When You Surrender To God

Who Made You King?
Written By Tommy Smith

Sermon Notes

KEY PASSAGE

26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will turn back to the house of David. 27 If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” 28 So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” 29 And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. 30 Then this thing became a sin, for the people went as far as Dan to be before one. 31 He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites. — 1 KINGS 12:26-31 ESV

LIFE AFTER SOLOMON

  • Solomon’s son Rehoboam came to power when his father died… 2 Kings 42:-43

  • The Israelites asked Rehoboam to lighten the burden… 1 Kings 12:3-5

  • Rehoboam consulted the old men but didn’t listen to their counsel… 1 Kings 12:6-8; Job 12:12; Prov. 1:8-9

  • Rehoboam then consulted his own peers and took their advice instead… 1 Kings 12:9-11

  • As a result of Rehoboam’s decision, the kingdom splits and almost goes to war… 1 Kings 2:20-24

  • Jeroboam ultimately “compromises spiritually” for “political purposes”… 1 Kings 12:26-31

WISDOM IS KNOWING ON WHICH HILLS TO DIE

  • As if being “”physically divided” wasn’t bad enough… Now Israel was also “spiritually compromised”… 1 Kings 12:26-31

  • Being “spiritually compromised” is the absolute worst case scenario.

  • “To compromise on matters of faith is to compromise the very essence of our relationship with God. We must remain steadfast in our convictions." - J.I Packer

  • Wisdom is knowing which hill to die on! Rehoboam picked the wrong hill on which to die… and Jeroboam didn’t pick the right hill on which to die!

SPIRITUAL COMPROMISE FOR FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES

  • Jeroboam ultimately compromised for political gain… 1 Kings 12:26-31

  • The question for each of us is this… Am I ready to stand firm if (and when) political forces come bearing down on me?

“SPIRITUAL ACTIVITY” DOESN’T AUTOMATICALLY MEAN “SPIRITUAL PURITY”

  • Don’t assume that every decision a leader makes is pure… Ex. 32:3-6; Jer. 5:31

  • When it comes to worshiping God, “close enough” being “good enough” can never be accepted… Jn. 4:24

  • "Spiritual compromise is a subtle enemy of faithfulness. It may seem harmless at first, but it can lead to a gradual drift away from God's truth." —Sinclair Furgeson

  • Peter’s return to Jewish law keeping was “spiritual compromise”… Gal. 2:11-14

QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION

  • Why is “spiritual compromise” always the “worst case scenario”?

  • Are you ready to stand strong in the strength of the LORD the next time “spiritual compromise” comes knocking on your door?

Tommy Smith
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