Does the Lord Ask too Much?

1 Kings 12:26-28

The Text

“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!’“ {1 Kings 12:26-28}

Is It Really Too Much…

• Keeping His commandments?– “For this is the love of God, that we keep His

commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” {1 John 5:3}

– “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” {John 14:15}

– “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” {Matthew 11:28-30}

• To respond to His invitation and obey the Gospel?– “…Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every

creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” {Mark 16:15,16}

– “…Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” {Acts 2:38}

– “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” {Acts 22:16}

Is It Really Too Much…

Light Afflictions vs. Blessings…

• Temporary difficulties…– “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus

Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” {Ephesians 1:3-5}

• Temporary difficulties…

– “To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” {Ephesians 1:6,7}

Light Afflictions vs. Blessings…

• Temporary difficulties…

– “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” {2 Corinthians 4:16,17}

Light Afflictions vs. Blessings…

• To worship Him faithfully? – “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true

worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."{John 4:23,24}

• Spirit—involves the heart of the worshipper

• Truth—the word of God that authorizes the acts

Is It Really Too Much…

Pray—1 Corinthians 14:15

Sing—Ephesians 5:19

Lord’s Supper—Acts 20:7

Giving—1 Corinthians 16:1,2

Preaching—1 Timothy 4:1,2

Is It Too Much to Ask Us to Live Godly Lives?

• Living godly in the world…– “For the grace of God that brings salvation has

appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” {Titus 2:11-14}

Does the Lord Ask Too Much?

It depends on whether you believe the conditions are warranted by what you

gain in return.