SERMON NOTES:
1 Kings 17:1-3 - Now Elijah the Tishbite, from the Gilead settlers, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, I stand before Him, and there will be no dew or rain during these years except by my command!” 2 Then a revelation from the Lord came to him: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward, and hide yourself at the Wadi Cherith where it enters the Jordan.
1 Kings 16: 30-33 - Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the Lord’s sight more than all who were before him. 31 Then, as if following the sin of Jeroboam son of Nebat were a trivial matter, he married Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and then proceeded to serve Baal and worship him. 32 He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. 33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.
SKIRMISH BETWEEN ELIJAH & PROPHETS OF BAAL - 1 KINGS 18-19:18
1 Kings 19:1-6 Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods punish me and do so severely if I don’t make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow!”3 Then Elijah became afraid and immediately ran for his life. When he came to Beer-sheba that belonged to Judah, he left his servant there, 4 but he went on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, “I have had enough! Lord, take my life, for I’m no better than my fathers.” 5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree.
ANY EVIL WE ALLOW TO ENTER OUR HEART & MIND WILL ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE & DOMINATE OUR LIFE.
THE EVIL INFLUENCES WE ALLOW WILL MULTIPLY THE AMOUNT OF SPIRITUAL SKIRMISHES WE FACE.
“BEWARE HUMAN REACTIONS AFTER HOLY EXERTIONS” -ANCIENT CHURCH FATHERS TO DISCIPLES
1 Kings 19:4 - and prayed that he might die. He said, “I have had enough! Lord, take my life.
1 Kings 19:5-6 - Suddenly, an angel touched him. The angel told him, “Get up and eat.” 6 Then he looked, and there at his head was a loaf of bread baked over hot stones, and a jug of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again.
SPIRITUAL SKIRMISHES AGAINST CULTURAL STANDARDS WILL ALWAYS BE EXHAUSTING.
1 Kings 19:9-10 - Then the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Hosts, but the Israelites have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.”
SPIRITUAL SKIRMISHES HAPPEN DAILY, SO DAILY WE MUST FIND REST & PROVISION IN GOD'S WORD AND GOD'S PEOPLE.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Sermon Summary: “Skirmishes - Week 2: Exhaustion & Doubt” The sermon examines the intense battles faced by the prophet Elijah in his confrontation with King Ahab, Queen Jezebel, and the false prophets of Baal. Driven by a mission to challenge the widespread corruption and idolatry under Ahab’s rule, Elijah experienced profound physical and spiritual exhaustion, leading to moments of doubt and depression. Despite his victories, the relentless spiritual skirmishes left him feeling defeated and alone. The sermon draws parallels between Elijah’s struggles and the modern-day battles Christians face against cultural and moral corruption, emphasizing the need for divine strength and community support to withstand such trials.
Let's begin by sharing any personal insights or key takeaways you received from today's sermon. What stood out to you the most about Elijah's experiences?
Understanding Exhaustion and Doubt: Elijah felt overwhelmed after his victories due to exhaustion and threats to his life. Have you ever felt a similar sense of tiredness or defeat after a period of intense effort or conflict, even if it was successful? How did you cope with those feelings?
Facing Cultural and Moral Challenges: The sermon relates Elijah’s struggle against idolatry and immorality to our current societal issues. What are some specific cultural challenges you face that might push you towards spiritual exhaustion? How do you respond to these challenges?
Role of Community Support: Elijah initially thought he was alone in his fight. How important is community support in your spiritual life? Share a time when being part of a community helped you through a tough period. Dealing with Spiritual Skirmishes:
Discuss how spiritual skirmishes in various forms (e.g., within family, work, personal temptations) impact your life. What strategies do you find effective in dealing with these skirmishes without losing heart?
The Impact of Media and Entertainment: Reflect on the types of media and entertainment that fill your home. How do they influence your spiritual health and that of your family? Are there changes you feel called to make?
Maintaining Faith Amid Doubt: Elijah doubted the significance of his victories and even his own life at his lowest point. How do you maintain your faith during moments of doubt? Can you share strategies that have helped strengthen your belief during tough times?
Applying Elijah's Lessons Today: Considering Elijah’s experiences and God’s responses to his needs, how can we better recognize and meet our spiritual needs today? What practical steps can we take to ensure we are spiritually nourished and rested?
Call to Action: What are some practical steps we can take to resist cultural pressures and deepen our commitment to living according to God's word? How can we support each other in this endeavor?
Closing Reflection: As we close, let’s each share one action point we plan to implement this week to combat spiritual exhaustion and strengthen our faith. How can we hold each other accountable?
