Good King – Bad Things

Good King – Bad Things

1 Kings 22.41-50

He walked in all the way of Asa his father. He did not turn aside from it, doing right in the sight of the Lord. Yet the high places were not taken away…

1 Kings 22.43 (ESV)

Introduction

Do you ever get lost trying to read through 1 & 2 Kings, or 1 & 2 Chronicles?

1 Kings tells the story of the kings of Israel and Judah?

• Many are bad kings…they are not faithful in leading the nations in faithfulness to the covenant.
• There are a few good kings…they lead the nations in faithfully living out the covenant.

King Jehoshaphat was a good king of Judah.

Jehoshaphat…reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel. The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the way of his father David. He did not seek the Baals but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments…his heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD. (2 Chron. 17.1-4, 6)

But Jehoshaphat’s reign ended badly!

• Jehoshaphat failed to be diligent, removing the stumbling blocks from Judah.

God’s plan is that we remove everything in life that causes us to stumble and fail to live according to God’s plan.

• Hebrews 12.1b “Let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely.”

• Colossians 3.5, 12 “Put to death what is earthly in you…put on then…holy and compassionate hearts…”

• Ephesians 5.13 “Look carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise…”

• Romans 12.2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Conclusion