Impossible Things Are Happening Every Day; Sermon on 1 Kings 18 20-39

Rev. George Miller
Nov 3, 2019
1 Kings 18:20-39

Last week on “Saturday Night Live” Chance the Rapper was the musical guest.

He started his 1st song by featuring a clip of his young daughter singing “Impossible” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”, except it wasn’t the 1950’s version sung by Julie Andrews, but the 1990’s version sung by Brandy and Whitney Houston.

This may not seem like a big deal until we realize that it wasn’t until 1997 that a child of color had the opportunity to see a Disney Princess, Prince, or Fairy Godmother who looked like them.

So, a song featuring the lyric “Impossible things are happening every day” takes on a much greater pop cultural, social and spiritual meaning.

“Impossible things are happening every day.” If that doesn’t fit into today’s reading, I don’t know what does.

1 Kings 18 is one of those scriptures that becomes a real barometer for faith and how you approach the Bible.

Do you see the Bible as full of stories that may be nice and all, but really hold no truth?

Or do you see the Bible as full of stories made to awe and wonder, to inspire and surprise in which God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are making impossible things happen every day?

Are you the kind of person who believes that miracles are taking place all the time, or do you believe there is no magic, no wonder, no extra-ordinariness in the world?

Today’s reading is truly one that puts us to the test.

As it turns out, there are a lot of my clergy colleagues from around the nation who are choosing not to preach on this reading today.

I was unprepared to go into the Narrative Lectionary chatroom and discover how many preachers find this story uncomfortable.

They find it confusing. They can’t understand why this story exists, or why such a supposedly archaic tale needs to be retold.

They’re bothered by the image of an all-powerful God who with a single act can burn it all down to the ground.

But if you have ever been part of a minority group, if you’ve ever faced great odds, if you’ve ever been surrounded by enemies,

if you’ve ever experienced a way out of no way, if you’ve ever been the lone dissenting voice, if you’ve ever lived with a chronic illness,

if you’ve ever had to confront racism, sexism, homophobia, or poverty on a daily basis,

then you should understand why this story is in the Bible and why it should still be taught today.

This is yet another story about our Impossibly Possible God,

the one who gave Sarah a child, who heard the cries of the Hebrews, who chose the 8th born son of a small town nobody to be the greatest somebody.

This is a story that is set in the bleakest of times.

The nation has been torn into two. The citizens of the north have endured corrupt king after king after king.

There has been a three-year drought in which the lack of rain has caused extreme hunger and hopelessness.

The people are without a strong identity of who they are, what they believe, and if they will even make it through to the next day.

Enter into this story the prophet Elijah who is seen as a threat to the king, the state, and the economy.

He proposes a challenge for all to experience- who are you willing to trust, the God who created the world, or the various gods of the world?

Who do you think really sees you, knows you, and cares for you-

the false idols and personalities you put your trust and fear into?

Or the One who knows you by name, hears your cries, and is willing to wrestle with you in the dark of night?

This is a story in which all the odds are stacked against God, and yet God prevails.

Instead of a sanctuary full of believers, there’s just one man standing solo.

There’s an altar that’s been demolished.

There’s a trench deep and wide enough to plant about 20 pounds of seed.

There’s 12 barrels of water poured over everything.

There’s the reality that there hasn’t been any rain, thunder, or lightening in 3 years.

1 person, in an imperfect, destitute place with a ditch and dampened resources, surrounded by naysayers, in a cultural climate that has lost its soul and sense of right and wrong…

…and yet, the Impossibly Possible God answers, acts, and overcomes.

While the false gods of the world are helplessly silent and lead their followers to hurt and humiliate themselves,

the one true God does what no one else thinks can be done.

This is not just a story about how God is able to fill our world with wonder,

it is also about how sometimes it takes just 1 person, with an unshakeable trust in the Impossibly Possible God, to change the world and to start a revolution.

1 person with a sense of purpose, a sense of clarity, a sense of the Spirit.

When encountering this story, I can’t help but to think of Martin Luther.

Back in 1517, instead of being a place of hope and possibilities, the church was a place of fear and dread.

People were fooled into thinking that God was out to punish them, and the only way to earn God’s favor was to work for it, pay for it, or cower under the priests.

Yet one man stormed up to the church’s doors and condemned them for how far they strayed from the Gospel Truth.

Martin Luther, in a time of spiritual darkness and drought, rediscovered the gift of grace, making room for God’s goodness to rain down upon the people, freeing us to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with the Lord.

Just as the Elijah stood up to the abusers of his day, Martin Luther stood up to the abusers of his day to make the God of amazing grace known.

Today’s story is one for the ages.

It is for anyone, who feels as if they are alone, and are facing great obstacles,

as if all opportunities are dried up, all dreams are dashed,

and all hope has been doused.

This is a story for anyone who has had to overcome great odds, face certain defeat, and look upon lost chances.

This is a story for anyone who has ever felt ignored, rejected, up against the wall, and hope is completely lost.

This story is for anyone who has had the courage to call upon the Lord…and discovered that God does hear, God does answer, God does act.

This story is for anyone who has been a part of a revolution. Who has faced the voices of naysayers and didn’t quit.

This is a story for anyone who believes in miracles,

who is willing to believe that with God,
impossible things are happening every day.

Amen and amen.