Homiletics in the Sierra Foothills: October 2022

Friday, October 28, 2022

2 Chronicles 17:1-21:3

Homiletics Study: Children of the Promise

Kingdom Divided

Lesson 7 Passage: 2 Chronicles 17:1-21:3

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Jehoshaphat as King brings God’s Law to land, fortifying and enriching Judah (2 Chronicles 17)

1. Jehoshaphat becomes king; following father’s ways and honoring God (17:1-6)

2. Jehoshaphat sends officials, Levities and priests to teach Book of the Law of the Lord (7-9)

3. Fear of the Lord falls on all kingdoms surrounding Judah; gifts are brought (10-11)

4. Jehoshaphat becomes more powerful with large army (12-19)

Jehoshaphat’s error; allied with wicked Ahab, battle advice ignored, leading to Ahab’s death and his judgment (2 Chronicles 18:1-19:3)

1. Jehoshaphat allies with Ahab through marriage and visits Ahab (mistake) 18:1-2)

2. Ahab asks Jehoshaphat to join Israel to take Ramoth Gilead and agrees (mistake) (3)

3. Jehoshaphat asks for counsel of the Lord, and Ahab brings 400 “yes men” (4-5)

4. Jehoshaphat asks is there no longer a prophet of the Lord to ask? (6)

5. Micaiah is identified and brought but told to say what Ahab wants to hear (7-14)

6. Ahab asks for truth and told of defeat and death (15-24)

7. Micaiah sent to prison (25-27)

8. Ahab’s deception and death in battle (28-34)

9. Jehoshaphat’s mistake called out by Jehu seer as he returns to Judah (19:1-3)

Jehoshaphat’s appoints Judges, demonstrates reliance on God and Lord provides victory (2 Chronicles 19:4-21:3)

1. Jehoshaphat appoints:

a. Judges to judge careful… with God there is no injustice, partiality or bribery (19:4-7)

b. Levites with orders to serve faithfully in fear of Lord (19:8-10)

c. Chief Priest will be over those who serve you (19:11)

2. Battle is the Lords:

a. People come to report vast army of Moabites, Ammonites & Meunites (20:1-2)

b. Alarmed Jehoshaphat seeks Lord; identifying Him, their inheritance asking for help (3-13)

c. Spirit of Lord tells: battle is Lord’s (14-15)

d. Men appointed to sing God’s praise (16-21)

e. Enemy annihilated by Lord and Judah carries off great plunder and people return to Jerusalem joyfully (22-30)

3. Jehoshaphat is right in eyes of Lord:

a. Followed ways of father, but people’s heart not on God (31-34)

b. Made alliance with wicked Ahaziah to construct trading ships… Lord destroys ship (35-37)

c. Jehoshaphat rests with ancestors and Jehoram succeeds him with rich inheritance (21:1-3)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Jehoshaphat as King brings God’s Law to land, fortifying and enriching Judah	2 Chronicles 17
Jehoshaphat’s error; allied with wicked Ahab, battle advice ignored, leading to Ahab’s death and his judgment	2 Chronicles 18:1-19:3
Jehoshaphat’s appoints Judges, demonstrates reliance on God and Lord provides victory	2 Chronicles 19:4-21:3

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Jehoshaphat’s leadership appoints judges, builds wicked alliance; demonstrate godly dependence

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT Lord’s desire is for us to depend on Him through our battles in life; our victory is in Him

Specific Application Questions

How do you bring order in your life? How is God seen in you?

In what ways are you involved in unhealthy relationships? How have you sought out God for help?

The enemy is coming for us; what specific ways are you leaning on Jesus for victory? What needs to change to make that happen?

Principles to Remember

God’s ways needed to be known

Wickedness must be rejected

Dependence on God provides victory

Characteristic of God

Source of Victory

Theme

Jehoshaphat honored God demonstrating faith in action and God provided grace.

Friday, October 21, 2022

1 Kings 22; 2 Kings 1

Homiletics Study: Children of the Promise

Kingdom Divided

Lesson 6 Passage: 1 Kings 22, 2 Kings 1

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Jehoshaphat and Ahab partner in Battle at Ramoth Gilead - Prophesy Fulfilled (1 Kings 22:1-40)

1. Jehoshaphat visits King of Israel; where battle partnership form to take Ramoth Gilead (1 Kings 22:1-4)

2. Jehoshaphat requests Lord’s counsel (5)

3. King of Israel assembles prophets and asks shall we go to war (6-12)

a. 450 prophets respond “go” (6)

b. Jehoshaphat asks is there no longer a prophet of God to ask (7)

c. Request to bring Micaiah (8-9)

d. Other prophets tell of battle’s victory (10-12)

4. Micaiah is summoned; speaks Ahab (13-28)

a. Messenger tells Micaiah to agree with other prophets regarding battle and speaks the words (13-15)

b. Micaiah is challenged for truth and speaks battle’s disaster (15-28)

5. The battle plan Jehoshaphat in robes and Ahab in disguise (29-39)

a. Jehoshaphat in robes as a decoy (29-30)

b. Aram gives orders to go after the king (31-33)

6. Ahab disguised is shot and dies (29-39)

a. Ahab shot with arrow; battle rages as he dies (34-35)

b. Chariot cleaned and dogs lick blood (37-40)

Judah - Jehoshaphat followed his father Asa; did right in eyes of Lord (1 Kings 22:41-50)

1. Jehoshaphat reigned 25 years; following ways of father; doing right in eyes of the Lord (41-43)

2. Jehoshaphat was at peace with Israel (44)

3. Jehoshaphat achieved in military exploits (45)

4. Rid the land of male shrine prostitutes (46-47)

5. Built fleet of trading ships; refusing to sail with Israel and never sailed (48-49)

6. Jehoshaphat rested with ancestors and was buried with them; Jehoram his son became king (50)

Israel - King Ahaziah did evil in eyes of the Lord (1 Kings 22:51-53; 2 Kings 1)

Overview - Ahaziah did evil in eyes of Lord; worshiped Baal, reigned 3 years (1Kings 22:51-53)

1. Ahaziah falls through lattice; is injured; he sends messenger to consult Baal-Zebub about injuries (2 Kings 1:1-2)

32. Angel of the Lord sends Elijah to tell messengers that Ahaziah would die (2 Kings 1:3-4)

4. Messengers with message; asking - who told you (2 Kings 5-7)

5. Ahaziah sends captains and men to get Elijah (2 Kings 8-15)

a. 1^st Captain with 50 men demands Elijah come down – Fire from Heaven destroys men (8-10)

b. 2^nd Captain with 50 men demand come down at once – Fire from Heaven destroy men (11-12)

c. 3^rd Captain with 50 men come on knees asking for respect for my life; angel of God says go (13-15)

6. Elijah tells the king: “Because there is no God in Israel for you to consult; you will never leave bed and will die (16)

a. Ahaziah died according to the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah (17a)

b. Joram succeeded Ahaziah as king (17b-18)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Jehoshaphat and Ahab partner in Battle at Ramoth Gilead - Prophesy Fulfilled	1 Kings 22:1-40
Judah - Jehoshaphat followed his father Asa; did right in eyes of Lord	1 Kings 22:41-50
Israel - King Ahaziah did evil in eyes of the Lord	1 Kings 22:51-53; 2 Kings 1

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Jehoshaphat, Ahab, Ahaziah; contrasted: faith rewarded with prophesy’s verdict fulfilled.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT faithfulness to the Lord brings reward while false prophets bring disaster.

Specific Application Questions

Where do you go for advice? How do you seek wise counsel?

How do you seek your legacy of faith being lived out? What influence do you bring to others?

In what ways to you apply godly counsel?

Principles to Remember

Seek God’s direction in all things

Faithfulness is rewarded

God should be in the center of everything

Characteristic of God

Counselor

Theme

Success is listening to the Word of the Lord and applying it in our lives.

Friday, October 14, 2022

1 Kings 19-21

Homiletics Study: Children of the Promise

Kingdom Divided

Lesson 5 Passage: 1 Kings 19-21

Content (List of Topics or Events)

What are you doing here Elijah? God cares, is present, send back and finds successor (1 Kings 19)

1. Jezebel sends messenger threatening Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-2)

2. Elijah flees to wilderness and prayed (3-5)

3. Angel touched Elijah and told him to get up and eat; strengthen traveled 40 days and nights to Mt Horeb (6-9a)

4. Word of Lord – What are you doing here? Elijah replies zealous for Lord (9b-10)

5. Word of Lord – Stand in presence of Lord

- Wind, Earthquake, Fire (not the Lord)

- Whisper (the Lord)

6. Voice – What are you doing here, Elijah? - Lord Instructions (11-14)

a. Go back the way you came anoint King of Aram, Jehu son of Nimshi king of Israel, and Elisha as prophet (15-16)

b. Anointed will put to death Baal worshipers; reserving 7000 who have not (17-18)

7. Elijah calls Elisha and Elisha requests to go back to say goodbye to father and mother (19-20)

8. Go back Elisha and Elisha offering oxen setting out with Elijah (21)

This is what the Lord says! God uses prophet to direct battle and declares the king’s sentence (1 Kings 20)

1. Ben-Habad threatens King of Israel (1-16)

a. Ben-Hadad musters army; sends messengers to Arab saying give up gold, silver, wives and children (1-3)

b. King of Israel agrees (4)

c. Ben-Hadad sends messengers again; with same demand, adding they would search palace seizing all of value (5-6)

d. King of Israel summons elders telling of demands; elders advise to not listen to demands (7-8)

e. King of Israel rejects demands; preparing to attack (9-12)

2. Battle is Ahab’s so you will know Lord (13-34)

a. 1^st - Prophet comes telling Ahab that he will win battle with Junior officers (13-14)

b. 1^st - 232 Junior Officers strike down opponents & Armeans flee with heavy losses (19-22)

c. 2^nd - Prophet tells of spring battle in plains (22)

d. 2^nd -100K lost in a day; Aphek walls fall 27K lost; Ben-Hadad flees and hides (23-30)

3. Ahab makes treaty with Ben-Hadad and is condemned (31-43)

a. Ben-Hadad humbly comes to Ahab in sack-cloth offering to return cities taken (31-34)

b. Prophet condemns Ahab – sentence your life for his (35-43)

Evil Lord’s eyes! A Naboth’s Vineyard Ahab’s desire, Jezebel’s conspiracy and God’s resulting condemnation (1 Kings 21)

1. Ahab’s desire for Naboth vineyard and his offer to purchase (1-2)

2. Naboth rejects offer since it was inheritance from ancestors (3)

3. Ahab is sullen and angry refusing to eat (4)

4. Jezebel asks why, encouraging Ahab to get up eat and act like a king (5-7a)

5. Jezebel plots and has Naboth killed for vineyard (7b-16)

a. Jezebel writes letter to elders and noble with plot (7b-10)

b. Plot is carried out with 2 scroundrels claiming Naboth cursed God and king and he is stoned (11-13)

c. Word Naboth death reported to Jezebel (14)

d. Jezebel instruct Ahab to take possession of Vineyard (15-17)

6. Elijah informed by God and told to confront Ahab “You have murdered and seized” dogs will lick your blood (18-19)

10. Ahab has done evil in God’s eyes (sin) and descends will be wiped out (20-26)

11. Ahab tore clothes and puts on sackcloth humbling before Lord receiving mercy for himself (28)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

What are you doing here Elijah? God cares, is present, send back and finds successor	1 Kings 19
This is what the Lord says! God uses prophet to direct battle and declares the king’s sentence	1 Kings 20
Evil in Lord’s eyes! Naboth’s Vineyard Ahab’s desire, Jezebel’s conspiracy and God’s resulting condemnation	1 Kings 21

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

God’s presence in fleeing Elijah, battling Ahab and vineyard conspiracy

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT God protects His own in all our circumstances. He is present in our fear, trials and see’s our sing. It is important to humble ourselves before Him.

Specific Application Questions

Where do you need God’s provision? Have you taken it before the Lord and, if not, why not?

How have you seen God’s provision is found in His direction? Where do you stray and what needs to be done?

Sin has a consequence and what do you need to confess to the Lord?

Principles to Remember

God provides

God directs

God knows our every weakness

Characteristic of God

Caring God

Theme

God see’s our need and provides; we need humbly to seek God’s mercy

Thursday, October 6, 2022

1 Kings 15:25-18:46

Homiletics Study: Children of the Promise

Kingdom Divided

Lesson 4 Passage: 1 Kings 15:25-18:46

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Israel lineage of Sin and Evil; Elijah declares drought (1 Kings 15:25-17:1)

1. They did evil in the eyes of the Lord (1 Kings 15:25-16:34)

a. Nadab reigned 2 years committing the same sins of father; was struck down by Baasha (25-26)

b. Baasha reigned 24 years

- He killed Jeroboam’s whole family; because of Jeroboam’s sin (27-34)

- Word of the Lord came to Jehu, son of Hanani saying he and his family would be wiped out (16:1-5)

c. Elah succeed Baasha reigned 2 years and was plotted against and struck down by Zimri (16:6-10)

d. Zimri reigned 7 days

- Destroyed the family of Baasha (11-14)

- Israelites plotted to kill Zimri (15-17)

- Zimri seeing the city taken set fire around him and died (18-20)

e. Omri reigned 12 years and sinned more than those before him (21-28)

f. Ahab reigned 22 years (29-34)

- Began to serve Baal; built Asherah poles.

- Rebuilt Jericho

2. Elijah declares to Ahab a drought in Israel for next few years (17:1)

Elijah follows Lord’s leading (1 Kings 17:2-24)

1. Word of the Lord directs Elijah east to Kerith Ravine – fed by ravens (2-6)

2. Word of the Lord directs to Zarephath to a widow to supply food (7-8)

3. Elijah meets the widow at the town gate gathering sicks and requests a cup of water and a piece of bread (9-11)

4. Widow describes a handful of flour and little olive oil (12)

5. Elijah says to the widow to not be afraid. make bread for me and for yourself and son your flour and oil will not be used up (13-14)

6. Widow does as Elijah said and flour and oil were not used up (15-16)

7. Widow's son becomes ill and stopped breathing and asks Elijah what have you against me (17-18)

8. Elijah takes son, prays and cries out to Lord; bringing healing (19-23)

9. Widow declares “I know you are a man of God” (24)

Elijah declares the Living God; points to Ahab’s sin and demonstrates God’s power (1 Kings 18:1-46)

1. Lord comes to Elijah sending him to Ahab (1-2)

2. Ahab summons Obadiah to join him in searching for water (3-6)

3. Elijah meets Obadiah telling Ahab “Elijah is here”; Obadiah questions the sincerity of the request (7-15)

4. Obadiah meets Ahab; Ahab meets Elijah calling him “troubler of Israel” (16-17)

5. Elijah points out Ahab’s sin (following Baal); and requests that Ahab assemble people and prophets of Baal and Asherah (18-19)

6. Elijah describes the challenge to prove true god. (20-24)

7. Elijah asks prophets of Baal to prepare and pray for their offering; no results (25-29)

8. Elijah prepares offering to the Lord and calls out to Lord to bring down fire to consume it (30-38)

9. People declare that Lord is God; seizing and destroying prophets of Baal (39-40)

10. Elijah tells Ahab of coming rain; a small cloud grew and black clouds with heavy rains began (41-45a)

11. Elijah with the power of the Lord ran ahead of Ahab to Jezreel (46 )

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Israel’s lineage of Sin and Evil; Elijah declares drought	1 Kings 15:25-17:1
Elijah follows Lord’s leading	1 Kings 17:2-24
Elijah declares the Living God; points to Ahab’s sin and demonstrates God’s power	1 Kings 18:1-46

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Israel’s sin lineage; Elijah demonstrates God’s true power to Ahab

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT our God is powerful and active demonstrating His reality, strength and provision.

Specific Application Questions

Sin destroys – What is the sin that keeps you from God’s best for you?

Trust develops faith – How has your faith been tested requiring God’s provision? Where do you need to cry out for help?

God provides – When things are stack against you, where do you go FIRST? What needs to change?

Principles to Remember

Sin destroys

Trust develops faith

God provides

Characteristic of God

Active participant in history

Theme

Our powerful God detests sin and asks us to live faithful to Him.

Monday, October 3, 2022

1 Kings 15 - 2 Chronicles 13-16

Homiletics Children of the Promise Kingdom Divided

Lesson 3 1 Kings 15:1-24; 2 Chronicles 13-16

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Abijah King of Judah – Sin and Conflict (1 Kings 15:1-8) (2 Chronicles 13)

1. Committed sins of father and not fully devoted to God (1 Kings 15:1-3)

2. God blessed because of David his forefather (1 Kings 15:4-5)

3. Abijah was at war with Jeroboam throughout reign (1 Kings 15:6-7)

a. Abijah goes to battle with ½ the troups. (2 Chron 13:1-3)

b. Abijah declares Judah’s God and describes Israel’s god (2 Chron 13:4-9)

c. Abijah describes Judah’s faithfulness and offerings to God. (2 Chron 13:10-11)

d. Abijah is in battle (surrounded) cries out to Lord and is victorious. (2 Chron 13:12-18)

e. Abijah pursues and took towns. (2 Chron 13:19-22)

4. Abijah had short reign and died (8)

Asa King of Judah – Fully Committed to the Lord (1 Kings 15:9-15) (2 Chronicles 14-15)

1. Asa became King and did right in eyes of Lord (1 Kings 15:9-11) (2 Chron 14:1-6)

a. Builds up towns in Judah (2 Chron 14:7)

b. Army 3K men of Judah (2 Chron 14:8)

2. Asa calls on the Lord to defeat Zerah & Cushite army. (2 Chron 14:8)

a. Don’t let mortal prevail

b. Lord wins battle (2 Chron 14:9-15)

3. Azariah meets Asa and tells “if you seek the Lord, He will be found; if you forsake, He will forsake (2 Chron 15:1-7)

4. Asa brought silver and gold to temple of Lord (1 Kings 15:14)

Commanded Judah to seek Lord and removed idols (2 Chron 15:8a)

a. Asa expelled shrine male prostitutes and got rid of idols;

b. Deposed grandmother Maakah due to Asherah worship (1 Kings 15:12-13) (2 Chron 15:16)

5. Asa assembled all and worshiped, sacrificed and took oath to Lord (2 Chron 15:8b-15)

a. Did not remove High Places; heart committed to Lord (2 Chron 15:17)

b. Brought silver and gold to temple (2 Chron 15:18-19)

Asa King of Judah – Independent treaty and challenged by God (1 King 15:16-24) (2 Chronicles 16)

1. War between Asa and Baasha king of Israel in 36^th year; fortified Ramah restricted access to Judah (1 Kings 15:16-17) (2 Chron 16:1)

2. Asa took all silver and gold from treasures of temple and sent to kin of Aram for treaty (1 Kings 15:18-19) (2 Chron 16:2-3)

3. Ben-Hadad agreed and sent troups against towns of Israel. (1 Kings 15:20)

(2 Chron 16:4)

4. Baasha stopped building Ramah fortifications and Asa and Judah carried away stones. (1 Kings 15:21-22) (2 Chron 16:5-6)

5. Hanani came to Asa and said “you did a foolish thing” when you didn’t rely on the Lord (2 Chron 16:7-10)

a. Asa, you relied on king of Aram not the Lord. (2 Chron 16:7-8)

b. Lord sees hearts fully committed to Him (2 Chron 16:9)

c. Asa was angry and put Hanani in prison (2 Chron 16:10

6. Asa achieved and built cities (23)

7. Asa died and Jehoshaphat succeed him as king (1 Kings 15:24)

a. 39^th Year Asa afflicted with disease in feet. (2 Chron 16: 11-12)

b. 41^st Year Asa died (2 Chron 16:13-14)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Abijah King of Judah – Sin and Conflict	1 Kings 15:1-8; 2 Chronicles 13
Asa King of Judah – Fully Committed to the Lord	1 Kings 15:9-15; 2 Chronicles 14-15
Asa King of Judah – Independent treaty and challenged by God	1 Kings15:16-24; 2 Chronicles 16

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Kings Abijah and Asa, contrast their heart’s devotion to God

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT we are to be fully devoted to God through our entire life’s journey.

Specific Application Questions

Where is your heart? What distracts you from full devotion to God?

How do you see God commitment to you? How does that bring joy?

In what ways to you strike out on your own, before committing the situation to Him?

Principles to Remember

God wants our full devotion

House cleaning is good

Lean not on our own understanding; lean on the Lord

Characteristic of God

Our life preserver

Theme

Life success comes from a life devoted to God.

God’s Word - What’s happening?

God’s Heart – What does God care about?

Today’s World – How does this connect to what is happening in my world today

Reference

Friday, October 28, 2022

2 Chronicles 17:1-21:3

Friday, October 21, 2022

1 Kings 22; 2 Kings 1

Friday, October 14, 2022

1 Kings 19-21

Thursday, October 6, 2022

1 Kings 15:25-18:46

Monday, October 3, 2022

1 Kings 15 - 2 Chronicles 13-16