Elijah in Confrontation

1 Kings 17:1

Introduction

  • Query about the biographical nature of the Scriptures
  • Emphasis on personalities in the Bible

Biographical Study of Scriptures

  • Importance of studying spiritual biographies
  • Mention of key biblical figures: Abraham, Moses, Barnabas, Paul

Impact of Spiritual Biographies

  • Inspiring hunger and thirst for righteousness
  • Providing self-reflection and spiritual challenge
  • Offering hope through biblical examples

Elijah as a Case Study

  • Introduction to Elijah (1 Kings 17:1)
  • The boldness and impact of Elijah's confrontation with King Ahab
  • Context of Israel's spiritual decline and idolatry under King Ahab and Jezebel

Three Secrets to Effective Communication of Faith

  • Conviction in the reality of God
  • Personal representation of the living God
  • Confidence in the resources available through God

Personal Anecdotes and Illustrations

  • Story of the deacon resembling Peter
  • Conversation with a fellow passenger on a plane
  • Experience with his son and the importance of personal involvement in spiritual life

Scriptural Foundations and Prayer

  • Elijah's example of earnest prayer (James 5:17)
  • Biblical basis for prayer and God's promises (Deuteronomy 11:16-17)
  • Call to believe and appropriate God's promises through prayer

Conclusion

  • Challenge to be God's representatives in the current generation
  • Encouragement to live out a genuine and transformative Christian faith
  • Final prayer for strength, conviction, and effective witness in a confused world

*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.

About the Contributors

Howard G. Hendricks

Dr. Howard G. Hendricks, known simply as “Prof,” directly or indirectly touched millions of lives in the evangelical community and beyond. For more than sixty years Prof served on the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), where he taught more than ten thousand students. He served as the chairman of the Center for Christian Leadership for over twenty years. He also ministered in person in more than eighty countries. Through speaking engagements, radio, tapes, films, the sixteen books he authored and coauthored, countless journal and popular-market articles, his service on numerous boards, and his work as a chaplain to the Dallas Cowboys (1976–1984), his reach was and is worldwide.

His legacy, in partnership with Jeanne, his wife of more than sixty-five years, includes four children and six grandchildren. Holding large audiences enthralled at venues such as Billy Graham’s conference center or Promise Keepers’ stadium rallies, Prof would confide, “It’s wonderful to be here with you, but I have a group of delicious students waiting for me back at the seminary.”