I. Introduction:
In this particular text, what strikes me is that in the previous chapter, Elijah is just coming off of a victory over the Gods of Baal, where God provided for him and allowed victory, yet, even after that, here in chapter 19 verses 1-3, Elijah becomes fearful again because of what Ahab told Jezereel.
Many of us humans I feel do the same thing today, as Elijah did so many years ago... (Elaborate)
So, Why do we have "Fear after victory."?
II. Body: Why do we fear after a victory?
A.) Because we listen to other people too much, & not enough to God.
-19:2-3 Elijah paid more attention to the messenger than to God. This caused him to run and to fear.
-You can’t listen to everything or everybody or anything or anybody that tries to speak into your life!
- You have to watch who you let speak into your space!!
-Talk about false prophecy.
-Not everybody who speaks into your space has your best interest in mind!
-We need to listen to the voice of God more!
B.) Because we don’t think highly enough of ourselves or that, despite what we’ve done that God can use us.
- We have God-esteem issues...
- We don’t think that God can use a wretch like us, but truth be told, he can! Time & time again!
-19:4- Elijah just felt like dying because he couldn’t take it anymore & felt useless!
-You Can’t Give Up on God!
-The bible says, "I have a plan for your life, and that is to prosper you & not to fail you!"
-God WANTS TO USE YOU!!!
C.) We let our current situations overwhelm us rather than thinking on what God has ALREADY done!
-If Elijah would have just reflected for a breif moment on the last time God did it, and the time before that, & the time before that, he wouldn’t have feared b/c he would have known what God can do!
-If we do the same today we would get the same results!
(Elaborate on point.)
III. Preach The Text:
-Set up scenario & story of text.
-Encourage & exhort the people of God that you don’t have to fear!!
-Supporting texts:
Psalms 23:4
Psalms 27:1
Isiaih 47:1
Romans 1:8
-The same way God did it for you before, he’ll do it again!
-Begin to think of how God has made ways in the past, and begin to think about his goodness, for when I think of the goodness of Jesus!!! Whew! And all that he’s done for me, my soul cries out, "Allelujiah!" So stop fearing, worrying, & losing sleep, & trust that he will get the victory!!
IV. Conclusion:
-Recap points.
