Speaking for God

A research study in 2007 found that “getting rich and famous” was a high priority for young adults. Another found that one in three millennials wanted to be famous—with some even willing to sacrifice jobs and relationships to achieve it. One U.S. poll found that half of adults wouldn’t mind experiencing some measure of fame.

But that desire appears to be changing dramatically. Among Gen Z—today’s young adults—only 9% say they want to become famous. Some of that shift comes from an aversion to living life under a microscope. Others have watched social media make fame easier to attain without delivering the wealth, happiness, or fulfillment that fame once seemed to promise.

Increasingly, we’re discovering that some of the things we thought would fulfill us make promises they cannot keep.

Empty promises from false gods are nothing new.

That’s one reason our new study through the life of Elijah—a man who lived nearly 3,000 years ago—feels remarkably suited to our own moment.

This Sunday, we’ll begin with the Bible’s abrupt introduction of Elijah in 1 Kings 17. He appears in the court of King Ahab, a prosperous but wicked king who has led Israel into the worship of Baal and Asherah. Elijah walks into his court and makes a stunning declaration: the idols Israel has trusted are powerless before the living God of Israel.

Then he walks out of the room.

With that bold confrontation begins the ministry of one of the most colorful prophets in the Old Testament. Over the coming weeks, we’ll watch God work through Elijah in extraordinary ways, all rooted in Elijah’s calling to speak on behalf of the true God.

And that’s where Elijah’s story becomes ours.

Christians have also been called to speak for God. We’re called to faithfully represent who He is, what He has said, and the hope He offers to a world filled with gods that cannot keep their promises.

How do we do that well?

That’s the question we’ll explore together in Speaking for God.

Join us this Sunday as we begin with 1 Kings 17:1 and watch Elijah boldly confront the gods of a nation.