1 KINGS 19
3 Outlines
BURNED OUT! or "THE CONQUERED SERVANT"
1 Kings 19
We run into pastors,
pastors' wives, missionaries, and other Christians who have become so fatigued
and disillusioned in ministry, that they become conquered by Satan. This can
happen especially after great victories.
Elijah had a great victory in Chapter 18 (You will probably want to give
these events a brief review.). Elijah had a great defeat in chapter 19.
PROPHET ON THE RUN
1. He was defeated. Vss. 1-3
2. He was done. Vs. 4 -
Handed in his resignation.
3. He was deceived. Vss. 9-10
He was jealous - Deceived into thinking
the ministry was his. (The
ministry is
always to be God's. We are just caretakers..
GOD TO THE RESCUE
1. God nourished him. Vss. 5-7
2. God heard him. Vss. 8-10
3. God encouraged him. Vss. 11-13, 18
4. God recommissioned
him. Vss. 15-17
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1 Kings
THE TORCH IS PASSED
When responsibility is transferred from one person to
another, we often say, "The torch has been passed." Elijah is told to recruit Elisha as the next
prophet. He passed the torch to a man who was different from himself. Elijah was known as a fiery personality. We
might say that Elisha was steady.
Consider:
ELISHA'S DESTINY - 1 Kings 19:16, 19 - To be the
next prophet in
ELISHA'S DECISION - 1 Kings 19:20-21 - To accept
the call of God.
ELISHA'S DISCIPLESHIP - 1 Kings
ELISHA'S
DETERMINATION - 2 Kings 2:1-7 - To stay with Elijah to the end.
ELISHA'S DESIRE - 2 Kings 2:8-9 - To have a
double portion of Elijah's spirit
ELIJAH'S DEMONSTRATION - 2 Kings
Note - This could easily be made into two sermons.
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1 Kings 19, 21 - 2 Kings
2
FINISHING WELL
Revelation
Many Christians have
been faithful to the Lord for many years, but then began to falter in their
service for God as they got older.
Elijah was a mighty man of God who served God well (1 Kings 17-18). He had a period of depression (1 Kings 19),
but then went on faithfully serving God to the end. Elijah shows us three principles to follow if
we want to finish well.
PREPARE FOR THE WORK
Although Elijah would
soon be off the scene, the work of God would continue. It was Elijah's job to
make sure that preparation was made so that the wok would go on after Elijah
was gone. We too, should make
preparations for our work to continue after we are no longer able to do that
work.
1 Kings 19:15-17 -
Elijah is assigned three specific tasks. One of these tasks was to anoint
Elisha has his successor.
1 Kings 19:19-21 -
Elisha is called and accepts the call.
Elijah did not die right away, nor did Elisha take over right away.
Verse 21 tells us that Elisha ministered to or served Elijah.
Elisha became a prophet
in training. 2 Kings
In 2 Kings 2, another
group is mentioned called the "Sons of the Prophets". These were others that were evidently also trained
by Elisha.
Training others is a
favorite theme in the Bible.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 tells
us that children are to be trained.
Ephesians 4:11-12 tells
us that Christians are to be trained.
2 Timothy 2:2 tells us
that faithful men need to be trained.
We should prepare for
the continuation of God's work by training others.
PROCLAIM THE WORD
As long as God gave him
something to say, Elijah proclaimed God's message.
1 Kings 21 - He preached
against the sin of Ahab towards Naboth.
2 Kings 1 - He preached
against Ahaziah, the son of Ahab.
As long as we are able,
we should faithfully proclaim the Word and witness for Christ. 2 Timothy 4:2
PRACTICE THE WALK
2 Kings 2 - Elijah
walked with God until God took him to Heaven.
He went where God directed him and proclaimed to Elisha what God told
him. We need to faithfully walk with God
until God calls us into His presence.