No Strings Attached: What We Pursue [Sermon]

Annapolis, Maryland, USA

October 2026

https://youtu.be/nlM_BbKJB5o

1 Kings 10:1-13

10 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. 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. 3 And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her.

6 And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, 7 but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. 8 Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” 10 Then she gave the king 120 talents[a] of gold, and a very great quantity of spices and precious stones. Never again came such an abundance of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

13 And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what was given her by the bounty of King Solomon. So she turned and went back to her own land with her servants.

1. The Trajectory of Pursuit

 

2. Temporary Pursuits

2.1 _____________________

1 Timothy 6:10: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."

Matthew 6:32: “For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.”

2.2 _____________________

James 1:14-15: "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God."

Ecclesiastes 3:13: “also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.”

2.3 _____________

Matthew 23:5-7: "They do all their deeds to be seen by others... they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces."

Romans 12:19: "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"

Psalm 8:5: “Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.”

3. Pursuing God

Matthew 6:25, 31-32: "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or drink... But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Jeremiah 2:13: "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."

Jeremiah 9:24: "but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me…