Introduction

1 Kings 19:1-18 ESV
19 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

I’m turning in my resignation. - Elijah

5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God. (Mt. Sinai)

There is no such thing as intimacy without intentionality.

9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

I have done all I can. - Elijah

11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.

And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

God often speaks the loudest when we’re quietest.

Isolation vs Solitude.

14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

New Habit: Practice hitting the pause button.

Habits
1 Kings 19:1-18 Pastor Lance Ainsworth
April 18th & 21st, 2024
Slowing Down

Prayer Requests:

Group Discussion: Where is your favorite place to enjoy the outdoors?

Read Aloud: 1 Kings 19:1-18

1. v.4 “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” Have you ever felt your toil was in vain? Have you felt like giving up on a task God has called you to? Is having a desire to quit bad?

2. v.8 “And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God” (Mt. Sinai). Elijah heads to where Moses met with God; he intentionally makes space to hear from God. Do you have a place or specific time you regularly meet with God? Can you tell a difference in your life when you neglected that time?

3. v.10 “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” Elijah thinks he is the only one who cares about the state of Israel, have you ever felt that way? Can unhealthy zeal/passion lead to self-righteousness?

4. v.12 “And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.” God gets Elijah’s attention through a low whisper, a calmness. How can we find spaces of calmness in our lives? What does hitting the pause button look like for you? How can your connect group support you in finding solitude in your life?