Ready to Serve?

Blaring Alarms

Over the previous couple of years many have been alerted to what we would call overt manifestations of God’s power.

While true many of us have seen small glimpses of His power there is something more to this in this season that brings many of us back to the altar searching for more of the Lord.

We ask

Lord I know you called me but what for?

Lord you said I would serve you and look am I even ready?

Do I even have a purpose in you?

Then there are those who have walked in power and have seen the work God is doing through them or around them yet today find themselves at ends with the very church body they were gifted to serve.

Look what they did to me!!!

They don’t listen to me!!!

I am all alone in this walk!!!

We are given a picture of both those who are trying to discern what they are called too or if they are even called and those who have been hurt in the process of the service.

While I intend on addressing both I will only spend a brief few minutes dealing with those who are recovering from the hurt and focus in larger part on those who are discerning as the latter gives way to greater healing for those who are hurt.

The believer must be ready to serve in the Kingdom of Heaven

Wounded Servant

1 Kings 19:3 ESV

Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

He was at the peak of His ministry

Put to flight by a woman who vowed to have his head by her gods

Desperation leads him to desire death…

Brought to Rest

1 Kings 19:5–8 ESV

And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

The first thing God brings is rest…

the battles have been hard

you’ve already accomplished so much… He is not done with you

The road ahead is just as long but take heart

The second thing is the Lord feeds him.

Eat and drink of Him who has called you that you would find yourself ready to engage once more

its not that taking a knee is an issue it is when you no longer want to stand.

It Is Not About the Big Signs Anymore…

While we expect to see the big signs and manifestations of the Spirit it is not always here where you will find Him

What we have seen served a purpose

Miraculous healings

Resurrection of the dead

Preservation of life

How much more do we need to see?

1 Kings 19:11–12 ESV

And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.

The big signs help to reinforce a faith as we are learning to trust the Lord

Sit still and wait on that still small voice

Turn it over to Him

1 Kings 19:10 ESV

He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

There in that small space give the hurt back to Him

It is ok to speak what is bothering you

wait for His response

Finally you should know that He will use all of what you have been through to make ready those who come after you.

The New and Healing Servant

Found Laboring

1 Kings 19:19 (ESV)

So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth…

You have a set of talents that can serve His Kingdom… these may also serve in the secular

do not confuse the talents they belong to the Lord

It may be that at the moment you are found laboring in the secular (great you know what that call is… now let’s find what that means for you in the Kingdom

Watch as you put your skill big or small to work in the Kingdom How the Lord takes it and yields a fruit

Do not say I do not know so I just wont try… do not be the one that says to His Lord… I did not know so I left it in the world

Ready to Respond to the Calling

1 Kings 19:19–20 (ESV)

…Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him.

And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?”

We cannot go all of our lives not knowing…prepared for when we are called or called again

He had already left and realized… wait let me make sure I do not leave a trail of hurt behind. (difference with the account in Luke where the man has no intention of returning)

The hurt will follow you wherever you go until you bring that to an end

Elijah’s response:Be gracious in receiving those who are stepping in and those who picking up once more

Count the Cost It is a Forever Decision You are Making

1 Kings 19:21 (ESV)

And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh…

Elisha was committed to serve for the rest of his life

No alternative for him but to serve the Lord

Do not hang on to the things of this world that hold you captive…

understand the season

yes even the things you are really good at…

He managed to break ground and tread with 24 oxen… consider his work in the Kingdom

He can never go back; Each level is going to cost you something… are you willing to let that go?

Understand your decision will impact those around you

1 Kings 19:21 (ESV)

…with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate…

In the surrender those around him and near him received the benefit of His trusting the Lord.

Your sacrifice matters…

The people God entrusts you with matter

Understand your season

1 Kings 19:21 (ESV)

Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.

Learning to lead others is no easy task.

Rise to the occasion

Some seasons you will follow and learn from others, then there are the seasons where like Elijah you will teach others.

be true to the calling the Lord has placed on you.

In the Gospel of John we see an account of a Peter who now has seen the Jesus and is has had an opportunity to see how his talent can be used in the spiritual world… Jesus asks Him Peter do you love me more than these… it is the same thing being asked of us… More than a title or position more than a feeling but a genuine heart to serve the Lord which will you choose?