TITLE: FAITH TO PROCLAIM IMPOSSIBLE THINGS
TEXT: I KINGS 17:1; 18:1, 41-46
INTRODUCTION
- What is necessary for me to proclaim something from someone else?
- I must trust the one telling me to proclaim it
PROCLAMATION COMPLICATION
- Internal Challenge
- Elijah was an normal human being – with no superhuman abilities
- I am a normal human being – with no superhuman abilities
- External Challenge
- Belief in Baal: One of the strongest and most popular Canaanite gods
- Baal was the storm god, and fertility god
- Baal had three daughters: Arsiya (goddess of the earth), Padriya
- Belief in Baal: One of the strongest and most popular Canaanite gods
(goddess of the clouds) and Talliya (goddess of the dew)
- Belief in : People believe in “gods” contrary to the true God
- Eternal Challenge
- “As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand.”
- LORD = Yĕhovah God = 'elohiym
- Of Israel
- Before whom I stand [Elijah stood before God, not King Ahab]
- “As the LORD God [my God] lives, before whom I”
- LORD = Yĕhovah God = 'elohiym
- My God
- Before whom I stand [I stand before God, not ]
- “As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand.”
ELIJAH’S PROCLAMATION
- “There will be no dew or rain for the next few years until I say so.”
- What has God given me to proclaim?
GOD IS FAITHFUL…
- Elijah heard what only God could hear
- Go, get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming
- God will permit me to hear things that only God can hear
- Elijah saw what only God could see
- “Go, and look out towards the sea.” “There is nothing” (7 times)
- God will permit me to see things that only God can see
- Elijah did what only God could do
- Elijah ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to Jezreel (13 miles)
- God will permit me to do things that only God can do
CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK:
THAT I WILL EXERCISE THE FAITH TO PROCLAIM GOD’S PRONOUNCEMENTS