NOTES: Visions & Dreams, Part 6

Sermon: Visions & Dreams 6- Calling Balls and Strikes

Text: 1 Kings 3:4-15

Date: Sunday July 16, 2023

1 Kings 3:4–15, “5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.”

Let’s Connect:

Our need divine wisdom and understanding:

Text Explained:

Solomon’s Story:

God’s question:

Solomon prayer:

Hebrew idiom: “going out and coming in”

Solomon asks for a wise and understanding mind (heart):

The mind-heart: the entirety of who we are as God sees us. It is the whole truth about our inner self, the core of our being.

Let’s Relate:

ILL: Role of the Umpire- Calling balls and strikes

Isaiah 5:20–21 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light  and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet ..and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!

What’s my grid? The grid through which we interpret the world around us and God’s Word to us.

1 Corinthians 2:14–16 (ESV)

14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

The natural person’s heart is formed by nature, nurture and culture.

…it understands all things through that grid.

The spiritual person’s heart is formed by the Spirit.

…it understands all things by the Spirit.

Philippians 4:6–8 (ESV)

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

As believers we must unlearn our natural understanding

…humble ourselves before the Lord…

…and engage with the Word and Spirit which reveals the mind of Christ.

God was pleased with Solomon’s prayer: (giving him what he asked and everything he didn’t ask for…in abundance).

14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.”

Solomon moves from dreaming to worship!  (Begins to live the dream)

Proverbs 3:7–8, “7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”

Solomon’s later years:

Our Challenge:

Daily Prayer? Lord, give me your wisdom—nurture my inner self so that I rightly evaluate all things by your Spirit and your Word.