Divided Heart, Divided Kingdom
Three Consequences of Sin
Aaron Lee | March 29, 2026 | FCBCW Children’s Worship | 1 Kings 9-12
A shorter version of this sermon was given to our younger students. Link coming soon.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)
1. Sin splits hearts
So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done. (1 Kings 11:6)
Solomon had 700 wives, they turned his heart away from God.
God is not happy about this – the Bible actually says he gets angry about it.
Application: Will you give your heart fully to God? Will you love him in every area of your life?
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23)
2. Sin leads to more sin
40 Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam fled to Egypt, to Shishak the king, and stayed there until Solomon’s death. (1 Kings 11:40)
Solomon’s sin led to the kingdom being split.
God would allow Jeroboam, a leader, to become the king of the northern tribes.
But Jeroboam would also sin and lead the northern kingdom into idolatry.
Application: Will you repent of (turn away from ) your sin immediately? Will you seek to make things right after you sin?
The way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction. (Proverbs 13:15)
3. Sin needs a savior
Yet to his son, I will give one tribe, that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name. (1 Kings 11:36)
Even when kings fail, God stays faithful. Solomon needed God to be faithful and keep his promises despite his sin.
Solomon’s son Rehoboam is the king of the southern tribes, and he would be a hard king (causing the split) while also allow foreign gods and idolatry.
God kept his promise to Israel as a whole and God would cause Jesus to be born in this southern kingdom in Bethlehem.
Application: Will you acknowledge your need to be saved and that you cannot save yourself? Will you trust in Jesus as the only one who can save you from your sin?
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)
Big Idea
The heart is sinful. God’s judgment for sin is sure, and his promise to redeem his people is unfailing.
Notes
Adapted from More Than a Story by Sally Michael