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 Penuel for added protection. He realizes that people in the northern kingdom will be inclined to travel to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the temple, so he provides alternate places of worship in the northernmost and southernmost regions of his country. In addition, he provides alternate forms of worship, including temples at high places, priests from among the people, and feasts that mirror those in Judah. Although Jeroboam’s decisions are politically astute, they are an affront to God because the result was a false religion altogether. By considering Jeroboam’s actions in this passage, we are able to discover the marks of false religion and, by contrast, we are able to discern the marks of true religion as it relates to the claims of Christianity.
The marks of false religion:
- It contains the elements of religion without Divine sanction.
- It benefits the founder more than the followers.
- It reduces God to our level and makes Him subject to public approval.
- It creates a new reality that is detached from history.
- It is based on convenience instead of commitment.
- It fails to accomplish the purpose it is designed to achieve.
The marks of true religion:
- It contains the elements of religion with Divine sanction.
- It cost the founder His life so followers can benefit from His life.
- It reveals a God who is Holy and calls us to be like Himself.
- Its claims to reality are supported by history.
- It is based on commitment rather than convenience.
- It fully accomplishes the purpose it is designed to achieve.