October 20, 2024 LIVE Traditional Worship Service 9:00 AM

Last week we saw the transfer from one prophet to the next. EliJah becomes a kind of father to his protégé, EliSHa, and gives Him the mantle of authority. The follower becomes the leader (a pattern often repeated in Scripture.)

This is about 850 BC and immediately following the transfer of office and authority is a kind of challenge to the new prophet. The chorus of prophets and the people and even the opposition demand proof. How do we know this new guy is the real thing?

Today's reading is comprised of three episodes. So, let's look at:
#1 Basic Facts
#2 Common Objections
#3 Big Ideas (concerning these strange episodes teaching and how should we respond?)

Sermon Series: The Books of Kings| God, the Government and the Gospel
Sermon Title: The Proof We Demand
Sermon Text: 2nd Kings 2.15ff
Delivered by: TJ Campo
Park Road Presbyterian Church

A Reflection Before the Service
October 13, 2024

I could never myself believe in God, if it were not for the cross. The only God I believe in is the one Nietzsche ridiculed as “God on the Cross.” In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it? I have entered many Buddhist temples and stood respectfully before the statue of Buddha, his legs crossed, arms folded, eyes closed, the ghost of a smile playing round his mouth, a remote look on his face, detached from the agonies of the world. But each time after a while I have had to turn away. And in imagination I have turned instead to that lonely, twisted, tortured figure on the cross, nails through hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow bleeding from thorn-pricks, mouth dry and intolerably thirsty, plunged in God-forsaken darkness. That is the God for me! He laid aside His immunity to pain. He entered our world of flesh and blood, tears and death. He suffered for us.
-John Stott The Cross of Christ (1986)

The Call to Worship: Psalm 46

Reader: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

People: Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Reader: There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

People: Come, behold the works of the LORD, how He has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire.

Reader: "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

All: The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

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