Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

 Sermon Text: 1 Kings 19:9-18

 Other Readings: Romans 8:28-39 and Matthew 14:22-23


 

  1. What is “the covenant” that Elijah says the Israelites have rejected? (Consult Exodus chapters 19-24).
     
  2. Why do you think that God twice asked Elijah, “What are you doing here” (vv. 9,13)?
     
  3. Compare the way that the Lord dealt with Elijah at the cave and the way that Jesus dealt with Peter on the sea. What might be different? What might be similar?
     
  4. We have reasons to be concerned about our nation’s culture and about the status of visible churches in America. List two ways that 1 Kings 19:15-18 can bring you comfort when you look at our nation’s culture and the seeming decline of Christianity in America.

 

  1. The covenant is the unique relationship that Israel had with God, based on his choosing them and his giving them special laws and commands. In Exodus 19:5,6 (NIV) God said, “If you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Then God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and other regulations.
     
  2. Perhaps God was giving him two chances to reflect on his actions, confess, and repent. God sounds like a patient parent who is trying to lead a toddler to self-reflection. In some ways, this can be reminiscent of how God dealt with Adam and Eve right after they sinned.
     
  3. One thing that is clearly different is that Jesus deals with Peter in the flesh, while we’re told that Elijah simply was “in the presence of the LORD” (v. 11). What is similar is that both the Lord and Jesus display their power over the forces of nature. Also, both the Lord and Jesus help their servants “snap back” to spiritual reality by speaking to them and giving them promises. God has chosen to deal with us primarily through his word.
     
  4. In these verses we see that God controls governments and that he sets up and deposes rulers according to his will and that he carries out justice. Therefore, we can have confidence that God is ultimately overseeing our country. These verses also comfort us that God knows those who are his, even if we don’t, and he will make sure we are surrounded with brothers and sisters in Christ who will encourage us in our faith and actions.