Sermon Central
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When God Speaks Series
Contributed by Jerry Owen on Nov 8, 2016 (message contributor)
Summary: Does the God of the Universe still speak today? If He does, then how does He speak and what are we to do when He does?
“WHEN GOD SPEAKS”
Elijah had been through a lot in his life. At some point years ago, he had responded to God’s call upon his life and began to serve Almighty God as His prophet. He had faithfully served God and had just come through one of the greatest spiritual battles on record. He was physically tired, emotionally drained, and spiritually exhausted.
Elijah needed to hear a fresh word from God. Elijah needed a fresh vision. He needed to know God’s purpose in his life at this point. Mostly, Elijah just needed to be reassured that God knew the plight he was in and that God still cared.
We all need those same things. And, truth is, just as in the case of Elijah, we need more than just 1 word from God. Of course, all believers have heard from God that 1st time concerning salvation. But it seems to me that many church people all over the world neglect to understand that God will continue to speak to us throughout our life with Him. Too many people fail to realize that God doesn’t just speak to preachers and professional ministers.
You need to realize today that God will and does speak to you.
The questions to ask are “Am I really listening? And, Am I willing to respond to what God speaks?”
I Kings 19:5-8 5 He lay down and slept under a [h]juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat.” 6 Then he looked and behold, there was at his head a bread cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 The angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you.” 8 So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.
God gave Elijah what he needed to make it through his journey.
You may be sitting here today very happy, self-sufficient, on top of the world.
You may think you can handle any problem that life can throw your way.
You need to understand, though, that the journey of life is too great for you.
You will need a Helper, a Sustainer, a Savior.
As tough and rugged a man as Elijah was, as large of a spiritual giant that he was, Elijah needed the Lord. The journey was too great to go through it alone. God took him to a place where God could renew.
Whatever your going through today, don’t go through it alone. Allow God to take you to a place of spiritual renewal.
I Kings 19:9-10 Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
Elijah is living his life and seeing the world through eyes of flesh. He doesn’t see what God knows. He needs a fresh vision. He needs purpose. He needs a spiritual renewal.
God is about to give Elijah what he needs.
1 Kings 19:11-13a 11 So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave.
Elijah probably was looking for and desired a great display of God’s power and might.
First, a Great Wind that tore the mountain apart, splitting giant boulders. Elijah probably loved this. His whole life was in the storm serving God faithfully. But God was not in the storm.
Second, a Great Earthquake shook the ground. Elijah loved it, he was that kind of guy. God was not in it though.
Third, a Great Fire burned before him. Elijah must have enjoyed this also, after all he was the guy who called down the fire from Heaven on Mt. Carmel. But God was not in the fire.
