Overcome By Persistence Series

OVERCOME BY PERSISTENCE

1 Kings 19:1-18

Introduction

Today we conclude our series called THIS IS HOW WE OVERCOME. We overcome life’s challenges by …

-Trusting God in the Chaos

- Obeying God when we do not understand

- Turning to God for Redemption

- Rejecting reluctance and embracing His mission

- Trusting God’s provision for our needs

- Listening to God’s voice for guidance

- Give Extravagant Praise When challenged

For the last message in this series we travel to 1 Kings 19 to talk about the prophet Elijah and the need to keep on keeping on - Don’t ever give up!

In 1 Kings 18 Elijah had defeated the prophets of Baal in a stunning display of the power of God. The King of the time was Ahab who was married to Queen Jezebel - a foreigner and wicked woman. Jezebel threatened Elijah’s life because of his treatment of the prophets of Baal. “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like one of them.” (19:2). This would turn out to be one of the toughest challenges of Elijah’s life - as he wrestles with himself in a time of self-doubting and discouragement. He sat down under a broom bush and said, “I have had enough, Lord, take my life…”

No matter how strong we think we are, we will face battles of discouragement - and our persistence will be challenged.

1. CHALLENGES TO OUR PERSISTENCE

Others - Jezebel made a threat to Elijah’s life. We may not have threats against our life, but other people can certainly play a role in our feelings. This is true in families, at work, on line, in church. We can let the words of others discourage us.

Isolation - 3, 4a. When we try to handle everything on our own, we rob ourselves of the input, help, and viewpoints of those who love us. When Jesus went to his most distressing moment, he took his three closest friends.

Discouragement - 4b “I have had enough, Lord, take my life…”

False Beliefs - 10. Elijah believed he was the only one who served God. Because he thought everyone else had abandoned God, he thought he alone was God’s special servant. What false beliefs keep us from being encouraged? Being truthful with ourselves is key to persistence.

Loss of Direction 11-13. Even in the display of God’s power and presence, Elijah is just standing in the entrance to the cave repeating his false beliefs, exercising his right to rehearse his troubles. It is interesting that Elijah still feels alone after being fed by an angel - TWICE! Sometimes, depression and despair can blind us to miracles in our midst. (Pulpit Fiction)

Ultimately, God asks twice: What are you doing here, Elijah?

What are some things we can learn about growing in our persistence … the power to overcome? Sources of Power for Persistence:

2. POWER SOURCES FOR PERSISTENCE!

Rest & Refreshment For Energy. God tends to Elijah’s physical needs for energy, Strength. Psalm 23:2,5 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters... You prepare a table before me... . In our time of nonstop activity, we often are discouraged and weakened by a lack of rest and refreshment.

1 Peter 4:11 …Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Reminder of God’s Presence. Elijah journeys to Horeb - the mountain of God. Where Moses first met God in the burning bush! Also known as Sinai, place where God gave the Law. For Elijah, a trip to that holy mountain was a pilgrimage to his spiritual roots…a place to rekindle memories, to recall all God had done throughout history. The mountain was a setting that would force Elijah to think about something other than himself. (Leininger) Here, Elijah stands in Moses’ footsteps, hearing personally from God on the mountain. "a gentle whisper" (NIV); “a still small voice" (KJV). When we start looking at our lives without the presence and power of God, the strongest of us is reduced to weakness and a loss of faith. God is near, but we are the ones who are often far away from Him. Elijah certainly doesn’t seem to be walking in powerful faithfulness at this point. But notice that God has not gone away… he continues to minister to Elijah’s fearful heart.

Renewal of God’s Vision & Work. God recommissions Elijah - gives him some new jobs to do. A renewal of purpose. “This is the Call of Elijah, a call in the middle of chaos, exhaustion, and fear” -Jonathan LeMaster-Smith. God has called us into the Kingdom with work to do!