26-0329p - Detailed Summary

The preacher, John, greeted the congregation with “Well, good evening. It’s a fine evening indeed,” and thanked Mike for the reading, noting there was a lot of content in the passage. He announced the evening’s sermon title: “Are You All In For Jesus Christ?” John highlighted the final words of the passage in verse 22, where David declares he will become even more undignified and be humiliated in his own eyes. He stated that David is one of three people he would discuss that evening who were all in for the Lord.

John emphasized that David did not care who saw or heard him because he was dancing before the Lord. He explained that every person has a circle of influence consisting of people they speak to, bump into, or talk with semi-regularly. The things we do and say have a significant influence on those around us.

John shared a recent conversation with a non-believing coworker. He told the coworker that when one realizes Jesus Christ is the Son of God who made everything, and that everything belongs to Him and must be done in relation to Him, it changes everything. One’s whole perspective on the world, what we are to do, and how we are to do it becomes entirely different. Suddenly, life is no longer about self but about the Lord.

John announced he would talk about three people who were totally all in for the Lord. He introduced the first example as David, showing an image on screen of David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant as it was brought into Jerusalem, wearing the linen ephod. John explained that the linen ephod was the garment worn by priests, and David’s actions demonstrated his humility and his authentic desire to worship God, not in a half-hearted or wishy-washy manner.

In contrast, Michal (referred to as Michal in the spoken delivery), David’s wife, reacted negatively to what she witnessed.

John noted that Michal observed David dancing before the Lord from a window. He pictured her upstairs looking down and thinking her husband looked like a fool. She criticized and held David in contempt for his undignified worship. John pointed out that she was not all in for the Lord like David was.

John explained that as Christians, there will be times when non-believers see our actions or lack of actions and respond with disbelief. He expressed that he actually hopes for such reactions because it means believers are standing out from the way the world behaves. He shared personal experiences from work-related events where he stayed overnight. After hours, coworkers would gather, alcohol would flow heavily, and things would get out of hand. When asked why he did not participate, John simply replied that he did not want to. Sometimes people pressed further, knowing he is a Christian, and he strives to ensure his behavior matches what he professes.

John continued that if others do not drop the subject, there can be sharp criticisms such as “Who do you think you are?” or “Come on, there’s nothing big about it.” He acknowledged that sometimes it may or may not be a big deal, but he praised God for those moments. Such instances show that something different is happening with the believer, prompting others to notice and potentially ask why he is different. This difference stems from belief in the Lord. John admitted he has faltered in many areas himself, but all believers should aspire to reflect the character of God in everything they do.

John stated he would give three examples from Scripture of people who were all in for the Lord, sometimes at great personal cost. He then moved to the second example from Joshua chapter 24, verses 11 through 15.

The reading from Joshua recounted how the Israelites crossed the Jordan, came to Jericho, and faced opposition from the citizens of Jericho and various nations including the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, and Jebusites. God gave those enemies into Israel’s hands, sent the hornet ahead to drive them out, and delivered the two Amorite kings without Israel using their own sword or bow. God gave them a land they did not toil for, cities they did not build, and vineyards and olive groves they did not plant.

Joshua then commanded the people to fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness. He instructed them to throw away the gods their ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and to serve the Lord.

In verse 15, Joshua presented a clear choice: if serving the Lord seemed undesirable, the people should choose that day whom they would serve—whether the gods their ancestors served beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites in whose land they lived. However, Joshua declared, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” John explained that Joshua was forcing the question upon his circle of influence, which in this case was quite large. Joshua demanded a decision and refused to accept a middle-of-the-road response. Joshua himself was clearly all in for the Lord.

John then asked how believers who have accepted Jesus Christ as master of all should live this out, promising to explain later. He proceeded to introduce the third example.

John directed attention to a slide showing the “big meeting” between King Ahab and Elijah on Mount Carmel. He began with background from 1 Kings 16, verses 29 through 31.

In the 38th year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel and reigned in Samaria for 22 years. Ahab did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any king before him. He not only continued the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat but also married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. Ethbaal was a Phoenician king over Tyre and Sidon, cities located a little north of Mount Carmel on the Mediterranean coast. These were centers of pagan worship. Jezebel, whose name even today carries a strongly negative connotation, actively put to death the prophets of the Lord. As princess from Phoenicia, she brought this influence into Israel through her marriage to Ahab, creating an evil alliance at the top of the kingdom.

John noted that the people of that time faced absolute wickedness from both Ahab and Jezebel, comparing it briefly to modern political times under Mr. Biden but emphasizing the extreme spiritual evil present then. He then introduced the prophet Elijah into the narrative.

John turned to 1 Kings 18, starting at verse 16, describing the meeting on Mount Carmel. Obadiah informed Ahab, who then went to meet Elijah. Upon seeing Elijah, Ahab called him “you troubler of Israel.” Elijah replied that he had not troubled Israel, but Ahab and his father’s house had by abandoning the Lord’s commands and following the Baals. Elijah commanded Ahab to summon the people from all over Israel to Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah (the female counterpart of Baal), who ate at Jezebel’s table.

Ahab complied and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. Elijah addressed the people, asking how long they would waver between two opinions. If the Lord is God, they should follow Him; but if Baal is God, they should follow Baal. The people remained silent. John highlighted that Elijah stood alone against 850 prophets, facing overwhelming odds, and posed a simple, direct question that was met with dead silence. He noted that one might have expected someone from the opposing side to respond boldly.

John began to describe the geographical significance of Mount Carmel, noting its strategic location between Samaria (where Ahab reigned to the south) and the northern cities of Tyre and Sidon (Jezebel’s family power base to the north), placing the confrontation directly in the middle of these opposing influences. The transcript cuts off mid-sentence during this geographical explanation.

John continued describing the confrontation on Mount Carmel, comparing Elijah’s situation to a sports team playing as the away team in Cleveland, Ohio. Elijah was deep in the territory of the enemy, standing up against 850 prophets to one. The odds appeared heavily against him, yet he was completely all in for the Lord and refused to back down. John called Elijah a tough guy, but emphasized that he had Jesus Christ backing him. He shared a new fact he learned that week: Mount Carmel is now a very large national park in modern Israel, known for its beauty and scenic views.

John noted that Mount Carmel today encompasses greater than 32 square miles, equivalent to about 20,000 acres. He compared its size to five times the area of Lakewood, Ohio, describing it as a very picturesque region.

John mentioned that Mount Carmel has an official website promoting hiking, sightseeing, scenic views, and nature preserves. He imagined it features many birds, plants, and other natural attractions, making it a place one can visit today.

John stressed that Mount Carmel is a real location where the biblical events with Elijah and King Ahab actually occurred. Even today it is promoted on the internet with options for camping in little huts, offering great fun for visitors. However, in the time of Elijah and King Ahab, there was no camping. He highlighted the area’s extreme beauty, referencing the Song of Solomon where Mount Carmel is used as a symbol of beauty. The writer describes a lovely woman, comparing her neck to an ivory tower, her eyes to the pool of Heshbon, her nose to the tower looking toward Damascus, and her head crowning her like Mount Carmel, with her hair like purple tresses that captivate a king.

John returned to the biblical scene, noting that Elijah faced the 850 prophets and silenced everyone with one simple question. The text records that the people said nothing and had no response. Elijah was essentially challenging them to choose which God they would follow, yet the priests of the pagan gods could not even speak up to defend their position.

John asked how believers today can reflect God’s character in their daily actions and decisions in a way that pleases the Lord. He provided the answer from the New Testament: it is done by faith. He clarified that this is not blind faith but rational faith supported by evidence. He then turned to Hebrews chapter 11.

John read the opening of Hebrews 11, explaining that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. By faith the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made from visible things. He continued through the chapter, listing people who pleased God through faith: Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain; Enoch was taken away so he did not see death; Noah, warned of things not yet seen, prepared an ark with godly fear to save his household; Abraham obeyed when called to go to an inheritance; Sarah received strength to conceive past the age of childbearing. John noted that all these individuals died in faith and were completely all in for the Lord.

John highlighted Sarah as an example, recalling that by faith she received strength to conceive and bear a child when past the age because she judged God faithful who had promised. He reminded the congregation that Sarah’s initial response when told she would have a child was to laugh, thinking it impossible.

John acknowledged that sometimes people have that same initial response of doubt, questioning how something could be possible. Yet through faith in God’s promises found in His word, believers come to realize it is true. This is rational faith. God’s word can be held onto, relied upon, and lived by because He has given it to us along with His promises and the good news.

John read verse 13, noting that these heroes of faith all died in faith without having received the promises. They had not yet received what was promised, but they believed because it was rational to believe, and they made that choice.

These faithful people saw the promises from afar, were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. John explained that this world is not the permanent home for those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. It is not a place of utopia where acquiring things brings lasting happiness. Believers desire a better, heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Believers have a much better place to look forward to by faith.

John directed attention to Hebrews 9 verses 27 and 28, reading that it is appointed for men to die once, but after this comes the judgment. Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, and to those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time apart from sin for salvation. He challenged the congregation by asking if they are eagerly waiting for Christ, or only half waiting, or sort of waiting. He questioned whether they are really all in. God knows the heart. He warned against any part of life being lived just for the present moment or merely enjoying the now. John stated that Christianity is not about buying an insurance policy where one can switch if things go bad. That is not how it works.

John reminded everyone that the people described from Scripture were real individuals in real places at real times, and God found favor in them because they were all in for the Lord. On the other hand, God rejects those who are not all in. He turned to the final book of the Bible, Revelation chapter 3 verses 14 and 15, where Jesus speaks to the church in Laodicea. The message is from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. Jesus knows their works and says they are neither cold nor hot. John explained this refers to someone not fully committed, perhaps just on the fringe or treating faith like an insurance policy. Jesus wishes they were either cold or hot, but because they are lukewarm, He will vomit them out of His mouth. This is not the kind of relationship God desires. Like Joshua and Elijah, Jesus forces the issue: choose, pick a side, and do not play the middle of the road or pretend.

John asked the congregation if they are really prepared, like David, to be humiliated in their own eyes in order to follow Jesus Christ. He asked if they can remain faithful once that decision is made. Referencing Joshua again, he urged believers to fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness, declaring "as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." He advised making up one’s mind ahead of time before facing challenges in all circumstances. Life will bring trials, scoffers, and critics. In his own circle of influence, John has faced critics, but he knows whom he follows and tries to obey as best he can. He observed that as he looks around, he does not see anyone who has not already made that decision for Christ. However, challenges will come, and God calls believers to be ready. John closed by inviting anyone who needs to respond to come forward as the congregation sings.