Fear, What are you doing here?

Text: 1 Kings 19:9-18

CIT: How did God handle Elijah’s fear? Complement: Despite his great power and knowledge, God was patient and merciful, gave Elijah direction, and recommissioned him to the work of serving God’s people.

CIS: For those who listen for His voice, God seeks to turn their fears into faithfulness/conviction to their calling.

SO: I want to explain how God will carry even the most fearful Christian to a strong witness of Christ if they will allow the word of God to penetrate their lives

Me:

Is anyone here who loves roller coasters?

AJ loves Dinos/Universal Studios first ride/ love hated it/doesnt want to go again.

Slinky-dog/Texas Giant

We:

Fear is a powerful motivating force that will stop us from doing things we love.

Has fear ever stopped you from doing, accomplishing, or starting something you otherwise would have?

Fear can even damage our walk and relationship with God.

Today let’s look at an example the Bible gives on how God handled a believers fear.

Pray

Context:

1 Kings 19:9 ESV

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?”

Elijah - Prophet (Mouthpiece of God/People could not hear/read God’s word)

1 Kings 17-21 - Major Miracles (Resurrection/Fire from Heaven) Larger than Life [Homework Challenge]

He had amazing demonstrations of God’s work in his life.

But he became afraid after Jezebel, the foreign queen of Israel, threatens his life.

1 Kings 19:3 ESV

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.

Fear Obscures Our Perspectives

1 Kings 19:9–13 ESV

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.” 11 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. 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. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Exp:

Elijah was actually exaggerating...

The people had just recognized God

There were still at least 100 prophets of God

He had already led the people to rebuild the altar.

God was already working in the situation, but Elijah’s fear disguised it.

Nevertheless God call Elijah to his presence. He doesn’t yell or force, he whispers.

Ill:

When I am correcting my kids, I feel like I need to get loud. They don’t listen when I do not forcefully insist on obedience. They just do what they want...

App:

God has all ultimate power, but his character is that of a redeemer. Jesus’ life of love lived on earth is the very same as God has always had. God’s character is the same in both old and new testaments, because he is the same.

What are you doing with your fear? God wants to bring you into his presence.

God guides Elijah through his valley

1 Kings 19:14–18 ESV

14 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.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

Exp:

Elijah responds the same way… after the dramatic actions of God.

Have you ever taken a little to long to get it?

God directs him to set up the next regime of people that God will use to bring about the things that eventually lead to Christ.

God will use Elijah to deliver the people from their spiritually bankrupt leader.

Despite his fear and exaggerations, god recommissioned him.

You

So do you have fears? - You combat that by hearing the word of God.

The voice of the world will lead you to a place that will make you say “What am I doing here”

But I have never heard the voice of God… - God doesn’t need an earthquake, he has given us the Scriptures, something Elijah or his people didn’t have

But I don’t get it - Have you commited to a church? Have you accepted Jesus and maintained that relationship?

We

If we realized what God is telling us, we would be fearless

We would be able to recognize God’s leading better.

We would be sensitive to what God was doing.

We would be better followers of Jesus

We would understand God’s unique calling on our lives.

We would be used by God to preform miracles.

We would recognize God still small voice.

We would recognized that God wants to turn our fears to faithfulness.