I could stand up here today and tell you that this sermon is no big deal for me. I could tell you that I haven’t really put much thought into it. I could tell that I am not nervous at all about preaching a sermon to the members of St. Stephen for the very first time. Of course, if I did tell you that, I would be a big liar. I am nervous. It is a big deal for me.

I have been chosen to serve as pastor of this congregation. That is my call. Is it a little bit daunting? Absolutely. But I know that I am not alone. I know that God is with me, just as he is with all of you as you carry out your callings in life. Some of you might be on the church council. That is a hefty responsibility. Some of you are moms and dads. That is also is an immense duty to carry out. Some of you are teenagers and kids. You also have jobs to do.

We all have roles to fill in God’s Kingdom. We all have different responsibilities. Yet we are all servants of God. Today we are going to learn from the example of King Solomon, God’s servant. We will learn to pray like Solomon, “Equip me to carry out my duties.” We will see that this is a request of a man of God and then we will see God’s answer to his servant.

King Solomon was God’s chosen man. His father was King David and Solomon was God’s choice for the throne of Israel, the one chosen to lead God’s people. Others like Absalom tried to gain the throne, but God wanted to Solomon. He was chosen by God to serve.

Then one night while Solomon was sleeping, the Lord appeared to him and gave him a choice. He told him he could ask for anything and God would grant it to him. Wow! What a great deal! Not only did he get to be king, but God also had given him this great offer. What would you say if tonight you were sleeping and God came into your bedroom, tapped you on the chest and told you could have anything you wanted? What would your response be?

Maybe this morning, as we sit in church, I would get back some great Spirit –filled responses. I am sure at other times and in other places the responses I would get back would be something like money, fame, power, or great intelligence. We focus on those things so much in our world. Our sinful nature, the devil, and society tell us those things are what are important. We often put money, popularity, and power over God. We do this even though the Jesus tells us in Mt. 6, “So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” How have you failed recently to put God’s kingdom first in your life? Our distrust reveals our true sinfulness. And that sinfulness is what condemns us to an eternity separated from God in hell.

But we have a beautiful example of a God - pleasing request by Solomon in the verses from I Kings today. When God gives him the choice, he responds by speaking of God’s love and promises fulfilled. He promised David a son to sit on the throne. Not only did God give Solomon as David’s Son, but he also gave the most important Son of David, Jesus. For Jesus came from the line of David and now sits on the heavenly throne. God made that promise in the Garden of Eden and it was fulfilled when he sent his to be born in Bethlehem, to live the perfect life for us, and to die on the cross to pay for all our sins. We know that God never breaks a promise and that was guaranteed when Jesus rose triumphantly from the dead on Easter Sunday.

Solomon knew about God’s promises and with a gospel – motivated heart he asked for wisdom to rule God’s people. He wanted a discerning heart. He wanted the ability to listen, understand, and to make the right decisions. That is my prayer also as I begin my service here at St. Stephen. Solomon said he was young and did not know how to carry out his duties. At times I feel that way also, but I pray that God would equip me to carry out those duties here and give me a discerning heart.

It is also a great prayer for all Christians, not just pastors. Solomon was putting God’s will over his own wants and desires. And he could only do this because he had seen God’s love. Therefore in thanksgiving he was motivated to serve. May this be your prayer as carry out your roles as God’s servants whether you are council members, elders, grandparents, parents, children, or whatever your role is in God’s kingdom. Put God’s holy will first. Ask for wisdom to carry out your duties in God’s kingdom.

Many times our fear and anxiety can lead us to shy away from our roles in life. When are faced with carrying out our duties here on earth, we have two choices. We can run like Jonah, get caught in a storm, and get swallowed up by a big fish. Or we can be like Solomon who, in faith, trusted God and relied on his promises.

When King Solomon asked for wisdom to lead God’s people, the Bible says that God was pleased. He was pleased that Solomon did not put his own wants and desires before his duties as King of Israel, leader of the chosen people. God was pleased that Solomon had a servant’s heart. He was pleased that he was not self-serving and that he did not ask for long life, wealth, or the death of his enemies. He was pleased that Solomon put God and his people first.

And because he was so pleased, he told the young King, “I will do what you ask.” God keeps his promises. This is just another example of that. All the promises that God has made from the Garden of Eden until now have been fulfilled. We can trust the Lord and not have to worry. When Jesus promised to return to take us to be in heaven with him. We know that is true. We know we will be in heaven because God does not break his promises. What a great comfort that is for us as carry out our duties here on earth.

And God not only gave Solomon wisdom, but made him the wisest man ever. Chapter four of I Kings tells that he spoke 3000 proverbs and wrote over 1000 songs. He could describe all the animals and the plants. I Kings 4:34 says, “Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.” Because he made such a noble, faith-based request, God also granted Solomon long life, honor, and enormous wealth.

God has blessed each and every one of us richly. He has given us more than we deserve. He has kept his promises and given us everything we need to carry out our duties here on earth. So we should fall on our knees thanking and praising God for his love and mercy. First of all because he sent his only Son to die for us and then for all the other blessings he has showered upon us. When we see these blessings, our hearts will be turned and be motivated to put God first over everything in our lives.

So as we go about serving God by carrying out our roles as Christians, we will ask God to give us discerning hearts and wisdom. Children and teenagers, you may pray that God would give you the wisdom to listen to and obey your parents. Parents and grandparents, you may ask God for the wisdom to understand and discipline your children in love. Husbands and wives, you may ask God for the wisdom to listen each other and put each other first. Church leaders here at St. Stephen, you may ask God for the wisdom to rebuke sin so that you can speak words of Gospel comfort. All of us as Christians may ask for the wisdom to use our faith and tongues to share the message of Christ crucified with all people.

We all have different stations in life, different roles to carry out. God comes to us in his Word and promises that whatever we ask for in Jesus’ name he will give us. Ask for gifts to carry out your duties in God’s Kingdom. I promise that I will as your pastor.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.