God Provides

1 Kings 17:9-10, 17-24/Luke 7:11-17

-3 times of miracles

-Units that supply-go thru channels

-We have a mission--God provides for us when we go thru channels

1. Help Yourself (9-10)

-At a friend's house to eat: "Help yourself"

-Jesus went to Nain (ca. 25 mi. from Capern., where he was the day before)

-Elijah went to Zarephath (to the widow to eat)

-2 Thes. 3:10/1 COR 10:13

-Prov. 6: Ant

2. Pass the Test (18)

-Widows only son in Luke; 2d time she lost protector-provider

-Took her anger out on Elijah (Nurse and me)

-Lk. 13:1-5; Jn. 9:3

-Why do the Righteous Suffer? (Job 2:3) (God has to give us the ability to choose)

-Mother making quilt

-1 Cor. 3:11-15: Tried by Fire

-Jesus had compassion (Mt. 9); the ability to feel what others feel--movies

3. Ask in Prayer (19-21)

-Jesus touched the coffin and said "Arise"

-Elijah prayed for the boy's soul to return

-Ja. 4:2; 1 Jn. 5:14

-He wants us to ask--to make a relationship (image of God; my coin)

4. God Provides (22-24)

-God heard the prayer; 80 yrs. since Israel had seen someone raised from the dead (Elisha) (notwithstanding `f and the girl)

-Response: "You are a Man of God; A Prophet is Among Us" (Jn. 9)

-Sometimes he takes you down that road--just you and Him

-God's provision and victory over death

-Units that Supply--use channels

-God Provides--use channels

Preaching portion: I Kings 19:19-21

Subject: Obedience.

Theme/Proposition: What is the price of obedience?

Introduction:

Reliable Chevrolet just lowered their prices on '92 pick-ups to 100 dollars over invoice. Their sales immediately went up 15 %. It seems some people wanted to but a pick-up, but were willing to wait for the price to go down before making their move, and this is smart. We will always look for bargains when we are in the mood for buying--sort of shop around. But there is one thing that will never cost us less than what it did when it first came out--one thing that is worth getting at any cost. This one thing is obedience.

In I Kings 19:19, Elijah had been on Mount Horeb talking with God. God told him that he was to anoint a man to be prophet in his place. This man's name was Elisha. But how would this well-to-do gentleman respond to the call? Would Elijah have to go seek another? Amongst all the questions darting about in the mind of Elisha, the one most dominant had to be, "What is the price of obedience?"

1A Establishing Values

1B Elisha settled in a job v. 19

-He knew where his next meal was coming from. He knew where he would lay his head that night. And he knew that he had steady work the next day.

2B Elisha well off v. 19

1C Yoke (Heb. "pair") of oxen.

2C Twelve--probably owned by Dad.

-This family most likely did not use food stamps. They were probably well off. price of obedience.

2A The price of obedience is responding immediately

1B He ran (Heb. "rush") after Elijah v. 20

1C He didn't waste time. He didn't stop to think whether it was profitable or not. He didn't wait for a better offer to come along. He didn't try to bargain with Elijah for a better office.

-Tell a kid to do something. If it is not done then, it is not obedience.

2C He showed respect for the office. To him, this was not just another job. This was a special call of God.

2B Even though he responded immediately, he showed respect to all who would be affected. v. 20

3B Follow v. 20--"to walk behind." He didn't get in front.

-Jesus speaking on tomorrow in Matt. 6:34.

3A The price of obedience is forsaking all.

1B Slew a yoke of oxen v. 21

-As believers, we are summoned to some branch of service in the local church. We need to kill of old habits that keep us from giving 100%.

1C The yoke is the driving force. The driving force of our old habits needs to be crucified.

2C The instruments (Heb. "implements") were used for the fire. We need to completely rid our life of anything our old nature could use to get a toe-hold on.

-Make not provision--Romans 13:14.

2B He went after Elijah v. 21

3B Ministered (Heb. "To attend to or contribute to") v. 21

-There is a place for each of us to minister here in the local church--not one person should be left out. Restrooms, Sunday school, greeting visitors. There is a place.

Conclusion:

Have you established your values? Is the premium you place on things above of greater value than the things of the earth? They should be. If you have set your values already, then you will not hesitate when given the choice to obey God or not. And when that immediate response is made the final payment on the price of obedience becomes the amount due--the hardest test of them all--forsaking all. Is there something in your life you are holding on to that is keeping you from obeying God 100%. If so, God wants you to crucify it. He will not settle for anything less than 100% of your obedience.

1 Kings 20: 1-4

Lessons from Ben-hadad

1A. Assembled the people v. 1

1B. Organization--strength in numbers

1C. Heb. 10:25

2C. Missouri Great Seal--"United we stand, divided we fall"

3C. "No man is an island"

2B. Mobilization

1C. Soak up sermons

2C. Newspaper boy clipping

3C. "Going"--Matt. 28

2A. Proclaimed the message v. 2

1B. Enters the city

1C. Get to people

2C. Jonah--3 days journey (75 mi.)

2B. Opens the mouth

1C. Wesley and Edwards

2C. Thus saith philosophy? (Thus saith the Lord @ 2k in OT)

3C. Brother told his brother to get inside--then said "Mom said ..."

3A. Desired the Best v. 3

1B. Didn't go in saying "May I have ...?"

2B. He said, "It's mine."

3B. C.H. Spurgeon and young preacher ("Expect something?")

4B. Paul found his doors open to the west after banging on them (Acts 16)