Summary: It is not easy being a leader because there are so many pressures from so many directions. WISDOM COMES FROM NOBODY BUT GOD

When two women came to him claiming to be the mother of one living baby, he was able to discern the truth. The woman whose baby was alive was willing to sacrifice all so that her baby would live while the woman whose baby had died didn’t care whether the remaining baby lived or not. If we look at the people involved, we may be able to discern the underlying truth of a situation. Just like that woman didn’t care for the life of the baby that wasn’t hers-some folk won’t care about how their actions affect others.

Leadership is not easy. It is not easy being a leader because there are so many pressures from so many directions.

A leader can have charisma, position, and even integrity, but if they cannot make wise decisions, they will not be followed or respected.

Leaders must know how to deal with issues, make good decisions. They need to be able to see the big picture. They need to know how to put everything together so that everyone has a chance to succeed!

Wisdom is an asset for a leader

Solomon, a young man, anywhere from his late teens to very early 20’s when he seated as King-- Something special is about to happen to him

Throughout the Book of 1 Kings, kings are judged by their attitude toward the high places: good kings abolish them; mediocre kings tolerate them; and evil kings patronize them.

Both ladies lived in the same house, both had babies. Lady one’s baby died because she laid on top of the infant, so Lady one traded out her dead child for the living child of lady 2.

a nice argument broke out in front of Solomon

This is before DNA testing, and to many babies look a lot alike. What would you do?

Solomon in his God-given wisdom knew a real mother would protect her child at any cost.

Solomon was young, I am sure there were folk who doubted his ability to lead and rule

Wisdom allows a leader to delegate responsibilities to the best people

In the passage that we have just read, two harlots were in the same room together. They were both very careless. The first one was careless enough to sleep over her child and in the process killed the child. A lot of things happened when people sleep. She woke up only to discover that she had slept on her child and killed her, she decided to play a fast one by taking the child of the other harlot.

The second harlot too was very careless, she too when sleeping-- she did not wake up while her baby was being taken from her side

A lot happens when people sleep.

what was not hers was given and transferred to her

death- disappointment- sorrow-unnecessary expenses- bareness (empty without child)

quietly, wisely, and slowly pulled the baby from the side of the mother

a lot of activities of the enemies are being exposed and destroyed in these special services.

why is she not allowing me to carry the baby?

why is she not showing any concern about my own baby, she looked around her?

where did I go wrong, where did I missed it, tell the next person that consider your situation?

She considered her situation, she took a second look at the child, she examined this time closely, and I can bet you prayerfully

command restoration into every area of my life that the enemy has touched today in Jesus’ name

A few years ago State Farm Insurance released one of my favorite commercials of all time with Peter Looney as a fisherman.

2 ladies shopping looking at purses- 1 lady see a purse she loves but isn’t sure if she has the money to afford it. So she recites the famous jingle, “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” Her State Farm rep, Anthony, appears out of thin air to tell her that her State Farm policy saved her $150. Based on that information, she decides she can afford the purse.

Her friend, on the other hand, does not have State Farm. She cannot summon her agent by reciting the jingle. Instead she makes up her own words to the tune of the jingle and says, “I don’t have State Farm, but insurance find me money!” Immediately an old fly fisherman appears with a dollar attached to the hook at the end of his fishing line. As he dangles the dollar above her head, he says to the young lady, “I got you a dollar.” She lunges to grab the dollar and he pulls it away like the skilled fly fisherman that he is, and says, “Oh, you almost had it. You gotta be quicker than that.”

I DON’T HAVE THE 3 POINTS-

A DECEASED BABY & A LIVING BABY

The church today is somewhere between destruction and rebuilding

As kingdom citizens we are here to help build up and not tear down

Be encouraged today that God will protect what God has placed inside of you the same way the fly fisherman protected that dollar.

We play a critical role- UNITED or FALL APART

SOLOMON- KNEW HE COULDN’T DO THIS OWN HIS OWN

TRUTH IS THE SAME TODAY- WE CAN NOT DO THIS ON OUR OWN

People may try to silence your voice.

Others may question your credibility.

Some will lunge at your gift in an attempt to undermine your power.

SOME FOLK WITH RATHER KILL THE WHOLE BABY INSTEAD OF LETTING SOME THINGS GO

WISDOM COMES FROM NOBODY BUT GOD

The world needs MORE love, compassion, justice, kindness and courage God has put inside of you.

STORY STARTS OUT CRAZY- 2 PROSTITUTES- DON’T KNOW THEIR NAME-

Forever know the choices they made-BABIES WILL show the choices we made

DECEIVE-de·ceive

verb

1. (of a person) cause (someone) to believe something that is not true, typically in order to gain some personal advantage.

o (of a thing) give a mistaken impression.

WHAT MADE HER THINK SHE COULD SWITCH & A MOTHER NOT KNOW?

Did they look familiar- Same father? Are they sisters?

NEVERTHELESS- THE FATHER DIDN’T SHOW UP TO COURT-

ARE YOU DOING WELL IN THE THINGS THAT COUNT-

WALK WITH GOD IN INTEGRITY-