Video Transition: Through the storm!
Series: Breakthrough 2020
Sermon: Elijah’s Breakthrough pt. 5
Thesis: Elijah was just like you and I and he has his high mountain top experiences and his low valley experience’s but his story shows how God helped him through the valley of despair and depression. God will do the same for us today as well.
Scripture Text: I Kings 19: 1-9 - Elijah Flees to Horeb
1Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” 3Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.
9There he went into a cave and spent the night.
Introduction:
Summary of the showdown on Mt Carmel 1 Kings 18:
It was 850 to 1 and God shows up giving Elijah a great victory! Fire comes from Heaven – the people see God’s fire!
Elijah reveals that faith and courage are necessary to confront sin and we must have a showdown between truth and lies. To do this we need to call on God and have His presence show up. Could you have imagined seeing this whole thing play out on CNN of FOX? The miracle happens the false prophets are destroyed – God is proven true to the people by the miracle fire and display of His power.
The people respond and kill the false prophets – God sends the healing rain to the nation of Israel.
But soon afterwards the death threats come to Elijah from Jezebel – He falls and crumbles under the pressure and he runs away! The prophet who just called down fire from heaven runs from a wicked carnal queen!
How Faith Helps Depression by Therese J. Borchard
She notes, “A substantial amount of research points to the benefits of faith to mitigate symptoms of depression. In one study, for example, researchers at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, found that belief in God was associated with better treatment outcomes. They followed 159 individuals over the course of a year to examine the relationship between a person’s level of belief in God, expectations for treatment, and actual treatment outcomes. Individuals with no belief — or only a slight belief — in God were twice as likely to not respond to treatment than people with stronger beliefs.
She notes – “Studies show that faith changes your brain. Faith assigns meaning to suffering. Faith provides a support system! Faith provides heroes and inspiration.”
“Of all my sanity tools, my faith is what has kept me alive during severe depressive episodes. When I’m convinced that no one else could comprehend the intense suffering I’m experiencing, I cling to my belief in a God who created me for a reason, who knows my pain more intimately than any other human being, and who will see me through to the other side. “
1. Elijah’s flight from danger and His crisis of faith.
a. His fall was created by a reaction to death threats, physical exhaustion, extreme stress and fear! His flight and runaway mindset led him to God – yes in the wilderness and despair - he hears the whispering voice of God and his faith is built back up!
i. He is afraid and running for his life! Flight and fear! Even depression! Anxiety attack and emotional collapse.
ii. This was Elijah’s worst day of his life – at least I think it was!
1. What was one of the worst days of your life?
a. This last Wednesday after elections?
2. Brian Houston states, “I think in life, especially as people of the faith, we believe for the best. But let’s be honest; if you live long enough, we will all have those days when we hear the worst…I always try to live with an expectation for the best, but it’s true that we never know what our worst day will be, or when it will be. Life is seasonal. The Bible virtually promises us that “in this world, we will have trouble” (John 16:33).
a. Share the story of the worst day of his life from book Live Love Lead - Chapter 6.
iii. God knew his man; Elijah is a man who calls down fire from Heaven – but just afterwards he runs for his life.
1. He is like many of us!
a. Been there – can you relate to our hero?
2. We have a great victory in God then doubt rushes in and we fail and fall.
a. But did he not just do a great miracle and witness the power of God?
b. How soon we all forget the presence and power of God!
c. This seems to be the history of humans a short attention and memory span.
d. He becomes suicidal – fear is distorting his thinking depression does this. All he wants to do is sleep!
e. He runs away out of fear and the feeling of isolation! He runs deep into the wilderness.
f. But guess who is waiting for him there?
b. Why did Elijah collapse, his faith waiver, his flight response under the death threat from Jezebel?
i. Swindoll states, “Why did Elijah fear Jezebel’s intimidating threats and run after a great victory?”
1. Elijah was not thinking realistically or clearly!
a. He let her get to him!
2. Elijah separated himself from strengthening relationships
a. He left his servant – isolated himself from others.
b. This is always a recipe for disaster!
3. Elijah was caught in the backwash of a great victory.
a. Swindoll notes, “Our most vulnerable moments usually come after a great victory, especially if that victory is a mountaintop experience with God. Those are the times when we need to set up a defense against the enemy” (Page 114)
4. Elijah was physically exhausted and emotionally spent.
a. For years Elijah was living on the edge of starvation and in the wilderness. He had come to end of his rope physically and emotionally! This all weakened him spiritually!
5. Elijah got lost in self-pity – wow is me!
a. This will bring you down from a spiritual high in a heartbeat. It will lie to you. It will exaggerate the situation. It will drive you to tears and depression. It will cultivate a victim mentality and cause you to want to die! (page 116-117).
c. The real battle of despair and depression.
i. Illustration and this section comes from http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/rx-for-the-soul--healing-for-depression-jeff-strite-sermon-on-emotions-54663.asp?page=0
1. Psychiatry students were in their college class one day when their professor began a discussion to prove a point. "What we’re going to talk about today," the professor said, "are the emotional extremes that many mentally disturbed people go through… for example “What’s the opposite of joy?" he asked one student. "Sadness" the student answered. "The opposite of depression?" he asked a young lady. "Elation," she replied. Turning to a young man from Texas he asked, "the opposite of woe?" "Well, now," the Texan replied, "I suppose the opposite of woe, would be giddy up."
ii. Thought and application point: Depression is real, and it can even effect people of the faith.
1. According to Psychiatrists Frank Minirth & Paul Meier, the majority of Americans suffer from a serious, clinical depression at some point in their lives. Most of these people never get help... they just fight this battle on their own.
a. Quote from Jeff Strite: When I was reading out Reader’s Digest this last month, I ran across an advertisement for Paxil, an anti-depressant (Reader’s. Digest, 2/03). It began with these words…"Depressed Mood, Loss of Interest, Sleep Problems, Difficulty Concentrating, Agitation, Restlessness" Then it concluded with these words: "Life is too precious to let another day go by feeling not quite ’yourself.’ If you’ve experienced some of these symptoms nearly every day, for at least two weeks, a chemical imbalance could be to blame. And life can feel difficult ALL DAY."
b. Jeff adds, to read this advertisement you would believe that most (if not all) of those suffering from depression are victims of a chemical imbalance. And indeed, the Holy Grail of psychiatrists is to find that magic pill, that powerful potion that will correct that imbalance and give people everywhere relief from the dark moments of sadness and hopelessness.
iii. Depression is very real part of life for many people back then and for us today.
1. ILLUS: A couple of years ago, the South East Christian Church offered a time during their Wednesday Evening Service (attendance of at least 600) for people to come forward and have the Elders lay hands on them and pray for healing. The speaker pointed out that there was "a lot of hurt in this room" - sickness, broken relationships, grief. He said that at the invitation, the elders would be available for prayers of healing. The response began as a trickle. Soon, others began making their way down from the balcony; walking along individually or in pairs, or rolling forward in wheel chairs. Before long, the trickle became a torrent. Elder Bob Carpenter said he was not prepared for the response to the invitation. "I was totally surprised by the magnitude of it." Elder Bill Beauchamp did not expect the vast response either… nor did he anticipate the type of prayer needs revealed. "At least 2 out of 3 asked for prayer for depression," he said. "I thought it would be more for physical needs. But so many said, ’I’m depressed. I feel unworthy. I see no future." I was amazed at how many felt unworthy."
a. At the famous Minirth-Meier Clinics - in an average week, 50,000 people will visit them for therapy. Seventy-five percent of these clients, says Dr. Meier, will have either clinical depression or some sort of anxiety disorder.
b. Let me be very clear - Depression can be a very real problem for you or I at different times of your life.
iv. What is interesting about our hero Elijah is he is really depressed– God gives us a case study in clinical depression right here in I Kings 19!
1. Why do you think this story is in the Bible? To show us how God will help us through tough times like this – to show we are only human!
2. Swindoll states it’s here in his story to show us how God will minister to us in our desperate and discouraging moments of life: How did God do this?
a. God allowed Elijah a time of rest and refreshment.
b. God communicated wisely with Elijah and gave him a reality check.
i. You are not all alone!
ii. I have helpers for you!
c. God gave Elijah a close personal friend in Elisha.
d. God did not desert our hero of the faith --- that’s not where God leaves him in depression instead he brings healing to him.
i. Jeff states, “God didn’t say: “well sorry Elijah – you have a chemical imbalance, and Paxil hasn’t been invented yet – so I can’t help you!” Oh no… long before psychiatry was ever thought of….long before healing could be bought in the little purple pills…long before we had clinics and psychiatrists and psychologists (not meaning any disrespect to psychiatrists or psychologists or the clinics they run) But, long before all of that… God healed a man of depression & it was not an isolated instance. And what God did for Elijah, He can do for you & me too
e. God responds to the needs of our hero and tends his soul.
i. You are exhausted eat some food!
ii. Be encouraged I am in control!
iii. He appears to him a couple times to renew his vision and his faith.
1. This is why I love the Lord so much – he cares about me – he loves me!
2. Brian Houston, “God will always be your soul supporter. ‘Especially on your worst days” (Page 89).
T.S. – Elijah is strengthened by the angel of the Lord and the food and water renews him in the wilderness he then hears God to heard to His presence.
2. Elijah’s journey to the mountain of God 1 Kings 19:10-18:
a. The Lord Appears to Elijah and the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 11The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 15The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.”
i. Elijah is ministered to by the Lord and His angel encourages him – so his stops his running away and turns and heads to the mountain where God’s presence is.
b. How did God help our hero of the faith to deal with his depression and fall --- here is another perspective or observation? (4 point from Jeff Strite sermoncentral.com 1 from me)
i. 1st – God sent him to a place where his presence was:
1. Like church a place will people encounter the presence of God and get a revelation of Jesus!
2. Brian shares how he had to tell his kids about their grandfather and help deal with the pain and the grief and how this impacted their faith. He said an encouraging moment happened when he told his 17 year old son about his grandfather – “After we shared a few moment of silence together, I said, ‘Ben, I so hope this doesn’t affect your faith.” He nodded and said, “Don’t worry, Dad. That’s not going to happen-I’ve had my own revelation of Jesus” (Pages 77-78).
3. Back in 1999 Duke University conducted a study of nearly 4000 older adults. One of their conclusions: "Attendance at a house of worship is related to lower rates of depression and anxiety."
a. Yes, going to church on a regular basis is healthy for you!
b. A service a Sunday can help keep the doctor away!
c. Why is that – because in worship service on a Sunday is where most people have an encounter with the presence of Jesus and get fresh revelations from Him.
ii. 2nd - God had Elijah tell Him what the problem was – but he did it through asking questions – to help Elijah through his dark night of the soul.
1. God knew what was going on but he wanted Elijah to verbalize it- words are powerful for us – “I feel alone, afraid, fearful for my life, and I want to quit – take me home!” “God, I don’t think you are doing anything!”
1. The power of our words to open our souls is important!
2. Best counseling sometimes is to ask questions and listen!
2. Brian Houston states, “Despite how painful your circumstances may be, no matter how difficult life’s path may seem, you will not be destroyed. I believe life is all about choices, and we can choose to cooperate with the words of death and sickness spoken over our lives, or we can choose to rise above them. The anguish you feel is real, but there’s something more powerful, more potent, more all-encompassing than any loss, crisis, or trauma we can encounter: the love of God through the power of his Son, Jesus Christ” (Page 85).
iii. 3rd – God dealt with the false beliefs/ false ideas that were fueling Elijah’s depression.
1. God addresses the lies he believed with truth!
a. Psalms are filled with people like David voicing their grief and pain to God and saying “Woe is me!” but then the Holy Spirit touches them and flows with healing power and truth and brings relief from the pain and the lies we sometimes believe in the midst of pain.
b. In Psalm 42 David starts with crying but ends the Psalm praising God!
iv. 4th - God gave Elijah something to do!
1. Do you want to get out of the blues – listen for the voice of God and go do what he tells you to do!
a. Elijah had to go do certain things for God.
b. Brian Houston states, “As excruciating as it feels at the time, doing the right thing and being obedient to God allows you to move through the process faster and more aware of what is to come” (Page 87).
2. Illustration from Jeff Strite: During a lecture on mental health someone once asked Dr. Carl Menninger: "What would you advise a person to do if that person felt a nervous breakdown coming on?" Most people thought he would say, "Go see a psychiatrist immediately," but he didn’t. Much to everyone’s astonishment, Dr. Menninger replied, "Lock up your house, go across the railroad tracks, find somebody in need, and help that person." To overcome discouragement, "Don’t focus on yourself, get involved in the lives of other people."
v. 5th – He speaks in a gentle whisper to our wounded warrior.
1. Mt. Horeb – the mountain of God – the place where God’s presence dwells (I Kings 19:3-18)!
c. The Lord’s presence and the power of His whisper in the midst of stress and despair is life changing but notice Elijah quit running and headed to God’s presence.
i. The Lord appears to Him but not in the wind-earthquake-fire! You would think this is how God would speak to Elijah.
1. These are all very dramatic and many people want God to speak to them through these types of grandiose ways but God for the most part speaks through a gentle whisper!
a. Would you agree with this?
b. Many even demand and or expect God to do something grandiose like that but He does not appear like that very often!
ii. Elijah has a visitation from God in the form of a gentle whisper!
1. How many need a visitation from God?
2. How many need to hear His gentle whisper?
3. Have you been listening for His gentle whisper or looking for some dramatic event that He shows up in?
a. Many run to the big events to meet with God but for the most part God is found in that gentle whisper in your life!
iii. Elijah hears the whisper of God! Crucial in this moment of failure and fear!
1. Bill Hybel’s book: The Power of the Whisper: Throughout history God has spoken. For millennia, he has forged his children’s faith by promising parted waters, empowering unlikely leaders, declaring world-changing prophecies-and imparting last-minute sermons to pastors who questioned whether he really would deliver. In short, our God is communicating God. Always has been, and always will be. And if there is one story in Scripture that goes to great lengths to prove this point, it’s the story of Elijah, the prophet described in 1 Kings as a man who was ‘zealous for God.’ There comes a point in Elijah’s remarkable ministry when his zealotry has fizzled to zero. He is ready to call it quits. “I’ve been working my heart out,” he says to God, and for what? “The people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed the places of worship and murdered your prophets. I’m the only one left, and now they’re trying to kill me. Elijah felt undone, and perhaps the only thing that could improve his mood was a firsthand encounter with God. As the story goes, Elijah trekked into the desert and eventually collapsed from exhaustion under the shade of a tree…but eventually he ended up at Horeb…On Mount Horeb that day, Creator convened with creation, and one man’s life was forever changed. Regardless of what else Elijah might have later told his friends about this encounter-and about God himself-undoubtedly he had been a witness to two attributes at the very core of who God is: he’s relational and he is near. He is all-powerful, yes. He is righteous and holy too. He is sovereign, he majestic, he is magnificent, he is just. But what stunned Elijah on the side of the mountain-and what will stun you some day if it hasn’t already-is that the same God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, all everything, yearns to be in relationship with us. The God of the Scriptures is irrepressibly communal, hopelessly familial, and his whispers are still ours to hear” (Hybels, page 40-42).
a. Have you ever heard the whisper of God?
b. Do you hear it today – what is it saying to do?
c. That still quiet voice in the midst of a horrendous day.
d. Life is crashing in all around you but God is there.
i. Have you been there and experienced this?
ii. If you have not listen for His voice it can change your life.
2. Illustration: On January 17, 1994, 10,000 freight trains seemed to be thundering through our house as the Northridge earthquake hit Los Angeles. When it was over, our family was safe and our home virtually untouched. Yet in the days following the disaster, I was gripped with a fear I had never known. After four days, I desperately sought God in prayer. "Lord, I can't understand myself! I am not afraid for my life, and I am not in doubt of your presence and protection. Is there something wrong with me?" Instantly, I sensed an inner whisper: My son, there is nothing wrong with you. I allowed you to experience the depth of the trauma and fear that has gripped multitudes so that you might comfort them beyond their fears. It was the words of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. God uses his children who have endured difficulty to become strength to others experiencing the same trial. We comfort others not from the foundation of our superior faith, but from the commonality of our mutual struggles. From Preaching Today - Comforting Others Through Mutual Struggles. Jack Hayford, How to Live Through a Bad Day: Powerful Insights from Christ's Words on the Cross (Thomas Nelson) | posted 11/11/
a. That quiet whisper in the midst of despair that says, “I am here!” Just rest and I will take care of you!
i. In the midst of overwhelming grief that quiet voice blows into your ears and into your hearts and says, “I love you, it will be okay!”
1. Maybe you hear it in the midst of a busy street with all the traffic rushing by.
a. You walk by countless people with faces expressing, stress, tiredness, happiness, hurriedness, fear, hopelessness, business like, emotionless and the like.
2. Maybe it’s in the moment of praise and worship on a Sunday morning.
a. I remember some of the times when God whispered to me and it resonated in my heart and life.
b. In my pickup truck on my way home from work.
c. The times in my office when all is quiet.
3. God’s whispers have they come to you in the middle of the night?
a. Like, “I am calling you Mike home to pastor again!” “Don’t be afraid – preach my word with boldness and clarity.”
d. Elijah fell from the pressure and the stress of the calling, but God renews his strength/his faith, and it comes to him in a gentle whisper. God restores his soul through a gentle whisper!
i. He points him to go to where God’s presence dwells.
ii. He asks him the why questions.
iii. He tells him the truth to expose the lies he is believing.
iv. He gives him a task to do – recruit new leaders for the fight and get back in the fight.
v. He speaks to Him in a gentle whisper!
vi. Isaiah 40: 28-31:
1. 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
T.S. – Please do not underestimate the power of God’s whisper into your heart and soul! Listen to it – respond to it and be taken from failure to faith. From faith to a wonderful flight home and into the presence of the Lord.
3. Elijah’s leaves the mountaintop experience with God and calls Elisha to follow the call.
a. I Kings 19: 19-21 The Call of Elisha: 19So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother good-by,” he said, “and then I will come with you.” “Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?” 21So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.
i. Elijah obeys the voice of the Lord to go recruit help for the fight Elisha
1. Elijah follows God’s lead to get back in the fight and to raise up the next generation of warriors.
a. He leaves the cave and the safety of isolation and he secures the captains of the Lord’s army for battle.
b. Yes, He did fall – he had a pity party but in the end – he heard the voice of God that he was to go and his faith was replenished for the fight!
ii. The trust factor in God is restored as he follows the words of the Lord and does his kingdom work recruiting workers for the fight
1. He struggles with asking Elisha to join the fight because he knows it will be hard and very demanding – it will cost him his life.
2. Elijah nor Elisha run and hide they step to the plate with faith and fire!
b. In the end – Elijah completes his divine assignment for God and God sends a chariot of fire for him to take him home in (See 2 Kings 2:1-14)
i. Sounds rather awesome! How would you like to go like this?
1. God sends a chariot of fire to take him home to Heaven – no death – a chariot transports him to Heaven.
ii. The time to go home for Elijah has come – he has fought the good fight of faith and won the victory for the Kingdom of Heaven – it was a battle it was costly.
1. The whirlwind – the fire – the cool moment for Elijah and Elisha!
2. The passing of the baton to Elisha and with it the power of the Lord God Almighty!
3. The blessing of serving and living for God comes to its fruitation in Elijah and he passes the baton for battle onto Elisha!
4. Elijah’s battle scars, bring a great reward in the end – and he is honored in Heaven and by Jesus!
Conclusion:
Elijah’s influence and spiritual impact did not end with his flight to the wilderness or his running away in in fear – He got refreshed and renewed by the Lord and he got back in the fight and that faithfulness to keep fighting is still impacting this world today! You see he recruited and trained another warrior for the fight and the spirit of Elijah is still recruiting people to fight for the soul of nations and individuals. His spirit is here again – I believe raising up the next generation of spiritual warriors for God – I believe the spirit of Elijah is connected with the Holy Spirit.
We told by God’s Word the following:
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 was a prophet in Israel in the 9th century BC who raised the dead, called fire from heaven, preached against idolatry, and ascended into heaven in a whirlwind. The prophet Malachi prophesied 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 throughout the life of this prophet is shaping the man Elijah to do great things, and he is doing so by adversity and Elijah completes the call and perseveres to the end.
When you become a spiritual leader, you give your whole life to him, the cost is everything, when you say “Yes” you say everything I have is yours Lord. Tithing are you kidding it all belongs to Him. When you give everything then you get all of Jesus and a trip home with a chariot of fire – with the honor guard of Heaven accompanying you.
What do we need to know from the message on Elijah?
1. We have to get in the fight for the Lord or back in the fight!
2. We have to step out in faith and take the risk to follow his directives in our life and in the fight - again!
3. We have to understand that we will fall – have a crisis of faith - fail – but the key is we have to get back up and fail forward – not quit!
4. We have to understand that we too have a personal flight coming our way from the Lord when we finish the task’s he has assigned to us in this life.
Why do we need to know these 4 things?
1. We need to know that God wants us involved in the fight for truth in a society filled with lies. God wants to use us to change lives and nations.
2. We can no longer be the silent majority – we need to be courageous and stand for truth even if we get the back lash from this increasingly hostile culture to God and His truth – this is biblical faith – the God kind of faith He rewards those who serve him faithfully in the battle!
3. We need to be reminded that we will fail but that does mean we are done if we get back up and press forward listening to the gentle voice of the Lord lead us back into the fight for life and truth.
4. We need to be reminded that God will send a flaming chariot for us in the end and we will have a first class flight to Heaven.
What do we need to do?
1. We need to fight for the Kingdom of Heaven:
a. Which means we bring hope – remember fear is contagious and we must stand for truth in a loving way.
b. Be humble – respectful but biblical in the fight.
c. We have a choice choose the idol of comfort or the work of truth!
d. What cause do you serve or fight for in your life?
2. We need to live by faith and not by sight.
a. We need to be reminded that God is in control – His word is truth – What He says will come to pass – that is what matters – His word has outlasted many hostile cultures in the past and it will in the future too. We are living in the last days and God says, “I am coming soon!”
i. Do you believe that?
ii. Show of hands?
3. We need to get up from our personal failures and defeats – why because other people’s lives hinge on us getting back up – we need to know God picks us back up when we ask for forgiveness and renewal.
a. Everyone fails – it’s the truth – the key is what do you do after you have failed?
i. Quote Corderio: The real question, then, is not whether we will face failure. It is how well we will face it!
4. Why do we need to do these things?
a. I believe we will see our nation return to God!
b. I believe truth will overpower lies!
c. I believe the Holy Spirit will transform lives!
d. I believe we too can see national repentance!
e. I believe we all can become game changers for the Kingdom!
