1 KINGS 19:1-8 – A DEPRESSED PROPHET

 
If you read the story of Elijah the Prophet in 1 Kings 17-18, you see a great man
of God at work in terrible Spiritual times!  The climax of these chapters shows
Elijah confronting false prophets, calling down fire from God out of Heaven,
and praying to end a 3 ½ year drought. However, in 1 Kings 19:1-8 we see
depression in the same great man of God.  There are lessons here for all
Christians.
 
RETALIATION – Vss. 1-2
When the wicked are defeated they will try to retaliate. After hearing of Elijah’s
execution of all her prophets, wicked Queen Jezebel vowed to get even. It will
be after some of our greatest victories as Christians that we find God’s enemy,
Satan, coming after us. 1 Peter 5:8
RETREAT – Vs. 3
After facing the whole nation and a wicked King, Elijah runs away. Perhaps
exhaustion had a lot to do with his fear.
RESIGNATION – Vs. 4
When we get discouraged we often want to quit! Elijah tried to hand in his
resignation and was willing to die.
REST – Vs. 5
Elijah needed physical rest and God provided it. We need physical and Spiritual
rest (Matthew 11:28-30, Philippians 4:6-7) when we are depressed.
REFRESHMENT – Vss. 6-8
Food was provided for Elijah to refresh himself for the journey ahead of him.
We need the refreshment in God’s Word and by His Spirit in order to move
forward after we have become depressed.  Jeremiah 15:16
 
 
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PSALM 93 – OUR GOD REIGNS
 
THE LORD’S REIGN IS:
 
MAJESTIC – [1] The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty;  
 
STRONG – … the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded
himself:
 
[3] The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the
floods lift up their waves. [4] The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of
many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
 
STEADFAST - [1] …the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.
 
ETERNAL - [2] Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
 
RELIABLE - [5] Thy testimonies are very sure:
 
HOLY – [5] …holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.
 
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OBADIAH 1:1-21 – PRIDE BEFORE A FALL
 
The people of Edom were the descendants of Jacob’s brother, Esau. Their pride
hurt family relationships with their brother, Jacob. Obadiah pronounces
judgment on Edom as well as all other nations, and shows the ultimate victory
to be secured by Israel during the Day of the Lord.
 
INTRODUCTION
 
Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament (21 verses), and
perhaps the most neglected.
Although there are many people named Obadiah mentioned in the
Old Testament, it is not likely that any one of them wrote this book.
Obadiah’s name means “servant of Jehovah”.  Obadiah’s name
reflected who he was. That’s all that people need to know about him, or
God would have told us more.
The writing of this book was in conjunction with a victory over
Jerusalem by her enemies.  There are four mentioned in Scripture, but
only two are really plausible: the invasion by the Chaldeans led by King
Nebuchadnezzar or an invasion in the time of King Jehoram (2
Chronicles 21). 
 
CLASSIC STRUGGLE BETWEEN JACOB AND ESAU AND THEIR
DESCENDANTS
 From the Womb – Genesis 25:19-26
Between the Parents – Genesis 25:27-28
Concerning Birthright and Blessing – Genesis 25:29-33, Hebrews
12:16, Genesis 27:1-28:9
Concerning Relationship with God – Genesis 28:10-22, 32:22-32
Esau settled in the region south of the Red Sea called Mount Seir.
There were continual struggles between Edom and Israel. 1 Samuel
14:47, 2 Samuel 8:14, 2 Kings 8:20-22
Eventually the Edomites were deposed from their land, and became
known as the Idumeans. They were eventually forced to become Jews. 
The kings named “Herod” were actually descendants of Esau. 
 
DECLARATION OF JUDGMENT – Vss. 1-9
Edom Despised – Vss. 1-2
 
Edom Deceived – Vss. 3-4, 6-7
 
Edom Decimated – Vs. 5
 
Edom Destroyed – Vss. 8-9
 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE UNCHARITABLE – Vss. 10-14
Sin Against a Brother – Vs. 10
 
Sympathy with the Enemy – Vs. 11
 
Smugness Against Jacob – Vs. 12
 
Sharing the Spoils – Vs. 13
 
Standing in Opposition – Vs. 14
 
 
DAY OF THE LORD – Vss. 15-16
It Is Near – Vs. 15a
 
It Is Nasty – Vss. 15b-16
 
DELIVERANCE FOR ISRAEL – Vss. 17-21
A New Situation – Vs. 17
 
A Needed Victory – Vs. 18
 
A New Possession – Vss. 19-20
 
A Noble Kingdom – Vs. 21
 
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Luke 21:1-4 – GIVING JESUS’ WAY
 
Here’s a simple outline of a simple story that will help you communicate God’s
standards for giving.
 
JESUS SEES OUR GIFTS – Vss. 1-2, Matthew 6:1-4
 
JESUS KNOWS OUR FINANCES – Vs. 3 – How much we make and how
much we give. Psalm 139:1-6
 
JESUS COMMENDS SACRIFICIAL GIVING – Vs. 4 – 2 Corinthians 9:6-10
 
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JOHN 14:12-18 – IT’S GREAT!
 
Here are some great things mentioned by our Lord Jesus that will enable us to
serve Him victoriously.
 
GREAT POWER! – Vs. 12 – The greater works that Christians do are not in
quality but in quantity. Nobody did greater miracles than the Lord Jesus.
 
GREAT PROVISION! – Vss. 13-14 – The power to do greater works is found
through God answering our prayers.
 
GREAT PREREQUISITE! – Vs. 15 – We must love the Lord Jesus and show
that love through our obedience.
 
GREAT PROMISE! – Vss. 16-18 – The Holy Spirit is present in our lives to
empower, teach and comfort.
 
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PHILIPPIANS 4:1-8 – STAND!
 
In order for Christians and churches to have an impact in society they must take
a stand. Here is a good summary of the stand we need to take.
 
STAND FAST! – Vs. 1
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so
stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
 
STAND TOGETHER! – Vss. 2-3
I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the
Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which
laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my
fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
 
STAND JOYFULLY! – Vs. 4
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
 
STAND WISELY! – Vs. 5
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
 
STAND PRAYERFULLY! – Vs. 6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
 
STAND PEACEFULLY! – Vs. 7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.
 
STAND THOUGHTFULLY – Vs. 8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, think on these things.
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1 TIMOTHY 4:10-16 – THE PASTOR WE CAN APPRECIATE
 
October is “Pastor Appreciation Month”.  In this passage, Paul tells his young
associate Timothy how to be a good pastor.  We can appreciate a pastor who has
these qualities.
 
A PASTOR’S PATTERN – EXAMPLE – Vs. 12
1 Timothy 4:12 - Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the
believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
 
A PASTOR’S PRIORITY – ESSENTIALS – Vs. 13
1 Timothy 4:13 - Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to
doctrine.
 
A PASTOR’S POWER – ENABLEMENT – Vs. 14
1 Timothy 4:14 - Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by
prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
 
A PASTOR’S PONDERING – EXERCISE – Vs. 15
1 Timothy 4:15 - Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that
thy profiting may appear to all.
 
A PASTOR’S PROMISE – ENDURANCE – Vs. 16
1 Timothy 4:16 - Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in
them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.