Running On Empty | 6.29.25

Sunday, June 29

The Fabulous Life Of Elijah – Running On Empty

 

A Bad Day And Running On Empty

  • This Fabulous Life Of A Greater Purpose—Of A Closeness With God—Of Experiencing His Power—Of Watching Him Work All Things For My Good—Still Has Its Ups And Downs.

 

1 Kings 19:1

  • Jezebel was evil and the force behind the throne—leading Israel to worship false gods and idols.
  • Jezebel was a witch.
  • Jezebel supported the prophets of Baal and Asherah with money from the kingdom.

 

1 Kings 19:2-3

  • Elijah Was Running In Faith—And Now He’s Running In Fear!

We Also—Can Easily Slip Out Of Faith Into Fear.

  • We can have incredible high peaks, and then we can have the low valleys.
  • We often pull out of Christian Community—when we’re discouraged.

 

1 Kings 19:4

Elijah’s Feeling Like A Total Failure And Wants To Die!

  • Thankfully God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.
  • Studies show that failures—take on a life of their own because the brain remembers incomplete tasks or failures longer than successes or completed activities.
  • Zeigarnik Effect; when a project or thought is completed, the brain places it in a special memory—It no longer has an active status—but incomplete tasks and failures—keep spinning because there’s no closure.

Elijah’s EXHAUTED AND Running On EMPTY!

 

1 Kings 19:5-7

  • Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is get some rest.
  • We Have A Two-Sided Problem: Those who feel entitled, who don’t work and should—And those who work hard and never take times to rest.

2 Thessalonians 3:10, “…we gave you this rule. Those who don’t work, don’t eat.”

 

God Commands Us To Rest By Worshipping In Community On Sunday And By Taking A Break From Our Other Activities And Work. 

Leviticus 23:3, “You have six days each week for your ordinary work and tasks, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete (Spiritual) rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the Lord’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live.”

  • Today, Most Christians Observe The Sabbath On Sunday, Instead Of Saturday, To Honor And Remember Jesus Resurrection.

Psalm 127:2, “…God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest.” (LB)

Hebrews 10:25, “Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are in the HABIT of doing, but instead let us encourage one another …”

 

1 Kings 19:8-9

  • God gave Elijah energy for his journey.
  • Many Bible scholars believe this is the same cave or opening Moses met with God in.

 

1 Kings 19:10

“I’ve worked hard for you LORD and look where it’s got me!”

  • Sometimes we work in ministry—not just for God’s approval—but for the approval of others.

2 Important Lessons:

  1. Live For An Audience Of ONE!
  2. We Don’t Work For God’s Approval—We Work To Love God And Others—To Build His Kingdom!
  • We’re approved through our faith IN Jesus!

 

Matthew 11:28, (Jesus Said) “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heaven burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give to you is light.”

The Greek word for rest means to calm or comfort or refresh.

  • In the Old Testament, the concept of rest was to be released from the pressures and the tensions of life, and to experience the peace that follows.
  • Animals were yoked together for greater strength—And often, so the weaker animal could rely on the strength of the stronger animal.
  • Jesus is using this imagery of the yoke—to show us how He wants us to walk through life with Him!

 

Jesus Is saying, “Let’s get yoked together, and walk through life together.”

  • It’s No Joke, Jesus Wants Me To Yoke!
  • God loves me and is proud of me when I work hard for Him—And He blesses me with treasures in Heaven and blessings here.
  • But it’s about depending on His strength and guidance.

 

1 Kings 19:11-13A

ELIJAH NEEDED AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD!

  • Elijah Found His Encounter With God—In A Whisper!
  • After God Whispered—Elijah Was Moved So Much—He Left The Cave!

 

1 Kings 19:13B-18

  • God loves on and comforts Elijah.
  • God Confirms That He’s Going To Follow Through On His Commitment To Elijah And To His People—That He Will Preserve And Protect Those Who Are Obedient To Him!

►God Is Faithful And Will Always Come Through For Us!

Romans 8:28, “And we know that God takes everything and works it together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

 

Many Of Us—When We’re Seeking To Hear From God—We’re Looking For A Big Event—Or A Very Loud Emotional Experience…

►But Most Often God Whispers To Us In The Day To Day.

  • Most of the time God whispers to us—through His word, the Bible and through His Spirit in our spirit—and other Christians.

 

How Can I Find Help In The Lows And Hear God’s Voice On A Regular Basis?

By Being Yoked To Jesus In A Close Relationship.

 

How Can I Stay Yoked To Jesus In A Close Relationship?

Through The Spiritual Habits The Bible Teaches Us About!

  • The Sabbath Command, Worshipping Each Sunday At Church.
  • Starting Your Day By Talking To God And Surrendering Your Day To Him!
  • Reading Your Bible Every Day—God Talks To Us Through His Written Word.
  • Learning God’s Word And Promises—They Give Us Hope And Perspective.
  • Trust And Obey Jesus—By Trusting And Obeying The Bible.

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