SERIES: “GAMETIME”

MESSAGE: “Excuse Me, God is at Work”

1 Kings 12:1-15
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.
Senior Pastor

"Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he
put on us, and we will serve you." Rehoboam answered, "Go away for three days and then
come back to me." So the people went away. Then King Rehoboam consulted the
elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. "How would you advise me
to answer these people?" he asked. They replied, "If today you will be a servant to
these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be
your servants." 1 Kings 12:4-7

GOD’S DIVINE GUARDRAILS:

• THE PROVIDENTIAL WILL OF GOD

THINGS GOD’S GOING TO DO NO MATTER WHAT

• THE MORAL WILL OF GOD

THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD – DO’S & DON’T’S

• THE PERSONAL WILL OF GOD

GOD DOES NOT GIVE US DIRECTION FOR CONTEMPLATION OR

CONSIDERATION,
HE GIVES DIRECTION FOR PARTICIPATION AND COOPERATION

HERE’S THE PRINCIPLE:

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
Proverbs 1:5 (English Standard Version)

The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:15

Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.
Proverbs 19:20

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22

ONE OF THE PRIMARY TOOLS GOD USES TO GUIDE US

IS THE COUNSEL OF GODLY PEOPLE
 GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT PEOPLE:

1. CHOOSE SOMEONE WHO IS WHERE YOU WANT TO BE IN LIFE.

Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon
during his lifetime. "How would you advise me to answer these people?" he asked. They
replied, "If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a
favorable answer, they will always be your servants." 1 Kings 12:6-7

2. CHOOSE SOMEONE WHO HAS NOTHING TO LOOSE BY TELLING

YOU THE TRUTH
The young men who had grown up with him replied, "Tell these people who have said
to you, 'Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter'--tell them, 'My little
finger is thicker than my father's waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it
even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.'" 1
Kings 12:10-11

3. STAY OPEN AND LISTEN FOR GOD’S VOICE

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6