Title: 'Holding fast the faithful Word...’
Text: I Kings 17:8-16
Theme: Fulfilling God's Work by Faithfully Following His
Word
Preacher's Purpose: Motivate People to Follow God's Word in
Service to Him
Proposition: God's Work Must be Fulfilled According to His
Word
Interrogative: How can I fulfill the work God has given me?
Transition: Elijah provides us with the example
of fulfilling God's work through His Word
Introduction: The Word of
the Lord fed the heartbeat of the prophet Elijah, a man who was undoubtedly
mighty in the Scriptures. We find him in (v.7) at the brook Cherith waiting on
the Word. Yes, he was waiting to hear from the Lord as the brook had dried up,
God's supernatural supply of food and water had been eliminated.
One preacher has said that the
Cherith experience was like the Mount of Transfiguration was for Peter, James
and John after communing with God face to face, Elijah, the prophet of
judgment, was now ready to 'come down' and become the minister of mercy. He
clearly provides us with the precise example of fulfilling God's work through
faithfully following His Word.
I. The Message to God's Prophet (Don't move
without God's Word/Marching orders)
A. Specific Parameters (v.9)
1.'Arise...' Def'n:
Stand up from prostrate position of rest
2.'Get thee...'Def'n:
Move on, make journey, immediate action (Refers
to preparation/prophet)
3.'Dwell there...'
Def'n: Remain, Continue, Tarry, Abide, Stay
B. Specific Place (v.9)
1.'Zarephath...'
Def'n: Smelting Furnace (Not Man's Wisdom)
2.'Zidon...' Def'n:
Home of Jezebel/Baal Worship (But God's Wisdom/Working)
C. Specific Person (v.9)
1. Widow Woman
2. Sustaining
Woman
D. Specific Promise (v.9) 'Illustr:
Paul&Ananias-Acts 9 Peter&Cornelius-Acts 10
1. 'I have
commanded... Phillip&Eunuch-Acts 8
Eliezer&Rebekah-Genesis 24
2. 'To sustain
thee.' (God simultaneously working His will w/2 people: Divine Appointment)
Transition: With God's plan/message in His heart
Elijah is now ready to become a Minister of Mercy
to the despondent, suicidal
widow.
II. The Ministry to God's People (v.10-16)]
A. Supplying Spiritual Needs (v.13)
1. Stirs Her
Faith-'Fear not; go and do...' (Calls for faith the opposite of fear)
2. Structures Her
Priorities-'Fetch me...bring me...make me...First...' (Minister to God's man)
3. Supplies
Faith-Focus-'Thus saith the Lord...' (Lord had commanded her to feed Elijah)
B. Supplying Physical Needs (v.15,
16) Illustr: Lord taught then miraculously fed the
multitude
1. 'The barrel of
meal wasted not...'
2. 'Neither
did the cruse of oil fail...'
Transition: After fulfilling God's work by following
God's Word, He then performs the miraculous
III. The Miracle of God's Power (v.14-16)
A. Fulfilled thru Elijah's Faith (v.14)
B. Foretold by God's Word (v.16) Illustr:
Exodus 16:14 Manna...'I will rain bread from heaven...'
Conclusion: We must
first of all receive God's message: Specific Parameters, Place, Person,
Promises
Then and only then can we
faithfully fulfill His work, God's Ministry, through following His Word, giving
Him opportunity to perform the miraculous through our faith in His Word. Elijah's
success at Zarephath was due to his 'Holding fast the faithful Word...'
Invitation: Are you
fulfilling the work God has called you to do as a personal witness for Him
according to the Word of God? Are you fulfilling the work God has called you to
do as a minister of His great love to the brethren? What about your
intercessory prayer life for others? Do you faithfully pray for the leaders
here in the church? The Specific Parameters God has given us are first of all
we too must 'Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature' He
has given us a Specific Place with Specific People to minister to right here in
our own neighborhood and His Specific Promises to His obedient children
are manifold if we will fulfill the Work He has given us according to
His Word!
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