Faith Like Elijah: Trusting God's Provision, Power, and Protection
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. It's wonderful to see you all here today. We have a lot of exciting events coming up, including our Family Fun Night tonight at 7 PM and our prayer walk next Sunday at 9:30 AM. We also have our Operation Christmas Child initiative, aiming to send out 1,000 boxes to children worldwide. If you haven't participated yet, there's still time to get involved.
Today, we focus on the story of Elijah from 1 Kings 17 and James 5. Elijah was an ordinary man with extraordinary faith. His life teaches us three key lessons about faith: faith in God's provision, faith in God's power, and faith in God's protection. Elijah trusted God to provide for him during a three-and-a-half-year drought, saw God's power in raising a widow's son from the dead, and had the courage to confront King Ahab and the false prophets of Baal.
Elijah's faith was not just about believing in God's existence but trusting in His active involvement in our lives. He believed that God would meet his needs, even when it seemed impossible. This kind of faith leads to obedience and a life free from worry. Elijah also had faith in God's power, which allowed him to ask for the impossible and see God perform miracles. Lastly, Elijah had faith in God's protection, giving him the courage to stand up against wickedness, even when it was dangerous.
However, even Elijah struggled with doubt and fear. After his victory over the prophets of Baal, he fled from Jezebel and asked God to take his life. This shows that even the strongest of us can have moments of weakness. But God reminded Elijah of His presence, strengthening his faith once again.
If we want to have faith like Elijah, we need to trust in God's provision, power, and protection. This faith will lead us to live obediently, ask for the impossible, and stand up against sin. Let's strive to have a faith that not only believes in God but trusts Him in every aspect of our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith in God's Provision: Elijah trusted God to provide for him during a severe drought, even when it seemed impossible. This kind of faith leads to obedience and a life free from worry. When we truly believe that God will meet our needs, we can live without anxiety and be generous in our giving. [36:10]
2. Faith in God's Power: Elijah saw God's power in miraculous ways, including raising a widow's son from the dead. This faith allowed him to ask for the impossible and see God perform miracles. When we have faith in God's power, we will be willing to ask Him for what seems impossible, for His glory. [47:09]
3. Faith in God's Protection: Elijah had the courage to confront King Ahab and the false prophets of Baal because he trusted in God's protection. This kind of faith gives us the courage to stand up against sin and wickedness, even when it is dangerous. [52:55]
4. Struggles with Faith: Even Elijah, a man of great faith, had moments of doubt and fear. After his victory over the prophets of Baal, he fled from Jezebel and asked God to take his life. This shows that even the strongest of us can have moments of weakness, but God is always there to strengthen our faith. [01:02:01]
5. Strengthening Faith: Our faith is strengthened and sustained when we are in the Lord's presence. When we feel down and defeated, we should not isolate ourselves but dig deeper into our relationship with God. It is in His presence that our faith is renewed. [01:04:22]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[13:47] - Family Fun Night Announcement
[14:35] - Operation Christmas Child
[15:30] - Prayer for the Boxes
[16:30] - Focus on Worship
[17:24] - Purpose of Gathering
[28:51] - Holding Up the Bible
[29:48] - Introduction to Elijah
[30:47] - George Mueller's Faith
[32:50] - Elijah's Faith in God's Provision
[36:10] - God's Provision in the Wilderness
[37:12] - God's Provision Through the Widow
[40:06] - Faith and Obedience
[45:07] - Faith in God's Power
[47:09] - Asking for the Impossible
[52:55] - Faith in God's Protection
[01:02:01] - Struggles with Faith
[01:04:22] - Strengthening Faith
[01:06:34] - Invitation to Trust God
[01:08:08] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 Kings 17:1-16
2. James 5:17-18
### Observation Questions
1. What did Elijah tell King Ahab in 1 Kings 17:1 about the weather, and what was the result? ([36:10])
2. How did God provide for Elijah during the drought according to 1 Kings 17:2-6? ([37:12])
3. In James 5:17-18, what does it say about Elijah's prayers and their impact on the weather? ([32:50])
4. What miracle did Elijah perform for the widow's son in 1 Kings 17:17-24? ([46:25])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Elijah's faith in God's provision during the drought challenge our understanding of God's ability to meet our needs? ([37:12])
2. What does Elijah's confrontation with King Ahab and the false prophets of Baal teach us about standing up for our faith in difficult situations? ([52:55])
3. How can Elijah's moment of doubt and fear after his victory over the prophets of Baal help us understand our own struggles with faith? ([01:02:01])
4. What does James 5:17-18 suggest about the power of prayer and how we should approach prayer in our own lives? ([32:50])
### Application Questions
1. Elijah trusted God to provide for him during a severe drought. Reflect on a time when you had to trust God for provision. How did that experience shape your faith? ([37:12])
2. Elijah had the courage to confront King Ahab and the false prophets. Is there a situation in your life where you need to stand up for your faith? What steps can you take to do so? ([52:55])
3. Even Elijah had moments of doubt and fear. How do you handle moments of doubt in your faith journey? What can you do to strengthen your faith during these times? ([01:02:01])
4. Elijah's faith allowed him to ask for the impossible and see God perform miracles. What is one "impossible" thing you need to ask God for in your life right now? ([47:09])
5. Elijah's faith in God's protection gave him the courage to confront sin. Are there areas in your life where you need to confront sin or wickedness? How can you rely on God's protection in these situations? ([52:55])
6. Our faith is strengthened and sustained when we are in the Lord's presence. What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to ensure you are spending time in God's presence? ([01:04:22])
7. Reflect on the story of Elijah and the widow's son. How can you demonstrate faith in God's power in your own life, especially in seemingly hopeless situations? ([46:25])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Provision
Elijah's faith in God's provision is a powerful example of trusting God even in the most challenging circumstances. During a severe drought, Elijah relied on God to provide for his needs, and God did so in miraculous ways. This kind of faith leads to a life free from worry and anxiety, as we trust that God will meet our needs. When we believe in God's provision, we can live generously and without fear, knowing that He will take care of us. Elijah's experience teaches us that God's provision is not just about material needs but also about spiritual sustenance and guidance. [36:10]
"And the word of the Lord came to him: 'Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.'" (1 Kings 17:2-4, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a time when you were worried about your needs being met. How can you trust God to provide for you in that area today?
Day 2: Believing in God's Power
Elijah's faith in God's power allowed him to witness and participate in miraculous events, such as raising a widow's son from the dead. This kind of faith enables us to ask God for what seems impossible, trusting that He can and will act for His glory. When we believe in God's power, we are more likely to step out in faith and take bold actions, knowing that God is capable of doing far more than we can imagine. Elijah's story reminds us that God's power is not limited by our circumstances or understanding. [47:09]
"And he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, 'O Lord my God, let this child's life come into him again.' And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived." (1 Kings 17:21-22, ESV)
Reflection: What is one "impossible" thing you need to ask God for today? How can you trust in His power to act?
Day 3: Courage in God's Protection
Elijah's faith in God's protection gave him the courage to confront King Ahab and the false prophets of Baal. This kind of faith empowers us to stand up against sin and wickedness, even when it is dangerous or unpopular. Trusting in God's protection means believing that He is with us and will keep us safe, no matter the circumstances. Elijah's courage shows us that when we trust in God's protection, we can face any challenge with confidence and boldness. [52:55]
"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." (1 Kings 18:21, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you need to stand up for what is right? How can you trust in God's protection as you take that stand?
Day 4: Overcoming Doubt and Fear
Even Elijah, a man of great faith, experienced moments of doubt and fear. After his victory over the prophets of Baal, he fled from Jezebel and asked God to take his life. This shows that even the strongest believers can have moments of weakness. However, God reminded Elijah of His presence and strengthened his faith once again. This teaches us that it is normal to struggle with doubt and fear, but we must turn to God for strength and reassurance. [01:02:01]
"But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, 'It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.' And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, 'Arise and eat.'" (1 Kings 19:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: When you face doubt and fear, how can you remind yourself of God's presence and seek His strength?
Day 5: Renewing Faith in God's Presence
Our faith is strengthened and sustained when we are in the Lord's presence. When we feel down and defeated, we should not isolate ourselves but instead dig deeper into our relationship with God. It is in His presence that our faith is renewed and our spirits are lifted. Elijah's experience teaches us that spending time with God, through prayer, worship, and reading His Word, is essential for maintaining and strengthening our faith. [01:04:22]
"And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks 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. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper." (1 Kings 19:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally spend time in God's presence today to renew your faith and strengthen your spirit?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for his glory. Let me say that again. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for his glory." [33:56] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Whenever we have faith that God will provide, the result in our lives will be obedience. Whenever we have faith that God will provide for our needs, the result will be obedience. Everything Elijah did was in direct obedience to what God wanted. God's word said to him, and he trusted God." [39:26] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Understand, wherever God guides you, he will provide for you. Watchman Nee said this. He said, Because of our proneness to look at the bucket and forget the fountain, God frequently has to change his means of supply to keep our eyes fixed on the source." [38:46] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you really do believe if you really believe this, that God's going to provide your needs, you're not going to worry. But the second thing that this will affect is it will affect the way you give. If you really believe that God will provide, you are going to begin to be an obedient giver. You're going to be a giving person." [40:44] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Do you want the faith of Elijah? Do you want a faith that God is going to provide for your every need, whatever it may be? Then walk in obedience. Do you want a faith that trusts God to do what seems impossible? Well, then ask God for the impossible, for His glory. Do you want faith that God will protect? Do you want faith that God will protect you as you walk through life? Then have the courage to stand up to sin and wickedness in this world." [01:05:29] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Elijah was just like us. One of the mistakes that we often tend to make when we think about people like Elijah is we think that they are somehow superhuman, like Superman or Spider-Man on a spiritual level. But what you need to understand is that the great men and women of the faith were just like each and every one of us in this room." [32:50] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Whenever we have faith in God's power, the result will be that we will ask God for the impossible. If we really do believe that God has all power, then we're going to be willing to ask God to do what seems impossible for His glory, not for our selfish gain." [47:09] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Whenever we have faith in God's protection, the result will be the courage to confront sin. I want to make something very clear to you when we have faith we will take a stand for Christ regardless of the opposition and regardless of the cost." [01:00:08] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Our faith is strengthened and sustained when we are in the Lord's presence. When we're down and defeated and we feel like giving up, we don't isolate ourselves and separate ourselves from the body of Christ and from our personal prayer and devotional time. No, that's when we dig in because it's in His presence. That our faith is sustained and our faith is strengthened." [01:04:22] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you're here today and you're having financial struggles, and you're saying, why isn't God helping me? The first question I would ask you is, are you tithing? If you've got financial struggles and you're not tithing, you're disobeying God and you're asking God to step in and help you. Don't do that. I mean, if you want God to step in and help you, then obey God, trust God, and watch what God can do." [45:07] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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