I Kings 12:16-33
After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam asked the advice
of the old men about the burden that had been placed on the people.
The council of the elders was to ease the burden. He then asked
the young men and they advised him to make the burden even heavier.
Rehoboam took the advice of the young men. When he did the people
revolted and divided, ten tribes making Jeroboam their king. In
verse 27 Jeroboam became afraid the people would go back to Jerusalem
to worship and side with Rehoboam again, and take his life. So
he came up with his own cult we might call it “Jeroboam witness”.
Our world today is filled with this worldly worship. Jeroboam
Came up with something easy and convenient for the people.
First we see :
I. CARNAL PEOPLE:
Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines carnal as; pertaining to
flesh; fleshly; sensual; opposed to spiritual; as carnal pleasure.
We see their carnality in :
A. THEIR DIVISION:
I Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is]
among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal,
and walk as men? It has always been the desire of satan to divide.
A divided Church never accomplishes much for God.
B. THEIR REBELLION:
1 Kings 12:19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto
this day.
C. THEIR CHOICES:
1 Kings 12:20 And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that
Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the
congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none
that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.
They made a rebel king. This man was an enemy of God.
II. COMPROMISING PLAN:
The only way Jeroboam could keep the carnal people together was
through compromise. He feared the people would turn from him.
Notice where this idea originated; in the heart of Jeroboam. 1
Kings 12:26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom
return to the house of David: Jeremiah said the heart was desperately
wicked.
Jeroboam devised a plan to make things easy for the people.
1 Kings 12:28 Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
A. TEMPORARY SUCCESS: v.25 You can build a crowd on carnal things for a while.
B. TEMPTING SOLUTION: v.28 He made it easy,
C. TERRIBLE SIN: 1 Kings 12:30 And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.
III. CONVENIENT PLACE: v.28
It will cost you something to live for God. Jeroboam made it easy
for the people to worship his idol. We have the come as you are
Churches today. No effort is put forth.
A. IT'S TOO MUCH TO TITHE: Not too much to drive 100 miles for worldly entertainment.
B. IT TOO MUCH TO ATTEND EVERY SERVICE,: Stay up all night watching television but can’t make it to Sunday school.
CONCLUSION: I'm glad God didn't take the easy way out when it came to Calvary. He gave heavens best for earth’s worst. I'm glad Jesus was willing to give His all on the cross. Please don’t just look for the easy way out.