Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 2-18-07 (1 Kings 19:13b-21)
1. To help Elijah to deal with his discouragement and despair, God first provided him with food, water, and rest. Now He gave him work to do.
2. The importance of work:
-it is a gift to us, a part of creation before the Fall, an extension of God’s work
-it brings a sense of worth, accomplishment, dignity
-it brings the respect of our neighbors, essential to spreading the gospel
-the Bible warns against idleness
-by working we meet our own needs, as well as the needs of God’s work and others
-our purpose in work is to glorify God
3. The third way God ministered to Elijah’s need was by providing him with someone to share the work.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Five Dangers to Avoid, Pt 2
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Recap of 2-11-07 (1 Kings 19:8-13a)
1. There are five dangers to our spiritual health and vitality we must be aware of. To fail to recognize them is to invite discouragement and despair. They are:
-the danger in taking our eyes off the Lord and onto our circumstances
-the danger of estimating the enemy of our souls and falling for his schemes
-the danger of neglecting the physical (rest/relaxation/food), for the physical affects the emotional and spiritual
-the danger of success and pride, failing to give God credit, a sense that we are indispensable to Him and His work
-the danger of addiction to the spectacular, the dramatic, in our spiritual lives, not realizing that God more often than not, works in the ordinary
2. We must learn an appreciation for God’s work in the ordinary things of life. We cannot always be on the mountaintop or have mountaintop experiences. Most of what God accomplishes He accomplishes through ordinary people doing the ordinary things that make life. To be faithful in the ordinary is to be faithful indeed.
Recap of 2-11-07 (1 Kings 19:8-13a)
1. There are five dangers to our spiritual health and vitality we must be aware of. To fail to recognize them is to invite discouragement and despair. They are:
-the danger in taking our eyes off the Lord and onto our circumstances
-the danger of estimating the enemy of our souls and falling for his schemes
-the danger of neglecting the physical (rest/relaxation/food), for the physical affects the emotional and spiritual
-the danger of success and pride, failing to give God credit, a sense that we are indispensable to Him and His work
-the danger of addiction to the spectacular, the dramatic, in our spiritual lives, not realizing that God more often than not, works in the ordinary
2. We must learn an appreciation for God’s work in the ordinary things of life. We cannot always be on the mountaintop or have mountaintop experiences. Most of what God accomplishes He accomplishes through ordinary people doing the ordinary things that make life. To be faithful in the ordinary is to be faithful indeed.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Five Dangers to Avoid
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Recap of 2-4-07 (1 Kings 19:1-7)
1. Despite Elijah’s victory on Mt. Carmel a threat from Jezebel sends him into a tailspin and he despairs of life, feeling overwhelmed and like he can’t take anymore. His state is not unlike that of many Christians today.
2. From the heights of great victory to the depths of despair can happen in a moment when we are unaware of the dangers waiting to assail our spiritual life and health. There are five altogether. The first three are:
-the danger in taking our eyes off the Lord and onto our circumstances
-the danger of estimating the enemy of our souls and falling for his schemes
-the danger of neglecting the physical (rest/relaxation/food), for the physical affects the emotional and spiritual.
Recap of 2-4-07 (1 Kings 19:1-7)
1. Despite Elijah’s victory on Mt. Carmel a threat from Jezebel sends him into a tailspin and he despairs of life, feeling overwhelmed and like he can’t take anymore. His state is not unlike that of many Christians today.
2. From the heights of great victory to the depths of despair can happen in a moment when we are unaware of the dangers waiting to assail our spiritual life and health. There are five altogether. The first three are:
-the danger in taking our eyes off the Lord and onto our circumstances
-the danger of estimating the enemy of our souls and falling for his schemes
-the danger of neglecting the physical (rest/relaxation/food), for the physical affects the emotional and spiritual.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Between Two Opinions, Pt 2
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Recap of 1-28-07 (1 Kings 18:25-46)
The kind of person God uses:
1. God is not interested in our ability but in our availability.
2. God chooses a person who is undaunted by overwhelming odds or circumstances because they are convinced of the reality of God.
3. God chooses a person who is not impressed with their own power but the power of God to act in seemingly hopeless/impossible situations.
4. God chooses ordinary people and uses them in extraordinary ways.
5. God chooses people who will not quit when the going gets rough.
Recap of 1-28-07 (1 Kings 18:25-46)
The kind of person God uses:
1. God is not interested in our ability but in our availability.
2. God chooses a person who is undaunted by overwhelming odds or circumstances because they are convinced of the reality of God.
3. God chooses a person who is not impressed with their own power but the power of God to act in seemingly hopeless/impossible situations.
4. God chooses ordinary people and uses them in extraordinary ways.
5. God chooses people who will not quit when the going gets rough.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Between Two Opinions
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Recap of 1-21-07 (1 Kings 18:20-24)
1. Elijah confronts the problem of the double mindedness among the people of God. They were dividing their allegiance between God and Baal. God’s hates divided allegiance and Elijah calls the people of God to make a choice.
2. Divided allegiance occurs repeatedly in the scripture and is a problem to this day. In the history of Israel and of the church the people of God are challenged to follow Him alone:
-Moses, Exodus 32:26
-Joshua, Joshua 24:15
-Jesus, Matthew 6:24
-James, James 1:8; 4:4-6
3. Some of the gods of the land today that seek to divide our allegiance to God: sex, celebrity, alcohol/drugs, uncontrolled pursuit of expansion/materialism, theological compromise at the service of political correctness, etc.
Recap of 1-21-07 (1 Kings 18:20-24)
1. Elijah confronts the problem of the double mindedness among the people of God. They were dividing their allegiance between God and Baal. God’s hates divided allegiance and Elijah calls the people of God to make a choice.
2. Divided allegiance occurs repeatedly in the scripture and is a problem to this day. In the history of Israel and of the church the people of God are challenged to follow Him alone:
-Moses, Exodus 32:26
-Joshua, Joshua 24:15
-Jesus, Matthew 6:24
-James, James 1:8; 4:4-6
3. Some of the gods of the land today that seek to divide our allegiance to God: sex, celebrity, alcohol/drugs, uncontrolled pursuit of expansion/materialism, theological compromise at the service of political correctness, etc.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Profiles In Leadership
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Recap of 1-14-07 (1 Kings 18:1-19)
1. God had strategically placed a believer in the very palace of King Ahab named Obadiah. At the risk of his life, Obadiah hid 100 prophets of God and supplied them with food and water.
2. Obadiah exemplified several truths:
-he had a different kind of courage than Elijah, God needs those also who work quietly, behind the scenes
-God places us in the positions we are in primarily to be His representative, to use our influence, privilege to serve Him
3. Ahab called Elijah the troubler of Israel. The wicked never see their own actions as the source of their troubles, but blame God or believers instead. Those who stand for God will always be accused of causing strife/divisions. Nevertheless we must stand for God’s truth.
Recap of 1-14-07 (1 Kings 18:1-19)
1. God had strategically placed a believer in the very palace of King Ahab named Obadiah. At the risk of his life, Obadiah hid 100 prophets of God and supplied them with food and water.
2. Obadiah exemplified several truths:
-he had a different kind of courage than Elijah, God needs those also who work quietly, behind the scenes
-God places us in the positions we are in primarily to be His representative, to use our influence, privilege to serve Him
3. Ahab called Elijah the troubler of Israel. The wicked never see their own actions as the source of their troubles, but blame God or believers instead. Those who stand for God will always be accused of causing strife/divisions. Nevertheless we must stand for God’s truth.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Our Sufficient God
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Recap of 1-7-07 (1 Kings 17:2-24)
1. The trials of life can cause questions in the minds of God’s people:
-will He take care of us?
-will He meet our needs?
-can we trust Him?
2. God answers those questions and uses trials in the lives of His people:
-to strengthen our faith
-to learn that He is sufficiency for any situation
-to learn that He is faithfulness-to prepare us for greater usefulness
Recap of 1-7-07 (1 Kings 17:2-24)
1. The trials of life can cause questions in the minds of God’s people:
-will He take care of us?
-will He meet our needs?
-can we trust Him?
2. God answers those questions and uses trials in the lives of His people:
-to strengthen our faith
-to learn that He is sufficiency for any situation
-to learn that He is faithfulness-to prepare us for greater usefulness
Sunday, December 31, 2006
The Power of One
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Recap of 12-31-06 (1 Kings 16:29-17:1)
1. God raised up the prophet Elijah in a time of great spiritual darkness in the Northern Kingdom.
2. Israel’s falling away had reached a new low under Ahab, son of Omri. Through his marriage to Jezebel, Baal worship was brought into the Northern Kingdom on a major scale. Ahab turned to Baal and tried to make it the official religion of Israel, erecting a temple to Baal and setting up an Asherah pole. He led Israel into greater sin than any king before him. Baal was considered to be a rain/storm god, appealing to a people who depended upon agriculture. Add to that the base nature of Baal/Asherah worship and the people of God embraced this false worship.
3. Into this setting God sends one man to confront the sin of His people, the prophet Elijah. Elijah was an ordinary person, not unlike us (James 5:17), upon whom God knew He could rely. Because Elijah knew the Word of God and the God of the Word he announced a drought upon the land.4. Prayer challenge for 2007: “What do you want me to do Lord? And how am I to accomplish it?”
Recap of 12-31-06 (1 Kings 16:29-17:1)
1. God raised up the prophet Elijah in a time of great spiritual darkness in the Northern Kingdom.
2. Israel’s falling away had reached a new low under Ahab, son of Omri. Through his marriage to Jezebel, Baal worship was brought into the Northern Kingdom on a major scale. Ahab turned to Baal and tried to make it the official religion of Israel, erecting a temple to Baal and setting up an Asherah pole. He led Israel into greater sin than any king before him. Baal was considered to be a rain/storm god, appealing to a people who depended upon agriculture. Add to that the base nature of Baal/Asherah worship and the people of God embraced this false worship.
3. Into this setting God sends one man to confront the sin of His people, the prophet Elijah. Elijah was an ordinary person, not unlike us (James 5:17), upon whom God knew He could rely. Because Elijah knew the Word of God and the God of the Word he announced a drought upon the land.4. Prayer challenge for 2007: “What do you want me to do Lord? And how am I to accomplish it?”
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Christmas Questions
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Recap of 12-24-06 (John 1:1-18)
1. The Apostle John begins his gospel with a prologue in which he introduces the themes of the book. He argues for the full deity and true humanity of Jesus Christ. He is the God-man. We won’t understand Jesus’ teaching and His works without understanding who He is.
2. John supports the deity of Jesus Christ by emphasizing that He is pre-existent (He existed before anything was), that He was face-to-face with God the Father in eternity, that He had a role in creation, and that He was the giver of life and light. This One became flesh (vs. 14)
3. John’s claims are backed up by eyewitness accounts, those who knew Jesus, heard His words, saw His works.4. Those who received Jesus (i.e. believed in Him) were born-again supernaturally and made a part of God’s family.
Recap of 12-24-06 (John 1:1-18)
1. The Apostle John begins his gospel with a prologue in which he introduces the themes of the book. He argues for the full deity and true humanity of Jesus Christ. He is the God-man. We won’t understand Jesus’ teaching and His works without understanding who He is.
2. John supports the deity of Jesus Christ by emphasizing that He is pre-existent (He existed before anything was), that He was face-to-face with God the Father in eternity, that He had a role in creation, and that He was the giver of life and light. This One became flesh (vs. 14)
3. John’s claims are backed up by eyewitness accounts, those who knew Jesus, heard His words, saw His works.4. Those who received Jesus (i.e. believed in Him) were born-again supernaturally and made a part of God’s family.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Life Without God
The audio file is not available for this sermon. Please review the recap below.
Recap of 12-17-06 (1 Kings 15:25-16:28)
1. The Northern Kingdom was characterized by instability, murder, pride, ambition, conflict, drunkenness, and suicide. Every king was evil in that they continued the ways of idolatry and false worship. In God’s eyes they excelled only in evil, no matter how much the world looked upon them as successes. When people reject God they forfeit real peace and stability.
2. God sent prophets to call them back from their evil ways yet they persisted in going the way of death. God takes no delight in the death of the wicked. His patience, sometimes taken as inability to act, is meant to bring people to Himself (2 Peter 3:9).
3. Pride is the tendency to take credit for what God has done. God’s people should take pride in their relationship with Him, recognizing that all we are and have is from God. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 4:7; Jeremiah 9:23,24
Recap of 12-17-06 (1 Kings 15:25-16:28)
1. The Northern Kingdom was characterized by instability, murder, pride, ambition, conflict, drunkenness, and suicide. Every king was evil in that they continued the ways of idolatry and false worship. In God’s eyes they excelled only in evil, no matter how much the world looked upon them as successes. When people reject God they forfeit real peace and stability.
2. God sent prophets to call them back from their evil ways yet they persisted in going the way of death. God takes no delight in the death of the wicked. His patience, sometimes taken as inability to act, is meant to bring people to Himself (2 Peter 3:9).
3. Pride is the tendency to take credit for what God has done. God’s people should take pride in their relationship with Him, recognizing that all we are and have is from God. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 4:7; Jeremiah 9:23,24
Sunday, December 10, 2006
When Victory is Not Victory
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Recap of 12/10/06 (1 Kings 15:9-24)
If we are to be fruitful and victorious in our spiritual life, we must:
-put away the idols in our lives (the things which belie our allegiance to God above all, the things which do not belong in the life of a believer)
-live by faith, with real dependence upon God, not just lip-service
-seek to know God through His Word
-separate from the destructive forces in our lives
-be vigilant, careful about becoming self-sufficient and prideful, forgetting God-be responsive to the promptings of the Lord, confess sin
Recap of 12/10/06 (1 Kings 15:9-24)
If we are to be fruitful and victorious in our spiritual life, we must:
-put away the idols in our lives (the things which belie our allegiance to God above all, the things which do not belong in the life of a believer)
-live by faith, with real dependence upon God, not just lip-service
-seek to know God through His Word
-separate from the destructive forces in our lives
-be vigilant, careful about becoming self-sufficient and prideful, forgetting God-be responsive to the promptings of the Lord, confess sin
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Our Legacy, Part 2
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Recap of 12/3/06 (1 Kings 15:1-8)
How can we train our children and meet Biblical goals? (source: A Compact Guide to the Christian Life by K.C. Hinckley)
-give a lot of affection
-by our example
-use verbal teaching (Deuteronomy 6:7-9)
-be consistent in discipline
-involve our children in our goals
-be united as parents in our discipline and goals
-seek support from other Christians-take the long-range view (Proverbs 22:6)
Recap of 12/3/06 (1 Kings 15:1-8)
How can we train our children and meet Biblical goals? (source: A Compact Guide to the Christian Life by K.C. Hinckley)
-give a lot of affection
-by our example
-use verbal teaching (Deuteronomy 6:7-9)
-be consistent in discipline
-involve our children in our goals
-be united as parents in our discipline and goals
-seek support from other Christians-take the long-range view (Proverbs 22:6)
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Giving Thanks
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Recap of 11/26/06 (Psalm 107)
1. Five times in Psalm 107 the redeemed are called upon to thank the Lord for His consistent love and absolute faithfulness to His people.
2. We sometimes have trouble with thankfulness because:
-we often lack contentment (we are not satisfied with what God has provided for us or we want what someone else has, or we focus on what we do not have)
-we are overwhelmed by the concerns of the world or by worry which both crowd out thankfulness
3. The Psalmist presents four instances in which God undertakes for His people when they cry out to Him: the wanderer (who is aimless without food, water, shelter), the prisoner (who is in bondage of their own making), the sick (who through bad lifestyle choices are near death) and those who face adverse circumstances and are at the end of their ability to deal with the need. In every case when God’s people cry out to Him in prayer He delivers them. They should thank Him.
4. Because God is sovereign over nature and people, the redeemed He has the “power to change things” and has “limitless authority.” This should cause God’s people to praise Him and to be thankful.
Recap of 11/26/06 (Psalm 107)
1. Five times in Psalm 107 the redeemed are called upon to thank the Lord for His consistent love and absolute faithfulness to His people.
2. We sometimes have trouble with thankfulness because:
-we often lack contentment (we are not satisfied with what God has provided for us or we want what someone else has, or we focus on what we do not have)
-we are overwhelmed by the concerns of the world or by worry which both crowd out thankfulness
3. The Psalmist presents four instances in which God undertakes for His people when they cry out to Him: the wanderer (who is aimless without food, water, shelter), the prisoner (who is in bondage of their own making), the sick (who through bad lifestyle choices are near death) and those who face adverse circumstances and are at the end of their ability to deal with the need. In every case when God’s people cry out to Him in prayer He delivers them. They should thank Him.
4. Because God is sovereign over nature and people, the redeemed He has the “power to change things” and has “limitless authority.” This should cause God’s people to praise Him and to be thankful.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Our Legacy
The audio file is not available for this sermon. Please review the recap below.
Recap of 11/19/06 (1 Kings 15:1-5)
10 Commandments for Effective Fathers (source: God’s Little Devotional Book for Dads)
-spend time with your children
-let your children know often that you love them just the way they are
-discipline your children when they need it
-pray with and for you children regularly
-always be honest with your children
-love your children’s mother
-take time to listen to your children
-encourage your children often
-celebrate your children’s achievements
-be flexible with your children
Recap of 11/19/06 (1 Kings 15:1-5)
10 Commandments for Effective Fathers (source: God’s Little Devotional Book for Dads)
-spend time with your children
-let your children know often that you love them just the way they are
-discipline your children when they need it
-pray with and for you children regularly
-always be honest with your children
-love your children’s mother
-take time to listen to your children
-encourage your children often
-celebrate your children’s achievements
-be flexible with your children
Sunday, November 12, 2006
God's Jealousy
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 11/12/06 (1 Kings 14:21-31; 2 Chronicles 11:5-12:16)
1. When we choose to live and worship in a way disloyal to God He sees it as a betrayal of His love for He is a jealous God. In the Old Testament Israel is seen as married to God. In the New Testament the church is the Bride of Christ. When we live for the world’s values, God sees this as adultery against Him. (James 4:4; 1 Corinthians 10:22)
2. Israel was to be a light to the nations, bringing God’s light to the darkness of licentious, immoral idol worship, worship which included human sacrifice. Instead of bringing light to the world, Israel embraced the darkness of the gentile world and was indistinguishable from the heathen nations around it. The church today is to be a light to the world bringing the truth of the gospel to the nonbelievers around us and yet too often we, like Israel of old, are more influenced by the darkness than we are influencers with the light. Our values, our lifestyles, our morality is often no better than the world around us.
3. Rehoboam’s sin brought God’s judgment upon Judah in the form of invasion by the Pharoah:
-believers cannot sin with impunity
-sin caused God to withdraw His protection from Judah
-sin cost them their freedom-sin cost them what was precious, only to be replaced by a cheap substitute, an ever present reminder of their failure.
Recap of 11/12/06 (1 Kings 14:21-31; 2 Chronicles 11:5-12:16)
1. When we choose to live and worship in a way disloyal to God He sees it as a betrayal of His love for He is a jealous God. In the Old Testament Israel is seen as married to God. In the New Testament the church is the Bride of Christ. When we live for the world’s values, God sees this as adultery against Him. (James 4:4; 1 Corinthians 10:22)
2. Israel was to be a light to the nations, bringing God’s light to the darkness of licentious, immoral idol worship, worship which included human sacrifice. Instead of bringing light to the world, Israel embraced the darkness of the gentile world and was indistinguishable from the heathen nations around it. The church today is to be a light to the world bringing the truth of the gospel to the nonbelievers around us and yet too often we, like Israel of old, are more influenced by the darkness than we are influencers with the light. Our values, our lifestyles, our morality is often no better than the world around us.
3. Rehoboam’s sin brought God’s judgment upon Judah in the form of invasion by the Pharoah:
-believers cannot sin with impunity
-sin caused God to withdraw His protection from Judah
-sin cost them their freedom-sin cost them what was precious, only to be replaced by a cheap substitute, an ever present reminder of their failure.
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