1 Kings
1 Kings 22:51 – 2 Kings 1:18 – Mr. Flip Flop – MP3 / YouTube
King Ahaziah starts with a flip by ignoring the word of God like his father, King Ahab, but later flops by fighting and resisting the Word of God, like his mother, Queen Jezebel. There are three alternatives when we face the Scriptures, we ignore God’s word, we resist God’s word, or we love God’s word by submission and obedience. Our fruitfulness and effectiveness for the Lord will depend on the effect that the word of God has on us. Other passage mentioned: Psalm 1.
1 Kings 2:1-11 – Me or Him – MP3 / YouTube
What is our life about? Is it about us or is it about the glory of God? The last words of a dying individual are often a window into that person’s heart and soul. David’s final charge to his son, Solomon, serves as a lesson for parents in raising their children. Are we looking for our own self-interest or are we looking out for the interests of our children and for the glory of God? At the end of this message, Zane answers the question, “How can we account for the fact that a great man like David could have had character failures like this?” Other passages mentioned include: 1 Kings 1; 2 Samuel 11-12; 2 Samuel 21:1-9; Deuteronomy 24:16; 2 Samuel 16:5-13; 2 Samuel 19:15-23; Ephesians 2:8-9.
1 Kings 2:12-46 – King’s Solomon’s Decision Making – MP3 / YouTube
Making good firm and decisive decisions is an important part of Christian living. By examining the decision making of King Solomon early in his reign, we discover that we need to be decisive when a decision is right and appropriate based on the word of God. When our decisions are based on the promises of God, based on the predictions of God or based on the principles in the word of God, then that is when we know that we have the mind and will of God in our decisions. The course, direction and nature of our lives will be determined by the decisions that we make. If we have a decision to make, let us ask God for grace to do it His way and decide for Him. Other passages mentioned include: 1 Kings 1:1-2:11; 1 Samuel 2:31-36; Exodus 21:14; Numbers 35:33; 2 Samuel 16:5-13; 2 Samuel 19:16-23; Proverbs 25:5.
1 Kings 4 – The Golden Age of Israel and Solomon’s Broadness of Heart – MP3 / YouTube
In 1 Kings 4, we get a picture of the golden age of Israel, when Israel was walking in God’s ways under the leadership of Solomon, who was humble enough to have confessed his own ignorance and to have asked God for wisdom. This serves as a contrast to all that the nation will lose in the subsequent chapters of Kings. However, by the grace of God, all that was lost will be restored and even more so under the King of kings and Lord of lords. 1 Kings 4 also describes Solomon as having a broadness of heart. What does this mean and how can this lead to godly wisdom? The following questions are asked at the end: Is Solomon’s kingdom an Old Testament type of Jesus Christ’s kingdom to come? Did Solomon’s kingdom literally fulfill all of God’s promised lands to the nation of Israel? Other passages mentioned include: 1 Kings 3:5-15; Judges 16; Genesis 2:19-20; Genesis 3:1-3.
1 Kings 5 – King Solomon’s Friend, King Hiram – MP3 / YouTube
One of the greatest gifts that God gives us in life is the gift of friendship. King Solomon had an outstanding friend, Hiram king of Tyre. By examining Hiram’s friendship with Solomon, we learn how to be a good friend to others, and how this friendship between a Jewish King and a Gentile King resulted in the construction of the temple of God. Our relationship with Jesus Christ is first and foremost, as our Savior, but to build on that relationship we need to be a friend of Jesus. The paradigm of love for Jesus was the love of friendship. So, every love that is worthwhile ought to be the love of friendship. Jesus invites us into friendship. Other passages mentioned include: Mark 11:17; John 15:13-15; Proverbs 18:24.
1 Kings 6:1-13 – Solomon’s Temple (1997) – MP3 / YouTube / Handout
Every Christian is a walking temple of God. As we look at this passage about Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem, we will learn principles that are applicable to ourselves, because we are a walking temple of God. God is concerned with small things, very frequently surprising us by bypassing big things to deal with small things. God works frequently and effectively through small groups and objects. We, as creatures, do not have the liberty to decide in what way we are to worship the Creator. We are to worship the Creator in spirit and in truth. When God made a temple out of us, He gave us everything, spiritually speaking, that we would ever need, to live for Him, to serve Him, to worship Him, and to honor Him. Silence in the presence of God is a very significant spiritual discipline that all of us need to cultivate. God’s children should know how to climb to get to His resources. Can people and God smell the Lord Jesus Christ in us? We need to re-double our commitment to God and to continue to be obedient to Him, so that we may experience His presence and that God may be at home in our lives, and then all the privileges and benefits of being a temple of God will be experienced by ourselves. Other passages discussed include: 1 Corinthians 6:19, Zechariah 4:6,9-10, John 4:20-24, Ephesians 1:3, 2 Peter 1:3, Habakkuk 2:20, Psalm 46:10, Matthew 18:20, Ephesians 5:2, 2 Corinthians 2:14, and John 14:23.
1 Kings 7:13-22, 41-42 – The Two Pillars of God’s Temple (1997) – MP3 / YouTube
The construction of the pillars for God’s temple illustrate that the temple was meant for both Jews and Gentiles. The pillars represent God’s ability to establish His purposes in strength, to produce beautiful fruit, and to hold all things together. Zane traces God’s ability to do all these things through the history of Victor Street Bible Chapel. Other passages mentioned include: 1 Kings 7:1-12, 1 Kings 6, 1 Kings 5; Mark 11:17; Isaiah 56:7; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3; Job 34:14-15; Genesis 2:9; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Ephesians 3:10; Psalm 90:16-17.
1 Kings 7:23-39 – The Sea and the Water Carts in God’s Temple (1997) – MP3 / YouTube
The Sea is a giant basin, which represents that salvation is of the Jews. The water carts and the reservoirs that they contain illustrate our need for ourselves to be clean and our sacrifices to be clean when we come to worship God at the Lord’s Table. Other passages mentioned include: 1 Kings 7:13; John 4:20,22; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:25-26; 2 Chronicles 4:6; Leviticus 1; 1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 10:19-22; 1 Timothy 4:3-5; John 4:24.
1 Kings 7:40-8:11 – The Glory of God in the House of the Lord (1997) – MP3 / YouTube
For the first time in about 500 years, the glory of God appears to the nation of Israel in God’s temple. What lead up to the manifestation of God’s glory after all this time to the nation of Israel, and how can this be applied to Victor Street Bible Chapel? Other passages mentioned include: 1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 Kings 6:1; 2 Samuel 6:1-17; Hebrews 13:15-16; Hebrews 10:19-22.
1 Kings 8:10-8:61 – What Have You Left Out of Your Prayers? (1998) – MP3 / YouTube
Solomon in his prayer at the dedication of the temple left out something very important. Every day we need God’s help for that day to live acceptably before Him and to honor Him in the sight of others. It is through prayer that we bring our weaknesses to be strengthened by the power of God. Other passages mentioned include: Psalms 119:35-37; Psalms 141:3-4.
1 Kings 8:59-9:14 – Be Careful (November 1998) – MP3 / YouTube
The Israelites leave full of joy after the feast for the dedication of the temple. Do we go home from the Lord’s Supper, joyful and glad of heart for all that the Lord has done for us? God appears to Solomon 13 years after Solomon’s prayer to warn Solomon to be careful, otherwise, the destruction of his kingdom awaits. Although a believer is saved and permanently secure, if a believer turns his back on God, then the temporal blessings that a believer enjoys may be lost. Solomon did not express proper appreciation for all that his good friend, Hiram, had done. We need to be careful, that we are grateful and express proper appreciation for all that God has done for us. Other passages mentioned include: John 2:19-21; John 1:14; 2 Kings 25:1-9; Romans 1:21-23.
1 Kings 9:15-10:25 – The Lady Who Got It Right (December 20, 1998) – MP3 / YouTube
After the Queen of Sheba’s visit to King Solomon, she remarks how the Lord loves King Solomon and the nation of Israel. The real secret of fidelity and faithfulness to God is not to be found in wisdom and knowledge, but to be found in the love of God to which we respond in love. Every day the Lord gives you is a token of His love and mercy. Do you love the God who loves you? Zane reflects upon the heart attack he had earlier in 1998. At the end, a questionnaire asks whether the Queen of Sheba’s questions may have included, is there life after death and how one receives eternal life. Other passages mentioned include: 2 Samuel 12:24-25; 1 Corinthians 13:1-2; John 14:21, 23; 1 John 4:19; 1 Kings 11:1-2.
1 Kings 13:1-32 – The Narrative of the Nameless Prophets (1999) – MP3 / YouTube
In this passage about two prophets, who are not named, there are lessons for us on testing those who claim to speak for God by the word of God, and that the word of God always remains true, even when the servants who bear the word of God fail Him. Other passages mentioned include: 1 Peter 2:11; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 13:14; Matthew 7:15; 1 John 4:1
1 Kings 13:33-14:20 – God’s Love, Mercy and Compassion for Children (April 25, 1999) – MP3 / YouTube
Zane’s discussion of this passage, given after the high school shooting at Columbine high school, reminds us of God’s love, mercy and compassion for children, even when it appears negative things are happening to our children. Even if God has tried to get your attention by things that have happened to your children, God is not going to punish you through your children by being vindictive to your children. Everything that God has done in the lives of your children is designed for the good of your children. Don’t force God to try to get your attention through things that happen to your children. Be open to God and examine yourselves and the lives of your children. Other passages mentioned include: 1 Kings 11:26-13:32; Luke 18:16; Psalm 139:23-24.
1 Kings 14:21-31 – Don’t Be Gun-Shy (1999) – MP3 / YouTube
Are we afraid to confront situations, that need to be addressed, because we are afraid of the consequences? Rehoboam has become a gun-shy king after losing ten of the tribes of Israel from his kingdom. Are we gun-shy from following the word of God, because we are afraid of the consequences that may follow? How should churches handle God’s commandments for women to be silent during the Lord’s Supper meeting of the church? How should churches handle immorality in the church? We must not be gun-shy when the word of God and the commandments of God are at issue. When we fail to confront what is wrong in situations where we need to stand for the word of God, we will experience valuable losses. Other passages mentioned include: 1 Timothy 2:9-10; 1 Corinthians 14:34-38; 1 Kings 12:1-23; 1 Kings 3:2-12; 2 Kings 18:1-4, 17-22; Deuteronomy 12:1-14; 2 Kings 19:35; 1 Corinthians 15:5; 2 Chronicles 12:1-7; and Proverbs 18:10.
1 Kings 15:1-24 – The King Who Downgraded the House of God (1999) – MP3 / YouTube
Although King Asa undertakes many impressive reforms in removing idolatry from the land of Israel, King Asa fails to remove the high places and make the house of God the unique center of the worship of God in Israel. Unfortunately, King Asa also impoverishes the house of God by using its treasures for security instead of seeking security from God. Likewise, the modern church has also lost the center of its worship. The center of worship in the early church was the Lord’s Supper. Zane discusses the observance of the Lord’s Supper and its role in the corporate worship of the church. Other passage mentioned include: Deuteronomy 12:1-14; Acts 20:7-12; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Acts 2:41-46; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 2 Chronicles 14:8-16:9; John 4:20-24.
1 Kings 15:25-16:14; 1 Kings 14:10-11 – What Have You Learned From Your Personal History? (1999) – MP3 / YouTube
History repeats itself in two very similar stories of two different kings of Israel and their sons. These stories serve as a lesson for us. We often repeat the mistakes and failures of our parents, even without us realizing this. What things have you picked up from your home and family life, that God would like to see changed? If there are things in our personal history that need changing, it is not just for us, but also for our descendants. As believers, there is no need for us to imitate our parents’ failings, but we can imitate our Lord Jesus Christ. Other passages mentioned include: Numbers 14:18; Galatians 2:20.
1 Kings 16:15-17:1 – The Loyal Prophet of God, the Wicked Woman and Mr. In-Between (September 20, 1999) – MP3 / YouTube
In this passage, we are introduced to three famous persons in the Old Testament, Elijah, Jezebel and Ahab. When God tolerates evil and delays His judgment against evil, God is using evil to demonstrate His power and to magnify His name. God may tolerate evil for a time, but He will not tolerate evil indefinitely. Even in Israel’s dark days, God’s prophetic word is coming true. We need to base our religion on the Bible and not on the superstition of men. The only religion that God approves is the religion that is revealed in the Scriptures. When we go beyond the Scriptures with our religious practices, we are treading in the territory of superstition, falsehood and deceit. Other passages mentioned: Luke 1:17; Revelation 11:6; Job 20:5; Proverbs 28:2; Psalm 73; Exodus 9:16; Joshua 6:26; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
1 Kings 17; James 5:17 – Simply Trusting Every Day (December 5, 1999) – MP3 / YouTube
We see how God teaches the prophet Elijah to trust Him day by day, meal by meal and need by need, and then Elijah is able to teach this lesson to others. The secret to effective prayer is prayer based on the word of God. Effective prayer is not thinking of something big, and praying that God will do it. The core of effective prayer is for us to pray for the things that God has promised in His word that He will do. Other passages mentioned include: Deuteronomy 11:16-17; Genesis 19:1-11; Psalm 27:5; Proverbs 18:10; 1 Kings 4:22-23; James 2:5.
1 Kings 18:1-19 – The Fear of God and the Love of God (2000) – MP3 / YouTube
The strange behavior of Obadiah, administrator of King Ahab’s house, serves as a mirror for us to examine whether we are afraid that God will not help us when we are in need. The starting place for all true spiritual wisdom comes from a reverence and respect for the greatness and majesty of the power of God. However, although the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, the fear of God is not the end of wisdom. What is our image of God? Is it an image, where God is a stern and righteous and judgmental Father? If we have a fear that God won’t stand by us in our hour of need, we need the reassurance from the word of God of God’s compassion and love for us. Other passages mentioned include: Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Romans 8:35, 37-39; 1 John 4:10. Please note, that the original recording contains moments where the microphone failed to record.
1 Kings 18:16-46 – Courage and Confidence in God (2000) – MP3 / YouTube
In Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal, we have one of the most outstanding examples of courage and confidence in the Bible. One of the keys to successful spiritual warfare is courage and confidence in God. The secret to boldness in front of men is humility in the presence of God. Sometimes God answers prayers quickly, but other times God’s answer is to wait. Part of courage and confidence in God, is to believe God will answer our prayers according to his word, even when we see nothing. Other passages mentioned: 1 Kings 18:1-15; James 5:17; Deuteronomy 13:1-5; James 4:6; Hebrews 12:1-2.
1 Kings 19:1-18 – Serving God Is Not a Walk in the Park, It Is a Ride on a Roller Coaster (April 23, 2000) – MP3 / YouTube
Fresh off his victory at Mount Carmel, the prophet Elijah replaces his faith in God with fear and depression. We learn the lesson that you cannot live today on yesterday’s faith. Although we are saved once and for all by an act of faith in Jesus Christ, every day is a new battle of faith. God reserves the right to give us something better than what we ask for. When we are angry, the best thing to do is to put aside such anger and ask the question, “What is God telling me to do from His word?”, and then, get busy and do it. This is how we gain victory over anger, frustration and depression. Other passages mentioned include: 2 Corinthians 4:16; 2 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Kings 17:20-22; 1 Kings 18:36-38; 1 Kings 18:42-44; James 5:18; Matthew 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-10; John 14:21.
1 Kings 19:19-20:21 – Don’t Be Mr. In-Between (June 11, 2000) – MP3 / YouTube
King Ahab can be a model of a Christian who is in-between good and bad. At this stage in King Ahab’s career, he has the opportunity to change the direction of his life. If you believe God’s word and act upon God’s word, God will get the job done. There is no pathway to success except by obedience to the revealed word of God. Other passages mentioned: 1 Kings 16:31; Kings 18:19; 1 Kings 21; 1 Kings 18:16-19:1; 1 Kings 17; Exodus 7:17.
1 Kings 19:19-20:21 – The Crossroads of Life (2000) – MP3 / YouTube
As King Ahab continues his conflict with Ben-Hadad, king of Syria, Ahab stands at a crossroads where he is faced with a decision that will impact his life for years to come. Ahab has seen the power of God’s prophetic word at work while at the same time permitting his wife Jezebel to promote pagan worship and persecute the prophets of God. Will King Ahab take heed from the lessons from the prophetic word of God or continue to be the type of king he has been? Sometimes we fall into a trap that when we experience blessing, that we think we deserve such blessing, when in fact, God has given us blessing in order to magnify and glorify His Name and His Son, Jesus Christ. When we experience blessing, we need to ask the question, “How can we use this blessing for God?” Blessing and success from God are not for our own sake but for God’s Name’s sake in order that our lives may be more meaningful and fruitful for Him. Other passages: Judges 7; John 6:1-14; 1 Kings 22:31-38.
.1 Kings 22:1-30 – Getting God to Agree with Us (September 24, 2000) – MP3 / YouTube
Have we ever made a decision first and then looked for support for that decision from the Bible or gone to a spiritual counselor hoping to hear confirmation of that decision? We see from the last major story of the life of Ahab, that this is a dangerous procedure to follow. When we make up our minds to do something without being open to the word of God, we are setting ourselves up for deception and disaster. All of us, at all times and about all decisions must be open to the word of God and to correction from the word of God. Other passages: Job 1-2.
1 Kings 22:26-40 – You Can’t Dodge God’s Arrow (2000) – MP3 / YouTube
The death of King Ahab is a lesson for us. Although Ahab knew the prophetic word of God, Ahab never submitted himself fully to the authority of God’s word. All of us have made mistakes, but we need to learn from our mistakes. The only safe course of action is obedience to the word of God and to trust God in whatever may lie ahead. Other passages: 1 Kings 21:17-19; Galatians 6:7-8; 1 Kings 20; 1 Kings 22:1-25; 1 Corinthians 15:9; 1 Timothy 1:12-15; 1 Kings 21:1-16.
1 Kings 22:41-53 – A Wise Son and a Foolish Son (2000) – MP3 / YouTube
In the lives of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and Ahaziah, king of Israel, we see what made Jehoshaphat, a wise son, and what made Ahaziah, a foolish son. Jehoshaphat was a wise son in that he was focused in doing the right thing before the Lord. Jehoshaphat was a peacemaker, a warrior and a moral person. Jehoshaphat provided security for his people and he learned from his mistakes. Ahaziah, on the other hand, took after Ahab, his father, Jezebel, his mother, and Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. Other passages: Proverbs 10:1; 1 Kings 15:8-14; Deuteronomy 12:1-14; Psalm 139:23-24; Matthew 5:9; 2 Chronicles 20:35-37