828 Church

-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --

1 Kings 19:1

Elijah burned the candle on all ends and here we find him:

1. Elijah was fearful (emotional unrest)

2. Elijah was fatigued (spiritual exhaustion)

3. Elijah was famished (physical depletion)

Elijah was fearful (emotions)_________________________________________ 1 Kings 19:1

Priscilla Shirer - “We give our feelings too much power. Feelings are not the engine, they’re the caboose, they’ll catch up. All feelings can do is feel. They don’t think, they don’t have intellect. They’re not that smart”

THT When we learn to amplify God’s words over anxious what-ifs and worries, we gain strength for the journey.

Does it feel like too much? Could some of the fear we experience be because we are putting ourselves in too prominent a position?

He didn’t address every worry - he showed up with who He is

Jehovah Jireh - Provider

THT God’s provision for fear: perfect love, protection, promise of presence

Elijah was fatigued (spiritual exhaustion)___________________________ 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep

THT We aren’t designed to be self-sufficient when suffering and running from God doesn’t make you feel rested.

An encounter with the Lord can revive your heart when faith is hard to find! 3

4

Psalm 34:17-18

A nap is a temporary laying down of responsibility and resting from striving. I believe that’s God’s will for us too

THT God’s provision for fatigue: rest and perspective on ultimate responsibility

Are you tired? Hear Jesus’ words, “Come to me…and I will give you rest.”

Elijah was famished (physical depletion)_____________________________________ 1 Kings 18:46

When we are physically spent, we are spiritually vulnerable

Matthew 6:11 Give us today our daily bread.

THT God’s provision for hunger: His Word

Deuteronomy 8:3: He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

THT If we are always working in our own strength, then we have no need for God 7 The

God created us body, mind, heart

And designed it:

1. Baseline - we need rest and food/energy

2. Supernatural - we need God’s spiritual provision to live a life for Him

THT God’s provision, His way, is always more fulfilling, holy and humbling that a substitute or self-sufficient plan

1 Corinthians 11:24 (Jesus) when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Later on, in the third year of the drought, the LORD said to Elijah, “Go and present yourself to King Ahab. Tell him that I will soon send rain!” So Elijah went to appear before Ahab. 1 Kings 18:1-2 NLT

When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, “So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?” “I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the LORD and have worshiped the images of Baal instead. 1 Kings 18:16-18 NLT

Choosing to blame God for the trouble our broken choices cause is a foolish waste of time.

If you carefully obey the commands I am giving you today, and if you love the LORD your God and serve him with all your heart and soul, then he will send the rains in their proper seasons, the early and late rains so you can bring in your harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil. He will give you lush pastureland for your livestock, and you yourselves will have all you want to eat. But be careful. Don’t let your heart be deceived so that you turn away from the LORD and serve and worship other gods. If you do, the LORD’s anger will burn against you. He will shut up the sky and hold back the rain, and the ground will fail to produce its harvests. Then you will quickly die in that good land the LORD is giving you. Deuteronomy 11:13-17 NLT

The prodigal perspective will separate you from God’s provision and protection.

Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel.” 1 Kings 18:19 NLT

So Ahab summoned all the people of Israel and the prophets to Mount Carmel. Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent. 1 Kings 18:20-21 NLT

Our choosing to be neutral on worship to Baal isn’t a blessing to anyone. 

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20 ESV

Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only prophet of the LORD who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets. Now bring two bulls. The prophets of Baal may choose whichever one they wish and cut it into pieces and lay it on the wood of their altar, but without setting fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood on the altar, but not set fire to it. Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!” And all the people agreed. 1 Kings 18:22-24 NLT

Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “You go first, for there are many of you.” 1 Kings 18:25 NLT

So they prepared one of the bulls and placed it on the altar. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning until noontime, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no reply of any kind. Then they danced, hobbling around the altar they had made. 1 Kings 18:26 NLT

About noontime Elijah began mocking them. You’ll have to shout louder,” he scoffed, “for surely he is a god! Perhaps he is daydreaming, or is relieving himself. Or maybe he is away on a trip, or is asleep and needs to be wakened! 1 Kings 18:27 NLT

So they shouted louder, and following their normal custom, they cut themselves with knives and swords until the blood gushed out. 1 Kings 18:28 NLT

The life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the LORD. Leviticus 17:11 NLT

You can’t make sacrifices to a false god without on some level sacrificing your own life.

They raved all afternoon until the time of the evening sacrifice, but still there was no sound, no reply, no response. 1 Kings 18:29 NLT

It’s sad to sacrifice anything to a false god, when in the end all you offer is offered in vain.

Then Elijah called to the people, “Come over here!” They all crowded around him as he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been torn down. 1 Kings 18:30 NLT 

Just because you have an altar doesn’t mean it’s ready for a sacrifice. 

Disobedience, distraction and disregard will always leave the altar in a state of disrepair. 

The altar must be an honored and intimate place of communion with and dedication to God.

He took twelve stones, one to represent each of the tribes of Israel, and he used the stones to rebuild the altar in the name of the LORD. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold about three gallons. He piled wood on the altar, cut the bull into pieces, and laid the pieces on the wood. Then he said, “Fill four large jars with water, and pour the water over the offering and the wood.” After they had done this, he said, “Do the same thing again!” And when they were finished, he said, “Now do it a third time!” So they did as he said, and the water ran around the altar and even filled the trench. 1 Kings 18:31-35 NLT

At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. O LORD, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.” 1 Kings 18:36-37 NLT 

Sacrifices made to Jehovah are never wasted. 

Immediately the fire of the LORD flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! 1 Kings 18:38 NLT

Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18 ESV

And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The LORD, he is God! Yes, the LORD is God!” 1 Kings 18:39 NLT

When the score is tallied in an honest way the outcome will always say that Jehovah alone is God.

Poem

So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the LORD had promised through Elijah. 

I Kings 17:15-17 NLT

Obedient faith unlocks God’s miraculous provision.

Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 NLT

God is always working to build our faith for what lies ahead. 

Some time later the woman’s son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died. 

I Kings 17:17 NLT 

God has a history of showing up for us at what without Him would only be a dead end. 

Impossible is an incredible place for an intimate encounter with Jesus!

She said to Elijah, “Man of God, what do you have against me? Have you come to call attention to my iniquity so that my son is put to death? ” I Kings 17:17-18 CSB

Soul searching with the Holy Spirit is the only way to live a surrendered life of faith.

Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth. Psalm 25:4 NKJV

If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.2 Timothy 2:11-13 ESV

Our lives have many situations and needs that have no source or solution but the Savior. 

But Elijah replied, Give me your son. I Kings 17:19 NLT

And he took the child’s body from her arms, carried him up the stairs to the room where he was staying, and laid the body on his bed. Then Elijah cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?” And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” The LORD heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived! I Kings 17:19-22 NLT

-Sunday's Notes-

Then Elijah took the boy, brought him down from the upstairs room into the house, and gave him to his mother. Elijah said, “Look, your son is alive.” I Kings 17:23 CSB

God will resurrect what sin and death have destroyed and return them to us redeemed and restored. 

Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know you are a man of God and the LORD’s word from your mouth is true.” I Kings 17:24 CSB

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV

The nature and character of God is revealed in the Christ of Christmas and the Cross!

Be imitators of God. Ephesians 5:1 CSB

Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 John 2:6 ESV

I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. John 13:15 NLT

Jesus was Faithful to His Mission…

Jesus modeled a determination for and showed us how to live faithfully on mission!

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. John 1:6-8 ESV

Jesus lived a life of Selfless Humility 

While they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:6-7 NLT

Our Messiah made an almost anonymous entrance into our me-centric world to make a point.

It’s a blessing to learn to make life about something bigger and than yourself. 

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 ESV 

Jesus lived a life marked by Joy

Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-2 CSB

The angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10 ESV

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.” Matt 2:1-2 CSB 

What made the wise men wise wasn’t who they were, but who they understood Jesus to be. 

A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. Numbers 24:17 CSB 

The more time you spend with God in His word, the more you will see God in your world!

It is not enough for you to be my servant raising up the tribes of Jacob and restoring the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations, to be my salvation to the ends of the earth. Isaiah 49:6 CSB

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you set in place, what are mere mortals that you should think about them? Psalm 8:3-4 NLT

"It is easier to measure the entire ocean in a little cup than to grasp the greatness of God in the human mind." - Saint Basil

And this is only the beginning, a mere whisper of his rule… Job 26:14 MSG

Wonder is a wise and powerful perspective that will cause your heart to long to be with God.

What are you willing to push through, or give up to spend time with and give your best to Jesus?

Faith

It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NLT

Faith - Sacrifice

I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1 NLT

Faith - Sacrifice - Obedience

When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11 CSB

Faith - Sacrifice - Obedience - Worship 

The way of the wise is worth every effort and comes with Joy to power each step you take toward God.

The way of the wise

Is focus first on the prize

To know and be known by the King

With faith powered endurance 

Blessed with blessed assurance

Whatever the journey might bring

We have faced the unknown

With the wisdom He’s shown 

It’s an honor to trust and obey

Each step powered by Grace

Each choice Impacts the pace

As we follow His plan day by day

He’s always been near

It’s His voice that we hear

He called us to come and be close

With His heart and His hand

He’s led us from distant lands

With His love, which matters the most

So when our journey’s complete

When we fall at His feet

Every treasure we have we will give

Here to worship the one

Christ the Lord, Heaven’s Son

Who came so that we to could live

The sin of 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. 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. Romans 5:17-18 NLT

Christmas is the story of God’s relentless love and the war He won to give us victory over sin and death.

The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 3:23 ESV

Jesus personally and willingly went to war to defeat death, hell and the grave for all who would believe. 

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from east arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” Matthew 2:1-6 NLT

After this meeting the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. Matthew 2:9-12 NLT 

Spiritual insight is a gift not to be overlooked in our battle with sin and death. 

Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A cry was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.” Matthew 2:16-18 NLT

Because God’s children are human beings made of flesh and blood, the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT 

Jesus victory over sin and satan means that for the believer, death is no longer a guilty man’s sentence, but a forgiven man’s segue into life eternal. 

“O death, where is your victory? Where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 ESV 

The hope we have in Jesus is not only the truth we carry, but ironically it’s the truth that carries us.

There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:8-11 KJV

The Messiah stepped into our mess and made hope and healing accessible to all. 

Rebellion is a personal choice and always leads to brokenness and separation.! 

I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 ESV 

Long before Christ came, God knew He would be needed and had pre-made the decision that He would come. 

Life before / without Christ is a difficult kind of life and it isn’t the kind of life God created us to live. 

Time was reset!

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:1-7 NLT

Looking for God as an object in His creation is like looking for Shakespeare in Hamlet or Macbeth. You find him there not as a character, but as the playwright. C.S. Lewis 

Jesus wrote Himself into His story!

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 ESV

God’s nature and character are evident from the story, but it was by entering the story, that He has reveled His love for us!

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Luke 7:36-38 ESV

A recognition of who Jesus is and what He’s done, will inspire worship as the only reasonable response. 

Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” Luke 7:39 ESV

And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” Luke 7:40 ESV

A lack of appreciation for the presence of God will leave you religious without relationship! 

There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more. And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Luke 7:41-43 NKJV

For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14 NLT

Piety without humility leads to a life of self-defeating arrogance and pride.

Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Luke 7:44-47 NKJV

We should be unconcerned about saving face in order to give full attention to seeking His face. 

Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:48-50 NLT 

Generous gratitude is evidence of and a step on the journey to true repentance and restoration!

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were given and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only two cents. Mark 12:41-42 NIV 

If everyone gives what they’ve got to God, the family will always have all it needs.

Jesus called his disciples over and said, "The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford, she gave her all.” Mark 12:43-44 MSG

Our relationship with Jesus should be about what we can give, not what we can get!

Gratefully giving and living everything you are and have to God isn’t a waste, it’s worship.

I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed. Matthew 26:13 NLT