What Will It Take For You To Really Believe?

Introduction: Elijah had been fed by ravens and drank from the brook. Then the ravens quit coming, and the brook had no water. Now he was told to go find a widow, and she would feed him. God sent a prophet to the widow.

In our text, the prophet faces another difficult trial of faith. Elijah is to go to an unknown widow and trust for supply. I will look at him in one instance, but I want you to see this widow. She represents all of us. God sent a stranger to bring her hope

I. Her Confusion - vs. 8-9

A. Death had invaded her life, Ro 5:12

B. She was Destitute with no supply

1. The Hope of a Companion was gone

2. The Hope of Supply was gone, 1Co 15:19

C. She was Desperate for answers, Ro 3:10-12

D. She was Dumbfounded that a stranger would request her last food

II. Her Compliance - vs. 10-16

A. Her Obedience to bring Water, Joh 4:7

B. Her Objection to bringing food

C. Her Opportunity

1. She had nothing to lose!

2. She did not have genuine faith - vs. 12

III. Her Catastrophe - vs. 17 - 18

A. The Dear One - vs. 17

B. The Distraught One - vs. 18

1. Her Pointing - This is your fault Preacher!

2. Her Pain - You have come to remind me of my sin, and killed my son!

C. The Despised One - vs. 19-23

1. His Action - vs. 19

2. His Asking - vs. 20-21, Joh 4:10, Joh 16:24

3. His Affection

a. Seen in His Prayer

b. Seen in His Position

c. Seen in His Petition

4. His Answer - vs. 22-23

a. Prayer had prevailed

b. Proof was presented

IV. Her Confidence - vs. 24

A. The Grace of God

B. The Gifts of God

C. The Greatness of God, Joh 20:29

How is your faith?

Do you trust God NOW? Where does this message find you today?

Are you facing situations that seem impossible to you?

Do you really trust Him or only obey to get the benefits?

Whatever it is that you are facing today; I challenge you to bring it before the Lord and trust Him to see you over it, around it, or through it. Just like the widow placed the burden of her dead son in the arms of Elijah, I challenge you to place your burdens in the outstretched arms of Jesus! He will help you, when you trust Him.

If your problem is sin, Jesus still forgives. Whatever it is, you can bring it to the arms of Jesus. Will you trust Him? What will God have to do for you to trust Him

Disclaimer: A man once told me that if it is true, it is not new. If it is new, it is not true. We all know there is nothing new under the sun. With that said, I glean ideas for my sermons from God’s Word, my own thoughts and work, and many other sources. Any similarity to my sermons and others, where credit is not given, is either coincidental, or an unintentional mistake on my part. As none of us have a corner on the wisdom and teaching of God’s Word, it is my desire that any of my outlines be an encouragement, a help, and hopefully a motivation for others to preach God’s Word clearly. Please feel free to use any portion of my sermons if they can be of help to you and your ministry. I purposely include a skeleton outline, and not my full text, for this purpose. It is all for His Glory.