I. EXORDIUM:
Have you seen a troublemaker? Are you a trouble maker?
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To stay away from disobediences and idolatries at all cost.
IV. TEXT:
1 Kings 18:18 (NLT)
18 “I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead.
Pray: Oh Father-heart GOD, teach me how to always obey You and to remove all idolatries in my life.
V. THESIS:
If you don't want trouble, then obey and serve the LORD GOD w/ no idolatry.
VI. TITLE:
Trouble Maker (NLT)
VII. EXPLICATION:
Little is known. First and Second Kings are 1 book in Hebrew language, the division is done for convenience of Greek readers.
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. What is a trouble maker?
1. Disobedient - refused to obey the commands of the LORD GOD.
a. To obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22)
1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT)
22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
b. Willing and obedient is opposite of rebellious and those who resist. (Isaiah 1:19)
Isaiah 1:19 (NLT)
19 If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat.
c. Forsaking GOD
Examples:
(1) Young rich man (Matthew 19:22)
Matthew 19:22 (NLT)
22 But when the young man heard this, he went away very sad, for he had many possessions.
(2) 12 Apostles (Matthew 26:56, John 6:6)
Matthew 26:56 (NLT)
56 But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.
John 6:6 (NLT)
6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
(3) False prophets/teachers/ministers (1 John 2:19)
1 John 2:19 (NLT)
19 These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.
d. Obedience is 100% (Exodus 19:5-6)
Exodus 19:5-6 (NLT)
5 Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me.
6 And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.”
e. Obedience is all heart and all soul (Deuteronomy 30:2)
Deuteronomy 30:2 (NLT)
2 If at that time you and your children return to the Lord your God, and if you obey with all your heart and all your soul all the commands I have given you today,
2. Idolatrous
Idolater - immoral, impure or greedy person (Ephesians 5:5)
Ephesians 5:5 (NLT)
5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
Anything, anyone or you that stands in the way of GOD and you in your relationship to Him.
Idolatry - all belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed. (Colossians 3:5)
Colossians 3:5 (NLT)
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
IX. CONCLUSION:
Stay away from disobedience and idolatries
Obey, submit and worship GOD alone. (1 Kings 18:18)
1 Kings 18:18 (NLT)
18 “I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead.
