1 Kings 22:1-38

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel preaches on the conclusion of 1 Kings. We are reminded here of the firm foundation of God’s Word as Ahab seeks to hear only good from God, despite his constant rebellion and God repeatedly offering grace. When the prophet Micaiah foretells Ahab’s impending death, Ahab seeks to circumvent God’s word by disguise only to have a seemingly random arrow pierce his armor. Once again the certainty of God’s Word stands firm.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 22:1-38

Read Online: 1 Kings 22:1-38

1 Kings 21

In this sermon, Chris Vogel discusses King Ahab coveting Naboth's vineyard results not only in sour grapes, but murder (1 Kings 21). Elijah's confrontation details the consequences of Ahab's greedy heart, but also opens the door to God's mercy and Ahab's repentance. That God celebrates the messy, short-lived and questionable heart change of the king gives us hope when our repentances are less than perfect. Nevertheless, the consequences remain.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 21

Read Online: 1 Kings 21

1 Kings 20

In this sermon, Chris Vogel speaks about how King Ahab is confronted by his arch nemesis, Ben-Hadad of Syria (1 Kings 20). Twice God graciously spares His people from defeat so that they know that He is the Lord. Yet in the end, Ahab shows disregard for God’s gracious protection and through the parable of a prophet declares that our obedience is a matter of life or death.


Listen Online: 1 Kings 20:1-43

Read Online: 1 Kings 20:1-43

1 Kings 19:19-21

In this sermon we return to 1 Kings 19 as Elijah, having come down from Sinai, calls Elisha to follow him as a prophet. The cost of discipleship may be great, but God’s call to serve Him is a call to total commitment. We see this in verses 19-21 as Elisha burns the yokes and sacrifices his oxen.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 19:19-21

Read Online: 1 Kings 19:19-21

1 Kings 19:9-18

Elijah’s wallowing in self-pity takes him to Mt. Horeb (aka Sinai) where God speaks powerfully but not in the way the prophet would have imagined (1 Kings 19:9-18). Elijah experiences God’s quiet work of drawing people to Himself.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 19:9-18

Read Online: 1 Kings 19:9-18

1 Kings 18:41 - 19:9

Elijah is faced with the reality of life. The change brought about by God was not the change he expected. After the victory of Mt Carmel he feels defeated and deflated. Fleeing (1 Kings 19:1-9) to the place where God made His promise to His people brings Elijah to a clearer picture of grace.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 18:41 - 19:9

Read Online: 1 Kings 18:41 - 19:9

1 Kings 18:20-46

The climactic contest comes as Elijah v. the 450 false prophets cry out to see if Yahweh or Baal is able to answer. 1 Kings 18:20-46 takes us to the top of Mt. Carmel in a dramatic showdown where God’s promise to His people is affirmed.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 18:20-46

Read Online: 1 Kings 18:20-46

1 Kings 18:1-19

We return to 1 Kings where the contest between Yahweh and Baal begins to climax. After three years of drought the prophet Elijah returns to face King Ahab (1 Kings 18:1-19). The question is: who is culpable for the calamity that has befallen Israel?

Listen Online: 1 Kings 18:1-19

Read Online: 1 Kings 18:1-19

1 Kings 17:1-7

We meet a rising figure in the Old Testament, the prophet. As the kings, especially in Israel to the north, descend into disobedience, God brings prophets like Elijah to pronounce judgment as we see in 1 Kings 17:1-7. God’s use of Elijah as well as His care of him, encourages us, so that, with James, we can say that Elijah was like us (James 5:17).

Listen Online: 1 Kings 17:1-7

Read Online: 1 Kings 17:1-7

1 Kings 16:8-28

We see in 1 Kings 16:8-28 the end that comes when we are bored with God’s plan for our life and pursue our own pleasures. The three wicked kings spoken of in this passage meet sorry ends, so that even if their life‘s accomplishments may impress others, the final commentary on their life says otherwise.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 16:8-28

Read Online: 1 Kings 16:8-28

1 Kings 15:9-24

We at last meet a good king. Asa, King of Judah, changes the course of idolatry set by his father Rehoboam and grandfather, Solomon. In our passage this morning, 1 Kings 15:9-24, we are reminded that by God’s grace lives are changed and the sins of the previous generation need not be replicated in one’s own.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 15:9-24

Read Online: 1 Kings 15:9-24

1 Kings 14:1-20

In this message, we are reminded that our attempts at deceiving God will fail. In 1 Kings 14:1-20 judgment against Jeroboam is announced, and that verdict is carried out on his descendants and the nation of Israel. The acts of the one who represents the many reminds us of the bad news in the fall, but the good news of Jesus Christ who brings good to His people.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 14:1-20

Read Online: 1 Kings 14:1-20

1 Kings 13:11-34

We look at 1 Kings 13:11-34 where we are confronted with disobedience by all involved: an old prophet who lies when claiming God’s revelation, a Judean prophet who does not follow through on God’s command and even a lion who kills but does not consume his prey. This very odd and little known story serves to illustrate how often we ignore God’s commands, thus showing our need of a savior.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 13:11-34

Read Online: 1 Kings 13:11-34

1 Kings 12:25-13:10 - Idols That Manipulate

In this message, we return to 1 Kings 12:25-13:10 where Jeroboam seeks to maintain control of the northern kingdom. This is not merely ancient history of deviant idolatry, but gives us a glimpse into our hearts and the extent we will go to ensure our grasp on power over others. There remains, however, the promise of the restorative power of the gospel of grace.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 12:25-13:10

Read Online: 1 Kings 12:25-13:10

1 Kings 12:1-24 - Sacrificial Leadership

1 Kings 12:1-24 portrays a bold reversal to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. As Solomon’s son Rehoboam is confronted with the option of serving or being served and Jeroboam leads the people in rejecting the promise God had made to His people, we too are faced with what it means that Christ came not to be served, but to serve.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 12:1-24

Read Online: 1 Kings 12:1-24

1 Kings 11:9-25

In this message, we see God’s response to false worship in 1 Kings 11:9-25. As Solomon has turned from God to go after other gods, so God tears the kingdom from Solomon and gives it to his servant. While the nation will endure and God’s promises will not end, the resultant discipline will be seen first in foreign adversaries rising up to challenge God’s people.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 11:9-25

Read Online: 1 Kings 11:9-25

1 Kings 11:1-8 - Idols of the Heart

The downward spiral of Israel’s kings begins. In 1 Kings 11:1-8, the scene shifts from Solomon’s wisdom and great works for God to his insatiable appetite for acquiring wives from the surrounding nations. In his many marriages he soon turned his heart to worship the gods of his wives, breaking his covenant with the Lord God of Israel.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 11:1-8

Read Online: 1 Kings 11:1-8

1 Kings 10:1-13 - The Queen of Sheba

We hear of the Queen of Sheba coming to experience the wisdom of King Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-13). Finding the truth that is in Christ alone is a worthy quest, but while the queen sought it at the feet of an earthly king, we find the wisdom that changes lives at the foot of the cross.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 10:1-13

Read Online: 1 Kings 10:1-13

1 Kings 9:1-9

Some 20 years have passed since Solomon came to the throne. At the beginning of his reign, God came to him, granting him wisdom. Now at the half way point, God again speaks (1 Kings 9:1-9), promising His positive presence where there is obedience and discipline where there is disregard for His Law. This chapter marks the beginning of Solomon¹s great decline and is a warning for us, as well.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 9:1-9

Read Online: 1 Kings 9:1-9

1 Kings 8:22-30, 46-61

With the Temple now complete and all the furnishing in place, Solomon dedicates the Temple by offering not only sacrifices, but prayer (1 Kings 8). Solomon¹s words not only recall God¹s promise to his
father, David, but also remind us of the need of turning from sin and to God. Repentance is critical to finding rest in all God has done for us in Christ.

Listen Online: 1 Kings 8:22-30, 46-61

Read Online: 1 Kings 8:22-30, 46-61