The Torn Prophet

1 King 16:29–2 Kings 2:14

SERMONS

The Successor, 2 Kings 2:1–14

November 24, 2019 • Josh Lindstrom • 2 Kings 2:1–14

The battle with Baal is not over, but Elijah’s ministry has come to an end. Elijah will be succeeded by Elisha who, after witnessing Elijah ascending into heaven, receives a double portion of his spirit. While God does raise up individuals to do His work, His working power is never limited to any one individual. God will continue to accomplish His purposes through others even when our time is done.

The Final Confrontation, 2 Kings 1:1–18

November 17, 2019 • Josh Lindstrom • 2 Kings 1:1–18

Just like he had confronted his father Ahab, Elijah is sent to confront Ahaziah. Instead of receiving Elijah’s rebuke and humbling himself, Ahaziah seeks to apprehend and capture the prophet with devastating consequences for the ones he sends. When we are confronted with the error of our ways, we must constantly seek a soft heart before the Lord and seek His forgiveness.

A Contrast in Character, 1 Kings 22:29–53

November 10, 2019 • Josh Lindstrom • 1 Kings 22:29–53

Though Ahab will die as result of his sin, his son Ahaziah does not turn from his father’s evil ways. Jehoshaphat, on the other hand, sought to do “what was right in the sight of the Lord” (1 Kings 22:3b). Jehoshaphat’s example shows us that it is possible to live rightly before God even in a day when others do not.

The False Prophets, 1 Kings 22:1–28

November 3, 2019 • Josh Lindstrom • 1 Kings 22:1–28

After three years of peace with Syria, Ahab joins with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to retake the city of Ramoth-Gilead. But not before, at Jehoshaphat’s insistence, they inquire of the Lord. Sadly, Ahab still depends on his false prophets for guidance while Jehoshaphat seeks a true prophet for direction.

The Spiral into Sin, 1 Kings 21:1–29

October 27, 2019 • Josh Lindstrom • 1 Kings 21:1–29

When Ahab and Jezebel mercilessly steal a man’s vineyard, Elijah returns to the scene to condemn their actions. Though Ahab had historically ignored God’s commands and warnings, at this condemnation he humbles himself and is sorry. While he cannot reverse God’s judgements against him, God does spare him from seeing disaster in his days.

Not the Only One, 1 Kings 20:1–43

October 20, 2019 • Kirby Neely • 1 Kings 20:1–43

While Elijah confidently and bravely spoke for the Lord, he was not the only prophet in Israel. When Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, threatens Israel God raises up another prophet to help guide Israel to victory. Unfortunately, contrary to God’s direction, Ahab will spare Ben-Hadad’s life and, in doing so, bring God’s judgement upon himself.

The Low Whisper, 1 Kings 19:9–21

October 13, 2019 • Josh Lindstrom • 1 Kings 19:9–21

Though physically strengthened, Elijah remains emotionally spent and his faith and vision are failing. God meets Elijah, not in a spectacular demonstration of power but in a low whisper and reveals His purposes and plans for Elijah in the days ahead. Elijah is not alone and everything will not rest on his shoulders. When spiritually spent, we too can feel pity for ourselves and overlook the voice of the Lord in our lives.

The Valley After Victory, 1 Kings 19:1–8

October 6, 2019 • Josh Lindstrom • 1 Kings 19:1–8

Physically and emotionally exhausted after his tremendous victory, Elijah’s faith weakens and he becomes afraid when threatened by Queen Jezebel and runs away. Rather than chastise him, God sends an angel to provide for Elijah’s physical needs and restores his strength. We too can often find our faith weak after victory and must remember that we are created beings who live in dependency upon God’s strength and not our own.

450 to 1, 1 Kings 18:20–46

September 29, 2019 • Josh Lindstrom • 1 Kings 18:20–46

For too long Israel had been led astray by the worship of Baal. Now with all eyes on him, Elijah publicly calls the question, “If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21). In a radical display of confidence and faith, Elijah will demonstrate definitively who is God and bring searing judgment against the prophets of Baal. When God’s judgement against evil seems absent, we remember that God will one day decisively bring justice against those who have stood against Him.

The Trouble in Israel, 1 Kings 18:1‐19

September 22, 2019 • Josh Lindstrom • 1 Kings 18:1‐19

King Ahab blames Elijah for the drought and the trouble Israel is experiencing, but Elijah will rightly assert that it is Ahab’s disobedience to the commandments of the LORD and worship of Baal that has brought the calamity upon the land. Seeking to publicly vindicate the name of the LORD, Elijah calls all of Israel to witness. Though we can feel outnumbered at times, we trust in the name of the LORD.

The Man of God, 1 Kings 17:8–24

September 15, 2019 • Josh Lindstrom • 1 Kings 17:8–24

God sends Elijah to the center of Baal worship where he meets a widow of Zarephath. Through Elijah, God would miraculously provide for the widow’s needs, and when her son becomes ill and dies, Elijah would raise her son from the dead. Seeing her son alive, the widow would say, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth” (1 Kings 17:24).

Refreshingly Ordinary, 1 Kings 16:29–17:7

September 8, 2019 • Josh Lindstrom • 1 Kings 16:29–17:7

Rather than worship the LORD, the God of Israel, the evil king of Israel, Ahab, served and worshipped Baal. God would raise up and send Elijah, a Tishbite, to confront Ahab and announce a coming drought. In doing so, God will establish who is the one true living God who sovereignly rules over His creation. When many in our day deny the one true living God, we must remain confident in who He has revealed himself to be.
image