Ancient Admonitions Applicable Today
INTRODUCTION.
A. Many people do not like to study the Bible period, much less the Old Testament. For example, they say . . .
1. It is too dry and boring.
2. There is too much blood and gore.
3. Those people lived so long ago that it really does not address the circumstances and problems of life in the 21st century.
B. Such statements are simply excuses.
1. Worldly wisdom tells us: "A page of history is worth a pound of logic." (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., U.S. Supreme Court Justice, 1902-1932) As someone has said, “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
2. Divine wisdom tells us:
a. Romans 15:4 - For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (NKJV)
b. 1 Corinthians 10:11 - Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (NKJV)
C. With this lesson, I want look at some 3,000 year old admonitions that remain valuable even today.
1. These admonitions were given by David, shortly before his death, to his son Solomon.
2. Consider 1 Chronicles 28:9 - As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. (NKJV)
I. KNOW GOD.
A. David told Solomon “know the God of your father.” “Know” means:
1. To have an understanding of. For example, I know (understand) that fire is hot.
2. But the Greeks had more than one word for know. For example, another word for "know" (epiginosko) “implies a special participation in the object known” (Vine: 2 Peter 1:3, 8). For example, I know (have an understanding of) that fire is hot, but a person that has suffered third degree burns knows (understands through intimate participation) that fire is hot.
B. To really “know” God requires both! (2 Peter 1:3, 8)
C. But, many are like the Gentiles described by Paul in Romans 1:
1. God has clearly made Himself known, but they refused to truly know Him (vs. 19-21).
2. Because of their sinfulness “they did not like to retain God in their knowledge.” (v. 28)
3. Today, most men and women are just like these Gentiles:
a. God still clearly makes Himself known.
(1) Psalms 19:1 - The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. (NKJV)
(2) Psalms 139:14 - I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. (NKJV)
b. But they do not really know God because they are bent on serving their own selfish desires.
D. How do we know if we really “know” God?
1. We must believe two things about God. (Hebrews 11:6)
2. We must keep His commandments. (1 John 2:3-5)
E. Are you living a lie? (1 John 2:4; Titus 1:16)
F. It is possible to live this lie whether you are a Christian or not. In either case you will suffer dire consequences! (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)
II. SERVE GOD.
A. When we consider the importance of knowing God it should not come as a surprise that David then told his son to “serve Him.”
B. To serve God means to give Him our respect and obedience; something God has always required of His followers. (Proverbs 9:10; 1:7)
C. David also told Solomon “how” to serve God:
1. “with a loyal heart” - Our service to God is not something we can only perform when the mood strikes us! (Matthew 6:24;James 4:4)
2. “with a willing mind” - Many look upon service to God as a great drudgery! (Malachi 1:13; Psa. 19:9-10; 1 John 5:3)
D. How is your service?
1. Test yourself. (2 Corinthians 13:5)
2. Do you love the Lord above all else? (Mark 12:30)
3. Are you serving God with reverence and godly fear? (Hebrew 12:28-29)
III. REMEMBER THE LORD SEARCHES YOUR HEART.
A. The reason we should know God and serve God are seen David’s next admonition: “for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts.”
B. The looks at the heart of man. (1 Samuel 16:7)
C. Truly we are what we think! (Matthew 15:19-20; Proverbs 4:23)
D. Is it not an awesome thing to ponder how God knows every thought and intent of our heart and will judge us for them!
1. Psalms 139:1-6
2. Hebrews 4:12-13
E. Are you ready for all your secrets to be made known? (1 Corinthians 4:5)
IV. SEEK THE LORD.
A. Since God knows our heart, David told Solomon his only logical and appropriate response is to “seek Him.”
B. Very importantly, David told Solomon that “if” he will seek the Lord, “He will be found by you.” The same is true today! (Acts 15:16-17)
C. God is not far from any man and can be found if we search (Acts 17:27; Romans 1:20). But we must search for Him:
1. With all our heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
2. With “an honest and good heart.” (Luke 8:15; Acts 17:11-12a)
3. First and foremost. (Matthew 6:33; 5:6)
D. Eternal life does not come to one by accident! It requires a diligent search! (Hebrews 11:6)
E. What are you searching for in your life? (Romans 2:7-9)
V. IF YOU FORSAKE THE LORD HE WILL CAST YOU OFF FOREVER.
A. Lastly, David warned Solomon of the seriousness of seeking the Lord: “If you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.”
B. Can you imagine the utter terror if you hear these words from Jesus on the day of judgment?
1. “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:23)
2. “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41)
C. “Forsake” suggests to give up, renounce, or leave; something that many, unfortunately, do!
1. Many go back to living a worldly lifestyle. (James 4:4; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Romans 8:6-8).
2. Led astray by false teaching. (Galatians 1:6; 3:1; 2 Timothy 4:1-4)
3. Grow lukewarm in their service. (Revelations 3:16; Romans 12:11)
D. If we do God’s will, then He will never forsake us! (Hebrews 13:5; Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:10)
E. Therefore, we must be firm in our determination to remain faithful! (Hebrews 3:6; 10:35-39)
F. If we forsake the Lord, then He will turn aside by casting us off forever! Seriously ponder the though of being cast off forever! (Revelation 14:11; Matthew 22:13; Revelation 20:15)
CONCLUSION.
A. Do you think David offered his son good advice?
B. Is “a page of history worth a pound of logic?”
1. Do you know God?
2. Have you considered that God knows your heart?
3. Do you serve God?
4. Do you then seek the Lord?
C. If you answered no to any of those questions, the Lord will cast you off forever! (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)
D. If you are not a Christian, then it is imperative that you become one today:
1. Hear the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
2. Believe in Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 11:6)
3. Repent of your sins. (Acts 17:30)
4. Confess your belief in Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:9-10)
5. Be baptized into Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:27)
6. Remain faithful till death. (Revelation 2:10)
E. If you are a Christian and you have wandered from the fold of safety, then you also need to change! (Acts 8:22)
F. Be saved by obeying right now! 2 Corinthians 6:2 reads, “For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (NKJV)
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Ancient Admonitions Applicable Today -- June 12, 2005 -- File # 1035 - Christian living
adapted from a sermon by Craig V. Thomas -- Lawton, OK