The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith 1 Kings 17:1-5 06/08/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles

1. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith1 Kings 17:1-506/08/2008Dr. Dane Boyles

2. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith Introduction • There is a basic lesson for us with regard to the Christian life, a lesson that shines clearly from the experience of Elijah.

3. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith • We are not to go farther than God plans for us. • We are not to go ahead of Him but to travel one step at a time.

4. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith • Additional instruction for Elijah. • One Step at a Time • Examples: • Saul of Tarsus who became Paul the apostle.

5. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith • 6“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:6) • Joshua. • 3I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. (Josh 1:3, NIV)

6. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith • Elijah trusted God absolutely. • 5Trust in the LORD with all your heartand lean not on your own understanding; • 6in all your ways acknowledge him,and he will make your paths straight. (Prov 3:5-6, NIV)

7. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith • Elijah’s Faith is Tested. • 6The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. (1 Kings 17:6)

8. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith • 5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. (John 6:5-6, NIV)

9. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith • 16So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. (Isa 28:16, NIV)

10. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith • One reason may have been to teach Elijah, and us, not to trust in the gifts that God gives but always to trust in God Himself. • Unbelief looks at the circumstances and forgets God’s power (the 10 spies).

11. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith • But faith looks at the circumstances through God. (David and the giant).

12. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith • Another reason why God tested Elijah’s faith at Kerith was that His servant needed this private schooling in order to meet further situations. • The Apostle Paul had a similar experience.

13. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith • 7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! (2 Cor 12:7, NASB)

14. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith • 8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. (2 Cor 12:8, NASB)

15. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith • 9And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (2 Cor 12:9, NASB)

16. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith • 10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:10, NASB)

17. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith • 6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. (Psa 135:6) • 19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19) • Conclusion

18. The Life of Elijah: The Prophet Fed at Kerith1 Kings 17:1-506/08/2008Dr. Dane Boyles