Keeping Ourselves unspotted from the world (Lesson 80)
Introduction:
1. In order to practice "pure and undefiled religion before God" we must "keep ourselves unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). 2. God has blessed us by revealing information in His Word to help us accomplish this. 3. We can learn much by examining Bible characters who failed to remain free from the world's spots. 4. In our lesson we are considering 3 mistakes made by Solomon we read about in 1 Kings. 5. Our purpose for examining these mistakes is to help us see why we must: a. obey God's instructions b. beware of evil influence. 6. The first point we need to make is that . . . Discussion: I. GOD GAVE INSTRUCTIONS TO ISRAEL'S KINGS IN DEUTERONOMY 17:14-17
A. (vs.14-15) Moses told the Israelites about a future time when they would be ruled by a king. 1. The Israelites would want a king like the surrounding nations. 2. Only an Israelite would be permitted to serve as king. 3. Furthermore, God would choose the king. B. (vs.16-17) The king who would serve in the future was forbidden to do 3 things. 1. (vs.16) The king was forbidden to multiply horses to himself, especially from Egypt. 2. (vs.17a) The king was forbidden to multiply wives to himself. 3. (vs.17b) The king was forbidden to multiply silver and gold to himself. C. Eventually, the Israelites requested a king (1 Samuel 8:4-5). D. Saul was the first king, David followed Saul, and Solomon followed David. II. SOLOMON DISOBEYED GOD'S INSTRUCTIONS IN DEUTERONOMY 17:14-17
A. Solomon multiplied horses to himself. 1. (1 Kings 4:26) "Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots." a. (1 Kings 10:26) Solomon had many chariots and horsemen. b. With so many, Solomon could place more trust in his army than in God. 2. (1 Kings 10:28a) "Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt." a. Egypt was known for its horses. b. God did not want His people to return to Egypt because He did not want them to be influenced by the Egyptians. B. Solomon multiplied to himself silver and gold. 1. (1 Kings 3:13) God had blessed Solomon with great riches. 2. Solomon accumulated greater riches through heavy taxation (1 Kings 10:14-15, 21, 23). 3. By accumulating riches as he did, Solomon forgot God who had blessed him originally. C. Solomon multiplied wives to himself (1 Kings 11:1-8). D. Solomon paid a high price for disobeying God (1 Kings 11:9-11). III. APPLICATION
A. We learn from Solomon's mistakes that God's will must be obeyed. 1. God had promised to bless Solomon if he would obey His will (1 Kings 3:14). 2. Unfortunately, Solomon disobeyed, and he paid a high price for doing so. B. We also learn from Solomon's mistakes to beware of evil influence (1 Corinthians 15:33). 1. Solomon's involvement with foreign women caused him to turn from God. 2. He went so far as to build places of worship for them. Conclusion:
1. Solomon demonstrated great wisdom when he was a young man. 2. However, he disobeyed God's will and failed to keep himself unspotted from the world. 3. Let us learn from his mistakes and avoid them.
