Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 14:1–15:24, Mark 9:2–37, Prov 3:23–35

Today’s Theme: Killing and Building

Today’s theme is that we must be lively in killing and building. We must actively kill sin in our lives and actively seek to build God’s kingdom in God’s way. We see this in the life of king Asa who reformed Judah and the life of Jesus who built God’s kingdom by building His disciples and taking authority over the enemy.

1 Kings 14:1–15:24

A bad husband

And Jeroboam said to his wife, “Arise, and disguise yourself, that it not be known that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh. Behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who said of me that I should be king over this people. (1 Kings 14:2, ESV)

This man was no covering for his wife and was willing to put her in danger by asking her to deceive the prophet.

The apostate

but you have done evil above all who were before you and have gone and made for yourself other gods and metal images, provoking me to anger, and have cast me behind your back, (1 Kings 14:9, ESV)

Jeroboam was apostate, this is the worst position any man can find himself in where they move beyond the ability to repent because they have totally turned their back on God, the only one who can help them.

God is merciful

And all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found something pleasing to the Lord, the God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam. (1 Kings 14:13, ESV)

In mercy God allows this son to die a non violent death.

Judgement for idolatry

the Lord will strike Israel as a reed is shaken in the water, and root up Israel out of this good land that he gave to their fathers and scatter them beyond the Euphrates, because they have made their Asherim, provoking the Lord to anger. (1 Kings 14:15, ESV)

The prophesied judgement was because of idolatry.

The old abominations

and there were also male cult prostitutes in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations that the Lord drove out before the people of Israel. (1 Kings 14:24, ESV)

There was homosexual debauchery in ancient Israel. The Bible speaks in very clear words, this was an abomination before God and still is.

Build a legacy

because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. (1 Kings 15:5, ESV)

When we live uprightly before God we start to build a legacy. For the sake of your children, grandchildren, church community and wider society, set your mind to building a legacy to the glory of God today.

The Bible is an honest book, notice the report includes David’s failure.

Righteous king Asa

He put away the male cult prostitutes out of the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen mother because she had made an abominable image for Asherah. And Asa cut down her image and burned it at the brook Kidron. (1 Kings 15:12–13, ESV)

This king went straight into action because God was in his heart. He dealt with the homosexuals and idols and even the wickedness of his own mother, this is a bold stand for God. We can learn from his stand and life.

A true heart

But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true to the Lord all his days. (1 Kings 15:14, ESV)

Our hearts before God should be true like king Asa.

Be lively in killing and building

Now the rest of all the acts of Asa, all his might, and all that he did, and the cities that he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? But in his old age he was diseased in his feet. (1 Kings 15:23, ESV)

He was industrious in killing sin and then showed the same work ethic in his life. We should be lively men like this, very active in killing sin and then in building the kingdom.

Mark 9:2–37

God’s testimony

And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” (Mark 9:7, ESV)

Testimony from God that Jesus is His Son, equal with God.

The suffering Son of Man

And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? (Mark 9:12, ESV)

The teaching of the Jews at the time ignored this side of the Messiah. This is partly why they never understood it when Jesus raised it

Jesus cares

And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. (Mark 9:21, ESV)

Jesus asked the caring question “How long has this been happening to him”. This shows that Jesus was not just some practitioner, He cared about people.

Believe, God is able

And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23, ESV)

We must believe God fully, it is not an if you can, God is well able.

Complete deliverance by Jesus

And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” (Mark 9:25, ESV)

Jesus has complete authority over demons and can tell them boldly to never enter a person’s body or life again, hallelujah.

The power of prayer

And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” (Mark 9:29, ESV)

Maybe this relates to the type of demon that has been in someone since they were a child explaining Jesus’ question.

This account focuses on prayer as being far more important than the fasting as fasting is not mentioned. Fasting without prayer is quite pointless.

Private discipleship over public ministry

for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” (Mark 9:31, ESV)

Jesus prioritised teaching his disciples over public ministry.

Be a servant of all

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35, ESV)

This is true in family, church and business.

Child Sponsorship

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” (Mark 9:37, ESV)

This is why child sponsorship is so important.

Proverbs 3:23–35

Good sleep

If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (Proverbs 3:24, ESV)

Yes Lord, thank you as we meditate on Your word we have sweet sleep.

Help others

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. (Proverbs 3:27, ESV)

This is an important life principle, when it is in our power we must help.

Don’t be dishonest

for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. (Proverbs 3:32, ESV)

It is important to remember this even in business.

Walk in wisdom

The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace. (Proverbs 3:35, ESV)

Lord help us to walk in wisdom and not in disgrace as fools.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 9