the danger of drifting away
THE DANGER OF DRIFTING AWAY March 10, 2017
12915 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37934 865-671-1885 www.christcov.org
THE DANGER OF DRIFTING AWAY 1 Kings 2 KING DAVID’S LAST WORDS WERE AN ORDER TO SOLOMON. 1 Kings 2:1-4 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. 2 "I am about to go the way of all the earth," he said. "So be strong, show yourself a man, 3 and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, 4 and that the LORD may keep his promise to me: 'If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.' DAVID’S CHARGE TO SOLOMON: BEWARE OF DRIFTING. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO GOD’S WAYS. DAVID KNEW WE ALL HAVE THE NATURAL TENDENCY TO DRIFT. 2 Samuel 11:1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" A REAL MAN OBSERVES, WALKS, AND KEEPS GOD’S WAYS. “So be strong, show yourself a man, 3 and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, SOLOMON STARTED OFF WITH GREAT SUCCESS BECAUSE HE WALKED IN GOD’S WAYS.
1 Kings 4:29 29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 He was wiser than any other man, including Ethan the Ezrahite-- wiser than Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. 33 He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. 34 Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.
UNFORTUNATELY, SOLOMON DRIFTED AWAY AND HIS DESCENDANTS WOULD SUFFER FOR IT 1 Kings 11:1 King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter -Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. 2 They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. 3 He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. 4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 5 He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. 6 So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done.
1 Kings 11:9-13 9 The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. 10 Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD's command. 11 So the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.
DESPITE SOLOMON’S DRIFTING, GOD STILL SHOWS HIS SOVEREIGN GRACE 11 So the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. 12 Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. 13 Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen."
DESPITE OUR DRIFTING, GOD FORGIVES US Psalm 103:11-12 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP POINTS OF THE WEEK 1) Beware of drifting. Pay close attention to God’s ways. 2) Observe His Ways
Walk in His Ways
Keep in His Ways.
3) There are consequences when we drift that not only can impact ourselves but also our descendants. NEXT WEEK’S LESSON GAINING WISDOM FROM ABOVE – 1 KINGS 3
GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Remember the 1 Rule: Don’t dominate the discussion. Be concise and let everyone share. 1) Icebreaker: Go around the table, introduce yourselves if there are new people. Name Where You’re Originally From What You Do (work, in-between jobs, hobbies, retired, etc) Family Life (single, married, kids/no kids, etc) What is the best guy’s movie of all time?
2) If you knew your days were numbered, what would you want people to know? What message would you share with those closest to your?
3) What are some of the circumstances and events in life that cause us to drift from our devotion to God?
4) 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “ So, if you think you are standing firm be careful that you don’t fall.” What does this passage tell you about our natural tendency to drift?
5) What safeguards can you set up to help you stay sexually pure?
6) Why is it important to know your family history (if you’re able) to determine bad patterns/habits that have continued down the line?
7) Seth mentioned three words: observe, walk, and keep. How specifically can you stay focused in God’s ways this weekend and coming week? What tends to distract you?
8) How does knowing God is still sovereign when we drift help you in your spiritual life?
HOMEWORK This is not a requirement or an expectation. This is simply for those who want to do more study on their own. 1) Read 1 Kings 2:1-12. After David gives Solomon a charge to pay attention to
God’s ways, he tells him to take care of some business with 3 separate parties. Read the following accounts from 2 Samuel to gain a better understanding of David’s requests to Solomon:
Kill Joab because he killed two Commanders during peacetime (Read 2 Samuel 3:22-30; 20:4-10).
Take Care of the Sons of Barzillai of Gilead because they took care of David when he was running away from Absalom (2 Samuel 17:27-29; 19:31-40).
Kill Shimei for calling down curses on David (2 Samuel 16:5-8)
2) Read 1 Kings 2:13-46. How does Solomon take care of business and follow David’s requests from verses 5-12?
3) In 1 Kings 2:13-25, Adonijah comes back on the scene. How does he once again try to assume leadership? What can we learn from Solomon about how he nipped this issue in the bud?
4) Read verse 45. Because of Solomon’s disobedience in 1 Kings 11, the throne would later be removed from David’s line for a short time. Read Luke 1:29-33. How is the throne of David reestablished? What does this say about God’s covenant promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:16?
12915 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37934 865-671-1885 www.christcov.org
THE DANGER OF DRIFTING AWAY 1 Kings 2 KING DAVID’S LAST WORDS WERE AN ORDER TO SOLOMON. 1 Kings 2:1-4 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. 2 "I am about to go the way of all the earth," he said. "So be strong, show yourself a man, 3 and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, 4 and that the LORD may keep his promise to me: 'If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.' DAVID’S CHARGE TO SOLOMON: BEWARE OF DRIFTING. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO GOD’S WAYS. DAVID KNEW WE ALL HAVE THE NATURAL TENDENCY TO DRIFT. 2 Samuel 11:1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" A REAL MAN OBSERVES, WALKS, AND KEEPS GOD’S WAYS. “So be strong, show yourself a man, 3 and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, SOLOMON STARTED OFF WITH GREAT SUCCESS BECAUSE HE WALKED IN GOD’S WAYS.
1 Kings 4:29 29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 He was wiser than any other man, including Ethan the Ezrahite-- wiser than Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. 33 He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. 34 Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.
UNFORTUNATELY, SOLOMON DRIFTED AWAY AND HIS DESCENDANTS WOULD SUFFER FOR IT 1 Kings 11:1 King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter -Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. 2 They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. 3 He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. 4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 5 He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. 6 So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done.
1 Kings 11:9-13 9 The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. 10 Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD's command. 11 So the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.
DESPITE SOLOMON’S DRIFTING, GOD STILL SHOWS HIS SOVEREIGN GRACE 11 So the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. 12 Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. 13 Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen."
DESPITE OUR DRIFTING, GOD FORGIVES US Psalm 103:11-12 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP POINTS OF THE WEEK 1) Beware of drifting. Pay close attention to God’s ways. 2) Observe His Ways
Walk in His Ways
Keep in His Ways.
3) There are consequences when we drift that not only can impact ourselves but also our descendants. NEXT WEEK’S LESSON GAINING WISDOM FROM ABOVE – 1 KINGS 3
GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Remember the 1 Rule: Don’t dominate the discussion. Be concise and let everyone share. 1) Icebreaker: Go around the table, introduce yourselves if there are new people. Name Where You’re Originally From What You Do (work, in-between jobs, hobbies, retired, etc) Family Life (single, married, kids/no kids, etc) What is the best guy’s movie of all time?
2) If you knew your days were numbered, what would you want people to know? What message would you share with those closest to your?
3) What are some of the circumstances and events in life that cause us to drift from our devotion to God?
4) 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “ So, if you think you are standing firm be careful that you don’t fall.” What does this passage tell you about our natural tendency to drift?
5) What safeguards can you set up to help you stay sexually pure?
6) Why is it important to know your family history (if you’re able) to determine bad patterns/habits that have continued down the line?
7) Seth mentioned three words: observe, walk, and keep. How specifically can you stay focused in God’s ways this weekend and coming week? What tends to distract you?
8) How does knowing God is still sovereign when we drift help you in your spiritual life?
HOMEWORK This is not a requirement or an expectation. This is simply for those who want to do more study on their own. 1) Read 1 Kings 2:1-12. After David gives Solomon a charge to pay attention to
God’s ways, he tells him to take care of some business with 3 separate parties. Read the following accounts from 2 Samuel to gain a better understanding of David’s requests to Solomon:
Kill Joab because he killed two Commanders during peacetime (Read 2 Samuel 3:22-30; 20:4-10).
Take Care of the Sons of Barzillai of Gilead because they took care of David when he was running away from Absalom (2 Samuel 17:27-29; 19:31-40).
Kill Shimei for calling down curses on David (2 Samuel 16:5-8)
2) Read 1 Kings 2:13-46. How does Solomon take care of business and follow David’s requests from verses 5-12?
3) In 1 Kings 2:13-25, Adonijah comes back on the scene. How does he once again try to assume leadership? What can we learn from Solomon about how he nipped this issue in the bud?
4) Read verse 45. Because of Solomon’s disobedience in 1 Kings 11, the throne would later be removed from David’s line for a short time. Read Luke 1:29-33. How is the throne of David reestablished? What does this say about God’s covenant promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:16?
