The onset of Elijah’s spiritual depression in 1 Kings 19:1-18 is well documented. From being on a spiritual high on Mt Carmel, Elijah very quickly was running for his life and yet praying that he might die. There were many kinds of factors involved in this, not the least being his sense of failure and being alone ‘the only one left’. On Mt Horeb (Sinai), Elijah met with God, but not in the way God appeared on Mt Carmel. This was different and this was designed to woo Elijah back into the Lord’s way and the knowledge of His presence, so that Elijah might continue to serve Him.

Full service

00:00 Introduction
00:51 Prayer
Song: By Faith
06:08 Children’s talk (with thanks to Kidswise)
Song: The Joy of Following Jesus
11:35 PIM Ministry
15:39 Bible reading: Psalm 42
Song: He Will Hold Me Fast
17:23 Bible reading: 1 Kings 19:1-18
21:00 Sermon: 1 Kings 19:1-18
Song: Dear Lord and Father
47:53 Closing

After the showdown on the top of Mt Carmel, the text of 1 Kings 18:41-46, tells us of Elijah’s prayers that broke the drought. Given that the drought had begun through the prayers of Elijah 3 years earlier, it is a helpful things for us to read of Elijah at prayer – even though we are not told what he prayed. The picture of Elijah at prayer stands in great contrast in this text to King Ahab who didn’t pray but ate. Compare the pair. Elijah and Ahab. But don’t stop at Elijah. See another – Jesus – whose prayers did more than end God’s judgement via the drought, but guaranteed the salvation of the people of God!

Full service

00:00 Introduction
00:50 Prayer
Song: And Can It Be
04:07 Children’s talk (with thanks to Kidswise; see also Big Picture Bible Crafts #76)
Song: On the Mountain of Transfiguration
06:53 PIM Ministry
11:08 Bible reading: Luke 9:18-27
Song: O the Mercy of God
12:31 Bible reading: 1 Kings 18:41-46
13:56 Sermon: 1 Kings 18:41-46
Song: Consider Christ
38:04 Closing

In 1 Kings 18:20-40, the rubber really ‘hits the road’. All that Elijah has been through in chapter 17 and all his interactions with King Ahab have been leading up to the showdown that these verses describe – fittingly, upon the top of a mountain (Carmel). Lots of important events happen on mountain tops in the Scriptures and this event is no less important in pointing us to the ‘Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29).

Full service

00:00 Introduction
00:45 Prayer
Song: Behold Our God
05:17 Children’s talk (with thanks to Kidswise; see also Big Picture Bible Crafts #40)
Song: My God is So Big
09:42 Indigenous Ministries
14:49 Bible reading: Matthew 11:1-15
Song: How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
16:33 Bible reading: 1 Kings 18:20-40
20:28 Sermon: 1 Kings 18:20-40
Song: The Power of the Cross
44:50 Closing

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