Gratia Sunday Service: The 7000 Who Have Not Bowed Down to Baal

On November 12, 2023, Gratia Church held a graceful Sunday service, full of God’s word, praise, worship, and fellowship. The sermon delivered by Pastor Walker Tzeng, was on 1 Kings 19:1-21 entitled “The 7000 who have not bowed down to Baal”.

In the sermon, Pastor Walker spoke about the tumultuous time for the nation of Israel, divided and led astray by depraved secular kings and rampant idolatry. Amidst this time, Elijah stood as a beacon of prophetic truth. His solitary struggle against the wicked Queen Jezebel, who championed the worship of Baal, highlights a profound spiritual crisis. Elijah, chased into the wilderness, epitomizes the isolation and despair that can afflict even the most righteous. His experience underscores the reality that spiritual crises are not just physical but deeply emotional and psychological. It’s a stark reminder of the loneliness that can come from standing for truth and righteousness in a world that seems indifferent or even hostile.

Elijah’s moment of utter desolation under the broom bush, or Rodem Tree, becomes a pivotal point of divine intervention. The angelic provision of sustenance symbolizes more than mere physical nourishment; it represents a spiritual rejuvenation. This episode teaches that in moments of deepest despair, God’s presence is profoundly transformative. It’s a reminder that in our own journeys, when we walk righteously yet fall into despair, it is the grace of God that sustains and renews us. The journey to Mount Horeb, echoing Moses’ own pilgrimage, signifies a return to the foundations of faith, a reminder that God’s grace is often most apparent in our most desperate moments.

The story of Elijah culminates in the revelation at Mount Horeb, where God’s voice emerges not in grand displays of power but in a gentle whisper. This teaches the importance of cultivating a quiet and receptive heart, attuned to the subtle yet profound ways in which God communicates. The message extends further, revealing that Elijah is not alone in his faithfulness; there are 7000 others who have not bowed to Baal. This discovery highlights the existence of a faithful remnant, a group that remains steadfast amidst widespread idolatry and moral decay. The calling of Elisha, from plowing fields to prophetic ministry, exemplifies God’s power to transform and use the seemingly ordinary for extraordinary purposes.

Today’s message is one of hope and challenge, inviting us to be part of the transformative work of God in a world that desperately needs change, not by the power of the masses, but through the faithful few.