Responding to the Unexpected

Welcome: Is it alright to say this seems a little odd? Where’s his coat and tie

Take a picture—encouraging to see your faces

Here we are so much is changing.—how do we respond?

Last week—when I am afraid; Today—how do we respond to the unexpected, the disappointing?

Last Sunday, learned from David. Today, let’s learn from Elijah. Find his story in1 Kings 17—ministry accompanied by the supernatural: Ushers in drought, sustained miraculously by God, raises a widow’s son from the dead.

My favorite story--Face-off at Mt Carmel—1 Kings 18.

1 Kings 18:36–37 — “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”

The fire falls

The prophets of Baal and Asherah are defeated

Elijah prays and the drought ends

It doesn’t get any better than—Elijah at his best.

YOUR LIFE

UNEXPECTEDLY, THEN COMES CHAPTER 19.

Instead of ushering the nation into a spiritual revival, Elijah receives a death threat from the queen.

1 Kings 19:3 — 3 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.

ELIJAH RUNS AWAY—if chapter 18 is Elijah at his best, chapter 19 reveals Elijah at his worse. And it does get worse.

1 Kings 19:4 — But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

Thankfully, God doesn’t answer all our prayers. Ironically, Elijah never physical dies (2 Kings 2).

God sends an angel to refresh Elijah and then God accompanies Elijah on a spiritual journey to Mt. Horeb (Mt. Sinai). When he reaches the mountain, Elijah enters a cave to take lodging.

1 Kings 19:9–13 — 9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 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.” Do you hear his disappointment, sadness?

11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” Stop the pity party, Elijah. Lift up your eyes. 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.

12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.

Stop there—I’m sure in Elijah’s disappointment, he wanted God to show Himself dramatically

The WIND, the EARTHQUAKE, the FIRE

LOW WHISPER, STILL SMALL VOICE

13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. (Driven back into the cave by the dramatic display) And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

What are you doing here, Elijah?

Not an indictment, an invitation—there’s something I want you to do.

1 Kings 19:15 — And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus.

What are you doing, church?

Lessons: STOP RUNNING

Abide by the governments requests—don’t run away in fear

START LISTENING—quiet whisper

PRAY

Pray for wisdom.

Colossians 1:9–12 — 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

READ

PSALM a day—ACTS, chapter a day.

STEP FORWARD IN FAITH