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Sermon 2019-08-04 Ross Woodhouse

 

GOD, above all gods

Karyn met with our children’s ministry team last week, and reflecting on last Sunday’s children’s church, Maria shared that they were talking in their group (3-6-year-olds) about Joseph being special and all of them being special too. Maria asked them “what special job they wanted to do when they were grownup”. Jeremy Thetford looked up at Maria with a big beaming smile and said “I want to tell people about Jesus”… “from the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise, to silence the enemy…”.

David and Molly be encouraged; church be encouraged by such stories: God is at work!

When we look at Old Testament passages, like today’s – inspired by God, but written by human authors – it’s important that we read them on their own terms and let the Holy Spirit help us determine the writers’ main point/s, no matter what the story. And we’ll spend these next few moments looking at those points and bring all that together around the Lord’s table to conclude.

We pick up the story about 100 years since the time of King David. A kingdom united then but now divided between Israel in the North and Judah in the South.  Ahab was the King of Israel and unlike David, worships the idol Baal along with his wife Jezebel. The land has been in drought and famine for three years (1 Kings 17:1), and, as far as Ahab and Jezebel are concerned, Elijah the prophet is to blame.

1st Kings 19 describes two events in Elijah’s life immediately following the events of Mount Carmel: a visit to the mountain of God, where God meets with Elijah: the same mountain where God met with Moses. And, secondly that of handing over his ministry to Elisha, his successor.  As we consider this story it might seem difficult to comprehend that God’s great victory and display of God’s power over Baal, and Elijah’s victory over Ahab didn’t turn the ALL the people in a new direction.[1]

  1. In verse 21 of 1 Kings 18, Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.

One translation says, “how long will you go on limping between opinions”. The people wanted to worship both God and Baal. God, wanted, and still wants, to be the only God. The prophet’s task was to turn hearts toward God, just like Jeremy, tell people Jesus is the only way![2]

There is no middle ground with God. We cannot have a bit of the world and a bit of God. He does not want us to share the same affection for anything or anyone else. Elijah was asking them to make their choice, but choose one, not both.[3] “Answer me” Elijah prayed “…that these people may know that you are God and that you have turned hearts back toward you” (see 1 Kings 18:37) and God consumed everything in, on and around the alter…

…Scripture says “when all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, ‘The LORD – he is God! The LORD – he is God!’”. The sort of repentance that results from seeing and experiencing the power of God.[4]

Despite what God did, it did nothing to produce repentance from Ahab or Jezebel. In fact, Jezebel’s efforts to go after Elijah were re-energized.  Elijah felt alone. But he wasn’t alone, and in these events and those that follow God let him know that he was not without help, that He, God, was in control!

What was God doing here?

Working to turn the hearts and eyes of the nation back to him that he might be glorified. And that he is God! (see 1 Kings 18:37).

What was God showing Elijah?

God in his graciousness was showing Elijah how he could be restored; despite what he had done. And, that he is God!

That he is God – not an image, an idol, a symbol, a figment of our imagination or man-made – But God! Holy, living, active, sin-hating, but gracious God.  

The word of God can speak to us. Let’s break the scripture down and see what might apply today. 

(v.1-2) God is present when there’s opposition.

God, and therefore we, have people who oppose us, what we stand for and who we believe in.

Jezebel, Ahab’s wife and leader (patron if you like of the Baal cult) is after Elijah, sending a verbal threat via a third party, obviously not wanting to confront Elijah.

Jezebel wants him out of there so she can pursue her cunning plan, her agenda, without his interference. Jezebel, was controlling, and manipulative, wanted her way, at all costs. After Carmel, why couldn’t she see her need for God? Need to repent? God was still in control.

We’ll be aware of people being referred to as having a Jezebel-like spirit, when their behaviour is similar to that displayed here. I’ve been in churches where individuals have conducted themselves in Jezebel-like ways. I’d be hesitant to apply such a term, but am more inclined to suggest three things:

  1. That Jezebel, represents the opposition we can expect to come up against at any time.
  2. How easily our love – otherwise reserved for God – can be distracted by other gods.
  3. And how easily we can develop these same controlling tendencies.

How did Elijah initially handle this opposition? Note verse 3: he was “afraid and ran for his life”. (from Jezreel to Beersheba, 160kms). That was his default! Jezebel won’t have realised it at the time but her battle was futile. Elijah’s was not, and neither is the battle we face, daily, because God is present, irrespective of whatever it is we’re facing: that’s a fact.

In a poem Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote not long before his death he said: “Am I then really all that which other men tell of? Struggling for breath as though hands were compressing my throat? Thirsting for words of kindness, trembling with anger at petty humiliation, trembling for friends at an infinite distance, weary and empty at praying, at thinking, ready to say farewell to it all? Whoever I am, thou knowest o God I am thine”[5]

Most of us in this room will have had the experience of spiritual opposition in some form and threats or accusations levelled at us. These stressful situations can drive us to inappropriate responses.[6] The prophet Elijah illustrates the importance of viewing circumstances from God’s perspective. But what’s our default response?

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then…” (Ephesians 6:10f)

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15)

God’s power, in Christ, is… 21 “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” (Ephesians 1)

Opposition is an opportunity to press into God, not run from him!

What Elijah faced initially had a serious effect on him…but… (v.3-9) God’s power is shown through human weakness.

Elijah seems to be a shadow of his former self seen in the previous two chapters, where he experienced the miracle provision of God, raised the widow’s son to life, and witnessed the fire of God consuming the altar.

In today’s passage, Elijah is running scared of Jezebel, leaves the place of his ministry and runs about 160kms, almost as far South in Israel as he could go: the opposite direction of Baal territory, he sets up camp and God provides like a pop-up Bed and Breakfast for him.

Elijah may have been depressed here, on the basis he wanted to die. I’m not sure that’s the case. Such was Elijah’s reverence for God and zealousness (v.10 & 14) he simply felt like he’d let God down, and Elijah was left feeling the burden of that. The altars to Yahweh were in ruin; his prophets had been hunted down and murdered. Jezebel was after him. More discouraged I would say, his faith had taken a hit, and things looked bleak for Elijah. Even after the victory on Mount Carmel, it appeared that Baalism might win in Israel. But had God rejected his people? No! Elijah could not see the whole picture.

What had happened here was Elijah’s expectations were the source of his joy and confidence – e.g. “why haven’t you done it my way Lord or the way I asked? I’m the only one left.” Rather his expectations should have been that God (and whatever he asks, wills or wants), were the source of his joy and confidence – there were also 7000 others God had prepared.

For some reason Elijah, this mighty prophet, reacted and had a blindspot. But God in his graciousness worked with that. Remember Elijah was outmanned in the previous chapter, 450:1. God, loves to work from a place of what we might deem disadvantage. Think of Gideon with his 300 men; Daniel in the lion’s den; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; Joseph, prison to the position of authority.  And Jesus, not even death could not hold him down.

The Bible is full of stories of sinful people who failed God all the time yet still God remains God and he works with them and through them.

“I have redeemed you, I’ve called you by name, you are mine, when you walk through the waters I will be there”. “Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.11 I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no saviour.” (Isaiah 43)

Have you ever noticed when after a spiritually uplifting experience we can find ourselves feeling despondent or discouraged?

How could Elijah who saw the fire of God come down from heaven end up buckling under the threats of Jezebel and feeling like he wanted to die?

I know for myself after a great service on a Sunday or an encouraging meeting during the week I have to be particularly on my guard and deliberately change the way I start the following day because of this. We can come under spiritual attack, like Jesus after His baptism. We need to watch out for this one and recognise that when we are weak, then we are strong.

“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

When we find ourselves in a similar state as Elijah, God remains gracious. The Lord was not condoning Elijah’s conduct, but neither did God give Elijah a dressing down for his negativity or for being discouraged. God was gracious and gave him time to be emotionally and spiritually refreshed. Just like the angel provided for Elijah, there is no end to God’s love and care, nor to the capacity of God’s power.

God in his graciousness was showing Elijah how he could be restored; despite what happened to him and what he had done: that he is God!

(v.10-18) God keeps hearts

Elijah travelled 40 days and nights, 426kms (approx.), to Mt Horeb (the same mountain where God met with Moses, and with similar elements Moses and the people encountered) where the Lord met with Elijah and spoke by a gentle whisper, to remind him of his calling.

These verses don’t imply that any meaningful communication with God is all about quietness, and stillness and waiting. It isn’t! This was and is one way of many ways that God speaks and communicates. And how he ‘spoke’ with Elijah here was for a very specific reason.  Which was? To re-direct and restore Elijah, and to help him grasp the reality of his choices.

Notice the Lord spoke twice to Elijah, asking the question “what are you doing here?”, before the mountains tore apart, and rocks shattered, the wind, the earthquake, the fire, and then the gentle whisper when Elijah pulled his cloak over his face[7]…then God asked the same question again. Why? Because his response showed he had not grasped the issues.  You would think that by now Elijah would know that God sovereignly rules the hearts of men.

Filled with self-justification Elijah said, “I’ve been very zealous for you Lord, they’ve killed off everyone else and I’m the only one left”.

God didn’t need to ask Elijah what he was doing at the mountain, God knew why. And God says, no, Elijah you’re not the only one left, I’ve worked on their hearts, there are 7000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal, I have kept them.

Jeremy said “I want to tell people about Jesus,” I say, “Lord cause our hearts to turn to you, to know that you are God”.

So God’s word comes to Elijah, restored, recommissioned, and sent back to Damascus to judge the compromise of the people.

I have wondered about what today’s equivalent would be of those in the story who saw God’s power, believed in God, but chose to follow a different path. And I wonder whether we, the church (big) are at risk of adopting a more philosophical and convenient brand of “truth” and “Christian” living and thinking, because we want it to fit our lifestyle, rather than having a Christian life that truly is about following Christ, with hearts after God’s heart.

Following Jesus is not dabbling with faith, it is not limping between two opinions, it is not running from our responsibilities like Elijah, even when it’s tough, it is death to self, to live for him.

Elijah pulled his coat over his head…And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (v.10) 

Church, we need to fear the Lord – respect God, love God as our father, live in a way that knows there are consequences when we step outside God’s boundaries. We need reverence for Christ.

What are we doing, here?

What was Elijah to learn from his encounter on the mountain and what’s the lesson for us? Not just be hearers, but doers. Deal with compromise, swiftly and comprehensively. I want to suggest that God’s primary vehicle for transformation, reformation and revival is God’s voice speaking to people[8] as He did through the prophets and the Old Testament and now to us in the complete inspired Word through the ministry of the Holy Spirit[9] [10] and us responding to and being directed by it!

The reason that God speaks to us is to lead us into a deeper, closer more intimate relationship with himself, that we might obey him and glorify him.

Remember John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Perhaps you’re not sure if it is God’s voice you are hearing. God will always speak leading toward truth, hope and wholeness, and God will always speak in a way that aligns with His word. So when thoughts come to you that are the opposite of this[11] – critical, accusing or destructive – do you think they are from God?

John 6:63 “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”

Lord cause our hearts to turn to you, to know that you are God. 

You are present when there’s opposition (v.1-2) 

Your power is shown through human weakness (v. 3-9) 

You, keep hearts (v.10-18)

 

[1] After all, what does God need to do. He draws, he convicts…

[2] No muddling about, no delaying…

[3] Choose you this day who you will serve (Joshua 24:15)

[4] Read the rest of the story to find out what happens to the prophets of Baal who didn’t repent.

[5] Adapted from Bonhoeffer, Van Dyke, 195/196. Up against tremendous opposition but pressed into God nonetheless

[6] https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon-illustrations/31669/life-examples-elijah-responding-to-stress-1-by-nathan-parker

[7] Scared or out of reverence?

[8] Not necessarily in the wonders and the miracles and the big signs of God like on Carmel

[9] https://bible.org/seriespage/restoration-elijah-1-kings-195-18

[10] c.f. Luke 16:27-31; 2 Peter 1:1-21; Hebrews 1:1-3

[11] As they did from Jezebel to Elijah