Weighing Solomon

August 16, 2009
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Weighing Solomon
1 Kings 3:3-14

Be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people,
able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?
1 Kings 3:9



My sermon outline:

• The NFL preseason opened this week. Kickoff in 4 wks. Preseason news of note is the Eagles signing ex-con Michael Vick, much to the chagrin of Eagles' fans.
Will the haters change their tune if Vick gets victories?
Time will tell.

Let's make pro and con lists of some folks, weigh their deeds.

Weighing Vick

(cons)
- dogfighting
- financing of the industry
- positive drugtest.

(pros)
- 1,000 yards of QB rushing in one season
- greatest QB yards per carry of a season
- running 100 yards in a week
- his pro-bowl history…


Weighing David

(cons)
- adultery & conspiracy/murder
- wives & power

(pros)
- love God, heart after God
- military victory
- piety, enthusiasm
- goodlooking, musical


Weighing Solomon (David’s son by Bathsheba)

(cons)
- married foreign wives
- built big ol’ house first
(before security or temple)
- offered sacrifices @ Gibeon

(pros)
- love God, follow David
- asked for wisdom
- riches and honor
- long life


Scripture honors legendary David.

Solomon loved God, followed David, offered sacrifices and incense at the high places.
Which is something like saying I love my wife, I keep my marriage vows, and I only sleep with other women on weekends.

Then God meets Solomon at Gibeon – where he’s just made an extravagant sacrifice to whom?

And God blesses Solomon.

• Scripture confirms that Solomon loved God and that God was with Solomon

• In fact this passages makes clear beyond shadow of a doubt that all of Solomon’s blessings are gifts from God… Solomon goes to Gibeon, God meets him there. God offers him anything he asks, Solomon asks for wisdom, God gives wisdom and riches and honor and long life.

• In the end it doesn’t matter how Solomon’s scale comes out, or David’s, or mine or yours or Michael Vick’s… If we ask for God to be a part of our lives, for God’s guidance and for relationship with God, then by the grace of Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit, the scale is tipped in your favor.

• & when you’ve received the gift, it pray for the desire, strength, and ability to use it, keep it for God’s glory.


• 650 Give Me the Faith Which Can Remove

- Pastor Kerry

This Sunday: 71 in worship!
Church picnic today.