I Kings 19 v 1-19
Introduction
The Blind date! Most of us are not strangers to discouragement. Most of us have known times when our discouragement actually tuned into despair. “The main trouble with despair is that it is self fulfilling. People who fear the worst tend to invite it”. Elijah went through a period of discouragement, despair and depression. There is much we can learn from him.
I The causes of discouragement
Emotional stress
He had just been through incredible confrontation
He was facing continuing problems
Physical exhaustion
1.He had ran from Jezebel (v3)
2. He had gone even beyond that (v4)
Personal opposition
1.Jezebel had made threats (v2)
2. He was actually in danger
Significant achievement (18:42-45)
He had just seen a great victory
Discouragement often comes after triumph
Basic fear (v2)
He was afraid of what Jezebel could/would do to him
Fear is a powerful emotion and it is usually negative
Simplistic thinking
He evidently thought that a victory would take care of everything
This made him vulnerable to despair’s cousin disillusionment
Heavy responsibility (v10)
The situation was clouded by his own misconceptions
He saw himself as incredibly responsible
II. The process of discouragement
Flight- he ran away from the trials
Negative thinking- his words drip with negativity each time he speaks, (v 4, 10)
Withdrawal- he withdrew from everyone, (v 4, 9) and appears to be withdrawing from God
Blame shifting (v10)- He laid the problem on the people of Israel, he saw hi problem as that of someone else.
Improper comparisons (v4, 10), I am no better than them
III. The results of discouragement
Personal isolation- through all of this he is alone
Loss of perspective (v10)- “I am the only one left”- he wasn’t
Self pity- “self pity is a drug that leaves its addicts wasted and derelict”
Suicidal tendencies (v4)- he really didn’t want to die, if he did he could have stayed where he was, Jezebel would have taken care of it!
IV. The cure for discouragement
Get up- physically (v5, 7)- this was only after rest was granted, sometimes spiritually the best thing you can do is take a nap!
Look up- Spiritually v 11-14)- God came and spoke to him and gave him a message of hope.
Link up- emotionally v 16, 19a- God gave him Elisha to strengthen him
Gird up- practically v 15-17)- God gave him a job to do- it is easier to do your way into feeling than it is to feel your way into doing
Shape up- preferentially (v14) Elijah still complains after seeing God’s glory, but God laid tasks before him, the choice was his
Conclusion
Sparky the Loser. “Despair is not handled by giving it. It is handled best by giving out something of yourself to others. By giving out a person has no time for despair and so it departs. God calls us to serve, out of love, let his love in and flow through you.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Thursday, February 03, 2011
A new way
Joshua ch 3 v 1-17
Series “living out faith day by day” pt1
Introduction what uncertain things are you facing? The turtle picnic all about trust Israel faced an unknown situation in this chapter; here are several pointers for facing uncertainty
I. Face it calmly
A. Israel didn’t know the direction- they had to take things ones step at a time
B. We can be sure of certain things that produce calm in our lives
1. When we are heading in the right direction
2. we have survived up to this point!
3. Any fear, panic worry will not change the future!
II. Face it submissively
A. The way Israel was travelling was chosen by God
B. If you are a child of God, the way you are travelling is chosen by God
1.change what you are reasonably able to change
2. Accept as from him the things you can’t change
3. Stop trying to earn the love of God, you can’t do it, he loves you more than you can ever know, or achieve, rest in the love of God
III. Face it compliantly
A. This chapter is filled with commandments as was the entire conquest
B. Hearing and listening are two ways of facing the unknown
1. We have all the instruction we could possibly need
2. We must resolve to hear the word of the Lord and to do it!
IV. Face it expectantly
A. God has good things in store for Israel
B. God has good things in store for you!
1. you are going to experience a greater presence of the Lord
2. the greater the trials the greater the working of the Lord
3. Even if there are new trials, they will likely end the old trials!
4. Sometimes God calms the storm, sometimes God calms you to face the storm
V. Face it confidently
A. Israel had the assurance of God’s presence and power (shekinah!)
1. Note the role of the ark
2. Note the new arrangement with the ark first- God didn’t need them to protect him; he was committed to protecting them
B. Some things to remember
1. The way is new to you, but not to God- past, present, future, all human words!
2. The way is new to you, but others have faced what you have faced
3. The presence of God goes surely with you, as he has with the saints of old (biographies)
VI. Face it aggressively
A. Israel was facing enormous changes at this point
1. They were not a warlike people, they had been slaves, and then wanderers
2. They should have been doing conquest rather than wanderings
B. Your way- if it involves growth- requires change
1. Whatever will come is ordered by the Lord for your growth
2. Take the way one step at a time, trusting the lord
3. Do not fear, step out in the strength of the Lord!
VII. Face it cheerfully
A. Israel didn’t manage this
1. they should have been delighted to get out of the wilderness
2. They should have been glad to get on with conquest
B. Face this year with some assurances
1. Your difficulties will all be overcome or
2. You will be given strength to handle trials
3. remember that “this is the day (way) that the Lord has made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it
Conclusion
Israel’s command was to consecrate themselves, make holy, and separate themselves, for God will do amazing things! Take that promise, set yourself apart from God and let him do amazing things with your future. The best way we can approach uncertainty is not panic, fear or worry, but by recommitting ourselves to God and his word. Bible in a year. Prince of grenada May you…..
Series “living out faith day by day” pt1
Introduction what uncertain things are you facing? The turtle picnic all about trust Israel faced an unknown situation in this chapter; here are several pointers for facing uncertainty
I. Face it calmly
A. Israel didn’t know the direction- they had to take things ones step at a time
B. We can be sure of certain things that produce calm in our lives
1. When we are heading in the right direction
2. we have survived up to this point!
3. Any fear, panic worry will not change the future!
II. Face it submissively
A. The way Israel was travelling was chosen by God
B. If you are a child of God, the way you are travelling is chosen by God
1.change what you are reasonably able to change
2. Accept as from him the things you can’t change
3. Stop trying to earn the love of God, you can’t do it, he loves you more than you can ever know, or achieve, rest in the love of God
III. Face it compliantly
A. This chapter is filled with commandments as was the entire conquest
B. Hearing and listening are two ways of facing the unknown
1. We have all the instruction we could possibly need
2. We must resolve to hear the word of the Lord and to do it!
IV. Face it expectantly
A. God has good things in store for Israel
B. God has good things in store for you!
1. you are going to experience a greater presence of the Lord
2. the greater the trials the greater the working of the Lord
3. Even if there are new trials, they will likely end the old trials!
4. Sometimes God calms the storm, sometimes God calms you to face the storm
V. Face it confidently
A. Israel had the assurance of God’s presence and power (shekinah!)
1. Note the role of the ark
2. Note the new arrangement with the ark first- God didn’t need them to protect him; he was committed to protecting them
B. Some things to remember
1. The way is new to you, but not to God- past, present, future, all human words!
2. The way is new to you, but others have faced what you have faced
3. The presence of God goes surely with you, as he has with the saints of old (biographies)
VI. Face it aggressively
A. Israel was facing enormous changes at this point
1. They were not a warlike people, they had been slaves, and then wanderers
2. They should have been doing conquest rather than wanderings
B. Your way- if it involves growth- requires change
1. Whatever will come is ordered by the Lord for your growth
2. Take the way one step at a time, trusting the lord
3. Do not fear, step out in the strength of the Lord!
VII. Face it cheerfully
A. Israel didn’t manage this
1. they should have been delighted to get out of the wilderness
2. They should have been glad to get on with conquest
B. Face this year with some assurances
1. Your difficulties will all be overcome or
2. You will be given strength to handle trials
3. remember that “this is the day (way) that the Lord has made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it
Conclusion
Israel’s command was to consecrate themselves, make holy, and separate themselves, for God will do amazing things! Take that promise, set yourself apart from God and let him do amazing things with your future. The best way we can approach uncertainty is not panic, fear or worry, but by recommitting ourselves to God and his word. Bible in a year. Prince of grenada May you…..
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