People's Church

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

1. Cause of fear

1 Samuel 17:9-11 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. (NIV)

1 Samuel 17:23-24 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. (NIV)

2. Consequences of fear

3 Consequences of Fear

1. Fear paralyzes progress

1 Samuel 17:16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. (NIV)

1 Samuel 17:24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. (NIV)

2. Fear paralyzes potential

1 Samuel 17:25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” (NIV)

3. Fear paralyzes perspective

1. Fear’s perspective of the giant

1 Samuel 17:32–33 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” (NIV)

2. Faith’s perspective of the giant

1 Samuel 17:26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (NIV)

1 Samuel 17:46–47 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (NIV)

3. Cure of fear

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

1 Samuel 17:37 The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” (NIV)

Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (KJV)

1 Samuel 17:40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. (NIV)

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

1. Cause of fear

1 Samuel 17:9-11 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. (NIV)

1 Samuel 17:23-24 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. (NIV)

2. Consequences of fear

3 Consequences of Fear

1. Fear paralyzes progress

1 Samuel 17:16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. (NIV)

1 Samuel 17:24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. (NIV)

2. Fear paralyzes potential

1 Samuel 17:25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” (NIV)

3. Fear paralyzes perspective

1. Fear’s perspective of the giant

1 Samuel 17:32–33 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” (NIV)

2. Faith’s perspective of the giant

1 Samuel 17:26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (NIV)

1 Samuel 17:46–47 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (NIV)

3. Cure of fear

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

1 Samuel 17:37 The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” (NIV)

Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (KJV)

1 Samuel 17:40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. (NIV)

1 Kings 19:1-4 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”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.” (NIV)

4 Don’ts When Facing Depression

1. Don’t listen to your fears

1 Kings 19:1-3 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there (NIV)

2. Don’t isolate yourself

1 Kings 19:3-5 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.” (NIV)

EXACT PIC OF SMALL CURRICULM THAT’S ON THE APP (IT’S A PICTURE OF HERBERT WITH TEXT)

3. Don’t have a superhero complex

1 Kings 19:10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” (NIV)

4. Don’t neglect your health

1 Kings 19:5 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. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” (NIV)

Hungry

Angry

Lonely

Tired

4 Do’s When Facing Depression

1. Do be honest with God

1 Kings 19:4 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.” (NIV)

Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. (NIV)

Psalm 120:1 I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer. (NLT)

Psalm 61:1–2 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (NIV)

2. Do get a touch from heaven

1 Kings 19:5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” (NIV)

1 Kings 19:7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” (NIV)

1 Kings 19:11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. (NIV)

3. Do establish healthy habits

4. Do be committed to your God given purpose

1 Kings 19:15–16 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. (NIV)

1 Kings 19:1-4 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”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.” (NIV)

4 Don’ts When Facing Depression

1. Don’t listen to your fears

1 Kings 19:1-3 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there (NIV)

2. Don’t isolate yourself

1 Kings 19:3-5 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.” (NIV)

EXACT PIC OF SMALL CURRICULM THAT’S ON THE APP (IT’S A PICTURE OF HERBERT WITH TEXT)

3. Don’t have a superhero complex

1 Kings 19:10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” (NIV)

4. Don’t neglect your health

1 Kings 19:5 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. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” (NIV)

Hungry

Angry

Lonely

Tired

4 Do’s When Facing Depression

1. Do be honest with God

1 Kings 19:4 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.” (NIV)

Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. (NIV)

Psalm 120:1 I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer. (NLT)

Psalm 61:1–2 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (NIV)

2. Do get a touch from heaven

1 Kings 19:5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” (NIV)

1 Kings 19:7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” (NIV)

1 Kings 19:11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. (NIV)

3. Do establish healthy habits

4. Do be committed to your God given purpose

1 Kings 19:15–16 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. (NIV)

Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. (NLT)

Proverbs 13:20 Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to

pieces. (The Message)

Matthew 7:20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (NIV)

3 Fruits of Fools

1. Fools tear down

1. Tear people down by constantly arguing and fighting

Proverbs 18:6–7   Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.

7  The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. (NLT)

Proverbs 20:3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. (NIV)

2. Tear people down with lies, slander, strife and gossip

Proverbs 10:18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. (NIV)

Proverbs 16:28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

(NLT)

2. Fools are life draining

Proverbs 29:11 Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. (NLT)

Proverbs 12:16 A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. (NLT)

Proverbs 14:17 A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes

is hated. (NIV)

Proverbs 26:11 As a dog eats its own vomit, so fools recycle silliness. (The Message)

3. Fools live unwisely

Proverbs 13:19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain

them. (NLT)

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and

instruction. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 15:33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good

character.” (NLT)

Proverbs 14:7 Escape quickly from the company of fools; they’re a waste of your time, a

waste of your words. (The Message)

3 Fruits of the Wise

1. Wise people build you up

Proverbs 12:18 Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

(NLT)

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact

you are doing. (NIV)

2. Wise people are honest with you

Proverbs 27:5–6 An open rebuke is better than hidden love! 6  Wounds from a sincere friend are better

than many kisses from an enemy. (NLT)

Ephesians 4:15   Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the

mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

3. Wise people push you

Proverbs 13:14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the

snares of death. (NIV)

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (NLT)

Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. (NLT)

Proverbs 13:20 Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to

pieces. (The Message)

Matthew 7:20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (NIV)

3 Fruits of Fools

1. Fools tear down

1. Tear people down by constantly arguing and fighting

Proverbs 18:6–7   Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.

7  The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. (NLT)

Proverbs 20:3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. (NIV)

2. Tear people down with lies, slander, strife and gossip

Proverbs 10:18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. (NIV)

Proverbs 16:28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

(NLT)

2. Fools are life draining

Proverbs 29:11 Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. (NLT)

Proverbs 12:16 A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. (NLT)

Proverbs 14:17 A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes

is hated. (NIV)

Proverbs 26:11 As a dog eats its own vomit, so fools recycle silliness. (The Message)

3. Fools live unwisely

Proverbs 13:19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain

them. (NLT)

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and

instruction. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 15:33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good

character.” (NLT)

Proverbs 14:7 Escape quickly from the company of fools; they’re a waste of your time, a

waste of your words. (The Message)

3 Fruits of the Wise

1. Wise people build you up

Proverbs 12:18 Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

(NLT)

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact

you are doing. (NIV)

2. Wise people are honest with you

Proverbs 27:5–6 An open rebuke is better than hidden love! 6  Wounds from a sincere friend are better

than many kisses from an enemy. (NLT)

Ephesians 4:15   Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the

mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

3. Wise people push you

Proverbs 13:14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the

snares of death. (NIV)

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (NLT)

“DON’T FORGET TO REMEMBER”

Mark 8:14-21 (NIV) The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV) So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

1. YOU’RE CALLED TO PROBLEMS BECAUSE YOU’RE CALLED TO PEOPLE

2. COMPASSION ACTIVATES THE MIRACULOUS

3. ALWAYS ASK THE RIGHT QUESTION

4. MULTIPLICATION HAPPENS THROUGH INTERACTION

WORRY IS OFTEN THE BYPRODUCT OF ASKING THE WRONG QUESTIONS

HOW MANY LOAVES DO YOU HAVE?

“THE POWER OF PRAYER IS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO YOUR WILLINGNESS TO BE A PART OF GOD’S ANSWER” HOWARD THURMAN

“DON’T FORGET TO REMEMBER”

Mark 8:14-21 (NIV) The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV) So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

1. YOU’RE CALLED TO PROBLEMS BECAUSE YOU’RE CALLED TO PEOPLE

2. COMPASSION ACTIVATES THE MIRACULOUS

3. ALWAYS ASK THE RIGHT QUESTION

4. MULTIPLICATION HAPPENS THROUGH INTERACTION

WORRY IS OFTEN THE BYPRODUCT OF ASKING THE WRONG QUESTIONS

HOW MANY LOAVES DO YOU HAVE?

“THE POWER OF PRAYER IS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO YOUR WILLINGNESS TO BE A PART OF GOD’S ANSWER” HOWARD THURMAN

1 Kings 17:7-16 (NIV)

7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”

15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

1. She had a word from the Lord.

1 Kings 17:9 (NIV) 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 

Romans 12:13 (NLT) 3 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. (NLT)

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) … in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

2. She did what she could with what she had.

1 Kings 17:10-15 (NIV) 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”

15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her.

Romans 12:7-9 (NLT) 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.

3. Her healing came through helping.

1 Kings 17:15-16 (NIV) 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

Proverbs 11:25 (NLT) Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Luke 6:38 (NIV) 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

1 Kings 17:7-16 (NIV)

7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”

15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

1. She had a word from the Lord.

1 Kings 17:9 (NIV) 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 

Romans 12:13 (NLT) 3 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. (NLT)

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) … in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

2. She did what she could with what she had.

1 Kings 17:10-15 (NIV) 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”

15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her.

Romans 12:7-9 (NLT) 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.

3. Her healing came through helping.

1 Kings 17:15-16 (NIV) 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

Proverbs 11:25 (NLT) Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Luke 6:38 (NIV) 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”