Title: The Barrenness of Busyness Meta: King Solomon was an example of someone who had a fatal downward spiral in his walk with God. It didn't happen overnight. It was a slow process of compromise. Fellowship with Jesus Christ is the spring of all our fruit. If we're not worshiping God every day and meeting with Him, our walk will decay and fall apart. There is no substitute for our own personal devotional time with the Lord. Tags: work,martha,Luke 10,Song of Solomon 1:6,distracted 1 00:00:05,166 --> 00:00:06,990 It's been wonderful to be with you 2 00:00:06,990 --> 00:00:08,021 in these days. 3 00:00:08,021 --> 00:00:10,952 So grateful for the tremendous opportunity 4 00:00:10,952 --> 00:00:13,131 once again. 5 00:00:13,131 --> 00:00:16,615 Tonight, I would like to maybe 6 00:00:16,615 --> 00:00:19,659 encourage you as a shepherd. 7 00:00:19,659 --> 00:00:22,201 I have a lofty privilege of doing that 8 00:00:22,201 --> 00:00:23,749 in a very small faith family 9 00:00:23,749 --> 00:00:26,027 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. 10 00:00:26,027 --> 00:00:29,556 And on occasion, I'll speak as a shepherd. 11 00:00:29,556 --> 00:00:31,706 Sometimes, as the Lord leads, 12 00:00:31,706 --> 00:00:33,518 as a prophet. 13 00:00:33,518 --> 00:00:35,894 But tonight I would like to encourage you 14 00:00:35,894 --> 00:00:36,826 in the faith. 15 00:00:36,826 --> 00:00:38,638 And if you would, take your Bibles 16 00:00:38,638 --> 00:00:41,471 with me and turn to 1 Kings 11. 17 00:00:41,471 --> 00:00:49,239 1 Kings 11 18 00:00:49,239 --> 00:00:51,428 I've been immensely blessed 19 00:00:51,428 --> 00:00:53,930 by every message. 20 00:00:53,930 --> 00:00:55,261 Every message. 21 00:00:55,261 --> 00:00:59,043 Mack and Nate's earlier in the day. 22 00:00:59,043 --> 00:01:01,563 And it's amazing how the Lord 23 00:01:01,563 --> 00:01:03,820 makes these things come together 24 00:01:03,820 --> 00:01:06,922 and they complement each other 25 00:01:06,922 --> 00:01:11,483 to the edification of His people. 26 00:01:11,483 --> 00:01:13,984 Tonight, if you would, 27 00:01:13,984 --> 00:01:16,061 I want to address a subject 28 00:01:16,061 --> 00:01:18,077 that seems to plague us all 29 00:01:18,077 --> 00:01:22,089 in this modern day era. 30 00:01:22,089 --> 00:01:23,758 And that is the subject of 31 00:01:23,758 --> 00:01:28,101 the barrenness of busyness. 32 00:01:28,101 --> 00:01:30,722 I read Kevin DeYoung's book, 33 00:01:30,722 --> 00:01:33,166 "Crazy Busy." 34 00:01:33,166 --> 00:01:34,759 In the opening chapters, 35 00:01:34,759 --> 00:01:36,000 he mentioned a lady. 36 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:39,263 I believe she was from Asia. 37 00:01:39,263 --> 00:01:42,154 She came to North America 38 00:01:42,154 --> 00:01:43,906 and she was very determined 39 00:01:43,906 --> 00:01:47,090 to connect with as many people as she could, 40 00:01:47,090 --> 00:01:49,716 to make as many friends as she could. 41 00:01:49,716 --> 00:01:51,958 And after she would introduce herself 42 00:01:51,958 --> 00:01:55,610 and find out the name of the other party, 43 00:01:55,610 --> 00:01:57,243 she would ask the people, 44 00:01:57,243 --> 00:01:58,938 "how are you?" 45 00:01:58,938 --> 00:02:00,998 And most of the time, they would say, 46 00:02:00,998 --> 00:02:04,270 "I am tremendously busy." 47 00:02:04,270 --> 00:02:08,606 And so as to enhance her social connection, 48 00:02:08,606 --> 00:02:13,762 she decided to call her name "Busy." 49 00:02:13,762 --> 00:02:15,487 So when people would ask her, 50 00:02:15,487 --> 00:02:16,665 "what is your name?" 51 00:02:16,665 --> 00:02:18,596 She would say, "Busy," 52 00:02:18,596 --> 00:02:20,737 thinking that they would 53 00:02:20,737 --> 00:02:26,184 readily connect with her in the relationship. 54 00:02:26,184 --> 00:02:28,819 It's a sad day in which we live. 55 00:02:28,819 --> 00:02:30,160 What I want to do tonight 56 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:32,849 is I want to give you a warning 57 00:02:32,849 --> 00:02:37,025 of how being too busy for God - 58 00:02:37,025 --> 00:02:40,176 overextending yourself - 59 00:02:40,176 --> 00:02:42,718 can lead to what we mentioned today 60 00:02:42,718 --> 00:02:44,594 during the question and answer, 61 00:02:44,594 --> 00:02:49,820 and that is apostasy from the Gospel. 62 00:02:49,820 --> 00:02:53,316 We see a living example of this 63 00:02:53,316 --> 00:02:56,278 in King Solomon. 64 00:02:56,278 --> 00:02:57,038 If you would, 65 00:02:57,038 --> 00:02:58,852 let me direct your attention please 66 00:02:58,852 --> 00:03:03,784 to 1 Kings 11:1. 67 00:03:03,784 --> 00:03:07,933 "But King Solomon loved many foreign women, 68 00:03:07,933 --> 00:03:10,849 as well as the daughter of Pharaoh, 69 00:03:10,849 --> 00:03:12,379 women of the Moabites, 70 00:03:12,379 --> 00:03:14,804 Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, 71 00:03:14,804 --> 00:03:16,776 and Hittites - 72 00:03:16,776 --> 00:03:19,240 from the nations of whom the Lord had said 73 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:21,143 to the children of Israel, 74 00:03:21,143 --> 00:03:24,315 'you shall not intermarry with them, 75 00:03:24,315 --> 00:03:26,251 nor they with you. 76 00:03:26,251 --> 00:03:28,423 Surely they will turn away your hearts 77 00:03:28,423 --> 00:03:31,025 after their gods.' 78 00:03:31,025 --> 00:03:34,700 Solomon clung to these in love. 79 00:03:34,700 --> 00:03:37,886 And he had 700 wives, princesses, 80 00:03:37,886 --> 00:03:40,865 and 300 concubines. 81 00:03:40,865 --> 00:03:43,896 And his wives turned away his heart. 82 00:03:43,896 --> 00:03:47,034 For it was so, when Solomon was old, 83 00:03:47,034 --> 00:03:49,890 that his wives turned his heart 84 00:03:49,890 --> 00:03:52,221 after other gods. 85 00:03:52,221 --> 00:03:54,415 And his heart was not loyal 86 00:03:54,415 --> 00:03:55,800 to the Lord his God, 87 00:03:55,800 --> 00:04:00,722 as was the heart of David his father. 88 00:04:00,722 --> 00:04:02,553 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth, 89 00:04:02,553 --> 00:04:04,468 the goddess of the Sidonians, 90 00:04:04,468 --> 00:04:05,815 and after Milcom, 91 00:04:05,815 --> 00:04:09,482 the abomination of the Ammonites. 92 00:04:09,482 --> 00:04:14,692 Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, 93 00:04:14,692 --> 00:04:18,241 and did not fully follow the Lord 94 00:04:18,241 --> 00:04:22,235 as did David his father." 95 00:04:22,235 --> 00:04:23,565 Now, there are two accounts 96 00:04:23,565 --> 00:04:25,239 of Solomon's life and ministry 97 00:04:25,239 --> 00:04:27,512 in the Scriptures. 98 00:04:27,512 --> 00:04:30,307 One is found in 2 Chronicles. 99 00:04:30,307 --> 00:04:33,402 The other is in 1 Kings. 100 00:04:33,402 --> 00:04:36,082 Tonight, we'll be looking back 101 00:04:36,082 --> 00:04:39,093 in the early part of 1 Kings 102 00:04:39,093 --> 00:04:43,560 to see this fatal downward spiral 103 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:47,014 in King Solomon's life. 104 00:04:47,014 --> 00:04:48,280 You see, friend, 105 00:04:48,280 --> 00:04:50,320 the truth of the matter is, 106 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:52,432 a person doesn't go 107 00:04:52,432 --> 00:04:55,206 from walking red hot with God 108 00:04:55,206 --> 00:04:59,015 in intimate fellowship with the Savior, 109 00:04:59,015 --> 00:05:02,541 to a life of evil overnight. 110 00:05:02,541 --> 00:05:06,774 It's a slow downward process. 111 00:05:06,774 --> 00:05:09,601 They begin to compromise the best thing 112 00:05:09,601 --> 00:05:12,054 for good things, 113 00:05:12,054 --> 00:05:14,474 and it's not long before they start compromising 114 00:05:14,474 --> 00:05:18,940 good things for that which is evil. 115 00:05:18,940 --> 00:05:22,376 It made for good preaching years ago 116 00:05:22,376 --> 00:05:25,296 to curse the charismatics. 117 00:05:25,296 --> 00:05:27,834 After all, some of their big name boys 118 00:05:27,834 --> 00:05:31,506 bit the dust to immorality. 119 00:05:31,506 --> 00:05:33,024 But I tell you friend, 120 00:05:33,024 --> 00:05:35,731 we have just as many evangelicals, 121 00:05:35,731 --> 00:05:37,067 fundamentalists, 122 00:05:37,067 --> 00:05:40,067 and reformed people in the church 123 00:05:40,067 --> 00:05:42,029 that are falling. 124 00:05:42,029 --> 00:05:44,522 You mark my word tonight. 125 00:05:44,522 --> 00:05:47,420 It did not begin with them going 126 00:05:47,420 --> 00:05:50,845 from having a vital relationship with the Savior 127 00:05:50,845 --> 00:05:54,907 to total apostasy in one night. 128 00:05:54,907 --> 00:05:57,382 It was a slow process, 129 00:05:57,382 --> 00:06:01,654 as you'll see in the life of King Solomon. 130 00:06:01,654 --> 00:06:03,539 This is a warning. 131 00:06:03,539 --> 00:06:05,359 It is a shepherd's warning. 132 00:06:05,359 --> 00:06:06,838 And I want to begin tonight 133 00:06:06,838 --> 00:06:09,448 by sharing with you a little satire 134 00:06:09,448 --> 00:06:13,480 that I trust will kind of settle things 135 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:14,714 that you might understand 136 00:06:14,714 --> 00:06:18,095 where we're going this evening. 137 00:06:18,095 --> 00:06:20,812 It's called, "The Plan." 138 00:06:20,812 --> 00:06:24,239 "Satan called a worldwide convention. 139 00:06:24,239 --> 00:06:26,677 In the opening address to his evil spirits, 140 00:06:26,677 --> 00:06:29,378 he said, 'We can't keep true Christians 141 00:06:29,378 --> 00:06:31,383 from going to church. 142 00:06:31,383 --> 00:06:33,680 We can't keep them from reading their Bibles 143 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:35,354 and knowing the truth. 144 00:06:35,354 --> 00:06:36,845 We can't even keep them 145 00:06:36,845 --> 00:06:38,960 from having conservative values. 146 00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:41,607 But we can do something else. 147 00:06:41,607 --> 00:06:44,438 We can keep them from forming an intimate, 148 00:06:44,438 --> 00:06:47,883 abiding experience with Christ. 149 00:06:47,883 --> 00:06:51,277 If they gain that connection with Jesus, 150 00:06:51,277 --> 00:06:54,109 our power over them is broken. 151 00:06:54,109 --> 00:06:55,849 So let them go to church, 152 00:06:55,849 --> 00:06:57,094 read their Bibles, 153 00:06:57,094 --> 00:06:59,064 and have their conservative lifestyles, 154 00:06:59,064 --> 00:07:01,102 but steal their time, 155 00:07:01,102 --> 00:07:02,759 so that they do not have time 156 00:07:02,759 --> 00:07:05,717 to have an intimate fellowship with Christ. 157 00:07:05,717 --> 00:07:08,313 This is what I want you to do. 158 00:07:08,313 --> 00:07:11,870 Distract them from laying hold of Jesus Christ 159 00:07:11,870 --> 00:07:14,295 and maintaining that vital connection 160 00:07:14,295 --> 00:07:16,532 throughout their day.' 161 00:07:16,532 --> 00:07:20,551 'How shall we do this?' they asked. 162 00:07:20,551 --> 00:07:24,702 'Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life. 163 00:07:24,702 --> 00:07:26,479 And invent innumerable schemes 164 00:07:26,479 --> 00:07:29,004 to occupy their minds. 165 00:07:29,004 --> 00:07:31,023 Tempt them to spend and spend 166 00:07:31,023 --> 00:07:33,159 and borrow and borrow. 167 00:07:33,159 --> 00:07:34,605 Convince the young wives 168 00:07:34,605 --> 00:07:35,775 that they have to work, 169 00:07:35,775 --> 00:07:37,574 and the husbands that they must work 170 00:07:37,574 --> 00:07:38,792 six days a week 171 00:07:38,792 --> 00:07:40,681 for ten or twelve hours a day, 172 00:07:40,681 --> 00:07:43,693 so they can afford their lifestyles. 173 00:07:43,693 --> 00:07:45,166 Keep them from spending time 174 00:07:45,166 --> 00:07:46,684 with their children. 175 00:07:46,684 --> 00:07:48,321 As their family fragments, 176 00:07:48,321 --> 00:07:50,609 soon their homes will offer no escape 177 00:07:50,609 --> 00:07:52,698 from the pressures of work. 178 00:07:52,698 --> 00:07:54,877 Overstimulate their minds 179 00:07:54,877 --> 00:07:58,149 so they cannot hear that still, small voice. 180 00:07:58,149 --> 00:08:00,257 Entice them to play the stereo 181 00:08:00,257 --> 00:08:02,059 whenever they drive. 182 00:08:02,059 --> 00:08:06,256 Have them keep the TV, VCR, or the CD's 183 00:08:06,256 --> 00:08:08,931 going constantly in their homes. 184 00:08:08,931 --> 00:08:11,427 See to it that every restaurant and store 185 00:08:11,427 --> 00:08:14,341 in the world plays music constantly. 186 00:08:14,341 --> 00:08:16,126 This will jam their minds 187 00:08:16,126 --> 00:08:18,524 and break their union with Christ. 188 00:08:18,524 --> 00:08:20,960 Pound their minds with news and weather 189 00:08:20,960 --> 00:08:22,647 24 hours a day. 190 00:08:22,647 --> 00:08:24,510 Invade their time in the car 191 00:08:24,510 --> 00:08:26,478 with glowing and glaring billboards. 192 00:08:26,478 --> 00:08:28,820 Flood their email and mailboxes 193 00:08:28,820 --> 00:08:30,631 with filth and junk mail 194 00:08:30,631 --> 00:08:32,111 to make them stumble. 195 00:08:32,111 --> 00:08:33,359 Even on vacation, 196 00:08:33,359 --> 00:08:35,067 let them be excessive. 197 00:08:35,067 --> 00:08:37,267 Have them return from their time away 198 00:08:37,267 --> 00:08:40,465 exhausted, disquieted, and unprepared 199 00:08:40,465 --> 00:08:42,635 for the upcoming week. 200 00:08:42,635 --> 00:08:44,389 Don't let them go into nature. 201 00:08:44,389 --> 00:08:46,698 Send them to amusement parks, 202 00:08:46,698 --> 00:08:49,806 sporting events, concerts, movies, 203 00:08:49,806 --> 00:08:51,784 and shopping malls instead. 204 00:08:51,784 --> 00:08:54,033 And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, 205 00:08:54,033 --> 00:08:56,582 don't let them talk about anything deep 206 00:08:56,582 --> 00:08:58,256 or where they're struggling. 207 00:08:58,256 --> 00:09:02,322 Discourage them from enjoying 208 00:09:02,322 --> 00:09:05,109 His presence when they're together. 209 00:09:05,109 --> 00:09:07,358 Instead, make them fearful of opening up 210 00:09:07,358 --> 00:09:10,260 and fill their time with small talk, 211 00:09:10,260 --> 00:09:11,443 idle chatter, 212 00:09:11,443 --> 00:09:12,617 frivolous laughter, 213 00:09:12,617 --> 00:09:13,823 and gossip, 214 00:09:13,823 --> 00:09:16,060 so they will leave with troubled consciences 215 00:09:16,060 --> 00:09:19,410 and unsettled emotions. 216 00:09:19,410 --> 00:09:22,364 Let them be involved in soul winning. 217 00:09:22,364 --> 00:09:23,672 But crowd their lives 218 00:09:23,672 --> 00:09:25,609 with so many good causes, 219 00:09:25,609 --> 00:09:27,687 that they have no time 220 00:09:27,687 --> 00:09:31,146 to seek strength from Christ. 221 00:09:31,146 --> 00:09:33,513 Soon, they'll be working in their own strength, 222 00:09:33,513 --> 00:09:36,550 sacrificing their family and health 223 00:09:36,550 --> 00:09:40,118 for the sake of the vision.' 224 00:09:40,118 --> 00:09:41,899 It was quite a convention. 225 00:09:41,899 --> 00:09:43,685 At the end, the demonic spirits 226 00:09:43,685 --> 00:09:45,374 went eagerly to their assignments, 227 00:09:45,374 --> 00:09:48,109 causing Christians everywhere 228 00:09:48,109 --> 00:09:50,419 to get busy with life 229 00:09:50,419 --> 00:09:53,236 and pull them away from the One 230 00:09:53,236 --> 00:09:55,890 who is life. 231 00:09:55,890 --> 00:09:58,511 Have they been successful? 232 00:09:58,511 --> 00:10:02,928 You judge." 233 00:10:02,928 --> 00:10:04,636 It is interesting that Solomon 234 00:10:04,636 --> 00:10:05,948 would pen the words 235 00:10:05,948 --> 00:10:08,199 picturing the Shulamite woman. 236 00:10:08,199 --> 00:10:11,562 Song of Solomon 1:6 237 00:10:11,562 --> 00:10:13,482 It says, "they made me the keeper 238 00:10:13,482 --> 00:10:15,874 of the vineyards, 239 00:10:15,874 --> 00:10:20,671 but my own vineyard, have I not kept." 240 00:10:20,671 --> 00:10:22,666 "They made me the keeper 241 00:10:22,666 --> 00:10:24,783 of the vineyards." 242 00:10:24,783 --> 00:10:28,267 The works organized and arranged by man, 243 00:10:28,267 --> 00:10:30,862 but my own vineyard, 244 00:10:30,862 --> 00:10:33,213 my own worship, 245 00:10:33,213 --> 00:10:37,233 fellowship with God, 246 00:10:37,233 --> 00:10:39,938 have I not kept. 247 00:10:39,938 --> 00:10:41,892 I ask you tonight, 248 00:10:41,892 --> 00:10:44,066 what are your vineyards 249 00:10:44,066 --> 00:10:46,858 that steal your time 250 00:10:46,858 --> 00:10:49,235 and cause you 251 00:10:49,235 --> 00:10:51,476 to focus on those things 252 00:10:51,476 --> 00:10:53,410 that are a substitute 253 00:10:53,410 --> 00:10:56,334 for beholding the beauty of Christ 254 00:10:56,334 --> 00:11:00,684 in daily communion and worship? 255 00:11:00,684 --> 00:11:03,854 Is it your job? 256 00:11:03,854 --> 00:11:05,946 Television? 257 00:11:05,946 --> 00:11:07,848 The computer? 258 00:11:07,848 --> 00:11:09,945 Relationships? 259 00:11:09,945 --> 00:11:11,574 Sports? 260 00:11:11,574 --> 00:11:14,261 Personal ambitions? 261 00:11:14,261 --> 00:11:16,686 Financial investing? 262 00:11:16,686 --> 00:11:19,025 Social media? 263 00:11:19,025 --> 00:11:20,638 Your children? 264 00:11:20,638 --> 00:11:22,709 Your grandchildren? 265 00:11:22,709 --> 00:11:24,895 Your ministry? 266 00:11:24,895 --> 00:11:26,259 What's so sad, friend, 267 00:11:26,259 --> 00:11:27,558 is when someone preaches 268 00:11:27,558 --> 00:11:30,430 a message of this nature, 269 00:11:30,430 --> 00:11:33,215 oftentimes, people will react 270 00:11:33,215 --> 00:11:35,062 in pride by saying, 271 00:11:35,062 --> 00:11:37,506 "that's legalistic." 272 00:11:37,506 --> 00:11:39,507 It is not. 273 00:11:39,507 --> 00:11:44,962 And you'll see why in a moment. 274 00:11:44,962 --> 00:11:47,859 Hudson Taylor - speaking of the text 275 00:11:47,859 --> 00:11:51,131 that I just quoted in Song of Solomon 1:6 - 276 00:11:51,131 --> 00:11:53,426 "they made me the keeper of the vineyards, 277 00:11:53,426 --> 00:11:57,138 but my own vineyard have I not kept." 278 00:11:57,138 --> 00:12:00,100 He wrote a little devotional commentary 279 00:12:00,100 --> 00:12:03,254 called, "Union and Communion." 280 00:12:03,254 --> 00:12:05,587 And he speaks of this verse. 281 00:12:05,587 --> 00:12:07,531 He says, "Our attention is here drawn 282 00:12:07,531 --> 00:12:09,938 to a danger which is preeminantly 283 00:12:09,938 --> 00:12:11,748 one of this day. 284 00:12:11,748 --> 00:12:14,421 The intense activity of our times 285 00:12:14,421 --> 00:12:17,533 may lead to zeal in service 286 00:12:17,533 --> 00:12:20,556 to the neglect of personal communion. 287 00:12:20,556 --> 00:12:23,286 Such neglect will not only lessen the value 288 00:12:23,286 --> 00:12:24,613 of the service, 289 00:12:24,613 --> 00:12:27,210 but tend to incapacitate us 290 00:12:27,210 --> 00:12:29,618 for the higher service." 291 00:12:29,618 --> 00:12:31,358 Now listen carefully. 292 00:12:31,358 --> 00:12:33,940 This is very sobering. 293 00:12:33,940 --> 00:12:37,001 Mr. Taylor goes on to say, 294 00:12:37,001 --> 00:12:39,867 "Let us never forget that what we are 295 00:12:39,867 --> 00:12:43,331 is more important than what we do. 296 00:12:43,331 --> 00:12:46,427 And that all fruit born when not abiding in Christ 297 00:12:46,427 --> 00:12:48,594 must be fruit of the flesh, 298 00:12:48,594 --> 00:12:50,724 and not the Spirit. 299 00:12:50,724 --> 00:12:52,401 As wounds," he says, 300 00:12:52,401 --> 00:12:54,647 "when healed, often leave a scar, 301 00:12:54,647 --> 00:12:57,312 so the sin of neglected communion 302 00:12:57,312 --> 00:12:58,674 may be forgiven 303 00:12:58,674 --> 00:13:03,873 and yet the effect remain permanent." 304 00:13:03,873 --> 00:13:06,586 It's imperative, brethren, 305 00:13:06,586 --> 00:13:10,152 that we're alone with God each day. 306 00:13:10,152 --> 00:13:11,525 I'm not going to impose 307 00:13:11,525 --> 00:13:13,446 a legalistic standard on you 308 00:13:13,446 --> 00:13:14,945 and say you've got to spend 309 00:13:14,945 --> 00:13:16,618 30 minutes or an hour 310 00:13:16,618 --> 00:13:19,460 or two hours alone with God. 311 00:13:19,460 --> 00:13:21,994 Let the Spirit determine that. 312 00:13:21,994 --> 00:13:24,298 But what I am saying is 313 00:13:24,298 --> 00:13:27,116 Jesus says, "One thing is needful, 314 00:13:27,116 --> 00:13:29,491 and Mary has chosen that good part, 315 00:13:29,491 --> 00:13:34,342 which shall not be taken away from her." 316 00:13:34,342 --> 00:13:37,873 It has eternal implications. 317 00:13:37,873 --> 00:13:39,569 It will not be taken away from her 318 00:13:39,569 --> 00:13:40,866 not only in this life 319 00:13:40,866 --> 00:13:44,036 but also the life to come. 320 00:13:44,036 --> 00:13:47,450 Worship affects everything. 321 00:13:47,450 --> 00:13:49,607 Communion with Jesus each day 322 00:13:49,607 --> 00:13:51,548 affects everything. 323 00:13:51,548 --> 00:13:53,436 The one thing that is the priority 324 00:13:53,436 --> 00:13:56,898 that the Savior emphasized 325 00:13:56,898 --> 00:13:59,790 is not soul winning. 326 00:13:59,790 --> 00:14:02,632 It's not world missions. 327 00:14:02,632 --> 00:14:05,501 It's not mortification. 328 00:14:05,501 --> 00:14:09,240 All those things are affected by this thing. 329 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:12,125 It's our worship, our communion, 330 00:14:12,125 --> 00:14:14,604 with the Lord Jesus. 331 00:14:14,604 --> 00:14:17,329 I think one of the greatest books on worship 332 00:14:17,329 --> 00:14:19,809 in print was written by a man 333 00:14:19,809 --> 00:14:21,476 by the name of Joseph Carroll 334 00:14:21,476 --> 00:14:25,528 entitled, "How to Worship Jesus Christ." 335 00:14:25,528 --> 00:14:28,182 And he highlights the worship lives 336 00:14:28,182 --> 00:14:31,322 of A.W. Tozer and Hudson Taylor. 337 00:14:31,322 --> 00:14:33,297 Remarkable book. 338 00:14:33,297 --> 00:14:34,627 Phenomenal. 339 00:14:34,627 --> 00:14:37,119 Extremely edifying. 340 00:14:37,119 --> 00:14:38,527 But we desparately need 341 00:14:38,527 --> 00:14:41,839 a baptism of passion 342 00:14:41,839 --> 00:14:44,050 to set as a priority on our life 343 00:14:44,050 --> 00:14:46,871 the worship of our God each day, 344 00:14:46,871 --> 00:14:50,497 because it does have a vital influence 345 00:14:50,497 --> 00:14:56,477 upon every area of our life. 346 00:14:56,477 --> 00:14:58,568 The story is told 347 00:14:58,568 --> 00:15:00,218 about a spring whose waters 348 00:15:00,218 --> 00:15:03,828 had certain medicinal effects, 349 00:15:03,828 --> 00:15:06,076 so that those who drank from it 350 00:15:06,076 --> 00:15:09,506 where helped in their various infirmities. 351 00:15:09,506 --> 00:15:11,201 In the course of time, 352 00:15:11,201 --> 00:15:14,076 homes sprung up about the spring. 353 00:15:14,076 --> 00:15:15,620 Later, a hotel was built, 354 00:15:15,620 --> 00:15:18,062 and then stores of all kinds. 355 00:15:18,062 --> 00:15:21,072 Eventually, a town grew into a city. 356 00:15:21,072 --> 00:15:23,142 Years passed. 357 00:15:23,142 --> 00:15:24,282 Then, there came a day 358 00:15:24,282 --> 00:15:26,763 when visiting tourists would ask, 359 00:15:26,763 --> 00:15:29,065 "By the way, where is the spring 360 00:15:29,065 --> 00:15:31,049 from which all this grew?" 361 00:15:31,049 --> 00:15:32,359 The dwellers of the city 362 00:15:32,359 --> 00:15:34,799 would rub their hands in embarrassment, 363 00:15:34,799 --> 00:15:37,620 and say, "I'm sorry I cannot tell you, 364 00:15:37,620 --> 00:15:39,674 but somehow in the midst of 365 00:15:39,674 --> 00:15:41,718 all the progress and improvement, 366 00:15:41,718 --> 00:15:43,146 we've lost the spring 367 00:15:43,146 --> 00:15:46,769 and no one knows where it is." 368 00:15:46,769 --> 00:15:49,086 I fear today, friend, 369 00:15:49,086 --> 00:15:53,597 with all the activity going on in the church, 370 00:15:53,597 --> 00:15:56,466 and everything's introduced as a new concept, 371 00:15:56,466 --> 00:15:58,781 even in reformed circles 372 00:15:58,781 --> 00:16:00,394 to help the church grow 373 00:16:00,394 --> 00:16:02,386 as a substitute for worship, 374 00:16:02,386 --> 00:16:05,047 I fear that while we have excelled 375 00:16:05,047 --> 00:16:07,821 in these pragmatic devices, 376 00:16:07,821 --> 00:16:11,744 we are paupers when it comes to worship. 377 00:16:11,744 --> 00:16:14,506 We have prospered in the temporal 378 00:16:14,506 --> 00:16:17,157 and become paupers in the eternal. 379 00:16:17,157 --> 00:16:18,894 While the church has enjoyed 380 00:16:18,894 --> 00:16:22,455 the success of various contemporary methodologies, 381 00:16:22,455 --> 00:16:25,246 I fear that we've lost the spring - 382 00:16:25,246 --> 00:16:30,137 our fellowship with Jesus Christ. 383 00:16:30,137 --> 00:16:32,379 Oswald Chambers said, 384 00:16:32,379 --> 00:16:35,621 "Worshiping is the great essential of fitness. 385 00:16:35,621 --> 00:16:37,263 If you've not been worshiping, 386 00:16:37,263 --> 00:16:39,473 when you get into the work, 387 00:16:39,473 --> 00:16:41,434 you will not only be useless yourself, 388 00:16:41,434 --> 00:16:45,609 but a tremendous hindrance to others." 389 00:16:45,609 --> 00:16:47,123 Now, we look at the exposition. 390 00:16:47,123 --> 00:16:48,220 If you would, 391 00:16:48,220 --> 00:16:49,998 take your Bibles and look with me 392 00:16:49,998 --> 00:16:53,692 in 1 Kings 2. 393 00:16:53,692 --> 00:17:02,389 1 Kings 2 394 00:17:02,389 --> 00:17:03,587 It is an alarming thing 395 00:17:03,587 --> 00:17:08,195 when you think about Solomon. 396 00:17:08,195 --> 00:17:09,707 Because you remember, 397 00:17:09,707 --> 00:17:14,774 he's not in the hall of faith. 398 00:17:14,774 --> 00:17:16,428 And you remember, Paul tells us 399 00:17:16,428 --> 00:17:18,233 in 1 Corinthians 6, 400 00:17:18,233 --> 00:17:20,061 "Know ye not that the unrighteous 401 00:17:20,061 --> 00:17:22,133 shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 402 00:17:22,133 --> 00:17:23,557 Be not deceived. 403 00:17:23,557 --> 00:17:26,014 Neither idolaters shall inherit 404 00:17:26,014 --> 00:17:28,453 the kingdom of God." 405 00:17:28,453 --> 00:17:30,469 Are you suggesting, Brother Don, 406 00:17:30,469 --> 00:17:35,605 that Solomon was not a believer? 407 00:17:35,605 --> 00:17:39,696 I'm just providing you something to think about. 408 00:17:39,696 --> 00:17:44,749 I believe that God broke him and brought him back. 409 00:17:44,749 --> 00:17:46,024 He pens the words there 410 00:17:46,024 --> 00:17:47,367 at the end of Ecclesiastes, 411 00:17:47,367 --> 00:17:49,952 "To fear God and keep His commandments, 412 00:17:49,952 --> 00:17:53,445 for this is the whole duty of man." 413 00:17:53,445 --> 00:17:57,047 It sounds like this man has been redeemed. 414 00:17:57,047 --> 00:17:58,506 But I'll tell you, friend, 415 00:17:58,506 --> 00:18:01,554 his life was wasted. 416 00:18:01,554 --> 00:18:04,123 Forty years 417 00:18:04,123 --> 00:18:07,690 as king in Jerusalem. 418 00:18:07,690 --> 00:18:10,170 Before we read this, 419 00:18:10,170 --> 00:18:12,273 if you were to take those 40 years 420 00:18:12,273 --> 00:18:13,502 and break them down 421 00:18:13,502 --> 00:18:15,921 in three distinct periods, 422 00:18:15,921 --> 00:18:18,066 you would find that the first four years 423 00:18:18,066 --> 00:18:20,853 are characterized by blessing. 424 00:18:20,853 --> 00:18:23,188 Solomon worshiped God. 425 00:18:23,188 --> 00:18:25,659 He walked with Jehovah. 426 00:18:25,659 --> 00:18:27,428 He could identify with the psalmist 427 00:18:27,428 --> 00:18:30,564 who said, "As the heart panteth after the water brooks, 428 00:18:30,564 --> 00:18:35,257 so panteth my soul after Thee, O God." 429 00:18:35,257 --> 00:18:37,312 But then he moves into 20 years 430 00:18:37,312 --> 00:18:42,529 of building or busyness. 431 00:18:42,529 --> 00:18:44,622 Building the temple of the Lord. 432 00:18:44,622 --> 00:18:47,596 Building his own house. 433 00:18:47,596 --> 00:18:50,440 Building Millo a home 434 00:18:50,440 --> 00:18:52,581 for his Egyptian wife. 435 00:18:52,581 --> 00:18:54,854 Building barns for his horses 436 00:18:54,854 --> 00:18:57,137 and quarters for his soldiers, 437 00:18:57,137 --> 00:18:58,961 and replenishing cities, 438 00:18:58,961 --> 00:19:01,022 and building the walls of Jerusalem. 439 00:19:01,022 --> 00:19:06,135 The man is obsessed with building or busyness. 440 00:19:06,135 --> 00:19:08,979 And then the last 16 years, 441 00:19:08,979 --> 00:19:14,214 the sad epitaph. 442 00:19:14,214 --> 00:19:16,446 Those 16 years are characterized 443 00:19:16,446 --> 00:19:20,113 by spiritual barrenness. 444 00:19:20,113 --> 00:19:23,681 He has become an idol worshiper. 445 00:19:23,681 --> 00:19:26,985 He has become an adulterer. 446 00:19:26,985 --> 00:19:28,768 And adulterer? 447 00:19:28,768 --> 00:19:30,763 Where do you find that? 448 00:19:30,763 --> 00:19:32,797 Friend, you don't have 700 wives 449 00:19:32,797 --> 00:19:34,497 and 300 concubines 450 00:19:34,497 --> 00:19:35,982 and not be an adulterer. 451 00:19:35,982 --> 00:19:38,030 He multiplied his wives 452 00:19:38,030 --> 00:19:41,747 which was forbidden by God. 453 00:19:41,747 --> 00:19:44,072 And they turned away his heart 454 00:19:44,072 --> 00:19:47,180 after their gods. 455 00:19:47,180 --> 00:19:49,499 So, look with me at these first four years 456 00:19:49,499 --> 00:19:51,533 of blessing. 457 00:19:51,533 --> 00:19:55,504 As a result of him walking with God, 458 00:19:55,504 --> 00:19:58,414 fellowshipping with the Lord, 459 00:19:58,414 --> 00:19:59,808 you find first of all, 460 00:19:59,808 --> 00:20:01,968 that God entrusted him 461 00:20:01,968 --> 00:20:06,332 with the kingship, the reign, 462 00:20:06,332 --> 00:20:10,198 over the people of God in David's place. 463 00:20:10,198 --> 00:20:13,816 It says in 1 Kings 2:12, 464 00:20:13,816 --> 00:20:16,342 "Then Solomon sat on the throne 465 00:20:16,342 --> 00:20:18,034 of his father David, 466 00:20:18,034 --> 00:20:21,391 and his kingdom was (note) 467 00:20:21,391 --> 00:20:24,778 firmly established." 468 00:20:24,778 --> 00:20:26,344 Now why does the Holy Spirit 469 00:20:26,344 --> 00:20:28,451 tell us that his kingdom 470 00:20:28,451 --> 00:20:32,151 was firmly established? 471 00:20:32,151 --> 00:20:33,301 Well, first of all, 472 00:20:33,301 --> 00:20:34,468 with the exception of 473 00:20:34,468 --> 00:20:36,922 a jealous family member or two, 474 00:20:36,922 --> 00:20:40,522 everyone under David's regime 475 00:20:40,522 --> 00:20:42,621 saw the good hand of the Lord 476 00:20:42,621 --> 00:20:47,258 upon Solomon to rule in David's stead. 477 00:20:47,258 --> 00:20:50,992 And therefore, the people gladly approved 478 00:20:50,992 --> 00:20:53,396 of David's endorsement. 479 00:20:53,396 --> 00:20:55,352 Which leads me to the second reason 480 00:20:55,352 --> 00:20:57,079 why his kingdom was established, 481 00:20:57,079 --> 00:21:01,024 and that was that David appointed him. 482 00:21:01,024 --> 00:21:02,208 And you better believe 483 00:21:02,208 --> 00:21:05,152 that carried a great deal of weight. 484 00:21:05,152 --> 00:21:07,014 I believe, friend, that the reason 485 00:21:07,014 --> 00:21:08,571 God could entrust him 486 00:21:08,571 --> 00:21:10,400 with such a responsibility 487 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:14,200 is because he walked with his God. 488 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:16,285 Secondly, you'll notice something else 489 00:21:16,285 --> 00:21:18,139 in these years of blessing. 490 00:21:18,139 --> 00:21:20,895 He had incredible discernment. 491 00:21:20,895 --> 00:21:24,131 Even prior to God giving him 492 00:21:24,131 --> 00:21:26,257 a supernatural gift of wisdom, 493 00:21:26,257 --> 00:21:29,264 the man was very perceptive. 494 00:21:29,264 --> 00:21:31,930 Now, we'll not read the whole passage here, 495 00:21:31,930 --> 00:21:33,488 but let me just elaborate on it, 496 00:21:33,488 --> 00:21:38,694 and that's in 1 Kings 2:13-25. 497 00:21:38,694 --> 00:21:41,437 Solomon recognized the deceitful motive 498 00:21:41,437 --> 00:21:45,373 of his brother Adonijah's heart 499 00:21:45,373 --> 00:21:48,512 who sought the property of the king - 500 00:21:48,512 --> 00:21:51,118 namely the concubine Abishag 501 00:21:51,118 --> 00:21:53,032 for his wife. 502 00:21:53,032 --> 00:21:54,705 He comes before Bathsheba, 503 00:21:54,705 --> 00:21:56,027 Solomon's mother, 504 00:21:56,027 --> 00:21:57,787 and says would you go before the king 505 00:21:57,787 --> 00:21:58,885 on my behalf, 506 00:21:58,885 --> 00:22:00,895 and would you ask him 507 00:22:00,895 --> 00:22:03,588 if he would give me this woman 508 00:22:03,588 --> 00:22:07,617 as the king's property to be my wife? 509 00:22:07,617 --> 00:22:10,896 Well, you see, Bathsheba saw no harm in that. 510 00:22:10,896 --> 00:22:14,119 But Solomon perceived the deceitful motive - 511 00:22:14,119 --> 00:22:15,425 the evil motive - 512 00:22:15,425 --> 00:22:18,484 of his own brother's heart. 513 00:22:18,484 --> 00:22:21,632 And he says at the end of this passage, 514 00:22:21,632 --> 00:22:24,752 "As for him, the kingdom also? 515 00:22:24,752 --> 00:22:27,497 Don't you know he's my elder brother? 516 00:22:27,497 --> 00:22:29,092 For me to consent to this 517 00:22:29,092 --> 00:22:30,898 would be a sign of royalty 518 00:22:30,898 --> 00:22:32,046 before the people, 519 00:22:32,046 --> 00:22:33,977 and it would only be a matter of time 520 00:22:33,977 --> 00:22:35,763 before he would move in 521 00:22:35,763 --> 00:22:38,555 and undermine the throne for his own." 522 00:22:38,555 --> 00:22:41,471 He was a man of incredible discernment. 523 00:22:41,471 --> 00:22:44,991 Furthermore, he was a man of peace. 524 00:22:44,991 --> 00:22:46,169 A man of peace. 525 00:22:46,169 --> 00:22:53,599 Look at 1 Kings 3:1. 526 00:22:53,599 --> 00:22:55,477 "Now Solomon made a treaty 527 00:22:55,477 --> 00:22:59,789 with Pharaoh king of Egypt." 528 00:22:59,789 --> 00:23:02,550 He established affinity - 529 00:23:02,550 --> 00:23:04,819 a working relationship. 530 00:23:04,819 --> 00:23:07,079 And it's interesting that the kings and rulers 531 00:23:07,079 --> 00:23:08,918 who had formerly been the enemies 532 00:23:08,918 --> 00:23:10,298 of David his father, 533 00:23:10,298 --> 00:23:13,167 were now becoming the comrades, 534 00:23:13,167 --> 00:23:16,156 the friends, of Solomon. 535 00:23:16,156 --> 00:23:17,677 No wonder he would pen the words 536 00:23:17,677 --> 00:23:19,851 in Proverbs 16:7, 537 00:23:19,851 --> 00:23:22,436 that when a man's ways please the Lord, 538 00:23:22,436 --> 00:23:24,911 God will cause even his enemies 539 00:23:24,911 --> 00:23:27,024 to be at peace with him. 540 00:23:27,024 --> 00:23:29,539 He's walking with God. 541 00:23:29,539 --> 00:23:31,828 Look at another blessing. 542 00:23:31,828 --> 00:23:35,577 And that is the supernatural gift of wisdom. 543 00:23:35,577 --> 00:23:38,268 In response to his petition, 544 00:23:38,268 --> 00:23:41,884 God gave him wisdom. 545 00:23:41,884 --> 00:23:44,620 1 Kings 3:12 546 00:23:44,620 --> 00:23:47,709 "'Lo,' God says, 'I have given thee 547 00:23:47,709 --> 00:23:52,420 a wise and an understanding heart.'" 548 00:23:52,420 --> 00:23:53,794 Why? 549 00:23:53,794 --> 00:23:56,569 Once again, friend, I really believe 550 00:23:56,569 --> 00:23:58,335 that it was contingent upon the fact 551 00:23:58,335 --> 00:24:00,894 that Solomon had a heart 552 00:24:00,894 --> 00:24:03,435 that was hungry for God; 553 00:24:03,435 --> 00:24:06,239 and reflected in his continual practice 554 00:24:06,239 --> 00:24:10,029 of worship and fellowship with Jehovah. 555 00:24:10,029 --> 00:24:11,836 Furthermore, you find he was blessed 556 00:24:11,836 --> 00:24:13,404 with much fame. 557 00:24:13,404 --> 00:24:16,468 1 Kings 4:31 558 00:24:16,468 --> 00:24:22,370 "And his fame was in all nations round about." 559 00:24:22,370 --> 00:24:26,210 He had earned the respect of his enemies. 560 00:24:26,210 --> 00:24:29,624 They were well acquainted with his God 561 00:24:29,624 --> 00:24:34,152 and Solomon's allegiance to Jehovah. 562 00:24:34,152 --> 00:24:36,069 But also you notice another blessing 563 00:24:36,069 --> 00:24:37,441 in these years of blessing. 564 00:24:37,441 --> 00:24:40,146 His ability to compose. 565 00:24:40,146 --> 00:24:42,770 1 Kings 4:32 566 00:24:42,770 --> 00:24:44,957 "And he spake 3,000 proverbs 567 00:24:44,957 --> 00:24:49,011 and his songs were 1,005." 568 00:24:49,011 --> 00:24:51,345 How he was inspired! 569 00:24:51,345 --> 00:24:53,552 How he was moved upon 570 00:24:53,552 --> 00:24:55,358 to speak and to write 571 00:24:55,358 --> 00:24:57,850 about his great God! 572 00:24:57,850 --> 00:24:58,814 You see, friend, 573 00:24:58,814 --> 00:25:00,262 please don't miss the point. 574 00:25:00,262 --> 00:25:01,623 All these blessings, 575 00:25:01,623 --> 00:25:03,608 physically and spiritually came, 576 00:25:03,608 --> 00:25:05,342 I believe, as a result, 577 00:25:05,342 --> 00:25:07,698 of Solomon's love and worship 578 00:25:07,698 --> 00:25:10,452 of his God. 579 00:25:10,452 --> 00:25:11,742 But now, if you would, 580 00:25:11,742 --> 00:25:13,469 take your Bibles and look with me 581 00:25:13,469 --> 00:25:20,648 in 1 Kings 6. 582 00:25:20,648 --> 00:25:23,958 I repeat once again 583 00:25:23,958 --> 00:25:26,430 that suddenly, a man or a woman, 584 00:25:26,430 --> 00:25:28,173 when they get too busy for God, 585 00:25:28,173 --> 00:25:30,257 they begin to substitute good things 586 00:25:30,257 --> 00:25:32,078 for that which is best. 587 00:25:32,078 --> 00:25:33,384 And it won't be long 588 00:25:33,384 --> 00:25:34,701 before they're so weakened 589 00:25:34,701 --> 00:25:36,176 morally and spiritually 590 00:25:36,176 --> 00:25:38,565 that they start substituting evil things 591 00:25:38,565 --> 00:25:43,074 for that which is good. 592 00:25:43,074 --> 00:25:47,352 Look if you would at 1 Kings 6, 593 00:25:47,352 --> 00:25:48,758 and before we read, 594 00:25:48,758 --> 00:25:50,672 let me mention something to you 595 00:25:50,672 --> 00:25:57,370 in verse 36 of the 6th chapter. 596 00:25:57,370 --> 00:26:01,155 Oftentimes when we read the Scriptures, 597 00:26:01,155 --> 00:26:04,010 oftentimes, let's say, 598 00:26:04,010 --> 00:26:07,138 when we have a regular, 599 00:26:07,138 --> 00:26:11,368 systematic Bible reading daily, 600 00:26:11,368 --> 00:26:14,192 we come to the end of a chapter 601 00:26:14,192 --> 00:26:17,021 and the next day, we resume where we left off. 602 00:26:17,021 --> 00:26:19,767 We begin at the next chapter. 603 00:26:19,767 --> 00:26:21,241 And at times, friend, 604 00:26:21,241 --> 00:26:22,436 in the way of confession, 605 00:26:22,436 --> 00:26:25,288 I really believe that I miss the thrust 606 00:26:25,288 --> 00:26:27,283 of what God's saying 607 00:26:27,283 --> 00:26:28,851 at the end of one chapter 608 00:26:28,851 --> 00:26:31,097 and the beginning of the next. 609 00:26:31,097 --> 00:26:33,193 When I resume the next day 610 00:26:33,193 --> 00:26:35,391 the following chapter, 611 00:26:35,391 --> 00:26:38,097 I forget, perhaps just momentarily, 612 00:26:38,097 --> 00:26:40,507 what preceded it. 613 00:26:40,507 --> 00:26:43,230 And so in reading from one chapter to the next, 614 00:26:43,230 --> 00:26:44,716 we must be very careful 615 00:26:44,716 --> 00:26:46,743 that we don't miss a message 616 00:26:46,743 --> 00:26:50,001 that God has for us. 617 00:26:50,001 --> 00:26:53,356 You'll notice that here. 618 00:26:53,356 --> 00:26:54,336 If you would, 619 00:26:54,336 --> 00:26:55,962 follow with me as I begin reading 620 00:26:55,962 --> 00:26:58,552 in chapter 6, verse 37. 621 00:26:58,552 --> 00:27:00,126 Read to the end of the chapter 622 00:27:00,126 --> 00:27:02,024 and then continue immediately 623 00:27:02,024 --> 00:27:05,007 into chapter 7. 624 00:27:05,007 --> 00:27:06,682 I remind you 625 00:27:06,682 --> 00:27:09,530 that in the original manuscripts, 626 00:27:09,530 --> 00:27:12,189 they're not divided into chapters. 627 00:27:12,189 --> 00:27:14,345 You know that, don't you? 628 00:27:14,345 --> 00:27:17,030 It's just one continuous dialogue. 629 00:27:17,030 --> 00:27:20,374 It's just one continuous content. 630 00:27:20,374 --> 00:27:22,854 What he says in v. 36: 631 00:27:22,854 --> 00:27:24,463 "And he built the inner court 632 00:27:24,463 --> 00:27:26,504 with three rows of hewn stone 633 00:27:26,504 --> 00:27:28,838 and a row of cedar beams. 634 00:27:28,838 --> 00:27:30,441 In the fourth year, 635 00:27:30,441 --> 00:27:32,594 the foundation of the house of the Lord 636 00:27:32,594 --> 00:27:35,898 was laid in the month of Ziv. 637 00:27:35,898 --> 00:27:37,174 And in the 11th year 638 00:27:37,174 --> 00:27:38,696 in the month of Bul, 639 00:27:38,696 --> 00:27:40,003 which is the 8th month, 640 00:27:40,003 --> 00:27:41,201 the house was finished 641 00:27:41,201 --> 00:27:43,074 in all its details 642 00:27:43,074 --> 00:27:45,285 according to all its plans. 643 00:27:45,285 --> 00:27:50,021 So was he seven years in building it. 644 00:27:50,021 --> 00:27:55,585 But, Solomon took 13 years 645 00:27:55,585 --> 00:27:59,580 to build his own house. 646 00:27:59,580 --> 00:28:01,835 Here's what I want you to see. 647 00:28:01,835 --> 00:28:04,824 When the temple is completed, 648 00:28:04,824 --> 00:28:07,251 this was the vision of David. 649 00:28:07,251 --> 00:28:08,335 He was not permitted 650 00:28:08,335 --> 00:28:10,184 because he was a man of blood 651 00:28:10,184 --> 00:28:12,916 to erect the temple. 652 00:28:12,916 --> 00:28:15,158 So it was entrusted to Solomon. 653 00:28:15,158 --> 00:28:17,573 And Solomon builds the temple of the Lord. 654 00:28:17,573 --> 00:28:19,346 And after its completion 655 00:28:19,346 --> 00:28:21,074 at the end of 7 years, 656 00:28:21,074 --> 00:28:22,583 imagine with me for a moment - 657 00:28:22,583 --> 00:28:24,672 one day, he stands on his porch, 658 00:28:24,672 --> 00:28:30,495 and he looks at this beautiful picture 659 00:28:30,495 --> 00:28:32,954 of architecture. 660 00:28:32,954 --> 00:28:35,262 It's a masterpiece. 661 00:28:35,262 --> 00:28:36,760 And suddenly in his mind, 662 00:28:36,760 --> 00:28:38,771 he starts thinking, 663 00:28:38,771 --> 00:28:42,453 if I can build that as a tribute to my God, 664 00:28:42,453 --> 00:28:46,146 imagine what I could build for Solomon. 665 00:28:46,146 --> 00:28:47,877 And it's interesting, friend, 666 00:28:47,877 --> 00:28:50,661 it takes him almost twice as long 667 00:28:50,661 --> 00:28:52,297 to build his own house 668 00:28:52,297 --> 00:28:56,740 as it did the temple of the Lord. 669 00:28:56,740 --> 00:28:59,287 And it cost him. 670 00:28:59,287 --> 00:29:03,335 It cost him. 671 00:29:03,335 --> 00:29:04,909 You find as you study 672 00:29:04,909 --> 00:29:07,688 and, once again, meditate 673 00:29:07,688 --> 00:29:10,713 upon 1 Kings 9 - 674 00:29:10,713 --> 00:29:16,919 and this is the practical implication, brethren, 675 00:29:16,919 --> 00:29:21,747 it speaks to me continuously. 676 00:29:21,747 --> 00:29:27,931 It speaks to me continuously. 677 00:29:27,931 --> 00:29:30,795 There are three things that you should expect to see 678 00:29:30,795 --> 00:29:34,429 when you get too busy for God. 679 00:29:34,429 --> 00:29:36,144 You see these things very clearly 680 00:29:36,144 --> 00:29:38,439 in the life of Solomon. 681 00:29:38,439 --> 00:29:40,791 First of all, 682 00:29:40,791 --> 00:29:44,488 in 1 Kings 9:10-14, 683 00:29:44,488 --> 00:29:46,650 you find that a man or a woman 684 00:29:46,650 --> 00:29:49,388 who is too busy for their God, 685 00:29:49,388 --> 00:29:51,127 their commitment to others 686 00:29:51,127 --> 00:29:56,013 grows cold and becomes meaningless. 687 00:29:56,013 --> 00:29:59,561 Have you noticed in the Scripture 688 00:29:59,561 --> 00:30:01,356 that our real identity 689 00:30:01,356 --> 00:30:03,206 when it comes to our fellowship 690 00:30:03,206 --> 00:30:04,633 and walk with God, 691 00:30:04,633 --> 00:30:08,196 oftentimes is reflected in our relationship 692 00:30:08,196 --> 00:30:15,191 with our brothers and sisters in Christ. 693 00:30:15,191 --> 00:30:16,851 Look at the text with me. 694 00:30:16,851 --> 00:30:25,653 1 Kings 9:10 695 00:30:25,653 --> 00:30:28,113 "Now it happened at the end of 20 years 696 00:30:28,113 --> 00:30:31,125 when Solomon had built the two houses, 697 00:30:31,125 --> 00:30:32,629 the house of the Lord 698 00:30:32,629 --> 00:30:34,460 and the king's house. 699 00:30:34,460 --> 00:30:36,144 Hiram the king of Tyre 700 00:30:36,144 --> 00:30:38,653 had supplied Solomon with cedar trees 701 00:30:38,653 --> 00:30:41,114 and cypress and gold, 702 00:30:41,114 --> 00:30:43,885 as much as he desired. 703 00:30:43,885 --> 00:30:46,213 King Solomon then gave Hiram 704 00:30:46,213 --> 00:30:49,706 20 cities in the land of Galilee." 705 00:30:49,706 --> 00:30:51,693 You say, now wait a minute, Brother Don. 706 00:30:51,693 --> 00:30:53,855 You said that when a person 707 00:30:53,855 --> 00:30:55,250 is too busy for God, 708 00:30:55,250 --> 00:30:58,027 it's reflected in their relationship with others. 709 00:30:58,027 --> 00:30:59,909 But here he's given this man 710 00:30:59,909 --> 00:31:02,709 20 cities. 711 00:31:02,709 --> 00:31:04,617 But notice, friend, 712 00:31:04,617 --> 00:31:08,877 the caliber - the quality 713 00:31:08,877 --> 00:31:11,218 of the cities. 714 00:31:11,218 --> 00:31:14,214 It goes on to say in v. 13, 715 00:31:14,214 --> 00:31:18,479 "So he said, 'what kind of cities are these 716 00:31:18,479 --> 00:31:23,047 which you have given me, my brother?' 717 00:31:23,047 --> 00:31:27,341 And he called them the land of Cabul." 718 00:31:27,341 --> 00:31:29,968 It's interesting that the word Cabul here 719 00:31:29,968 --> 00:31:35,924 means rubbish, filthy, worthless. 720 00:31:35,924 --> 00:31:42,636 It was nothing more than a rubbish heap. 721 00:31:42,636 --> 00:31:47,681 I see myself in that. 722 00:31:47,681 --> 00:31:49,235 If I'm too busy, 723 00:31:49,235 --> 00:31:53,108 victimized by ministerial duties, 724 00:31:53,108 --> 00:31:56,280 and I begin to neglect the Lord, 725 00:31:56,280 --> 00:31:57,659 and let's say in my case, 726 00:31:57,659 --> 00:32:00,482 I still do my systematic Bible reading 727 00:32:00,482 --> 00:32:03,043 and I pray, 728 00:32:03,043 --> 00:32:05,651 but the quality's not there. 729 00:32:05,651 --> 00:32:08,164 The vigor is absent. 730 00:32:08,164 --> 00:32:09,364 I don't take the time 731 00:32:09,364 --> 00:32:13,187 to behold the beauty of the Lord. 732 00:32:13,187 --> 00:32:14,765 You know what happens? 733 00:32:14,765 --> 00:32:17,947 If I do anything for a brother or sister at all, 734 00:32:17,947 --> 00:32:19,623 I do something for them 735 00:32:19,623 --> 00:32:24,858 that doesn't cost me anything. 736 00:32:24,858 --> 00:32:26,620 Your commitment to others, friend, 737 00:32:26,620 --> 00:32:30,808 is a reflection of your relationship, 738 00:32:30,808 --> 00:32:37,482 your worship of Christ. 739 00:32:37,482 --> 00:32:41,384 John says in 1 John 3:17, 740 00:32:41,384 --> 00:32:43,746 "Whoso hath this world's good, 741 00:32:43,746 --> 00:32:46,851 and seeth his brother in need, 742 00:32:46,851 --> 00:32:52,838 and yet deprives him of that need..." 743 00:32:52,838 --> 00:32:53,803 The King James says, 744 00:32:53,803 --> 00:32:57,095 "shuts up his bowels of compassion." 745 00:32:57,095 --> 00:32:58,605 And then he says this, 746 00:32:58,605 --> 00:33:03,291 "how dwelleth the love of God in him?" 747 00:33:03,291 --> 00:33:05,733 He didn't say the Father did not dwell in you. 748 00:33:05,733 --> 00:33:08,305 He did not say that Christ did not dwell in you. 749 00:33:08,305 --> 00:33:13,923 He said the love of the Father doesn't dwell. 750 00:33:13,923 --> 00:33:18,257 How dwelleth the love of the Father? 751 00:33:18,257 --> 00:33:20,779 Here's another thing I'd like for you to see tonight 752 00:33:20,779 --> 00:33:25,438 in 1 Kings 9:15-19. 753 00:33:25,438 --> 00:33:27,499 You find here that Solomon becomes 754 00:33:27,499 --> 00:33:32,380 more occupied and obsessed with things. 755 00:33:32,380 --> 00:33:34,758 Things materially. 756 00:33:34,758 --> 00:33:36,055 Look with me if you would 757 00:33:36,055 --> 00:33:38,667 at 1 Kings 9:15. 758 00:33:38,667 --> 00:33:39,842 "And this is the reason 759 00:33:39,842 --> 00:33:41,055 for the labor force 760 00:33:41,055 --> 00:33:42,447 which King Solomon raised 761 00:33:42,447 --> 00:33:46,087 to build the house of the Lord, 762 00:33:46,087 --> 00:33:47,655 his own house, 763 00:33:47,655 --> 00:33:50,716 the Millo, the wall of Jerusalem, 764 00:33:50,716 --> 00:33:54,100 Hazor, Megiddo, Gezer." 765 00:33:54,100 --> 00:33:55,525 You go down to v. 17: 766 00:33:55,525 --> 00:33:57,241 "And Solomon built Gezer 767 00:33:57,241 --> 00:33:59,841 and Lower Beth Horon, 768 00:33:59,841 --> 00:34:02,509 and Baalath and Tadmor in the wilderness, 769 00:34:02,509 --> 00:34:04,000 in the land of Judah, 770 00:34:04,000 --> 00:34:06,983 all the storage cities that Solomon had, 771 00:34:06,983 --> 00:34:08,534 cities for his chariots, 772 00:34:08,534 --> 00:34:10,934 and cities for his cavalry, 773 00:34:10,934 --> 00:34:12,621 and whatever Solomon desired 774 00:34:12,621 --> 00:34:13,855 to build in Jerusalem 775 00:34:13,855 --> 00:34:14,952 and in Lebanon 776 00:34:14,952 --> 00:34:17,701 and in all the land of his dominion." 777 00:34:17,701 --> 00:34:21,175 He's obsessed with building. 778 00:34:21,175 --> 00:34:22,647 And I tell you, friend, 779 00:34:22,647 --> 00:34:24,987 I've seen this in my own life. 780 00:34:24,987 --> 00:34:26,962 The first thing you know, 781 00:34:26,962 --> 00:34:30,954 you start unconsciously accumulating stuff. 782 00:34:30,954 --> 00:34:34,603 And things become more important 783 00:34:34,603 --> 00:34:38,662 than people or God. 784 00:34:38,662 --> 00:34:40,730 Once again, I cite our dear brother, 785 00:34:40,730 --> 00:34:42,211 the Apostle John. 786 00:34:42,211 --> 00:34:46,967 Do you remember what he said in 1 John 2:15? 787 00:34:46,967 --> 00:34:49,306 "Love not the world, 788 00:34:49,306 --> 00:34:54,522 neither the things that are in the world. 789 00:34:54,522 --> 00:34:56,009 If any man love the world, 790 00:34:56,009 --> 00:34:57,333 the love of the Father..." 791 00:34:57,333 --> 00:34:59,416 Once again, the love of the Father, 792 00:34:59,416 --> 00:35:01,096 "...is not in him." 793 00:35:01,096 --> 00:35:03,902 You remember the little chorus we used to sing? 794 00:35:03,902 --> 00:35:06,847 Impregnated with truth and reality? 795 00:35:06,847 --> 00:35:09,108 Turn your eyes upon Jesus. 796 00:35:09,108 --> 00:35:11,591 Look full in His wonderful face. 797 00:35:11,591 --> 00:35:13,324 And listen, friend, it's true. 798 00:35:13,324 --> 00:35:15,525 A spiritual phenomenon occurs. 799 00:35:15,525 --> 00:35:18,541 The things of this earth will grow strangely dim, 800 00:35:18,541 --> 00:35:21,099 in the light of His glory and grace. 801 00:35:21,099 --> 00:35:22,669 But I'm afraid tonight, 802 00:35:22,669 --> 00:35:24,709 we're so focused on things, 803 00:35:24,709 --> 00:35:27,130 enamored with trinkets and toys, 804 00:35:27,130 --> 00:35:35,425 it's His face that has grown strangely dim. 805 00:35:35,425 --> 00:35:37,964 So you see something else. 806 00:35:37,964 --> 00:35:40,238 Look at number 3. 807 00:35:40,238 --> 00:35:46,521 His personal devotional life diminishes. 808 00:35:46,521 --> 00:35:50,951 Nothing short of radically decreasing. 809 00:35:50,951 --> 00:35:54,249 Look at 1 Kings 9:25. 810 00:35:54,249 --> 00:35:55,692 If you'd do me a favor, 811 00:35:55,692 --> 00:35:58,477 just hold your finger there at v. 25 812 00:35:58,477 --> 00:36:00,314 and look back at the years of blessing 813 00:36:00,314 --> 00:36:01,580 when he walked with God 814 00:36:01,580 --> 00:36:04,452 and worshiped the Lord. 815 00:36:04,452 --> 00:36:14,740 Turn back with me to 1 Kings 3:3. 816 00:36:14,740 --> 00:36:15,897 The Scripture says, 817 00:36:15,897 --> 00:36:19,307 "And Solomon loved the Lord, 818 00:36:19,307 --> 00:36:24,356 walking in the statutes of his father David." 819 00:36:24,356 --> 00:36:27,437 V. 4, "Now the king went to Gibeon 820 00:36:27,437 --> 00:36:29,341 to sacrifice there, 821 00:36:29,341 --> 00:36:31,307 for that was the great high place..." 822 00:36:31,307 --> 00:36:32,327 Watch this now. 823 00:36:32,327 --> 00:36:35,509 "...Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings 824 00:36:35,509 --> 00:36:37,798 on that altar." 825 00:36:37,798 --> 00:36:39,645 By the way, brethren, 826 00:36:39,645 --> 00:36:42,214 he had only been king approximately a year 827 00:36:42,214 --> 00:36:44,426 up to this point in time. 828 00:36:44,427 --> 00:36:47,641 You know what that translates out to? 829 00:36:47,641 --> 00:36:50,441 One sacrifice of worship a day 830 00:36:50,441 --> 00:36:53,534 just in Gibeon alone. 831 00:36:53,534 --> 00:36:55,296 Not to mention the other places 832 00:36:55,296 --> 00:36:57,348 that he trafficked. 833 00:36:57,348 --> 00:36:59,254 He would stop to take the time 834 00:36:59,254 --> 00:37:02,472 to commune with his God. 835 00:37:02,472 --> 00:37:04,804 But now that he's too busy, 836 00:37:04,804 --> 00:37:07,641 look at how often he worships. 837 00:37:07,641 --> 00:37:10,860 Chapter 9:25 838 00:37:10,860 --> 00:37:15,679 "Now three times a year... 839 00:37:15,679 --> 00:37:17,466 a year... 840 00:37:17,466 --> 00:37:19,376 Solomon offered burnt offerings 841 00:37:19,376 --> 00:37:21,326 and peace offerings on the altar 842 00:37:21,326 --> 00:37:23,795 which he had built for the Lord." 843 00:37:23,795 --> 00:37:25,723 Brethren, he has no excuse now 844 00:37:25,723 --> 00:37:28,247 not to worship. 845 00:37:28,247 --> 00:37:31,375 Why he's got an altar right off his back porch! 846 00:37:31,375 --> 00:37:33,475 But does he take advantage of it? 847 00:37:33,475 --> 00:37:37,707 Three times in a year now. 848 00:37:37,707 --> 00:37:38,982 From a thousand or more 849 00:37:38,982 --> 00:37:41,098 sacrifices of worship 850 00:37:41,098 --> 00:37:43,904 during a year of blessing. 851 00:37:43,904 --> 00:37:50,689 Now it's three times in a year. 852 00:37:50,689 --> 00:37:53,115 I've been quite appreciative 853 00:37:53,115 --> 00:37:55,512 of men and women 854 00:37:55,512 --> 00:37:59,583 that God has used in the history of the church. 855 00:37:59,583 --> 00:38:04,176 The balance is we should not deify these people. 856 00:38:04,176 --> 00:38:05,552 But we can learn from them 857 00:38:05,552 --> 00:38:06,884 and we can appreciate them. 858 00:38:06,884 --> 00:38:08,067 And the Bible tells us 859 00:38:08,067 --> 00:38:11,864 that we are to be lovers of good men. 860 00:38:11,864 --> 00:38:15,355 But you know the missionary Hudson Taylor. 861 00:38:15,355 --> 00:38:17,547 Toward the end of his life, 862 00:38:17,547 --> 00:38:19,276 in spite of his age 863 00:38:19,276 --> 00:38:22,605 and the pain in his own body, 864 00:38:22,605 --> 00:38:24,419 he was constrained to follow up 865 00:38:24,419 --> 00:38:27,651 on the people that he had impacted 866 00:38:27,651 --> 00:38:31,092 with the Gospel across inland China. 867 00:38:31,092 --> 00:38:34,448 He was accompanied by his son and daughter-in-law. 868 00:38:34,448 --> 00:38:36,693 The only means of transportation 869 00:38:36,693 --> 00:38:38,155 on those rugged roads 870 00:38:38,155 --> 00:38:41,178 was a springless cart. 871 00:38:41,178 --> 00:38:43,205 You can imagine how it took its toll 872 00:38:43,205 --> 00:38:47,340 upon a senior like Mr. Taylor. 873 00:38:47,340 --> 00:38:48,995 But it was the love of Christ 874 00:38:48,995 --> 00:38:50,740 that constrained him to go back 875 00:38:50,740 --> 00:38:53,123 and see those that he had led to Christ 876 00:38:53,123 --> 00:38:56,766 and churches that had been planted. 877 00:38:56,766 --> 00:38:59,169 Hudson Taylor's daughter-in-law 878 00:38:59,169 --> 00:39:01,447 gave this report: 879 00:39:01,447 --> 00:39:03,983 She said as we would travel from village to village, 880 00:39:03,983 --> 00:39:06,266 and sometimes it was a long space, 881 00:39:06,266 --> 00:39:07,930 it would take a whole day's journey 882 00:39:07,930 --> 00:39:09,770 to get there. 883 00:39:09,770 --> 00:39:12,508 And when we would come to a village, 884 00:39:12,508 --> 00:39:16,666 the only place of lodging was just one large room 885 00:39:16,666 --> 00:39:18,697 that all travelers stayed in. 886 00:39:18,697 --> 00:39:21,311 They all slept together in it. 887 00:39:21,311 --> 00:39:23,181 We would try to get there early enough 888 00:39:23,181 --> 00:39:27,251 in the day to secure a corner in the room 889 00:39:27,251 --> 00:39:32,489 for my father-in-law's exercise of worship. 890 00:39:32,489 --> 00:39:34,688 And there in the corner, 891 00:39:34,688 --> 00:39:37,326 at 4:00 in the morning, 892 00:39:37,326 --> 00:39:40,413 and no later than 5:00 every morning, 893 00:39:40,413 --> 00:39:42,340 with an open Bible, 894 00:39:42,340 --> 00:39:44,289 you could hear the scratch of the match 895 00:39:44,289 --> 00:39:46,030 as he would light a lantern, 896 00:39:46,030 --> 00:39:47,707 and there, with that open Bible, 897 00:39:47,707 --> 00:39:51,723 he would worship his God. 898 00:39:51,723 --> 00:39:54,470 And Joseph Carroll drew from that 899 00:39:54,470 --> 00:39:59,044 and he said before the sun ever arose on China, 900 00:39:59,044 --> 00:40:02,945 Hudson Taylor was worshiping his God. 901 00:40:02,945 --> 00:40:05,966 Oh, that it could be said of us, 902 00:40:05,966 --> 00:40:09,841 that before the sun ever arose on our locale, 903 00:40:09,841 --> 00:40:14,396 we would be worshiping our God. 904 00:40:14,396 --> 00:40:18,673 So as we wrap things up here, 905 00:40:18,673 --> 00:40:22,500 you find that these last 16 years of his life, 906 00:40:22,500 --> 00:40:24,478 his ministry, 907 00:40:24,478 --> 00:40:27,614 was a miserable curse. 908 00:40:27,614 --> 00:40:30,395 The years of barrenness. 909 00:40:30,395 --> 00:40:36,204 Here's a thought, 910 00:40:36,204 --> 00:40:38,729 long before he ever compromised 911 00:40:38,729 --> 00:40:42,152 the commandments of the Lord - 912 00:40:42,152 --> 00:40:45,661 "thou shalt have no other gods before Me. 913 00:40:45,661 --> 00:40:48,427 Thou shalt not commit adultery." 914 00:40:48,427 --> 00:40:51,460 He compromised his communion with the Lord 915 00:40:51,460 --> 00:40:56,044 on the altar of busyness. 916 00:40:56,044 --> 00:40:59,974 Can I speak to you? 917 00:40:59,974 --> 00:41:03,081 I don't know what cistern you've been 918 00:41:03,081 --> 00:41:06,351 drinking out of - 919 00:41:06,351 --> 00:41:12,358 what cistern that can hold no water. 920 00:41:12,358 --> 00:41:13,974 What have you been trying 921 00:41:13,974 --> 00:41:20,366 to suck satisfaction from? 922 00:41:20,366 --> 00:41:23,715 But friend, in the process of doing that, 923 00:41:23,715 --> 00:41:26,040 what happens is, many times, 924 00:41:26,040 --> 00:41:27,534 that is an acknowledgement, 925 00:41:27,534 --> 00:41:30,094 and then it begins to continue to the point 926 00:41:30,094 --> 00:41:33,413 that it becomes a plaguing propensity 927 00:41:33,413 --> 00:41:35,843 in our life. 928 00:41:35,843 --> 00:41:37,753 And it begins to zap more and more 929 00:41:37,753 --> 00:41:40,840 of our time from Christ. 930 00:41:40,840 --> 00:41:45,223 The guilt is heaped upon. 931 00:41:45,223 --> 00:41:47,172 And so what we do is 932 00:41:47,172 --> 00:41:49,793 when we begin to neglect Christ, 933 00:41:49,793 --> 00:41:51,156 and we become victimized 934 00:41:51,156 --> 00:41:52,585 by the barrenness of busyness, 935 00:41:52,585 --> 00:41:53,884 it so weakens us 936 00:41:53,884 --> 00:41:56,260 spiritually and morally, 937 00:41:56,260 --> 00:41:57,892 that suddenly we get sucked in 938 00:41:57,892 --> 00:41:59,126 to looking at things, 939 00:41:59,126 --> 00:42:00,895 being entertained by things, 940 00:42:00,895 --> 00:42:02,480 and doing things that 941 00:42:02,480 --> 00:42:13,658 are nothing short of spiritually despicable. 942 00:42:13,658 --> 00:42:19,155 Go to the Internet. 943 00:42:19,155 --> 00:42:27,568 Define an image you can hit on. 944 00:42:27,568 --> 00:42:28,513 All of a sudden, 945 00:42:28,513 --> 00:42:30,499 it just seems like your mind is plagued, 946 00:42:30,499 --> 00:42:32,055 you're overwhelmed with these 947 00:42:32,055 --> 00:42:33,895 horrible thoughts 948 00:42:33,895 --> 00:42:35,387 that you so readily yield to. 949 00:42:35,387 --> 00:42:36,153 Why? 950 00:42:36,153 --> 00:42:37,637 Because there's no resistance. 951 00:42:37,637 --> 00:42:39,757 The resistance - the fortress, friend, 952 00:42:39,757 --> 00:42:44,071 comes through communion with Christ. 953 00:42:44,071 --> 00:42:46,399 So it was with Solomon. 954 00:42:46,399 --> 00:42:48,650 George Mueller said this: 955 00:42:48,650 --> 00:42:50,376 "Let none expect to gain mastery 956 00:42:50,376 --> 00:42:52,115 over his inward corruption 957 00:42:52,115 --> 00:42:53,452 in any degree 958 00:42:53,452 --> 00:42:55,025 without going in his weakness 959 00:42:55,025 --> 00:42:57,073 again and again 960 00:42:57,073 --> 00:42:58,814 (did you hear him?) 961 00:42:58,814 --> 00:43:00,616 without going in his weakness 962 00:43:00,616 --> 00:43:01,772 again and again 963 00:43:01,772 --> 00:43:03,282 to the Lord for strength. 964 00:43:03,282 --> 00:43:05,373 Nor will prayer with others 965 00:43:05,373 --> 00:43:07,161 or conversing with the brethren, 966 00:43:07,161 --> 00:43:12,777 make up for secret prayer and communion." 967 00:43:12,777 --> 00:43:16,748 I love to hang out. 968 00:43:16,748 --> 00:43:18,509 I love to hear the preaching, friend, 969 00:43:18,509 --> 00:43:19,953 but there's no substitute 970 00:43:19,953 --> 00:43:21,884 for your own personal devotional life 971 00:43:21,884 --> 00:43:23,682 with the Lord. 972 00:43:23,682 --> 00:43:26,054 Do you have one? 973 00:43:26,054 --> 00:43:28,304 And do you fight the good fight of faith 974 00:43:28,304 --> 00:43:30,579 in keeping it up? 975 00:43:30,579 --> 00:43:34,157 It's vital. 976 00:43:34,157 --> 00:43:37,367 So, whatever happened to him? 977 00:43:37,367 --> 00:43:38,896 Look at one more reference 978 00:43:38,896 --> 00:43:41,355 in Ecclesiastes 2. 979 00:43:41,355 --> 00:43:43,077 If you would, look at this. 980 00:43:43,077 --> 00:43:53,797 Please don't miss it. 981 00:43:53,797 --> 00:43:55,563 Sometimes I wonder if I could not 982 00:43:55,563 --> 00:43:59,395 entitle Ecclesiastes, 983 00:43:59,395 --> 00:44:04,419 "The Diary of a Burned Out Preacher." 984 00:44:04,419 --> 00:44:07,561 But you'll notice something very striking here 985 00:44:07,561 --> 00:44:12,013 in the way of Solomon's honesty. 986 00:44:12,013 --> 00:44:14,598 Look at what he shares beginning in v. 4. 987 00:44:14,598 --> 00:44:16,537 Ecclesiastes 2:4 988 00:44:16,537 --> 00:44:21,119 "I made my works great. 989 00:44:21,119 --> 00:44:24,654 I built myself houses, 990 00:44:24,654 --> 00:44:27,710 and planted myself vineyards. 991 00:44:27,710 --> 00:44:30,585 I made myself gardens and orchards, 992 00:44:30,585 --> 00:44:33,528 and I planted all kind of fruit trees in them. 993 00:44:33,528 --> 00:44:36,635 I made myself water pools." 994 00:44:36,635 --> 00:44:41,069 V. 7, "I acquired male and female servants." 995 00:44:41,069 --> 00:44:43,022 Yes, I had greater possessions 996 00:44:43,022 --> 00:44:45,225 of herds and flocks." 997 00:44:45,225 --> 00:44:50,010 V. 8, "I gathered for myself silver and gold. 998 00:44:50,010 --> 00:44:53,712 V. 9, "Self glory, so I became great, 999 00:44:53,712 --> 00:44:56,917 and excelled more than all who were before me 1000 00:44:56,917 --> 00:44:58,734 in Jerusalem." 1001 00:44:58,734 --> 00:45:03,035 V. 10, "Whatever my eyes desired, 1002 00:45:03,035 --> 00:45:04,941 I did not keep from them. 1003 00:45:04,941 --> 00:45:06,624 I did not withhold my heart 1004 00:45:06,624 --> 00:45:08,121 from any pleasure. 1005 00:45:08,121 --> 00:45:10,766 For my heart rejoiced in all my labor. 1006 00:45:10,766 --> 00:45:12,390 And this was my reward 1007 00:45:12,390 --> 00:45:13,905 for all my labor. 1008 00:45:13,905 --> 00:45:15,977 Then I looked on all the works." 1009 00:45:15,977 --> 00:45:17,355 He evaluates now. 1010 00:45:17,355 --> 00:45:20,282 "...on all the works that my hands had done, 1011 00:45:20,282 --> 00:45:22,543 and on the labor on which I had toiled, 1012 00:45:22,543 --> 00:45:24,257 and indeed, all was vanity 1013 00:45:24,257 --> 00:45:26,833 and grasping for the wind. 1014 00:45:26,833 --> 00:45:28,956 Vexation of spirit." 1015 00:45:28,956 --> 00:45:30,570 And notice what he says, 1016 00:45:30,570 --> 00:45:35,422 "There was no profit under the sun." 1017 00:45:35,422 --> 00:45:39,258 He's speaking of eternity. 1018 00:45:39,258 --> 00:45:42,312 There was no eternal profit under the sun. 1019 00:45:42,312 --> 00:45:44,592 I like what one commentator said. 1020 00:45:44,592 --> 00:45:46,173 The reason there wasn't 1021 00:45:46,173 --> 00:45:48,481 is because you'll notice where his focus was - 1022 00:45:48,481 --> 00:45:50,194 it was under the sun, 1023 00:45:50,194 --> 00:45:51,753 not above the sun, 1024 00:45:51,753 --> 00:45:59,393 not on his God. 1025 00:45:59,393 --> 00:46:02,938 I picked up a religious periodical. 1026 00:46:02,938 --> 00:46:04,306 A magazine. 1027 00:46:04,306 --> 00:46:06,578 You don't have to be in the faith very long 1028 00:46:06,578 --> 00:46:09,324 before you get on all kinds of mailing lists. 1029 00:46:09,324 --> 00:46:11,692 And I picked up this magazine one day 1030 00:46:11,692 --> 00:46:13,965 that came in my mailbox, 1031 00:46:13,965 --> 00:46:15,265 and a lot of that stuff, 1032 00:46:15,265 --> 00:46:17,625 I don't have time to read. 1033 00:46:17,625 --> 00:46:19,600 But I always like to thumb to the back, 1034 00:46:19,600 --> 00:46:21,839 to the editorials. 1035 00:46:21,839 --> 00:46:23,251 It was written by a pastor 1036 00:46:23,251 --> 00:46:25,014 that had one of the largest churches 1037 00:46:25,014 --> 00:46:27,018 in the United States. 1038 00:46:27,018 --> 00:46:28,426 The thing I liked about it, 1039 00:46:28,426 --> 00:46:30,699 he was always very biblical, 1040 00:46:30,699 --> 00:46:31,704 and secondly, he was 1041 00:46:31,704 --> 00:46:34,439 very transparently honest. 1042 00:46:34,439 --> 00:46:35,948 And so I always benefited. 1043 00:46:35,948 --> 00:46:37,647 I was edified when I would 1044 00:46:37,647 --> 00:46:39,076 read the content 1045 00:46:39,076 --> 00:46:41,939 And one day I picked it up 1046 00:46:41,939 --> 00:46:44,735 and here's what he said. 1047 00:46:44,735 --> 00:46:46,404 "When I turned 30 years of age, 1048 00:46:46,404 --> 00:46:48,829 the greatest desire of my life 1049 00:46:48,829 --> 00:46:52,289 was to build a big church." 1050 00:46:52,289 --> 00:46:55,853 And God somehow gave him that. 1051 00:46:55,853 --> 00:46:58,024 Once again, one of the largest churches 1052 00:46:58,024 --> 00:47:01,720 in the United States in that day. 1053 00:47:01,720 --> 00:47:04,295 Then he said, "when I turned 40 years of age, 1054 00:47:04,295 --> 00:47:06,722 the greatest passion of my heart 1055 00:47:06,722 --> 00:47:08,876 was to be a great preacher. 1056 00:47:08,876 --> 00:47:10,836 I wanted to be able to expound the truth 1057 00:47:10,836 --> 00:47:13,821 and preach and exhort." 1058 00:47:13,821 --> 00:47:14,946 And I'll tell you, 1059 00:47:14,946 --> 00:47:16,567 he was a very popular speaker. 1060 00:47:16,567 --> 00:47:18,510 He did not lack for outside ministry, 1061 00:47:18,510 --> 00:47:21,556 outside of his local church. 1062 00:47:21,556 --> 00:47:24,013 Many people sought him to come 1063 00:47:24,013 --> 00:47:28,357 and address their congregation and conferences. 1064 00:47:28,357 --> 00:47:30,807 But then he said this: 1065 00:47:30,807 --> 00:47:33,075 he said, "now that I'm 50 years of age, 1066 00:47:33,075 --> 00:47:35,933 the greatest desire of my heart 1067 00:47:35,933 --> 00:47:38,096 is to know God, 1068 00:47:38,096 --> 00:47:40,188 to enjoy God, 1069 00:47:40,188 --> 00:47:44,764 and to glorify Him forever." 1070 00:47:44,764 --> 00:47:47,162 You know what's so sad? 1071 00:47:47,162 --> 00:47:49,469 That was six months before his church 1072 00:47:49,469 --> 00:47:52,211 caught him being involved 1073 00:47:52,211 --> 00:47:56,104 with a woman in the church. 1074 00:47:56,104 --> 00:47:58,290 He lost his ministry. 1075 00:47:58,290 --> 00:48:00,604 He lost his marriage. 1076 00:48:00,604 --> 00:48:03,165 He began to drift spiritually. 1077 00:48:03,165 --> 00:48:05,891 He got harder and harder. 1078 00:48:05,891 --> 00:48:08,529 And only a few years later, 1079 00:48:08,529 --> 00:48:15,256 he killed himself. 1080 00:48:15,256 --> 00:48:17,625 And when I heard that that had happened to him, 1081 00:48:17,625 --> 00:48:19,283 I thought, 1082 00:48:19,283 --> 00:48:22,572 what if in those early, formative years, 1083 00:48:22,572 --> 00:48:25,254 when he went to Bible school, 1084 00:48:25,254 --> 00:48:28,243 when he looked up to people to mentor him, 1085 00:48:28,243 --> 00:48:29,734 what if they had said to him, 1086 00:48:29,734 --> 00:48:32,703 brother, building a big church, 1087 00:48:32,703 --> 00:48:35,953 that should never be a priority. 1088 00:48:35,953 --> 00:48:37,595 Brother, being a great speaker 1089 00:48:37,595 --> 00:48:38,891 and waxing eloquently 1090 00:48:38,891 --> 00:48:40,616 and being in demand 1091 00:48:40,616 --> 00:48:42,363 among so many congregations, 1092 00:48:42,363 --> 00:48:45,755 that should not be what you aspire to. 1093 00:48:45,755 --> 00:48:48,732 Dear brother, your number one objective 1094 00:48:48,732 --> 00:48:53,430 should be to know and enjoy your God. 1095 00:48:53,430 --> 00:48:56,274 You know what I'm convinced of? 1096 00:48:56,274 --> 00:49:01,989 He'd still be alive and in the ministry today. 1097 00:49:01,989 --> 00:49:04,722 What I leave you with tonight friend, 1098 00:49:04,722 --> 00:49:08,914 this is the beginning of apostasy in one's life. 1099 00:49:08,914 --> 00:49:11,523 If you neglect your time with the Lord, 1100 00:49:11,523 --> 00:49:14,703 secret prayer and worship 1101 00:49:14,703 --> 00:49:16,482 through the Word of God, 1102 00:49:16,482 --> 00:49:20,315 under the oversight of the Spirit, 1103 00:49:20,315 --> 00:49:23,147 if you begin to neglect that, 1104 00:49:23,147 --> 00:49:24,460 I tell you, 1105 00:49:24,460 --> 00:49:25,808 you may find yourself 1106 00:49:25,808 --> 00:49:32,441 on the high road to apostasy. 1107 00:49:32,441 --> 00:49:35,931 Let's pray together. 1108 00:49:35,931 --> 00:49:39,126 Father, would You encourage Your people with this. 1109 00:49:39,126 --> 00:49:41,066 I pray that they would avail themselves 1110 00:49:41,066 --> 00:49:44,401 to these means of grace: 1111 00:49:44,401 --> 00:49:48,047 devotional life, worship... 1112 00:49:48,047 --> 00:49:51,000 What a Savior! 1113 00:49:51,000 --> 00:49:55,110 What communion awaits us 1114 00:49:55,110 --> 00:49:59,092 when we exercise faith - 1115 00:49:59,092 --> 00:50:01,872 even the good fight of faith - 1116 00:50:01,872 --> 00:50:03,660 in protecting, preserving, 1117 00:50:03,660 --> 00:50:07,013 that time, daily, 1118 00:50:07,013 --> 00:50:09,456 and even throughout the day, 1119 00:50:09,456 --> 00:50:12,071 worshiping our God. 1120 00:50:12,071 --> 00:50:13,882 Please God, 1121 00:50:13,882 --> 00:50:17,242 help us to ever be mindful 1122 00:50:17,242 --> 00:50:19,396 that Your Son is such 1123 00:50:19,396 --> 00:50:22,737 a worthy object of devotion. 1124 00:50:22,737 --> 00:50:25,567 May we not neglect 1125 00:50:25,567 --> 00:50:28,604 speaking often with Him. 1126 00:50:28,604 --> 00:50:33,271 There is a place of quiet rest 1127 00:50:33,271 --> 00:50:36,154 near to the heart of God. 1128 00:50:36,154 --> 00:50:39,775 A place where sin can not molest, 1129 00:50:39,775 --> 00:50:44,153 near to the heart of God. 1130 00:50:44,153 --> 00:50:46,878 Help us to see it, Father. 1131 00:50:46,878 --> 00:50:48,556 In Jesus' name, 1132 00:50:48,556 --> 00:50:50,754 Amen.