Faith and Provision: Lessons from Elijah's Journey
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Crosspoint! It's wonderful to be back after a refreshing break with my family. Today, we embark on a new series about Elijah, a prophet whose life and faithfulness to God offer timeless lessons. Despite the 2,500-year gap between Elijah's time and ours, his story remains profoundly relevant. Elijah's journey begins with a bold confrontation against King Ahab, who led Israel into idolatry and moral decay by worshiping Baal. Elijah's declaration of a drought was a direct challenge to Baal, the so-called storm god, proving that Yahweh alone controls the elements.
Elijah's faith journey takes him to Kareth Brook, a place symbolizing being cut off and cut down. Here, God provides for Elijah daily through ravens, teaching him to rely on divine provision one day at a time. This theme of dependence on God is a recurring biblical motif, seen in the lives of Abraham, David, and even Jesus. Elijah's time at the brook underscores the importance of trusting God in seasons of isolation and preparation.
The story progresses as the brook dries up, and God instructs Elijah to seek sustenance from a widow in Zarephath. Despite her dire circumstances, the widow steps out in faith, providing for Elijah first, and in return, God miraculously sustains her household. This act of faith challenges us to trust God beyond our calculations and comfort zones. Whether it's in our work, marriages, finances, or sharing our faith, stepping into the unknown with trust in God can lead to profound spiritual growth and divine provision.
As we reflect on Elijah's story, let's take a specific challenge for the month of July: invite someone who doesn't know Jesus into your home. Share a meal, build a relationship, and let your life be a testimony of God's faithfulness. Stepping out in faith, even when it's uncomfortable, allows God to work both in us and through us.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Faithfulness in the Midst of Idolatry: Elijah's confrontation with King Ahab highlights God's unwavering faithfulness even when His people turn to idolatry. Despite Israel's moral decay, God remains committed to reminding them of His sovereignty and power. This teaches us that no matter how far we stray, God is always ready to call us back to Him. [22:48]
2. Daily Dependence on God: Elijah's time at Kareth Brook, where he was fed by ravens, underscores the importance of daily reliance on God. Just as Elijah received his provision one day at a time, we too must learn to trust God for our daily needs, believing that He will provide exactly what we need when we need it. [29:44]
3. Stepping Out in Faith: The widow of Zarephath's act of faith in providing for Elijah before herself is a powerful lesson in trusting God beyond our understanding. Her obedience led to miraculous provision, teaching us that stepping out in faith, even when it defies logic, opens the door for God's blessings. [38:17]
4. God's Provision in the Wilderness: The recurring biblical theme of God providing in the wilderness is evident in Elijah's story. Whether it's Abraham, David, or Jesus, these wilderness experiences are times of preparation and deepening trust in God. They remind us that our seasons of isolation and challenge are opportunities for spiritual growth. [31:12]
5. Intentional Evangelism: The challenge to invite non-believers into our homes and share our faith through genuine relationships is a call to intentional evangelism. By stepping out of our comfort zones and into the unknown, we allow God to work through us, potentially transforming lives and expanding His kingdom. [47:45]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[16:13] - Introduction to Elijah Series
[17:54] - Setting the Scene: Israel's History
[18:53] - From Abraham to the Judges
[20:01] - Israel's Demand for a King
[21:16] - The Reign of King Ahab
[22:48] - Ahab and Jezebel's Idolatry
[24:37] - Elijah's Bold Confrontation
[26:26] - Elijah's Name and Its Significance
[28:04] - The Drought Challenge
[29:44] - Elijah at Kareth Brook
[31:12] - Wilderness Experiences in Scripture
[32:59] - Daily Trust in God's Provision
[34:57] - The Brook Dries Up
[36:31] - Journey to Zarephath
[38:17] - The Widow's Act of Faith
[41:31] - Stepping Out in Faith
[43:07] - Examples of Faith in Modern Life
[44:49] - Trusting God in Relationships
[46:13] - Trusting God with Finances
[47:45] - Challenge: Intentional Evangelism
[49:30] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Kings 17:1-16 (NIV)
> Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him: “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 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?” As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” “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.” 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. 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.’” 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. 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.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Elijah's bold declaration to King Ahab, and what was its significance? ([26:26])
2. How did God provide for Elijah at the Kerith Brook, and what does the name "Kerith" symbolize? ([29:44])
3. Describe the widow's initial reaction to Elijah's request for food and water. What does this reveal about her situation? ([38:17])
4. How did the widow's act of faith result in God's provision for her household? ([39:54])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Elijah's confrontation with King Ahab teach us about God's faithfulness in the midst of idolatry? ([22:48])
2. How does Elijah's experience at the Kerith Brook illustrate the importance of daily dependence on God? ([32:59])
3. In what ways does the widow of Zarephath's act of faith challenge our understanding of trusting God beyond our calculations? ([41:31])
4. How can the recurring biblical theme of God providing in the wilderness be applied to our own seasons of isolation and preparation? ([31:12])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt "cut off" or "cut down" like Elijah at the Kerith Brook. How did you experience God's provision during that season? ([29:44])
2. In what areas of your life do you need to practice daily dependence on God, similar to how Elijah relied on the ravens for food? ([32:59])
3. The widow of Zarephath stepped out in faith despite her dire circumstances. What is one area in your life where you need to trust God beyond your understanding? ([41:31])
4. How can you intentionally step out of your comfort zone to share your faith with someone who doesn't know Jesus, as challenged in the sermon? ([47:45])
5. Think about a current challenge you are facing. How can you view this as an opportunity for spiritual growth and deepening trust in God, similar to Elijah's wilderness experience? ([31:12])
6. The sermon encourages us to invite non-believers into our homes and share a meal with them. Who is one person you can invite over this month, and how can you use this opportunity to share God's faithfulness? ([47:45])
7. How can you apply the lesson of God's provision in the wilderness to your current financial situation, especially if you are struggling to make ends meet? ([44:49])
Devotional
Day 1: God's Faithfulness Amidst Idolatry
Despite Israel's moral decay and idolatry under King Ahab's reign, God remained faithful and sent Elijah to confront the king. This confrontation was not just a challenge to Ahab but also a reminder to Israel of God's sovereignty and power. Elijah's bold declaration of a drought was a direct challenge to Baal, the storm god, proving that Yahweh alone controls the elements. This teaches us that no matter how far we stray, God is always ready to call us back to Him. His faithfulness is unwavering, even when we turn away.
[22:48]
1 Kings 18:21 (ESV): "And Elijah came near to all the people and said, 'How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.' And the people did not answer him a word."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt distant from God. How did He call you back to Him, and how can you respond to His faithfulness today?
Day 2: Daily Dependence on God
Elijah's time at Kareth Brook, where he was fed by ravens, underscores the importance of daily reliance on God. Just as Elijah received his provision one day at a time, we too must learn to trust God for our daily needs. This period of isolation and dependence was a time of preparation for Elijah, teaching him to rely on divine provision. It reminds us that in our own seasons of isolation and challenge, God is teaching us to trust Him more deeply and to rely on His daily provision.
[29:44]
Matthew 6:11 (ESV): "Give us this day our daily bread."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God for daily provision? How can you practice relying on Him more today?
Day 3: Stepping Out in Faith
The widow of Zarephath's act of faith in providing for Elijah before herself is a powerful lesson in trusting God beyond our understanding. Despite her dire circumstances, she stepped out in faith, and God miraculously sustained her household. This teaches us that stepping out in faith, even when it defies logic, opens the door for God's blessings. Whether it's in our work, marriages, finances, or sharing our faith, stepping into the unknown with trust in God can lead to profound spiritual growth and divine provision.
[38:17]
1 Kings 17:15-16 (ESV): "And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you take a tangible step in that direction today?
Day 4: God's Provision in the Wilderness
The recurring biblical theme of God providing in the wilderness is evident in Elijah's story. Whether it's Abraham, David, or Jesus, these wilderness experiences are times of preparation and deepening trust in God. Elijah's time at Kareth Brook and the subsequent journey to Zarephath were periods of isolation and challenge, yet they were also times of divine provision and preparation. These experiences remind us that our own seasons of wilderness are opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God.
[31:12]
Deuteronomy 8:2-3 (ESV): "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."
Reflection: Reflect on a "wilderness" season in your life. How did God provide for you during that time, and what did you learn about His character?
Day 5: Intentional Evangelism
The challenge to invite non-believers into our homes and share our faith through genuine relationships is a call to intentional evangelism. By stepping out of our comfort zones and into the unknown, we allow God to work through us, potentially transforming lives and expanding His kingdom. This act of hospitality and sharing our faith can be a powerful testimony of God's love and faithfulness, encouraging others to seek Him.
[47:45]
1 Peter 4:9-10 (ESV): "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that doesn't know Jesus? How can you intentionally build a relationship with them and share your faith this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Our God is a God who provides. That is a clear message of scripture. That is something that God is demonstrating for Elijah here, but he's also a God who teaches us to be dependent on him because we believe the lie that we're not. When in reality, we always have been, we always have been, and we always will be dependent on him." [32:59] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, give us this day, not our month's supply, not our week's supply. Give us this day, our daily bread. God, could you provide what I need for today? And God provides what Elijah needs for that day." [34:57] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I know that if we will step out in faith, if we will step out in obedience, if we will step out beyond from what's comfortable and into the unknown, I know. I know that God will move both in us and through us." [49:30] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "In the midst of the people of God having forgotten the ways of God, in the midst of them having forgotten the power of God, God is faithful. At the absolute worst, he is faithful. And that is where Elijah steps in, because God is going to remind his people who he is through this man named Elijah." [24:37] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Could I challenge you to as with as much intensity as you ever have? Any moment in your life to pursue after God, to chase after not him fixing your physical situation, but to chase after the work that he wants to do in your life, to chase after the work that he wants to do in your heart." [31:12] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "This is a theme in scripture. Right? This moment where somebody who is following God is taken out into the wild, out into the wilderness, and they are to rely on God to meet their needs there. They're cut off from the rest of the world. And we've seen this over and over and over again. We see it in the life of Abraham. We see it in the life of David. We see it in the nation of Israel as they wander in the desert. We see this show up. Here for Elijah, we'll see it in the New Testament, in John the Baptist and Jesus, where these people of God are pulled away from the world and they learn to rely on him. They learn to trust him every single day. And God does work in those seasons." [29:44] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I think too often, we want the mountain that comes after that without going through the time in the wild. Right? Like we want the victory over Goliath. We want the promised land, right? We want the thousands and thousands of descendants. We want the lines of people waiting to get baptized or the miracles or whatever it is in your life. We want the thing that comes after without going through the time, without going through the season where we are cut off and cut down, where we are reshaped in the image of God, where God does work in our hearts in these times." [31:12] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Maybe for you, it is your marriage that you need to step out into the unknown. They're not holding up their end, but you're not really either. And things are not good and they're rocky. And maybe you need to step out into the unknown and trust God. And love them, not because they've earned it or they deserve it, but love them because you made a commitment before God that you were going to choose to love them, that you were going to choose to serve them, that you were going to choose to put their needs ahead of your own and to step out in faith and trust and not trust them, not trust. Like I'll try for 10 days. And if at the end of 10 days, they haven't fixed everything that's wrong with them. Well, I tried God's like not trust them, but trust God. Trust that God's going to come through. Trust that God's going to provide. Trust that God will be faithful. Trust that God is someone that you can always count on no matter what." [44:49] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I want to challenge every single one of us to host someone who does not believe in Jesus in our homes. To share a meal with a coworker, a friend, a family member, another mom. Like, I don't care what your life, like what makes sense in your context, but to invite somebody who doesn't have a relationship with Jesus, who is not a follower of Jesus, to be in your home, to spend time with you and your kids, and for you to have the opportunity, not just to be in your home, but to try to force Jesus on them, but for you to have an opportunity in real relationship to share Jesus with them. To share what Jesus is doing in your life. To share the difference that he makes in your marriage, or in your parenting, or in your work." [47:45] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so Elijah has to embark on a journey alone with very little provision to get to this place. But once again, he's learned to rely on God. He's learned to trust him. And so he steps out in obedience here. So in verse 10, so he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks. And he asked her, would you please bring me a little water in a cup? And she was going to get it. He called her, bring me a bite of bread too. But she said, I swear by the Lord, your God, that I don't have a single piece of bread in my house. And I only have a handful of flour left in a jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal. And then my son and I will die. But Elijah said to her, don't be afraid. Go ahead and do just what you've said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what's left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord says. The God of Israel says, there will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when I, the Lord, send rain on the crops again." [36:31] (93 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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