THIS PRESENT TIME #24
Generations: When It’s Time For The Handoff 8.13.23

1 Chronicles 28:1-10 NKJV Now David assembled at Jerusalem all the leaders of Israel: the officers of the tribes and the captains of the divisions who served the king, the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officials, the valiant men, and all the mighty men of valor. 2Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Hear me, my brethren and my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it. 3But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name, because you have been a man of war and have shed blood.'4However the Lord God of Israel chose me above all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever, for He has chosen Judah to be the ruler. And of the house of Judah, the house of my father, and among the sons of my father, He was pleased with me to make me king over all Israel. 5And of all my sons (for the Lord has given me many sons) He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. 6Now He said to me, ‘It is your son Solomon who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father. 7Moreover I will establish his kingdom forever, if he is steadfast to observe My commandments and My judgments, as it is this day.’ 8Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever. 9“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. 10Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.”

I. David

A. Instead of feeling resentful, David set Solomon up for success.

1. He contributed a massive fortune for the project.


2. He made key connections with gifted artisans and service providers.


3. He allowed his son to receive the credit for the Temple.


4. He poured practical wisdom into the life of Solomon.


B. David allowed God to redeem even the poor choices of his life.

1. Solomon and Bathsheba were both in David’s life as a result of David’s poor choices.


2. That is why we must teach our children to understand God has a plan for them even if they were born into tough circumstances.

3. Jedidiah – “Loved of the Lord”


C. David remained humble and focused on the Lord’s Glory.

1. “Who am I, that you should build a house for me?”


2. “Whatever we build for you can never possibly contain your Glory and the Honor of your Name!”


II. Solomon

A. Solomon showed loyalty and respect for David and his generation.


B. From his shepherd father, Solomon learned that a shepherd cares for his sheep.

1. “Give me wisdom to lead these people.”


C. Solomon found his pace, and completed the task.


III. There are, however, some dangerous intersections that must be navigated.

A. Solomon encountered The Lord and followed Him closely, but after the project he tended to focus on alliances and ‘smart business.’ He ended up allowing what God had expressly forbidden.

1. Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Psalms 1:1


B. David prepared Solomon, but Solomon failed to prepare his son Rehoboam. Rehoboam lost 10 of the 12 tribes as a result of his foolish embracing of foolish counsel.

1. “There is a way that seems right to a person, but in the end, all you get is death.”


2. Battles and buildings both have a place.


Christian Life Lessons

1. Every generation must face its own battles and its own mission.

· We must not leave our own battles for our children to fight.


· Yet if there are on-going battles and projects, we must prepare our children to face them.


2. After all is said and done, we must commit our children to The Lord’s care.

· Consider the first and second Commandments.


· The Lord loves our children even more than we do.


3. We all need…

• A Gamaliel to learn from.


• A Silas to stand beside.


• A Barnabas to help us.


• A Timothy to pour into.


4. Make room for the way you were made.

· Understand your basic personality.


· Focus on understanding Love Languages.


· Play to your strengths, not your weaknesses.


· Relationship trumps rules. (Rules matter and play a role, but relationship matters more, and plays a greater role.) Jesus was full of both grace and truth.


5. A balanced life must…

· Make peace with the past.


· Find purpose in the present.


· Live with hope for the future.