Topic
Divine Providence
2 sermons · All topics
The Death of Ahab
The death of Ahab in 1 Kings 22:29–53 is the culmination of multiple prophetic pronouncements — by Elijah, the unnamed prophet of chapter 20, and Micaiah — all of which converge on a single 'random' arrow on the field of Ramoth Gilead, demonstrating that no disguise, no strategy, and no human ingenuity can deflect the sovereign judgment of God. The narrative also exposes the folly of Jehoshaphat, a genuinely godly king whose piety was unaccompanied by good sense, yet who was graciously preserved by the God he served despite the consequences he deserved. The criterion by which every king in 1 Kings is finally measured is not his administrative accomplishments but his fidelity to the Word of God. The sermon calls believers to combine true piety with godly wisdom, to flee from the wrath of God to the cross of Christ as the only refuge, and to take sober warning as parents against training children in wickedness.
The Sermon in Solomon's Porch, Part 2
Peter's sermon in Solomon's Porch confronts Jerusalem sinners with the necessity of repentance, pressing three realities upon them: their ignorance was willful, not innocent; God's sovereign providence overruled even their wickedness in crucifying Christ to fulfill all that the prophets foretold; and the call to repent and turn carries with it the promised blessings of sins blotted out, times of refreshing from the Lord's presence, and the indwelling presence of Christ by Spirit and Word until the restoration of all things. The exposition of Acts 3:17–21 drives toward a direct appeal: those burdened with sin must repent and turn to Christ, the only one in whom those blessings are found.