What's The Difference?

Written by Ed Allen
Sunday, 15 July 2007 13:07

What's The Difference

Sermon Notes

Today's lesson covers the short list of kings between Jeroboam and Ahab. Today we will look at what true spirituality really is.

Look at 1 Kings chapters 14 ? 17. One of the critical underlying themes that God is intent on pressing into our hearts is:

Not all spiritualities are created equal.

This theme runs throughout the book of 1 and 2 Kings, but especially in this section because several Kings are covered in a short space.

There is a long list of spiritual solutions out there that come in all shapes and sizes. It is not surprising that we all look for God. The Bible says, ?He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.? (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

But we do not all find God. ?There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.? (Proverbs 14:12)

Our search for true spirituality finds its center of gravity in Solomon?s advice in Proverbs: ?Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.? (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Here?s a summary of true spirituality:

What is the key?

The lesson of Jeroboam: Being connected to God means living a life of radical trust in God and obedience to what He has told us.

What does this obedience look like?

Look at Micah 6:6-8

How do we do this? What is the way? What is the path toward this?

Look at John 14:1-7. Relationship with Jesus is the way! Relationship with Jesus is true spirituality.

Remember: Not all spiritualities are created equal.

Now look at the list of Kings. (See the chart below) These kings are assessed based on how clearly they followed the path which God had revealed to them. The message is consistent and clear. God has shown Himself and revealed what He requires. Follow that revelation and your path is straight and the nation is blessed. Do not follow that path and the long-term consequences are grave and undesirable.

Do you get it? God has shown Himself! God has shown Himself in creation ? its beauty, its order, its diversity, its power. God has shown Himself through miraculous interactions with human beings in history. He has shown Himself by gathering up a people to Himself and guiding them. He has shown Himself in the Law which He gave to these people. He has shown Himself through the spoken words of the prophets. And finally He has shown Himself in Jesus ? the God-man walking, and breathing and living inside history.

Not all spiritualities are created equal. True spirituality is that act of worship which recognizes God as He has shown Himself to be!