1Kings 2:10-12
Crossroad Guidelines
Today we recognize a completion on the behalf the DeFreese family.
Mary is graduating from high school and we want to honor and
recognize that. Not only is Mary stepping into a new phase of her
life, but Sharon is too. Sharon has been homeschooling children for a
long time.
What makes graduation important? Graduations are important because
they are recognized crossroads, a place where major decisions are to
be made.
We are reading of a major crossroad here in the Scripture. David, who
had reigned for 40 years, died. Solomon, the new king, was stepping
up to the throne. One stage is finished. A new stage begins. This
crossroad not only had ramifications for Solomon but for all Israel.
To help us in these times, we need some guidelines, some rules. We
need to make some decisions about how we are going to live and what
we are going to do so that no matter what intersection we come to, we
will make the right decisions.
What kind would be your rules? Let me share some that you should
consider.
I. Ownership - I will live remembering that all is the Lord’s.
Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD’S, and the
fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell
therein.
A. That is a tough reality for humans.
1. We are used to seeing things though our eyes.
2. From our eyes, we own something and we are working to own
others.
3. However, the Bible makes it clear. Absolutely everything
belongs to the Lord.
B. This counsel must be realized first with people then with
things.
1. First with people:
a. Every person I come into contact with is the Lord’s.
(1) It will make me more helpful.
(2) It will make me more respectful.
(3) It will make me kore thoughtful.
Heb 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain
strangers: for thereby some have entertained
angels unawares.
b. I am the Lord’s.
(1) This will help me to stay humble.
(2) This will help me to stay faithful.
1Cor 6:19 … ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore
glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which are God’s.
2. Second with things:
a. My possessions, my job, my money, my life—They all
belong to the Lord.
b. Everything I have is lent me by God.
c. This will help keep me from hording.
(1) It is not this world’s stuff nor my stuff. It is
God’s stuff I am hording.
(2) Do I really want to be holding onto it when God
comes to find it?
c. It should help to be generous.
C. This is actually a cornerstone Bible truths. When we believed
and lives by it as a nation, we were much better off.
1. Today, no one believes anything is the Lord’s and look how
they treat one another and the things of the world.
2. Things have become far more precious than people.
3. Self has become the most important of all.
II. Relationships - I live seeking to unite with the righteous.
2Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together
with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what
communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial?
or what part hath he that believeth with an
infidel?
A. There are many counsels of the Scripture which are despised.
1. This is one of them.
2. People do not like to be told what to do and what not to
do.
3. God does both.
B. This is counsel for our professional and personal practice.
That means it should be obeyed in our:
1. Friend relationships
2. Marriage relationships
3. Business relationships
C. Why is it important to obey this precept?
1. Because like hearts can travel easier together. Unlike
hearts cannot.
a. I do not mean that they cannot travel together at all.
I mean that they cannot easily travel together.
Am 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
b. Unlike hearts will always either be fighting for
supremacy or sacrificing important values.
2. Because righteous hearts can be blessed by God.
3. Because unrighteous hearts will be judged by God.
III. Counsel - I live following God’s counsels.
Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man
cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according
to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let
me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I
might not sin against thee.
A. Psalm 119 is one of the wisest chapters in all the Bible.
1. It is the longest chapter and it speaks more of the Word
of God and it’s importance than any other chapter.
2. This chapter teaches us that the Word of God is the only
thing certain in an uncertain world.
3. The Bible is the only Book that comes from the lips of God
and contains the blessings of God.
B. If you reject the Bible, the only other source for council is
man’s wisdom.
1. How is that working out for this world?
2. We have been following man’s counsel instead of God for
child rearing. Are children happier and better behaved
doing so?
3. We have been following man’s counsel on sex. Has that made
the home more stable or less stable?
4. We have been following man’s counsel on wealth and riches.
Has that made us happier or sadder?
C. The text we are reading describes Solomon’s ascension to the
throne.
1. Solomon came to the throne seeking God was blessed with
years of peace and prosperity.
2. \\#1Kings 11:43-12:15\\ Describes the ascension of
Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, to the throne.
1Kings 11:43 And Solomon slept with his fathers,
and was buried in the city of David his father:
and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
1Kings 12:8 But he forsook the counsel of the
old men, which they had given him, and consulted
with the young men that were grown up with him,
and which stood before him:
1Kings 12:13 And the king answered the people
roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that
they gave him;
14 And spake to them after the counsel of the
young men….
3. Rehoboam followed man’s advice and within months lost 3/4’s
of his kingdom.
D. We can say that no one knows the future, but that is not so.
1. God does.
2. And God has made a promise.
a. His Word will stand.
b. You can follow it every time!
IV. Purpose - I will live devoting myself to the Lord first and
foremost.
Mt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness; and all these things shall
be added unto you.
A. The Bible never calls money or riches evil.
1. It does call them dangerous.
2. Most people want what this world has—including me.
B. Live your life as a test.
1. Make up your mind to seek God first in everything and see
what God will do for you.
2. I cannot say that I intended it to be so but looking back,
I can say that my life has been a test to see what God
will do.
3. What are the results thus far?
a. I have not had everything I wanted, but I have had
everything I needed.
b. I have had far more than I expected or deserved.
c. I have been very, very happy.
4. Today, I would not trade what God gave me for all that
I could gather in this world.
5. I am curious to see what else God’s got.
V. Lifestyle - I will strive for the good.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are
true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever
things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things
are of good report; if there be any virtue, and
if there be any praise, think on these things.
A. I will seek the things that are true.
B. I will seek the things that are honorable.
C. I will seek the things that are right.
D. I will seek the things that are clean.
E. I will seek the things that are acceptable.
E. I will seek the things that have been tired and proven.
F. I will seek the things that are best in moral value.
G. I will seek the things that have recommended.
This guidelines may not suit you. You might want some that are
higher, but I pray that you will seek anything less.
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