Preparing for the Lord's Day
Kingdoms in Conflict
The Exxon Valdez oil spill changed the environment in Prince William Sound for years to come. An oil tanker hit a reef in the sound and proceeded to spill more than 38 million gallons of crude oil into the water. The isolated location of the spill made it almost impossible to respond to the crisis in a timely manner.
As a young boy, this accident was especially impacting to me. News reports showed the beautiful harbor covered in oil. Hundreds of bald eagles, sea otters, seals, and other marine wildlife were killed. Oil covered the water and the shore. The animals could do nothing to save themselves.
This incident is a helpful image of how sin affects the world. Through the entrance of sin into the world, everything was covered and infected by brokenness and death. We experience this brokenness in our own sin, in the sin of others, and in an environment that does not provide life as it was intended.
Yet the Lord has determined to bring about a change to the environment. He has determined that he will clean up the mess that his people have made and give to them deliverance from the effects of their own sin. This is the purpose of God’s covenant with his people. He will give to them deliverance from the effects of sin. He will turn the oil spill of our sin back into a clean and pure landscape. Though we were stained by our sin he will wash us clean. And what we will see in our text for this Sunday is that the Lord has determined to bring about climate change through the prayers of his faithful servants. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon 1 Kings 18:41-46, Romans 11:33-34, James 5:17-18, Revelation 22:20, and this article explaining the term expiation.
As we gather to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to the Lord, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “Our God, Our Help in Ages Past” the Acclamation of Praise “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” and the Hymn of Response “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”. Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!
Sermon Information
Text: 1 Kings 18:41-46
Title: Climate Change
Outline:
- Every Christian Must Offer Humble Prayer to the Lord (vv.41-42)
- Every Christian Must Offer Prayers Based on God’s Promises (vv. 1, 42)
- Every Christian Must Trust the Mystery of Prayer (vv. 43-44)
- Every Christian Must Awaken to the Wonder of Prayer (vv. 45-46)