After the miracle of raising the widow of Zarephath’s son from death, Elijah was instructed by the Lord to go back and present himself to King Ahab. As the events unfold, the story then introduces us to one of Ahab’s servants, Obadiah, who turns out to be a faithful servant of the Lord also. In these verses of 1 Kings 18:1-19 which are just before the showdown on the top of Mount Carmel began, the story revolves around these three characters, Elijah, Ahab and Obadiah, and something that we from each of them about the state of their hearts… and ours too.

Full service

00:00 Introduction
00:42 Prayer
Song: See Him Coming
04:46 Children’s talk (with thanks to Kidswise; see also Big Picture Bible Crafts #70)
Song: The Ballad of Farmer Phil
07:24 Indigenous Ministries
10:51 Bible reading: Luke 8:4-15
Song: Amazing Grace
13:11 Bible reading: 1 Kings 18:1-19
17:06 Sermon: 1 Kings 18:1-19
Song: Take My Life
39:53 Closing

In 1 Kings 17:17-24, a further piece of a strange puzzle becomes clear for Elijah, even though for the widow with whom he was staying, this puzzle piece must have been quite a puzzle. After keeping Elijah and the widow and her son alive through God’s miraculous provision, the widow’s son suddenly died. This drove the woman to grief and to blame the Lord God of Israel that this was a form of punishment ‘for her sins’. However, this was not the case, and the miracle of the resurrection of her son (the first in the Bible) once more would prove God’s ways to be right and his servant a true man of God.

Full service

00:00 Introduction
Song: Come Praise and Glorify
00:41 Prayer
04:56 Children’s talk (with thanks to Kidswise; see also Big Picture Bible Crafts #67)
Song: Jesus is the Hero
07:28 Indigenous Ministries
11:42 Bible reading: Mark 5:21-45
Song: O Great God
14:46 Bible reading: 1 Kings 17:17-24
16:17 Sermon: 1 Kings 17:17-24
Song: My Hope is Built
41:51 Closing

So far into his important ministry of declaring God’s Word to King Ahab of Israel, Elijah may be forgiven for wondering (if he ever did) what God had in mind – for no sooner had he appeared before the face of King Ahab, just as soon – the Lord directed him to disappear to a remote place. There, by the brook, fed by ravens, Elijah may well have also been surprised to find that his next place to stay would be with a widow and her son in Jezebel’s country! But there, as 1 Kings 17:8-16 tells us, God had plans for His prophet and there was a good reason for it all (as we may always expect with God!).

Full service

00:00 Introduction
Song: All Creatures of Our God and King
00:42 Prayer
05:03 Children’s talk (with thanks to Kidswise; see also Big Picture Bible Crafts #69)
Song: Generous God
09:07 Indigenous Ministries
11:50 Bible reading: Luke 4:16-30
Song: My Heart is Filled
13:54 Bible reading: 1 Kings 17:8-16
15:21 Sermon: 1 Kings 17:8-16
Song: Grace Unmeasured
39:10 Closing

After bursting onto centre stage to stand for a moment or two under the spotlight, Elijah had announced his one line to the king (about there being no more rain) and then just as quickly as he had come in, he exited stage right. 1 Kings 17:2-7 continue the story of where the Lord sent his prophet so that he too might survive the drought, there by a brook fed by ravens. The story is one of survival, but more than that. God was also teaching his prophet a lesson – one that we also might learn, because every circumstance, yes, even our survival is all dependent upon Him!

Full service

00:00 Introduction
00:45 Prayer
Song: 10,000 Reasons
04:54 Children’s talk (with thanks to Kidswise; see also Big Picture Bible Crafts #39)
Song: The Old Black Crow
08:48 The Persecuted Church
Song: To God be the Glory
12:00 Bible reading: Matthew 6:26-34
Song: The Servant King
13:17 Bible reading: 1 Kings 17:2-7
14:12 Sermon: 1 Kings 17:2-7
38:07 Closing

There have been many people who have shot to fame (and so to the limelight) out of obscurity. In the Scriptures, Elijah the prophet is one such man. Not much is known about Elijah’s past except to say that he was from the town of Tishbe. Not much is known about his calling to be a prophet, but according to 1 Kings 16:29-17:1, we do know that his call to be a prophet brought him into the presence of Ahab, king of Israel.  He could do that, of course, because Elijah knew how to stand before Israel’s true King.

Full service

00:00 Introduction
Song: Crown Him with Many Crowns
00:37 Prayer
04:54 Children’s talk (with thanks to Kidswise; see also Big Picture Bible Crafts #39)
Song: God Never Says Oops
08:26 The Persecuted Church
11:19 Bible reading: John 1:19-30
Song: O Lord My Rock and My Redeemer
13:00 Bible reading: 1 Kings 16:29-17:1
14:17 Sermon: 1 Kings 16:29-17:1
Song: In Christ Alone
37:59 Closing