Mission Focused Men for Christ

Episode Summary: Sadly, as we have noted during this study of Israel, political leaders like King Solomon, King Jeroboam, and King Ahab have enormous power to lead the citizens of their nations into evil. Yet, that power is limited. One who knew well the rise and fall of political power was Chuck Colson. In his book, Kingdoms in Conflict, he provides a wise perspective:
"When Jesus said to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this Earth,” Pilate may have breathed a sigh of relief. He should have reconsidered. Which is more threatening to a ruler—an external foe with mighty but visible armies or an eternal king who rules the very souls of men and women? The latter can command the will and affections, demand absolute obedience, impart unlimited power to his subjects, and radically change their values and lives. His followers fear no Earthly power and His Kingdom has no end. In the face of such a potentate, any mere political leader must shudder. This is why the Kingdom of God has had such an astonishing effect upon the most powerful of human empires in every age."
As we seek to spread Christ’s kingdom of righteousness over the earth, the real enemies are the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. This is the same battle that Elijah fought on Mt. Carmel, so there is much we can learn about wielding the spiritual power that is ours in Christ from studying him.
For Further Prayerful Thought 
What most stands out to you about this battle between Elijah and the false prophets on Mt. Carmel?
What do you think was the place of logical reason in the approach that Elijah took to disproving the claim of Baal’s prophets that he was God?
Why would lukewarmness be repulsive to Jesus? Wouldn’t that be better than being hostile to him?
What do you think of the challenge when facing big problems to resist focusing on the size of the problems but to instead focus on the size of our God?
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Episode Summary: As our study of Elijah approaches the confrontation between two kingdoms on Mount Carmel the worshippers of BAAL versus the worshippers of Yahweh, it is worth first asking the question: How did God's covenant people descend into the evil of Baal worship in 80 years, just two generations? How did the nation of godly King David, who established Jerusalem as the capital city and brought Yahweh’s Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem to reside there, descend to such depths? How did the people who joined in Solomon’s whole-hearted dedication of the temple welcoming Solomon’s challenge, “Yahweh is God; there is no other. Let your heart, therefore, be wholly true to Yahweh our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day,” turn to the evil false God’s Baal and Ashtoreth? This episode examines the answer, which gives us a sobering lens through which to see a parallel descent of America 
For Further Prayerful Thought.
What struck you about the role that Israel’s kings played in leading them down the destructive path of idolatry? Since “the people” are the rulers of a democracy, what is the implication for us as citizens?
What have you learned about being close enough to the lost to have influence yet not “assimilating” into our lost fallen culture?
What pro-same-sex arguments have you heard coming from church going people who claim to believe the Bible? Which arguments in this episode stood out to you. What have you learned about how to refute them?
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For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.
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Episode Summary: Dave Murrow in his book about the motivation of males, writes, “President Woodrow Wilson said, ‘Men are in love with power and greatness.’ Men constantly fantasize about it. The movies they watch, the video games they play, and the books they read always feature a powerful hero who does great things. Every man wants to be a hero, to become a great man. Boys do not dream of sitting in a cubicle; they dream of slaying the dragon, rescuing the Princess, and absconding with the treasure. If you want to capture the heart of a man, especially a young man, you have to offer him a shot at greatness.”  
Jesus did not condemn this innate masculine desire for greatness. To the contrary, he built upon it to motivate men to true greatness—serving others. Today we study a model of true greatness and as greatness tends to do, that greatness is revealed under great pressure.
For Further Prayerful Thought.
Obadiah, like Jospeh, Daniel, and Nehemiah rose to the highest of positions of trust given to them by pagan kings whose values collided with their own. In what ways do their examples challenge you?
What stood out to you in this episode about the relationship of God’s holiness to us exhibiting the fear of the Lord?
How would you define prudence? Do you think Obadiah’s initial resistance to Elijah’s plan was being overly cautious or properly prudent?
For the printed version of this message click here.
For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.
For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.
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Episode Summary: To the spiritual leaders of the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul issued the challenge: Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong (1 Cor 16:13). Men are called to lead their homes and churches with spiritual power. This calling of Christian men to spiritual strength is one of the reasons for studying the life of Elijah. The spiritual might and power of Elijah are well known. In fact, when the angel of the Lord wanted a metaphor to explain to Zechariah the spiritual might his promised son, John the Baptist would wield, the angel said he would go before the Messiah in the spirit and power of Elijah. This episode examines the source of Elijah’s spiritual power, his astonishing faith.  
For Further Prayerful Thought.
In what way is self-reliance a virtue and in what way is it a form of pride that prevents us from depending fully upon God?
What has most helped you overcome the sinful nature we all receive from Adam that makes us question God’s goodness?
What do you see as the relationship between loving our comfort zone and growing our faith?
How does Elijah’s approach to prayer relate to what Jesus taught about prayer in Like 5? 
For the printed version of this message click here.
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Episode Summary: This podcast always begins with a reference to the race marked out for us, from Hebrews 12:1. After its author devotes 40 verses to highlighting the faith of the members of the Biblical Hall of Fame in chapter 11, he says to each of us: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, AND LET US RUN WITH ENDURANCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (12:1-2a). This description of the life God has planned for you and me to live is a race requiring endurance. That is a stunning revelation of what God is doing in our lives—building enduring trust in God. James explains that there is only one way to build enduring faith. “Consider it all joy,” he writes, “when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produce endurance.” God is telling us in his Word that the individual race marked out for us will relentlessly test our faith to produce endurance. This podcast zooms into the life of Elijah the Tishbite because the race marked out for him has so many parallels to the race marked out for us including the way God tests his faith.
For Further Prayerful Thought.
What stood out to you in the biblical overview of trials?
When God told Elijah to go to Zarephath, where a widow would care for him, what obstacles to his trust in God do you think he had to overcome.
What do you most admire about Elijah’s faith? What do you most admire about the widow’s faith?
When God has tested your faith through tough times, what has most help you still trust God and get through those times?
For the printed version of this message click here.
For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.
For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.
To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)