Lessons Learned To Late

I. Introduction - The young prophet of 1 Kings 13

A. This is not describing an arrogant, godless type of person who deliberately threw his life away - who had no time for God.

- He is described as a “man of God” - 1 Kings 13:1

1 Kings 13:1 NKJV

And behold, a man of God went from Judah to Bethel by the word of the Lord, and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.

- He is pictured as a man of great courage - willing to risk his own life to uphold God’s word

B. But in the latter part of the story some of the things he failed in brought about his death.

C. It is easy for us to just look at his good side (His bravery, courage, etc..) or we may look and just see his failures.

D. However, this Great Man of God fell into sin and became the object of God’s Displeasure!

- Satan defeated him on his weakest front.

- I am sure as he looked back at the decisions he made, he might have made done things differently.

D. The Man of God learned some lessons to late to benefit from them

E. I want to look at these lessons so that we may benefit from these lessons before it is to late.

II. God Is Not An Author of Confusion - 1 Cor. 14:33; Acts 19:32

1 Corinthians 14:33 NKJV

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Acts 19:32 NKJV

Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.

A. When you have people saying one thing and others saying another, you have confusion.

- Today, We have many different things being taught concerning – the plan of salvation, one worship, etc...

- When this happens, there is confusion.

B. The Young Prophet Was Somehow Able To Convince Himself That God Would Contradict Himself

- He was told, “...‘You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.’ ” - 1 Kings 13:8-9

1 Kings 13:8–9 NKJV

But the man of God said to the king, “If you were to give me half your house, I would not go in with you; nor would I eat bread nor drink water in this place. For so it was commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.’ ”

- He knew his message was God-given.

- There was a sign to confirm the message – 1 Kings 13:3,5

1 Kings 13:3 NKJV

And he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign which the Lord has spoken: Surely the altar shall split apart, and the ashes on it shall be poured out.”

1 Kings 13:5 NKJV

The altar also was split apart, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the Lord.

- The older prophet told him something different than the command of God – 1 Kings 13:15-19

1 Kings 13:15–19 NKJV

Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.” And he said, “I cannot return with you nor go in with you; neither can I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place. For I have been told by the word of the Lord, ‘You shall not eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by going the way you came.’ ” He said to him, “I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’ ” (He was lying to him.) So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank water.

- He was convinced that God would tell him something and the older prophet something else.

C. The Devil Tries To Get Us When We Are Most Vulnerable.

- The young prophet must have been hungry.

- The devil tempted Jesus when he was hungry - Matt. 4:2-3

Matthew 4:2–3 NKJV

And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

III. Religious Leaders Don’t Always Tell The Truth

A. A Fellow Came Along and Said, “I am a Prophet”

- He didn’t question whether he was telling the truth

- Some say, “I am a preacher...”

- Many people believe "he wouldn't lie" or "he surely knows what he's talking about.”

B. We Are Told To Investigate

- 1 Thess. 5:21

1 Thessalonians 5:21 NKJV

Test all things; hold fast what is good.

- Acts 17:11

Acts 17:11 NKJV

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

- Who Should We Investigate? (Everyone)

C. He Claimed To Have A More Up To Date Revelation

- This claim is made repeatedly today (Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Etc...)

- Gal. 1:6-8

Galatians 1:6–8 NKJV

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

IV. Sincerity Is No Excuse For Disobedience

A. No One Can Doubt The Sincerity of The Young Prophet

- He faced danger and risked his life with the king’s wrath

- He turned down the offer of royalty – to be loyal to God

B. However, despite his sincerity – he died for his disobedience

- We all know when we violate natural laws – sincerity isn’t enough to protect us

- When will people learn that sincerity in religion (although important) is not enough alone

~ Matt. 7:21-24

Matthew 7:21–24 NKJV

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

~ Matt. 15:14

Matthew 15:14 NKJV

Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”

V. Yesterday's Obedience Doesn’tAtone For Today's Disobedience

A. God Doesn’t Overlook Today’s Disobedience Because of Our Obedience In The Past

- It can be easy for us to dwell in our accomplishments of the past.

- But if I don't remain faithful to the Lord, yesterday's obedience doesn't help.

B. God Requires Continual Obedience

- 1 Cor. 15:58

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

- Rev. 2:10

Revelation 2:10 NKJV

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

VI. Partial Obedience Isn’t Obedience At All

A. The Young Prophet Successfully Completed The First Part of His Mission

B. However, There Was A Second Part of His Mission – Just As Vital As His First.

- Both parts were God-given missions.

- He didn’t obey what the Lord said about his return trip.

C. Have You Been Guilty of Partial Obedience?

- Did you believe that you are saved by faith before being baptized, without the need for water baptism?

- Did you believe that being morally good is good enough?

D. Have You, As A Member of The Church, Contented Yourself With Partial Obedience?

Conclusion:

A. This are important and valuable lessons.

B. let us learn these lessons before it is too late for us to benefit from them.