Sunday Sermon Summary – Aug 18 2024

“What shall I give you”
1 Kings 3: 3-14

God fulfilled his promise to king David and made his son Solomon king in his place.  God loved Solomon.
One night God appeared in a dream and asked Solomon, “What shall I give you?”  

1.  Reflect: 1 Kings 3: 6
When king Solomon heard God’s offer to give him what he asked for, first of all he reflected on God’s goodness and mercy towards his father king David. He remembered that it is God who made his father king over the great nation of Israel.  When we make our requests to God, we must always reflect on God’s kindness to us. Whatever we have is from God. We must always be mindful that God is good and he rewards us according to his good pleasure.
We also see king Solomon’s humility and his deep understanding of God.  He acknowledged it to God himself before making any request.

2. Realize: 1 Kings 3: 7
The next thing Solomon spoke to God was acknowledging how unworthy he was to be king over Israel.  He was an able king. From the day he sat on his father’s throne he stabilized himself and established his throne.  He made sure to kill all his opponents. He also married the daughter of Pharaoh and made sure he was safe. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that he needed Supernatural help to be the king over this great nation. He acknowledged to God that he was just a boy.  Whenever we go into the presence of God, we must acknowledge our unworthiness to receive God’s blessing.  

3.  Request:  King Solomon made his request to God. He said that he needed wisdom and understanding to be able to guide this great nation, Israel.  The Bible says that what he asked pleased the Lord. We must be careful when we make our petitions to the Lord.  It must be pleasing to God.  

When our prayer pleases God, God will give what we asked and also what we have not asked.  To receive surplus reward for our prayer, make sure our prayer pleases God. Solomon’s prayer pleased God and God gave him abundantly more than he asked for.  

May we seek God diligently and receive his blessings in abundance.  May our Lord give us more than we ask or imagine.  Amen