This sermon delves into the story of King Rehoboam from 1 Kings 14, highlighting his descent into idolatry and the consequences of forsaking God's law. It emphasizes the importance of staying true to God's truth and not allowing worldly influences to corrupt one's faith. The message warns against the dangers of apostasy and the perversion of the gospel, urging believers to remain watchful and steadfast in their devotion to Christ.

1 Kings 14, 21-28 What I want to speak on this morning for a while is on King Rehoboam, who was the king of Judah. And we want to read from 1 Kings 14, 21-28 and the scripture says, And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was 41 years old when he became king. He reigned 17 years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel. To put his name there. His mother's name was Namaah, an Ammonitess. Now Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins, which they committed, more than all that their fathers had done. For they also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars and wooden images on every high hill, and under every green tree. And there were also perverted persons in the land, or sodomites. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. It happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam that Shishak, king of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem, and he took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's house. He took away everything. He also took away all the gold shields which Solomon had made. Then King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, who guarded the doorway of the king's house. And whenever the king entered the house of the Lord, the guards carried them, then brought them back into the guard room. Father, we are so conscious that you have moved already this morning and spoken to us. We have sensed, we have felt, experienced God already. Father, I ask, Lord, that you would take your word, which indeed is a hammer, your word, God, which indeed is like fire. Even now, God, I think of your word, which is fire, like fire in my bones. And I pray, Lord, that this word indeed would impact us, and impact those that would watch and would listen. Lord, we know according to your voice they are, that we are living in. And we thank you that you prepare your people. We thank you, God, that you help your people, and help me to be your voice in Jesus' name. Amen. And amen. Within this message, I suppose, this morning, that's why we broke bread beforehand, because I do believe there are many sobering things within this message. This morning, the scripture tells us that King Rehoboam was on the throne in Judah. And in verse 21, it says that God Almighty, God chose Jerusalem to put his name there. He could have put his name in many places if he wanted to do that, but he put his name indeed there in Jerusalem. That's the place that he chose to put his name there. And I tell you, this morning, church, the Lord has chosen the church to put his name there. Amen. He has chosen us this morning. He already has said that he is the purpose. God is the purpose. Jesus Christ indeed is the purpose. And he has chosen the church to put his name there. And it's his name this morning that matters. It's the name of the Lord that matters this morning. It's the name of the Lord. Philippians 2.10, that at the name of Jesus, every need should bow. The name of Jesus. I tell you, you can go through this land. And there are many shops and many businesses indeed across this land. And they have many names across the front door. Signs. Names of their shops. Many clever names. But you get some shops or some factories that say across the front of it, the facade we perhaps say Thompson and Sons. And when you read that, what you believe is that Thompson, somebody called Thompson is the one that owns it. Or perhaps the one that founded it. That's the name. The name is written across that building. And when you see it, you know. I tell you something indeed this morning that's about his name. We are called Power Christian Church. That's who we are. And we identify with the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior. Hallelujah. We are Christians. We follow Christ. We are the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. His name is here. And his name will continue to be here. To God be the glory. His name. His name. You see, that word name can be translated fame. Fame as well. And I think of many people who have lost, had fame but lost their fame. Many different celebrities perhaps. Maybe they did something and they have lost their reputation. And therefore they have lost their fame. But I want to say to you this morning that Jesus Christ shall never lose his fame. The psalm saying 104.31. The glory of the Lord shall endure forever. The glory of the Lord shall endure forever. Praise God. Even that scripture this morning causes my heart to leap and to skip. Glory to God. His glory. His fame. His name. You see, it's never about the fame of the Christian. It's never about the fame of the Christian. And alas, it has been. It's about the preacher. Many people go to particular churches because of the preacher. Because of his fame. It's not about that. Many Christians alas go to a church because it's about the fame of the church. It's about the brand of the church. It's never about the fame of the Christian or the church but Christ alone. Hallelujah. It's about his name. It's about his fame. It's about him. He's the purpose. Indeed this morning. So often it's all about fame. Us. Fame. Us. Isn't that correct? That the fame goes to us. Being fame. Us. It's all about him. The lamb of God. The absolute core. Hallelujah. I thank God that God himself has witnessed this morning and confirmed my message through the prophetic. Hallelujah. Because my next line is this. The absolute core of a church's vision is him. And God has already said that. I'm your purpose this morning. John 1 36 says this. Behold the lamb of God. That was what John the Baptist indeed said. Behold the lamb of God. He's our purpose. The church's purpose. The lamb of God. In fact even in that scripture it also says and looking upon Jesus. It's all about his name. It's all about his fame. Oh just to look upon him. It's the greatest of things. It's the greatest of things this morning. You see so many have started out looking. So many have started out beholding. I'm not just talking about Christians in the congregation. I'm talking about pastors. I'm talking about ministers. I'm talking about denominations. They started out looking and beholding the lamb. But I believe indeed like Rehoboam. They started out well. But then they got off path. And got off track. You see in 2nd Chronicles 11 and 17. The scripture says this. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah. And made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong for three years. Because they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years. So this man was helped. He they were faithful to God and God's law at the start. And so therefore Rehoboam was established. He was strengthened. His kingdom was strengthened. But something got in. Something got in and persuaded him. Indeed to depart. To walk away. In fact as the scripture has already told us. His mother was an Ammonite. And that meant that she was a worshipper of Moloch. The Ammonites worshipped Moloch. They worshipped a foreign God. A foreign deity. A demonic God indeed. And was it because of the lineage? Was it because of the influence of his mother? He started off well but then he veered off. I tell you church this morning. We must be careful who's around us. We must be careful because even family members can turn your hearts. Away from the Lord and away from truth. It's not right. Even those closest to you can influence and impact your life. And turn you away from the Lord. In fact in 2nd Chronicles 12 and 1 the scripture says. Now it came to pass when Rehoboam had established the kingdom. And had strengthened himself that he forsook the law of the Lord. And all Israel along with him. So he's established. He's arrived. He's strong. I tell you it was God's blessing that got him there. The only way he was established. And the only way he was strong was because of the Lord. It was the Lord alone that had put him there. And blessed him. Did he no longer think that he needed God? I've arrived so I no longer need God anymore. Was that the way he was thinking? How would he repay God by getting him there? He would abandon the law of the Lord. He would walk away from God. And when I think of that. I think of. I suppose people in the world today. We think of sportsmen. We think of celebrities. We think of pop stars. Or we think of actors. And we think of how famous that they are today. Many. But they didn't get there alone. They had agents and managers from the very start. That worked hard to get them where they are. Indeed today. And when that pop star. That sports star. Whatever. There's a lot of them. And when they have got to the top. They decide that they can do it alone now. They don't need the agent anymore. They don't need to pay the manager anymore. They can do it themselves. And that for me resonates. Certainly of Rehoboam. And that for me resonates of many. Indeed ministries today. God exalted them. And God lifted them up. And God established them. Many ministers. And many denominations. And God blessed them. Many years ago. Many moons ago. But something got in. Something of Moloch got into the ministry. Got into their hearts. And they have forsaken the law of God. They have forsaken the truth of Holy Scripture. And abandoned him. And I tell you something. Rehoboam's walking away. Had major ramifications. Because it did not only affect him. It affected a nation. It affected a people. A people. Proverbs 12, 26. The righteous is a guide to his neighbor. But the way of the wicked leads them astray. And that man got into wickedness. And he led the people astray. And there are many ministers behind the pulpit. Who have found themselves today in wickedness. And they are leading their congregations into wickedness. And into darkness. Not righteousness and not light. But the ways of Satan. And not the ways of the Lord. And that is the truth. One can follow the way. And then turn to follow wickedness. And verse 22. We read about the evil. About the evil of Judah. And what they did. And the scripture says. So Judah's evil provoked God to jealousy. Their great sins were that of idolatry. It's not just singular. It wasn't just idolatry. It was idolatry. Exodus 25. I reward your God. I'm a jealous God. A jealous God. I mean when I was thinking about that. I thought of this little. I suppose analogy. Let's think a man and woman. Husband and wife go to a restaurant. And they are sitting at a table. And there are 10 other tables. And sitting at that other 10 tables. Are 10 single women. That's it. And let's think that man gets up. From where he is with his wife. And goes over to one table. And sits down with one of those ladies. And begins to flirt with that woman. How do you think the wife is going to react? She's going to be jealous. She's going to be quite angry. Isn't that correct? Well what if. He gets up and goes to the next table. And does the same thing. And then gets up and goes to the next table. And does the same thing. Then her jealousy. Her rage is going to rise. Isn't that correct? There's no doubt about that. This nation. This nation of Judah. Gave itself to idolatries. Not just idolatry. But idolatries. And it provoked God's jealousy. Because God is a jealous God. And there would be a serious reaction. I tell you something. There is a reaction. When you provoke God. There is a reaction. Jealous means calming. Fiercely protective of one's possessions. Did not the Lord say in Deuteronomy 7, 6. For you are a holy people. To the Lord your God. The Lord God has chosen you to be a people for himself. A special treasure. Above all the peoples. On the face of the earth. Not just a treasure. But a special treasure. And I tell you something this morning. We are a special treasure. We are his special treasure. This day. As well. And God will do everything in his power to protect his treasure. Everything in his power. You see Judah committed sins worse than our forefathers. And we can say this is true today. Because the world today. There's no doubt about it. But the world today does greater sins than that of our ancestors. Isn't that correct? Greater sins than that of our forefathers. In fact the master said in regards to the end times. The prophetic times. In Matthew 24 verse 12. Lawlessness will abound. Lawlessness will abound. And we know it. And we can see it. And we can read about it. And we can watch it on the news today. That lawlessness is increasing. Because that's what abound means. It means to increase. It means to multiply indeed. They did. Judah did. Worse sins than that of their fathers. Their forefathers. And when I think of that. And us. You know I think of. You know serial killers. Monsters. And sometimes you can see I suppose. Even go online and see a picture of them when they were a little toddler. Perhaps a little angelic face. That's what they were then. But as the years went by. They morphed into something else. As years went by. That little angelic face distorted. Still a naughty wee boy perhaps. Did naughty things. But as the years went by. Evil begins to multiply and increase. And I tell you something. When I think of that. I think of the Victorian era. Now there's no doubt about it. There was evil present in that day. But it doesn't compare today. Because we are living in the days of Noah. We are living in a world today that is vile. And filthy beyond indeed comprehension. As it was also in the day of Rehoboam. You see the scriptures go on to say. In verse 23 that they built all these images and idols. All through indeed the land. They really went to town here. They really went to town. It wasn't just in Jerusalem. It wasn't just in one place that was central. They flooded the land. Darkness flooded the land. They began to mimic what the heathens did. Because I believe the Persians used to offer sacrifice on the high hills. And on the mountains. So here we have God's chosen. God's people. Judah began to mimic the world. Sounds familiar doesn't it? Sounds familiar when we think indeed of the church. At large. The church. Today there can be no mimicry of the world. If you're not building for him. You're building for sin. On every high hill. You see idolatry spreads. It spreads. Once it gets in. It's not happy to stay in one place. It becomes idolatry. And it spreads out. And indeed it's spreading through indeed the church. When I think of that. I think of completely random but Greg's. Greg's the bakery. And I read a news article. That they want to put 50 shops. Indeed into Northern Ireland. They sell pies and pastries. I believe they want to put 10 into Belfast. But there's over 1500, 1600 across the UK. They want to put shops in every single town. That's a little bit like idolatry. Once idolatry gets in. It begins to spread. And out work itself. Through your life. Through the church. To compass everything. Isn't that correct? That's what was going on. Indeed in Judah. As the scripture goes on to say. I'm careful in what I say here. That because of the idolatries. Because of what was permitted to. To enter into the land. The scriptures tell us that sodomites. Or homosexuals. Were allowed to be present. And to be prevalent. And in fact. These men prostituted themselves at temples. That's what happened. That's what happened. And that's what's happening today. In certain elements of the church. There's no doubt about that. You see the scriptures say that God drove it out. It was the Holy One of Israel. That drove out. We saw about him this morning. That he is holy. And the Holy One of Israel. Drove out. The Canaanite religion. All of that filth. And defilement. He drove it out. And yet King Rehoboam. Let it back in. And there are men behind pulpits. And women behind pulpits today. And they've let it in. And it's like a flood. I read an article. Yesterday or the other day. Never seen the like of it. I didn't watch the video. You can watch it. But it showed you within a Methodist church in Texas. Oh how John Wesley. Would be rolling in his grave. A man in front of the congregation. And in front of the choir. And you can see the pictures. Down on one knee proposing to his husband. And he got a standing ovation. From the congregation. He got a standing ovation from the congregation. And then there's a picture of the minister hugging one of the men. And when I've seen that. The first thing that came to my heart. Is this story. Rehoboam. Engaging. Embracing. The idolatry. And the sodomy that's in the land. And this is what's happening today. This is a picture indeed. It's going on church. It's going on. It's going on. In verse 25. The scripture says this. You see because of what was allowed in. Because of what was permitted. To be in the land and defile the land. God's a jealous God. And God's just not going to let that. Just go by. And the Bible says that indeed the king of Egypt. Came up and made war. Against Jerusalem. According indeed to the scriptures. And I tell you something. When you depart from him. Chastisement is at the door. When you forsake the law of God. The word of God. The truth of God. Chastisement is at the door. When a nation departs from God. Chastisement indeed is at the door. And your very own enemy. Can indeed be used by God to be a strap. To be a belt. To be a rod. To implement chastisement. There's no doubt about that. There's no doubt about that. And so that's what happened. This king of Egypt came up. Do you know something? Church. This morning. I know what has went on. We all know what's went on in France and Paris. And I'm not going to make any assumptions. Let me reiterate that. This morning. But this is one thing that I heard. From a journalist's mouth. These are the very words. France is proud of being a secular society. In other words. We are proud that we are void of God. And that's the stance. And that's what they say. And they are. And not only France. But there are many nations in this world. And they are proud of being secular. They are proud of being worldly. They are proud of being void of God. And the Bible says that God is the judge. Indeed of the living and the dead. Let me reiterate. I'm not saying or making assumptions about that tragedy in France. But I'm looking at the scriptures here. When a nation. When a nation turns away from the Lord. God will chastise. Some of you might say. We are living in the day of grace. The age of grace. I tell you something. Just skip the scriptures. The revelation. And this is what you will read. According to the scripture. That he. The beast. Was given power. He was given power. From on high. To make war against the saints. And I tell you. When you go to war. People die. When you go to war. People get hurt. So God allowed. Indeed the scriptures say. That the beast was given power. To wage war. God. Will use. An enemy. At times even to chastise. As he did in the scriptures. And as he will do. Prophetically. In the day. Indeed. To come. Let's move on. Because this is very interesting. Shezek. Conquered. And here's what happened. What a somber thing. He ransacked. Listen. He ransacked. And took the treasure of God's house. Not only of God's house. But even of Rehoboam's. You see the enemy got in. And took. Away everything. What a tragedy. Took away everything. I tell you something church. If there's a forsaking of God. If there's a forsaking of truth. The enemy. Enemy will get in. And he will loot. The enemy will get in. And will steal. He came to steal. He has come to steal. Tell him to destroy. And he will get in. And he will remove. And he will take away. And he has done it today. He has done it today. Because there are many that are apostate. There are many denominations and churches. Who are apostate. And they have forsaken the word of the Lord. And the enemy has come in and stolen. Stolen the greatest treasure of all. The truth. We depend upon the truth. We depend upon the anointing. We depend upon the wind. And it's all God. We depend upon the gifts of the Holy Ghost. And yet the enemy has got into many. Many. And stole. And has been removed. And taken. And yet they get on with things. Because you see that's what Rehoboam did. It was all taken. The best was taken. The finest indeed was taken. You see I want you to get this. And those that would watch or listen. Shizek. Took what Solomon made. He took what Solomon made. And the devil has stolen. What our forefathers have built and made. And men and women down. Through the centuries in this land. And in these islands. Have labored in the gospel. And have stood for truth. And have stood in the face of adversity. And they have toiled. And they have sweated. And they have shed their own blood. In these islands. And in foreign isles for the truth of God. There is no doubt about that. That's what they have done. That we stand truly. On the shoulders of giants. Hallelujah. Of our forefathers that adhered to the truth. That stuck to the true gospel. Of the Lord Jesus Christ. Who would not cave in. When culture began to change. Who would not cave in. When liberal theology. Swamped the church. The enemy even took. Indeed. What Solomon had. Had made. I know how the enemy has lied to many behind the pulpit. I tell you something. Indeed. If we were to go back in time a hundred years. Or whatever. Every pulpit was preaching. That marriage is between a man and a woman. Isn't that correct? There's no doubt about that. That's what our forefathers believed. And yet Satan has got in. And perverted the word of God. And now things are changed. And those behind the pulpit. Resemble Rehoboam. You see what did Rehoboam do next? Look at what the scripture says. Look at what he says. In verse 27. Rehoboam. Then made. Bronze shields. In their place. He made something similar. But a poor quality. And that is the perversion of the gospel. That's what men and women have done. They have made something similar. But it's not the right quality. It's not gold. It's bronze. It's a poor quality. And yet it's the blind leading the blind. And many are on the road. That leads to destruction. Because of Rehoboam. And the spirit of Rehoboam behind the pulpits. And that is the truth. The apostate. Has no truth. They will resort to doctrines. Of men and indeed as Paul says. Pervert the gospel of Christ. What a sad thing. There was no treasure left. You see. There was no gold left. The enemy had taken it. And for many today. There's no gold left for Ichabod. Truly the glory of the Lord has departed. Because they have permitted. And allowed the doctrines of demons. And men to be the pulpit indeed. And many stand there. As Rehoboam. And in his spirit. But here's the thing. In verse 28 the scripture tells us. Rehoboam still went to the house of the Lord. Can you believe that? All sorts is going on. Through the land. And yet he still goes to the house of the Lord. His body went. But his heart stayed. In the high places. And again there are many behind the pulpits. And they say they're Christian ministers. But they're not. They are not Christian. They do not follow Christ. In fact I will say they are anti-Christ. Because the spirit that they have. Is anti-Christ. And they preach a perverted doctrine. A perverted gospel indeed. But I tell you God is moving. And God is moving amongst his remnant. And God is stirring his remnant indeed. To hold up their lamps. And to hold up their lights. And to hold up the truth. And to stay firm. And to stay strong. In his hour of apostasy. And delusion and deceptiveness. And we say to God be the glory. We say to God be the glory. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Many go to church but their hearts are elsewhere. I tell you something as you very well know. I'm closing. I'm going to the states next week. That's where I'm going. But you can't go to the states and leave your passport behind. Is that correct? You can't go to the states. Without your passport. And alas there's many that's going to church. And their hearts aren't there. Their bodies and their lips are there. But as the Lord says. You worship me with your lips. But your hearts are far from me. Their hearts are divorced from God. For they themselves have sought the divorce. For they themselves have implemented the divorce. And have apostatized. Christians. Those that call themselves Christians. Those that give themselves the name Christian. Have apostatized. They were Christian by label. But not in heart. And so many have apostatized. Many denominations have apostatized. And even the world today. Has turned away from the Christian faith. From the Christ. From the Lord God almighty indeed. For in the latter days. Many shall depart from the faith. And that's what's happened. And we are in the midst of it. But what we do as I've said already. We look up. Hallelujah. Our hearts aren't fainting this morning. Our hearts are encouraged. And strengthened by the word of the Lord. To stay strong. And to stay faithful. And as Jesus Christ the Lord. Our Lord says. In Mark 13 and 37. And what I say unto you. I say unto you all. Watch. Watch. Watch church. May the Lord God almighty. The holy one of Israel. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The father of the Lord Jesus Christ. May he give you. May he give I. A watchful spirit. Greater sight. Greater eyes. A greater opening indeed of our understanding. In this day. And indeed in the day to come. That we alone. That we alone would cultivate. See cultivated by the living God. That we alone would see fostered. By the living God. The spirit of our forefather David. And not of Rehoboam. Amen. The spirit of our father David. David did a few things. But he didn't worship a foreign God. And that's why he was a man. After God's own heart. Because there would be no. Moloch or Dagon in his life. Yes he stuffed up. Yes we stuff up. But I tell you something. We can say this day. That there's one Lord. That there's one God. And he's ours this morning. To God be the glory. Hallelujah. Bless the holy name of Jesus. Hallelujah. Father we lift our hands. We lift our hearts. We lift our voices to you this morning. And God you've already spoken. From the offset of this meeting. Even this morning God. Even when we prayed down there. We just prayed that you would move. And you have moved. You have moved the whole way through this meeting. Even God as we sang the songs. I could sense and feel. That you were moving God. Even when we sung. How great thou art. How great thou art. What a joy it was to sing that. We lift it on to the Lord God. And Lord even as we heard. Prophetically from the Lord. That the church's purpose. That our purpose alone is Christ. Christ. And we thank you Lord that you have reiterated. That through the message this morning. That we are to continue. To be focused and fixed. Fixed on Christ. And Christ alone. Our savior. And indeed the coming king. Father. You are the God. Who in the times past. When your people spread. And when your people God went. After other gods. You sent your servants the prophets. You sent your servants the prophets. You also God as we have heard this morning. You would send even pagan kings. To chastise. But Lord you sent your servants the prophets. That perhaps they would heed. And hear the voice. Of God almighty. Alas the times God. Alas so many times. God kings and nations. The nation of. God Israel and Judah. Would not heed to the voice of the prophet. And so therefore. God you raised up pagans. Armies. That would be God. Indeed. Your instruments of chastisement. Well God I pray. That God. Not only for this message. But for many that would preach God. A message like I have preached this morning. Would hear. And God would obey. That even for those God. That have the spirit of Rehoboam. God would understand. And realize by the light of God. By the word of God. And indeed would fall. On their knees and prostrate themselves. Before the God who is willing to forgive. And willing to restore. Oh God move. Move God through the church. Move through the church. And turn God pulpits upside down. Because even in my mind's eye. God this is what you have shown me. Even now there are many pulpits. And that's what God. They are like the pulpit is literally. Upside down. And not the right way up. Because they are preaching the spirit. Through the spirit of Rehoboam. They are preaching God. A perverted and false gospel. And departed from the law of God. From the truth and commandments of Christ. Indeed. And I pray that you would show them. That their pulpits are upside down. And I pray God that you would turn them. The right way up indeed. In the name of Jesus. And that you would spread a fire God. That God that they would no longer sink. Into depravity and into darkness. But that you would turn things around. And the fire, the real fire. Not a strange fire. But the real fire would spread through churches God. In the name of Jesus we pray. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. And Amen. And Amen. Hallelujah.