Sermon Tone Analysis

Songs of Worship

1. Hossanna - Paul Baloche

2. What A Day That Will Be - Bart Millard

3. Majesty - GVB.

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross- By: Isaac Watts.Hosanna - Selah.

Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus - Bart Millard

1. Hossanna - Paul Baloche

2. What A Day That Will Be - Bart Millard

3. Majesty - GVB

Prelude .

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross- By: Isaac Watts

Communion .Hosanna - Selah

Benediction .

Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus - Bart Millard

Call To Worship Scripture

Sermon Scripture

A Wise & Joyful Life Lesson & A Better King

Faith for Despair

When reading the account of Solomon one begins with great hope.

The son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon rises to his fathers position and begins his rule heading the counsel of his father David:

1 Kings 2:1

1 Kings 3:3

As for the early years of King Solomon we know that he,

loved the Lord

Walked in the statutes of David his father

Asked from God not things for self, but understanding to discern what is right

Each of these three things pleased God, including his seeking of wisdom or discernment of what was right:

1 Kings 3:10

I would have you note than it was none of the previous three things that lead to Solomons downfall, though they each make the downfall all the more tragic.

It is right to love God, it was right for Solomon to head the counsel of his father and to ask for understanding and discernment was noble and pleased God.

I have heard it said, be cautious asking for understanding, look at what happened to Solomon.

Friends, it was not godly understanding that was Solomons downfall.

It was not wisdom to discern right from wrong, but rather the will to act upon it.

Godliness is the ability to know what is right and discern it from what is wrong.

It is a careful observance of the laws of God.

This is what Solomon asked for and it was right.

But we are told from scripture that godliness is a means of great gain only when it is married with contentment.

As a matter of fact when godliness or the observance of the laws of God is purpose for earthly gain, that is when the mind displays it’s depravity and that is what happened with Solomon.

The wisdom of God married with contentment in God is a great river of peace within ones self.

However the wisdom of God married with discontentment in God is where despair takes over and haunts ones soul.

I spend time here because, I want you to seek out godliness.

I want you to be discerning, and to pray for God to grant you His wisdom.

I want you to see and know that as the blessing that it is.

But I also want you to be aware that to obtain such wisdom and then seek another is the pathway to despair and depression.

Today however I want to focus on Solomons triumph, and the positive of his rule.

Solomon, Israels third reigning King, was a King who new great success.

The insight to his success is perhaps most clearly seen in his completion of the temples and his prayer to God.

I highlight this so that you may see, that the most joyful state of Solomons life, the man of who there has never been another wiser, was before the throne of God in humble adoration.

It is here that Solomon prays a legnthy prayer, not of repetition but of depth in gratitude and regard for God.

Praise

Solomon begins as each prayer ought to begin, by giving glory to God.

In this he addresses God as,

Lord (of Israel)

A God in covenant (with them)

The best of beings (“There is no God like thee”)

Recalls the faithfulness of God

It is a powerful, humble and joyous prayer and petition.

Listen:

1 Kings 8:26-

Grace & Favour

And what is the grace and favor that Solomon ask?

It is that the word’s that God had spoken would be confirmed.

To be before God, to truly be before him, is not to be so wrapped up in ourselves that we cannot hear the words that He has spoken, but is rather to be so wrapped up in the goodness of who He is that we long for nothing but the completion of what He has spoken.

In seeking such favor as the fufilled word of God, Solomon also petitions the forgiving nature of God, that his ear would not be turned away, but ready to hear and recieve the repentance of His people.

From this point

Application (Benediction)

After petitoning God on behalf of the people and their sin, Solomon concludes with a benediction:

1 Kings 8:54-

This is of the most joyful moments that we see with King Solomon and it is in the very next chapter that we read God’s response to his prayer.

1 Kings 9:3-

Summary:

Love God

Walk in the Statutes of God

Seek God for discernment for right and wrong

Serve God as Lord

Remember your covenant relationship with God

Remember that their is no one & no thing greater than God

Remember the faithfulness of God

Petition God for His Word to be accomplished & His will to be done

Repent of your transgressions

Know joy, meaning, & purpose in life

This is what we learn from an obedient Solomon.

This is what we learn from the wisest man (non-diety) to ever walk the face of the earth.

A Wise King, A Reputation & A Queen

Solomon in this was a good King, he was a successful King.

The wisdom and success of Solomon was all founded in God.

When you think of Solomon you have to think, highly successful king.

Solomons reputation grew so great that even other royalty would come to test him and witness his wisdom.

In first Kings 10:1 we see this:

Now the queen came to impress.

She came with a rather large entourage as well as gifts.

When she arrives she approaches Solomon and tells him all that is on her mind.

The result:

1 Kings 10:3-

This is the success of Solomon in the Lord, though in a chapter he will turn away from the Lord.

The point is, when one discusses a great earthly King, Solomon at the very least is in the running.

However I would invite you now to fast forward.

Fast forward to the time of Christ.

The Davidic covenant yet to be fulfilled.

Yet the line of David has miracuously given birth to a man named Jesus born of the Holy Spirit.