21 Feb Elijah | Part 2 “Serving God in Cancel Culture”

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Key Verse: 1 Kings 18

Cancel culture –  Do something wrong at some point and when found out you have to apologize.

The following are some examples of Cancel Culture in our world today.  You can follow the links to view them. THE GUIDE BEGINS BELOW THE LINKS:

‘I know I failed’: Justin Timberlake issues an apology to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/02/12/justin-timberlake-apologizes-after-framing-britney-spears-backlash/6738766002/

SF public schools eliminate Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln.- Names dropped from SF Distrcit

Washington, Lincoln among names dropped from SF district schools https://www.newsbreak.com/california/san-francisco/news/2152869788005/washington-lincoln-among-names-dropped-from-sf-district-schools

Valpariso University retires “Crusaders”

Valparaiso University drops Crusaders name, mascot over associations with ‘hate groups’ https://www.foxnews.com/sports/valparaiso-university-crusaders-mascot-hate-groups

J.K. Rowling

Author J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter) has received ‘death and rape threats’ for transgender rights comments https://canoe.com/entertainment/celebrity/author-j-k-rowling-has-received-death-and-rape-threats-for-transgender-rights-comments

Tom Brady accused of Racism…

TOM BRADY BEING ACCUSED OF ‘RACISM’ FOR WINNING SUPER BOWL DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH (TWEETS) https://www.totalprosports.com/2021/02/09/tom-brady-being-accused-of-racism-for-winning-super-bowl-during-black-history-month-tweets/

Daily Mail – UK

“’Out-of-control woke leftism and cancel culture’ from the U.S is a threat to FRANCE because it ‘attacks’ the nation’s heritage and identity, French politicians and intellectuals say”

‘Out-of-control woke leftism and cancel culture’ from the U.S is a threat to FRANCE because it ‘attacks’ the nation’s heritage and identity, French politicians and intellectuals say https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9242453/Out-control-woke-leftism-cancel-culture-threat-FRANCE-French-politicians-say.html

Max Lucado apologizing.

Max Lucado Apologizes to LGBTQ For Preaching Against Homosexuality, Harming Them https://reformationcharlotte.org/2021/02/12/max-lucado-apologizes-to-lgbtq-for-preaching-against-homosexuality-harming-them/

Seyi Omooba

Actress Seyi Omooba loses tribunal claim over her dismissal from The Color Purple https://www.telegraph.co.uk/theatre/what-to-see/actress-seyi-omooba-loses-tribunal-claim-dismissal-color-purple/

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GUIDE BEGINS HERE:

This is the world we live in.  It is even coming into the Church.  This is America 2021. This is what we are going to have to deal with more and more.  We need to be aware of it.

Q. In your own personal life has cancel culture affected you or someone close to you and how?

Cancel culture is the same as legalistic Christianity.  It is one way for a group of people to feel better about themselves.

Cancel Culture is the World becoming CHURCHY, so that the CHURCH will become WORLDLY.

Q. What are some ways you have experienced the Church becoming worldly (this is the Church as a whole not a specific church)?

1 Kings 18:5 (ESV)

The drought was so severe even the King is now looking for water.  Kings did not do this in those days.  When God chooses to judge a nation, even his highest leaders are not exempt.

1 Kings 18:17 ESV

Troubler – means outcast from regular social interactions.  In other words Ahab wanted Elijah canceled.  In modern America this is what we are facing.

We will get hostility when we stand on what the Bible says.  In the market place we have to talk to people and refer to people a certain way.  As Christians, we are going to tell people what God says because we know he is right.  The message is that we are all wrong and Jesus is right.  It is easier for a pastor to preach and tell people this but it is more difficult for those who work outside of the Church.

Q. For those who work with non-believers, what is your day to day experience?

1 Kings 18:3 (ESV

Obadiah is Ahab’s (the wicked king) cabinet secretary.  He is the Secretary of State over the House.  Obadiah feared the Lord greatly but worked for Ahab.   He was employed by Ahab and loved the Lord.  This is how it should be for Christians who work in the world.

How do we LOVE the LORD and WORK for the ENEMY?

“Obadiah” = picture of a Christian in CANCEL CULTURE.

1. SERVE the Lord with WHAT you CAN and WHEN you CAN.

1 Kings 18:3-4 (ESV)

“Obadiah” means “SERVANT of the Lord.”

We don’t have to be the pastor in the office.   We don’t have to be Super-Christians or talk endlessly about our faith.

Q. In what ways have you shared your faith at work without talking about your faith?

God always has SERVANTS in HIGH PLACES.

God always has someone in the ear of the person in charge.  For instance, he probably has servants in the Biden Administration. People who will speak the truth to those in charge.  The whole nation is not secular, there are a lot of believers in this country.

Obadiah SERVES GOD WITH WHAT HE CAN WHEN HE CAN.

Obadiah took 100 of the Lord’s prophets and saved them.  He fed them for 3 years during the drought.   He sacrificed his job by going under cover every night.  He found his place.  We have to find our place.  The whole world is not against us.  We have Jesus.  We have to earn the right to speak into our companies, neighbors, and people who hate us.

Q. What is an example where you have ‘earned’ the right to speak into someones life (In other words, how have you helped them, befriended them before speaking into their lives)?

When it comes to serving God: DO SOMETHING NOT NOTHING.

2. EXPECT God to SHOW UP when you STEP UP.

Step up and watch God Show up

Serve at Waters.   Some people wait for God to show up before they step up.  It does not work this way.

1 Kings 18:7-12 ESV

Obadiah is not a picture of courage – but he still had to step up.  God used Obadiah even in his whining.  We may not feel it, but we can pretend we feel it and God will show up.  If we smile will feel happy :).  We have something to smile about, we have Jesus!

Q. How has God showed up when you stepped up?

God WORKS THROUGH us IN SPITE of our INSECURITIES.

It is not up to us, it is up to Him.  We put our faith in who He is not what we have.

Q. What insecurities keep you from serving His people?

3. TRUST that God is OVER all who are OVER YOU.

1 Kings 18:15 (ESV)

The Lord of Hosts refers to Elijah – he is in with the God who is over all the other gods (kings). Obadiah had to realize he had an Elijah who was in with God and he would take care of this. We have a true and better Elijah who is not in with the Lord of Hosts, He is the Lord of Hosts!!

We have an “Elijah” in the OFFICE of HEAVEN: Jesus the Son of God, our SAVIOR and FRIEND.

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV); Acts 7:56 (ESV)

We have a true Elijah in the heavens!  It does not matter what rocks the world throws, like Stephen, we have a Savior standing up for us in heaven.

Romans 8:31 (ESV)

Q. Who is someone you may fear that when you realize that God is over them, melts your fears?