Overcoming Fear: Embracing God's Purpose in Our Lives
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves in moments of triumph and moments of despair. Elijah's story is a powerful reminder of this. He was a man who experienced the mighty hand of God, witnessing miracles and victories, yet found himself fleeing in fear from Jezebel's threats. This narrative is not just about Elijah; it reflects our own spiritual battles. We can be on the mountaintop one moment, wielding the sword of God's Word with confidence, and the next, we might find ourselves in the wilderness, questioning our purpose and calling.
Elijah's experience teaches us about the power of voices. The voices of fear, doubt, and unbelief can be overwhelming, but they are not the final word. Elijah had slain the prophets of Baal, silencing the voices that led Israel astray, yet one voice from Jezebel sent him running. This illustrates how a single negative voice can overshadow our victories if we allow it. However, God’s perspective of us never changes. Even when Elijah was in the wilderness, God still saw him as His prophet, with a purpose and a calling.
God's question to Elijah, "What are you doing here?" is a call to self-reflection. It challenges us to examine why we are in our current spiritual state. Are we here because of fear, or because we have lost sight of our calling? God’s response to Elijah was not to dwell on his failures but to redirect him towards his purpose. God instructed Elijah to anoint Elisha, to invest in the next generation, reminding us that our calling often involves pouring into others.
The key to overcoming the wilderness experience is to see ourselves as God sees us. When we pray, "God, help me to see myself the way you see me," we begin to shift our perspective from one of fear and doubt to one of faith and purpose. God sees us as His beloved, called and equipped for His work. We are reminded that our past failures do not define us; rather, God’s calling and love do.
As we embrace this truth, we are empowered to pick up our sword again, to go forth with renewed vision and purpose. We are called to mentor, to teach, and to lead others, just as Elijah was called to anoint Elisha. Let us rise from our places of isolation and fear, and step into the calling God has for us, knowing that we are still loved, still called, and still purposed to go.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Voices: Elijah's story shows how a single voice of fear can overshadow our victories if we let it. We must be vigilant in silencing the voices of doubt and unbelief with the Word of God, our spiritual sword. [01:15:33]
2. God's Unchanging Perspective: Despite Elijah's fear and retreat, God's view of him as a prophet never changed. This reminds us that our identity and calling in God remain constant, even when we falter. [01:20:11]
3. Self-Reflection and Purpose: God's question to Elijah, "What are you doing here?" prompts us to reflect on our spiritual state and realign with our divine purpose. It challenges us to move beyond fear and embrace our calling. [01:19:20]
4. Seeing Through God's Eyes: Praying to see ourselves as God sees us transforms our perspective from one of fear to one of faith. This shift empowers us to reclaim our purpose and move forward in our calling. [01:21:54]
5. Empowered to Go: We are called to rise from our places of fear and isolation, to mentor and lead others. Our past does not define us; God's calling and love do. We are still purposed to go and fulfill His work. [01:27:06]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:13:42] - Honoring Calvary's Leadership
[01:14:13] - Elijah's Journey to Mount Carmel
[01:15:33] - The Power of Voices
[01:16:48] - Elijah's Wilderness Experience
[01:18:01] - Revival and the Sword of God
[01:18:38] - The Voice of Fear
[01:19:20] - God's Question to Elijah
[01:20:11] - God's Unchanging View
[01:20:55] - Personal Reflection and Prayer
[01:21:54] - Seeing Through God's Eyes
[01:23:12] - Overcoming Doubt and Isolation
[01:24:14] - Embracing the Call to Go
[01:24:41] - Removing the Lens of Fear
[01:25:43] - Prayer for Renewed Vision
[01:27:06] - Empowered to Fulfill God's Purpose
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Kings 18:45-46; 1 Kings 19:1-4
#### Observation Questions
1. What significant event took place on Mount Carmel involving Elijah, as described in 1 Kings 18:45-46? How did this demonstrate God's power? [01:14:13]
2. In 1 Kings 19:1-4, what was Jezebel's reaction to Elijah's actions, and how did it affect Elijah's state of mind? [01:15:33]
3. How did Elijah's journey into the wilderness reflect a change in his spiritual and emotional state? [01:16:48]
4. What question did God ask Elijah in the wilderness, and what was its significance? [01:19:20]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Elijah's experience on Mount Carmel contrast with his subsequent fear and retreat into the wilderness? What does this reveal about the nature of spiritual highs and lows? [01:16:48]
2. What role do the voices of fear and doubt play in Elijah's story, and how can they impact a person's faith journey? [01:18:38]
3. How does God's question to Elijah, "What are you doing here?" serve as a call to self-reflection and realignment with one's purpose? [01:19:20]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's perspective of us remains unchanged despite our failures or fears? [01:20:11]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when a single negative voice overshadowed your spiritual victories. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Elijah's story to handle such situations differently? [01:15:33]
2. Consider the voices of fear, doubt, and unbelief in your life. What practical steps can you take to silence these voices using the Word of God as your sword? [01:16:48]
3. How can you incorporate the prayer, "God, help me to see myself the way you see me," into your daily routine to transform your perspective from fear to faith? [01:21:54]
4. Identify someone in your life whom you can mentor or invest in, as Elijah was called to anoint Elisha. What steps can you take this week to begin this process? [01:19:20]
5. Reflect on your current spiritual state. Are there areas where you feel isolated or fearful? How can you rise from these places and step into the calling God has for you? [01:24:14]
6. How can you actively remind yourself of God's unchanging view of you, especially during times of self-doubt or failure? [01:20:11]
7. What is one specific action you can take this week to "pick up your sword" and go forth with renewed vision and purpose in your spiritual journey? [01:27:06]
Devotional
Day 1: The Influence of Fearful Voices
In our spiritual journey, the voices we listen to can significantly impact our faith and actions. Elijah's story illustrates how a single voice of fear, like Jezebel's, can overshadow even the greatest victories if allowed. Despite having witnessed God's power and silencing the prophets of Baal, Elijah fled in fear due to Jezebel's threats. This highlights the importance of being vigilant against the voices of doubt and unbelief that can lead us astray. We must wield the Word of God, our spiritual sword, to silence these negative voices and maintain our focus on God's truth. [01:15:33]
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a voice of fear or doubt in your life. How can you use God's Word to silence it today?
Day 2: God's Unchanging View of Us
Elijah's experience in the wilderness serves as a reminder that God's perspective of us remains constant, even when we falter. Despite Elijah's fear and retreat, God still saw him as His prophet, with a purpose and calling. This truth reassures us that our identity in God is not defined by our failures or fears. Instead, it is anchored in His unwavering love and calling. We are encouraged to see ourselves as God sees us, beloved and equipped for His work, regardless of our circumstances. [01:20:11]
"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'" (Isaiah 43:1, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you allowed your failures to define you? How can you embrace God's unchanging view of you today?
Day 3: Reflecting on Our Spiritual State
God's question to Elijah, "What are you doing here?" invites us to reflect on our spiritual state and realign with our divine purpose. It challenges us to examine whether fear or a loss of vision has led us to our current position. Instead of dwelling on past failures, God calls us to redirect our focus towards our purpose and calling. This reflection encourages us to move beyond fear and embrace the path God has set before us, investing in others and fulfilling our divine mission. [01:19:20]
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life that needs realignment with God's purpose? How can you take a step towards that today?
Day 4: Seeing Ourselves Through God's Eyes
Praying to see ourselves as God sees us transforms our perspective from one of fear to one of faith. This shift empowers us to reclaim our purpose and move forward in our calling. When we align our vision with God's, we are reminded that we are His beloved, called, and equipped for His work. Our past failures do not define us; rather, God's calling and love do. This understanding enables us to rise from places of isolation and fear, stepping into the fullness of our divine purpose. [01:21:54]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you begin to see yourself through God's eyes today? What changes in your life when you embrace this perspective?
Day 5: Empowered to Fulfill God's Purpose
We are called to rise from our places of fear and isolation, to mentor and lead others. Elijah's call to anoint Elisha reminds us that our purpose often involves investing in the next generation. Our past does not define us; God's calling and love do. As we embrace this truth, we are empowered to pick up our spiritual sword again, to go forth with renewed vision and purpose. Let us step into the calling God has for us, knowing that we are still loved, still called, and still purposed to go. [01:27:06]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who is someone you can mentor or encourage in their faith journey? How can you take a step towards fulfilling this role today?
Quotes
He went from killing the wrong, the prophets, cutting off the voices of the enemy to isolating himself, putting himself in the wilderness and sitting down. He went from the hand that God on him running with the people with him and behind him to isolated in the wilderness and sitting down. From one word. [01:17:30] (30 seconds)
And Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah saying, so the gods do to me more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. Jezebel said, I'm going to kill him. Now Elijah was running. He had the hand of God on him. He had just seen a mighty, powerful move of God. He had killed, the prophets with his sword. And today the sword is the word of God. Amen. It is our sword that kills the voice of the enemy. [01:15:42] (33 seconds)
But then you asked, why am I here? Why am I in this situation? Why am I in this spot? And it's interesting. God comes. Later on, and he finds Elijah there. And he asks, what are you doing here? What are you doing here? Did I send you here? And today, I feel the Holy Ghost. There's a word from God here asking, what are you doing here? [01:18:53] (32 seconds)
God's view of him never changed. God's view of him never changed. He was still the prophet. He was still the man of God. He still had a calling and a purpose. But Elijah's view of himself had changed. He saw himself through the lens of fear, doubt, unbelief. But God said, what are you doing here? You're my prophet. You're my man of God. And God is here today saying, what are you doing in this slump? [01:20:07] (28 seconds)
And as I began to pray that prayer, every single thing changed. Every single thing changed. Because at that point, my perspective was through a lens of fear, a lens of doubt, a lens of unbelief. But when I began to pray, God, let me see myself the way you see me. He saw the man of God. He saw someone who was called. And he sees you the exact same way. [01:21:55] (26 seconds)
You see yourself low, but God sees you with a purpose in mind. Ready to mentor somebody. Ready to go out to teach a Bible study. And you say, but I've been hurt. I've been through pain. I've been let down. And I guarantee you, every one of these testimonies, we're told today, would say the same thing. In 2017, God told me to go to Rose State College. [01:22:18] (28 seconds)
But as my perspective changed from seeing myself through that lens of fear and doubt, and I began to pray that prayer, and I picked up my sword again, began to get in the Word again, things began to change. And then a year or so later, Amy came to me and said, if you want to start something on the college again. And those feelings came back of, I don't know. [01:23:30] (26 seconds)
Tonight's a night of getting back up, of changing your vision from seeing yourself through the lens of one voice, one mistake, one problem. Before that, you were killing many voices of fear, doubt, and unbelief. But tonight, as you say, you're going to go. If you stand, if you have been called to go, but something happened, tonight that call has not left. That call is not gone. God still sees you as he's called you. [01:24:41] (34 seconds)
And if God has called you, but you've hit it, you've buried it, I want you to come to the front right now. And we're going to pray that prayer Bishop gave me. God, help me to see myself the way you see me. So, Ariana, God loves you. That's why he called you to sacrifice, because he sees your potential. He sees your purpose. He sees your calling, and it's great. [01:25:44] (29 seconds)
You have to quit isolating yourself from the body and push your way in and say, no, I want to be with the people of God. No, God, I want to see myself the way you see me, because God has called. He has called a great church here, and you are a part of that great church. And the vision of the church is go. But what is your individual vision to go? [01:27:45] (22 seconds)
Pray this prayer right now. Now, God, help me to see myself the way you see me. Help me to see how anointed I am. Help me to see the call you have for me. Help me to see how much you love me. Help me to see the mercy and grace you have for me. God, you're asking me, where am I at? And, God, I'm telling you, I'm getting up and I'm going. [01:29:35] (22 seconds)
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