Attitudes Towards God’s Word
(Ecclesiastes 5:1-3)
Introduction.
Approaching God demands the proper attitude. When one looks to the Bible they
are approaching God. They are placing before their mind, God’s mind – before
their heart God’s heart – and before their eyes God’s words.
This morning let’s consider what our attitude
must be as we approach God through His word.
I. Jehoshaphat, Ahab and
the False Prophets.
A. Jehoshaphat.
1. He was a king
of Judah. 1 Kings 15:24 reads, “So Asa rested with his fathers, and was
buried with his fathers in the City of David his father. Then Jehoshaphat his
son reigned in his place” (NKJV).
2. He had a
godly father. 2 Chronicles 14:2 tells us, “Asa did what was good and right in
the eyes of the LORD his God” (NKJV).
3. He established
a program of religious instruction (2 Chronicles 17:7-9).
4. He commanded
the judges to be just (2 Chronicles 19:6-9).
5. He trusted
in the Lord. When surrounding nations attacked him, he trusted in the Lord and
gained a great victory (2 Chronicles 20:1-32).
6. Yet, he
did make some bad alliances. His weakness came in the fact that he made
alliances with wicked kings (1 Kings 22:1-7). We note here that the attitude
of Jehoshaphat that of…
Seeking
the Word of God.
Unfortunately, in this
instance he did not heed what was spoken. But his initial attitude was
honorable.
B. Ahab.
1. Was a wicked
King of Israel 1 Kings 16:30 reads, “Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the
sight of the LORD more than all who were before him” (NKJV).
2. He established
Idolatry in Israel (1 Kings 16:30-33). 1 Kings 21:26 reads, “And he behaved
very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites had
done, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel” (NKJV)
3. He was
childish. 1 Kings 21:4 tells us that Ahab pouted and would eat no bread
because Naboth would not give his vineyard to him.
4. He was a
tool of his wicked wife Jezebel (1 Kings 21:25).
5. The
encounter with Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:8-12). We notice here Ahab’s attitude
could be described as…
Avoiding
God’s Word.
He couldn’t avoid it for
long (as we shall see).
C. The False Prophets (1 Kings
22:13). Their attitude is that of …
Concealing
God’s Word.
This is difficult to
understand. They knew the truth, but had a vested interest in the lie.
D. Miciah (1 Kings 22:14). His
attitude was that of…
Proclaiming
God’s Word.
1. What it
cost him (1 Kings 22:15-18). God wanted him to go so that he might die! (1
Kings 22:26,27). He is imprisoned!
2. The truth
of the matter (1 Kings 22:34-38).
II. The Household of
Cornelius.
A. The Visions.
1. Of
Cornelius (Acts 10:1-6).
2. Of Peter.
Acts 10:9-20 tells us that a sheet with unclean animals is let down and Peter
is told, “take, kill and eat.” Messengers come from Cornelius, and Peter goes
with them.
B. The Meeting
(Acts 10:24-33). Cornelius could have been insulted by the fact that Peter
initially thought of him as “unclean” and “common”. Yet, instead his attitude
is one that is…
Receptive to
God’s Word.
Not only that but he
was obedient to it, but when he was told to be baptized in Acts 10:48 he
obeyed!
III. Elymas the Sorcerer
(Acts 13:6-12). He…
Withstood
God’s Word
IV. The Bereans.
A. Thessalonica… (Acts 17:1-10).
B. …Versus Berea (Acts 17:11).
They were…
Searching God’s
word
Conclusion (Hebrews 12:25). The proper attitude
towards God’s word is one that is open, humble, and willing to heed. The
wicked will choose to avoid, conceal, withstand, or reject it! The righteous
will listen, accept, and obey it!