Sunday June 1, 2025

Sermon Title: Following The One Greater Than Solomon

Series Big Idea: Focusing on the human quest for power, versus God’s sovereign reign 

Sermon Big Idea: Jesus is greater than Solomon and worthy of our wholehearted worship 

Scripture: (1 Kings 3:1-15)

Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt by marrying Pharaoh’s daughter. Solomon brought her to the city of David until he finished building his palace, the Lord’s temple, and the wall surrounding Jerusalem. 2 However, the people were sacrificing on the high places, because until that time a temple for the Lord’s name had not been built. 3 Solomon loved the Lord by walking in the statutes of his father David, but he also sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there because it was the most famous high place. He offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask. What should I give you?” 6 And Solomon replied, “You have shown great and faithful love to your servant, my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, righteousness, and integrity. You have continued this great and faithful love for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today. 7 “Lord my God, you have now made your servant king in my father David’s place. Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership.^, 8 Your servant is among your people you have chosen, a people too many to be numbered or counted. 9 So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?” 10 Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had requested this. 11 So God said to him, “Because you have requested this and did not ask for long life or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies, but you asked discernment for yourself to administer justice, 12 I will therefore do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again. 13 In addition, I will give you what you did not ask for: both riches and honor, so that no king will be your equal during your entire life. 14 If you walk in my ways and keep my statutes and commands just as your father David did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant, and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants. 

Introduction

Solomon at the beginning of his reign, a young king blessed by God with wisdom and promise, already showed signs of spiritual compromise through his alliance with Egypt (1 Kings 3:1-15). His story sets the stage for the arrival of Jesus, who declares Himself greater than Solomon and invites us to follow Him as the true and perfect King (Matthew 12:42). So, how are we to follow Christ?

I. Follow Christ By Trusting Him Daily (John 10:27)  

Following Christ starts with a personal relationship grounded in trust, not simply religious activity. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me,” reminding us that discipleship involves daily listening and responding to His voice.

II. Follow Christ By Walking in His Word (John 8:31)  

True disciples continue in Christ’s Word, allowing the truth to shape their hearts and lives. Spending regular time in Scripture helps us grow in understanding, freedom, and faithful obedience.

III. Follow Christ By Obeying His Teaching (Luke 6:46)  

Christ calls for more than lip service. He expects transformed living. Genuine faith is shown through obedience in every area of life, including relationships, priorities, and moral choices.

IV. Follow Christ By Staying Connected to His Body (Hebrews 10:24-25)  

We are not meant to follow Jesus alone, but in community with other believers. Regular worship, fellowship, and mutual encouragement within the local church help us grow and stay faithful.

V. Follow Christ By Surrendering Your Will Daily (Luke 9:23)  

Discipleship requires daily self-denial and surrender, following Jesus' example of obedience, even to the cross. Each day is a new opportunity to say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

Conclusion

Believers are to continue to follow Jesus, who is greater than Solomon, not just through head knowledge but through a life of truth, obedience, and daily surrender. The challenge is will we truly follow Christ in every area of life as the embodiment of God’s wisdom and the rightful King?

1 Kings 3:1-15 Bibliography

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Victor Books, 1985.

Rydelnik, Michael A., and Michael Vanlaningham, editors. The Moody Bible Commentary. Moody Publishers, 2014.

Carson, D. A., et al., editors. New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. 4th ed., Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

Cabal, Ted, et al. The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith. Holman Bible Publishers, 2007.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, editors. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Crossway Bibles, 2008.

Barry, John D., et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Spurgeon. The Spurgeon Study Bible: Notes. Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Brown, Francis, S. R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs. The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Hendrickson Publishers, 2007.

Waltke, Bruce K. An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach. Zondervan, 2007.

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