May 6, 2022
This Sunday we begin a new morning sermon series on the ministry of Elijah that will run through the summer months (we'll pick back up in Romans 8 in the fall). Step Morgan has asked me to preach his ordination sermon in Cookeville, Tennessee, and the Session has kindly granted me the opportunity to go, so Pastor Carl will be opening this new series for us. The days in which Elijah prophesied bear much resemblance to our own - rampant idolatry, a decline in genuine spirituality and true religion, wickedness and injustice prevailing in the culture, international unrest. Less than sixty years after Solomon's death, the northern kingdom of Israel was ruled by Ahab and Jezebel, two of the most wicked leaders of Israel. They didn't merely traffic in second commandment sins (depicting and worshipping the true God by means of images, see I Kings 12), but they delighted in first commandment violations as well (worshipping Baal, the "god" of fertility, the rain, and crops). They had put to death the prophets of Yahweh, and led Israel into great immorality and idolatry.
Yet the Lord did not abandon His faithless bride. He was faithful to raise up Elijah the prophet for Israel, to preserve a remnant among His people, and to afflict them for their sin so that they might turn back to Him. Through Elijah's ministry of prayer and proclamation, God vindicates His great name, calls His people to repentance and faith, judges Ahab and Jezebel, and delivers Israel from their enemies. I'm excited to spend time in this portion of Old Testament narrative, that we might behold our sovereign and holy God, learn the lessons that the New Testament draws for us from the ministry of Elijah, and see this foreshadower of John the Baptist's and Jesus' prophetic work. Be in prayer for us as we open up God's word to you this summer!
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If you're looking for some good reading material this summer, come see the middle shelves in the Sanctuary foyer over the next few weeks. I've put out some of the titles I've reprinted through Log College Press, a little publishing ministry I started five years ago that focuses on the 18th and 19th century American Presbyterians, along with some other books that several of our staff have either written or have to give away to you. It's first come, first served, so check them out!