Sermon Central
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The Gospel Of The Caves
Contributed by Steven Cook on Jan 5, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: An examination of four different caves in the Word of God provides us with a wonderful picture of the love of God for us all.
“Gospel of the Caves”
by
Dr. Steven G. Cook
I. Introduction
A. As a child, I enjoyed playing in the hills and especially in caves.
B. There are many things that you can discover in caves:
1. Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947
2. Ashes of the Red Heifer (early 70’s)
C. There are 4 Particular Caves in the Word of God in which great discoveries were found – Let us look at them this evening.
II. David’s Cave at Adullam (1 Sam. 22:1-2)
A. David’s Cave was a Cave for the Discontented!
B. Saul was in hot pursuit of David, and he desired to take his life.
C. What a picture of every person born of woman!
D. Satan, like Saul, desires to kill, steal, and to destroy!
E. It is his intent to prevent humanity from coming to Christ and going to heaven.
F. Like David, ALL come to Christ can find Refuge for their souls!
G. Are you down-hearted? Are you in despair? Distressed? Are you looking for someone or something that will give you a reason for living? Give you hope?
H. Before you will come to this cave, you must realize there is no where else you go! You must see yourself a debtor, unable to erase the debt of sin you owe!
I. Have you found yourself discontented? Is there nothing in this world that can satisfy your longings?
J. David’s cave was such a cave – A cave for the discontent!
K. Today, Jesus Christ desires to deliver you from such circumstances of life.
L. Matt. 11:28 – “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
M. Not only will Christ GIVE you rest, but He will also sustain you through life – Matt. 11:29
N. David entered in Fear, and came out Fearless!
III. Elijah’s Cave (1 Kings 19:9-18)
A. Elijah’s cave was a cave for the Disillusioned!
B. Notice, “When he saw that….” Elijah had lost sight of God!
C. He had become disillusioned among the circumstances of life!
D. Notice how the Lord encouraged him in that cave:
1. He asked Elijah, “What doest thou HERE?”
2. He fed Elijah, strengthening him.
3. He told him to “Go forth and stand upon the mountain before the Lord.”
4. The Lord then sent 3 spectacular sights for Elijah to see – wind, earthquake, and fire.
5. However, because Elijah stayed in the cave, he missed out on God!
6. Finally, when Elijah heard a “still small voice” he came outside and God further revealed Himself to him.
E. Is it possible that YOU have missed out on God’s best because YOU too have been isolated in a cave of disillusion?
F. Elijah thought that HE was the only one who still loved the Lord, but God revealed to him that there were 7,000 others who had not bowed their knee to Baal.
IV. Lazarus’s Cave (John 11:1-26; 33-45)
A. Lazarus’s cave was a Cave for the Disbelieving!
B. Every reason that the Lord Jesus gave for not coming to heal Lazarus involved helping others to believe.
C. So often times we think that bad things happen for the wrong reasons.
D. Sometimes the Lord allows people to get sick, go through trials, and such in order to get their attention!
E. This is the cave that God used to teach lessons to many that particular day.
V. Jesus’s Cave (John 19:38-42; 20:1-10)
A. The cave of Christ was a Cave for the Discouraged!
B. It was LOVE that caused Christ to first enter this cave, and it was this same love that caused His disciples to believe.
C. None of the disciples truly believed that He was the Christ until they saw Him with their own eyes.
D. Rom. 1:4 – “Jesus Christ was declared to be the Son of God with power…by the Resurrection from the Dead.”
E. We do not have to be discouraged as believers – Christ is raised from the dead!
F. The stone was rolled away in order to let the Good News out! He is Risen!
G. Why do we worry? Christ is Alive! He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith; He is able to succor them that are tempted; He is Alive and holds the keys of death and hell!
H. Are YOU discouraged as were Peter and John? Look inside the empty tomb of Jesus and YOU can praise the Lord!
I. Paul’s message of encouragement to young Timothy – 2 Tim. 2:1-8
J. Did you notice the thrust of his message? Remember that Jesus Christ…Was Raised from the Dead!
K. The same power that resurrected Christ lives in your heart and is able to empower you daily!
L. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:3 that God the Father had begotten him AGAIN to a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!
M. Yes, this is the HOPE that gives us hope in this life!
N. Invitation
