David Rathel - May 3, 2015
ELIJAH Got Back UP
ELIJAH Got Back Up - 1 Kings 19:9-18 - Get Back Up Series, Pastor David Rathel Elijah Got Back Up Through Releasing Responsibility To God. 1 Kings 19:9-18 (NASB77) Then he came there to a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thine altars and killed Thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11So He said, “Go forth, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking 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. 12And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. 13And it came about when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14Then he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thine altars and killed Thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15And the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram; 16and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17“And it shall come about, the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall put to death. 18“Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.” “Nothing Matters More Than Knowing God's Purpose For Your Life And Nothing Can Compensate For Not Knowing It.” - Rick Warren. Elijah knew what his calling was, but yet he was depressed about it - Why? Because... The ultimate purpose in life is not what we do, but who we are doing it for. Elijah wanted to bring glory to himself. Westminster Shorter Catechism: Q: What is the chief end of man? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. “Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory.” Isaiah 43:7 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (Illus. Earth orbiting around sun. His Glory is For Our Good. ) To Glorify God means to Magnify Him like a telescope magnifies an object in space and brings it closer. The reason God looks small is because I'm so far away. Magnifying God doesn't make Him bigger than He is. Magnifying God REVEALS how much bigger He is. If I have a Big God then I have Small Problems. But, if I have a Small God then I have Big Problems. When I magnify God I make Him bigger to the people around me. When I magnify God I make Him bigger to myself. But, When I magnify God I make myself smaller... and I don't like that. (Example: "A Blow up Balloon" "Blow Fish") Releasing Wrong Responsibility Reveals God's Glory. I Can't Glorify God And Try To Do His Job. (Example: "I don't convert people.... I love people and God converts people." ) I Try To Do God's Job When I Take Over The Responsibility Of Someone Who Is Falling Down On Their Job. (Example: "The Overmanaged Husband") When I Am doing Someone Else's Job Then I Am Living Their Life And Am Unable To Do My Job And Live My Life. So, What IS Your Job? "GOOD TO GREAT" 1. Economic 2. Passion. 3. What can you do better than anyone else. THREE CIRCLES OF GOD'S GLORY: 1. Stewardship 2. Passion 3. Revelation. Elijah 8 Miracles - Elisha 16 Miracles 2 Kings - Hazael king over Aram; and Jehu king over Israel What Wrong Responsibility Do I Have? In What Way Am I Attempting To Do God's Job or Someone Else's Job?
