What fills our prayer life

Ask the kids about their verse.

1 Sam. 3:10 “10 The Lord came, stood there, and called as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening.””

Arguments everywhere

Through out my time as a teacher, and dealing with customers. I have had all sorts of complaints brought to me ranging from the childish to “Barry’s being nasty to me” through to the scary “your in breach of contract”

Two things I learned - one through the best learning tool - Error and one through the advice of a trusted friend.

Don’t Judge the situation based on the initial complaint.

A trivial articulation of a problem can be the way that someone reveals something massive in their lives.

A screaming, mess of a complaint - can be an over reaction to something trivial.

2. When two people come to you with argument the truth is normally somewhere between.

Scripture lots to say about arguments much of it great advice

Paul tells us

1 Philippians 2:14 “14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing,”

and

2 Timothy 2:23–24 (CSB)

23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. 24 The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient,

Proverbs tells us

Proverbs 26:17 ESV

17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

Which is like my favourite modern saying ‘you don’t have to attend every argument you are invited to’

There are some arguments we should get involved in those to support the oppressed, or to defend the faith but many we should try and avoid.

Those meaningless arguments as Paul put it.

Arguments of styles of worship or perceived insults or spouses that have not filled the dishwasher like we promised to do but are convinced it is not our turn, as we did it twice yesterday and even emptied it and put it all all way and anyway, I only didn’t fill the dishwasher because I was sorting the hoover, that has got loads of hair wrapped around it, an I’m not the one with long hair....

Sorry where were we...

The point I was going to make is that as we go through life we are going come across arguments and we need to have the wisdom to know when to engage and how.

Probably the most famous argument in the bible other than Baalam arguing with his donkey - stupid ass.

is the argument set out in 1 Kings. 3

The true mother

1 Kings 3:16–28 (CSB)

16 Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was in the house. 18 On the third day after I gave birth, she also had a baby and we were alone. No one else was with us in the house; just the two of us were there. 19 During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. 20 She got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while your servant was asleep. She laid him in her arms, and she put her dead son in my arms. 21 When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. That morning, when I looked closely at him I realized that he was not the son I gave birth to.”

22 “No,” the other woman said. “My son is the living one; your son is the dead one.”

The first woman said, “No, your son is the dead one; my son is the living one.” So they argued before the king.

23 The king replied, “This woman says, ‘This is my son who is alive, and your son is dead,’ but that woman says, ‘No, your son is dead, and my son is alive.’ ” 24 The king continued, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought the sword to the king. 25 And the king said, “Cut the living boy in two and give half to one and half to the other.”

26 The woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she felt great compassion for her son. “My lord, give her the living baby,” she said, “but please don’t have him killed!”

But the other one said, “He will not be mine or yours. Cut him in two!”

27 The king responded, “Give the living baby to the first woman, and don’t kill him. She is his mother.” 28 All Israel heard about the judgment the king had given, and they stood in awe of the king because they saw that God’s wisdom was in him to carry out justice.

What a resolution. What wisdom. I thought my playground experience navigating the interpersonal relationships of year 6 girls and the mainly football centred episode of year five (I’m taking my ball home) had equipped me to deal with any argument. But that one was a cut above, if you will excuse the pun,

Solomons wisdom

So where did Solomon get this wisdom from? How did he get it?

1 Kings 3:3–14 (NIV)

3 Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.

4 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

Do life with God not apart.

Solomon started his kingship in the right direction: he showed his love for God by keeping the instructions given him by his father David.

David had counseled him to walk faithfully with God so that the generational blessings promised by God to David would never cease in the family.

Keeping close to God. when our spirit is close to the Father we are -

More confident

More resilient

More measured

Keep with God - it makes life easier to bear.

God First

Solomon had seen David offer extravagant sacrifices to God and we see him as king following those footsteps. Solomon did not hold back from God. He put God first.

This is seen in the actions he took: He offered an extravagant worship of a thousand burnt offerings in one sitting on the altar.

He did not hold back in giving to God. It was a spiritual statement to God that he was prepared to give the very best to God.

Solomon’s resources were to be put at the disposal of God.

There is something rather deep and inexplicable about how the heart of God is touched when His children offer Him their very best. God was unquestionably touched by Solomon’s sacrifice.

To live in the richness of God we are called to put him first.

Rewards?

Some would suggest that God gave Solomon the choice of a Gift because of the way he had walked with Him and sacrificed to Him and in some ways that is true. God rewards those who earnestly seek him

Hebrews 11:6 NIV

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

God honours the righteous.

1 Samuel 26:23 (CSB)

23 The Lord will repay every man for his righteousness and his loyalty....

who looked up Saul and David in the cave? this verse is from another time David spared Saul’s life.

But I think that drawing a simple direct link between being faithful to God and Gods gift of wisdom is unhelpful.

It relegates this story to the same level as a Disney cartoon, It starts to give the impression that God it Like a giant blue Genie, that when you help him will grant your wishes.

Three men on an island and they find a bottle washed up on the shore

it is too hot here, I long for the cool of the mountains - I want to be at an alpine ski resort, an expensive one - poof.

The second one says it is so barren here i want to be back home, with all my comforts except in a bigger house with a bigger tv and a hot tub - poof.

The third guy - says it is really lonely here, I wish my friends were back.

Father God is not a blue genie in an old lamp handing out wishes. He is a gracious Father concerned about each of us, giving us the best. And who knows what we want is not always the best for us.

Integrity, authenticity and Motive

God question to Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted was an invitation but also a change for Solomon’s motive to shine through. God was seeking integrity and authenticity.

Solomon responded by asking God for wisdom so that he could successfully govern the people of God.

Solomon humbled himself and admitted that he felt very inadequate in the huge task of ruling God’s people. God was so pleased with Solomon that He promised to give him both wisdom and wealth that would be unparalleled by any other king in his lifetime.

Solomon put God’s Kingdom Agenda first and God blessed him tremendously.

God blessed Solomon with something that would advance that same Kingdom Agenda.

God’s Agenda

Let me ask you a question -

What do you pray for?

When we pray do we ask for things that advance God’s agenda?

So, what do you ask for predominantly in your prayers? Money to pay your bills?

Good health?

A husband or wife?

A good job?

The defeat of your enemies?

Nothing is wrong with asking for those things. we are called to bring all things to God Philippians 4:6

Philippians 4:6 CSB

6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

and as a church we have seen amazing answers to prayer so don’t stop.

But I believe that our prayers and our lives are so much more effective when we make ourselves available to Gods agenda. - when we pray to be equipped to do what we were made for, what we are called for...

Ephesians tells us.

Ephesians 2:10 CSB

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

Let me unpick that

Eph. 2:10

Ephesians 2:10 AMP

10 For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

Do you ask God to use your time, talents and treasures to further His Kingdom?

Do you ask God to use you sacrificially?

Jenga - blocks - how do we split our prayer life.

WORSHIP / PRAISE / ADORATION

PETITION

THANKS

KINGDOM

EQUIPPING / USE ME

STOP AND LISTEN

God has promised to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

There is nothing inherently wrong in asking God to meet our needs. But the words of Jesus must govern our lives:

(Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:33 CSB

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

powerful food for thought.

Prayer: Father, please help me to put you first in my Time, Talents and Treasures. Amen.