Introduction

Good morning, Church family. We've got a rich and challenging message today, drawn from the life of a relatively unsung hero in the Old Testament. We're going to be diving into 1 Kings chapter 18, verse 3. This Scripture focuses on a man named Obadiah, who served God faithfully in one of the most hostile environments imaginable.

Our topic today is: "The Call to Serve in Hostile Environments, The Faithfulness of a Servant of the Lord, and The Power of God in Difficult Circumstances." Now, I know that's a mouthful, but bear with me, folks.

Let's read the passage together: "And Ahab had called Obadiah, who was over the household. Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly."

Now, here's a quote from a respected Christian author, A.W. Tozer, who once said, "True faith rests upon the character of God and asks no further proof than the moral perfections of the One who cannot lie." That's what we're gonna be exploring today, friends - the faithfulness of God's servants, even in the face of hostility, and the power of God in difficult circumstances.

Let's open with a prayer.

Heavenly Father, we ask that you open our hearts and minds today as we delve into your sacred Word. Give us the courage to serve you faithfully, just as Obadiah did, even in the face of adversity. Help us to trust in your power, no matter what circumstances we might find ourselves in. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

The Call to Serve in Hostile Environments

The call to serve in hostile environments is a theme that resonates throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament to the New Testament. It is a call that requires courage, faith, and a deep trust in God's providence. It is a call that is not for the faint-hearted but for those who are willing to risk everything for the sake of the Gospel.

In the context of Obadiah's story, the hostile environment was the court of King Ahab, one of the most wicked kings in Israel's history. Ahab was married to Jezebel, a notorious idol worshipper, who was determined to eradicate the worship of Yahweh from Israel. Yet, in the midst of this hostility, Obadiah remained faithful to God and used his position in Ahab's court to protect God's prophets from Jezebel's murderous intent.

This is a powerful example of what it means to serve in a hostile environment. Obadiah was not in a place where his faith was celebrated or even tolerated. He was in a place where his faith put him at risk every single day. Yet, he did not shirk from his duty. He did not run away from his calling. He stood firm, trusting in God's protection and guidance.

Serving in a hostile environment is not just about physical danger. It can also mean serving in a place where your beliefs are constantly challenged, where you are ridiculed for your faith, where you are marginalized because of your commitment to Christ. It can mean serving in a place where you are the only Christian, where you are constantly under pressure to conform to the world's standards, where you are tempted to compromise your faith for the sake of peace and acceptance.

Yet, the call to serve in such environments is not a call to isolation or martyrdom. It is a call to be a light in the darkness, to be a witness to the truth, to be an ambassador of Christ's love and grace. It is a call to show the world that there is a better way, a way of love, justice, and peace. It is a call to demonstrate the power of the Gospel to transform lives and societies.

Serving in a hostile environment requires wisdom and discernment. It requires knowing when to speak and when to remain silent, when to confront and when to retreat, when to stand firm and when to yield. It requires a deep understanding of the culture and the people you are serving, so that you can present the Gospel in a way that is relevant and compelling.

It also requires a deep reliance on God's power and presence. It requires a daily surrender to God's will, a daily seeking of His guidance, a daily filling of His Spirit. It requires a steadfast faith in God's promises, a firm belief in His sovereignty, a confident hope in His victory.

Serving in a hostile environment is not an easy task. It is a task that requires sacrifice, endurance, and courage. But it is also a task that brings great rewards. It is a task that allows us to participate in God's redemptive work in the world, to see His kingdom come in places of darkness and despair, to experience His power and presence in ways that we could never imagine.

Pastor, could you please share a personal story about a time when you were called to serve in a hostile environment? This would help us to better understand and apply this concept in our own lives.

The Faithfulness of a Servant of the Lord

The faithfulness of a servant of the Lord is a theme that runs throughout the Bible, and it is beautifully exemplified in the life of Obadiah ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO