Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 16:29-33
Troublers of Israel
Intro.
1. Just as ancient Israel was the people of God, church is now the Israel of God, 1 Pet. 2:9-10; Gal. 6:16.
2. 1 Kings 18:17-18: King Ahab called Elijah a “troubler of Israel“ (to disturb, stir up trouble, cause calamity).
a. Ahab: More wicked than all the kings of Israel before him, 1 Kings 16:30-33.
b. Elijah: Spoke and obeyed the word of the Lord, 1 Kings 17:1, 5.
3. Little has changed in 3000 years. Those who trouble God’s people continue to accuse the faithful of causing trouble.
4. In the kingdom of God (church):
a. Instrumental music in worship; Missionary societies; church-supported
human organ., centralized oversight of work; church-sponsored recreation.
b. This present age: Criminal causes trouble and police are targeted as evil; “The Criminalization of Christianity in Finland” (Isa. 5:20).
5. Like Elijah, we should trouble the troublers of Israel.
I. WHO PROVOKES THE LORD? 1 Kings 16:33 (21:25)
A. Sufficiency of the Local Church (Acts 11:22; 13:3).
1. Local church sufficiently arranged to do God-given work.
2. Departure: Missionary Society.
B. Music in Worship (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).
-Departure: Instrument “should not be a test of fellowship.”
C. Churches Relieve Saints (Acts 4:34; 11:27-30).
-Departure: Saint and sinner.
D. Divorce and Remarriage (Matt. 19:4-6, 9; Rom. 7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:11-12).
-Departures: Any cause allowed; One loose, both loosed; Redefine adultery; Aliens not under the gospel of Christ; MMLJ old law.
E. Salvation and Obedience (Matt. 7:21; Mark 16:16; Heb. 5:8-9).
-Departures: Grace without repentance; Saved people in all the churches (denominations).
F. Do Not Love the World (1 John 2:15; 1 Pet. 4:2-3; Eph. 5:8). Social drinking, immodest dressing, indecent conduct, profanity, etc.
-Who is provoking the Lord?
II. WHO TROUBLES ISRAEL? 1 Kings 18:17-18
GOD SAID |
THE TROUBLER OF ISRAEL |
NOT THE TROUBLER OF ISRAEL |
Romans 12:2 |
CONFORMS |
CEASES |
Ephesians 6:10-17 |
COMMENDS |
CONDEMNS |
Acts 20:27-31 |
CONDONES |
CRIES OUT |
Colossians 2:6-7 |
CONTINUES |
COMES OUT |
2 Timothy 4:2-4 |
COVERS UP |
CORRECTS |
Titus 1:9-11 |
CONTRADICTS |
CENSURES |
Jude 3 |
CONTENT |
CONTENDS |
Ephesians 5:11 |
CONTRIBUTES |
CONFUTES |
1 John 4:1, 6 |
CHEERS |
CHECKS OUT |
2 Timothy 2:2, 17-18 |
CHOOSES
to sit at the |
CALLS
names of false |
Matthew 7:15 |
COMFORTS |
CAUTIONS |
2 Timothy 2:24-26 |
CALLS |
CALLS |
Conclusion
1. Peter said to “gird up the loins of your mind” to be obedient and holy children of God, 1 Pet. 1:13-16.
2. Strengthen our minds (attitudes, emotions, and choices) to weather the storms of verbal (and even physical) attacks from the real troublers of Israel, 2 Cor. 10:3-6 (name-calling, isolation, etc.).
3. Gospel invitation (2 Tim. 4:7-8).
By: Joe R. Price
Posted January 26, 2022