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An Ordinary Man in Extraordinary Times I Kings 17

An Ordinary Man in Extraordinary Times I Kings 17. A study of the life of Elijah by: Jay Brennan. Not a God of the Status Quo. “Lord, do things we are not use to.”

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An Ordinary Man in Extraordinary Times I Kings 17

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  1. An Ordinary Man inExtraordinary TimesI Kings 17 A study of the life of Elijah by: Jay Brennan

  2. Not a God of the Status Quo • “Lord, do things we are not use to.” • Move me out of my comfort zone…Open the eyes of my heart…slow down my frantic life…Put me where I am not equal to the opportunity. • Types of people God has used: Moses, David and Apostles • Elijah – uncouth, unrefined, mountain man who hid in a cave.

  3. Seven Evil Kings - Israel • Jeroboam – I Kings 15 • Nadab – I Kings 15:25-26 • Baasha – I Kings 15:33-34 • Elah – I Kings 16:8 • Zimri – I Kings 16:15 • Omri – I Kings 16:25 • Ahab – I Kings 16:30-33

  4. Background on Baal • Baal – most popular pagan god • god of fertility in all aspects • Ras Shamrah text – Baal as god over rain, wind, clouds - god of weather, god of storm, of rain and good crops. • Baal worship included: offering of incense (Jer. 7:9); human sacrifice (Jer. 19:5), licentious sexual activity (I Kings 14: 23-24; 15:12; with 22:46)

  5. God Gave Them Up • These men provoked God – so, Where is God? • Sometimes God judges us by actively intervening …but sometimes by leaving us alone • Roman 1: “God gave them up” v.24, v.26, v. 28 • When nations say, Lord, we don’t need you, Go says fine; have it your way.

  6. Hot Button Issues • Abortion, gay rights, church state, crime, affirmative action, state’s rights, and the right to die. • Every political, legal, social decision has a moral component : Leads us toward God or leads us away from God. • I Kings is the Old Testament version of Romans 1

  7. And…Bam • I Kings 17: 1 – “and” – author giving us a flow of history. • “and” – indicates something is about to happen. • God is about to enter the situation – Almighty God is about to be heard from. • Elijah appears and says to Ahab – BAM! BAM! BAM!

  8. The Lord is my God • Elijah’s name: “El” is God, “Jah” is like Jehovah, the “i” in Elijah means my. • Elijah = The Lord is my God…or My God is Jehovah • It demonstrated: his protest against Baal, allegiance to God, key issue – who is your God? • Who and what is my God? • What is my name?

  9. Elijah’s Secret • He believed in a living God • He served a promise keeping God • He lived in the presence of God • He obeyed the call of God

  10. Elijah: A Man Not so Different than Us • Did Elijah have a corner on spirituality? • James 5:16b-17 – Elijah a man just like us • Elijah rose above his weaknesses and fears through the divine resources at his disposal. • It’s never seeing the difficulties that prevent faithful action, but failing to see our resources in the Lord.

  11. Conclusion • “Whenever there is danger, there lurks opportunity; whenever there is opportunity, there lurks danger.” E. Nightingale • Our security-oriented culture insulates us from real needs; maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain • “In the process of growing older we lose the desire to risk….we are afraid to take giant steps of faith…” Chuck Swindoll • “But the people who know their God will display strength and take action.” Daniel 11:32 • Last big question: How well do we know our God?

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