A Tale of Two Cities: Part 2

Originally preached by Pastor Brian Robinson on March 18, 2012

1 Kings 14:21-31

The house of Reheboam was being strengthened. Meanwhile, Jereboam was building shrines in Dan and Bethel.
He was being pragmatic.
Jereboam couldn’t wait on God anymore.
Trust God and obey God.
Satan whispers that there’s an easier way.
Pilots must trust their instruments over their senses.
Vs. 21, 31 Reheboam’s mother is named. She is mentioned at the beginning and end of his reign. It also mentions she was an Ammonite. This is an inclusion, similar to brackets. Mentioned because she had an influence on Reheboam. Solomon married many foreign wives who introduced idolatry into Israel.
Deut. 23:3 No Ammonite or Moabite may worship in the temple.
Satan is powerful and crafty. You are no match for him, unless you have the Strong Man on your side.
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. How can two walk together unless they be agreed?
God is jealous for His name and reputation. He is jealous when our affections are given to lesser things.
2 Chron. 12:9-11 God used an even more wicked king to judge Reheboam.
Shishak, King of Egypt undid everything Reheboam tried to build. He carried off all the treasures of the palace and temple.
Reheboam was now impoverished. Solomon’s kingdom was diminished both in quantity (number of tribes) and quality (treasures).
The gold shields were replaced by bronze. The continued the same ceremonies as before, bringing them in and out.
Do some ministries go through the motions even when there is nothing valuable left, only appearances?
Do we repent when we are judged? Do we agree that God’s judgments are righteous and holy?
Isa. 1:5 The law beats us but cannot save us. That’s why God sent His Son.