their lives into others.
Jesus poured His life into His disciples so they would pour their lives into others. In , Paul writes, “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Jesus mentored men who would go on to mentor church fathers who would go on to mentor leaders who oversaw the spread of Christianity around the known world. Mentors don’t see their protégés as buckets, but rather as conduits to mentor and teach other believers.
.
Are there a advantages to having mentors is your life?
The mentoring Advantage. is there an advantage of having mentors is your life? lets take a moment to consider the market place… where many of you live. There have been studies done on the advantage of mentoring… and it is not just a great idea, it is a proven concept: Here are some findings.
Jesus poured His life into His disciples so they in turn pour their lives into others. Mentors don’t see their mentee’s as buckets, but rather as conduits to mentor and teach other believers.
Are there a advantages of having mentors is your life?
Are there advantages to having mentors is your life?
Mentors don’t see their mentee’s as buckets, but rather as conduits to mentor and teach other believers.
Why mentors make the difference?
Paul tells Timothy..
Jesus poured His life into His disciples so they in turn would pour their lives into others.
In , Paul writes, “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
In , Paul writes, “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
In , Paul writes, “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
Jesus mentored men who would go on to mentor church fathers who would go on to mentor leaders who oversaw the spread of Christianity around the known world. This is what the church is about.. raising up godly leaders… starting from the cry room all the way up to the oldest member.
but there are also those in the market place that should be considering the power of mentoring. We should always be looking for ways we can grow in our skills and impact.
In , Paul writes, “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
Each one of us
What are the advantages mentoring?
What are the advantages mentoring?
It has been said that everyone needs a Paul and a Timothy.. You need some one who is pouring into your life and in turn you have someone who you are pouring into… Andy Standley has this sermon entitled the “Power of Mentoring” you can get it on You Tube… He address those of us who are over 40 about using
You might be wondering ...What are the advantages mentoring?
advantages mentoring?
We are talking about Spiritual mentoring… but there are also those in the market place that should be considering the power of mentoring. We should always be looking for ways we can grow in our skills and impact.
There have been studies done on the advantage of mentoring… and it is not just a great idea, it is a proven concept: Here are some findings.
there an advantage of having mentors is your life? lets take a moment to consider the market place… where many of you live. There have been studies done on the advantage of mentoring… and it is not just a great idea, it is a proven concept: Here are some findings.
Mentoring is not just a great idea, it is a proven concept: In the market place there are huge benefits to mentoring...
Mentoring is not just a great idea, it is a proven concept: In the market place there are huge benefits to mentoring...
Employees who received mentoring were promoted FIVE times more often than people who didn't have mentors. Source: Sun Microsystems
Mentoring i
Have you ever had someone believe in you?
Source: Sun Microsystems
75% of executives point to mentoring as playing key roles in their careers. Source: ASTD
Source: ASTD
95% of mentoring participants said the experience motivated them to do their very best. Source: The War for Talent
96% of executives say mentoring is an important development tool. Source: Account Temps
44% of CEOs list mentoring programs as one of the three most effective strategies to enhance women's advancement to senior management. Source: Dr. Belle Ragins for Catalyst
Source: Dr. Belle Ragins for Catalyst
That is what you might say is the advantage of mentoring..
Why mentors make the difference?
3 Reasons to Seek out a mentoring relationship.
There are many good reasons (some I have mentioned) but, I am going to give you three more…… firstly,
a. You gain someone in your CORNER
- Someone who believes in you AND has your best interest at heart they want to see you succeed.
"A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could."
Mentors are those people who believe in who you are… are interest in your progress.. They are always looking at your potential and encouraging you to be your best.
Mentors are believe in who you are… You are fortunate if you have people who believe in you..
they are always looking at your potential and encouraging you to be your best.
More people fail for lack of encouragement than for any other reason. Anon.
Anon.
When we enter into mentoring we are getting into a encouraging relationship that is designed to give you life.. Encouragement is oxygen for the Soul.
Encouragement is oxygen for the Soul.
b. You benefit from Experience beyond your years.
A mentor can help to shorten your learning curve, open your mind to new ideas and possibilities, identify new opportunities.
Often, a seasoned mentor can challenge you to think in ways that never occurred to you because they've seen more of the world (and more of business) than you have. They've also been innovating and solving problems for a much longer time.
t Dan Cathy, the President and CEO of the Chick-fil-A. We'd been out, our hands were all sweaty and dirty and we went in the restroom and washed our hands. Then I watched Dan take out extra sheets … This is the CEO of a chain of restaurants. I watched him pull them out and I watched him hand clean the sinks of the Taco Bell bathroom we were just in. I looked at him and said, "Thank you for doing that Dan." He said, "Rick, we teach our staff to always leave any place they are at better than it was when they found it, whether it's our place or not."
Rick Warren tells this story of
I looked at him and said, "Thank you for doing that Dan." He said, "Rick, we teach our staff to always leave any place they are at better than it was when they found it, whether it's our place or not."
I watched him pull them out and I watched him hand clean the sinks of the Taco Bell bathroom we were just in. I looked at him and said, "Thank you for doing that Dan." He said, "Rick, we teach our staff to always leave any place they are at better than it was when they found it, whether it's our place or not."
We'd been out, our hands were all sweaty and dirty and we went in the restroom and washed our hands. Then I watched Dan take out extra sheets … This is the CEO of a chain of restaurants. I watched him pull them out and I watched him hand clean the sinks of the Taco Bell bathroom we were just in. I looked at him and said, "Thank you for doing that Dan." He said, "Rick, we teach our staff to always leave any place they are at better than it was when they found it, whether it's our place or not."
Often, a seasoned mentor can challenge you to think in ways that never occurred to you because they've seen more of the world (and more of business) than you have.
We were looking at the building. While we were there we were hungry so we went next door to, I think it was a Taco Bell. It was some other fast food in competition with Chick-fil-A. We'd been out, our hands were all sweaty and dirty and we went in the restroom and washed our hands. Then I watched Dan take out extra sheets … This is the CEO of a chain of restaurants. I watched him pull them out and I watched him hand clean the sinks of the Taco Bell bathroom we were just in. I looked at him and said, "Thank you for doing that Dan." He said, "Rick, we teach our staff to always leave any place they are at better than it was when they found it, whether it's our place or not."
They've also been innovating and solving problems for a much longer time.
They won't have all the answers, but if you allow mentors to bolster your experience with theirs, you'll be able to operate much more effectively and confidently than you would on your own.
3. Insight beyond your understanding.
c. Insight beyond your understanding.
Something simple.. Pastor Lou Diaz said something the other day .... one simple thing…
John Crosby,
"Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction."
Something simple..
Something simple..
Pastor Lou Diaz said something the other day .... one simple thing…
One of the things I look forward to is our cluster meetings- Pastor Lou Diaz said something the other day .... one simple thing…
Pastor Lou Diaz said something the other day .... one simple thing…
In our church we encourage people to
They have been promoting this concept in their church… that church is about relationships… small groups and gatherings. He said,"We don't sit in lines we sit in circles."
In other words relationship, discipleship, happen when we get involved… it is just a sound bite.. but carries weight.
"We don't sit in lines we sit in circles."
The point is simply this… is that if you think you don’t need a mentor in your life… You will be always limited to your own resources....
"A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could."
The point is simply this… is that if you think you don’t need a mentor in your life… You will be always limited to your own resources....
This morning we are continuing a series entitled Mentored and we are looking at the Kings of Judah. We need to remember that the Chronicler is making a comparison… He compares every leader to David…
This morning we are looking at the Kings of Judah. We need to remember that the Chronicler is making a comparison… He compares every King in Judah to King David… it is not that David lived the perfect life and we know that is not the case. But from the perspective of the Chronicler — (author) David is to be remembered for for His legacy of his love for God and his priority for Worship…
We are going to learn a few things from these Kings.. We are in 2 Chronicles 10 and we are looking at King Rehoboam the son of Solomon.
not that David lived the perfect life and we know that is not the case. But from the perspective of the Chronicler — (author) David is to be remembered for his leaving an legacy of love for God and his desire for Worship...
The Power of Leaving a Legacy.
We are going to leave a legacy whether we acknowledge it or not..
There is always going to be generation behind us… Each of us has treasures in the forms of our experiences.. We have both successes and failures, some have started corporations and businesses… (some have worked out and some haven’t) Some of us have had our kids go through things…(parenting successes and failures). Some of us have gone through health crises - there is someone who can benefit from your experience.. rather than burry your life experiences we should leverage them to help someone else.
We basically six generations that are alive in the United States. … Each generation impacts the next..
Andy Stanley has a sermon entitled, “the power of mentoring.” (I highly recommend listening to it)
successes and failures, some have started corporations and businesses… (some have worked out and some haven’t) Some of us have had our kids go through things…(parenting sucessess and failures). Some of us have gone through health crisises - there is someone who can benefit from your experience.. most us bury burry these things…
They have been called the greatest generation.. they saved the world then built a nation.. overcame the world war 1 and WW 2… They are loyal and have a strong sense of Community… never got in debt - paid in cash… So much to be learned from them.
Mature/Silients 1927-1945
Korean and Vietnam generation
They are loyal
They are loyal generation - you got one job and you generally kept it for life.
You can look at the last hundred years or so and see how each generation has impacted the upcoming generation…
And he addresses those of us who are 40 plus and he says you need to know that we have a wealthy of experiences. Each of us has treasures in the forms of successes and failures, some have started corporations and businesses… (some have worked out and some haven’t) Some of us have had our kids go through things…(parenting sucessess and failures). Some of us have gone through health crisises - there is someone who can benefit from your experience.. most us bury burry these things…
Disciplined, self sacrificing and cautious. They are avid readers -especially of news papers.
Baby Boomers 1946-1964
They were born shortly after WW2
This is the Rock and Roll generation.
buy it now and use credit… they are the largest generation 77 million people.
Optimistic, driven, team orientated.
Generation X 1965-1980
They are individualistic.... feel a little misunderstood by other generations. They are called the latch key generation - many of the x generation grew up in broken homes.. had house key around their necks. Generation X’s are eager to see their marriages and be there for their children.... tendancy to dote on their chirldren.
They are eager to see their marriages and be there for their children.
They the generation that lived witht
Generation Y/ Millennial 1981-2000
Because
Millennial were nurtured by ever present parents.. optimistic, and focus. They have been told over and over they are special and expect the word to treat them that way..
They the generation that lived with the thought that they may be shot at school.. They learned that the world is not a safe place.
They schedule everything, prefer to work in teams, with unlimited information they tend to be assertive with strong views.
Generation Z
They grew up with computers and the internet. As Children 4 and 5 old enough to play on the computer.. they became less interested in toys and desire phones and video games.
They are Savvy consumers and they know what they want and to get it and they are saturated with brands.
… Each generation impacts the next..
Most us burry these things…we have so much to share… the very things we bury are the things that can impact the next generation.
.
Our generation
As you study the kings of Judah you will find the phrase they “walked in the ways of their father.” In other words they followed the example of their fathers
It was either towards sin or towards or they did what was right in the sight of the Lord..
What we find in the Kings of Judah is that they followed someones example… It was either following the bad example of their fathers or going back a few generations to a time when David and King Solomon made the worship of Yahweh (the God of Israel) a priority..
or they did what was right in the sight of the Lord..
It was either towards sin or towards or they did what was right in the sight of the Lord..
… It was either following the bad example of their fathers or breaking free from their fathers example and going back a few generations to a time when David when worship of Yahweh (the God of Israel) a priority..
They followed someones example… It was either following the bad example of their fathers or going back a few generations to a time when David and King Solomon made the worship of Yahweh (the God of Israel) a priority..
What Marks each King are choices that are being made… Either they are moving towards God where they will find renewal, restoration… or they are moving away from God to foreign idols.
There is another theme that theologians bring up here and its called “immediate retribution theology” -
In other words sin always brought with it judgment and disaster, while obedience and righteousness yield the fruit of peace and prosperity…
We need to know that even under the Law in the OT God made means of Grace...
God has made provision for Failure… … God made a provision for Sin through temple worship… When they came to the temple… resembled a meeting place God… place to connect…when they sought God’s grace … and turned from their ways God would hear them as a community.
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.
This verse is going to be Key to the future Kings of Judah… it will be the means of revival and renewal for the nation....
What is key to understand this whole theme of Retribution is covenant that God gave Israel.
After, King Solomons reign - His Son Rehoboam becomes the king of Israel… but it is just for a moment… Because their is a going to a seismic shift.... A major Split is going to take place in the Nation…from which they will never fully recover...
The nation of Israel will be divided into two Kingdoms.. Northern Kingdom Israel and the Southern Kingdom Judah.
Because this is an important juncture in the History nation of Israel… A major Split is going to take place in the Nation… and they will never fully recover...From this point onward… Israel would be known as Two Kingdoms —
We are going to look at important juncture in the nation of Israel… When the nation of Israel is split into two kingdoms… Israel in the North and Judah in the South… Two leaders at the forefront of the story are Rehoboam
From this point onward… Israel would be known as Two Kingdoms —
… Israel in the North and Judah in the South... The two leaders at the forefront of the divide are Rehoboam (Solomons son) and Jerobaom (leader of the revolution).
.. The two leaders at the forefront of the divide are Rehoboam (Solomons son) and Jerobaom (leader of the revolution). In order to understand what cause this divide...
wo leaders at the forefront of the story are Rehoboam and Jerbobaom.. (Southern and Northern).
and Jerbobaom.. (Southern and Northern). Both these leaders are going to have weaknesses…
In order to deconstruct what happens—
We first need to understand the back drop of the end of Solomons reign..There is juxtaposition with King Solomon on one hand he was an amazing leader, achieved incredible things, building palace the temple and fortifying cities of Israel … Bringing peace and prosperity to the nation… It all a bit of a dream… It success story… from Slaves to being the envy of the world..
Every leader is going to compared to a previous leader… it is inevitable..
There is juxtaposition with King Solomon on one hand he was an amazing leader, achieved incredible things, building palace the temple and fortifying cities of Israel … Bringing peace and prosperity to the nation… It all a bit of a dream… It success story… from Slaves to being the envy of the world..
There is juxtaposition with King Solomon on one hand he was an amazing leader, achieved incredible things, building palace the temple and fortifying cities of Israel … Bringing peace and prosperity to the nation… He prioritized worship and his dream was to see the legacy of His father David was fulfilled . But on the other hand Solomon got got distracted along the way and didn’t finish well.. He married over 700 woman and had 300 concubines and began following foreign idols of his wives.
He prioritized worship and his dream was to see the legacy of His father David was fulfilled .
But Solomon lost His way...
He got distracted along the way and didn’t finish well.. He married over 700 woman and had 300 concubines and began following foreign idols of his wives.
1 Kings 11:3–4 ESV
He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.
but unfortunately he got distracted and didn’t finish well.. He married over 700 woman and had 300 concubines and began following foreign idols of his wives.
Solomon was an amazing leader but unfortunately he got distracted and didn’t finish well.. He married over 700 woman and had 300 concubines and began following foreign idols of his wives.
When you look at the end of Solomons life it is a sad commentary… Not only did he love foreign women but in attaching himself to them… Many of wives he married were political and the shrines were symbols of political allies.. Solomon heart became divided… and he lost love for God and for the people who he served.
Solomon heart became divided… and he lost love for God and for the people who he served.
One of the things that I believe that he lost was compassion for people… He continued to tax the people of Israel heavily in order to up keep the Kingdom he had built…
He has taken many of his people from their home towns to staff his luxurious palace. He has taken them from their farms and vineyards to work like slaves on his building projects.
With the prosperity of Israel came heavy taxation which was burdening the people and as soon as Solomon died…
Last week we were looking at the strengths of Solomon.. He created space for worship, for Depedancy on God and a space for restoration… But, he did not finish well.... He married over 700 woman and had 300 concubines and began following foreign idols.
But, he did not finish well.... He married over 700 foreign woman and was took on their idols… When you look at the end of Solomons life it is a sad commentary.
When you look at the end of Solomons life it is a sad commentary.
Legacy is all about finishing well… Solomon started well… But he didn’t deal with issue when they came… So busy, achieving for the kingdom that he neglected his own person.... Success can bring it’s owns set of blind spots… Because there is a moment when we stop depending on God… and looking at his wealth..
We see in Rehoboam the same Divided Heart of his Father… and it is going to affect his leadership..
What kind of Legacy did Solomon leave?
We learn not to
What Kind of Legacy are we leaving?
What happened is His Son took on some of the traits of His Father?
The Bible Guide King Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 10:1–12:16)

Solomon’s reign has been hard for the common people. He has taken them from their homes to staff his luxurious palace. He has taken them from their farms and vineyards to work like slaves on his building projects. The elders now counsel Rehoboam to lighten his people’s burdens.

But Rehoboam doesn’t listen to the advice of the elders. Instead he takes the advice of friends his own age. They say he should increase his people’s burden and sharpen their suffering; and this is what he decides to do.

But the people have a champion in Jeroboam. Jeroboam is a leader of the tribe of Ephraim. He was seen as a rival by Solomon and has been hiding in Egypt. Now he returns to challenge Rehoboam.

2. Not Squander Opportunities that come our way..
We learn from Rehoboam to Not Squander Opportunities that come our way..
With the prosperity of the nation also came heavy taxation which was burdening the people and as soon as Solomon died…
There was this Hope in Israel that something would change..
What happened is His Son took on some of the traits of His Father? Legacy is all about finishing well… Solomon started well… But he didn’t deal with a personal issue… So busy, achieving for the kingdom that he neglected his own person.
With the prosperity of the nation also came heavy taxation which was burdening the people and as soon as Solomon died… There was this Hope in Israel that something would change..
Take a second to talk about succession of leadership! This happens in Nations, business world, and in Churches. You have one leadership style… and then their is this break this change… Sometimes this creates some positive energy..
I think it is wonderful when a church gets a new pastor.. Excitement and energy… But these feelings are still very temporary… and superficial.... because Trust and relationship has to be build over time. One of the first goals as a pastor coming in is to join the church…
I think it is wonderful when a church gets a new pastor.. Excitment and energy… But these feelings are still very temporary… and superficial because Trust and relationship has to be build over time.
2 Chronicles 10:1–5 ESV
Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. And as soon as Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), then Jeroboam returned from Egypt. And they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came and said to Rehoboam, “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you.” He said to them, “Come to me again in three days.” So the people went away.
King Rehoboam has this moment an opportunity to reunite the Kingdom… North and Southern Kingdoms were already predisposed to division — geographically they were separated.. Add to this the problem of heavy taxation… there was some division that already existed....
But all of a sudden there is a window of opportunity for reconciliation… Nation was drifting apart… and a leader called Jeroboam comes to the forefront… (Easy to get confused because of the similarity of these names) Rehoboam… Southern Kingdom (Judah) and Jeroboam from the North… (Israel)
Jeroboam from the North… was a leader who had fled under King Solomon… because he had been considered a threat… The prophet Ahijah has told Jeroboam that he will become king of ten of the tribes of Israel (
The prophet Ahijah has told Jeroboam that he will become king of ten of the tribes of Israel (
It was only after Solomons death does he feel safe to come to the King and make a request. To take advantage of a window of opportunity...
The prophet had prophesied that he would be King…But now Jeroboam wants to take advantage of this opportunity..
takes advantage of this opportunity..
2 Chronicles 10:1–5 ESV
Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. And as soon as Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), then Jeroboam returned from Egypt. And they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came and said to Rehoboam, “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you.” He said to them, “Come to me again in three days.” So the people went away.
2 C
Jeroboam is a champion for the Northern tribes — He has started a revolution a revolt against the powers that Be… Same old story taxation..
as a representative of the Northern tribes comes to seek Reconciliation… Now, what is important here is to not get these names mixed up… Rehoboam (Southern) --- Jeraboam (northen)
heavy taxes had caused a burden…
We learn that Good leaders seek opportunities...
We learn that Good leaders opportunities
Jeroboam seeks out a peaceful resolution....
here is a willingness at this jucture on the part of the Northern Kingdom.. to reunite… They come with a request that the King would lighten the tax burden..
Accommodating mode of conflict. low in assertiveness and high in cooperativeness. They perceive conflict as LOSE - WIN.
. They perceive conflict as LOSE - WIN.
… but there is a willingness on the part of the Northern Kingdom..
There is a willingness at this juncture on the part of the Northern Kingdom.. to reunite… They in humility and they come with a request that the King would lighten the tax burden.. and in return they would serve the King…
Now, I think that what Rehoboam does next is smart… He doesn’t make an immediate decision… He still has to balance the budget… so he says come to me in three days… and he thinks about it. We live in an impulsive society… and we are looking for instant gratification...solutions..
The problem and conflict would be adverted...
One of the tools we can have to create space between us a decision.. Not everything has to be immediate yes or no…
In conflict resolution He would be in Accommodating mode of conflict. low in assertiveness and high in cooperativeness. They perceive conflict as LOSE - WIN.
The ball is now in Rehoboams court…
He has a choice here, “Come back in three days” and then he goes and seeks wisdom from the elders..
Rahoboam says “Come back in three days” and then he goes and seeks wisdom from the elders..
Obviously he is wrestling with the issue.. He is torn on the approach… What kind of leader am I going to be?
Who are your counselors? those in your sphere who are godly men and women? Rehoboam took counsel with the elders.
Am I going to lay down the Law or am I going to give in a little? He goes to the elders - these are the same elders and advisers to his father Solomon. We learn from Rehoboam ---
3. The importance of Having godly Council
The elders were older and knew the history of the nation… they had some wisdom.
2 Chronicles 10:6–7 ESV
Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” And they said to him, “If you will be good to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”
In this series we talking about being mentors and having mentors— Who are those in your sphere who are godly men and women? Jeroboam had some counselors in His life.. Older men who had experience.
We need to ask: Who are our counselors? those in your sphere who are godly men and women? Over and over in the book of proverbs there is this admonition to find sound advise…
Proverbs 11:14 ESV
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Who are your counselors? those in your sphere who are godly men and women?
Proverbs 15:22 ESV
Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:12 ESV
A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
prov
Rehoboam takes the councel of the elders who say to him speak kind words and use this time to heal and reconcile and they will be your servants forever.
Rehoboam starts out well… He doesn’t answer immediately. He puts some space between himself and the decision.. Have you ever made an impulsive decision and lived to regret it…
Two Kind of Advisers that Jeroboam has two kinds of advisers.. Firstly,
The way to avoid impulse decision is to put some space before you and the descision..
1. GRACE GIVERS
1. GRACE GIVERS -
takes the council of the elders who say to him speak kind words and use this time to heal and reconcile and they will be your servants forever.....
He goes to the elders of Israel? These are those men who had been around a while… they were older men… He asks for advice… and the elders respond.. they say, “speak kind words to Jeroboam and use this time to heal and reconcile and nation… and if you do so they will be your servants forever.....” Basically the advice is to Collaborate find a solution that meet others stated needs. Find a WIN- WIN solution.... You will rule over the whole of Israel and you will have people who love you and will serve you well.. This seems like very sound advise..
There are times to have a competative approach… there are times where a situation may need a win loose situation… but not in this situation.
plainly state their own needs while attempting to work with a group and find solutions that meet others stated needs. WIN- WIN solution..
Jeroboam listens to the elders but is not convinced… to be honest — he is leaning towards more authoritarian approach.
This is a common phenomenon - what some call “advice shopping.” The idea is that you keep asking different people for advice until you find someone who will tell you what you want to hear. . It is better to have a few trusted counselors you will listen to even when they tell you what you don’t want to hear. Than to have people that just agree with you.
This is the counsel from the Elders:
Collaborative: High assertiveness and and high cooperativeness. Collaborative - plainly state their own needs while attempting to work with a group and find solutions that meet others stated needs. WIN- WIN solution..
This is an unwise and ungodly way to get counsel. It is better to have a few trusted counselors you will listen to even when they tell you what you don’t want to hear. Jeroboam goes to his contemporaries....
Jeroboam goes to his another group of counselors.. they are some of the young men he had grown up and with and sort their advice. The Bible makes the difference between age and it could be that experience comes in to play.
2. LAW GIVERS
Who are your counselors? those in your sphere who are godly men and women?
And he goes to some of the young men he had grown up and with and sort their advice. Here is the problem… The elders had been around long enough to know what was at stake… These young men say that instead of lightening the load - they should increase the people’s burden
2 Chronicles 10:6-
But Rehoboam doesn’t listen to the advice of the elders. Instead he takes the advice of friends his own age. They say he should increase his people’s burden and sharpen their suffering; and this is what he decides to do.
The elders had been around long enough to know what was at stake… These young men say that instead of making the load lighter - they should increase the people’s burden
They say instead of lightening the load he should increase his people’s burden and sharpen their suffering...
The Bible Guide King Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 10:1–12:16)

Solomon’s reign has been hard for the common people. He has taken them from their homes to staff his luxurious palace. He has taken them from their farms and vineyards to work like slaves on his building projects. The elders now counsel Rehoboam to lighten his people’s burdens.

But Rehoboam doesn’t listen to the advice of the elders. Instead he takes the advice of friends his own age. They say he should increase his people’s burden and sharpen their suffering; and this is what he decides to do.

But the people have a champion in Jeroboam. Jeroboam is a leader of the tribe of Ephraim. He was seen as a rival by Solomon and has been hiding in Egypt. Now he returns to challenge Rehoboam.

2 Chronicles 10:10–11 ESV
And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus shall you speak to the people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us’; thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s thighs. And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’ ”
2 chronicles 10:
Taking counsel of men who don’t know God is sure way to make a blunder…When Jeroboam spoke these words — It was the end of a united Israel.. It split the Kingdom down the middle…
Often when there are disputes both parties are normally in the wrong… It is interesting that we often can justify a position we take.. there could be truth but there is normally two sides to every divorce, to every conflict…
4. We need objectivity with conflict...
Being to close to something can often distort our perspective. If we are too close to something we can loose objectivity..
In one study, researchers put a clown on a unicycle in the path of pedestrians. The researchers asked people who walked passed the clown if they had noticed anything unusual.
Everybody saw him unless they had been on their cell phone. Three out of every four people who had been using their phone did not see the clown. They looked back in astonishment, unable to believe they had missed him. They had looked straight at him but had not registered his presence. The unicycling clown crossed their paths but not their minds.
in one study, researchers put a clown on a unicycle in the path of pedestrians. The researchers asked people who walked passed the clown if they had noticed anything unusual. Everybody saw him unless they had been on their cell phone. Three out of every four people who had been using their phone did not see the clown. They looked back in astonishment, unable to believe they had missed him. They had looked straight at him but had not registered his presence. The unicycling clown crossed their paths but not their minds.
Jereboam has a knee jerk response… He over reacts to the badly to News…
Jereboam has a knee jerk response… He over reacts to the badly to News…
and he basically throws out the baby with
It is one thing to disagree with policy and even leadership… but to throw away your heritage and your faith is taking things to an extreme…
Jeroboam Responded Badly.
Huge blunder is that that Northern Israel not only rejects Solomon, Jeroboam and his dynasty but rejects --- Temple and the worship of God…
2 Chronicles 10:16–17 ESV
And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Each of you to your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” So all Israel went to their tents. But Rehoboam reigned over the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah.
The rejection of Northern tribes was really a rejection of Davidic Kingdom…David was the King of Jerusalem the center of Judah…
The rejection of Northern tribes was really a rejection of Davidic Kingdom…David was the King of Jerusalem the center of Judah…
Over reaction by Jeroboam.
“What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse’s son?”
Every Split - Separation or Divorce has pain… involved… There are often no winners… pain is on both side… Sometimes they are inevitable… This Spit in Israel did not happen over night --- it was years in the making.... People don’t get disgruntled over night… it takes sometimes months and years… Rehobalm becomes King over 10 tribes in the North called Israel --- Jerhoboam is King over Judah and Benjamin in the South...
God is still Sovereign When We mess up.
Here is the thing where the mystery of God’s sovereignty comes into play..
Here is the thing where the mystery of God’s sovereignty comes into play..
In Scripture, more than a record of and reflection on past events, but a process under God’s control which has as its goal the eventual fulfilment of his purposes and through which he makes himself known.
Chronicler says
Taking counsel of men who know not God is sure to mean serious blunders, and a rough answer never fails to bring division. Good words cost nothing and purchase great things
2 Chronicles 10:15 ESV
So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by God that the Lord might fulfill his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
2 Chronicles 10:
In other words — part of this split in Israel was retribution for Solomons life style of going after other idols…
5. The shortest two points A - B is the way of Obedience.
What we have is two Kings behaving badly… both sides operating out of hurt.. I
The revolution is Official … Israel was not going to back down… The majority of the tribes 10 of the 12 head north to support Jeroboam.. Who is on one hand fighting for Justice… but on the other hand has forsaken their inheritance in David, Worship…
Then you have Rehoboam who thinks He can continue business as Normal… and He sends one of task master to exert his power.... Muscle his way to change.... This is what you call power leadership…ultimatums ---- It is my way or the Highway…
Things get serious when Rehoboam sends a task master to expert his power...
What happens
Rehoboam doesn’t learn from his mistakes… He sends Hadoram… He is an interesting person to send… Some commentators will say that Hadoram was sent to try and bring peace.... smooth things over… But I question whether he is the right man for the Job… He is the head of the Labor force… Task Master… and something tells me about the response he got… that he was exerting authority rather than seek peace....
The revoloution is Official … Israel was not going to back down. Things get serious when Rehoboam sends a task master to expert his power
2 Chronicles 10:18 ESV
Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was taskmaster over the forced labor, and the people of Israel stoned him to death with stones. And King Rehoboam quickly mounted his chariot to flee to Jerusalem.
Things get serious when Rehoboam continues to exert hiw power..
2 Chron 10:
Rehoboam retaliates by sending an army of 180 000 men to fight Israel… He is about to go to wage war on his brothers… it is one thing to fight a foriegn invador… but here is the house of Israel about to destroy itself… We have much to thankful for the work of the prophets that pointed out faults and mistakes...
2 Chronicles 10:18 ESV
Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was taskmaster over the forced labor, and the people of Israel stoned him to death with stones. And King Rehoboam quickly mounted his chariot to flee to Jerusalem.
Jeraboam builds up an army of 180 000 men to fight Israel...
Retaliates by sending an army of 180 000 men to fight Israel...
The Prophet … Shimaiah gets a word from God.
2 Chronicles 11:2–4 ESV
But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God: “Say to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, ‘Thus says the Lord, You shall not go up or fight against your relatives. Return every man to his home, for this thing is from me.’ ” So they listened to the word of the Lord and returned and did not go against Jeroboam.
With obedience comes blessing …
2 Chronicles 11:3–5 ESV
“Say to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, ‘Thus says the Lord, You shall not go up or fight against your relatives. Return every man to his home, for this thing is from me.’ ” So they listened to the word of the Lord and returned and did not go against Jeroboam. Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built cities for defense in Judah.
Rehoboam’s obedience to the message of Shemaiah results in demonstrable blessing in the form of building programs (11:5–12), popular support (11:13–17), and progeny (11:18–23
2
For a period of time Rehoboam turns to the Lord and God blesses him.
In the Northern Kingdom Jeroboam hardens his heart and doesn’t allow the Priests to worship at the temple and rather build idols in Israel… Where the Judah would drift from the Lord… Israels Kings would continue in Idolatry…
Proverbs 14:12 ESV
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Jeroboam doesn’t allow the Priests to worship at the temple and rather build idols in Israel… Where the Judah would drift from the Lord… Israels Kings would continue in Idolatry...
Think of these two kings and how their actions not only affect the Unity of the nation of Israel.
2 Chronocles 10:18
Conclusion
There is another theme that theologians bring up here and its called “immediate retribution theology” -
Jesus poured His life into His disciples so they would pour their lives into others. In , Paul writes, “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Jesus mentored men who would go on to mentor church fathers who would go on to mentor leaders who oversaw the spread of Christianity around the known world. Mentors don’t see their protégés as buckets, but rather as conduits to mentor and teach other believers.
In other words sin always brought with it judgment and disaster, while obedience and righteousness yield the fruit of peace and prosperity…
We need to know that even under the Law in the OT God made means of Grace...
God has made provision for Failure… … God made a provision for Sin through temple worship… When they came to the temple… resembled a meeting place God… place to connect…when they sought God’s grace … and turned from their ways God would hear them as a community.
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.
This verse is going to be Key to the future Kings of Judah… it will be the means of revival and renewal for the nation....
Rehoboam Sort for Councel
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more