Weekend Sermon

       Today is the day for the Weekend Sermon. Thank you for taking the time to read the sermon this week. I hope and pray that everyone is doing well. 

     For the past several weeks, we have been studying the way of Jesus. I finished that 10 part series last week, so this week, we are going to start a new series of messages that will take us through the next few weeks. 

     I think that one of the most interesting characters in the Bible is the prophet Elijah. He is featured in both the Old and the New Testaments. I admire much about Elijah, and over the course of the next few messages, we are going to examine what the Bible has to say about this prophet and what we can learn from his life and ministry. 

     We really don't know much about Elijah's life before he shows up on the scene in I Kings 17. We know that he was a Tishbite, and we will learn later that he was the head of school of prophets. The Bible describes him as being hairy with a leather belt around his waist. 

     When Elijah arrived to begin his recorded ministry, the nation of Israel was in a mess. I believe that I can say that it was definitely at its low point spiritually. Let us look at a little history. 

     During the reigns of Saul, David and Solomon, Israel was a united nation. When Solomon died, the nation divided in two with the northern 10 tribes taking the name Israel while the 2 southern tribes were known as Judah. Israel is also known as Samaria. 

     The first ruler of Israel established the worship of idols, and his successors on the throne did the same. They did not follow the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

     There was no lasting dynasty in the north. Eventually, a man named Omri ascended the throne, and he brought military power and respect to the north. In order to foster good foreign relations, Omri had his son Ahab marry a Phoenician princess named Jezebel.  She was an extremely negative influence on her husband. She led him when he became king to build a temple for her god Baal and to have many priests brought into Israel. The people of Israel where far away from God, and God was not happy about the people's behavior. This is where Elijah comes on in. 

     God told Elijah to bring a message to Ahab. Elijah told Ahab that there would be a terrible drought. It would not rain nor would dew come on the ground until Elijah gave the word for the drought to end. The people were in desperate shape because they would not acknowledge the true and living God. 

     We can already see one of the things that I admire most about Elijah. He was not afraid to take God's message to the king. He could have been killed, but Elijah did what the Lord wanted Him to do. Elijah had faith knowing that God would keep His word. 

     From the history of Israel, before and after the kingdom divided, the people had a history of turning away from God and turning to idols. They wanted to be like the nations around them. They wanted a sensual religion that satisfied the flesh. 

     I have often wondered why the people would turn away like they did. However, I have come to see that people today are no different. People don't want to follow God's way. They make God into their own image. They don't want to follow God as He is revealed in the Scripture. The reason is that deep down, people are in rebellion against God and His ways. People think that they can satisfy their spiritual longings by worshiping what is truly not God. 

     Many of us live in nations where people once served the True and Living God. Unfortunately, much of the Western world has turned away from God just as the people in Elijah's day had done. Elijah speaks to us today to turn from all false gods and turn to the Lord Jesus. Only by serving the Lord Jesus can we turn aside the wrath of God that eventual comes on all who will worship the creature instead of the creator. 

     We need to take an example for our lives from Elijah. When the Lord calls on us to speak His word, let us be quick to do it. It will be different for most of us than Elijah's experience. We all need to be quick to speak to others about what can truly change the world and the lives of individuals. We must be quick to tell others about the love of Jesus and how they can have a relationship with Him. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     We are having too much rain where I live, and their is some flooding. Please pray for some drier weather. 

     Continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus problems around the world. 

     Pray for peace in Ukraine. Don't forget to keep praying for peace in other warring areas including Syria and Yemen. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Turkey and Israel. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     Next week, we will continue in our Elijah series. I will post the verses on Monday. I will really try this week to have a review midweek. May God bless you all.