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Category Archives: Sermon Notes and Slides

Sermon Notes + 6.1.2025

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A Lamp in Jerusalem
1 Kings 15:1-24
Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor

Overview: The brief reign of Abijam is characterized by disobedience to the Lord as he walks in the sins that his father did before him. Nevertheless, God’s grace shines through as He provides a lamp in Jerusalem through Asa, a descendant of David whose heart is wholly true to the Lord. Asa demonstrates a heart for the Lord by putting away the male cult prostitutes, removing all the idols that his father had made, and removing the queen mother due to her idolatrous practices. Despite his intention to do what is right, Asa still finds himself unable to take away the high places. He also finds himself in the difficult position of procuring peace for his people by seeking aid from a foreign power. The fact that Asa was unable to bring about complete reform in Judah does not take away from his overall characterization as a man who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord; rather, it demonstrates the limits to what can be accomplished in a fallen world even by those who yearn for righteousness.

01. God’s heart toward His people is one of blessing. Even when sin abounds, His grace abounds much more.

02. Our hearts should be wholly true to the Lord. Even when sin abounds, His grace enables us to overcome.

03. Our hearts will sometimes veer away from the Lord. Even when sin abounds, our sufficiency is found in Christ.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY

1. How does the author of 1 Kings summarize the reign of Abijam in verse 3? What does the reference to David suggest about Abijam’s opportunity to chart a different course, other than the one he followed? What does this statement suggest about the need for us to choose the right influencers in our lives?
2. Why did God provide a “lamp in Jerusalem” (verse 4)? What does this phrase suggest about the darkness of sin in Judah? How does the image of light against the backdrop of darkness speak to the work of Christ in the world and the role of the church? See John 1:5 and Matthew 5:14 for further insight.
3. What does the provision of a lamp in Jerusalem reveal about God’s grace? Does God give grace reluctantly or willingly? Did Judah deserve grace or judgment at this time? Note how God’s grace is ever present in the Bible through such passages as Isaiah 9:2 and Romans 5:18-21.
4. How did Asa demonstrate a heart wholly true to the Lord (verses 9-15)? How difficult was this for him to do at a time when people were comfortable with the sins of his father? What areas of your life need to be given over to the Lord? How can you be a lamp in a darkened world?
5. In what ways does Asa’s life fall short of God’s command to trust in Him entirely? (See 2 Chronicles 16:7-12). Compare Asa’s shortcomings with the exception in David’s obedience in verse 5. How do their failures to trust the Lord entirely point to the need for a greater king who will follow God’s commands without exception? Take time to thank God for His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, the sinless Savior (Hebrews 4:15-16; 1 Peter 2:22).
For Further Reading: John Stott, Life in Christ: A Guide for Daily Living (Baker, 2003)

Sermon Notes + 5.25.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF There Was War Continually 1 Kings 14:30 Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor Overview: As the author of 1 Kings closes out the life of Rehoboam, he notes that there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually. It is a passing reference that intentionally omits key details normally associated with reports of nations at… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 5.18.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF The Burden for the Lost Romans 10:1-15 Semeon Mulatu (PhD), General Secretary of Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church Overview: The Apostle Paul felt a strong spiritual duty to reach the lost by preaching the gospel. He believed this message holds God’s power for salvation to all who believe, both Gentiles and Jews. In his… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 5.11.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES His Mother’s Name Was Naamah 1 Kings 14:21-31 Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor Overview: The account of Rehoboam’s reign begins with what will become a standard formula for the author of 1-2 Kings. The formula includes the age of the king when he began to reign, the country in which he… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 5.4.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES Unbearable News 1 Kings 14:1-20 Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor Overview: Jeroboam’s reign over Israel is characterized by the establishment of a false religion in order to promote his own self-preservation, yet it leads to his demise and the nation’s destruction. When his son Abijah becomes ill, Jeroboam instructs his wife… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 4.20.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES Behold Your gods 1 Kings 12:25-33 Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor Overview: Rehoboam’s refusal to listen to the advice of his people leads to division in Israel, resulting in two countries with two kings. Jeroboam became king of the northern kingdom and immediately established Shechem as the new capital while fortifying… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 4.13.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES The Rest of the Acts of Solomon – Part II 1 Kings 11:41-43 Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor Overview: In the final summation of Solomon’s life, the author of 1 Kings refers readers to a source outside the Bible known as the Book of the Acts of Solomon. While the author’s intention… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 4.6.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES He Took Counsel With the Young Men 1 Kings 12:1-24 Tyler Van Horssen, Director of Student Ministry Overview: In 1 Kings 12, Rehoboam has taken the throne following Solomon’s death. In his wisdom, Solomon fortified the kingdom of Israel; however, Rehoboam’s foolishness quickly divides it. Rather than listening to the older… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 3.30.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES The Rest of the Acts of Solomon 1 Kings 11:41-43 Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor Overview: In the final summation of Solomon’s life, the author of 1 Kings refers readers to a source outside the Bible known as the Book of the Acts of Solomon. While the author’s intention has been… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 3.23.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES The Lord Was Angry With Solomon 1 Kings 11:1-40 Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor Overview: The final turning point in King Solomon’s life is when his heart is no longer devoted to the Lord, a process that has been a long time in the making but seems to accelerate in his… Continue Reading