Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 3, 2022

Asa and the Fine Art of Finishing Well

1 Kings 15:9-24

1. Introduction

• shift in focus from Northern to Southern Kingdom
• coverage of three kings (14:21-15:24)

2. Asa’s Righteous Religious Reforms 9-15

• distinctive righteousness
• destructive righteousness: no pampered exemptions

3. Asa’s Problematic Political Practices 16-24

• Baasha’s economic blockade
• Asa’s arrangement with Ben-hadad
• textbook diplomacy and total success
• commentary from 2 Chron. 16:1-12
• making the connection to Christ

4. So What?

• In light of the LORD’S unchanging faithfulness and unceasing support, finish well by relying wholly on Him.
• Recognize the peril of pragmatism.
• Remember Rom. 15:4 and let Scripture interpret Scripture.
• “Ah! If our likeness to God does not show itself in trifles, what is there left for it to show itself in? For our lives are all made up of trifles. The great things come three or four of them in the seventy years; the little ones every time the clock ticks.” (Maclaren)
• In order to finish well, run well now!
• “To this I hold, my only hope is Jesus, all the glory evermore to Him. When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat: Yet not I, but through Christ in me!” (Robinson/Thompson/Farren)