Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 16:29-33

Troublers of Israel

Intro.

1. Just as ancient Israel was the people of God, church is now the Israel of God, 1 Pet. 2:9-10; Gal. 6:16.

2. 1 Kings 18:17-18: King Ahab called Elijah a “troubler of Israel“ (to disturb, stir up trouble, cause calamity).

a. Ahab: More wicked than all the kings of Israel before him, 1 Kings 16:30-33.

b. Elijah: Spoke and obeyed the word of the Lord, 1 Kings 17:1, 5.

3. Little has changed in 3000 years. Those who trouble God’s people continue to accuse the faithful of causing trouble.

4. In the kingdom of God (church):
a. Instrumental music in worship; Missionary societies; church-supported human organ., centralized oversight of work; church-sponsored recreation.

b. This present age: Criminal causes trouble and police are targeted as evil; “The Criminalization of Christianity in Finland” (Isa. 5:20).

5. Like Elijah, we should trouble the troublers of Israel.

I. WHO PROVOKES THE LORD? 1 Kings 16:33 (21:25)

A. Sufficiency of the Local Church (Acts 11:22; 13:3).

1. Local church sufficiently arranged to do God-given work.

2. Departure: Missionary Society.

B. Music in Worship (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

-Departure: Instrument “should not be a test of fellowship.”

C. Churches Relieve Saints (Acts 4:34; 11:27-30).

-Departure: Saint and sinner.

D. Divorce and Remarriage (Matt. 19:4-6, 9; Rom. 7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:11-12).

-Departures: Any cause allowed; One loose, both loosed; Redefine adultery; Aliens not under the gospel of Christ; MMLJ old law.

E. Salvation and Obedience (Matt. 7:21; Mark 16:16; Heb. 5:8-9).

-Departures: Grace without repentance; Saved people in all the churches (denominations).

F. Do Not Love the World (1 John 2:15; 1 Pet. 4:2-3; Eph. 5:8). Social drinking, immodest dressing, indecent conduct, profanity, etc.

-Who is provoking the Lord?

II. WHO TROUBLES ISRAEL? 1 Kings 18:17-18

GOD SAID

THE TROUBLER OF ISRAEL

NOT THE TROUBLER OF ISRAEL

Romans 12:2
Galatians 5:19-23

CONFORMS
false doctrine

CEASES
false doctrine

Ephesians 6:10-17

COMMENDS
false doctrine

CONDEMNS
false doctrine

Acts 20:27-31

CONDONES
false doctrine

CRIES OUT
against false doctrine

Colossians 2:6-7

CONTINUES
in false doctrine

COMES OUT
false doctrine

2 Timothy 4:2-4

COVERS UP
false doctrine

CORRECTS
false doctrine

Titus 1:9-11

CONTRADICTS
sound doctrine

CENSURES
false doctrine

Jude 3

CONTENT
with false doctrine

CONTENDS
against false doctrine

Ephesians 5:11

CONTRIBUTES
to false doctrine

CONFUTES
false doctrine

1 John 4:1, 6

CHEERS
false doctrine

CHECKS OUT
teaching

2 Timothy 2:2, 17-18

CHOOSES to sit at the
feet of false teachers

CALLS names of false
teachers to identify error

Matthew 7:15

COMFORTS
false teachers

CAUTIONS
against false teachers

2 Timothy 2:24-26

CALLS
false teachers sound

CALLS
on false teachers to repent

Conclusion

1. Peter said to “gird up the loins of your mind” to be obedient and holy children of God, 1 Pet. 1:13-16.

2. Strengthen our minds (attitudes, emotions, and choices) to weather the storms of verbal (and even physical) attacks from the real troublers of Israel, 2 Cor. 10:3-6 (name-calling, isolation, etc.).

3. Gospel invitation (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

By: Joe R. Price

Posted January 26, 2022