Sermon Notes
Sermon Title & Text “Fear is a Liar” 1 Kings 12:26-33 ESV
Sermon Series: Wisdom: What God Knows!
Message in a Sentence: Fear is a Liar. God’s Word is True.
• Jeroboam was the king of Israel, the 10 northern tribes that made up Israel in the divided kingdom. He was king but he was insecure and afraid the kingdom would turn back to the house of David (cf. 12:26-27). Driven by his fear, Jeroboam took counsel & made 2 golden calves and caused Israel to sin.
• Jeroboam’s fears led Israel to sin. Jeroboam causing Israel to sin is referred to in 1 Ki 15:30, 34 & twenty times in the Kings, Hosea & Amos:
1. Counterfeit Worship Places v28-30: Not Jerusalem cf. Deut. 12:5-6
2. Made temples & high places v31
3. Unauthorized Priests v31
4. Made up feasts v32-33
5. Sacrifices to man made gods vv32-33
• Jeroboam’s fear may be understandable but it does not align with God’s promise to him in 11:38.
1. If you will listen to all
2. Walk in God’s ways
3. Do right in God’s eyes
4. God will be with you
5. And build a sure house
6. And give Israel to you
Jeroboam was chosen by God and given a promise from God. Yet, he was consumed & led by his fears. Therefore, he forfeited the power and promise of God. Instead of being known as Israel’s king, he is known as the guy that made Israel sin. Conversely, on this Palm Sunday, Christ is known as the king of all kings.
Notes:
To continue to develop your relationship with Christ, spend time every day this week praying and meditating on this passage and it’s truths with EveryDay Jesus.
Edward
Everyday Jesus: Everyday Jesus is a great way to deepen your Bible reading, prayer life & personal time with Christ.
• Monday: Read 1 Kings 11:37-38 & 12:25-33 Jeroboam is insecure and fearful that Israel may worship God instead of following him. So he creates false gods, institutes false worship, unauthorized priests, corrupt temples with corrupt altars and feasts devised from his own heart. Each insecure act evidences that Jeroboam has forgotten God’s promise to him in 1 Ki 11:38. The promise is conditioned on Jeroboam listening to all that God commands of him. Today, as you read the above passages, recommit in prayer, to listening and following what God’s word.
• Tuesday: Read 1 Kings 11:37-38 & 12:25-33 Jeroboam is also to walk in God’s ways. It’s a challenge for us all…we want to do what makes sense to us. Today, ask for His wisdom & His endurance to walk in His ways, rather than your own.
• Wednesday: {Day of Fasting} Read 11:37-38 & 12:25-33. Jeroboam is to do what is right in God’s sight by keeping His statutes & commandments. Today, confess your submission to God’s statutes for your life as found in His word.
• Thursday: Read 1 Kings 11:37-38 & 12:25-33. God’s promise is that if Jeroboam follows God’s way, God will be with Him. As you continue to align your life with God’s plans for you, ask Him to be with you.
• Friday: Read 1 Ki 11:37-38 & 12:25-33. God also promised to build for Jeroboam as he follows God’s way. Are you allowing God to build through and for you? Only God knows what plans He has for you. Ask Him to build mightily for Him, in and through your life.
• Saturday: Read 1 Kings 11:37-38 & 12:25-33. The last aspect of God’s promise is that He wanted to trust Jeroboam by giving him Israel. Yet, Jeroboam’s insecurity and fear caused him to take matters into His own hands. Today, ask God where you are taking matters into your own hands instead of trusting Him. As it becomes clear (maybe overtime), declare your surrender to God in those areas of your life.
