Sunday School: I Kings 12:25 -14:20
The set up for Jeroboam's demise.
Key, I think, is God's sovereignty....even over the schemes his own people
propagate. He used even the lies of the prophet to accomplish His purposes, and
still spoke to him truth. He also spoke a true prophecy to the man of God from Judah, ...we know he was a true prophet because what he said did happen, but then that same man disobeyed God's instructions to him (aided by the lie of the old prophet) and God spoke thru the old prophet who'd lied, truth about the death of the man of God who had prophesied truth then disobeyed. What a tangled mess!
Secondly, that even God's own can/will be led astray.
bits and pieces from the lesson:
Consider each character:
Jeroboam, King of Israel, and recall the prophecy that the prophet Ahijah had given. Recall also that Solomon thought highly of him....he was very industrious. Little did Solomon know.......
The prophet Ahijah.
The man of God who came from Judah.
The old prophet who lived in Israel, whose sons, at least, were participating in the false worship that Jeroboam had instituted.
Jeroboam's wife.
Jeroboam was indeed industrious, and wise. He recognized that if the people went back to Jerusalem for corporate worship, their loyalty to the House of David would be renewed, and he would lose his kingdom. So, being very savvy, he 'bootleged' the orthodoxy.....the true religion and it's ways and forms that were instituted by God Himself, and created a form similar to it from his own heart. He sought counsel from his peers, rather than the men of God.
Read also the corresponding section of II Chronicles 12-13.
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Sermon: Colossians 4:2-6 final sermon, "What is the Character of Our Daily Words?" Rev Billy Joseph.
Good sermon, but I will have to be brief.......time is short and tomorrow is a long day @ work.
Our words...... so many 'words' in this passage speak of our words.....
prayer, thanksgiving, speaking a clear message, gracious, seasoned with salt, answering each person.
gracious.......in the Greek culture this meant witty, sparkling conversation....but Paul added a new dimension. Our speech needs to be filled with the love and favor of God toward us. Speaking of Him, giving Him glory. Full of grace to confess our sins and weaknesses.....not in a self degrading way, but just being honest and transparent.....humble and contrite.
Thanksgiving.......Not a negative person, (I cringe to think that I have been accused....rightly.....of this), But if we know God and understand what He has done for us, we will ooze thankfulness for every thing.
Salt......preserves. We need to provide help to others with our words. Speak the truth with love, truly, not flippantly. But also provide the encouragement and help to understand God's truth.
Salt also provides flavor.....our speech should make others desire to hear more of what we have to say.
Salt makes people thirsty.
Oh Father. I sigh in recognition of my weakness and failure. Help me, please.
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The words of this hymn were very meaningful to me this evening:
Be Still My Soul
Be still my soul: the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently te cross of greif or pain;
leave to your God to order and profede;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still my soul: your best, your heavenly Friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still my soul: your God will undertake
to guide the future as He has the past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still my soul: when dearest friends depart,
and all is darkened in the vale of tears,
then shall you better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to sooth your sorrow and your fears.
Be still my soul: your Jesus can repay
from His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still my soul: the hour is hastening on
when we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone
sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
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This is my attitude for the most part, but it is good to sing it and see it written by another.
Through all the trials, sorrows, pains, and changes in this life; fears for the future and regrets from the past, He is sovereign over all.....and will supply all I need. I trust Him.....for He has done so in the past, and He will continue.
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