I Have Decided

Kingdoms in Conflict

Sadhu Sundar Singh is not your typical image of a Christian. He was born in 1889 to a Sikh family in Punjab, India. Sikhism is a monotheistic form of Hinduism that rejects the caste system. Growing up Sundar was extremely hostile to the Christian faith. This hostility came to a head when he was fourteen and his mother died. He took his anger and frustration out on Christian missionaries, and at one point he even bought a Bible only to burned it page by page. Nevertheless, the Lord intervened in his life. Amid his despair, the teaching of the missionaries he hated and the words of the Bible he had burned brought hope and new life to him. He was drawn to the Lord and decided to follow Jesus.

Sundar set out on a life of service to the Lord. He traveled throughout India and even up into Nepal to tell his countrymen about the goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ and to serve them in Christ’s name. Sundar had heard the call of the Lord and he decided to follow him in obedience. 

In this Sunday’s passage, we come to the call of Elisha, the successor of Elijah. And here we find a man who was also called by God to give up much for a life of humility and service to the Lord. And here we will find how the Lord calls each of his servants into ministry. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon 1 Kings 19:19-21, Jeremiah 1:4-5, Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9, Mark 10:45, Luke 9:61-62, 1 Peter 2:9, and Westminster Confession of Faith 10.2. 

As we gather to worship our loving Father this Lord’s day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”, the Acclamation of Praise “Rock of Ages” and the Hymn of Response “In Christ Alone.” 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! 

Text: 1 Kings 19:19-21 

Title: I Have Decided 

Outline 

1. Those Appointed to Ministry Are Chosen by the Lord (v. 19)
2. Those Appointed to Ministry Must Decide to Follow the Lord (vv. 20-21a)
3. Those Appointed to Ministry Must Embrace Humility (v. 21b) 

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