1 Kings 17 - Who is Your God? - The Village Chapel

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1 Kings 17 - Who is Your God?

February 11, 2024 • Pastor Jim Thomas • 1 Kings 17, John 1:1–4

It was the 9th century BC and the northern kingdom of Israel had turned away from God to worship Baal, the rain-storm god of the Canaanites.

In 1 Kings 17 the prophet Elijah appears on the scene with an abrupt and harsh prophecy for the wicked King Ahab of Israel. Elijah’s God was going to dry up all the rain credited to Baal. God immediately directed Elijah to head east and hideout for a bit, promising him some ravens will serve as waiters, bringing him the food and sustenance he will need.

Not long after this, God sends Elijah deeper into Baal territory to minister to an unnamed widow and her son. But as time passes, the boy gets sick and dies. The woman blames Elijah who then responds in a most remarkable way and the woman appears to come to faith in God. What happened there?

As important a figure as Elijah is throughout biblical history, he is not the primary point of this action packed chapter. Just what is? Join Pastor Jim as he guides us on a journey alongside Elijah to learn about the God who speaks, guides, hears and provides!

More from First and Second Kings: The King of Redemption History

1 Kings 22 - The Word of the LORD

March 17, 2024 • Pastor Jim Thomas • 1 Kings 22, John 17:17

1 Kings offers a 3000-year-old chronicle that begins with an inevitable but forced royal succession and continues with relentless political disorder and conflict. We started with the relatively good King David reigning over a united kingdom, and we now conclude 1 Kings with the ignoble death of the wicked King Ahab who ruled over half of a divided kingdom. Unsurprisingly, we learn that we need a greater king than any presented in the history of ancient Israel or Judah. However, we are reminded that even through our most tumultuous times, God has proven Himself faithful to His people. God was neither silent nor inactive. Throughout 1 Kings, Yahweh's faithful prophets speak, and the word of the Lord remains central in each chapter of our study. Join Pastor Jim as he concludes our exploration of 1 Kings, reminding us to remain alert and proactive, listening for the word of the Lord as it comes to us through the written word of God, the ancient scriptures, and the living Word of God, the greater King, Jesus Christ.

1 Kings 21 - Payday Someday

March 10, 2024 • Ryan Motta • Leviticus 25:23, Numbers 36:7, Psalm 73:16–20, Romans 8:1, 1 Kings 21

Why do the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper? In 1 Kings 21, we read of a story that involves a gross misuse of power and authority against an innocent man. Where is God in the midst of all of this? How will He make things right? Join us this week as we begin to unpack the glorious hope we have in Christ who helps the righteous to endure while also making a way for the wicked to be redeemed.

1 Kings 20 - The Surprising and Relentless Grace of God

March 3, 2024 • Pastor Jim Thomas • 1 Kings 20

Lots of people have asked questions about why God allows this or that to happen in our world. But have you ever wondered why God was merciful to somebody you thought simply didn’t deserve it? Why does it surprise us to think God might forgive those persons we consider to be repeat offenders or “repugnant others?" And are there ever times we think God simply could not forgive us for something we’ve done multiple times? Join Pastor Jim as he shows us how there are times the surprising and relentless grace of God proves Him to be more merciful than we think He should be, more powerful than we believe He could be, more just than we sometimes want Him to be and more wise than we ever imagined He could be.