This Congregation meets at: Sunday Bible Class at 10:00 am. Sunday Worship Service at 11:00 am.

1. This Congregation meets at: Sunday Bible Class at 10:00 am. Sunday Worship Service at 11:00 am. Sunday Night Worship service at 6:00 pm. Wednesday Night Bible Class at 7:00 pm. 5:00 PM on the last Sunday of the MONTH. Please be so kind to turn off your cell phone. Let’s be reverent. We are worshipping God.

2. 27thlesson

3. Romans 15:4 (NKJV) 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

4. 1 Corinthians 10:1111  Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

5. James 5:17... 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.

7. What do we know about her? • Sheba, What was that? • What Country is Sheba now days? • With what character in the Bible is she related to? • What is the MOST important lesson we can learn from her? • Is the queen of Sheba mention in the New Testament?

8. Among all the queens of the Bible none is so fascinating as the one who came from somewhere on the Persian Gulf to Jerusalem to prove for herself the profound wisdom of Solomon.

9. Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned • Jesus said we should learn from this woman: • “The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here” (Matt. 12:42).

10. Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned Not willing to accept another person’s word • She had heard of the wisdom of Solomon (even that it was from God), but was not content until she knew first-hand (1 Kings 10:1) • Perhaps heard from voyages of Solomon’s naval fleet or Arabians who had passed through Jerusalem • Perhaps what she heard was true; perhaps it was not true—she had to find out for herself 1Ki 10:1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions.

11. Consider some fatal errors millions have accepted without making a personal investigation to obtain first-hand knowledge. “All good people will be saved” (cf. Eccles. 7:20; Rom. 3:23; 6:23) “It makes no difference what church of which one is a member” (cf. Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4) “The way one worships does not matter, just so long as he is honest and sincere” (cf. John 4:24) “All one must do to be saved is just pray the sinner’s prayer” (cf. Matt. 7:21) “The name we wear in religion is not important” (cf. Acts 4:12; 1 Cor. 1:12-13)

12. Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned • Not willing to accept another person’s word • Went to great lengths to hear wisdom • Most believe she came from Southern Arabia • Likely a distance of 1,200-1,500 miles (each way) • Jesus said, “she came from the ends of the earth” • Journey made without any of our modern modes of travel—it would have taken weeks 1Ki 10:2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart.

13. What of those today who will not travel across a city to attend a gospel meeting where one preaches Christ? What of those today who do not avail themselves of the opportunity to attend Bible study on Wednesday nights? What of those today who do not regularly attend the services of gospel meetings at their own home congregations? If we neglect opportunities to learn more of the word of the Lord, the queen of Sheba will rise in judgment and condemn us. Remember that Christ is greater than Solomon is!

14. Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned • Not willing to accept another person’s word • Went to great lengths to hear wisdom • Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom • She was a ruler of a country. • Traveled with a very great entourage & gifts • Her time was very valuable. • She likely had important affairs of state to manage. 1Ki 10:3 So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her.

15. What of those in our time who think of themselves as being too busy with important matters to take the time for Bible study on Wednesday night? What of those in our time who never have time to study their Bible at home? What of those in our time who do not have time to visit the sick, the lost? The song “Take Time to Be Holy” should urge us to a better life. We usually find the time to do the things we really want to do. Doing the will of God should take precedence over everything else (Matt. 6:33). If we neglect our duty to God because we think we do not have the time, the queen of Sheba will rise in the judgment and condemn us. Remember that Christ is greater than Solomon is!

16. Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned • Not willing to accept another person’s word • Went to great lengths to hear wisdom • Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom • Sought wisdom without being asked • Traveled a great distance at great personal expense to hear wisdom without an invitation • No one had to pressure her or promise her anything—she went of her own volition 1Ki 10:4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her.

17. Conversely, Jesus had given all of us invitation after invitation (Matt. 11:28; John 5:40; Rev. 22:17). Not only are we invited to come to Christ, but He commands us to hear Him (Matt. 17:5; Acts 3:22-23). Twenty times in the New Testament, the expression occurs, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” or “He that hath an ear, let him hear.” If we do not avail ourselves of the opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the word of the Lord, the queen of Sheba will rise in the judgment and condemn us. Remember that Christ is greater than Solomon is!

18. Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned • Not willing to accept another person’s word • Went to great lengths to hear wisdom • Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom • Sought wisdom without being asked • Although skeptical, still came with an open mind • She didn’t believe; came to test with riddles (v. 1, 6-7) • She probably came expecting to prove all reports false • She examined the matter with an open mind & changed her mind—not too stubborn to change when wrong 1Ki 10:6 Then she said to the king: "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 7 "However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard.

19. In like manner, we must hear Christ with an open mind. Some in His day refused to be open-minded (Matt. 13:15). The truth of the matter is that prejudice causes many people to remain in ignorance. Prejudice occurs when one draws a conclusion before examining all the facts. It means to pre-judge. Although the queen had formed a false conclusion before having access to all the information, she was honest enough and open-minded enough to change her mind when she saw the truth. If we are not open-minded, the queen of Sheba will rise in the judgment and condemn us. Remember that Christ is greater than Solomon is!

20. Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned • Not willing to accept another person’s word • Went to great lengths to hear wisdom • Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom • Sought wisdom without being asked • Although skeptical, still came with an open mind • Put the reports that had been heard to the test • She would not be gullible, accepting just anything (v. 1) • She put to the test—asking hard questions—to find truth 1Ki 10:7 "However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard.

21. The apostle Paul penned, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). In other words, put every doctrine and practice to the test, and reject all that will not stand the test. The word of the Lord is the standard by which we are to judge each doctrine and practice (John 12:48; cf. 2 John 1:9-11). The New Testament was given to us “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,” (Eph. 4:14). False teachers do not want others to question them about their religious doctrine and practice. Those who teach and practice the truth have nothing to fear from examination (1 Pet. 3:15). If we accept error and refuse to conduct a careful examination, the queen of Sheba will rise in the judgment and condemn us. Remember that Christ is greater than Solomon is!

22. Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned • Not willing to accept another person’s word • Went to great lengths to hear wisdom • Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom • Sought wisdom without being asked • Although skeptical, still came with an open mind • Put the reports that had been heard to the test • Listened to wisdom for all questions in wonder • She had questions. All were answered easily by wisdom. • After hearing & seeing, beside herself in amazement • Wisdom far exceeds expectations—“half not told” 1Ki 10:6 Then she said to the king: "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom.

23. What of those who are content to know only a part of the will of God? We ought to develop an inquiring spirit that thirsts for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth (cf. John 8:32; Heb. 5:12-14; Ps. 119:128). The psalmist stated, “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever” (Ps. 119:160). The ASV translates this verse: “The sum of thy word is truth; and every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth forever.” This shows we must take all the truth on every subject. Some accept only a part of the word of God and leave off what they do not like. The queen of Sheba will rise in the judgment and condemn us if we do not learn all we can about the wisdom of Christ. Remember that Christ is greater than Solomon is!

24. Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned • Not willing to accept another person’s word • Went to great lengths to hear wisdom • Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom • Sought wisdom without being asked • Although skeptical, still came with an open mind • Put the reports that had been heard to the test • Listened to wisdom for all questions in wonder • Having found wisdom, filled with thanks-giving • For what she had seen, heard & received, she was more than willing to turn around and give of herself in return. 1Ki 10:8 "Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 9 "Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness."

25. There is no indication that Solomon required such gifts. She did so of her own free will because of her appreciation of his wisdom. In like manner, we are taught to give to our Lord (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:7). If we are stingy in our giving, the queen of Sheba will rise in the judgment and condemn us. Remember that Christ is greater than Solomon is!

26. Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned • Not willing to accept another person’s word • Went to great lengths to hear wisdom • Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom • Sought wisdom without being asked • Although skeptical, still came with an open mind • Put the reports that had been heard to the test • Listened to wisdom for all questions in wonder • Having found wisdom, filled with thanks-giving • Found that true wisdom only comes from God • She gave God the credit for Solomon’s gifts/abilities. 1Ki 10:9 "Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness."

27. This we do know—the dust of the remains of the queen of Sheba lies somewhere awaiting the resurrection day. On that day, she will stand in the judgment with all of us, and by comparison, she will condemn those who failed to appreciate the Lord Jesus Christ. Look how she appreciated Solomon, and “Behold, a greater than Solomon is here.”