Losing to Win (Kings)
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CJ Walker
Firm Foundations • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 56:16
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· 27 viewsIn times of national prosperity as well as turmoil of state affairs, God’s Word is available, and His promises are secure.
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Formal Elements / Descriptive Data
Formal Elements / Descriptive Data
Text:
Text:
1-2 Kings
CIT:
CIT:
God was faithful to reveal Himself as well as keep His promises to both the nation and to David through the rise, decline, and fall of Israel and Judah.
Proposition:
Proposition:
In times of national prosperity as well as turmoil of state affairs, God’s Word is available, and His promises are secure.
Statement of Purpose:
Statement of Purpose:
(1) MO –
(1) MO –
Doctrinal
(2) SO –
(2) SO –
I want my hearers to understand the role of God better in politics regarding blessings for obedience and cursings for disobedience while reassuring their hope is not grounded in sinful man, but in a sovereign God.
Title (Topic/Name):
Title (Topic/Name):
“Losing to Win” or “What Hope Have We?”
Informal Elements / Rhetorical Data
Informal Elements / Rhetorical Data
Intro:
Intro:
Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou only.
Illustration - Lose to Win
Lose to Win - In other words, be more concerned with finding resolution and initiating reconciliation than with being right. Ninety percent of marital disagreements can be negotiated down to an agreed-upon resolution or put to rest with a simple apology. Proving your spouse to be wrong may prove you right, but you will be right for all the wrong reasons. Jesus said, [“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”] (Matt. 16:26). The same principle applies here. What good does it do for you to be found right and your spouse wrong if in the end you damage—or lose—the marriage relationship? By losing to win, you enter the problem-solving discussion with a priority of resolving the conflict, recognizing that you must be willing to give up something on your end to accomplish that purpose. [Jimmy PhD Myers and D. Campbell, Toe to Toe with Your Teen: Successfully Parenting a Defiant Teen without Giving up or Giving in (Grand Rapids, MI: Revell, 2009).]
Illustration - When a Party Celebrates Too Soon: Who Determines “President-Elect?”
The other side is already celebrating. In their mind, I lost. But, what encourages me to pray harder than I ever have, is that someone is standing up who has the potential to do something about an area that I have observed has been corrupted for a long, long time. Let’s have patience, and pray for favor in our judicial and legislative processes.
Describe the story of Adonijah’s premature feast in light of present politics
Defend the Framers wisdom to distribute the powers that be in our republic
Encourage patience in the judicial processes beside prayer for legislative outcomes
Keep your eye on those duly ordained of God rather than those deliberately celebrated by men
God was involved in protecting David’s line. He was involved in the institution of the greatest nation on earth, and our plea to Him and faith is that He will remain involved in keeping our three branches of government in check.
Prophecy assures us that judgment is certain, but history reveals to us that the timing of that can be hastened or prolonged by a nation’s response to God and His revealed Word.
Kings describes the rise, decline and fall of the once greatest nation on earth. Through it, God’s people are encouraged to remove their eyes from fallen men and women, and turn to God and His Word while their nation is being dealt with by Him.
God is dealing with our nation today. His Word must be our only hope in times of uncertainty.
Body – Development – Outline:
Body – Development – Outline:
I. The Nation’s Uprising (1 Kings 1-11)
I. The Nation’s Uprising (1 Kings 1-11)
EXP: Describe the reign of Solomon (Rise, Reign, Disobedience): Coming to the throne, beginning in wisdom, building for God and himself, ending in disaster setting the stage for division under Rehoboam & Jereboam
A. Solomon the king (1 Ki. 1:1–4:34)
1. His enthronement (1:1–2:46)
2. His prayer for wisdom (3:1–15)
3. His wisdom in practice (3:16–4:34)
B. Royal construction program (5:1–9:25)
1. Temple and palace (5:1–7:51)
2. Dedication of the temple (8:1–9:9)
3. Cities built and fortified (9:10–25)
C. International relations (9:26–10:29)
1. Naval expeditions at Elath (9:26–28)
2. The Queen of Sheba (10:1–13)
3. Trade and revenue (10:14–29)
D. Apostasy and its results (11:1–43)
1. Intermarriage and idolatry (11:1–8)
2. God’s judgment (11:9–43) [Zondervan Ency. of the Bible]
ILL: Note Solomon’s use of the law to uphold justice
“Then he made a porch for the throne where he might judge, even the porch of judgment: and it was covered with cedar from one side of the floor to the other.” (1 Kings 7:7, AV)
THE BLESSING THAT ACCOMPANIES GODLY LEADERSHIP
Solomon’s proverbs are replete with statements about the blessings that accompany a righteous rule (cf. Proverbs 13:23; 16:6; 25:5; 28:12, 28; 29:16). They also contain many references to the fate of the wicked. A study of what he has written should motivate us to demand from our leaders the highest standards of ethical behavior.
First Kings, chapters 3 and 4, have shown us the benefit of true justice. Solomon was impartial when hearing the case of the two women. Justice that is equitable creates confidence in the hearts of the people (cf. 3:28 and Proverbs 16:12; 29:7), and reinforces for all the blessings of godliness.
When Solomon appointed different officials, he chose men of integrity. He avoided the problems that accompany the elevation to positions of power those who are not identified with the truth (cf. Proverbs 18:3). And having made wise choices, he did not have to unmake them.
It should not surprise us that, as a result of the personal lifestyles of David and Solomon, the people of Israel grew in number (4:20a) and prospered (4:21) with silver becoming common—as common as the stones of the hillside (10:27)—so that the working class and their families were able to enjoy the benefits of affluence (4:20b; cf. Ecclesiastes 2:24).
All too often we think of God blessing us solely in terms of the things we do not have. We fail to distinguish between our legitimate needs and our wants, and we become very dissatisfied when the Lord does not supply all that we ask of Him (cf. Philippians 4:19). Verses 20 and 25 identify the blessings the Lord may choose to give us. Peace and security and freedom from care come directly from His hand (Ecclesiastes 2:24–26). These blessings are not automatic. They are the result of a righteous, God-honoring government (cf. Proverbs 16:6, 12; 18:3; 20:8) that winnows the wicked and does not pander to special interest groups (Proverbs 29:12, 16). What a testimony of God’s blessing the nation must have been too those kingdoms who sent to inquire into the reasons for Solomon’s success.
But what possible application does this have for us today? Solomon is dead, so how can we learn from him? And even if he were alive, most of us do not have the leisure time to travel abroad to sit at his feet. All of this is true, but we can read his writings. Our first priority, therefore, should be to study what he wrote or said (e.g., his books or his prayer at the dedication of the Temple)34.
This information is readily accessible to us, and we can make it a habit to meditate daily upon these portions of God’s Word and in this way learn from him (Proverbs 13:20).
34 Ishida, Studies …, pp. 13–26.
[Cyril J. Barber, The Books of Kings: The Righteousness of God Illustrated in the Lives of the People of Israel and Judah, vol. 1 (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2004), 108–109.]
APP: There is wisdom in pursing legal justice at the full extent of the law to help protect the integrity of a national election. We have asked our God to provide our president with Solomonic Wisdom, should we not have the faith to wait for His answer?
Power, influence, and wealth continue to be temptations today, and the record in 1-2 Kings should give due warning to all readers. Ironically, right after Solomon’s death, his kingdom was divided (1 Kings 12:16–20), and only five years later, King Shishak of Egypt invaded Judah and claimed the bulk of Solomon’s treasures (14:25–28). Similarly, all that remains of Omride ivory are scattered artifacts from Samaria. “Royal power, influence, and luxury, so impressive and noteworthy, are as fleeting as those who possess them (Pss. 37:14–15; 49:16–17; 146:3–4; 1 Tim. 6:7).” [DeRouchie]
TS: “God wants us to understand that godly leadership is vitally important for people’s stability (1 Kings 2:4; cf. Deut. 17:18–20) and that nothing—not even sin—will thwart his ultimate purposes (1 Kings 8:56; Job 42:2; Dan. 4:35; Eph. 1:11)” [DeRouchie], let’s now see-
II. The Nation Divided, Northern Demise (1 Kings 12 - 2 Kings 17)
II. The Nation Divided, Northern Demise (1 Kings 12 - 2 Kings 17)
EXP: Describe the division of northern and southern kingdoms as well as the contrast of each in their respective kingships (The Good the Bad & the Ugly)
The king’s religious policy:
• Israel: Did he practice the “sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat,” maximizing idolatry and rebellion and minimizing God’s presence in Jerusalem (e.g., 1 Kings 16:25–26)?
• Judah: Was he faithful to Yahweh “like David,” and did he remove “the high places,” thus calling attention to God’s presence in Jerusalem (e.g., 1 Kings 15:1–6)? [DeRouchie]
ILL: Describe the division that our nation has known historically, and the ideologies behind that division as driven by political foment in light of the current division that is apparent today. “How long halt ye between two opinions”
Double-Mindedness
“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word” (I Kings 18:21).
The children of Israel had followed King Ahab into whole-hearted idolatrous worship of Baal. They had stood by while a death warrant had been issued and carried out on the prophets of God. Now, Elijah’s piercing question destroys the numbing effect of the people’s apathy and forces them to face their own sin. Up to that point they had been double minded—not willing to choose between God and Baal.
“Double mindedness” speaks of the man or woman who tries to split his or her energies between the world’s system and the work of Jesus Christ. Jesus says in Luke 11:23: “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” James urges us to not vacillate between two allegiances. “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).
On the other hand, we are called to have a single eye (Matthew 6:22) and to serve with singleness of heart (Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22). “The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light” (Luke 11:34). If our eye is single, fixed on the Savior, our body will be full of the light that “shineth in a dark place” (II Peter 1:19), pointing the way to the Cross. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you….multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness [singleness of heart], which causeth through us thanksgiving to God” (II Corinthians 9:8, 10, 11). In God’s economy, the single-hearted life yields much fruit; the double mind yields nothing of value for eternity. CJH
Days of Praise, (ICR, El Cajon, CA; December, January, February, 1998), page for February 1
[Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002).]
APP: As difficult as things might be, a decision must be made. Both sides cannot be right, on whose side will you stand?
“The powerful story of Ahab’s demise gives us confidence that God can be trusted to deal with wicked leaders … in his time and in his way. The kingdoms of mighty overseers like Hitler and Stalin are long gone, while God’s kingdom continues to grow and prosper. “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” (Rom. 12:19).” [DeRouchie]
TS: By forgetting God and His Word, a nation becomes divided between those that at least attempt to honor Him and those who simply refuse to do so. In this state of division, it is inevitable that we look at-
III. The Nation Fallen, Southern Demise (2 Kings 18-25)
III. The Nation Fallen, Southern Demise (2 Kings 18-25)
EXP: Describe briefly how the Northern Kingdom fell, and show the decline and ultimate fall of Judah.
In 1-2 Kings, what Yahweh’s prophets proclaimed consistently occurred, whether it was the division of the empire (1 Kings 11:30–39), the punishment of idolatry (13:2), the ending of dynasties (14:10–11), the covenant curse of drought (17:1), the death of individuals (21:23), victory or defeat in battle (20:13–14, 28; 22:17, 19–23), the healing of diseases (2 Kings 5:10), or the provision of food (7:1). The accuracy of the prophetic predictions was supposed to validate that they were from God and thus motivate the people to return to Yahweh (see Deut. 18:21–22). Sadly, few in Israel listened to the prophetic voice. [DeRouchie]
Note - Back to Egypt? (2 Kings 25:22-26); See Dt. 17:16; 28:68; Jer. 42:15-16
ILL: The Role of the Prophetic Word in Israel
Hearing God in the Hurricane
There is something about human limitations, pain, and life’s troubles that is loud. Not loud in the physical sense of noise, but in the spiritual sense that sound deafens us to God’s voice when we need to hear it the most. Life’s storms can make God’s voice seem faint, and this can make yielding difficult.
One of the early Old Testament prophets, Elijah, learned this lesson in a vivid encounter with God. He was distressed that God’s people were in a time of deep disobedience, ignoring God’s desires for them. Jezebel, the queen of Israel at the time, was even chasing Elijah to kill him.
Far out in the wilderness, Elijah bemoaned his life’s vocation as pointless. He was running for his life, exhausted. While hiding out in a cave, he called out to God for help, to find meaning in his misery. God directed Elijah to come outside. First Kings 19:11b–12 describes what awaited him:
A great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
Elijah had a talk with God. That talk, 1 Kings 19 tells us, gave Elijah strength, direction, meaning, and comfort in all that he was going through. God’s instructions for Elijah led to a new chapter for him and for God’s people. But before he could experience renewal, Elijah needed to realize that God was not to be found or heard in the sensational, the noisy, or the frenzied of the world, but in the quiet. God came in that “still small voice.”
I very much identify with the imagery that Elijah experienced. The whirlwind of my daily business distances me from God. I can be far from the Lord almost without noticing it, pushed by events that seem seismic but end up being of little consequence. And the searing heat of life’s fires takes so much of my attention that my days pass quickly and years go by before I look up to notice that suddenly it’s quiet…and there is God.
Jesus went to quiet places to get away from the crowds to pray alone with God. He found God’s voice clearest there. I have often found that too. Sometimes God’s quiet voice comes to me in a hushed conversation with someone who needs to talk about a struggle he or she is facing; and as I take the time to listen, I find myself hearing God’s whisper as well. Sometimes it’s in those dawning hours when I first wake, and God speaks to me so gently, bringing things to my mind with an unmatched clarity of thought.
King David of ancient Israel had a life of triumph as well as tragedy. Old Testament narratives tell how he soared to the heights of celebrity when he trounced Goliath and fended off an invading army of Philistines from Israel. David also knew the lonely hours of failure and heartache. After he was caught in adultery, his country fell into civil war, and his own son died while trying to overthrow him. At the end of King David’s life, he reconciled all with God and prayed, “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: And thy gentleness hath made me great.” (2 Sam. 22:36). ...God’s posture toward David [was] “stooping down.”
The irony of God’s strength is his quiet gentleness. St. Francis of Sales (1567–1622) said, “Nothing is so strong as gentleness; nothing so gentle as real strength.” We dare not miss that, because only when we hear God’s gentle voice can we tap into the power of the kingdom of heaven that Jesus said comes only to those who are like children. No power on earth can conquer like the Spirit of God within us can. It is the inner, indomitable power that we as humans were always meant to be in touch with. It’s the power that supplies us with the strength to overcome what we thought would be our most overwhelming disadvantages.
Meditation
So let it be in God’s own might
We gird us for the coming fight,
And, strong in God whose cause is ours,
In conflict with unholy powers,
We grasp the weapons God has given,
The light and truth and love of Heaven.
John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892)
[Tom Taylor, Paradoxy: Coming to Grips with the Contradictions of Jesus (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2006).]
APP: As God’s spokesmen and spokeswomen today, we also have an obligation to speak forth “Thus Saith the Lord.” Lk. 4:24-27; Micah 6:8; Winning Souls, Witnessing while we can, not allowing our faith to be under a bushel, willing to pay the ultimate price if needed, following the footsteps of our Savior, making sure all is on the altar, keeping our lamps trimmed, bright and filled with oil.
TS: Nations go as is ordained, but God’s Word will stand
Conc:
Conc:
Describe how though the lineage of David was under constant threat, God kept His promise to protect the line of the One to Come. We need not fear, because no matter where our nation stands, Jesus has a table spread, where the saints of God are fed, He invites His chosen people, “Come & Dine.”
God was faithful to reveal Himself as well as keep His promises to both the nation and to David through the rise, decline, and fall of Israel and Judah.
In times of national prosperity as well as turmoil of state affairs, God’s Word is available, and His promises are secure.
Understand the role of God better in politics regarding blessings for obedience and cursings for disobedience while reassuring their hope is not grounded in sinful man, but in a sovereign God.