Pastor Gao Mingqian | Topic: Must Have the Heart of Elijah (Lecture 2)

Sermon Summary: Elijah and the Lord of Life – Subverting the Truth of the Myth of Baal

1. Theme scriptures and background

• Main Scripture: 1 Kings 17–19 (this time the focus is on chapter 17, which will be studied in five mornings)

• Theme: Jehovah is the Lord of life, subverting the myth of Baal and demonstrating His sovereignty over life and provision

1. Introduction to the myth of Baal

• Baal was the ancient Canaanite god of storms and thunder and lightning, and its main function was to bring rain, fertility and harvest of the land. In mythology, Baal fought against the god of death, Mot (the same Hebrew pronunciation), and the god of death took Baal to the underworld, causing a drought throughout the earth; In the end, Baal's father, Enor L, dreamed of a good harvest on the earth, and Baal was resurrected and defeated the god of death, bringing rain.

• The cultural background of the Israelites was deeply influenced by the myth of Baal, who believed that Baal was in charge of rain and life, and believed that Baal could resolve drought while he was alive.

2. Elijah's mission

• Elijah Name Meaning: The Lord is my God.

• Elijah's mission throughout his life was to prove to the Israelites that Jehovah was the true God against Baal's sacrifice and faith.

2. Scripture segments and three stories

• This sermon divides the verses of 1 Kings 17 into three stories: the story of the raven offering Elijah, the widow of Zarephas, and the story of the resurrection of the mistress's son.

1. The Raven Offered to Elijah (17:1-6)

• Elijah was commanded by Jehovah to declare a drought to King Ahab, subverting the myth that Baal was in charge of the rain and proving that the drought was God's will and not Baal's absence.

• God commanded Elijah to "go," "turn," and "hide himself" by the creek of Gilead, emphasizing that God's servants should preach faithfully, but they should also hide themselves so that glory should be given to God, and that people should value God rather than people.

• The raven (originally a carnivorous bird, which cannot and cannot provide for people) will offer bread and meat to Elijah sooner or later, becoming an instrument of God's wonderful provision, showing that they are completely dependent on God's life, just as the Israelites experienced mana-like provision in the wilderness.

• Witness the story : The speaker shared his testimony of God's wonderful provision during his seminary period (when he had only a double-digit deposit left, but received an anonymous donation of 1,400 yuan for books, and the letter said "God sent a crow to provide for you") and when he studied in the UK (the tuition fee was only half of the tuition fee, and then received a sister who gave the other half of the tuition fee, which the sister said was the tithe that she owed God for many years), emphasizing that God's provision for His servants is never lacking, as long as God's commands are followed.

2. The Story of the Widow of Zarepat (17:7-16)

• Elijah was sent to Zarephath in Sidon, the Gentile land, home of Jezebel, to be supported by a widow who was extremely poor.

• The widow herself is the weakest of the weak (young son, woman, low social status and financial resources), and is a Gentile (young son), showing that God's sovereignty transcends geography and nation, and God chooses the weak of the weak to provide for Elijah, beyond the imagination of the Israelites.

• The widow originally had only a little flour and oil left, and was ready to eat with her son and wait for death (say death, just die), but because of her obedience to God's word, the flour and oil continued to increase, proving that Jehovah is the Lord of life, challenging death, reversing the direction of death, and bringing life.

• Theological significance Agricultural elements such as flour, oil, and water symbolize a good harvest in Baal mythology, but the widow's action of cutting wood shows that Baal brought not life but death. In the midst of drought, only Jehovah can give life and provision and subvert Baal's power. The widow also confessed to "swear by the living Jehovah your God," proving that Jehovah is the Lord of life.

• Historical episode : Speaker shared About 100 years ago (1926) in the early years of the Republic of China, the dean of Tiandao Theological Seminary in Wuzhou, Guangxi (established in 1899, the first two deans were Pastor Zhao Liutang and Pastor Huang Yuanyuan) were kidnapped by bandits for ransom. After his release, he established a spiritual training meeting in Guangzhou in 1927 and held it in Guangzhou and Hong Kong in 1928 to witness God's leadership and provision in difficult situations.

3. The story of the resurrection of the mistress and son (17:17-24)

• The widow's son died of illness, and the scriptures echo Genesis 2:7 with the phrase "without breath," emphasizing that the breath comes from Jehovah, the source of life.

• The widow believed that her son's death was related to her own sin, and that the word "sin" she used in Hebrew was "a sin committed intentionally" (as recorded in Deuteronomy 5:9), and she may have worshipped Baal or other false gods. The text refers to her as "mistress," which has the same root as Baal, and has been used to describe the spiritualist woman in 1 Samuel 28 or the witchcraft woman in Nahum 3, suggesting that she may have been a Baal worshiper or even a sorcerer.

• Even if the woman were a Baal worshiper, Baal could not deal with death. Elijah appealed to God that God raised his son to prove that Jehovah was the Lord of life and that Baal could not overcome death.

• Modern testimony : The speaker shared that a brother in the church who suffered from blood cancer needed blood transfusions every day and faced the shadow of death, but because of his trust in Jesus, he lived a life of gratitude and strength, singing the hymn "Every Day" every day, testifying that Jehovah is the Lord of life.

3. Theological focus and call to action

1. Jehovah is the Lord of life

• The three stories of drought, provision, and resurrection all subvert the myth of Baal and show that Jehovah is the true life-giving and ruler of all.

• Every day of breathing and living is God-given evidence that Jehovah is the Lord of life.

2. Faith and obedience

• Elijah, the widow, and the mistress all chose to trust and obey God in difficult situations, and experienced God's provision and salvation.

• God's servants are to be faithful to preach, to hide themselves, and to give glory to God.

3. God's provision is not lacking

• God often fulfills His provision in ways that people see as impossible (e.g., crows, widows).

• Encourage full-time ministers, believers, to look to God in the midst of difficulties and experience His faithfulness, because God's provision is never lacking.

4. Live gratitude and testimony

• Every day's life and breath is God's grace.

• Believers are encouraged to testify that Jehovah is the Lord of life, to give glory to Him, and to live a life of gratitude and strength.

4. Action and prayer

• Believers are encouraged to firmly believe that Jehovah is the only true God and Lord of life in an era of advanced technology and rapid change.

• In a time of economic downturn and turmoil, don't forget that the God you believe in is the Lord of provision, and look to God for your provision and guidance.

• Live out your faith with gratitude every day and witness the truth and power of God.

• The sermon ended with a prayer thanking God for life and daily provision, and that believers should always look to Him, rely on Him, and receive blessings from God.

Key Scripture References:

• 1 Kings 17:1–24

• Genesis 2:7

• Deuteronomy 5:9

• 1 Samuel 28

• Book of Nahong Chapter 3

Interludes and testimonies:

• Speaker's own testimony of God's provision (seminary tuition fee, study abroad tuition in the UK)

• The history of the establishment of the Spiritual Training Association after the kidnapping of the dean of Guangxi Wuzhou Tiandao Theological Seminary

• Church brothers live grateful lives despite blood cancer

Summary:

Through the three stories of Elijah, this sermon emphasizes that Jehovah is the Lord of life, subverts the myth of Baal, and encourages believers to trust God and witness God's provision and power in the midst of difficulties. Every day of life is the grace of God, let us live out our faith with thanksgiving, glorifying God's name.