BECAUSE HE LIVES
Part 3 – Life Is Worth The Living
1 Kings 19:1-17
August 15, 2021
Dr. Mark S. Hartman, Lead Pastor
INTRODUCTION
A. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living, just because He lives!
B. I Kings 19:1-4 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the (Baal) prophets with a sword. So, Jezebel sent a message 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.’ And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. And when he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there while 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 fathers!’
1. BE CAREFUL OF THE THINGS THAT CAN DRAG US INTO DISCOURAGEMENT.
A. A Focus On Feelings Rather Than Facts.
1. 1 Kings 19:3-4; 10 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, LORD,’ he said. ‘Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.’ 10 Elijah replied, ‘I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.’ (NLT2)
2. Our feelings tend to exaggerate the negative and ignore the positive.
B. A separation from supportive relationships.
1 Kings 19:3-4 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while 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.’
C. Decision making while being physically and emotionally exhausted.
D. “You will break the bow if you keep it always bent.” (Greek saying)
2. HOW DO WE ESCAPE THE DISCOURAGEMENT TRAP?
A. Get serious about becoming physically healthy.
1. 1 Kings 19:3-5 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while 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.’ 5 Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’
2. I Kings 19:8, ‘So 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.’
B. Be honest with God about how you feel.
C. Open your heart to hear God again.
1. 1 Kings 19:11-13 ‘Go out and stand before me on the mountain,’ the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ (NLT)
2. The greatest moments of hearing God are through the times of the still small voice.
3. John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.
D. Let God give you a renewed purpose and direction.
1 Kings 19:15-17 The 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. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.’ (NIV)