1 Kings 14:21-28 2 Chronicles 12:1-16 Solomon was third & last king in the united kingdom During his reign – kingdom prospered Made 500 shields of gold (1 Kings 10:16-17) Under Rehoboam things turned south 9 ½ tribes revolted – kingdom split Rehoboam and Judah forsook the law of God (2 Chron 12:1) He and the nation turned to idolatry ( 1 Kings 14:22-24) Shishak (king of Egypt) invaded the land Irony: When delivered Israel from Egypt – they left taking the treasures of Egypt – Now Egypt takes from them. Shishak took the golden shields (1 Kings 14:26; 2 Chron. 12:9) These verses about the downfall of king Rehoboam

1 Kings 14:21-28 2 Chronicles 12:1-16 Rehoboam replaced the shields with bronze shields 1 Kings 14:27; 2 Chron. 12:10 Did so to save face – cover his embarrassment He traded the genuine for lesser quality The gold was stolen – so he replaces it with second rate bronze! The gold shields were worth millions – the bronze worth thousands

Perhaps We Have Made Our Own Bronze Shields Through Rehoboam’s weakness Shishak stole the golden shields Though our weakness “Shishak” steals our golden faith and service Gold was representative of a time when God’s glory was upon the nation of Israel – Now the glory is gone! Rehoboam traded the gold for inferior bronze! God’s service deserves the best – but often we substitute second rate bronze!

Stolen Gold & Second Rate Bronze 1 Kings 14:21-28 2 Chronicles 12:1-16

Stolen Gold & Second Rate Bronze Trade the Wisdom of God for the Wisdom of Men

Trade the Wisdom of God for the Wisdom of Men Gold: wisdom of God found in His word Wisdom that descends from above (Jas. 3:13-18) Mind of God has been revealed (1 Cor. 2:9-13) God’s wisdom far exceeds man’s (1 Cor. 1:25)

Trade the Wisdom of God for the Wisdom of Men Gold: wisdom of God found in His word 2nd Rate Bronze: wisdom of man Follow our own opinion over the law of God Depend on the advice of modern advisors over the word of God When we turn to counsel of man before consulting the word Turn to man’s wisdom for how to make a marriage work (cf. Eph. 5) Turn to man’s wisdom on how to discipline kids (Prov. 22:6) Turn to man’s judgment on how to reach the erring (cf. 1 Cor. 5:1-13)

Stolen Gold & Second Rate Bronze Trade the Wisdom of God for the Wisdom of Men Trade Sincere Service for Hypocrisy

Trade Sincere Service for Hypocrisy Gold: Sincere service from the heart Only sincere service –ready for day of Christ (Phil. 1:10) Do will of God from the heart (Eph. 6:6) Love is to be genuine and true (Rom. 12:9)

Trade Sincere Service for Hypocrisy Gold: Sincere service from the heart 2nd Rate Bronze: Hypocrisy Put on a front of being righteous (Matt. 23:28) When we are more concerned about look to man than before God… To save face – we pretend to be what we are not When see the faults of others – yet we do the same ourselves (Matt. 7:1-5) When having trouble with giving our word (cf. Jas. 5:12) Jas. 5:12 – “judgment” same word as hypocrisy

Stolen Gold & Second Rate Bronze Trade the Wisdom of God for the Wisdom of Men Trade Sincere Service for Hypocrisy Trade Growing in Knowledge for Mere Reading

Trade Growing in Knowledge for Mere Reading Gold: Grow in knowledge Should be filled with knowledge of his will (Col. 1:9) Grow in knowledge (2 Pet. 3:18) Constantly adding to our knowledge (1 Pet. 1:5-10) Involves: Reading and rereading and rereading Comparing to other texts Checking other translations Learning the meaning of words Striving to learn how a text fits into the context Trying to harmonize with other text

Trade Growing in Knowledge for Mere Reading Gold: Grow in knowledge 2nd Rate Bronze: Mere reading Merely read a text with little analysis Don’t try to learn the meaning of difficult verses Just “study” (read) what have to – to get ready for class Little thought given to application

Stolen Gold & Second Rate Bronze Trade the Wisdom of God for the Wisdom of Men Trade Sincere Service for Hypocrisy Trade Growing in Knowledge for Mere Reading Trade Action for Lip Service

Trade Action for Lip Service Gold: Action – Doing Doers of the word – not hearers only (Jas. 1:22; Rom. 2:13) Why call Jesus Lord if don’t do what says (Luke 6:46) Faith must be active (Jas. 2:26)

Trade Action for Lip Service Gold: Action – Doing 2nd Rate Bronze: Lip service Talk a good game – but without action (Jas. 2:14-17; Matt. 23:29-31) When say we love and care about others – do little to show When we talk about love for God – show little devotion When we talk about obedience – but are not faithful When claim doesn’t match our actions (Matt. 15:8) “These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. “

Stolen Gold & Second Rate Bronze Trade the Wisdom of God for the Wisdom of Men Trade Sincere Service for Hypocrisy Trade Growing in Knowledge for Mere Reading Trade Action for Lip Service Trade Faithfulness for Going to Church

Trade Faithfulness for Going to Church Gold: Faithful service to Lord God is the priority (1 Pet. 3:15) Give self to the Lord (Rom.12:1) Faithful to the point of death (Rev. 2:10) Give it our all (Heb. 10:23)

Trade Faithfulness for Going to Church Gold: Faithful service to Lord 2nd Rate Bronze: Merely going to church Think that if we go to services most (or some) of time – substitute for real dedication “Going to church” is my service – my big sacrifice Our “excuses” for not doing more – are our 2nd rate bronze!

Stolen Gold & Second Rate Bronze Trade the Wisdom of God for the Wisdom of Men Trade Sincere Service for Hypocrisy Trade Growing in Knowledge for Mere Reading Trade Action for Lip Service Trade Faithfulness for Going to Church Trade Godly Living for Fitting In

Trade Godly Living for Fitting In Gold: Godly living Grace of God teaches us to live godly (Titus 2:11-12) Involves: denying ungodliness and worldly lust (Titus 2:12) Separate / different from the world (2 Cor. 6:14 – 7:1) Means: Don’t talk like the world talks Don’t dress like the world dresses Don’t watch what the world watches Don’t go where the world goes Don’t drink what the world drinks Don’t do what the world does

Trade Godly Living for Fitting In Gold: Godly living 2nd Rate Bronze: compromise to fit in World pressures us to fit in – be like it (Prov. 1:10-ff; Rom. 12:1) They think it is strange how Christian lives (1 Pet. 4:4) When we don’t want to seem odd – different – so we go along When we try to be like those around us When the pressure of the world is greater than our godly living

Stolen Gold & Second Rate Bronze Trade the Wisdom of God for the Wisdom of Men Trade Sincere Service for Hypocrisy Trade Growing in Knowledge for Mere Reading Trade Action for Lip Service Trade Faithfulness for Going to Church Trade Godly Living for Fitting In Trade a Great Marriage for Staying Together

Trade a Great Marriage for Staying Together Gold: Great marriage Genuine love and care for each other (Eph. 5:28, 33) Both have a fear of God (Psa. 34) Seek to meet each others needs (Mark 8:34) Spend time with each other (1 Pet. 3:7) Bond & blend their lives together (Matt. 19:6)

Trade a Great Marriage for Staying Together Gold: Great marriage 2nd Rate Bronze: Merely staying together Settle for merely staying together – not separating Conclude that as long as we live together – done good! May not communicate well May not respect the conjugal rites May not be close at all

Stolen Gold & Second Rate Bronze Trade the Wisdom of God for the Wisdom of Men Trade Sincere Service for Hypocrisy Trade Growing in Knowledge for Mere Reading Trade Action for Lip Service Trade Faithfulness for Going to Church Trade Godly Living for Fitting In Trade a Great Marriage for Staying Together Trade Mom at Home for Day Care

Trade Mom at Home for Day Care Gold: Mom at home with kids Wife / mom has responsibilities in home (1 Tim. 5:13; Titus 2:5) Teaching / training of children (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4) Time mom spends at home with children – she will never regret! Doesn’t mean can do work outside home – but that must not interfere with her role

Trade Mom at Home for Day Care Gold: Mom at home with kids 2nd Rate Bronze: Day care as a substitute Turn that work over to someone else When others are doing mom’s work – settling for the inferior When she is absent, “there is a silent evil reigning, which can be removed only by her return” (Barnes) Not saying all day care is wrong – or never use day care.

Stolen Gold & Second Rate Bronze Trade the Wisdom of God for the Wisdom of Men Trade Sincere Service for Hypocrisy Trade Growing in Knowledge for Mere Reading Trade Action for Lip Service Trade Faithfulness for Going to Church Trade Godly Living for Fitting In Trade a Great Marriage for Staying Together Trade Mom at Home for Day Care Trade Time with Children for Money and Gifts

Trade Time with Children for Money and Gifts Gold: Spending time with children Can’t fulfill some responsibilities without time Takes time to be an example Take time to teach (Eph. 6:4) Takes time to help with problems Takes time to build a relationship Part of redeeming the time (Eph. 5:15-16) You will never regret the time spend with children Have some true “family time” Play with Them Read to Them Take them with you Do things They ask Build memories Do things together Have time for them

Trade Time with Children for Money and Gifts Gold: Spending time with children 2nd Rate Bronze: Substitute money and gifts Too busy to To eat together To talk about each other’s day To go somewhere as a family To help a teenager through some problem Think “quality time” (though very little) is better Feeling guilty, we shower them with money and gifts to replace the time

Stolen Gold & Second Rate Bronze Trade the Wisdom of God for the Wisdom of Men Trade Sincere Service for Hypocrisy Trade Growing in Knowledge for Mere Reading Trade Action for Lip Service Trade Faithfulness for Going to Church Trade Godly Living for Fitting In Trade a Great Marriage for Staying Together Trade Mom at Home for Day Care Trade Time with Children for Money and Gifts Trade Discipline with Love for Yelling & Threats

Trade Discipline with Love for Yelling & Threats Gold: Discipline with love Children must be disciplined – corrected (Prov. 22:15) Must be balanced with love (Prov. 13:24) Sternness must be balanced with tenderness

Trade Discipline with Love for Yelling & Threats Gold: Discipline with love 2nd Rate Bronze: Yell, holler or threaten In the absence of correction driven by love – resort to yelling or hollering at the child Think they have properly disciplined the child Threaten to spank or enforce some rule – but don’t follow through

Stolen Gold & Second Rate Bronze Trade the Wisdom of God for the Wisdom of Men Trade Sincere Service for Hypocrisy Trade Growing in Knowledge for Mere Reading Trade Action for Lip Service Trade Faithfulness for Going to Church Trade Godly Living for Fitting In Trade a Great Marriage for Staying Together Trade Mom at Home for Day Care Trade Time with Children for Money and Gifts Trade Discipline with Love for Yelling & Threats