The Scripture now turns our attention to Jehoshaphat as an example of a righteous king and a God honoring government. This is the Forty Fifth Sermon in the series The Kingdom Divided; an exposition on First Book of the Kings.

This sermon explores the petition 'Your will be done' from the Lord's Prayer, emphasizing that prayer aims to align human desires with God's sovereign purposes rather than forcing divine action. The preacher outlines three key truths: God's will is absolute and sovereign over all events, including suffering; it is inherently good because God works even evil for ultimate redemption; and believers must actively desire this will above their own sinful inclinations. Using illustrations like chess and family travel, the text argues that trusting God's wisdom requires surrendering control and relying on Christ's perfect righteousness for justification. The message concludes by urging listeners to seek God's revealed will through Scripture and to pray for the grace to obey it faithfully.

This sermon expounds on 1 Corinthians 1:30 to demonstrate that Christ is the sole source and means of sanctification for believers. The preacher outlines five ways Jesus serves as our sanctification: He is its author who purchased it, its source who supplies grace, its example of holy living, its ultimate goal of conformity to His image, and its motive rooted in His love. Emphasizing that salvation is entirely by grace and found only in Christ, the message encourages both sinners and saints to rely completely on Him for wisdom, righteousness, and holiness. The preacher concludes by illustrating how Jesus functions as the Ark of safety, providing all necessary sustenance and protection for believers to endure to the end.

This Sunday School lesson explores the structure and theological depth of Psalm 9, identifying it as an acrostic poem that highlights God's righteous judgment against the wicked and His protection of the oppressed. The instructor emphasizes the messianic nature of the Psalms, interpreting the psalmist's deliverance from death as a foreshadowing of Christ's resurrection and victory over sin. By contrasting the fate of the arrogant nations with the hope found in God for the afflicted, the sermon underscores that divine judgment serves as ultimate justice for the vulnerable. The teaching encourages believers to view their own suffering through the lens of Christ's affliction, finding assurance that God remembers the cries of the poor and needy. Ultimately, the message points to the future hope where Christ reigns enthroned, humbling all opposition and securing salvation for His people.

The sermon examines Galatians 2 to demonstrate that the true gospel advocates for sinners by preserving their freedom in Christ rather than imposing legalistic requirements. It contrasts the sufficiency of grace with the destructive nature of self-righteousness and shame, emphasizing that justification comes solely through faith in Jesus Christ. The preacher argues against adding works to salvation, using Paul's defense of Titus as a primary example of standing firm for gospel truth. This theological stance ensures that believers rest in Christ's finished work instead of their own imperfect obedience. Ultimately, the message calls listeners to flee to the gospel for relief from guilt and to find assurance in Christ's righteousness alone.

1. God delivers the righteous from suffering (13) 2. You will be blessed when you suffer righteousness' sake (14a) 3. Honor Christ by having a defense prepared (15) 4. God use your virtue to put slanderers to shame (16) 5. Suffer for doing good, not evil (17)

Lord's Supper