A Way Through

Intro

Have you ever tried to get out of something?

give examples

There is something that drives us to that point.

Causes us to feel squirmy, uneasy,

That something is FEAR.

Touch on the examples

The great prophet Elijah was in the same boat that we sometimes get in

We are looking for a Way Out

A: Elijah

Elijah had many trials & persecutions during his life.

Drought

Proclamations against Israel over their turning away from God

In our text today, Queen Jezebel wants to separate his head from his shoulders

So Elijah ran away in the wilderness to find a way out of his predicament.

He asked God to take his life

He wanted out of his “job” as prophet

He wanted his misery to end!

How did he get to this point?

This is the great prophet:

who told King Ahab it wouldn’t rain for 3 years and it didn’t!

who took on 450 false prophets of Baal in a sacrifice contest and won!

who raised a kid from the dead!

who gave an endless supply of flour & oil for food!

This powerful prophet of God is the same guy who now hides in a cave wishing and praying for a way out!

He is scared to death

Fear has gripped him and taken over!

Read v. 4, 10, 14

1 Kings 19:4 NIV

while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

1 Kings 19:10 NIV

He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

1 Kings 19:14 NIV

He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

B: Us

We face trials and sufferings in this life...

give examples

We want a way out!

Fear grips us, like Elijah, and causes us to want out

Transition: But God is not a quitter… He never gives up!… God does not call us to quit or give up either… he didn’t call Elijah to quit, or give up.

A Way Through

God will never give “ways out”

not to Elijah & not to us.

He doesn’t take Elijah’s life

He doesn’t say, ok that’s fine I will let you quit — remember God is not a quitter

God gives/provides a way through.

Read vv. 11b-12

1 Kings 19:11–12 NIV

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

Shows power and mightiness of God

But God comes to Elijah in that moment in… a… soft… gentle… caring… wisper

And provides a way through

Read vv. 15-17

1 Kings 19:15–17 NIV

The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.

For Elijah, God provides a way through (a salvation from) impending death, by revealing his plan to him

(through Hazael, Jehu, & Elisha)

Transition: God doesn’t give up on us or tell us to quit either… but he comes in a small, gentle, caring wisper providing a way through this life

The Way

God provides the “way” through His Son.

unpack (work of Christ, words of Christ).

God provides the “way” through the Holy Spirit.

unpack (counselor, provider, guide, advocate, and power)

Transition: We have been given a way through this life through Jesus who will take us through until the “way out” comes (heaven/eternity).

Conclusion

So, it matters whether we have faith in God’s control, what he plans to do, & how His people should face each situation in this life.

Why?

Because Jesus has yet to return the last time drawing us all up to him.

As we wait for this glorious day, this life will be filled with disobedience, unfaithfulness, even among those who say they are Christian.

But that doesn’t mean we give up when the world seems to be crashing down all over

Just as God appointed Hazael, Jehu, & Elisha to take care of things, he has appointed Jesus Christ as Lord to deal with ALL Things!

God has everything in control.

His plan is unfolding in a way that may seem excruciatingly slow, But we trust in God!

Believing in His promises, especially in the face of trials & struggles, and we live by what we have been called/commissioned by Jesus to do.

To go through life in Christ, loving all people with Christ’s love, proclaiming the truth that sets all people free, living with the assurance of salvation in Jesus, and living THROUGH this life in the presence of God.

God has provided you a way through this life until eternity, not a way out.

He loves you that deeply.

Amen.