Sunday Morning Service

Stepping Away for the Holidays-As we approach the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, I've made the decision to pause our study in the Gospel of Luke for a few weeks. This means I'll be stepping outside my comfort zone and engaging in topical speaking, a method I find challenging.

My true preference and comfort zone is Expository Preaching—the detailed work of going verse-by-verse through a book.

The Gospel of Luke is the lengthiest book in the New Testament. In fact, Dr. Luke's two historical books—the Gospel and the book of Acts, which chronicle the life of Christ and the early church—make up about 27% of the entire New Testament. Luke actually wrote more in these two books than Paul did across his thirteen letters.

This transition is difficult, but on the anniversary of beginning our study of Luke two years ago, we will shift gears to consider some topical sermons.

My main struggle with topical sermons is indecision—I start on one topic and then quickly switch to another. I feel like a kid in a candy store, overwhelmed by the selection and unable to decide what to preach.

Today I am going to share a very familiar passage with you—one which you have undoubtedly heard in Sunday school in years past, it is the story of Elijah on Mt Carmel facing off with the prophets of Baal.