Giving And Taking

GIVING AND TAKING

I Kings 17:1-7

Elijah’s brook dried up. Why did the Lord allow this to happen? To teach him to trust in God and not in the brook. Remember, God is our refuge (our supply as well as the supplier), a very present help in time of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

I. GOD’S CHILDREN ARE OFTEN CALLED UPON TO SIT BY DRYING BROOKS.

a. Drying brooks of POPULARITY.

b. Drying brooks of HEALTH.

c. Drying brooks of MONEY.

d. Drying brooks of FRIENDSHIP.

II. GOD’S CHILDREN MUST LEARN TO TAKE ONE STEP AT A TIME.

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

III. GOD’S CHILDREN MUST LEARN TO TRUST GOD COMPLETELY.

The Lord fed Israel with manna and led them by a cloud.

IV. GOD’S CHILDREN MUST LEARN THE VALUE OF THE HIDDEN LIFE

a. Moses on the backside of the desert.

b. John on Patmos.

c. John the Baptist in the wilderness.

d. Jesus alone in the mountains.

V. GOD’S CHILDREN MUST LEARN TO TAKE ORDERS

a. Elijah- ordered to Zarepath.

b. Moses- ordered to Egypt.

c. Jonah- ordered to Ninevah.

VI. GOD’S CHILDREN MUST LEARN THAT THEY NEED A DOUBLE PORTION OF ELIJAH’S SPIRIT.

a. To face the future.

b. To get victory over sin.

c. To defeat the devil.

Even though Elijah started out strong for the Lord he soon turned his focus toward man and failed to trust God. Elijah was given the opportunity to return to service for the Lord, but was so backslidden that he failed to see the Lord’s blessing and hear his words.

God gives us the same opportunities and the same ultimatums, either serve and obey or he will find someone who is willing to.