Subject: Elijah
by Rick Welborne
Proverbs 3:1-10 (NKJV)
1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
--Last week we looked at Job, Jesus, and Paul and talked about this matter of trusting in God with all of our hearts no matter what is going in our lives.
--Again, I get amazed at people who have been (at least by appearance) serving God for years and years, and something goes awry in their lives, and they are ready to walk out on God.
--Let me make sure you do not misunderstand me…I know that horrible things can and have happened to people…I have walked thru some deep valleys myself…you can’t be in ministry or life without difficulty.
--We surely do not help ourselves or others when something horrible happens and we attribute the calamity to the sin that is in people’s lives…if that were the cause, all of us could and would be targets. We all sin.
--This is something I have wanted to communicate for a long time but never felt that the timing was right. The hurt and pain that we see almost on a daily basis is because of sin…not personal sin but sin in general.
--Adam and Eve lived in Paradise with God (Paradise means the presence of God) and it was perfect…no sickness, no pain, no death…beautiful fellowship with God. Watch when sin entered the world.
Romans 5:12 (NLT)
12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
--Ever since Adam messed up (I would be hiding in heaven if I was Adam) sin has entered this world, and because of that, we see so much pain and suffering. Sin is why there is sickness and death.
--Ok, I have you now, Pastor Rick…Jesus was the second Adam and He came to restore what the first Adam messed up. Please stay with me…You are right but it is individual and it is eternal. What?
Romans 5:17-21 (NLT)
17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
--What Jesus has done on the cross will absolutely set a person free for those who receive it and it will give them the assurance of eternal life; but one person receiving Jesus does not negate the sin in the whole world.
--Most everyone in this room believes they have been born again and that one day they will have eternal life, but if you look around, the issue of sin is still prevalent. Bad still happens! 2 funerals in 2 weeks. Agree?
--Listen to what Peter said in his sermon on the day of Pentecost about Jesus’ ascension and about guarding yourself from this world.
Acts 2:34-40 (NIV)
34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."'
36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."'
36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
--What are you saying, Pastor Rick? I am telling you that until Jesus comes and sets His feet on the Mount of Olives and begins to rule and reign…sin will be all around us…we will not be exempt from its influence.
--In other words, we will lose people we love, we will see people get diseases that end up taking their lives, we will see hearts broken and families destroyed because of sin. You say…I can live above it by my faith. OK
--If you can live above sin…then, surely you can live above death. There are erroneous teachings going around that we do not have to age and be affected by sin as believers…basically, we die healthy…what?
--Go home and get your yearbook from high school (whatever year), and if the yearbook has not decayed by now, open it up to your picture as you look at yourself in a mirror. Tell me we are not decaying! But some day!
1 Corinthians 15:23-26 (NLT)
23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.
24 After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power.
25 For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet.
26 And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.
23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.
24 After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power.
25 For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet.
26 And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.
--Until Christ destroys the last enemy (death) we will all continue on that journey of olderness! Or ugliness!
--My point is this…because of the sin of Adam, sin has entered this world and it will remain until Jesus has put everything under His feet. Is healing available “Yes!!” Can God change our circumstances “Yes!!”
--But if He doesn’t, and you have been born again and your name is written in the Book of Life…Trust is the Lord with all your heart and stop leaning to your own understanding. Even if He slays me, yet I will trust Him.
--Let’s look at a man in the scriptures who shows us this inconsistent life of feast or famine…revival or backsliding…Elijah.
1. Elijah on Mount Carmel.
--Elijah, the mighty man of God is having a standoff with Ahab, 450 prophets of Baal, and 400 prophets of Asherah. The standoff happened on Mount Carmel.
--Elijah is experiencing the presence of God in a strong way and he is bold and courageous. He is not walking in fear and doubt but he is trusting God with all his heart.
1 Kings 18:21-24 (NKJV)
21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word.
22 Then Elijah said to the people, "I alone am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
23 Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it.
24 Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God." So all the people answered and said, "It is well spoken."
21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word.
22 Then Elijah said to the people, "I alone am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
23 Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it.
24 Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God." So all the people answered and said, "It is well spoken."
--Wow! Elijah is the man and he has no fear what man can do to him…why falter between two opinions? He is preaching it up and it is strong.
--You know the story…the false prophets get their sacrifice ready (their bull) and they begin to call on their gods from morning until noon. Of course, they do not answer. Shouting and cutting themselves.
--Elijah prepares his sacrifice and even pours water over it several times to show his confidence in God.
1 Kings 18:36-38 (NKJV)
36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.
37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again."
38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.
36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.
37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again."
38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.
--If this is not enough Elijah prays for rain (seven times) and miraculously the rain comes. Ahab takes off in his chariot and the Spirit of the Lord comes on Elijah and he outruns the chariot to Jezreel. What victory!
2. Elijah under the broom tree.
--The big wuss Ahab goes and tells Jezebel everything that Elijah had done to the false prophets and she declares she is going to do the same to him by the same time tomorrow.
--Then Elijah stood before Jezebel and called fire from heaven and it consumed her…what a powerful man of God…We know that is not what happened. Elijah ran into the wilderness and sat under a broom tree.
1 Kings 19:4 (NKJV)
4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!"
4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!"
--Let me get this straight…Elijah goes from great victory to being suicidal…he goes from standing up against 850 false prophets with just he and God to running from one woman.
--Where is the faith that called down fire from heaven, the faith to pray for rain, the power to outrun a chariot? Something happened to this boy for him to go from feast to famine; or women are just that scary.
--I remember my dad telling me on many occasions, Son, those women have weapons you know nothing about yet. When you get married, you will know…I know!
--Was Elijah tired? He could have been. Did he backslide in a day? Hard to imagine but something struck fear in him where he felt like he could no longer trust God with all of his heart, he was leaning on his understanding.
--He sounds like and looks like many of us who one day we are experiencing a great victory and the next day we are ready to walk out on God. Where is the – In all your ways acknowledge Him?
--In all your ways, in all your troubles, in all your trials, in all your mess…get to know Jesus better…Don’t let the ways push you away from Him…lean in and hear His heart about where you are.
--God has done so much for you and worked so many miracles and you want to take your own life…I thought we were bought with a price…the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Lean in to the One Who gave all for you!
3. Elijah on Mount Horeb.
1 Kings 19:9 (NKJV)
9 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
9 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
--What are you doing here, Elijah? Maybe put your name there. I personally believe, God was not just saying, Why are you in this cave on this mountain but how did you come to this place of doubt and fear. Of mistrust!
1 Kings 19:10 (NKJV)
10 So he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life."
10 So he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life."
--Elijah comes with his excuses but God comes back and tells him he has been focusing on the wrong things.
1 Kings 19:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces 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 a still small voice.
11 Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces 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 a still small voice.
John 5:24-25 (NIV)
24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
25 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.
24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
25 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.
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