God Lives!
The sermon emphasizes the importance of humility and obedience in our relationship with God, using Elijah's life as an example.
Theodore Epp emphasizes that Elijah, though a remarkable prophet, was just like us--human and vulnerable. His strength came from his complete submission to God, which enabled him to boldly confront King Ahab and declare God's judgment. Epp highlights that Elijah's confidence stemmed from his relationship with the living God, contrasting it with the idolatry of Baal worship prevalent in Israel. The sermon underscores the importance of humility before God, as He grants grace to the humble and empowers them to resist evil. Ultimately, when we align our hearts with God, our prayers will reflect His will, and He will respond.
Text
1 Kings 17:1 James 6:16-18
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. He had a remarkable ministry, but he was still human. He had special gifts from God and was set apart to perform a special ministry.
The difference between him and us is due to the special work God had for him and the fact that he was fully submitted to God.
When he relied on his own resources, he became as weak as a child. At one period in his life he was discouraged almost to the point of death. Renewed by God, he was as bold as a lion.
He dared to stand before King Ahab and pronounce the judgment of God on him and his kingdom. The prophet showed no hesitancy and expected God to do what He said He would. The basic principle behind this is given in the New Testament.
The first thing that Elijah did when he stood before Ahab was to remind the king that the God of Israel is a living God.
Jezebel had brought Baal worship into Israel and had 850 priests leading in the worship of idols. So the first thing Elijah said was "As the Lord God of Israel liveth" (1 Kings 17:1).
Elijah was unafraid when he stood before Ahab because he had knelt in humility before Almighty God.
The Lord gives grace to the humble, but He resists the proud. For this reason we are to submit ourselves to God, but we are to resist the Evil One, and he will flee from us.
When we are right with God in our hearts, then we will ask for the things that please Him, and He will answer us.
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world" (John 6:51).
Sermon Outline
- Elijah's Humanity and Ministry
- The Difference Between Elijah and Us
- The Principle Behind Elijah's Boldness
- The Power of Humility and Obedience
- The Result of Being Right with God
- Asking for things that please God
- God's promise to answer us
Key Quotes
“The Lord gives grace to the humble, but He resists the proud.” — Theodore Epp
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- We must submit ourselves to God and rely on His resources to be effective in our ministries.
- Humility is essential for receiving God's grace and resisting the Evil One.
- We must ask for things that please God and trust that He will answer us.