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 to approach Ahijah the prophet in order to determine the child’s fate. The prophet receives a word from the Lord and faithfully delivers the unbearable news. It is a message of judgment from the Lord due to Jeroboam’s unrepentant lifestyle, which has resulted in leading Israel astray. Consequently, Jeroboam has forfeited his dynasty, and Israel will be exiled from the Promised Land. As it turns out, the predicted death of the child is the only indication of mercy from the Lord, since this child will not experience the destruction that is yet to come. Such unbearable news is a reminder for us today of the awful consequences of a life lived apart from God, yet it can be an encouragement for all who hear to turn to the Lord before the day of judgment.
01. Pastors have a duty to proclaim both good news and unbearable news without fear or favor based on the Word of God.
02. People who seldom seek the Lord or have turned away from the Lord should brace themselves for unbearable news.
03. The unbearable news is that God’s judgment is exceedingly awful; it is most deserved; it is certain in its application; it is timed to the second; and it is eternal.
04. The good news is that the unbearable news is entirely avoidable for those who turn to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who bore the unbearable judgment for us.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
1. How does the life of Jeroboam compare with the life of Solomon, from the beginning to the end of his reign? Do you agree that the actions of Jeroboam merited God’s judgment? Do you agree that our sinful actions also merit God’s judgment?
2. Why does Jeroboam tell his wife to approach the prophet Ahijah in disguise? What does it say about us when we feel we cannot approach God or others as we really are? Since God already knows all there is to know about us, what good is it to pretend otherwise when we go to church or when we pray?
3. How does Ahijah demonstrate that he is a true prophet of the Lord? Why do you think pastors are tempted to soften God’s Word by avoiding messages about God’s judgment? Pray that leaders and teachers at Northpoint will be faithful in sharing from God’s Word without fear or favor.
4. In what ways does the temporal judgment in this text (loss of life, land, and dynasty) resemble the eternal judgment? Is there any hope for those who have died in their sins apart from Christ? Pray that people who are not currently open to the gospel will have open hearts to receive Christ as their Savior.
5. What is meant by “in him there is found something pleasing to the Lord” in verse 13? How does this small glimmer of hope point us to that which God has found pleasing in Christ?
For Further Reading: Chris Morgan and Robert Peterson, eds. Is Hell for Real or Does Everyone Go to Heaven? (Zondervan, 2011)