What Are You Doing Here Elijah? Questions God Has For Us.

Title: Confronting Our Fears

Intro: 1.teenager favourite Bible story Elijah and the prophets of Baal

Prop: In the midst of our challenges we need to listen to Gods voice.

A. Elijah’s history v1-5

What’s Your Story?

1. Greatest spiritual victory saw God at work beyond a doubt. Seeds of revival.

2. Elijah finest moment - cost to ministry - two prominent pastors took their own lives - country - Medical Assistance in Dying. For the believer this is not an option - sanctity of life - both before birth and leading up to death.

Psalm 139:16 NIV

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

3. Depression Bell lets talk one in five Canadians will suffer from mental health issues church needs to talk about it. You or someone you love will experience this.

4. Stigma in society and in the church – God gives us permission to talk about these issues. To share our stories with each other and to seek medical help and God’s help

5. Slides – It’s Ok not be OK – Be Honest With God - Take off your mask - fake it till you make it is unbiblical

B. Elijah’s journey v6-9

Where are you right now?

1. Mount Carmel in the North of Israel by the Mediterranean – flees to the South near Beersheba a days journey into the desert - Get out while the gettins good!

Mount Carmel to Jezreel - 30km - sprint

Jezreel to Beersheba - 160km

Beersheba to Horeb - 300km - 40 days

Wherever you find yourself come to God

Horeb - Moses - burning bush - water from the rock people of Israel - law was given to Moses -

2. Takes his complaint to God – Jezebel is as committed to Baal as Elijah is to God – afraid, discouraged, feels alone – weak, tired, question God’s power, presence, abilities

3. God allows Elijah to experience this journey

4. Prepares him with food twice for the journey – 40 days and nights v6 and v7

5. If you’re doubting – run to God instead of away from Him – Horeb/Mt Sinai - Moses calling to go to Egypt and giving of the covenant – run to His Word – speaks to His people – Psalms –

Psalm 139:7–10 NIV

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

6. Slides – Allow God to Refresh You – Allow God to Lead You - spend time with him - join together in a new series - bible app - pamphlet - book

C. Elijah’s complaint v10-18

What’s your complaint?

1. What are you doing here?

2. Complaint poured out to God

3. Still small voice of God – works in ways Elijah didn’t expect – looking in power came in silence and stillness – Ex 33:18-22 – Moses see God’s back

4. Are you expecting God to show up in one way and you end up seeing Him most clearly in another.

5. Gods reassurance and plan to move forward 2 Kings and a prophet- pagan king Syria – northern kingdom Israel– continue to minister and serve – you are not alone –

6. God has come to us unexpectedly in Jesus – Suffering Servant – God become man – died on a cross

7. Slide – He will hold you fast Ask God to meet you – Allow God to reassure you that Jesus understands.

Conclusion:

1. Will you look for God in the most unexpected place of all. Find Him at the cross

Will you come to Jesus? revealed at the cross. Come honestly Look for Him to refresh you Come and listen to His voice to lead you

Who is affected?

· Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague.

· 20% of Canadians will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime.

· Mental illness affects people of all ages, educational and income levels, and cultures.

· Approximately 8% of adults will experience major depression at some time in their lives.

· About 1% of Canadians will experience bipolar disorder (or “manic depression”).

God speaks in a quiet voice here to a prophet drained of strength

Regardless of the meaning of the natural wonders, however, it is God’s word alone that will heal the prophet in this moment of crisis.

Second question – reexamine himself – fails in his ego centrism

Implied in this response is Elijah’s doubts that the Lord can save him or turn the nation back to the covenant. Who has God become in the prophet’s life? Only a restatement and reassessment of his theology can extricate him from this pit of fear and depression.

must anoint Hazael king of Syria, which declares Yahweh’s lordship over that non-Israelite country. Similarly, he must anoint Jehu king of Israel, thus reestablishing the Lord’s rule over the Northern Kingdom. Finally, Elijah must anoint Elisha as Prophet to take his place. This command, coupled with the Lord’s comment that he has selected, or caused to remain, seven thousand persons who do not worship Baal, reminds Elijah that God’s word cannot be silenced-