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SERMON SEEDS FOR NOVEMBER 2, 2008

www.sermonseeds.org

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MICAIAH – A COURAGEOUS MAN

2 Chronicles 18

Lesson #2 – LEARNING FROM THE GREATS

 

·        Listen as I share the story of a man of true courage, Senator Edmund G. Ross of Kansas. http://www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=48

·        Why is courage such an admirable trait?

·        What examples of  courage can you think of that are found in the Bible?

·        Courage, the ability to stand for what you know to be right, is a Biblical principle. Joshua 1:7, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 27:13-14, Galatians 5:1

 

A great model for us to follow when we need courage is that of the prophet Micaiah.

 

THE HATED PROPHET - Vss. 1-7

 

·        Why is it highly likely that you will be hated when you take a stand for what is right?

·        What do you know about King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of the Northern Kingdom of Israel?             1 Kings 16:30-33

·        Vs. 1 - King Jehoshaphat, a good king of Judah (Southern Kingdom), made the mistake of forming an alliance with Ahab. 

·        God was not pleased with the alliance that Jehoshaphat formed with Ahab.  2 Chronicles 19:1-3  

·        Vss. 2-3 - Ahab and Jehosaphat got together. Ahab convinced Jehosaphat to go with him to a border town named Ramoth-gilead to try to reclaim it for Israel.   

·        Vs. 4 – Jehoshaphat consented, but then asked about God’s guidance. He wanted King Ahab to ask about the word of the Lord. What mistake did Jehoshaphat make?

·        Vs. 5 – King Ahab’s prophets who claimed to prophesy for the Lord promised a victory.  They were unanimous, but they were not truly God’s prophets.  You might recall that Israel was involved in idol worship, worshipping two golden calves that had been set up.  Also, the worship of Jezebel’s gods was being practiced.

·        Vs. 6 – I think Jehoshaphat, who had Spiritual insight, realized these were not prophets of the Lord. He asked if there was another prophet who could be consulted.

·        Vs. 7 – Ahab begrudgingly concedes that there is another prophet available.  What was Ahab’s problem with Micaiah?

·        Why do we sometimes have prejudices for or against those who could give us advice?

·        If you are a Christian who is trying to live a Godly life, there will be a time when you are hated for Christ’s sake.

 

John 15:18-19 - If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. [19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

 

THE HONEST PROPHET - Vss. 8-22

   

·        Vs. 8 – There are those who feel that Micaiah was already in custody when he was called to prophesy before Ahab.

·        Vss. 10-11 – Meanwhile the false prophets put on quite a show.  One guy, Zedekiah, even gave an object lesson, making phony horns and using them to illustrate Ahab’s supposed victory.

·        These prophets were deceived. They were foolish prophets. Ezekiel 13:3

·        Vs. 12 – What do you think the messenger was trying to accomplish when he suggested that Micaiah give a favorable prophecy?

·        Vs. 13 – Why should we have the courage of our convictions as Micaiah did?

·        Why do we sometimes lack courage to speak up?

·        Vs. 14 – Please understand that Micaiah is being sarcastic. The way he said it made it perfectly clear to Ahab that he didn’t mean what he said.

·        Vs. 15 – Ahab has either heard Micaiah use a sarcastic approach before, or he was trying to look good in front of King Jehosaphat.  Ahab claims that he wants the truth.

·        Vs. 16 – In this case the shepherd of Israel would have been Ahab.  The people were scattered and told to return home in peace.  Ahab would be removed.  Ahab claimed to want the truth and got it.

·        Vs. 17 – Ahab tells Jehosaphat, “I told you so.  He always gives me bad news.”

·        Vss. 18-22 – Why did God want Ahab deceived? Psalm 18:25-26

·        Ahab was told by Micaiah that he was deceived.  Ahab had opportunity to believe Micaiah and not listen to his deceiving prophets. 

 

THE HUMILIATED PROPHET - Vss. 23-27

 

·        Honest people are not always honored. Sometimes they are humiliated.

·        Vs. 23 – What must we remember if we are ever humiliated like Micaiah?

·        Vs. 24 – Micaiah’s response to Zedekiah was to tell him of his own impending problems on the day of Ahab’s defeat. He’d be hiding himself.

·        Vss. 25-26 – Ahab chose to punish Micaiah until, he, Ahab would return. Ahab believed the majority report.  Micaiah was further humiliated.

·        Vs. 27 – Micaiah makes a very honest statement here. If Ahab returned from battle, then God had not spoken through Micaiah.

·        A great test of a true man or woman of God is the outcome of their words.

 

THE HONORED PROPHET - Vss. 28-34

 

·        Vss. 28-34 – God honored Micaiah with the fulfillment of His prophecy. Ahab died and did not return in peace. We do not know if Micaiah was released from prison.

·        People with courage are often honored by God when their words are fulfilled. They are shown to be right. Ezekiel 2:5 - And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

·        Micaiah is still honored today.  His story is told in two books of the Bible, and he stands in Scripture as a courageous, honest man.

·        God will honor all his servants who stand for righteousness. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5  

 

Previously Shared Outline

 

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Psalm 117

THINKING ABOUT GOD

 

THE PRAISE OF GOD - O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

THE PITY OF GOD - For his merciful kindness is great toward us: Praise ye the Lord.

THE PERMANENCE OF GOD - and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.

 

 

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Proverbs 3:25-32

BLESSED DON’TS

 

There are times when we are told not to do things. These times can be times of great advice, especially when they come from God’s Word.  Here are some Blessed Don’ts that, if followed, will help us be better Christians.

 

DON’T BE AFRAID – Vss. 25-26

DON’T WITHHOLD – Vs. 27-28

DON’T PLOT – Vs. 29

DON’T ARGUE (WITHOUT CAUSE) – Vs. 30

DON’T ENVY – Vss. 31-32

 

 

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Mark 8:27-29 etc.

PETER'S TONGUE

 

The Apostle Peter was a great man. The characteristic of Peter that stands out in my mind was Peter's consistent use of the tongue. It seems that whenever we meet Peter he is talking. Sometimes his use of the tongue is very good, other times it is very bad. When God controlled Peter's tongue the results were good. When Satan controlled Peter's tongue the results were bad.

 

Peter's experience with the tongue can show us several different ways the tongue can be used. So using incidents out of the life of Peter we can see:

 

THE CONFESSING TONGUE

We are told that we should make confession of our faith in Christ.  Mark 8:27-29, Romans 10:9-10, 1 Peter 3:15, Psalms 107:2

Peter confessed his faith in Christ when Jesus asked the disciples who they said that he was. Mark 8:27-29

Peter confess his faith in Christ during sermons preached in the Book of Acts, including his great sermon on the day of Pentecost found in Acts 2:14-36

 

THE CONTRARY TONGUE

Peter often "stuck his foot in his mouth".

Mark 8:31-33 - Peter rebuked the Lord Jesus for teaching that He would be killed.  The Lord ended up rebuking Peter.

Mark 14:27-31 - Peter argued with the Lord, claiming that he would never deny Jesus.  He argued, but Jesus was right!

 

THE COWARDLY TONGUE

Mark 14:66-72 - As Jesus had promised, Peter denied his Lord. He took the part of the coward.

Galatians 2:11-14 is another instance in which Peter should have spoken up and taken a stand, but he again played the coward's part.

 

Years ago a new preacher in a church approached his deacons about putting a new deacon on the board.  None of the other deacons spoke up to say that the man was potential trouble. It was only after trouble had erupted with the new deacon that the other deacons spoke up. Many times silence is not golden. We need to speak up.  I know this illustration is true. I was that preacher.

 

Of course, Peter repented of his sin of denying Jesus and was forgiven.

 

THE CORRECTING TONGUE

In Acts 15 there is a debate over the circumcision of Gentile believers.  It was Peter's correcting tongue that helped others make the right decision. See Acts 15:1-12

There are times when our tongue needs to be used to correct others in love. Galatians 6:1

Our speech should always be edifying. Ephesians 4:29, Romans 15:2

 

THE COURAGEOUS TONGUE

Acts 4:18-22, Acts 5:29-32 - Peter and the other apostles refused to be silenced by their enemies.

 

Sermon Seeds E19, 7/16/01

 

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AVAILABLE

Luke 7:11-17

 

The Lord Jesus was and is always available.

This story shows us the availability of the Lord Jesus.

From this passage we learn that:

 

JESUS IS AVAILABLE IN CRISIS - Vss. 11-12

 

Jesus had been in Capernaum where he healed a centurion’s servant.

Vs. 11 – Jesus progressed to Nain, a day’s journey, about 25 miles from Capernaum.

 

Vs. 12 – Here is a crisis.

              It is always sad when someone dies, but it is especially hard when the ones left behind are the parents or as in this case a parent.  We parents always expect our children to be burying us and not us burying our children.

 

In this case the situation was even more difficult because the only one left was a lone widow. There were no other children and no husband.  This would have been a great emotional loss, but also a great physical loss.  Widows in Bible times had it hard when it came to making ends meet.

 

There was quite a procession which would have probably included professional mourners and many people of the city.

 

The thing that strikes me is that Jesus was available.

As always, God’s timing was perfect.  Jesus showed up just as the body was being taken out for burial.

 

Is Jesus available today in times of crisis?

The answer, of course, is “yes”. John 14:18, Hebrews 13:5-6, Isaiah 41:10, Hebrews 4:14-16

 

JESUS IS AVAILABLE WITH COMPASSION - Vs. 13

 

Vs. 13 – Jesus was a man of compassion because God is a compassionate God. Lamentations

3:22-23

 

Jesus often showed compassion. Matthew 9:36, 14:14, 20:34, Mark 1:41, John 11:35

 

John 11:35 - Jesus wept.

 

Jesus told her not to weep.  Of course He knew that He would raise the man from the dead.

   

This reminds me that it’s okay and natural to weep, but there is a time to stop crying.

There is a time to stop mourning and to let Jesus heal us.   

 

JESUS IS AVAILABLE BRINGING CHANGE – Vss. 14 -15

 

Vs. 14 – The bier was an open casket

Touching a dead body would render someone ceremonially unclean.

Jesus was not afraid to get involved in tacky situations.

And Jesus does not stand aloof in our times of hurt and sorrow.

 

Jesus told the young man to get up.

 

Vs. 15 – The young man sat up and began to speak.

               Jesus presented the young man to his mother.

 

Jesus brought about many changes when He walked this earth.

He made cripples whole.

He made insane, demon possessed people, sane.

He made the blind to see.

He made the dead alive.

He changed the lives of his disciples.

 

And the Lord Jesus is making changes today.

First and foremost He changes every person who is truly born again.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

(When I preached this sermon I used the examples of Stuart Hamblin, C.I. Scoefield, and Mel Trotter as those who were dramatically changed when they were saved.)

 

The Lord is also available to change us after we are saved.   

As we allow the Holy Spirit to control us, we will produce the fruit of the Spirit which will actually be change.

 

We will change from hatred to love

From sorrow to joy

From turmoil to peace

From impatience to longsuffering

From gruffness to gentleness

From crookedness to goodness

From unfaithfulness to faithfulness

From pride to meekness

From being out of control to being under control (Galatians 5:22-23)

 

JESUS IS AVAILABLE ACCEPTING COMMENDATION - Vss. 16-17

 

Vs. 16 – They did not recognize Him as God, but as a great prophet.  Jesus accepted the commendation that came with this.

Today we recognize Jesus as God and it reminds me that He accepts our commendation and worship.

 

As Christians we should be thankful and grateful for what he has done for us. Hebrews 13:15, Psalm 107:1, Psalm 96:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

 

JESUS IS AVAILABLE IN CRISIS - Vss. 11-12

JESUS IS AVAILABLE WITH COMPASSION - Vs. 13

JESUS IS AVAILABLE BRINGING CHANGE –

Vss. 14 -15

JESUS IS AVAILABLE ACCEPTING COMMENDATION - Vss. 16-17

 

Sermon Seeds G47, 2/9/04

 

 

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1 Thessalonians 3:1-10

FAITH FACTOR

 

There is a show currently on television called "Fear Factor".  I only watched part of it once.  Evidently the idea of the show is to measure how much bravery a person has and at one point fear takes over.  In our text, Paul is not measuring bravery, but he is measuring the faith of the Thessalonians.

 

The Apostle Paul once spent about 3 weeks establishing a church in a city called Thessalonica.  After three weeks he was run out of town by persecution. Acts 17:1-10

 

Because he loved the new Thessalonian Christians, and knowing of the persecution that they would receive about their faith, Paul dispatched young Pastor Timothy to Thessalonica to check on the new church.  We have the story of Timothy's visit in

1 Thessalonians 3.  And in talking about Timothy's visit, we find that Paul's greatest concern was over the faith of the Thessalonians.  The word faith is mentioned five times, and we learn that:

 

FAITH IS TO BE ENCOURAGED - Vss. 1-4

Timothy was dispatched to encourage the believers in their newfound faith.

 

FAITH IS TO BE EVALUATED - Vs. 5

Paul realized that because of the tough times that the Thessalonians were facing, it would be easier for Satan to come in and rob them of their faith.   

 

So, Paul wanted to make sure that the faith of the Thessalonians was still strong.

 

God has appointed church leaders, particularly pastors and elders, with the duty of watching you faith.  They aren't to judge your ministry, only the Lord can do that, but they should check to make sure your faith is strong, and then help strengthen that faith.

Proverbs 27:23, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:2-3

 

FAITH IS TO BE EXPRESSED - Vs. 6

Timothy brought good news back to Paul.  In spite of the persecution and hardship being dished out by Satan, the Thessalonians were strong in their faith.  And not only were they strong in faith but in love as well.  And they also had a fond appreciation for their mentor, the Apostle Paul. Faith should show.

 

We should certainly express our faith verbally. Romans 12:9-10, Psalm 107:2

But our faith must go deeper than talk.  People need to see that what we are saying is real in our lives.

 

People need to see us leaning on God alone, when we face the trials and troubles of life.

People need to see us trusting God for the strength to obey Him.

Think about this.  We will only be obedient to God if we believe Him!

We will only be obedient to God when we have faith that He will give us the strength to do as He says.

 

FAITH IS TO BE ENCOURAGING - Vs. 7

Have you ever tried to comfort somebody and ended up being comforted yourself?  Some people have so much faith during their tough times, that they encourage others.

 

The Apostle Paul was having his own problems with affliction and persecution.  And when He heard about the faith of the Thessalonians, he was encouraged.

 

There are certainly examples in Scripture of people who encouraged others.  When David was running from King Saul, Saul's son, Jonathan went out of his way to encourage David.

 

1 Samuel 23:16 - And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

 

When the Apostle Paul was a prisoner headed for Rome he was on a ship in the middle of a terrible storm.  He encouraged those with him that God had promised that all lives would be saved.

He encouraged them with these words found in Acts 27:25

Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

 

FAITH IS TO BE ENLARGED - Vs. 10

Paul prayed that he might have another opportunity to visit the Thessalonians and help to increase their faith.  Faith is something that should grow in our lives as we mature in the things of Christ.

 

Sermon Seeds F20, 7/22/02

 

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Hebrews 13:1-6

BASICS

 

BE COMPASSIONATE – Vss. 1-3

BE COMPLIANT – Vs. 4

BE CONTENT – Vs. 5

BE CONFIDENT – Vs. 6

 

 

 

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