An Ordinary Man in Extraordinary Times I Kings 17

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An Ordinary Man inExtraordinary TimesI Kings 17

• A study of the life of Elijah
• by Jay Brennan

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Not a God of the Status Quo

• Lord, do things we are not use to.
• Move me out of my comfort zoneOpen the eyes of
  my heartslow down my frantic lifePut me where I
  am not equal to the opportunity.
• Types of people God has used Moses, David and
  Apostles
• Elijah uncouth, unrefined, mountain man who
  hid in a cave.

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Seven Evil Kings - Israel

• Jeroboam I Kings 15
• Nadab I Kings 1525-26
• Baasha I Kings 1533-34
• Elah I Kings 168
• Zimri I Kings 1615
• Omri I Kings 1625
• Ahab I Kings 1630-33

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Background on Baal

• Baal most popular pagan god
• god of fertility in all aspects
• Ras Shamrah text Baal as god over rain, wind,
  clouds - god of weather, god of storm, of rain
  and good crops.
• Baal worship included offering of incense (Jer.
  79) human sacrifice (Jer. 195), licentious
  sexual activity (I Kings 14 23-24 1512 with
  2246)

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God Gave Them Up

• These men provoked God so, Where is God?
• Sometimes God judges us by actively intervening
  but sometimes by leaving us alone
• Roman 1 God gave them up v.24, v.26, v. 28
• When nations say, Lord, we dont need you, Go
  says fine have it your way.

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Hot Button Issues

• Abortion, gay rights, church state, crime,
  affirmative action, states rights, and the right
  to die.
• Every political, legal, social decision has a
  moral component Leads us toward God or leads us
  away from God.
• I Kings is the Old Testament version of Romans 1

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AndBam

• I Kings 17 1 and author giving us a flow
  of history.
• and indicates something is about to happen.
• God is about to enter the situation Almighty
  God is about to be heard from.
• Elijah appears and says to Ahab BAM! BAM! BAM!

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The Lord is my God

• Elijahs name El is God, Jah is like
  Jehovah, the i in Elijah means my.
• Elijah The Lord is my Godor My God is Jehovah
• It demonstrated his protest against Baal,
  allegiance to God, key issue who is your God?
• Who and what is my God?
• What is my name?

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Elijahs Secret

• He believed in a living God
• He served a promise keeping God
• He lived in the presence of God
• He obeyed the call of God

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Elijah A Man Not so Different than Us

• Did Elijah have a corner on spirituality?
• James 516b-17 Elijah a man just like us
• Elijah rose above his weaknesses and fears
  through the divine resources at his disposal.
• Its never seeing the difficulties that prevent
  faithful action, but failing to see our resources
  in the Lord.

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Conclusion

• Whenever there is danger, there lurks
  opportunity whenever there is opportunity, there
  lurks danger. E. Nightingale
• Our security-oriented culture insulates us from
  real needs maximizing pleasure and minimizing
  pain
• In the process of growing older we lose the
  desire to risk.we are afraid to take giant steps
  of faith Chuck Swindoll
• But the people who know their God will display
  strength and take action. Daniel 1132
• Last big question How well do we know our God?

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