Just Like Us

Why is it that working hard in the areas that matter most hardly works?

A Character Study: The Prophet Elijah 1 Kings 17-19, 21; 2 Kings 1-2

- Date: 9th Century BC

- Name: my God is Yahweh

- Role: a prophet like Moses

- Ministry: bring spiritual & social renewal

In the Days of Elijah:

- Political Corruption: King Ahab & Queen Jezebel

- Spiritual & Moral Decay: Baal & Asherah Worship

- Severe Persecution: Prophets of Yahweh Murdered

- Extreme Natural Disaster: 3 Year Famine

The Showdown on Mt. Carmel: 1 Kings 18

- Elijah confront Ahab & the 450 prophets of Baal. (1 Kings 18:1-19)

- Elijah proposes a test to see who is the true God. (1 Kings 18:20-24)

- Elijah defeats the prophets of Baal. (1 Kings 18:25-40)

- Elijah prays for rain & the drought ends. (1 Kings 18:41-46)

Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So 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.”

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.

1 Kings 19:1-3

PRINCIPLE: 

After you have poured EVERYTHING out, there is NOTHING left to pour.

Elijah was a human being, even as we are.

James 5:17

PRACTICE:

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4:23

The Streams of Influence:

 “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Jesus [John 7:37-38]

FURTHER RESOURCES:

Emotionally Healthy Discipleship by Pete Scazzero

Out of the Cave by Chris Hodges

Enemies of the Heart by Andy Stanley

Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro