Strength in weakness? Weakness in strength? What? Strong is strong - better! - and weak is weak - worse! Right? Jesus reveals the ways of the Kingdom and flips things upside down. This week, we have a good example.
The prophet Elijah has scored a huge victory over Queen Jezebel's prophets of Ba'al, and killed every one of them he could find, as one would do in that era. No surprise, though, that the Queen was royally ticked off. She sends a messenger informing the prophet of her promise that he shall die just as her prophets had died.
Elijah has a meltdown and runs for his life into the desert. Believing that he's a total failure, he's ready to die. But an angel won't let him give up. In fact, she comes back to pester him when he doesn't budge. Eventually he gets up and journeys. God has more for Elijah to do yet. But what went wrong for Elijah?
In Mark, Jesus is sending off his trainees for some field training, two by two, to cast out demons and heal the sick, and share the good news of new life. He gives them an un-packing list, or what not to bring. This isn't a summer tour; it's a mission trip to bring new life. He doesn't bulk them up with strength; he keeps them dependent, humble, and ultimately faithful. Their strength will come from faith in the Lord, from the power of his word, and the love and grace of God, not from themselves.
This is a lesson for us. Check out the sermon video below to get all the insights.
The prophet Elijah has scored a huge victory over Queen Jezebel's prophets of Ba'al, and killed every one of them he could find, as one would do in that era. No surprise, though, that the Queen was royally ticked off. She sends a messenger informing the prophet of her promise that he shall die just as her prophets had died.
Elijah has a meltdown and runs for his life into the desert. Believing that he's a total failure, he's ready to die. But an angel won't let him give up. In fact, she comes back to pester him when he doesn't budge. Eventually he gets up and journeys. God has more for Elijah to do yet. But what went wrong for Elijah?
In Mark, Jesus is sending off his trainees for some field training, two by two, to cast out demons and heal the sick, and share the good news of new life. He gives them an un-packing list, or what not to bring. This isn't a summer tour; it's a mission trip to bring new life. He doesn't bulk them up with strength; he keeps them dependent, humble, and ultimately faithful. Their strength will come from faith in the Lord, from the power of his word, and the love and grace of God, not from themselves.
This is a lesson for us. Check out the sermon video below to get all the insights.
| 07-08-18-ff-answers.pdf |
| 07-08-18-the_strength_in_weakness.pdf |