Elijah – A Man Like Us

Elijah - A Man Like Us

Introduction.
Introduction.
Elijah was a prophet who lived approximately 900 years before Christ. His life was exemplified by great courage and service to God. He is regarded as a great Bible hero. We sometimes forget that Bible heroes are special because they were real people who experienced the same emotions, desires, temptations, and problems that we do. Certainly, Elijah serves as a great example to follow as we strive to serve Jesus Christ. How can we learn from him? Introduction.
Elijah was a prophet who lived approximately 900 years before Christ. His life was exemplified by great courage and service to God. He is regarded as a great Bible hero. We sometimes forget that Bible heroes are special because they were real people who experienced the same emotions, desires, temptations, and problems that we do. Certainly, Elijah serves as a great example to follow as we strive to serve Jesus Christ. How can we learn from him?

I. Elijah was a man of great courage.

            1. 1 Kings 17:1; 18:17-18 – rebukes Ahab – the king of Israel.

            2. 18:21-24 – issues challenge to servants of Baal.

            3. 18:36-38 – trusts in the approval of God

            4. 21:19-24 – tells Ahab how he has been condemned by God.

            5. We must stand up in courage for the Lord!

                        a. Mt. 10:28; 2 Tim. 1:7

                        b. Heb. 13:6; Psa. 31:24

II. Elijah was subject to discouragement. How? Why?

               1. Physically tired. 18:46; 19:3-4

                               a. Spiritual state can be affected by physical – Mt. 26:41; 1 Cor. 6:18

                               b. Being tired physically can contribute to spiritual depression.

               2. 19:10 – lonely; despondent.

                               a. We feel same sometimes. God with us – Rom. 8:31; Heb. 13:5

                               b. Not alone – 1 Pet. 4:12

               3. 19:14 – feels worthless. Israel had returned back to their old way.

                               a. Our work not in vain! 1 Cor. 15:57-58

               4. Remedy for depression? Go to work! See 19:15-18.

                               a. Can’t run away from our problems! See Elijah & Jonah!

                               b. Christians must press forward never giving up!

                               c. Mt. 28:18; Mk. 16:15

                               d. Self pity breeds depression. Must orient our lives toward Christ.

III. Elijah was a mighty man of prayer.

               1. Demonstrated in 17:21; 18:36-37; 42-44; Js. 5:17-18

               2. Js. 5:16 – God answers prayers of righteous.

               3. Consider Bible heroes who prayed often:

                               a. Daniel – Dan. 6:10

                               b. Saul – Acts 9:11

                               c. Paul & Silas – Acts 16:25

               4. Do we pray often?

Elijah had a nature like ours – Js. 5:17

Let us learn from Elijah and faithfully serve God!



Elijah - A Man Like Us Introduction. Introduction. Elijah was a prophet who lived approximately 900 years before Christ. His life was exemplified by great courage and service to God. He is regarded as a great Bible hero. We sometimes forget that Bible heroes are special because they were real people who experienced the same emotions, desires, temptations, and problems that we do. Certainly, Elijah serves as a great example to follow as we strive to serve Jesus Christ. How can we learn from him? Introduction. Elijah was a prophet who lived approximately 900 years before Christ. His life was exemplified by great courage and service to God. He is regarded as a great Bible hero. We sometimes forget that Bible heroes are special because they were real people who experienced the same emotions, desires, temptations, and problems that we do. Certainly, Elijah serves as a great example to follow as we strive to serve Jesus Christ. How can we learn from him? I. Elijah was a man of great courage. 1. 1 Kings 17:1; 18:17-18 – rebukes Ahab – the king of Israel. 2. 18:21-24 – issues challenge to servants of Baal. 3. 18:36-38 – trusts in the approval of God 4. 21:19-24 – tells Ahab how he has been condemned by God. 5. We must stand up in courage for the Lord! a. Mt. 10:28; 2 Tim. 1:7 b. Heb. 13:6; Psa. 31:24 II. Elijah was subject to discouragement. How? Why? 1. Physically tired. 18:46; 19:3-4 a. Spiritual state can be affected by physical – Mt. 26:41; 1 Cor. 6:18 b. Being tired physically can contribute to spiritual depression. 2. 19:10 – lonely; despondent. a. We feel same sometimes. God with us – Rom. 8:31; Heb. 13:5 b. Not alone – 1 Pet. 4:12 3. 19:14 – feels worthless. Israel had returned back to their old way. a. Our work not in vain! 1 Cor. 15:57-58 4. Remedy for depression? Go to work! See 19:15-18. a. Can’t run away from our problems! See Elijah & Jonah! b. Christians must press forward never giving up! c. Mt. 28:18; Mk. 16:15 d. Self pity breeds depression. Must orient our lives toward Christ. III. Elijah was a mighty man of prayer. 1. Demonstrated in 17:21; 18:36-37; 42-44; Js. 5:17-18 2. Js. 5:16 – God answers prayers of righteous. 3. Consider Bible heroes who prayed often: a. Daniel – Dan. 6:10 b. Saul – Acts 9:11 c. Paul & Silas – Acts 16:25 4. Do we pray often? Elijah had a nature like ours – Js. 5:17 Let us learn from Elijah and faithfully serve God!