Adult Bible Study ABS

FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FAITH, and THIS IS MY PRAYER

Thursday August 5, 2021

Matt. 12:38-42; 1 Kings 10:1-13
A GREATER THAN SOLOMON IS HERE, Lesson 38b

JESUS IS GREATER IN HIS WEALTH

When the Queen of Sheba arrived at Jerusalem, she was astounded at the greatness of this king's wealth, (v. 5).

v. 4, 13 She Saw His Possessions - She saw his house and his wealth. Jesus is greater than Solomon in His Possessions – (Psa. 24:1; Psa. 50:12; Job 41:11). He owns it all and He can take care of His people! There are no shortages with Him!

v. 5 She Saw His Provisions - It required massive amounts of food required to feed those who ate from his table, (1 Kings 4:22-23). Jesus is greater than Solomon in His Provisions - Not only does He have it all, but He is willing to share it all with those who feed from His table, (Phil. 4:19; Psa. 37:25)! Solomon had enough at his table to feed those who ate there, maybe as many a several hundred. The Lord Jesus has enough to give all of His children their “daily bread”!

v. 5 She Saw His People - She watched his servants as they ministered to him. She noticed how they sat in his presence listening to his voice. She noticed how others hastily carried out his wishes. She was amazed because they received joy from their service!

Jesus is greater than Solomon in His People, (Titus 2:14; Eph. 2:10). His people love Him and want to be around Him to hear His Word and to do His bidding. Those who know Jesus and love Him want to serve Him, that’s why they love Him – (Eph. 2:1-9)!

When the Queen of Sheba saw the riches of King Solomon, she was totally flabbergasted! She said, “There's Nobody Like You!” But, I want to remind you that there is a greater than Solomon among us today!

JESUS IS GREATER IN HIS WONDER

The Queen of Sheba had heard about Solomon, but she didn't believe it until she had seen it for herself, (v. 7). What she saw when she came to Solomon left her dumbfounded!

Her Personal Discovery - Her trip to Jerusalem led her to some personal conclusions.
He Was More Wealthy Than She Had Heard - She got more from him than she gave him. So it is with Jesus. I have received far more than I have given.
He Was More Wise Than She Had Heard - He was able to answer every one of her riddles, (v. 1, 3). Jesus has given meaning to life. It all makes sense to His people!
He Was More Wonderful Than She Had Heard - She concluded that she hadn't even heard the half of his glory and greatness! No matter what we say about Jesus, we can never exhaust His glory, His power and His wonder!

Every person who has ever heard about Jesus Christ and has responded by coming to Him for salvation can echo everything the Queen of Sheba discovered. He will always give you back far more than you give up! He will reveal to you the answers to the riddles and problems of life. He will always prove to be far more glorious than anyone could ever articulate! He will leave you flabbergasted, astounded and amazed! Everybody who told me about Jesus lied to me! He was far better than they said! The half has never been told!

Her Profound Declaration - She had some things to say to Solomon about what she saw.
Regarding His Servants - She commented on the happy nature of his servants!
Regarding His Savior - She commented on the greatness of Solomon's Lord! She bragged on His goodness and she bragged on His love. She was convinced that there was nobody like Solomon and nobody like His God!

One of the reasons I can say “a greater than Solomon is here” is because those who know Jesus are a happy people! There may be worries and there may be problems, but they possess a “joy unspeakable and full of glory” in the depths of their souls! He does that through His grace! Those who know Him, Who is greater than Solomon, are those who like to brag on Him and His Father!

Conc: Do you know the One Who Is greater than Solomon? If you do, then you know why He is greater than Solomon or any other, for that matter. If you know Him, I challenge you to fall before Him in worship. Bow before Him and call on His Name and praise Him for Who He is and for all He has done for you.

TODAY’S HYMN!
“Jesus, Name Above All Name” By: Naida Hearn (1974

Jesus, name above all names
Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord.
Emmanuel, God is with us.
Blessed Redeemer, Living word.

Jesus, name above all names
Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord.
Emmanuel, God is with us.
Blessed Redeemer, Living word.

TODAY’S PRAYER!
Loving and Living Father, Holy and Heavenly God!
There are times when we are almost overwhelmed with a foreboding sense of hopelessness about the present and the future; times when it seems like evil has the upper hand; times when the problems caused by selfishness and sin all around us seems like there is no solution; times when the failures and fault of the church causes so many to give up; times when the worship of ourselves has driven worship of the True God completely out of our lives. Then we hear a word of hope from our Lord, and we know that He will set things right in His time. Help us to hear, obey and stand firm on His Word, for we have a Savior that is Greater than anything in this world. He has overcome the world for us. It is in His glorious name that we pray. Amen!