Series: Breakthrough 2020 - Elijah’s Story
Opening Video Illustration from sermonspice.com/sermoncentral.com “Elijah”
Scripture texts: 1 Kings 16, 17, 18, 19; 2 Kings 1, 2
Key verses:
1 Kings 16:29-33: Ahab Becomes King of Israel
29In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. 30Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him. 31He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. 32He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. 33Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him.
1 Kings 17:1-6: Elijah prophecies no rain to Ahab and he is led by the Lord to a place where he is fed by Ravens
1Now 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.” 2Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 3“Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.” 5So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
Sermon: Elijah’s Breakthrough
Thesis: Elijah was a prophet of God called out of obscurity to confront a wicked King and Queen of Israel. He became one of Israel’s most famous prophets and helped bring a breakthrough for the nation of Israel. His calling was to confront the leaders of the nation for their promotion of sin and to prove God is the true God to be worshipped.
Note: The bulk of this sermon is gleamed and quoted from Chuck Swindoll’s book Swindoll, Charles R.. Elijah (Great Lives Series) Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. Thank you Chuck for such a great book!
Introduction:
History is the study of individual lives, people groups, times, cultures and events. When you search through history certain people stand out like our hero Elijah. He is recorded in the annals of history of the Jewish nation of Israel. He was a real life person called out of seemingly a place called nowhere, to confront a powerful king and queen for their sins and for leading Gods people away from the truth.
Elijahs life was filled with breakthroughs – but those breakthroughs came at a cost. When we study men and women of history it’s important to note what was transpiring in their time. What price they had to pay for breakthroughs for themselves, for others and for their nation.
Elijah’s prophetic ministry is primarily linked to the reign of Ahab and Jezebel in Israel. He is the prophet who God raises up to confront their wickedness. So To understand the times in which Elijah lived, we need to know a few more details of the political climate and spiritual climate of Israel.
Religion from http://www.becomingcloser.org/elijah/elijah_the_prophet.html
The worship of Baal and Asherah (also Astarte, Astoreth and several other variants) is, for the most part, extinct in our culture today. (I exclude those radical feminists who now find Astarte so wonderful). Since these are not common in our time, we need a little bit of explanation to what these beliefs consisted of.
• Baal – is the primary male god of the Canaanite religion, centered around Sidon (from which Jezebel came). Worship of this god included such interesting features as infant sacrifice and cannibalism. Represented by the sun, he is the primary male symbol of fertility. He (and Asherah) give birth to 70 other gods who make up the pantheon of this worship style. The name is generic, and sometimes is applied to other, more particular gods.
• Asherah – is the primary female goddess of this religion. Her worship features temple prostitutes. She is represented by the moon. Lately, worship of this goddess has been revised by certain radical feminists.. In her Babylonian guise, she is the root of much of the “New Age” worship.
Quote: From Book by Kilpatrick - “Chariot of Fire”: “The story of Elijah is the story of Jezebel and the saga of Ahab. Elijah's long fought war, and his spectacular rapture . . . both hinged on his victory over evil, a triumph that had to be personal before it could be national.”
J. Oswald Sanders writes in an old work, Robust in Faith, “Elijah appeared at zero hour in Israel’s history. . . . Like a meteor, he flashed across the inky blackness of Israel’s spiritual night.”
Swindoll notes, “Nobody could have handled a couple like Ahab and Jezebel better than Elijah. ( They were the Bonnie and Clyde of their day) The rugged, gaunt prophet from Tishbeh became God’s instrument of confrontation. F. B. Meyer calls Jezebel the Lady Macbeth of the Old Testament. She bore all of the markings of demon possession, and according to the record of her deeds, she was, in fact, Satan’s woman of the hour. In spiritual terms, this was a time of complete despair. The chasm between God and His people had reached its widest breadth. Imagine the thick demonic darkness as he [Ahab] erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria. Ahab also made the Asherah. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him. 1 Kings 16:32–33 ( Swindoll page 10-11).
So was the climate Elijah had to face and address for God. He put his life on the line for the truth and God had his back.
In the prophetic literature of the Bible there are prophecies that the spirit of Elijah will return before the last days come into play.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. (Malachi 4:5-6)
In a historical summary of Biblical literature, the spirit of Elijah would and will fall on five men in the history of time: these were Elijah ( himseelf, Elisha, John the Baptist, a man with a ministry of restoration (Jesus), and one of two prophets who will appear before Israel and the world in the last days ( This has not happened yet but many looking for these two prophets to appear).
Characteristic Elijah Elisha John
1) A man of the wilderness, without social status. II Kings 1:8 I Kings 19:21 Matthew 3:4
2) Raised the dead I Kings 17:24
I Kings 17:22 II Kings 4:34 Fulfilled by Jesus
3) Guided by Angels I Kings 19:5 II Kings 6:17 Luke 1:13
4) Spoke with the Lord, I Kings 19:13 II Kings 8:10 Matthew 3:15
5) Hated by fashionable women. I Kings 19:2 unkown Matthew 14:8
6) Prophecy came to pass II Kings 10:10 (II Kings 2:21)
Mark 1:7-8
7) Controlled nature I Kings 17:1
II Kings 2:8 II Kings 2:14
II Kings 8:1 Fulfilled by Jesus
8) Preached the Word of the Lord. I Kings 18:18 II Kings 7:1 Matthew 3:1
9) Condemned idolatry. I Kings 18:25 II Kings 3:14 Matthew 3:2
10) Helped widows in need. I Kings 17:15-16 II Kings 4:1 Fulfilled by Jesus
11) Prophecied destruction. I Kings 21:19,23 II Kings 8:12 Fulfilled by Jesus
12) Identified with fire from heaven. II Kings 1:10
I Kings 18:38 II Kings 6:17 No
13) Preached against immoral women. I Kings 21:25 Unknown Matthew 14:3
14) Emotional I Kings 19:4 II Kings 2:24-25 Luke 7:20
15) Prophecied of children No II Kings 4:8 No
16) Healed the sick/blind No II Kings 5:10 Fulfilled by Jesus
17) Revealed unknown secrets I Kings 21:19 II Kings 6:12 Fulfilled by Jesus
18) Identified as Elijah I Kings 17:1 II Kings 2:15 Matthew 11:14
From http://en.believethesign.com/index.php?title=Elijah_the_Prophet
So many people are looking for the Spirit of Elijah to emerge onto the scene today because many feel we are in the last days. So to learn about Elijah and the spirit of Elijah let’s explore this historical figure from ancient Israelite history.
1. Elijah’s personal background speaks volumes to his mission and calling from God.
a. His name is very significant and points to his mission and calling:
i. Chuck Swindoll states, “ The Hebrew word for “God” in the Old Testament is Elohim, which is occasionally abbreviated , El. The word jar is for “Jehovah.” Thus we find thee word for “God” and the word for “Jehovah.” Between them is the letter I, which in Hebrew has reference to the personal pronoun “ my” or “mine.” Putting the three words together, then, we find Elijah’s name means “My God is Jehovah” or “The Lord is my God.” Ahab and Jezebel were in control of the land, and Baal was the god they worshipped. But when Elijah burst on the scene, his very name proclaimed : “I have one God. His name is Jehovah. He is the One I serve, before whom I stand.”
1. Swindoll – Elijah page 12
b. His place of birth and heritage
i. Elijah’s name was significant, as were his roots. But what comes most immediately to mind when I think of Elijah is his style. Right from the get-go, he’s in the king’s face. Without a moment’s hesitation, with no apparent fear or reluctance, Elijah stands before Ahab the king and comes right to the point. Now remember, the kingdom of Israel has known sixty or more years of unbelief, assassinations, idolatry, ungodliness, and cutthroat rulers. Furthermore, the present king and his dominating partner are the worst of the lot. Onto this stage steps a prophet from nowhere. He follows no protocol, makes no introductions, offers no deference to the royal presence. He is without sophistication, polish, training, or courtly manners. He simply announces, “As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” Elijah is a man on a mission, declaring himself a servant of “the Lord, the God of Israel,” when all around him are evidences of blatant Baal worship.
1. Swindoll page 13-14.
c. His personality
i. See the list above !
ii. Elijah’s willingness and boldness to address sinful behavior.
1. Elijah definitely allowed his faith to supersede his fear.
a. He was bold but humble – note he did struggle with fear, loneliness and some say depression.
iii. Listen to his prophetic word to King Ahab
1. “You are doing evil and the Lord who I serve is sending judgment on you and the nation for their sin.”
a. Here this warning America.
2. His word “Drought is coming until the Lord says different.”
d. His calling – A Prophet
i. Prophetic Words: The role of the prophet from http://www.becomingcloser.org/elijah/elijah_the_prophet.html
1. Prophecy, especially in the Old Testament, has two functions:
a. The prophet is to foretell – not in the sense of predicting the stock market, but in terms of outlining the consequences God intends. Foretelling by a prophet always carries an “if” –“if you don’t repent, …”
b. The prophet is to forthtell – to proclaim wickedness for what it is. In this day when everything is relative and there is no absolute truth, some may think this quaint, at best. But the prophet has no choice; this is God’s work for the prophet.
i. The key to the character of the prophet is this: God does not hide his intentions from the prophet, but rather uses him to proclaim those intentions to the world.
2. Elijah’s approach: It’s instructive to see Elijah’s approach: He did not go to the people and tell them of the impending drought. He is not to be a political rabble-rouser, or form a political party. He went instead to the source of the problem, the king.
2. Elijah was called to stand in gap for a nation trapped in sin.
a. God is even today looking for men and women of God to stand in gap for His people and His nation.
i. Are you one of them?
1. Reference the Saturday event lead by Jonathan Chan and Franklin Graham.
a.
2. Standing in the gap – what does that mean?
a. “Question: "What does it mean to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30)?" Answer: In Ezekiel 22:30 the Lord says, “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” The word picture painted in this verse is that of a wall with a hole or a gap in it. A wall was the best means of protection in ancient times. A breach in the wall would let the enemy through. If there was a breach in the wall, defenders would have to swarm to that location and hold the breach. The gap would need to be repaired as soon as possible. If a breach was left unattended or unrepaired, the city would fall.”
b. “Similar wording is found in Psalm 106:23. This psalm summarizes the sins of Israel in the wilderness, primarily concerning the golden calf. Verse 23 explains, “So [God] said he would destroy them—had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them.” Moses “stood in the gap” and saved the people of Israel with his petition on their behalf. In standing in the gap, he “stepped between the LORD and the people” (Psalm 106:23, NLT). Moses had been chosen for that very purpose.”
c. “Besides Moses, there are several who have had the courage and insight to “stand in the gap” and intercede for others. In Genesis 18 Abraham intercedes for Sodom. Stephen prayed for those stoning him (Acts 7:60). Paul prayed for Israel’s salvation (Romans 10:1). And of course, the Lord Jesus is the master of standing in the gap, praying from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34), and continuing to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25).”
d. “In the New Testament, we are told to pray for others (1 Timothy 2:1)”
i. The above all quoted from https://www.gotquestions.org/stand-in-the-gap.html
b. Elijah’s boldness and courage to speak the truth set in motion a transformation of a sinful nation.
i. God today is looking for special people in difficult times like today to stand in the gap and speak the truth – even to leaders of nations.
1. Would you be one of God’s spoke’s person?
a. The same call on Elijah in his day is still being echoed by the Lord today in our generation and time.
ii. Swindoll states, “Elijah, David, Esther, Moses, and Joseph, along with Knox, Lee, and others—not a mediocre bone in their bodies. These were men and women who were willing to stand alone against the strongest forces of their day and, without reluctance or embarrassment, proclaim the name of the Lord. Do you remember what God led another of His great prophets to write about this? And I searched for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Ezekiel 22:30”
1. Swindoll – book Elijah
c. Elijah had an unlikely nature to be able to bring a spiritual breakthrough – as most of us without the Lord do. But his power to bring breakthrough came from his faith and trust in God above all others – even himself.
i. He also learned to allow his faith to overcome his fears.
d. Elijah stood representing God – in person to a wicked king and queen!
i. God needs people today to stand in the gap and represent Him to people who are lost and deceived.
3. Elijah reveals how God provides even in times of famine.
a. Elijah’s faith and trust in God’s provision helped him to grow in his faith walk with God.
i. The babbling Brook experience - He allows God to led him to a brook where he is fed by the birds
1. He does as he is instructed by the Lord and God provides.
a. Would you have been willing to do this?
2. Elijah needed to learn about God’s providence. The ravens brought him no stockpile; he learned to live from one meal to the next.
a. I suspect he also learned the difference between necessity and desire. If he was comparing himself to the other false prophets - The prophets of Baal probably dined in higher style had the best of everything – way more than Elijah.
b. But Elijah was fed as befits a servant of God, not in luxury but in necessity – in the spirit of humility not prideful and arrogant.
3. Because of his obedience to the Word of the Lord - He is able to hear Gods voice of where to go next.
a. The brook dries up from the drought and God sends him to a widow.
4. Have you been in this place with the Lord – he leads to a place but the Brook dries up?
a. Swindoll notes this about dried brook experiences:
i. “But we can’t always live by the bubbling brook. This is not Fantasyland, remember; this is hard-core boot camp. Times of extensive training and intense testing are required courses in God’s character-character-building curriculum. And it happened after a while, that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. 1 Kings 17:7 One morning Elijah noticed that the brook wasn’t gushing over the rocks or bubbling as freely as it had in days past…Does that boot camp experience sound familiar to any of you? At one time you knew the joy of a full bank account, a booming business, an exciting, ever-expanding career, a magnificent ministry. But . . . the brook has dried up.”
1. Swindoll, Charles R.. Elijah (Great Lives Series) (p. 29). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
5. Just because the brook dries up – does not mean you are done or God does not have something over the horizon for you!
a. Swindoll notes this story: “That’s what happened to John Bunyan back in the seventeenth century in England. He preached against the godlessness of his day, and the authorities shoved him into prison. His brook of opportunity and freedom dried up. But because Bunyan firmly believed God was still alive and working, he turned that prison into a place of praise, service and creativity as he began to write Pilgrim’s Progress, the most famous allegory in the history of the English language. Dried-up brooks in no way cancel out God’s providential plan. Often, they cause it to emerge.”
i. Swindoll, Charles R.. Elijah (Great Lives Series) (p. 30). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
b. The next chapter is clear – leave the dried up brook and be led by God to the next divine appointment and place to be.
i. The discovery of the widow in the midst of drought and famine
1. Living with the widow was totally different experience than the Brook experience!
a. He hitches up with the widow and provides for her, her son and him – really all of them!
b. He meets the widow and God provides
c. God does another miracle – the oil and the floor never run dry!
d. But tragedy strikes her son dies!
i. Elijah calls to God and God heals her son – brings him back to life!
ii. She acknowledges that he is a prophet of truth not lies – why because her son’s life is given back to her.
iii. She acknowledges that His God is the real deal – He is a prophet of truth.
1. “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth.”
Conclusion:
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. (Malachi 4:5-6)
Elijah (Greek: Elias) was a prophet in Israel in the 9th century BC who raised the dead, called fire from heaven, preached against idolatry, and asceneded into heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah's successor, Elisha, was given a double portion of his spirit, and raised the dead, healed the sick, and revealed the secrets of people's hearts. The prophet Malachi prophecied of Elijah's return before the "great and dreadful day of the LORD" (Malachi 4:5b) with a specific mission to "turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers" (Malachi 4:6a). This return is a sign that many Jews and Christians await as an indication of the soon coming of the Messiah.
God is shaping the man Elijah to do great things, and he is doing so by using adversity. Can you relate to Elijah and Is God doing the same to you?
What do we need to know from this message?
Answer 1: Swindoll states, “The quest continues. Our Lord is still searching for people who will make a difference. Christians dare not be mediocre. We dare not dissolve into the background or blend into the neutral scenery of this world.”
In spite of the worlds pushing us to blend in and not make waves and to accept everything as normal. God is saying don’t listen to those lies stand out – stand up – stand in gap. Your time is now to be a part of what God is doing and will do! This is what we have been created today to do – yes - in this age of tolerance and compromise? Everything Is not okay but with God it will be okay if we stand in the gap. So what do you say?
Answer 2: Just because the brook dried up does not mean God has forsaken or left you!
Swindoll highlights: “But God says, in the midst of your dried-up brook, “You are written on the palms of My hands. You are continually before Me.” Then He uses that wonderful image of a young mother with her new baby . . . and He surprises us with a realistic reminder: “Can a woman forget her nursing child?” You wouldn’t think so, would you? But look at the stories in the news, and you know how many women do exactly that. Babies left in garbage dumpsters. Tiny babies abandoned—sometimes even abused or tortured or murdered. Yes, as unimaginable as it seems, even a mother can forget her nursing child. But here’s the clincher: Not God. Not God! He will never forget us. We are permanently inscribed on the palms of His hands. Stop and glance at the palms of your hand. Now, imagine they are God’s hands and that you are right there.” Swindoll, Charles R.. Elijah (Great Lives Series) (p. 32). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
Why do we need to know this?
Answer 1: God needs you! Swindoll, “God’s methods are often surprising. God did not raise up an army to destroy Ahab and Jezebel. Neither did He send some scintillating prince to argue His case or try to impress their royal majesties. Instead God did the unimaginable—He chose somebody like (you and I) . . . well, like Elijah. Are you thinking right now that somebody else is better qualified for that short-term mission assignment? For that leadership training group? For that community service? Are you a wife and homemaker who feels that your contribution to God’s service is not noteworthy? Do you see other people as special or called or talented? You may be missing a ministry opportunity that is right there in front of you. You may be in the very midst of a ministry and not even realize it.”
Answer 2: God has not left you because the brook dried up!
Swindoll reminds us: “And when we end up beside a dry streambed, He never has to admit, “Oops, now how did he wind up there?” No. God says, “That’s right. That’s exactly where I want you. Yes. Perfect.” “But it hurts, Lord. I remember when times were so much easier . . . when I drank from this brook. I feel so displaced.” “I know it, but it’s where I want you. I see you there. I haven’t forgotten you. Trust me through this.” Swindoll, Charles R.. Elijah (Great Lives Series) (p. 32-33). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
What should we do with the truth of this message?
Answer 1: We need to be the ones who stand in the gap for truth - we need to call sin - sin. We need to decide to make a difference even If we think we are nobodies – from nowhere who could not make a difference – you can make a difference.
Swindoll states,” We stand before God. When we’re standing alone in the gap, ultimately, we’re standing before God. When the call comes, will God find us ready and willing to stand for Him? Will He find in us hearts that are completely His? Will He be able to say, “Ah, yes, that one’s heart is completely Mine.”
Swindoll notes, “Yet Elijah came out of this insignificant place—out of nowhere—to make such a significant contribution to God’s plan for His people that he became one of Israel’s most famous heroes. He became a legend.”
Answer 2: We need to know if the brook dries up – then we need to hear from God and move on to where he leads us! Just like God said go to the brook and I will provide means when it dries up he will send us somewhere else and still provide! Swindoll states, “The dried-up brook was only the beginning. God had plans for Elijah that would take him far beyond those quiet days of isolation and meditation, where life beside the brook, with birds faithfully catering his meals, was simple, uninterrupted, and fairly routine. Anyone who would be used of God as mightily as Elijah would be in the years ahead must first face the advanced training course. For Elijah, this was Zarephath.” Swindoll, Charles R.. Elijah (Great Lives Series) (p. 44). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
How do I help them remember this message?
Current day movements high light them The Return 2020 – Franklin Grahams prayer day in Dc (100,000 people) – Sean’s “Worship with us” - Jonathan Chan’s message - did you listen to it – watch it – hear it?”
See Jonathan Cahn’s message at The Return 2020 on Sept. 29, 2020 (Note - as Elijah stood before Ahab and Jezebel so did Jonathan Cahn stand before the leadership of the United States and the people of the United States and gave a prophetic word from the Lord for us to hear!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6F9Z1AyKRM
