A Blood-Bought Kingdom

Solomon secured his kingdom by executing his rivals (see 1 Kings 2). The three enemies he had put to death were old enemies of his father King David. 

In a related way, Jesus also established His kingdom by bloodshed. But it wasn't someone else's blood that He shed, it was His own blood that He offered. 

Also, note the three enemies Solomon had put to death are in many ways symbolic of the flesh, the world, and the devil. Jesus gives us victory over these old enemies through the power of the cross. 

Esther: A Type of Jesus

The Old Testament contains pictures of the coming Christ. These types and shadows prefigure the Lord Jesus. Consider the example of Queen Esther.

  • Both Jesus and Esther were beautiful
  • Both Jesus and Esther were compasionate
  • Both Jesus and Esther were intercessors
  • Both Jesus and Esther saved their people
  • Both Jesus and Esther defeated evil
  • Both Jesus and Esther were willing to sacrifice themselves (but only Jesus actually laid His life down)

Broken

This world is hurting. Every sector of American life is coming unhinged. Consider the following:

  • Health care is broken. 
  • Education is broken
  • Government is broken
  • Professional sports is broken
  • Media is broken
  • Relationships are broken
  • The entertainment industry is broken
  • Religion is broken
  • Families are broken
  • And eventually the economy will break.

The only One we can count on is the Lord Jesus. He is the only reliable One we can always trust. "All other ground is sinking sand."

The Greatest King

Jesus Christ is the greatest king of history. By comparing Jesus to other kings His superiority quickly becomes apparent. Notice these comparisons between Saul the first king and Jesus the final King.

See 1 Samuel 31

  1. Both Jesus and Saul had enemies, however Saul fled from his enemies, while Jesus faced His (verse 1).
  2. Both Jesus and Saul welcomed death, however Saul wanted to save himself from suffering, while Jesus wanted to save us from suffering (verse 4).
  3. Both Jesus and Saul died, however Saul's death brought defeat to his followers, while Jesus's death brings victory to His followers (verse 7).
  4. Both Jesus and Saul were buried, however Saul remains in the grave, while Jesus was resurrected from the grave (verse 13).

How to Evaluate New Ideas

When is a new idea good? And when is a new idea bad?

A new idea is good when it is God’s idea, see 2 Sam 5:23-25 (Have you sought the Lord through prayer? Has God led in this new direction?)

A new idea is bad when it violates God’s values, see 2 Sam 6:1-7 (He touched the ark. The ark had poles for carrying it.)