WEBVTT 00:00:09.740 --> 00:00:13.320 Hello, and welcome to the Kalamazoo church of Christ podcast. 00:00:13.539 --> 00:00:14.839 Thank you so much for listening. 00:00:15.300 --> 00:00:16.199 We're startup church. 00:00:16.280 --> 00:00:23.460 We just planted in September, 2020 and at the Kalamazoo church, we believe that Christianity is done best when it is done together. 00:00:23.559 --> 00:00:32.299 And so if you live in the Kalamazoo area, we would love to connect, be it coming to a Sunday service, one of our small groups, or even just grabbing coffee with a member to learn more. 00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:36.439 You can visit kalamazoo.church in order to do that. 00:00:36.920 --> 00:00:40.439 We pray that you are inspired by what you hear today. 00:00:41.140 --> 00:00:42.020 First Kings. 00:00:42.340 --> 00:00:42.659 Okay. 00:00:43.659 --> 00:00:44.659 I know you guys are tired. 00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:51.899 We're going to read a little bit of a passage here, it won't be too heavy, but we're going to read about Elijah from out of Carmel. 00:00:55.780 --> 00:01:10.459 First Kings, we're going to be in verse 16 to start, but so we're going to be talking about having resolute faith. 00:01:11.040 --> 00:01:17.959 If you don't know what the word resolute means, it means being purposeful, determined, and unwavering. 00:01:17.980 --> 00:01:18.379 Come on up. 00:01:18.819 --> 00:01:19.120 Okay. 00:01:20.519 --> 00:01:23.780 So we're going to read a passage about some idols. 00:01:24.060 --> 00:01:31.079 I'm sure you guys have heard of a few, but the world worships many other gods and many other idols other than ours. 00:01:32.060 --> 00:01:36.760 And we might be intimidated by these things in the world, but they're no bigger than our God. 00:01:37.739 --> 00:01:41.939 It feels like these things have more influence on us, but we have nothing to fear. 00:01:42.459 --> 00:01:44.280 And I love this story from Elijah. 00:01:45.019 --> 00:01:46.599 We're going to start in verse 16 here. 00:01:49.980 --> 00:01:52.560 First Kings, chapter 18, verse 16. 00:01:53.319 --> 00:01:54.659 Sorry if I didn't say it. 00:01:58.140 --> 00:01:58.780 All right. 00:01:59.700 --> 00:02:04.780 It says, So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah. 00:02:05.200 --> 00:02:08.560 When he saw Elijah, he said to him, is that you, you troubler of Israel? 00:02:09.300 --> 00:02:14.219 I have not made trouble for Israel, Elijah replied, but you and your father's family have. 00:02:14.219 --> 00:02:17.939 You have abandoned the Lord's commands and have followed the Baals. 00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:29.680 Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel and bring the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table. 00:02:30.159 --> 00:02:35.319 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:40.419 Elijah went before the people and said, how long will you waver between two opinions? 00:02:40.419 --> 00:02:42.240 If the Lord is God, follow him. 00:02:42.659 --> 00:02:44.599 But if Baal is God, follow him. 00:02:45.159 --> 00:02:46.259 But the people said nothing. 00:02:46.860 --> 00:02:50.439 Then Elijah said to them, I am the only one of the Lord's prophets left. 00:02:50.900 --> 00:02:52.879 But Baal has 450 prophets. 00:02:53.539 --> 00:02:54.879 Get two bowls for us. 00:02:55.280 --> 00:03:01.439 Let Baal's prophets choose one for themselves and let them cut into pieces and put it on the wood, but not set fire to it. 00:03:02.159 --> 00:03:05.800 I will prepare the other bowl and put it on the wood, but not set fire to it. 00:03:06.020 --> 00:03:09.879 Then you call on the name of your God and I will call on the name of the Lord. 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:11.879 The God who answers by fire. 00:03:12.099 --> 00:03:13.159 He is God. 00:03:13.699 --> 00:03:17.219 Then all the people said, what you say is good. 00:03:17.879 --> 00:03:19.159 We're going to stop there real quick. 00:03:22.580 --> 00:03:24.539 Elijah is in a bit of a moment here. 00:03:24.759 --> 00:03:28.400 He's going up against a total of 850 prophets right now. 00:03:28.639 --> 00:03:31.960 And I love that he even says, like, I am the only prophet for God. 00:03:32.099 --> 00:03:34.180 And it sounds like he almost takes pride in it, actually. 00:03:34.680 --> 00:03:35.979 Like, bring him on. 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:36.879 Bring on 850. 00:03:36.879 --> 00:03:37.259 Bring 850. 00:03:37.259 --> 00:03:39.439 Bring 850 more if you really want to. 00:03:40.319 --> 00:03:41.680 My God can handle it. 00:03:41.740 --> 00:03:46.099 Elijah is confident in who God is. 00:03:46.800 --> 00:03:47.740 Now let's continue. 00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:55.300 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, choose one of the bowls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. 00:03:55.680 --> 00:03:58.659 Call on the name of your God, but do not light the fire. 00:03:59.039 --> 00:04:01.599 So they took the bowl given them and prepared it. 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:05.439 Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. 00:04:06.039 --> 00:04:07.379 Baal, answer us. 00:04:07.639 --> 00:04:09.879 They shouted, but there was no response. 00:04:10.180 --> 00:04:10.900 No one answered. 00:04:11.319 --> 00:04:13.280 And they danced around the altar they had made. 00:04:14.020 --> 00:04:16.439 At noon, Elijah began to taunt them. 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:18.180 Shout louder, he said. 00:04:18.300 --> 00:04:19.300 Surely he is a god. 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:22.240 Perhaps he is deep in thought or busy or traveling. 00:04:22.800 --> 00:04:23.620 Maybe he is sleeping. 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:25.279 It must be awakened. 00:04:26.259 --> 00:04:27.699 We're going to stop there a little bit. 00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:29.839 I don't know about you guys. 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:33.500 It seems to me like Elijah is almost, like, taunting them. 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:35.319 Like, where's your God? 00:04:35.379 --> 00:04:36.040 He's traveling? 00:04:36.259 --> 00:04:38.339 Oh, he's on vacation, in a sense? 00:04:39.300 --> 00:04:40.259 That's a weird thing. 00:04:40.339 --> 00:04:42.839 I was actually, as I was reading this, I was like, wow. 00:04:43.300 --> 00:04:44.480 He almost sounds cocky, even. 00:04:44.779 --> 00:04:47.180 A little bit about his faith in God. 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:51.319 I think there's one kind of pride in the Bible that is okay. 00:04:51.540 --> 00:04:52.660 And that is our pride in God. 00:04:54.519 --> 00:04:59.620 That doesn't mean we get to throw our faith in God in people's faces. 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:05.019 But I think what I want to get across to us today is that we do need to stand firm. 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:06.879 We need to be strong. 00:05:07.759 --> 00:05:11.339 And we need to be proud, in a humble fashion, of who we serve. 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:18.199 Nobody likes to follow somebody that, you know, believes in something halfway or whatever. 00:05:18.279 --> 00:05:20.860 Or only, you know, only knows a little bit, in a sense. 00:05:20.939 --> 00:05:25.060 Like, they want to follow somebody who knows what they're convicted in. 00:05:25.279 --> 00:05:27.740 They have strong convictions and believe strongly. 00:05:29.079 --> 00:05:30.060 People like that. 00:05:30.279 --> 00:05:30.779 People want to follow. 00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:34.379 Now we're going to continue. 00:05:34.819 --> 00:05:35.439 What was I here? 00:05:35.860 --> 00:05:37.680 Verse 28. 00:05:38.100 --> 00:05:38.839 He was ringing at the door. 00:05:40.540 --> 00:05:40.879 Was I? 00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:42.899 I don't think so. 00:05:42.980 --> 00:05:43.620 Maybe not. 00:05:43.740 --> 00:05:44.319 Can you check, please? 00:05:44.620 --> 00:05:45.660 It was very quiet. 00:05:45.959 --> 00:05:46.139 Okay. 00:05:47.420 --> 00:05:48.120 Yeah, we don't want it. 00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:51.519 It was you who was waiting outside the door for like a while yesterday, right? 00:05:51.779 --> 00:05:52.639 Maybe, maybe. 00:05:53.399 --> 00:05:54.740 I don't want that to happen again. 00:05:55.300 --> 00:05:56.100 All right, verse 28. 00:05:58.180 --> 00:06:05.459 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:10.360 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:15.459 But there was no response, and no one answered, and no one paid attention. 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:18.939 Then Elijah said to all the people, Come here to me. 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:23.699 They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down. 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:32.019 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, Your name shall be Israel. 00:06:32.819 --> 00:06:39.540 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two sias, or seed. 00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:43.860 He arranged the wood, cut the pole into pieces, and laid it on the wood. 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:50.540 Then he said to them, Fill four large jars with water, and pour it on the offering and on the wood. 00:06:50.779 --> 00:06:51.980 Do it again, he said. 00:06:51.980 --> 00:06:53.120 And they did it again. 00:06:53.199 --> 00:06:54.759 Do it a third time, he ordered. 00:06:55.040 --> 00:06:56.220 And they did it a third time. 00:06:56.480 --> 00:06:59.660 The water ran down around the altar, and he even filled the trench. 00:07:00.620 --> 00:07:13.759 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed, Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and have done all these things at your command. 00:07:14.720 --> 00:07:22.540 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are churning their hearts back again. 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:31.560 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil, and also lift up the water in the trench. 00:07:32.100 --> 00:07:38.220 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, The Lord, he is God. 00:07:38.399 --> 00:07:41.800 The Lord, he is God. 00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:44.480 That's what we'll finish there. 00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:47.699 Wow, this is an interesting story. 00:07:48.420 --> 00:07:50.399 He drenches this whole altar. 00:07:50.980 --> 00:07:53.699 It's like, oh my gosh, you guys didn't even have water on it? 00:07:53.740 --> 00:07:55.360 Let me show you how strong my God is. 00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:58.879 He will drench this thing three times, and he will still bring fire down. 00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:00.139 He'll take the whole thing. 00:08:01.040 --> 00:08:02.660 That's a lot of confidence that you got. 00:08:03.420 --> 00:08:06.399 That's a confidence that I would say almost is rare nowadays. 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:09.819 Almost a confidence that's in some ways looked down upon. 00:08:10.339 --> 00:08:14.959 But sometimes we come across people with strong faith, and can be a little off-putting even. 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:17.759 Like, whoa, this guy's a little difficult to be around. 00:08:18.379 --> 00:08:24.699 People of high standards, high faith, high morals, a little higher, they call you higher in a sense. 00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:30.759 So we are still given the courage to stand up for God amongst a difficult world. 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:36.779 For those of you who've never been to Estonia before, share a little stats about Estonia. 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:42.298 Only 14% of Estonians consider themselves religious, actually. 00:08:44.980 --> 00:08:51.759 Around 50% believe there is some sort of spirit or life force, but not really sure what it could be. 00:08:52.620 --> 00:08:55.740 And around 30% are sure that there is no God at all. 00:08:57.059 --> 00:09:00.840 I don't know if you guys noticed, but this is one of the most atheistic countries in the world. 00:09:01.059 --> 00:09:03.440 Obviously the Estonians know it, but for Americans. 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:07.940 This is a different kind of place, I'll tell you, than reaching out in the States. 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:11.600 So, it's interesting. 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:16.360 I think of this place a lot of times as like, there's 850 prophets here. 00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:22.100 It looks a little intimidating, people are a little hard to talk to, it's hard to stand up to. 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:25.940 But, we have one strong God. 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:29.519 And he is strong enough, especially in this country. 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:32.840 Elijah was the only prophet for God. 00:09:32.840 --> 00:09:35.360 And God was satisfied with just one. 00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:38.600 And he's satisfied with just in each and every one of us. 00:09:39.700 --> 00:09:48.840 I just thought of a quote, can't think of the guy who even said it, who said, I would rather have five devoted men than 300 men who just were soldiers, in a sense. 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:53.779 We've committed to our God and God can use us, that's for sure. 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:58.840 It doesn't take much for God to show his strength in each and every one of us. 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:06.539 But it's only a choice that you get to let yourself use the spirit that's within each of us. 00:10:08.100 --> 00:10:12.700 We think we're up against a big and scary God in terms of this world. 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:17.980 Especially, such as sharing faith in a different country, it's a little intimidating at first. 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:20.740 But you guys have been doing it now for at least a week. 00:10:21.139 --> 00:10:22.379 Hopefully it's gotten a little easier. 00:10:22.899 --> 00:10:26.960 The thing I always like to think about whenever I go to a new country is, I have nothing to lose. 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:28.639 None of these people will remember me. 00:10:29.019 --> 00:10:32.759 I had that mindset the first three months I was here, and then I started seeing people that I knew. 00:10:33.379 --> 00:10:35.580 Oh, hey, you've already actually talked to me. 00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:38.779 But you guys don't have to worry about that, in a sense. 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:40.980 Be bold. 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:43.179 You get one chance. 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:45.980 Maybe you come back to Estonia one day, which we hope. 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:47.580 But be bold. 00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:55.419 So, one more scripture we're going to read in 2 Timothy, chapter 1, verse 7. 00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:56.460 Come on, bro. 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:05.039 We're going to actually read verse 6 through 8. 00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:07.279 This is what I read every time before I reach out. 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:08.779 This helps me get in the mindset. 00:11:13.159 --> 00:11:16.899 Chapter 1, 2 Timothy, chapter 1, verse 6 through 8. 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:21.139 I need somebody to read in English and Estonian, actually. 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:23.039 Brandon, can you read the Estonian, please? 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:25.019 Okay, Gavin's going to read it in English. 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:26.899 Estonian go first. 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:27.340 Yes. 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:29.919 6 through 8. 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:37.980 For this reason I remind you to fan and to flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:45.539 For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. 00:11:46.340 --> 00:11:50.539 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me, his prisoner. 00:11:50.539 --> 00:11:55.940 Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of the God of suffering. 00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:01.139 He's doing a reference. 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:05.779 Join with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God. 00:12:06.039 --> 00:12:06.279 Amen. 00:12:06.559 --> 00:12:06.980 Thank you. 00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:12.980 So, when I read this passage, I feel challenged in two ways. 00:12:14.039 --> 00:12:15.980 One, don't be scared. 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:18.500 And the second, is that God is in control. 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:23.220 I needed the first reminder a lot when I was first sharing my faith as a younger person. 00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:25.340 Like, oh my gosh, what are they thinking of me? 00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:26.159 What are they going to do? 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:26.980 What are they going to say? 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:27.899 Could they say no? 00:12:29.059 --> 00:12:30.399 More likely than not, usually. 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:31.080 Yes, no. 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:36.720 I don't know about you guys, what I usually now need encouraging of is the second part, though. 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:38.139 God is in control. 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:40.860 It is not me that is speaking. 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:43.879 It is your Holy Spirit, hopefully, that is working in these people. 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:44.360 Yeah, yeah. 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:45.879 And I want to remind you guys of that. 00:12:46.299 --> 00:12:51.960 Of course, it is still a little bit, you know, just a little nervous to share your faith with somebody, no matter how many times you do it. 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:58.440 But do remember, either way, if you are confident or if you are nervous, God is the one who speaks through our spirit. 00:12:59.460 --> 00:13:02.139 So, that is kind of what I just wanted to talk about for today. 00:13:02.899 --> 00:13:08.480 Let's end with a prayer, and then we will kind of go through the rest of the day and figure out the rest of it, okay? 00:13:08.620 --> 00:13:08.799 Cool. 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:10.559 Can somebody pray for us here? 00:13:10.679 --> 00:13:12.480 In Estonian, and in English, actually. 00:13:14.299 --> 00:13:14.779 Estonian? 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:17.220 And in English. 00:13:20.279 --> 00:13:21.580 Okay, Jim. 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:23.220 So, Estonian first, yeah? 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:28.600 Dear God, Lord, Father, just give us, God, give us great faith, Lord. 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:33.559 Give us faith that is inexplicable, Lord, that we can't point to ourselves. 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:37.659 And we will just be able to lift you up, lift your name up, Father. 00:13:37.659 --> 00:13:42.480 I pray that we won't leave anything on the table, Father. 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:45.600 You know, I know that there's so much. 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:53.360 There's, like, decisions, like, I think, every day, but certainly, you know, being here, if we're going to shrink back or if we're going to pull back, okay, amen. 00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:55.740 But there's stuff on the table, then, Father. 00:13:55.820 --> 00:14:04.700 I pray that we just leave this next week with no regrets, God, that there's no, I wish I would have, I should have said this, I could have pushed more. 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:14.960 I pray that we, and I pray that we invest entirely in sharing our faith, Lord, and, you know, sharing our faith, meeting with disciples. 00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:19.080 God, meeting with people who are in the church but not disciples yet, so many teens, Father. 00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:27.019 I really just want to pray that our time is, that you look back on it and that you are, you're honored by it, God. 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.559 Lord, we love you. 00:14:28.899 --> 00:14:30.500 This is in Jesus' name that we pray, amen. 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:31.120 Amen. 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:32.440 Awesome. 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:34.120 Alrighty. 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:37.279 So, we are going to go eat lunch now? 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:38.100 Yes. 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:39.120 Where do we go? 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:41.139 I don't know where the schedule is separating lunch. 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:41.500 Right. 00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:47.659 Thank you so much for listening to the Kalamazoo Church of Christ podcast. 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:51.399 If you're in the Kalamazoo area, we'd love to get connected. 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:59.019 Please go to kalamazoo.church and fill in your information to come to a Sunday service or any other event that we have going on. 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:01.639 In any case, you'll be hearing from us next week. 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:02.720 Bye. 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:02.899 Bye. 00:15:03.179 --> 00:15:03.279 Bye. 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:03.379 Bye.