9:00 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL

We reviewed our memory verse in First Kings 18:21. This is a verse that speaks of the great contest on Mount Carmel between Elijah the prophet and the false prophets of Baal. The hearts of all Israel were called to make a firm commitment to the One True God. Israel already knew Who that was. But they had turned their backs on Him. The God Who actually works in human history is the One True God. How could they know?

The test was simple. Could the “storm god Baal” light the sacrifice of his priests with lightning (supposedly his forté) before all the people of Israel? Clearly he could not… and did not… because he was not. He was another false god to lead God’s people astray.

The God of Israel, maker of heaven and earth, had no difficulty lighting the sacrifice Elijah offered up—even after Elijah doused it with water several times to show that it was not a magician’s trick. After the thunderbolt struck the sacrifice, the people of Israel cried out with one voice that the God of Israel was indeed God alone, not Baal. The prophets of Baal were killed that day, according to the law of God, for leading the people of Israel astray.

The Day is coming when all of earth’s “gods” will be seen as the figments they are. The One True God will appear “as the lightning flashes from the east to the west” (Mt 24:27) and “all the tribes of the earth will mourn” for their sins (Rev 1:7). The rejoicing of those who are patiently awaiting His return will know no bounds. Even so. Come, Lord Jesus!  

We enjoyed a time of prayer requests and sharing praises. We publicly prayed for our church and community.

For our final 30 minutes, we got back to our overview of First Kings.

The latter half of the book details: THE DIVISION OF THE KINGDOM, chs 12-22. We looked only at chapter 12 because it dealt with the failure of Solomon’s son Rehoboam.

Some points to remember about REHOBOAM as ruler over God’s people:

• He abandoned wise elder counsel (and ultimately the word of God, Deut 17:20)
• He embraced his peers—with their youthful exuberance, ignorance & inexperience
• He spoke harshly and arrogantly to his people
• He increased oppressive tactics to control them
• He mustered an army to kill them when they broke away

Much of the remaining minutes were taken up with the likeness to today’s leadership, in both political and religious realms.

Next Sunday, March 17, we’ll pick up in First Kings with the second major division of the book in chapters 13-22. We encourage all to come and learn with us.

10:30 AM MORNING WORSHIP

In our Bible Lesson during Morning Worship, we looked at Hebrews 12, verses 5-17. You can visit our “Sermons” page to access the mp3 and PDF of slides for that message.

Major points to remember from the message

B. Encouragement to the “forgetful” to remember God’s wisdom

1. The author points us to God’s wisdom literature: Proverbs 3:11-12
2. Defining terms in the Proverbs quoted helps us see the good in it
3. The positives: God’s active participation, loving discipline, & constant/comforting presence in the lives of His children
4. All God’s children are disciplined by Him—no one is exempt
5. Our Heavenly Father deserves our best thoughts and efforts
6. God’s discipline bears visible fruit in our character

C. Pointers for those discouraged in the race of faith

1. Learn to overcome your personal weaknesses by God’s word
2. Build relationships with others in the race with holy intent and purpose
3. Emphasize the development of God’s holiness in you while running your race
4. Remember your brothers & sisters in the race—and watch out for them too

4:00 PM AFTERNOON STUDY

We began Part 2 of a 5-part DVD series entitled: “The Spreading Flame – 1,000 Years of Church History.” The episode was entitled: “Story of the Bible” and dived deeper into the story of William Tyndale, his work to translate the Bible into English, and ultimately his betrayal by a trusted associate which led to his martyrdom. Tyndale’s translation came into the hands of men like Thomas Bilney, Hugh Latimer, William Ridley and Thomas Cranmer, all prominent men in the development of the Reformation in England and all of whom preferred to burn rather than bow to error. We learned of other English martyrs like William Sawtrey and John Badby who were the first to burn at the stake in London for their faithful adherence to the teachings of Scripture. The DVD concluded with the stories of John Knox’s confrontation with Mary, Queen of Scots, Luther’s defense at the Diet of Worms and Calvin’s battle with the Libertines. We certainly learned once more the truth of the saying that: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”

We want to encourage you to come and hear for yourselves what God has done in history for the last 1,000 years to bring His gospel of grace in Christ Jesus to all nations by faithful, dedicated servants of His word. This series concludes at the end of March and will be followed up in the beginning of April with our new Banner series on “Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically.” Again, we encourage all to attend one or all of these opportunities to publicly gather for worship and instruction.