by Evan. Victor Aina
22nd July, 2018
INTRODUCTION: Looking back at the events of the last one year, and the reaction of the so-called believers to the events around us, you will agree with me that, if anyone does not have a hope outside this terrestrial world at this time, we may become fearful and on the other hand be unable to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives, moreover the gospel is meant to be offensive, but many people has lost this edge that makes Gods power readily available at all time (Matt 28:18-20, Mk 16:15, Acts 1:8).
The devil is busy plaguing people with fear, and bringing a lot of distractions the way of many believers, but the undiscerning and unsuspecting are falling cheap prey (scroll 10 p3, 227 p2). The Senior pastor took his time to teach us on “The Making And The Manifestation Of The Sons Of God” to show that there is a transition going on now, and God wants to make out His image in us (Rom 8:29) in these last days. But beyond that there is the need for us to know that this is continuous, as we can’t say we have arrived as long as we are on this terrestrial plain (scroll 224 p4 & 7).
In view of this God has appointed us as watchmen over this land (Isa. 62:6-7, Ezek 33:2-9)
THE SITUATION IN THE TIME OF ELIJAH
Baasha was the 3rd King of the northern kingdom; he killed the 2nd king after Jeroboam. He ruled in a time that evil prevailed in the land and the people were not looking to God for a way out. In his time Heil rebuilt the city of Jericho (1 Kgs 16:1,3,4).
THE MINISTRY OF ELIJAH
ELIJAH means MY GOD IS THE LORD. Elijah appeared on the scene in 1 Kgs 17:1. He was from Tishbeth in Gilead, he was 1st mentioned in 1 Kgs 17:1-4 LB as he came out to challenge Ahab
- God has a lot of people in the making, waiting to launch them out at the appointed time, many are being revealed in our days too
Example: Nehemiah – in Neh 1 & 2, Esther in Esth 4:15,16 and the 7000 people in 1 Kgs 19:18
- Provision is guaranteed on this journey. 1 Kgs 17:3, 7-9, 24.
ELIJAH’S RETURN
Mount Carmel show down v 23 -38 Execution of Baal prophets 39, 40
Looking closely at 1 Kings 18: 29-39
- Understand & honour your appointed time with God (1 Kings 18:29, Rom 13:11, Isa 55:6)
- Repair the altar of your hearts (1 Kings 18:30)
- Need for preparation in the word (1 Kings 18:33-35)
- Speak, pray the word (1 kings 18: 36-37, Jer 5:14, Jer 23:29) the word is fire
- Act upon the word (1 King 18: 40, Deut 13:1, 4, 6-10).
WHY DID ELIJAH RUN: 1Kgs 19
He sure was afraid (1 Kgs 19:1-3) even though he had confidence that God wanted to deal with the prophets of Baal he could not hold on to the same for his safety. ( 1 Kgs 18:10-12, 1 Chro 16:21-22, Ps 105:14-15)
When natural feelings overtake the word of God, faith is replaced with doubt which leads to fear. James 4:3, we ask amiss, 1 Kgs 19:9-10.
Question: What are you doing here? Elijah hid in a cave in Horeb, Josephus in the Antiq of the Jews Chap 13, Book 8 p7 ,Josephus called the place Mt Sinai, God is always with us on the journey, but we need courage, to bring to pass his will on earth.
NEED FOR COURAGE
Courage is needed to be obedient to God (Josh 1:7, Josh 23:6.)
James 5:17-18 – Elijah was a man of like passions, the same emotions, feelings and affections like us feeling; similarly affected as us.
Fear: Fear cripples our relationship with God and can cut short our destiny in God
- Fear has to do with having faith in what God has not said (Rom 10:17)
- Fear disappears when we declare boldly the counsel of God Elijah missed it at this point, even though Bible called him righteous, we need courage in God and His word to fulfill our destiny.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father (Rom 8:15)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Tim 1:7)
Examples:
Israel in Exod 3:7-8, Num 13:30
Caleb in Num 14 1-5, 6-10, 24, 30, 38
The word “Courage” can have 2 prefixes – “en” and “dis”. The one you add to your courage in your challenging times will determine your victory/success or Defeat/failure in Christ.
David always encourage himself in the Lord (1 Sam 30:6, Num 26:65)
lack of courage in His promises spelt death (Num 26:65).
it takes courage to follow God wholly (Deut 1:35-36, matt 24:13)
THE TIME OF THE DISCIPLES
Boldness activates your faith for divine manifestations (Prov 28:1, Eph 3:10-12)
1st Persecution Acts 4:1-3,13 boldness can be seen
- prayer retreat (Acts 4: 23-31,33)
2nd persecution (Acts 5:25-29)
- Stephen (Acts 7:51-60)
- Paul (Acts 9:29-31)
Elijah was so discouraged. That all he could wish for was death (1 Kgs 19:4).
A place of discouragement is a place of hopelessness, but we have a hope in God, God had to step in for His name sake (1 Kgs 19:15-21), out of 3 assignments, he could carry out only one. Elisha did the rest, but God help him overcome the fear of Jezebel, that made him run as we see by the time of the story of Naboth’s vineyard that Ahab took over (1 Kg. 21:1-6, 17-24).
We need to challenge those things affecting our motion in the kingdom of God and put on courage as a cloth so that we can finish strong. Like Paul in 2 Tim 4:5-8
A Good fight, excellent, commendable fight, thus can only be achieved if we fight according to these rules.
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