ST. PAUL SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP

"Be ye followers of me as I also am of Christ." (I Corinthians 11:1)

(With Frank Eiklor, Christopher Lucey, Walter and Cecilia Contreras)

WINNERS AND LOSERS

(THE BOOK OF 1 KINGS-PART 2)

LESSON 49 Part 2

INTRODUCTION

When Jesus and the apostles quoted "the Scriptures", they were referring to the 39 books of the Hebrew Scriptures that Christians usually call the Old Testament. As the New Testament was being written, its writers affirmed the importance of the Old Testament examples-good and bad-and the wisdom in learning from them.

We will now conclude our study of 1 Kings. Look up each verse so you can grasp the full lesson. I have placed the word "example" before every case presented, not to be repetitive, but to present the student of Scripture from rushing through any part of the Word of God without taking time to think, to pray, and to apply the passage and adjust one's life accordingly.

WHEN GOD SPEAKS

1 KINGS

13:7-9, 11, 14, 18, 19, 24, 28 Example-When one has heard for certain from God, all

contrary advice, even from good people, must be rejected.

15:1-3, 8, 11-14 Example of an interesting comparison-one man who

followed in the evil steps of his father, while his son rejected the footsteps of his father and grandfather in order to walk with God.

15:25-27, 29, 30, 33, 34 Example of how God uses evil people (Baasha) to perform His purposes before destroying them (see also 16:1-4).

16:8-10 Elah an example of the cost of intemperance.

THE HALL OF SHAME

16:23-25 Another example of a man who failed to learn by history's hall of shame.

16:29-33 Ahab and Jezebel-Example of a marriage born to destruction.

17:1-9 Example of how God teaches those whom He calls to do great exploits (Elijah), as they learn to rely upon and trust Him fully.

17:11-16 The widow-Example of how faith becomes "substance" and "evidence" (see Hebrews 11:1).

18:3,4 Obadiah an example of one man refusing to follow the crowd.

18:17-40 Example of God using one man to confront a nation with two choices-God or Satan-and force them to choose.

18:41-46 Elijah's servant an example of learning to walk by faith

(7 trips) and not sight.

SATAN'S WOMAN

19:1, 2 Jezebel-Example of a woman sold out to Satan.

19:3-5, 9-14, 18 Elijah an example of the danger of spiritual pride infecting us when we are used by God.

19:19, 21 Elisha an example of the most important criteria for discipleship-obedience.

20:23, 27-29 The Syrians are made an example of the God of Israel's supremacy over the nations.

21:3, 4, 20, 25 Ahab an example of a spoiled brat living in an adult body.

22:4-30, 42, 43, 49, 50 Jehoshaphat-Example of a good man who learned the hard way not to think lightly of counsel from the Lord: and Micaiah, example of a fearless prophet who tickled no ears (see especially vv 8, 23-28, 34-38).