IT WAS JUST A LITTLE MISTAKE (4 OF 5)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: 1 Kings 13:1-32
This content is part of a series.
It Was Just a Little Mistake (4 of 5)
Series: That Ain't Right
Jeff Strite
1 Kings 13:1-32
OPEN: As raw recruits were preparing for their first jump from a C130 aircraft at 1200 ft., the sergeant explained what to do if the main parachute didn't open: ''Snap back immediately into a tight body position,'' he said. ''Then pull the rip cord of your reserve chute and it will open, bringing you safely to the ground.''
A private stirred nervously and slowly raised his hand, ''Sergeant, if my main parachute doesn't open, how long do I have to pull my reserve?''
The sergeant looked directly into the young private's eyes and replied earnestly, ''The rest of your life, soldier. The rest of your life.''
APPLY: How many of you believe that soldier would remember to pull his reserve cord IMMEDIATELY upon discovering his main chute had malfunctioned? You better believe it! There is something shocking about hearing such an absolute statement: ''You have the rest of your life to pull that cord. Because if you don't pull the cord… that will be the end of your life.''
(…pause) And there's something shocking about our story from Scripture this morning. A man of God confronts Jeroboam (the King of the Northern nation of Israel) because he had encouraged the idolatry that had been practiced at this altar at Bethel. The prophet tells Jeroboam that the false priests who offered sacrifices there would die on that altar, their bones burned upon that the altar.
King Jeroboam had the audacity to try to order God's prophet seized… only to have his outstretched arm wither as he gestured at the prophet and watch helplessly as the altar itself split in two.
Jeroboam quickly rethought his rash behavior and repented.
He pled with the prophet to pray that God would heal his withered hand.
And Jeroboam was so humbled he tried to offer the prophet a meal and a gift.
But the prophet refused: ''Even if you were to give me half your possessions, I would not go with y ...
Series: That Ain't Right
Jeff Strite
1 Kings 13:1-32
OPEN: As raw recruits were preparing for their first jump from a C130 aircraft at 1200 ft., the sergeant explained what to do if the main parachute didn't open: ''Snap back immediately into a tight body position,'' he said. ''Then pull the rip cord of your reserve chute and it will open, bringing you safely to the ground.''
A private stirred nervously and slowly raised his hand, ''Sergeant, if my main parachute doesn't open, how long do I have to pull my reserve?''
The sergeant looked directly into the young private's eyes and replied earnestly, ''The rest of your life, soldier. The rest of your life.''
APPLY: How many of you believe that soldier would remember to pull his reserve cord IMMEDIATELY upon discovering his main chute had malfunctioned? You better believe it! There is something shocking about hearing such an absolute statement: ''You have the rest of your life to pull that cord. Because if you don't pull the cord… that will be the end of your life.''
(…pause) And there's something shocking about our story from Scripture this morning. A man of God confronts Jeroboam (the King of the Northern nation of Israel) because he had encouraged the idolatry that had been practiced at this altar at Bethel. The prophet tells Jeroboam that the false priests who offered sacrifices there would die on that altar, their bones burned upon that the altar.
King Jeroboam had the audacity to try to order God's prophet seized… only to have his outstretched arm wither as he gestured at the prophet and watch helplessly as the altar itself split in two.
Jeroboam quickly rethought his rash behavior and repented.
He pled with the prophet to pray that God would heal his withered hand.
And Jeroboam was so humbled he tried to offer the prophet a meal and a gift.
But the prophet refused: ''Even if you were to give me half your possessions, I would not go with y ...
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