170 likes | 376 Views
Overcoming Discouragement. Lessons from Elijah. Elijah: A Discouraged Man 1 Kings 19:3-4, 10, 14. King Ahab, 1 Kgs. 16:30-33; 18:17-18 Queen Jezebel, 1 Kgs. 18:4; 19:1-3 Uncommitted populace, 1 Kgs. 18:21 Thought he was the only one who was faithful to God, 1 Kgs. 18:19, 22.
E N D
Overcoming Discouragement Lessons from Elijah
Elijah: A Discouraged Man1 Kings 19:3-4, 10, 14 • King Ahab, 1 Kgs. 16:30-33; 18:17-18 • Queen Jezebel, 1 Kgs. 18:4; 19:1-3 • Uncommitted populace, 1 Kgs. 18:21 • Thought he was the only one who was faithful to God, 1 Kgs. 18:19, 22
God’s Response: What are you doing here, Elijah?! (1 Kings 19:9)
Overcoming Discouragement • Remember what God has done for you in the past –1 Kgs. 17-18 • Sustained your life,1 Kgs. 17:1-16 (Psa. 37:25; Matt. 6:31-34) • Victory over evil & error,1 Kgs. 18: 36-40 (2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Cor. 15:55-58)
Overcoming Discouragement • See God’s present care and keeping –1 Kgs. 19:5-8 • His grace & love,1 Cor. 15:10 • Spiritual blessings, Rom. 5:1-2, 5 (Eph. 1:3)
Overcoming Discouragement • Strengthen personal faith –1 Kgs. 19:4 • Even the strongest can become discouraged – nobody is immune! • A call to strengthen faith, Deut. 31: 6-8
Overcoming Discouragement • Stay focused on the right things –1 Kgs. 19:9-10 • Lose focus…lose faith, Matt. 14: 25-33 • Focus on Jesus, Heb. 12:1-2 (Col. 3:1-4; Heb. 11:32-12:1)
Overcoming Discouragement • See the power of God at work in your life –1 Kgs. 19:11-14 • Power over sin & death, Matt. 28: 18; Heb. 2:14-15 • Power of obedience, Phil. 2:12-13 • Power to do all things God wants of you, Phil. 4:13
Overcoming Discouragement • Realize God still has work for you to do –1 Kgs. 19:15-16 • He isn’t finished with you, Phil. 3: 12 • Created for good works, Eph. 2:10 • Remain diligent, Heb. 6:10-12 (1 Cor. 15:58)
Overcoming Discouragement • Know you are not alone –1 Kgs. 19:18; 18:22 (Rom. 11:4) • “What can man do to me?”,Heb. 13:6 (Rom. 8:31) • Regard God above & before men, Num. 14:9 (Matt. 10:28) • The Lord is always near, 2 Tim. 4: 16-18 (Heb. 13:5-6)
Overcoming Discouragement • Keep faith that God will right every wrong –1 Kgs. 19:17 • Don’t be embittered or vengefulRom. 12:17 • Live peaceably & do good…God will avenge His saints, Rom. 12: 18-21
Overcoming Discouragement • Remember to rejoice & pray –1 Kgs. 19:4 (Phil. 4:4-7) • Expressions of your faith in & reliance upon God, Acts 16:25 • Fervent prayers of the righteous are effective, Jas. 5:16-18
Elijah: A Strengthened Man1 Kings 19:8 • Discouragement is the devil’s tool • Weaken you, hinder you & finally cause you to be lost! • 1 Peter 5:6-8 – Learn from Elijah to cast your cares upon God…He will lift you up!
Discouragement is futile and fruitless! What are you doing here, Christian?! (Galatians 6:9)