After Revival

Introduction

This past week we held Revival Services - and for some of us, experienced a Revival.

Rather than continue on in the series we’ve been in for the last month or so, I felt led to give you this message here today. But first, I want to revisit some of what we experienced here this week.

SS - ‘Benefits for Righteous Living’

MWS - Regaining Perspective & ‘Glorying in the LORD’ - Not in Knowledge, Might or Money

EWS - ‘Being Filled with the Spirit’ - and the Fruit thereof - How we can’t be filled with the Spirit if we’re filled with Self

Monday - ‘Focusing on the Root, not the Fruit’ - putting our eyes on Jesus, then the fruit will come

Tuesday - ‘Out of Order’ - having order in your life & home

But it’s Wednesday’s service that I want to spend a few moments on today - as what we’re going to preach today is as Paul Harvey would say ‘The Rest of the Story’.

Wednesday, bro. Caldwell preached out of 1Kings 18:17-40. The title of the message was ‘Where’s the Fire on Your Altar?’ The message spoke of Revival fires on your heart.

(Background) If you’re not familiar with the story, it tells of an interaction between Ahab (the King of Israel) and Elijah. (Summarize the story)

He pointed out that:

Before you can have revival fires fall, there must be some preparation take place first.

You must cleanse the altar from defilement

You must repair what has been broken

You must then lay yourself on the altar

And once you properly prepare the altar, not twelve barrels of water can quench it!

After the fire fell - after revival came - Elijah took & slew all the prophets of Baal. Elijah and the COI experienced a great victory that day!

Today we’re going to look at what came next, because that’s not the end of the story. Today we’re going to examine this message ‘After Revival’, and answer the question ‘What now?’.

I. … Satan is Still Working

(v1-2)

To Destroy

We see that Jezabel is mad. When she hears what Elijah has done, she is swearing by her gods ON HER LIFE that she’s going to kill Elijah.

Church, make no mistake - if you’re experiencing Revival, if you’re experiencing victory in your life - Satan will actively try to destroy you.

Btw, do you know why Satan doesn’t bother many Christians? Because they’re not bothering him!

But you take a man like Elijah - he destroyed 450 false prophets. He destroyed 450 of those who were leading souls astray. He was ADVANCING the WORD and WORK of the LORD! Satan (through Jezabel) was out to get Elijah.

He’ll Kill you if he can.

But we know through the Word of the LORD that he can only go as far against you as God allows (Job 1-2)

He’s Destroy your Testimony

If he can’t Destroy YOU, then he’ll look to destroy your TESTIMONY.

Going back to the book of Job: Job 1:9–12 “Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.”

God allowed Satan on two occasions to test Job. Then Satan used Job’s wife to try and ruin his testimony: Job 2:9 “Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.”

Thankfully, Job - even under such duress retained his integrity

He’ll try to destroy you

To Disrupt

Looking back at Elijah - what did Elijah do when he heard the threatenings of Jezabel? 1 Kings 19:3 “And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.”

Elijah *literally* fled the country! Elijah was from Gilead which is on the east side of Jordan. Elijah was a prophet unto Israel - the Northern Kingdom. Yet when he heard Jezabel’s threats, he went south to the Kingdom of Judah!

Now let me ask you this: How could Elijah fulfill his duties to his home country if he’s not there?

If Satan can’t Destroy you - whether it be your life or testimony, he’ll surely want to disrupt you from serving the LORD.

(Ill.) I have experienced this. Years ago, I went through a period in my life where I just stopped. I was teaching Sunday School, I was preaching periodically, I was leading the singing & choir, I was driving the church van. I was busy - but Satan came along and disrupted me. And if you were to look at the root of my disruption, you would find (our third point) that I was discouraged.

(Disrupt)

To Discourage

This right here is where Elijah was at. Here he was right of the heels of this great victory and he’s met with the reality that:

Satan is still working

He still has great battles in front of him

This world is not his home

So what we have here in Chapter 19 is a man in a great depression. He is not basking in the glow of the victory, but suffering as if he was defeated.

Church, one of the main reasons that I felt led to preach this message is that I believe that some of you experience some revival fires this week - I know that I have. But I feel that once the revival services have come and gone, some may have been brought back down to the same facts that Elijah faced:

Satan is still working

You still have great battles in front of you

So with that being said, I want to take the remainder of this message to speak on how God dealt with Elijah after Revival - because I believe that it can help encourage you if Satan has tried to destroy or discourage you like he has me & Elijah.

(Discourage)

We see that after Revival, Satan is Still Working - but more importantly, God Still Supplies!

II. … God Still Supplies

One thing that I hope that you see here, is that throughout Elijah’s discouragement and trial, God supplied!

We have church a God that Supplies!

Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

A Tree to Rest In (v4)

The first place that we see Elijah retreat to is underneath a Juniper tree.

Now the interesting thing about the Juniper tree is that in all of Scripture, this is the only place where we find a Juniper Tree. Do you know why it’s there? Because God put it there.

God knew that Elijah needed rest - so God provided a time and place for that.

Make no mistake, there’s a time and place to rest.

Genesis 2:2 “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.” Do you think that God was just wore out & needed to rest? No! He did so for an example unto us!

Jesus commanded it of His disciples: Mark 6:30–31 “And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”

When you’re going through a trial, there is a time when you need rest. God will provide that for you.

But church, there surely is a time to rest. God made us that way. He gave us an ensample.

God proved a Tree to Rest

Manna to Go In (v7)

So as Elijah is sleeping, God sends an angel unto him to tell him it’s time to wake up. He says ‘Arise & eat’. Elijah saw the food prepared, he ate, then he laid back down again. NOW LET ME BE CLEAR - while there’s a time to rest, there’s more time dedicated to labor! Many Christians are living their lives like they are on permanent Spiritual vacation! Many of these type Christians need to read: Proverbs 6:9 “How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?” and apply it to their Spiritual lives!

The angel gave him a little more time, then he implored him saying again 1 Kings 19:7 “And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.”

You see - God knew that Elijah couldn’t go just on what he had… he needed more. He needed only what God could give him.

Church that’s the thing: We can’t go in our own strength - when Satan is seeking our destruction and we’re discouraged - we need God’s Providence! But guess what? God will give it! He’ll give you what you need!

It goes on to say that 1 Kings 19:8 “And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.”

40 days & nights! I don’t know how much that was, but it was enough! Whenever and whatever God gives to sustain you, it will be enough!

He’ll give you Manna to Go In

A Mount to Meet In (v8)

v8b-9a

God directed him to Mt. Horeb. This is Mount Sinai - the place where God called Moses up to & met with him in Ex. 19! The same place where He showed Moses his hinder parts!

What this shows me is that when we’re down & discouraged, God will lead us to a place where:

He’ll meet with us

He’ll give us direction

He’ll show Himself to us

(Ill.) Let me ask you this: When someone you love is going through a valley - then they’re down & discouraged, what is your first instinct? You go to hug them up. You are there for them. You want to comfort them & help them - that’s what we do. BUT HOW MUCH GREATER IS GOD WHEN HIS CHILDREN ARE HURTING?

God Still Supplies a Mount to Meet with Him in

A Cleft to Hide In (v9;13)

So Elijah gets to the mount, and what does he find - a cave therein.

Not only does God give him a mount to meet in, but a cave to Hide in.

When God calls him forth, where is he at? He’s in the cave.

The Bible says that the LORD passed by, but so does a great wind. Then after that, a great earthquake. Then after that a great fire. All these great calamities are taking place, but yet God has provided him shelter in the cleft of the rock!

Psalm 57:1 “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: For my soul trusteth in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, Until these calamities be overpast.”

Elijah experienced this! And so can you and I!

Church, we have a friend that sticketh closer than a brother! God understands our troubles & trials!

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

God provides a Cleft to Hide In

A Host to Embolden (v18)

Lastly, I want you to see something else. Twice Elijah in his depression stated: 1 Kings 19:14 “And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

In other words, he’s saying - “They’ve all gone away from you & forsaken you - and I am the only one left!”

Elijah felt like he was the only one still in the fight - and that everyone else was either dead or an enemy.

But God set him straight. He told him ‘Elijah, you’re not the only one! There are others who are mine who are still left that haven’t bowed down to the enemy!

(Ill.) I don’t know how many of you have felt like this, but I have - at various times, sometimes moreso than others. When Covid began, I felt like I was on an island compared with other churches. It seemed as though everyone else was shutting their doors and I felt as though I was on my own. Then other times to a lesser degree. What I mean by that is, there are times when I come to the house of God - and few others are there with me. This my friends is discouraging.

This is why it’s so important to be at the house of God! Not so that we’re looking to get fed and encouraged ourselves, but so that we can be an encouragement to others!

(Ill.) I don’t know how many picked up on this, but I was so encouraged this week through bro. Jason’s preaching. I can’t think of a thing that he preached that I haven’t or wouldn’t. (This may come as a shock to you, but I’d never heard him preach prior to Sunday).

Church, we have enemies on every side - but we’re not alone! In fact, with God we’re in the majority!

God gives us a Host to Embolden us

After Revival, Satan is still Working, but God is Still Supplying. Next we see that God Still Speaks

III. … God Still Speaks

With a Question

Two times we see God asking a question unto Elijah - ‘What doest thou here, Elijah?’. That’s the sweet old english version of saying ‘What are you doing here?’

As mentioned - Elijah’s mission field was Israel, but he’s miles & miles away here at Horeb. So God is asking him ‘What are you doing here?’.

You see, God knew what Elijah was doing - but he was using the question to try to get Elijah to see what he was doing.

Church, consider for a moment where you are in your walk with the LORD.

Are you reading your Bible like you should?

Are you spending time in prayer like you should?

Are you telling others about Jesus like you should?

Are you prioritizing God’s House, God’s Will & God’s Wants in your life like you should?

You see, these questions will help you evaluate whether you’re at the brook Kishon slaying the enemy, or you’re in the wrong land throwing yourself a pity party. And if you’re not at the brook or on the Altar - let me ask you as God asked Elijah - ‘What are you doing there?’ Why are you where you’re NOT supposed to be?

God spoke w/ a Question

With Direction (v15-16)

After God gave Elijah some clarity, He then began to give him direction.

God told Elijah two things: Where to go & what to do.

God gave him direction.

(Ill.) Church let me ask you - have you ever desired God’s direction in your life, and it seems that He didn’t give it? This happened only once for me. Do you know what the problem was? It wasn’t that God refused to give me direction - it was that I was waiting for the direction of MY choosing that God wouldn’t give. His direction was stay put, yet my heart was set on my sight & my will!

God will give direction, if we’re truly seeking direction! The Bible is full of instances where God gave people direction and some listened, others didn’t - and the ramifications of the decisions they made!

God Spoke w/ Direction

After Revival, Satan is still Working, but God is Still Supplying and God is Still Speaking. Lastly - After Revival, and when we hit a rut - We Must Not Surrender

IV. … We Must Not Surrender

For there’s Still a Work to Do

Take a look at 1 Kings 19:4 “But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” Elijah was ready to give up!

Elijah might have been done with life, but God wasn’t done with Elijah!

There was still stuff that God wanted Elijah to accomplish!

Church let me ask you - you ever feel like giving up? (Ill.) I have! I get aggravated & discouraged and I throw my hands up and say ‘That’s it, I’ve had enough!’ and I say (not take my life) but I say ‘Take me out of ministry! I’ve had it!’ Do you know what God does? The same thing that He did for Elijah - provides a Juniper tree!

Church, no matter where you’re at - not matter what you’ve accomplished for Christ - if you have air in your lungs, God still has a work for you to do! He’s not done with you!

We must not Surrender, for there’s still a work to do

For the Sake of the Next Generation (v15-16)

God gave Elijah direction to go and anoint three people - two kings & one prophet. All three were nobody’s in the eyes of the world, but they were somebody in the eyes of God and God had a purpose for them!

They were not in their respective offices yet - they were the next generation that was getting ready to come to power.

Church look around - there’s a generation that is coming after us that needs the anointing of God on their lives! Do you know where they’re going to get it? Not at school, not from their friends - they must get it from our generation!

I know the going gets rough - but we must NOT QUIT for the sake of the Next Generation!

For the Saviour is Worth It

Church, I’m glad that when Jesus was in the garden, He didn’t forsake the cup that His Father had for Him, but He drank it.

I’m glad that when they took Him and began to buffet Him - He didn’t quit

I’m thankful that as He hung between two thieves He didn’t say like Elijah ‘It is enough’.

I’m thankful that He didn’t quit to His Work was Finished!

Jesus went all the way to the Cross for you - we mustn’t quit on Him now! He’s worth it!

Conclusion

Church after Revival Satan is Still Working - But God is Still Supplying & Speaking unto His Own. We must not Surrender. We must not Quit! We must continue on - and God will provide what we need to accomplish what He’s sent us to do!

With that, let me ask you - ‘What are you doing?’