THE RELIGION OF JEROBOAM 1 Kings 12:25-33

“Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim, and dwelt there. Also he went out from there and built Penuel. And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah.” Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!” And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. ” (1 Kings 12:25-29).

“Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan He made shrines on the high places, and made priests from every class of people, who were not of the sons of Levi. Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar. So he did at Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made. And at Bethel he installed the priests of the high places which he had made. So he made offerings on the altar which he had made at Bethel on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month which he had devised in his own heart. And he ordained a feast for the children of Israel, and offered sacrifices on the altar and burned incense” (1 Kings 12:30-33).

THE RELIGION OF JEROBOAM Its Source – Human Wisdom

Its Source – Human Wisdom 1) The gods he made. “Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!” (1 Kings 12:28).

Its Source – Human Wisdom 2) His priests. “He made shrines on the high places, and made priests from every class of people, who were not of the sons of Levi” (1 Kings 12:31).

Its Source – Human Wisdom 3) His feast. “Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah…” (1 Kings 12:32). The Feast of Tabernacles was the Jewish holy day and it was celebrated on the fifteenth day of the seven month (Leviticus 23:33-36).

Its Source – Human Wisdom 4) His offerings. “So he made offerings on the altar which he had made at Bethel on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month which he had devised in his own heart…” (1 Kings 12:33). He was the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite (1 Kings 11:26); in chapter 13 the man of God cries out against him offering incense on the altar.

Its Source – Human Wisdom 5) How much of religion today came from man? (a) How many churches have human names? (b) How many things practiced by churches came from the mind of man? (c) How much doctrine taught today is the invention of human wisdom?

THE RELIGION OF JEROBOAM Its Source – Human Wisdom Its Motive – Personal Followers

Its Motive – Make Personal Followers 1) Jeroboam’s fear. “And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah” (1 Kings 12:26,27).

Its Motive – Make Personal Followers 2) Warning sounded by Paul. “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:29-30).

Its Motive – Make Personal Followers 3) All the truth not declared – seeking to please whom? “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:26-27).

THE RELIGION OF JEROBOAM Its Source – Human Wisdom Its Motive – Personal Followers Its Appeal – Convenience

Its Appeal – Convenience 1) To much for them. “Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!” (1 Kings 12:28).

Its Appeal – Convenience 2) Made it convenient. “And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan” (1 Kings 12:29).

Its Appeal – Convenience 3) Modern religion makes the same appeal. (a) Come dressed as you are. (b) Attend the church of your choice – closest one to home. (c) Partake of Lord’s Supper occasionally. (d) Wait till we get several before baptizing. (e) Some of the modern church buildings are like Wal-Mart.

THE RELIGION OF JEROBOAM Its Source – Human Wisdom Its Motive – Personal Followers Its Appeal – Convenience Its Appearance – Similar To Truth

Its Appearance – Similar To The Truth 1) His feast. “Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar” (1 Kings 12:32).

Its Appearance – Similar To The Truth 2) A number of things similar. (a) Had a place to worship. (b) Made priest. (c) Offered animal sacrifices. (d) Burned incense.

Its Appearance – Similar To The Truth 3) Many things done today are similar to the truth. (a) They assemble – even on the first day of the week, give, partake of the Lord’s Supper. (b) They have preaching and teaching (from the Bible), singing, worship God, His Son, and Spirit, etc.

THE RELIGION OF JEROBOAM Its Source – Human Wisdom Its Motive – Personal Followers Its Appeal – Convenience Its Appearance – Similar To Truth Its Effect – Progressive Degeneracy

Its Effect – Progressive Degeneracy 1) Notice what the writer called this. “Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan” (1 Kings 12:30).

Its Effect – Progressive Degeneracy 2) Look how they were later described. “So they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, made for themselves a molded image and two calves, made a wooden image and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. And they caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and soothsaying, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger” (2 Kings 17:16,17).

Its Effect – Progressive Degeneracy 3) A warning sounded. “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).

Its Effect – Progressive Degeneracy 4) Now versus 20 years ago in the religious world!!! (a) Look at the difference in the churches of Christ now versus just a few years ago.

THE RELIGION OF JEROBOAM Its Source – Human Wisdom Its Motive – Personal Followers Its Appeal – Convenience Its Appearance – Similar To Truth Its Effect – Progressive Degeneracy

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).