The Story of Elijah
Good morning, anchor. Jessica or those songs? I hope you will make the connections with the songs. We've had this morning with today's message. It was nice of her to kind of prepare your hearts as we present this message today. So thank you very much.
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As we? quiets down a little bit here and we prepare Today's message is highlights from the life of Elijah. This morning, we're going to cover some highlights from the life of Elijah that covers in the first part of 1st Kings. Excuse me, in the last part of 1st Kings. In the first part of 2nd Kings, the Bible says, Elijah was a man with a nature. Like ours has some James 5:17. He was a human as we are the long before he was in the public eye. Elijah was probably before God and prayer. He is known for confronting idolatry performing Miracles, spoke God's judgment and changed his world but he also knew fear discouragement and failure, but he'll fire in his belly for being God's Prophet. But before we go, or is go on, let's open in prayer. Let's bow our heads. Have you father? Thank you for giving us a place or we can still worship and here from your word about the prophet. Like, I like Elijah who is a great example for all of us on how to respond, to your calling, for your service, in Jesus name. Amen.
Our Story begins about 100 years after the rule of King, David and King Solomon. The kingdom has split apart with a king Kingdom of Judah, to the South and Kingdom of Israel. To North the rulers of Israel in the northern kingdom. Set up Idols for the false gods, for the people to worship, which was clearly against God's first commandment from Stated you shall have no other gods before me, which tells us to put God first.
The first six Kings of Israel did evil in the sight of God. And each one commits is more evil than all before them. Now Abraham she's me am the seventh king of Israel, did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel and all the kings of Israel or before him. The Bible indicates that Ahab, did. Whatever was in the best interest of Ahab? He was just a wicked, man. And then he married Jezebel who advanced Baal worship and Israel and who turned out to be more wicked than Ahab. Jezebel was the daughter of ethanol, the priest, the cruel, sensuous false King, Of the god bail. Heath Bell, the priest, king of Tyre.
Retire murder. His own brother to take over the throne. And Jezebel followed in his Father's Footsteps and her Father's Footsteps. And it was herself a power-hungry murderous, we stopped at nothing to get what she wanted. She became the real power behind the King's throne Ahab would do about everything. She asked of him. No Jezebel brought along with Baal worship, hundreds of prophets of Baal. So now the fertility called appeared to have the official sanction leaders of Israel. Ahab with his wife, encourage emergent built a temple to bail at his Capital Samaria. Jazzabelle plan was to kill or remove God's Prophet prophets and Israel and place them with the prophets of Baal. This was an old problem, that should have been taken care of hundreds of years. Before, Israel entered the land of Canaan. They had found a line of farmers not Shepherds as they have been in the wilderness. The Lana was FurReal beyond anything, the Hebrews had ever seen. The cainites built. This fertility was due to their God bail. Now, the Israelites felt they had a problem for The God Who took them from Egypt to the desert, also provided the fertile, ground for them. In this new land. Do they need to worship both their God and pale to be safe? Not only that God had commanded the Israelites to drive out all the people can so they could possess the land. They did not drive out all the Canaanites and some real Israelites started worshipping Baal. So what did they all promise to the people? Spell promised to prevent storms in control to see you as well as his ability to produce abundant Harvest. Made him attractive to the Israelites. Bells worshipers appears to him by offering stock price? Usually of animals, such as sheep and Bulls. But at times of Crisis males, father's sacrifice their children. Her worshippers engage in moral sex to cause the guys to join together. Ensuring good harvest In the last, I forgot what their Nations name meant. Biblically Israel means one who prevails with God, or a person who's willing to let God Prevail in their lives. These were the people of God Gathering into his family. All believers, knowing that he is the one and only God, there is is rights for God. God's promise recorded in Leviticus 26 verses 3 and 4. If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands. I will send you ring in the season and the group in the ground but yield his crops in the trees, bear fruit Israel. Still more guys name But the nation had forgotten the god of the Covenant and create Idols for this Prosperity. As result, God withdrew, his Blessing, the drought that was coming was but the first step to bring God's people back to him.
Now that we've covered a little historical background concerning this topic to see how Elijah comes into the story. I read from. 17:1. No, Elijah the tishbite. From just me and go ahead said to a Hab as the Lord, the god of Israel lives whom I serve there will be, neither do nor rain in the next few years except at my word.
What do we have going here? First, first, we have Elijah. Whose name means my God is the Lord. Who is God's messenger? Giving a unwelcome projection to the king Ahab in the nation of Israel? Bad times are coming for Israel to who is this Prophet that came out of nowhere and speaks for God I think is reasonable to say that. Elijah is God's man already. Willing to obey, God and go when God says go and stay When God says stay and say what God said, no matter who is said to Alice move on, remembering what James said about Elijah. Elijah was a man with a nature. Like ours mean, he was human like us,
Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah. Leave here during East and hide in the ravine. East of Jordan. You a drink from the rook and I have directed The Raven Supply you with food there. So he did not. So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Corinth Raven Ravines gives me the Jordan and stayed there. The Ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and in the evening. And he drank from the brook.
Elijah had just challenged Ahab for God's purposes, but God, knew Elijah was not yet ready to confront Ahab in the prophets of Baal. I've been threatened Ahab and his kingdom. God, you Elijah's life was in danger so he sent him into hiding. Also, for another reason. At times when God chooses to hire you for a time, he may be preparing you for a great purpose, but to accomplish his training, God, often places and seasons of solitude, in order to remove all distractions until allow us to focus on him. Or is there that we learn that God is Enough from Psalms 46:10 be still and know I am God.
He was learning to trust his God even more for all, his needs were taking care of one day at a time more because he met those needs to be spiritual, emotional, or spiritual emotional, or spiritual. His prayers have been answered. The drought had come over Israel. It was time for the next part of God's training accepting. The fact God's will is revealed to us one step at a time.
Sometime later the book Brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land, then the word of the Lord came to him. Go at once to the rapper and the region of sidon and their stay I'm directing, I will there to supply you with food, so he went to the wrong path when he had come to the Town Gate. The little was there Gathering sticks. He called to her and ask, will you bring me a little water, and a jar? So I may have a drink As she was going to get it, he also called and bring me please, a piece of bread. I surely is a lord, your God Lives. She replied, I don't have any bread. Only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil and a jog. I'm Gallery, a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son that we may eat it and die.
Elijah said to her, don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said, but first make a small loaf of bread for me what you have and bring it to me, then make something for yourself and your son. And why does answer was surely a test of her faith. He told her that she was to make some food for him. Anyway, using the last of her ingredients for him. He added a promise though. For this day of the Lord, thy God of Israel, the Chara flower should not be spent in the jug of oil. Should not be emptied until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the Earth. The whaler. Face. It was evidence in her obedience and God was faithful to his promise. She and he and her household, 84 me days, a jar flower was not spent near, did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord, that he spoke to Isaiah. The Willows food supply with Supernatural, extended as promised. Notice God's order of things, Faith, obedience, and promise.
Elijah stayed there for some time living in Upper Room of the Willows house. A woman suddenly or dying of an illness and her anger and grief. She blamed Elijah for her, his death She assumed I was judging her for her sin but why'd you cry out to God? Lord my God let This Boy's Life returned to him. And a child was restored to life when the woman saw this. She said, now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord, for your mouth is truth. Now this woman bleed in Elijah's God, that's a true God, but the broader message here, is that as a Israelites commit themselves to God, God will provide for them. After a long time in the third year, the word of the Lord can be. Jose, scuse me. Elijah go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land. So, Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. Now, the famine was severe and Samaria.
From chapter 18, the First Kings. Now they have went to me Elijah. When he saw a Elijah, he said to him, is that you you were trouble of Israel? I was they didn't get along. I have made no more trouble for Israel. Elijah replied but you and your father's family. Have you haven't been the Lord's commands and have all the Bales now. Summon the people from all over Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel and bring the 450 prophets of Baal before her province of Alachua, who can eat at Jezebel's table. so, Hey absent. Words, route. All Israel and assemble the prophets on Mount Carmel. Elijah went before the people and said, how long will you wait Weaver waivers use me between two opinions. I've got a excuse me. If the Lord is God, follow him. But the bail is God, follow him. But the people said nothing, they were halfway serving God and halfway serving Baal. There was no more room for compromise.
Now, why'd you challenged the prophets of Baal to whom can bring down, fire from heaven, the prophets of Baal built their altar with a wooden, put the sacrifice on it and call upon their gods all day long to bring down, fire from heaven, but to no avail, Tell Elijah built an altar of stone drug addiction and around it. Put the sacrifice on top of the wood and called for water to be poured. All over his sacrifice, three times. There's no doubt. That this would have to be a miracle if it's to happen. Elijah called upon God and God sent fire down from heaven, burning the stock price, the wood, the stone, and look up all the water in the ditch. God, Brew is more powerful than the false gods.
When all the people saw this, they fell on their face and cried the Lord. He is God, the Lord, he is God. Then Elijah commanded them. Sees the prophets of Baal. Don't let anyone get away, they seize them and why'd you have them brought down to the cash, wrong Valley and slaughter them that carry out, what Exodus 22:20 States, whoever sacrifices to any God, other than the Lord must be destroyed. Elijah has started removing Bales worship from Israel. Danny Elijah prayed seven times for rain, while Mount Carmel, in the rain, came and ended. The drought drought heaven sent by God to remind Israel, not to worship false gods, like, Val and return to their faith. In the gods of their fathers, who brought them into the Promised Land. Something we all should always remember cuz it's turning these miracles. Elijah perform, maybe food lasting in the famine. A boy, brought back to life. How far is Saint from heaven? Or ring ending and route? The power of prayer is in God, not in our human nature. Some men might have swelled with pride by Elijah and all the credit to the Lord. For a while. I just said go and tell. Ahab, hit you up your chair and go down before the rain stops. Meanwhile the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose heavily, rain, started falling, and Ahab roll-off to Jezebel. The power of the Lord came on, Elijah and tucking it float into his belt. He ran it has a happy all the way to jezrael of the God's power. Elijah outran. Ahab back to town. This was a great day. It seemed that nothing could stop him. Now from carrying out God's plan to end Bales Worship in Egypt and Israel just when everything was going great but possibly could go wrong. Remembering what James said. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. No Ahab told. Just about everything he had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel send message to Elijah saying neither God deal with me because every lie, so still really read it by this time. Tomorrow, I do not make your life. Like one of them Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.
What happened to Elijah fear, replace Elijah's faith, and he took his eyes off the Lord and directed that fear into a loss of hope that he was survived Jezebel's. Determination to have him killed. And I like his light to the brook quraysh, there was no indication in the scripture that he consulted God before hiding.
His fear became his worst nightmare here and more than 75 miles to and a Judah in the southern Kingdom. He was frustrated, emotionally shot and fatigue from all that. He had been through and such a short time. Finally exhausted or excuse me, find exhaustion overwhelmed him Elijah sat under a broom tree and asked God to take his life.
Aren't you? Glad that God sometimes answers our prayer request with a no?
God has our best interest at heart. Then the Lord responded by Heaven Angel to bring our profits food and drink before. And after he slept, After the rest and nourishment. And often great. Sometimes, that's all we need some time out. And Elijah took a 40-day journey out into the Wilderness to mount horrid where he held or held up in a cave. Still feeling sorry for himself.
He's pretty down and out that this time and we ever been there, too. You wonder where God is. But maybe we weren't listening. The Lord came to him and asked, why were you there?
Why'd you replied? I've been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty and we can't deny that. That is rice have rejected. Your Covenant, turn down your altars and put your profits to death with a sore. I'm the only one left now, they're trying to kill me too. He definitely had a pity party going.
Elijah self as the lone Defender God's name in Israel. The Lord said, go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord. For the Lord is about to bypass or pass by. There was a great win an earthquake and then fire but God was not in any of those. Then came is still Small Voice and which allies are her God and understood him. Thank God gave Elijah a new assignment. I know his real king or a ram, I'll point you. So the new king over Israel and the night. Elijah son to succeed you as a profit. They were two fish. Are you Elijah has started? That is destroying Bales worship and put to the store. Those that worship their pet. God reassure, Elijah that he was not alone. There were still 7000, and Israel will not bow to bail. Elijah continues training under Georgia, they don't was Ahab in his family. Tell Ann that his family would not survive the Next Generation.
Sometime later. Elijah knew he would be taken up to heaven by the Lord, and was also known by Elijah. And other prophets of God.
Now, sometime later. Elijah Elijah has stopped by at the Jordan. The Jordan River. Then Elijah took his clothes, rolled it up and struck the water with it, the water divided to the right, and to the left and two of them crossed over on dry land. Elijah was showing Elijah the power of the holy spirit that would come into his life when they had crossed over. Elijah said to Elijah, tell me, what can I do for you before? I am taken from you Elijah said, let me hear it. A double portion of your spirit, Elijah. Replied. You have asked analyzer remind, you have as a difficult question. Elijah said, yet, if you see me when I am taking from you, it would be yours otherwise, it will not This was an open invitation from Elijah. To ask for whatever you wanted.
Elijah. So how greatly the spirit of God work through you? Elijah and he wanted the same for himself. He was all. He might need to fulfill God's purpose and calling on his life. Also it double portion does not mean that he wants me twice as great as a lodge on this request. Did not come from his human ambition. Rather and the language of those times, he was asking for the elders son's inheritance, which is called the double portion. This was in his humble request. Elijah do his own weaknesses without a double portion of spirit. He could not carry out the mission of God's prophet. also, Elijah was indicated to Elijah only God Kizi. All say, Elijah in Dequindre. Elijah. Only God Can appoint those who are willing to pair up a fight office. Then there were walking along and talking together suddenly a chariot of fire horses. Horses of fire up here and separate the two of them. Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah saw this and cried out. My father, my father, the Chariots and Horsemen of Israel, and Elijah's saw him, no more. Then he took hold of his garments and Tori into.
We've been a sight to see. There's no doubt about that. The molar Transportation, God chose for Elijah. Game contains some important symbolism. First, the horses speak of power and speed. The Chariot. Speaks our protection and Triumph. Whole, being on fire speaks of God's glory. The second one, lord gave Elijah a great honor to his Prophet. Who was on fire for God, to be translated to heaven, and a great Whirlwind and a testament to Elijah's exceptional, faith and significant role in God's plan. Third heaven, taking Elijah to heaven in such a fiery story. Manor Golf. Sure Elijah. Elijah that he would succeed, Elijah in the prophetic office with twice as much, divine power and forth, finally, and also shows God's for Shiloh's example, of Christ's Ascension to heaven.
Elijah been picked up Elijah's cloak and Palm from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan, he took the cloak Then Fall of them Elijah and struck the water with it. Where now is the Lord, the god of Elijah. He asked when you struck the water is invited to the right and to the left and he crossed over. Now, we see that the same spirit that have led in a powered Elijah was now to empower Elijah with wisdom and strength.
So, what do we take home today? for us to think about, Number one. Remember what was reinforced by Elijah on Mount Carmel? The Lord. He is God, the Lord. He is God. We are to worship The One and Only God in the Bible. Be careful with those Idols that we create that all creep into all of our Lives. Number to remember, Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, I chose to be God's man. Number 3, Learn to be quiet and still my listing for God's quiet voice for direction in your life. He just may have something to tell you.
Today's benediction is from James chapter 5 verses 7 through 18. Elijah was a human being even as we are, he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and did not rain on the land for three and a half years again. He prayed in the reins gay, excuse me in the heavens. Gave rain in the earth. Produces crops remember Elijah was a human just like us. Elijah was a man prepared to be used by God. May we all have such preparation. Have a good week.