ELIJAH


1 KINGS 17; 18; 19; 20
A. "AND ELIJAH THE TISHBITE, WHO WAS OF THE INHABITANTS OF GILEAD, SAID UNTO AHAB, AS THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL LIVETH, BEFORE WHOM I STAND THERE SHALL NOT BE DEW NOR RAIN THESE YEARS, BUT ACCORDING TO MY WORD" - I KINGS 17:1
  1. With these words Elijah the Tishbite appears on the scene in the midst of a nation wide apostasy in Israel:
    1. His appearance was as sudden as it was unexpected by the leaders of apostate Israel - King Ahab did not have time to find an answer to Elijah's forecast
    2. Because the prophet disappeared a suddenly as he had appeared
  2. The life and mission of Elijah embodies great and saving truths for our time:
    1. Idolatry in one form or another are rampant in our own nation and in the world at large
    2. Nominal Christianity is powerless against the ever increasing tide of immorality and spiritual decay
B. LET US CONSIDER BRIEFLY, THE MAN ELIJAH, AND HIS MISSION IN ISRAEL
  1. Elijah the Tishbite:
    1. Was a man of strong conviction; he was fearless to speak against sin
    2. It mattered not to whom he spoke, the king or the nation
    3. He was a God-fearing man, a man of much prayer; these virtues form the background to his successful mission
  2. He was God's man:
    1. He, who called David from caring for the few sheep of Jesse - I Sam. 17; who called Amos from the herdsmen - Amos 1:1-2; was the same God that called Elijah the Tishbite to be His spokesman in the hour of apostasy in Israel
    2. His assignment was not an easy one; the worship of Baal was deeply rooted in the hearts of the Israelites
    3. There were but a very few who sympathized with the mission of Elijah; those who did had gone underground. Jezebel had made it very difficult for anyone to stand up against the priests of Baal
C. THERE ARE FOUR GREAT TRUTHS IN THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET ELIJAH AND HIS MISSION THAT BEAR BRIEF BUT PRAYERFUL CONSIDERATION BY GOD'S PEOPLE
  1. God choose His own men to do His work:
    1. Elijah the Tishbite was not called by either the King or the people; to them he was a great surprise
    2. Before He puts them to work, He prepares them to do acceptable service - Elijah received his training quietly
  2. God provides both the message and the enabling grace to do the work well:
    1. This was true in the experience of the prophet Elijah - "Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel" constituted the credentials for that great reformer - Elijah
    2. The mighty moving of the Holy Spirit and God's special care of the need and safety of Elijah, assured power for the mission
  3. Moments of discouragement are common to all God's servants:
    1. That was true in the experience of Elijah even after God had given him signal victory - I Kings 19:1-22
    2. That was true in the experience of John the Baptist - Matt. 11:1-5
  4. Eventual success of the cause of God is assured to God's faithful messengers:
    1. "My word shall not return unto me void" - Is. 55:10-11
    2. "Your labors shall not be in vain" - I Cor. 15:58
    3. "I have sent you that ye may bear fruit" - John 15:16
    4. The labors of Elijah were crowned with a nationwide reform in Israel and too with the crown of immortality - I Kings 19; 2 Kings 2:11
    5. Elijah the Tishbite demonstrated that for God and with God there can never be a failure
    6. There is but one stipulation for success; to work in the Spirit and power of Elijah


Design © John Bryant 2011