Jun 27 1 Kings 18:16-46, 1 Kings 19 Acts 17:22-34, Acts 18:1-8 Psalm 78:17-31

1 Kings 18:21

And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.

This was Elijah’s word to his lost generation. How long will you limp between two opinions? How long will you say you are with God and yet not actually be for Him?

Nobody can serve two masters, that’s what Jesus said. Choose.

It’s the same message to our generation too. How long are you going to be stuck between opinions? Choose who you serve? If you are saying you are for God – then be for Him. If He is Lord, follow Him. But decide. God does not want Lukewarm followers.

1 Kings 18:27

And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.”

I cannot go past this verse without making some comment. I LOVE Elijah’s mocking of Baal. Love it!

It may come across as arrogant, or even bigoted in today’s mind, but Elijah was not giving Ball any respect at all. And that’s the right response. False gods deserve no respect. People do, don’t get me wrong, but false gods are  unworthy, dangerous tools of the enemy and take away glory from God. Therefore they should get no respect or reverence.

Acts 17:23

For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 

Paul sees an altar to an unknown God. He could have been offended by it, but instead he saw an opportunity.

He used whatever he could to find ways of relating to people. An altar to an unknown God? In Pauls’ hands it becomes a tool for talking about Jesus.

Use what you can find that people will relate to. Speak to the culture you are in. Find ways of speaking to people in terms they will understand – whatever they might be.

But that is only possible if you engage with the culture, look into the culture and don’t avoid it. Avoiding culture robs you of this relevance. (But at the same time – don’t get lost in it, or your message gets lost too).