Preparing our Hearts to Worship
Elijah Confronting Idolatry
In an effort to help you prepare for the May 14th, 2017, Sunday morning corporate worship gathering and to aid you in your own reflections on the Life of Elijah. I wanted to pose a few questions and provide a few resources to prayerfully consider over the coming days. Our sermon is entitled, “Elijah: Confronting Idolatry”. The main Scripture for the day is 1Kings 17:1-7. The other passages are either referenced in the message or provide additional insight for reflection.
(Pick and choose from the many resources and options, which I have tried to make available for your devotional life.)
From the Scriptures
Read and prayerfully reflect upon some or all of these Scriptures. Ask God to shape your life and your church’s life to match the heart of God
Read or listen to 1Kings 17:1-7, Genesis 17:7, Deuteronomy 10:16, Hebrews 8:7-10, James 5:16-20
(You can read or listen to all of these passages in a variety of translations at Bible.is.)
From the Creeds and Confessions
Heidelberg Catechism Q3- Whence knowest thou thy misery?
- Out of the Law of God (Rom 3:20; 7:7†; John 5:45†).
† This symbol indicates references added in later editions of a confession or catechism
‡ This symbol indicates references added by editors of the RSB project
- Will God suffer such disobedience and apostasy to go unpunished?
- By no means (Rom 5:12; Heb 9:27); but he is terribly displeased with our inborn as well as actual sins, and will punish them in just judgment in time and eternity (Heb 10:31†; Gen 2:17†; Ps 5:4-6†; 7:11†; 50:21†; 90:11†; Nah 1:2†; Exod 20:5†; 34:7†; Deut 28:15†; Rom 1:18†; 2:5, 9†; Eph 5:6†), as he has declared: Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them (Deut 27:26; Gal 3:10).
† This symbol indicates references added in later editions of a confession or catechism
‡ This symbol indicates references added by editors of the RSB project
- What does God require in the first commandment?
- That, on peril of my soul’s salvation, I avoid and flee all idolatry (1 Cor 6:9-10; 10:7, 14; 1 John 5:21†), sorcery, enchantments (Lev 18:21†; 19:31; Deut 18:10-12), invocation of saints or of other creatures (Matt 4:10 [citing Deut 6:13]; Rev 19:10; 22:8-9); and that I rightly acknowledge the only true God (John 17:3), trust in him alone (Jer 17:5-7), with all humility (1 Pet 5:5-6) and patience (Heb 10:36; Col 1:11; Rom 5:3-5; 1 Cor 10:10; Phil 2:14) expect all good from him only (Ps 104:27-30; Isa 45:7; Mic 7:7†; Jas 1:17), love (Deut 6:5; Matt 22:37-38), fear (Deut 6:2; Ps 111:10; Prov 1:7; 9:10; Matt 10:28†; 1 Pet 1:17†), and honor him (Deut 6:13†; Matt 4:10; Deut 10:20; Rev 5:13†) with my whole heart; so as rather to renounce all creatures than do the least thing against his will (Matt 5:29-30; 10:37-39; Acts 5:29; Eph 2:12; Rom 1:23; Matt 5:19†).
† This symbol indicates references added in later editions of a confession or catechism
‡ This symbol indicates references added by editors of the RSB project
- What is idolatry?
- It is, instead of the one true God who has revealed himself in his Word, or along with the same, to conceive or have something else on which to place our trust (Gal 4:8; Eph 1:12-13†; 2:12; 5:5; 1 Pet 4:3; Phil 3:19; 1 Chr 16:26; 2 Chron 16:12†; 1 John 2:23; 5:21; 2 John 9; Matt 6:24†; John 5:23†).
† This symbol indicates references added in later editions of a confession or catechism
‡ This symbol indicates references added by editors of the RSB project
From the songs, hymns and spiritual songs of the Church
Not to our names, thou only just and true: Lyrics, Video
Elijah’s Example Declares (Hymn by John Newton): Lyrics
When God’s own people stand in need: Lyrics
For Thoughtful Reflection, Prayer, or further Study
What are the main things Elijah did or believed that allowed him to confront idolatry?
Read and Reflect on this article: What are some modern forms of Idolatry
Read and Reflect on Ray Steadman’s short article, Confronting Idolatry
The Sermon will be available online on May 14, 2017 at 12:30 pm.
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