I Kings 19:1-13
1. God understands the complexity of our needs.
Elijah, being disillusioned and hurt, wanted to be sure of God. Up this point, Elijah had only known God to work in one way. There was something contained in the quiet voice that was not in the wind, earthquake, or fire- the awesome presence of God Almighty. 2. More often than not, the kingdom of God unfolds in quiet, gentle ways. How God works through natural law is just as wonderful and powerful as when He supersedes that law. Just because we can explain something doesn't mean that God isn't doing it and is in control of it. 3. The courage that is given by that still, small voice is greater than all the forces of the world. We can do more for God by being obedient with what He has given us to do, than any miracle could ever ​accomplish. Ephesians 3:13-21
What God alone is able to do
1. God is able to Save. (Hebrews 7:25) Coming to Him in faith is not only all we have to do, that's all we can do. (Ephesians 2:8) No one is beyond saving. No one is deserving of being saved. Anyone can be saved. 2. God is able to Soothe. (Hebrews 2:18) He's the only One who knows what it's like to never have fallen to Satan's ploys. (Hebrews 4:15) 3. God is able to Subdue. (Philippians 3:20-21) Only God can transform a person from within. 4. God is able to Sustain. (Psalm 55:22) a. God is there to give you everything you need in any situation. b. Everything that we do for ourselves is simply not enough. 5. God is able to Stabalize. (Jude 24-25) Even though God changes things, He Himself never changes. (I Peter 5:10) II Kings 7:1-9
Calamities used as symbols of our spiritual condition
1. famine 2. leprosy Observations about our salvation 1. God is insulted by our mistrust of Him. (king's officer) (vs. 2) If God says something, you should believe it. 2. The desperation of our condition leads to our deliverance (four lepers) (vs. 3-4) We must put our destiny in the hands of the One who can control it. 3. The undeserved blessing was due to a battle that was already fought. (Arameans) (vs. 6) When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, our enemy was defeated and our salvation was bought for us. 4. Upon considering their blessing, they discovered a sense of awareness of the needs of others. (Fellow countrymen) (vs. 9) When we understand what we've been rescued from, then we realize how selfish it would be to keep silent about that. 5. Don't wait too long to believe. (officer) (vs. 17-19) Not only may we miss out on the blessings, but also would be judged for our condition of sin and separation from God. |
AuthorPastor Scott Goodman
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