When the Usual Becomes Unusual

I. PRE-SERMON

a. Prayer Request

b. Servants for WELCOME TEAM

c. Yea God for All those who served at Pumpkin Show

II. Introduction

a. The Night I passed out – The Usual became Unusual

b. Have you ever had the Usual become Unusual

c. This morning – Focusing on I Kings 11-16, asking the question:

How do you respond when the USUAL becomes Unusual?

d. PRAY

III. Usual

a. David to Solomon

1 Kings 2:10–12 (ESV) — 10 Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. 11 And the time that David reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 12 So Solomon sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established.

b. Solomon to Rehoboam

1 Kings 11:42–43 (ESV) — 42 And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. 43 And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

IV. Unusual

a. I Kings 11. 26-40 – Jeroboam

i. Ephraimite – 2ndSon of Joseph

1. Genesis 48 – Manasseh & Ephraim

2. 2 Tribes from Joseph rather than 1

ii. Promised the 10 Tribes

b. 1 Kings 12. 1-11

iii. Took Counsel – OLD MEN (1 Kings 12.6)

1. Clovis Kelly

2. Gary Exman

3. Somebody who has been there and done it in the RIGHTEOUS Way – the Unusual Way

Proverbs 16:31 (ESV) — 31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.

iv. Took Counsel – YOUNG Men (I Kings 12.8)

a. Make things Harder

b. SURPRISE – for the “normal” people Solomon’s reign was tough – Prophecy answered from

i. I Sam 8.10-18

c. Unusual advice – caused the Usual to become Unusual

V. Rehoboam Responded USUALLY Resulting in Disaster

(I Kings 12.12-24)

a. USUALLY – SIN – Nature – SELF Gratifying

2 Peter 1:3–4 (ESV) — 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

i. I don’t have to respond in the USUAL WAY if I have Jesus

ii. I won’t respond in the USUAL WAY because I have Jesus

b. Israel Splits into 2 Countries – About 120 Years - United

i. Judah – South

1. Judah & Benjamin

2. Levites (stayed with the temple)

ii. Israel – North

1. Other 10 Tribes

2. Samaria eventually becomes the Capital

c. The Jewish People go into a downward spiral until Jesus comes

d. We don’t have to be like this

VI. Respond Unusually by Seeking the Counsel of God's Word & Wise People

a. 2 Peter 1.3-4 – Take on the Divine Nature

Psalm 1:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

b. Proverbs 1.1-7

c. James 1:5 (ESV) — 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

d. Don’t Just SEEK it out – Implement it!!!

e. Seek people out who have these Qualities

i. REFER back to 1 Kings 12. 24

ii. When my usual became Unusually – I had to be willing to DEPNEND more on other Jesus People

iii. Where to find these people - LIFEGROUPS

VII. Next Steps

a. Commit to responding Unusually when the Usual becomes Unusual

b. Seek forgiveness if you have been responding to the Unusual, Usually

c. Commit to the Daily Bible: App/Physical

d. Do a search of the word COUNSEL in Psalms and Proverbs

e. Join a LifeGroup