Sermon Central
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Elijah: Journeying Faithfully Through The Dark Times Series
Contributed by Mike Quinn on Jan 18, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: The story of Elijah fleeing from Jezebel. He feels like God has abandoned him, but then God speaks to him. We may feel the same. What can I do when I go through dark times?
Legacy
“Elijah: Journeying faithfully through the dark times”
Part seven
1 Kings 21:25-26 Ahab, pushed by his wife Jezebel and in open defiance of GOD, set an all-time record in making big business of evil. 26 He indulged in outrageous obscenities in the world of idols, copying the Amorites whom GOD had earlier kicked out of Israelite territory. (MSG)
1. What is life like when I am in the “dark times?”
a. I can lose perspective?
19:1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them."
3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."
i. Who is responsible for the fruit of my life?
ii.
What is life like when I am in the “dark times?”
b. I tend to isolate myself from others.
3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there…
What is life like when I am in the “dark times?”
c. It can often follow on the heels of a great success.
38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.
39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD-he is God! The LORD-he is God!"
40 Then Elijah commanded them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!" They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there. NIV
i. Joey Buran – 1984 – life long goal to win pipeline masters; starts to rain; everyone leaves; he’s there with his trophy; he realizes that’s it! Now what? Sends him into a spiral…drugs…brings him to a Relationship with Christ
ii. Married…now what?
iii. Promotion…now what?
iv. House…now what?
What is life like when I am in the “dark times?”
d. I may be physically exhausted or emotionally spent.
5 Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." 6 He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
“You will break the bow if you keep it always bent.” – Greek Proverb
“The dog has four feet, but he does not walk in four roads at the same time.”
How can God help me through the dark times?
God’s path through the dark times…
1. God wants to embrace me and take care of me in the dark times.
5 Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." 6 He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
7 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you."
a. God does not shame me when I am depressed.
b. God’s grace can handle who I really am right now.
c. Will I admit I am in the desert?
2. God wants to give me perspective in the dark times.
8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.
And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
10 He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
