It's like two Old West gunfighters in the middle of the street at high noon. When one says, "Draw," their dispute is about to be decided. The biblical counterpart of the "shootout" is Elijah against the pagan prophets on Mount Carmel. One party will be victorious; the other, dead. Things had gone from bad to worse in the northern kingdom, one evil king after another had practiced and promoted idolatry, and God sent a drought that had lasted 3 years. This standoff had to end.

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One statement of humility would have kept the nation of Israel intact. But Rehoboam chose arrogance instead. Solomon was dead. And the kingdom was about to be torn in two. God had promised David that he would never lack a man to sit on the throne, but He had also promised to judge idolatry and lawlessness in the land. So Solomon's son, Rehoboam, in what seems to be his first official act as king, offends most of the nation and splits the kingdom. It's a morality tale - but a true one, as Jim will emphasize. His message is called The Kingdom Divides.

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You and I don't have much in common with Solomon. Or do we? Solomon was a king; I've never even seen a king. The servants' quarters in Sol's mansion were probably nicer than my house. But there's one way in which you and I are exactly like Solomon: we've received lavish gifts from God. And if we don't recognize the importance of one of these gifts, the Word of God, we're headed for trouble - just like him. Here's Pastor Jim to open a sermon called, Solomon's Splendor and Decline.

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Christianity didn't just drop out of the sky. We're headed for real trouble if we try to take Jesus' words, or Jesus Himself, out of context. And a lot of that context is the rich history of the Old Testament. No, believers don't live under the Old Covenant, but it's far from irrelevant when asking the all-important question, What Does God Desire of Us? Today we'll start a sermon that may help us understand what God was trying to convey to us, then. Here's Jim with part 1 of Solomon Dedicates the Temple.

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God is not a genie! In those "Arabian Nights" stories we read the same pattern repeated: the genie will grant your wishes - but in the end you'll wish you hadn't wished them. There's always some dark twist to his gift. But when God granted Solomon his deepest desire, it came with no tricks, and a bonus besides. He is a good, as well as a great, God. In our series called What Does God Desire of Us, we've come to the famous episode about young Solomon, and what he desired of God.

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The devil will have a lot less success against us if we remember that we are chosen. As the elderly David transfers the crown of Israel to one of his sons, he emphasizes to the whole nation that Solomon is chosen by God. He is a chosen king of a chosen people. God's plan cannot be thwarted, and if you and I realize that we have specific roles in that plan...well, we might live more regally. We're back in 1 Chronicles to open a new sermon called, Solomon Becomes King.

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Philosophers seek to know the "highest good." Theologians ask, "What is the chief end of man?" But maybe the primary question should be, What Does God Desire of Us? Today we begin a new series on that question. At the end of 1 Chronicles, David is passing the kingdom to his son, Solomon - so we can examine the differences between those men. But more importantly, the Temple is about to be built. And from that place we learn about God's desire to have fellowship with us, and what's necessary for that connection to take place.

This message can be purchased, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for just $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free.