How to Stay Out of Trouble

Introduction

Tonight we continue our series on Elijah and Elisha. We began this series:

How God Sustains His People (1Ki. 17:1-6)

We saw the manner in which God mightily supplied the needs of Elijah in the midst of a drought in the land.

How God Uses His People (1Ki. 17:8-24)

We examined how God used the widow woman to supply Elijah’s need, as well as how Elijah supplied her need. Reminding us of Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

How the Fire Falls (1Ki. 18)

During a Feeble time w/ Depraved leadership & Divided people

God provided a Faithful man, who challenged his people; chastised false worship; Corrected the Basis of Worship; who had Confidence in God & Called upon the same

A Falling Fire

Came Powerfully; Sufficiently; Convincingly & Effectively.

How to Get Back in the Saddle

I. The Immorality of the Enemy (v1-4)

Unmistakable; Unconverted; Unsettling

II. The Indulgence of the LORD (v5-8)

Elijah Retreated; God allowed him Rest (v5-6b); God provided Refreshment for the Moment (v5b-6a); God gave Resources for the Journey (v7)

III. The Insight of the LORD (v9-12)

A Prophet Disheartened; God’s Power was Demonstrated; God’s Presence was Discovered

IV. The Instruction of the LORD (v13-18)

Get Back Where you Belong (v15a); Bless the Next Generation (v15b-16)

Be Encouraged

I Have a Plan (v17)

You are Not Alone (v18)

How to Have Peace Under Fire

I. The Reason for the Fire

For Following the Spirit’s Lead (v3); For Declaring the Word of the LORD (v4); For Having a Familiar a Description (v7-8)

II. The Right Way to Handle It

Be Situated Properly (v9b); Stand Fast in your Heritage (v10a); Stay Firm in Your Position (v9-12); Be Perceptive to the Spirit (v13-15)

III. The Rest of the Story

God Protected (v15); God’s Word was Proclaimed (v16); God’s Will was Performed (v17)

How to be Faithful in Times of Trouble

I. A Troubled Time

The Burden of Loss

The Opportunities it Presented;

Reviving of the Brethren; Remembering of the Past; The Resolve to Continue the Work

II. A Testimony of Faithfulness

Through the Pressures of the Known; Through the Pressures of the Unknown; Through the Voices of Discouragement

III. A Transformative Result

Because He was Faithful…

His Prayer was Answered; He Performed Miracles; He Proved His Calling

How to Set the Tone

I. The Waters were Cured

A Pitiful Land (v19); A Pristine Vessel and a Powerful Agent (v20); A Pronouncement Made (v21); A Purification Provided (v22)

II. The Mockers were Cursed

A Fallen City (v23a); A Faithless Generation (v23b); A Fury Unleashed (v24a); A Future Altered (v24b)

How to Solve a Problem

I. The Problem (v1a)

A Lack of Plan / Preparation; A Passing; A Pledge Unfulfilled

II. The Petition (v1b)

He had the Right Standing; She had the Right Source

III. The Plan (v2-6)

Was Faith Based; Faith in Procuring; Faith in Pouring

IV. The Providence (v7)

A Debt Settled; A Future Supplied

How to Bear Children

I. Our Conduct Unto Men

Her Description (v8a); Her Disposition (v8b); Her Duration (v8c)

II. Our Countenance Toward God

Her Discernment (v9); Her Devotion (v10); Her Deference (v13)

III. Children will be Born

Her Child was Born (v13)

How to Make the Dead Live

I. A Mediating Force

Her Care for him (v20); Her Commitment of him to God (v21); It was Crucial to Her (v22); Her Confidence (v23); Her Clarity (v24); Her Conviction (v27); Her Continuance (v30)

II. A Miracle-Working God

An Intervention (v30b); An Intimate Encounter (v32-34); An Indwelling & Expelling (v35)

How to Recover From a Mistake

I. There was a Responsibility Given

A Naked Land; A Noble Mission; A Needy People

II. There was Rot in the Pot

Was Placed by Accident; Was Polluting the People; It Brought more Peril than Plenitude

III. There was a Remedy Administered

It was by Intervention of Man; It was by Intercession of God; It Caused a Transformation & Continuation

How to See a Cleansing

I. The Start

Acknowledgement of the Good; Recognition of the Disease

II. The Spark

A Humble Voice; A Helpful Testimony

III. The Surety

A Chain of Faith (v3-5); An Investment by Faith (v5-6)

IV. The Simplicity

A False Impression; An Act of Faith

V. The Supplication

An Invested Servant; A Timely Intercession

VI. The Salvation

Submission to God’s Plan; Salvation Provided

How to Mess Up a Ministry

I. Recompense Refused

Healing brought Thanksgiving; Thanksgiving Inspired Restitution; Refusal (and Redirection)

II. Rottenness Revealed

Gehazi’s Perception (v20a); Gehazi's Passion (v20b-21); Gehazi’s Propaganda (v22-23); Gehazi's Posturing (v24-25)

III. Ruination the Result

His Deception is Revealed (v26a); A Dilemma is Posed (v26b); His Downfall was Apparent (v27)His Destruction was Not in Isolation (v27)

How to Get Back to Work

I. Labouring for Purpose

A Worthwhile Cause; A Constraint for Growth; A Common Effort ; A Careful Approach (v3)

II. A Lost Edge

A Beam to Fell; A Borrowed Tool; A Broken Axe; A Beleaguered Labourer

III. A Lesson of Hope

Begins with a Profession; Then with a Plea; Next by Pursuit; Lastly by Picking It Up

Today we’re going to address the topic ‘How to Stay out of Trouble’. The King of Israel had trouble coming his way, but by the Grace of God he was able to stay out of trouble.

If you as a Christian desire to live a holy and righteous life before God and stay out of trouble, this message can help you.

If you are going to stay out of trouble, the first thing you need is to understand that there is an enemy.

I. Understand there’s an Enemy

The children of Israel had an enemy in that day. Then it was the king of Syria.

You and I have an enemy today. He is called by many names: Satan, Lucifer, Dragon, the old Serpent, the Accuser.

Satan is as real as Jesus.

If we do not understand that we have a very real enemy, we will in no wise look out for him nor avoid his traps.

He has Devices

2 Corinthians 2:11 “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

What I mean is Satan will use things in this world to turn your heart, mind, and life away from God and the things of God. Now, there are a few things to consider, and that is:

Just because something is not inherently evil does not mean that it cannot be used by Satan for evil purposes.

In fact, there are some very good things that were put in the wrong place. Satan can use them for evil.

Secondly, Satan can use the same devices that God can.

Satan can use your hobbies.

It's very easy to let good things—things that you take enjoyment in—to get out of hand and have the wrong priority in your life.

Satan, can you use sports

This is a big one for me. (Ill.) I grew up my whole life playing sports: football, baseball, wrestling, basketball. As I got older, I played ice hockey and roller hockey. I used to love sports. But as I've grown in my Christianity, and I look more and more through a God lens at the world, I see that this is one of the greatest offenders.

Parents are too busy to come to the house of God on Wednesdays and often times Sundays, but will move heaven and earth to make sure their child does not miss a practice or a game.

They will gripe and complain about giving to the work of the Lord, but they'll put hundreds and thousands of dollars into gear and special programs for their child to play a sport, to which when they leave high school, they'll never play it again.

Satan can use music.

Many people think that Satan's music is that old rock bands with long hair and pentagrams and everything else. (Ill.) But Church, let me ask you what's more dangerous? A wolf or a wolf in sheep's clothing? At least with the wolf, you know immediately that there's danger there. It's the one that's disguised that can tear you down before you know it.

That's why I'm adamantly against contemporary Christian music. This is the way I view it: it is worldly, compromised, and dangerous because it makes the world acceptable to the eyes of Christians.

Satan can use the internet.

Filth and ungodliness are just a click away, and it is readily and easily accessible into our children.

Satan can use your family

In a variety of ways, one of which I want to speak to tonight: (Ill.) I was speaking to a man recently about life, death, and salvation. I made the comment that I believe some of the harder people to win to the Lord are those who have lost a loved one who didn't know the Lord. They subconsciously have a survivor's guilt in that if they accept the gospel as truth, they must also accept that the one in which they loved is not in heaven.

These are but a few of Satan's devices, but I believe if we keep our head on a swivel and watch out in these areas, It will serve us well in the future.

Satan has and uses devices.

He will Discourage

One great determining factor as to how you will live your life and what you will accomplish is your attitude.

More than your education, family connections, friends, etc. Your attitude is more vital.

And let me just say, many Christians have a poor attitude.

Satan desires to discourage us. A discouraged Christian is an easily defeated Christian.

They will not witness.

They will not spend time in reading the word or prayer.

Their negative attitude projects poorly on Christ unto those around them.

I'm not saying that you have to go around being happy all the time, but you shouldn't go around being ill all the time either!

Satan will discourage you.

He will Disrupt

Satan will bring things into your life to bring you to a standstill.

There's been times in my life where I've been going along and things have been well, but then Satan will bring something to me that will hinder my progress.

And make no mistake, we should always be progressing as Christians, for there's none of us that have reached our plateau.

He will disrupt you. We must guard our walk with him lest it become a stop.

He will Detour

Satan will not only try to bring you to a halt, but if he can get you going the wrong way, even better.

Galatians 5:7 “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?”

(Ill.) In Paul's letter to the church of Galatia, he points out that they were on the right track. But Satan came in and got that whole church off track. They were preaching grace, but transformed to a church preaching works. That's not simply a hindrance. That was a detour.

(Ill.) There's a church up the road that used to be a King James Baptist church, but Satan came in and detoured them. It began with other Bible versions being used. It progressed from there to where today they are full-blown contemporary "Come as you are, leave as you were" women preaching, ungodly mess.

Satan will detour.

He will Destroy

At last, I want to give you the warning. 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

I had just mentioned this in Sunday school this morning. John 15:1–2 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

(Ill.) There have been more than one occasion where Christians have gone so far from the ways of the Lord, and turned not at his reproof, that God ultimately took them out of this world.

Satan can destroy you. He can destroy your life. He can destroy your children. He can destroy your marriages. He can destroy your testimony. And ultimately, when God has had enough, he can destroy your life.

Satan will destroy.

Understand There Is An Enemy

II. Understand there is an Enlightened One

He’s Omniscient

Omniscient (def) ‘All-knowing’.

As we look at our text here, we see that the king of Syria sought out to destroy the king of Israel, but every time he would go to where the king of Israel was, he would find him not. The reason being is the man of God told him when he was coming.

The only way the man of God knew where to send him was because God knew already.

Church, if you know what's coming, then you know how to act and what to do.

(Ill.) 2015 Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl. The Seahawks are down by 4 points. It's 4th and 1 inside the 5. And you have Marshawn Lynch as your running back. Malcolm Butler was a rookie cornerback for the Patriots. While the quarterback (Russel Wilson) didn't know what was going to happen on this play, Malcolm knew immediately. Therefore, he jumped the route and intercepted the ball to end and win the game.

God being outside of time knows what's going to happen. And that's why he was able to direct the children of Israel out of danger. And that is why he is able to direct you and I as well.

God is omniscient. He is all-knowing.

He’s Omnipresent

Omnipresent (def) Everywhere, all at once

God not only is omniscient, but he is omnipresent.

What this means is, if you are a Christian, you'll never be alone, for He is always with you.

Acts 17:24–28 “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”

God is always with us, which makes this last point all the more important: God is Omnipotent

He’s Omnipotent

Omnipotent (def) ‘All-powerful’

There is nothing more mighty than my God!

While Satan may be far more powerful than me, he is nothing compared to my God!

Now think of this: God is all-knowing, everywhere, and all-powerful. This is the God in whom we serve!

God is Omnipotent

Understand There Is An Enemy; Understand There Is An Enlightened One

III. Look for the Escape He Provides

The king of Syria wanted so desperately to wage war against the king of Israel, but he couldn't get him.

Why exactly could not the king of Syria destroy the king of Israel?

There’s a misunderstood verse in the Bible: 1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Some have read this to mean that you do not endure any trials that you cannot bear, but it has nothing to do with trials but temptations. And with any temptations we face, there's always a way to escape. Just like with the Syrians, the King of Israel was always provided a way to escape.

Church, if you want to stay out of trouble, you need first to hear God's direction.

Hear God’s Direction

2 Kings 6:9 “And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.”

The king of Israel had to first listen to what God had to say about the matter

Church, if you want to stay out of trouble, you need to learn as much as you can about what God has to say about the matter. And you'll only find that through the Word of God!

The Word of God is our Perfect guide book to life!

We've got to get more familiar with what it says. And the only way to do that is personal study.

(Ill.) I personally don't understand Christians that do not want to learn more about the Bible. They're satisfied with what they're given a time or two a week.

I over the years have had a lot of hobbies and things that I've been interested in.

I mentioned sports earlier. I know a great deal about football.

Since I was about 13 years old, I began working on, building computers.

I do some art. I can tell you some things about oil painting.

I know about carpentry and have built furniture and such.

Do you know why I can do these things? Because I'm interested in them. And because I'm interested in them, I've spent time studying them.

You know what I can't tell you about? Cars. I can't tell you much about cars and engines because they just don't interest me. So I don't spend my time learning about them.

Do you know why Christians don't study the Word of God? Because it doesn't interest them. And that's a shame.

You will never, ever reach your potential as a Christian if you do not spend quality time in the Word of God. Your pastor could be me or the best pastor, and you will still not reach your potential unless you take time and read the Word of God yourself.

If you want to stay out of trouble, you must hear God’s direction

Heed with Discipline

It's one thing to hear what God says, it's another thing to do. In order to do it, you must be disciplined. No one is going to do it for you, nor can they.

The Christian life is waged first in the mind, and only you have control over that.

Finally let’s read: John 13:15–17 “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

Paul said: Philippians 4:9 “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

We must not just hear, but heed.

One of the fruits of the Spirit is temperance - self-control. Let God help you that you might stay out of trouble

Conclusion