ART THOU HE THAT TROUBLETH ISRAEL?

INTRODUCTION

A. In about the year 874 B.C., during the period of the Divided Kingdom, Ahab became the seventh king in disunited Israel.

1. Concerning his reign ... 1 Kings 16:30-33

2. It was during this wicked reign of Ahab that we first see the entrance of Elijah in the pages of holy writ.

a. Elijah comes before Ahab ... 1 Kings 17:1

b. Because of the wickedness of Ahab, the land of Israel would not see any rain for years

c. It would not rain until Elijah “gave the word”

3. As 1 Kings 18 opens we see that the drought, started by God through the mouth of Elijah, has now been handcuffing Israel for three years.

a. 1 Kings 18:1

b. During this time Ahab had instructed Obadiah (the governor of Ahab's house) to go and search for water and a place where livestock may graze. ... 1 Kings 18:7-17

c. Imagine that, Ahab is blaming Elijah for this drought!

d. Did not Elijah simply proclaim the wishes of God? Why is he to blame?

e. Consider Elijah's reply ... 1 Kings 18:18

B. This would not be the last time when those truly responsible for bringing trouble on themselves and others would blame someone else.

1. This would not be the last time one would be called a "trouble-maker" because they simply proclaimed the word of God in its truth and simplicity:

a. Jeremiah 38:2-6

b. Amos 7:10-13

c. Acts 16:16-24; 17:2-6

2. Elijah, Jeremiah, Amos and Paul (faithful men of God) were all called "trouble-makers" for proclaiming the word of God.

C. As many in former years were called "trouble-makers" for speaking the word of God, so are many today accusing the faithful of being "trouble-makers."

D. In this lesson let us point out those who are really troubling the church today.

DISCUSSION

A. THOSE WHO ARE IGNORANT OF GOD'S WORD ARE TROUBLING THE CHURCH

1. The biblically ignorant are troubling the church because:

a. Ephesians 4:11-21

1) When we lack biblical knowledge we are:

a) Tossed about by every wind of doctrine (v. 14)

b) Not growing in Christ (v. 15)

c) Failing to edify the body of Christ (v. 16)

d) Walking as the heathen (v. 17)

e) Blinded in heart (v.18)

f) Unable to be touched spiritually (v. 19)

g) Unaware of the truth that is in Christ (vs. 20-21)

2) This is why we have teaching, and this is why we are to study - for the perfecting and edifying of the church (v.12)!

b. Hosea 4:6 … destroy self and church

2. Thus, to keep from troubling the church we must…

a. 2 Timothy 2:15

b. 1 Timothy 4:13

c. Ephesians 3:4

d. Deuteronomy 17:19

e. Isaiah 34:16

f. John 5:39

g. Acts 17:11

B. COWARDLY CHRISTIANS ARE TROUBLING THE CHURCH

1. Cowardice has always done great damage the Lord's cause and His people

a. The ten spies (Num. 13:33)

b. The followers of Gideon (Jud. 7:3)

c. Saul feared the people (1 Sam. 15:20-24)

d. Israel before Goliath (1 Sam. 17:24)

e. The children of Ephraim in battle (Psa. 78:9)

2. Today we have many who do not stand for right and truth because they are afraid of:

a. Persecution … What someone might say or think

b. They might hurt someone's feelings …Not being popular

3. To keep from troubling the church we must be brave and courageous… Deuteronomy 31:6; Ezra 10:4; Matthew 10:28; 1 Corinthians 16:13

C. LUKEWARM CHRISTIANS ARE TROUBLING THE CHURCH

1. Lukewarm Christians do much harm to the church because they:

a. Put forth little effort for the cause of Christ

b. Show little concern for the purity of the church

c. Discourage others in the church

2. Notice how God views half-heartedness…

a. Revelation 3:15-16

b. 2 Kings 13:14-19

3. We must give Christianity our all ... Mark 12:30

D. WEAK PARENTS ARE TROUBLING THE CHURCH

1. Many parents are troubling the church because they are not teaching and demanding enough of their children; and, as a result, many of our young people are:

a. Falling away from the church

b. Growing up to be lukewarm Christians

c. Going off into religious error

2. Parents have the obligation to:

a. Teach ... Deuteronomy 6:5-9

b. Train ... Proverbs 22:6

c. Provide for ... 2 Corinthians 12:14

d. Love them ... Titus 2:4

e. Discipline them ... Proverbs 19:18

f. Provide a good influence ... 2 Timothy 1:5

3. When parent fails in their duties then will be true of us what was true of those in the time of the Judges… Judges 2:10

E. FALSE TEACHERS ARE TROUBLING THE CHURCH

1. False teachers are doing great damage to the church. These false teachers:

a. Lead men astray ... Jeremiah 50:6

b. Teach the doctrines of men ... Matthew 15:9

c. Speak lie ... 1 Timothy 4:2

d. Do not consent to wholesome words ... 1 Timothy 6:3

e. Destroy homes ... Titus 1:11

f. Bring in false doctrines secretly ... 2 Peter 2:1

g. Are insensitive ... Isaiah 56:10-11

h. Scatter God's people ... Jeremiah 23:2

i. Prey on God's people instead of feeding them ... Ezekiel 34:2-3

2. Faithful teachers of God's word must:

a. Not conceal it ... Psalm 40:10

b. Preach in love ... Ephesians 4:15

c. Preach the truth on all subjects, keeping proper balance ... Acts 20:20, 27

d. Teach to please God - not men ... Galatians 1:10

e. Be persistent ... 2 Timothy 4:2

f. Sincere ... 2 Timothy 1:12

g. Content earnestly for the faith ... Jude 3

h. Students of His word ... 1 Timothy 4:13

CONCLUSION

A. What is your relation in the church?

1. Are we a force in the church, or a weak link?

2. Are we strengthening the church or injurious to the church?

B. "Art thou he who troubleth spiritual Israel?