A Father Writes To His Son

Words Which We Can Live By

by:  Matt Allen

Text:  1 Chron. 28:9

 

FILING INFORMATION;

96051

09/29/96 - Cyclone, KY

 

I.     Introduction.

A.   In our text this morning, we find a father writing to his son giving him some final instructions.  David, the great king of Israel, was in his final months/days of life.  Here, he wants Solomon to know some important facts that would be beneficial to Him when he became King.

B.   Perhaps we all remember one of our parents coming to us before we went out on our own, sitting us down, and making sure we understand that we needed to do what was right.

1.    Before I got married, my dad sat me down - Father-son chat to talk to me.  He tried to give me some final instructions to make sure I knew to do right & some words of encouragement.

C.   Read the text:….

1.    Certainly from reading this text, we can find that these are words of wisdom.  These are words in which are still relevant even to this day.

a.     some will tell you that the Bible is not relevant to today’s world.

b.    The words in it are not suitable for today’s generation. we hear.

c.     There is nothing important enough in the Bible for my consideration someone might believe.

2.    The contents of this verse however prove otherwise.

a.     isn’t it interesting that a father could lay out instructions to his son some 3000 years ago and the very same words could be practical for us today!

b.    words of encouragement that have/will stand the test of time, not only for Solomon’s generation, but words that still bear much consideration for present generations now living upon the face of the earth.

D.   In Our lesson today, we want to examine the words of David to Solomon and make application to our lives.

1.    We want you to see that even if you haven’t been living your life right in the sight of God up to now, that you still have the opportunity to begin anew, or start afresh today by becoming a Christian.

E.    Let us examine these Words to Live By!!!

 

 

II.   Words to Live By.

A.   Know God.

1.    Perhaps there are not many more important things to do for the human being that know who the living God is.

a.     We live in a country that is doing it’s best to take God out of everything it possibly can.

1.    no prayer in schools (graduation, sporting events, etc.)

2.    no reference to God in the pledge of allegiance anymore.

3.    no reference to God in schools as to creation.  Emphasis now on theory.  (Big bang, etc.)

b.    all because we might “offend” someone in our politically correct world.

c.     what is happening is we have a generation growing up that does not know God.  How sad!!!

2.    Knowing God involves respecting God.  Why should ALL humans have a respect for God? 

a.     Gen. 1:1 - in the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth.

b.    man may have a theory that the earth just happened out of nothing.  And that from one tiny cell, everything evolved into how it is as we know it.

1.    Man can have his theory:  but I believe in fact:  What does the Bible say?  In the beginning GOD CREATED the heavens and the earth.

2.    don’t understand how he did it, nor why he created some particular animals e.g., flies & snakes  I have the Bible.  Not some story book, the Bible is FACT.  Why else to I need to know God and who He is?

c.     Gen. 1:26-27 - He created me.  He created you.  He created everything.

1.    man may say we evolved from monkeys (Osgood example - man climbed down from trees and able to stand straight up.)

2.    But the Bible says GOD created us in His own image.

d.    respect for God involves us recognizing that God is Almighty.  We need to understand that God is all-powerful , knows everything, and is everywhere. 

1.    Who is man to question Him?  Who is man to doubt Him?  Who is man to deny His presence?  Who is man to de-emphasize Him?

e.     respect for God involves recognizing that God has the power to send us (that’s you & me & everyone) to heaven OR hell.  Although we will determine our destiny by our actions, God is the one who pronounces that sentence upon us. 

1.    Mt. 10:28 - we need to know God and realize that He is there watching over us, and that we will give an account for our actions done here upon the earth.

2.    proper respect involves fear:  Heb. 10:31.  Compare to fear of Father.

3.  Knowing God involves a relationship.  Original Hebrew word yada means:  to acknowledge; to be aquatinted with; to be aware of; to have respect for  Same word in Gen 4:1 - to know  referring to Adam’s intimate relationship with Eve

a.     to know God suggests having a close & personal relationship with our Creator.

1.    not just some casual recognition of His presence.

2.    we are to love and respect God because He is who He is.

4.  David wanted Solomon to know God and to respect Him.  I afraid that there are many of us that do not have the proper respect for God that they should.

a.     Do you Know God?

b.    Do you respect God?

 

B.   Serve God.

1.    David wants Solomon to have more than a simple knowledge of God’s presence, but to serve Him as well.

a.     The Bible is very plain to show us that simple knowledge of the presence of the Lord isn’t enough.  SERVICE upon our part is necessary in order to be pleasing unto the Lord.  With many people today and the way they live their lives, one would never understand that we have AN OBLIGATION to God to SERVE & OBEY HIM.

b.    many of our denominational friends teach simple belief brings forth salvation.  (This is a simple acknowledgment of the presence of the Lord.)  Again we ask:  What does the Bible say?  Does the Bible teach this?

1.    Mark 16:15-16

2.    Gal. 3:26-27

3.    1 Peter 3:21

4.    compare denominational ideas to theories of evolution.

5.    if treat Bible as factual on evolution, why not factual on baptism?

c.     acknowledgment of God minus repentance isn’t enough to be pleasing to Him.  What does the Bible say?  ACTS 2:38

d.    knowledge of God without works (service) isn’t enough.  James 2:20-26

e.     to serve God means dedicating one’s life to Him.

2.    How should we Serve Him?

a.     with a loyal heart.  (28:9)

1.    What does it mean to be loyal to something?  Websters:  being faithful to a person, idea, or cause.  When we use the term “loyal” in a relationship (i.e. marriage) we mean being faithful to one’s spouse.  Not forsaking the spouse for another one.

a.     David wants Solomon to be loyal to the Lord.  To never turn from Him.  To devote himself to the Lord.

2.    As Christians we are to be loyal to the cause of Christ.  We are to faithfully serve Jesus Christ in the war against sin and the devil.  Many however become unloyal as the years go by:

a.     become loyal to the god of riches, greed, fame, fortune, the things of the present world.

b.    become loyal to family, traditions, etc.

c.     what does the bible say?   Mt. 6:24; Luke 9:62

b.  with a willing mind.  (28:9)

1.    Involves an attitude.  Involves one’s want-to.

a.     the proper attitude -Mt. 22:37-38

2.    involves EVERYTHING ABOUT US!!!

3.    not half-heartedly. (lackadaisically) (w/o diligence) (sluggishly)

a.     good example found in Rev. 3:14-15

b.    be zealous & repent - 3:19

3.    Why should we seek the Lord with loyal heart & willing mind?  The Lord searches all hearts & understands ALL the intent of the thoughts.  (28:9)

a.     do we realize this?  Do we realize this when we sing the song, “There’s An All Seeing Eye Watching You?”

b.    although we can hide things from men, although we can make good appearances in front of friends and make them think good of us when we’re really not, YOU CANNOT HIDE FROM GOD!

c.     What does the Bible say?   Heb. 4:13

d.    There is no escape from the Creator of us all!!!  We need to realize that.  THAT’S WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE LIVING RIGHT!!!!  This is serious!

4.    We must never forget David’s words to Solomon here:  Know God;  Serve God!

a.     Are you serving Him?

b.    How are you serving Him?

 

C.   Seek God.

1.    David not only intends for Solomon to know God & to Serve Him but to Seek Him.

a.     what does it mean to seek after something?  To make search for; to try to reach or obtain Webster’s says.

b.    in our lives we are all trying to seek after something.  It is impossible to live as a human and not seek for various things.

2.    The words of Jesus are true in Mt. 7:7-8.

a.     if we seek after something long enough we will find it!  This is true of many of the things here upon the earth!

1.    Friend with baseball card.  Looking for that special one of Orel Herschiser.

2.    attends card shows; looks in magazines; consults friends with baseball collections

3.    seeks long enough?  He’ll find that card he’s looking for.

b.    want to be rich?  Seek long enough - you’ll find it!

c.     want to move up in a company?  Seek hard enough - you’ll get there!

3.    Humans can seek after many things!  But they need to seek after God!  This is what David wanted Solomon to do & this is what Jesus Christ wants us to do!

a.     Mt. 6:33 - seek first His kingdom!

b.    text here dealing with worry!  Too many deal with worry on earthly things.

1.    Text says:  Seek God & WHAT?  These things shall be added unto you!

4.  We should seek God & Seek to know what the Bible says!

a.     it is in this way that we will grow to a better understanding of His Word!

b.    know many who seek human wisdom!  Spend thousands of $.  Wish many of us spent the same amount of dedication seeking knowledge of the Word of God as they do with their college studies!!!!

c.     seek knowledge of Him & you will be blessed because if it!

 

 

D.   Never Forsake God!

1.    What do you think of when you think about forsaking something or being forsaken?

a.     dog @ Grigsby Ford.  Tired, Dirty, Hungry, mangy, ole mut.  Comes up to you, wants affection, wants love, wants you to feed him, wants you to take him home.

b.    someone has forsaken that animal.  They have turned their back on it.  The have forgotten about it

1.  your feelings toward the person who dumped the dog:  anger; upset; how could they do that?

2.    Think about forsaking God!

a.     different from forsaking an animal.  God is not some dog that is of no long-term value to us.  Yet many treat God as if he were some dog who they wanted to dump off.

b.    when you forsake God you are turning your back on; you are putting out of your memory YOUR CREATOR!  You are discounting the presence of the ALL MIGHTY BEING whom YOU will stand before in judgment.

c.     when we forsake God we turn our back on someone who gave His only begotten Son for us on the cross of Calvary!  John 3:16

1.    We ignore the fact about how God loved us enough to create a scheme of redemption for our sins.

a.     He didn’t have to do that!

b.    could have given up on man!

c.     but He loved us enough to give man the chance to go to heaven - if we want to bad enough!

d.    think again back to the owner of that dog who has forsaken it.  Think of your feelings toward that owner:  anger; upset; unbelief of how he could do that!

e.     it makes me angry, upset and I can’t believe why any rational human being would KNOWINGLY turn His back on God who loves us so much and cares for us!

f.     Are you forsaking God?

3.    Do we realize that when we forsake God we:

a.     refuse to know God or have the proper respect for Him?

b.    refuse to serve Him?  Because we more concerned about serving ourselves & our wants….

c.     refuse to seek after Him?  Because we want to seek after temporal things!  WHEN WE DO THESE THINGS, 1 CHRON. 28:9 SAYS HE WILL CAST US OFF FOREVER!

d.    are in danger of hell fire?  2 Thess 1:7-9  in danger of going to a place of outer darkness where there will be weeping  and gnashing of teeth?  Mt. 25:30

e.     this is serious!  I hope we realize this.

 

III. Conclusion.

A.   Are you forsaking God? 

1.    Do you Know God?  Do you respect His presence?  Do you have a relationship with Him?

2.    Are you serving God?  Knowledge/respect of Him  minus service profits one nothing.

3.    Are you seeking after Him?  Is it your desire to live righteously?

4.    if you are not doing these things, then you are forsaking Him!

5.    The words of Jesus sum it up in John 12:46;48

B.   Don’t reject Him anylonger.  Become a child of God today! 

C.   If your already a Christian and not serving Him or seeking after Him, then why not seek the forgiveness that is found in Christ Jesus?

D.   Don’t forsake another opportunity by passing up this invitation to come to Jesus Christ.  If you don’t come to Him, you are forsaking Him.

E.    If you’re subject, please come while we stand and sing.!