1ST BROKEN COMMANDMENT (2)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

0. Introduction

a) The 10 Commandments were God's standard for right living. To obey them was to obey God. Yet throughout the Old Testament, we can see how each commandment was broken.

b) As you read the stories, notice the tragic consequences that occurred as a result of violating God's law.

1. 1st Commandment says,

a) The 10 Commandments said ...

i) 3 “You shall have no other gods before Me." (Exodus 20:3 NKJV)

b) Notable Violations

i) Solomon's heart turned from the Lord (Text: 1 Kings 11:1-13)

2. What is the text all about?

a) Ashtoreth was a goddess that symbolized reproductive power - a mistress of the god Baal (also called Molech) was the national god of the Ammonites, called "the abomination" because its worship rites included child sacrifice. Chemosh was the Moabites' national god. The Israelites were warned against worshiping all other gods in general and Molech in particular (see Leviticus 20:1-5 NKJV)

@1. 1Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Again, you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘Whoever of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel, who gives any of his descendants to Molech, he shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone him with stones. 3 I will set My face against that man, and will cut him off from his people, because he has given some of his descendants to Molech, to defile My sanctuary and profane My holy name. 4 And if the people of the land should in any way hide their eyes from the man, when he gives some of his descendants to Molech, and they do not kill him, 5 then I will set My face against that man and against his family; and I will cut him off from his people, and all who prostitute themselves with him to commit harlotry with Molech. (Leviticus 20:1-5 NKJV)

b) If Solomon was so wise, why did he turn from God? While Solomon applied his wisdom to political affairs, he did not always apply it to his spiritual life. He knew the right way to live, but he did not always have the will to do it. Many people have enough wisdom to know the difference between right and wrong, but they don't always do right. We need to develop not only the wisdom to do right, but the will to do it.

c) Solomon didn't turn away from God at once or in a brief moment. His spiritual coldness started with a minor departure from God's laws. Over the years, that little sin grew until it resulted in Solomon's downfall. A little sin can be the first step in turning away from God. It is not the sins we don't know about, but the sins we excuse, that cause us the greatest trouble. We must never let any sin go unchallenged. In your life, is an unchallenged sin spreading like a deadly cancer? Don't excuse it. Confess this sin to God and ask him for strength to resist temptation.

d) Solomon's powerful and glorious kingdom could have been blessed for all time; instead, it was approaching its end. Solomon had God's promises, guidance, and answers to prayer, and yet he allowed sin to remain all around him. Eventually it corrupted him so much that he was no longer interested in God. Psalms 127 written by Solomon says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." Solomon had begun by laying the foundation with God, but he did not follow through in his later years. As a result, he lost everything. It is not enough to get off to a right start in building our marriage, career, or church on God's principles, we must remain faithful to God to the end. God must be in control of our lives from start to finish.



The End ...

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