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God Does Not Forsake His People 04

Introduction:

        1.   The Bible states in many passages that "God does not forsake His people."
              a.    (Deuteronomy 31:6) Moses assured the Israelites that God would not forsake them.
              b.    (Joshua 1:5) God said that He would not forsake Joshua.
              c.    (1 Chronicles 28:20) David assured Solomon that God would not forsake him.
              d.    (Hebrews 13:5-6) Christians are assured that God will not forsake us.
        2.    As 2013 concludes we are examining several of God's servants who struggled with this issue.
        3.    As we look at these Bible characters we are presenting information that will help us maintain our
               confidence in God's faithfulness throughout the new year.
        4.    Previously, we have examined Job, David, and Naomi.
        5.    In this lesson we are concentrating on Elijah.

Discussion:

I.                   ELIJAH  IS  INTRODUCED  (1 Kings 17:1)

        A.   He was known as "Elijah the Tishbite," and he was "of the inhabitants of Gilead."
        B.   Elijah served God as a prophet during a difficult period.
              1.    When we first read about Elijah, he was speaking to Ahab, the king of Israel.
              2.    Ahab's wickedness is described in 1 Kings 16:30-33.

II.                ELIJAH  SAW  GOD'S  POWER  DEMONSTRATED  ON  NUMEROUS  OCCASIONS

        A.   God sent ravens to provide food for Elijah (1 Kings 17:2-6).
        B.   God provided meal and oil for a widow (1 Kings 17:8-16).
        C.   God brought the widow's son back to life (1 Kings 17:17-24).
        D.   God withheld rain for over 3 years (1 Kings 17:1; 18:1, 45).

III.             ELIJAH  DEMONSTRATED  HIS  FAITH  AND  COURAGE  WHEN  HE  DEFEATED
                 THE  PROPHETS  OF  BAAL  ON  MT. CARMEL  (1 Kings 18)


        A.   (vs.19-20) Elijah had Ahab gather the prophets of Baal to Mt. Carmel.
        B.   (vs.21-24) Elijah issued his challenge.
        C.   (vs.25-29) Baal did not respond when his prophets called upon him.
        D.   (vs.30-37) Elijah prepared an offering and called upon God.
        E.   (vs.38-39) God responded to Elijah's call.
        F.    (vs.40) Elijah killed the prophets of Baal.

IV.            ELIJAH  SEEMS  TO  HAVE  THOUGHT  THAT  GOD  HAD  FORSAKEN  HIM  (1 Kings 19)

        A.   (vs.1-2) Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah.
        B.   (vs.3-4) Elijah fled to the wilderness and wanted to die.
        C.   Elijah never stopped believing in God; however, his responses to God's questions indicate that he
               lost his confidence in God's protection (vs.9-10, 13-14).

V.               GOD  DID  NOT  FORSAKE  ELIJAH

        A.   (1 Kings 19:5-8) An angel provided food and water for Elijah.
        B.   (1 Kings 19:18) There were 7,000 other Israelites who had not worshipped Baal.
        C.   It was important for Elijah to realize that God had not forsaken him because God had work for him
               to do (1 Kings 19:15-16).
        D.   Eventually, Elijah was taken to heaven by a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11).

VI.            APPLICATION

        A.   Elijah illustrates the need for proper thinking when facing adversity.
              1.    Jezebel's threat led Elijah to think that he was the only faithful prophet left, he did not think that
                     his life was worth living, and he apparently did not think that God would protect him.
              2.    Proper thinking is addressed in Proverbs 23:7 and Philippians 4:8.
        B.  God will provide direction for those who follow the instructions given in Proverbs 3:5-6.
        C.  Through his example, Elijah shows us that:
              1.    anyone can be affected by discouragement
              2.    discouragement can be overcome.


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