Hope Now Bible Church: Fresno, California

When You Feel Depressed: 1 Kings 18:41 - 19:18

There are three types of Christian experiences, according to Vance Havner, a well-known Southern Baptist pastor.

1. Mountaintop days:  Everything is going well and the world looks bright.  These experiences are temporary: They can't go on forever.  It is unrealistic to expect, as many people do, that we can spend life leaping from one mountain peak to another as if there were no plains or valleys in between.

2. Ordinary days:  Working at our usual tasks.  We're neither elated or depressed.

3. Dark days: We trudge heavily through confusion, doubt, despair, and discouragement.  Sometimes these days string out into months or even years before we begin to experience a sense of relief and victory.  When they persist, dark days are days of depression.

Discouragement, depression, despair and doubt all seem to go hand in hand.  Being discouraged is a natural emotion that everyone faces from time to time.  Jesus himself suffered from a time of discouragement or depression.  In Mark 14:33, Jesus was about to be handed over to the authorities to be crucified.  Going up the a place called Gethsemane to pray, the Bible tells us that he "began to be greatly distressed and troubled."  The word "troubled" in the Greek means to be "Full of heaviness." 

Have you ever felt full of heaviness?  You're not alone.  The prophet Elijah struggled immensely with a time of discouragement and depression.  Yet in our passage we find the answer to getting through and overcoming this emotion in our own lives.

BACKGROUND

Elijah had just completed a stunning victory on Mt. Carmel.  He had challenged King Ahab and his 450 prophets of Baal to a contest in order to discover whose God was the One True God (1 Kings 18:24.)  After an entire day of the prophets of Baal crying out to their god to no avail, it was Elijah's turn.  With one simple prayer, Jehovah blasted the altar with fire that consumed everything in its path (1 Kings 18:38.)  In addition, Elijah had the people take the prophets of Baal down the mountain where they were killed for leading the people away from God and for making human sacrifices of innocent people (Jeremiah 7:31; 19:4-6.)

THE SOUND OF RUSHING RAIN (1 Kings 18:41-46)

Drought had persisted in Israel for three and a half years.  Now it was time for the drought to end.  Elijah first prophesied to King Ahab that rain would not fall on the land "Except by my word."  Not until Elijah prayed to the True God of heaven would the land get its first drink.

The rain was coming and it was going to be torrential.  Elijah told Ahab to get some food and drink, because the drought was over.  There was probably no doubt in King Ahab's mind that Elijah meant what he said.  Ahab had just witnessed a miracle that proved Elijah was speaking for Jehovah.  After such a long drought, Ahab could finally relax and enjoy a meal, knowing that the land would be saved.

While King Ahab enjoyed his meal, Elijah traveled back to the top of Mt. Carmel to pray to God that he would send rain on the land.  It is here that we get our first indication that Elijah was running out of spiritual and physical steam.

Earlier that day, Elijah had made the trek to the top of Mt. Carmel (elevation 1,792 ft.)  He had challenged the prophets of Baal, waited for them to summon their false god, built his own altar, watched Jehovah perform a miracle, traveled down the mountain for the execution of the prophets of Baal, and climbed back up to the top of the mountain to pray to God for rain.  It had been a long, trying, and emotionally draining day.

Verse 42 says when he reached the top of the mountain he "cast himself down and put his face between his knees."  We can just picture a man, exhausted, yet compelled to finish his task. It’s like a picture of a man standing watch, keeping a lookout, not leaving his post. The prophet Habakkuk said, "I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me..." (2:1).
We're not told the exact words of Elijah's prayer (although we know he prayed specifically for rain, James 5:18), but he prayed it at least eight times.  Each time his servant would run to a little ridge on the mountain and look toward the sea for any sign of rain.  The final time Elijah's servant reported back that there was a "little cloud like a man's hand...rising from the sea" and Elijah knew that was it; That little cloud would form into giant cumulonimbus clouds that would drench the land with life giving water.
Elijah gave Ahab fair warning that the rain was coming so he could get his chariots back to the city (about 10 miles away) before the roads became clogged with mud and debris.

Exhausted as Elijah was, God gave him supernatural power to run ahead of Ahab to the city of Jezreel where Elijah arrived first (1 Kings 18:46).

THE DEATH THREAT (1 Kings 19:1-2)

There is no doubt that Ahab was excited to tell Jezebel what had happened on Mt. Carmel.  You should have been there!, might have been the first words out of his mouth.  In relating his story to Jezebel it is important to note that Ahab never said, "You should have seen what Jehovah did!"  Rather, he told her "all that Elijah had done...” After hearing the story of what had happened, instead of Jezebel believing in Jehovah, she sent out a death threat to Elijah.

ELIJAH LOSES HEART (1 Kings 19:3-4)

God had just performed some of the most amazing miracles through Elijah.

• Fed him by sending ravens twice a day with food (1 Kings 17:4,6)

• Provided an unending supply of food for a widow and her son (1 Kings 17:14)

• Raised the widow's son from death (1 Kings 17:22)

• Challenged the prophets of Baal and won (1 Kings 18:39,40)

• Prayer was answered for rain (1 Kings 18:45)

• Ran 10 miles, beating a chariot (1 Kings 18:46)

Yet even with all of these acts of God, Elijah became dreadfully afraid of Jezebel because of her death threat.  And he "Ran for his life!"  His faith suddenly failed him!  He ran to Beersheba (and then, after leaving his servant, went a day's journey farther into the wilderness), which is just about as far south in Israel as he could go.

DARK DAYS OF DESPAIR (1 Kings19:4-5)

It was over.  Elijah had gone as far as he possibly could go.  He could run no further (or so he thought).  He felt there was no use for his life.  What good had it all been?  God performed all those miracles, but now Jezebel was going to kill him.  Is that all life is; you do good things an then you die?  Elijah could do no more -- he quit. He "sat down...and asked that he might die."

Elijah did two things that are classic signs of deep depression.  First, he was ready to die (vs. 4), and second, he fell asleep (vs. 5).  But God wasn't finished with Elijah.

CAKE THAT HEALS (1 Kings 19:5-8)

Elijah needed sleep.  He also needed food.  He had been on the run.  Barely getting any sleep or food.  God knew that he needed both and as he slept God prepared a wonderful meal for Elijah. A fresh cake was baking on hot stones right near his head and a cool jar of water was next to it.  An angel awakened Elijah and he ate the cake and drank the water.  Then he fell back to sleep.  After sleeping for a while the angel awakened him again and told him to eat more because his journey was not over.  He was now to travel 200 miles in forty days and forty nights to Mt. Horeb (Sinai), where God had given the Ten Commandments (the Law) to Moses -- There was still more for him to do!

A NEW JOURNEY (1 Kings 19:8-10)

God met Elijah at a cave on Mt. Horeb and asked him a simple question, "What are you doing here?"  Elijah began to spew out his own self-righteousness to God.  He turned all of the attention on himself:

• "I have been very jealous for the Lord."

• "I, even I only, am the only prophet left."

• "They want to take my life."

He was proclaiming to God that he was the only faithful one left in the land.  He was saying, "Why do I have to suffer?  I've done everything right?  I'm the only believer in the land and yet I'm being pursued to be killed?  Why ME?

ELIJAH IGNORES GOD (1 Kings 19:11-13)

After Elijah vented, God told him to "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD."  But Elijah stayed in the cave; he was too depressed and discouraged to listen to God's commands. [When we fail to listen to God it is because of our own self-centeredness] Elijah was putting all the focus on himself; it was a Woe is me mentality.  When he focused on himself he fell into depression.  When Elijah's attitude changed from God centered to self-centered, his usefulness as a servant suffered.
God passed by the cave and as he did he was followed by a great wind, and an earthquake and fire.  Still, Elijah remained inside the cave.  Finally, there was the sound of a faint whisper -- it got Elijah's attention.  It was the quiet graciousness of God that attracted Elijah and drew him out of the cave.  It’s when the Lord speaks to us through his Spirit and we listen, that we can be set free from the bondage that oppresses us.  God’s Spirit gives us freedom.  It was God’s gentle Spirit that drew him out of the cave.  The apostle Paul said, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

God was showing him that just as he could not be coerced out of the cave by miraculous signs, neither would the nation of Israel be compelled to turn from their sins because of miraculous signs.

NO TIME FOR A PITY PARTY (1 Kings 19:14-18)

God didn't stand around arguing with Elijah about his problems.  Rather, God gave him another job to do:

1.  Go back and anoint Hazael to be King over Syria.
2.  Go back and anoint Jehu to be King over Israel.
3.  Go back and anoint Elisha to take your place as a prophet.

Then God gives Elijah the punch line.  Elijah had constantly been saying that he was the only one who was a true believer.  He said it in 1 Kings 18:22 and he said it again to God in 1 Kings 19:10 and again in 1 Kings 19:14.  But God said to Elijah, Oh, by the way thanks for doing all of these things for me, but I want you to know that you are not the only true believer left; there are seven thousand people in Israel who have never bowed to Baal!  So get moving...there's work to be done.

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Through the life of Elijah, we have seen God do mighty works.  The book of James tells us "Elijah was a man with a nature just like ours."  James tells us that so we might realize what God can and will do through us when we pray. 

But because Elijah's nature was like ours, he entered into times of despair.  He wanted to give up; to say, "What's the use!" 

WHAT CAUSED ELIJAH'S DESPAIR?

There are several causes of depression and Elijah was not immune to them.

First, he may have fallen prey to what one psychologist has called "post adrenalin depression."  This is common in people who have recently had an emotional high.  It happens to Christians sometimes when they go away to camp and make a decision to follow Christ.  At camp, they are away from the trials and problems of their lives and they're able to focus closely on God; they're excited about what God has done in their lives, but when they go back home, down the mountain, the depression sinks in.  It's as if the adrenal system switches off and they slip into a state of depression.

GOD DESIGNED US THAT WAY

Our adrenal system was designed by God to give us the strength to physically get through emotionally charged situations.  That's why people may say this about someone who has lost a loved one, "It is amazing how well he is taking this death.  He is so strong!  He's really trusting the Lord."  That may all be true, but often times, days, weeks, even months after the funeral, after the adrenal system shuts down, the person begins to despair.

DON'T BE DEPRESSED OVER DEPRESSION

But depression is not all bad.  When Elijah fell asleep, it was his body's way of rejuvenating.  Even though he was depressed, the sleep acted as an agent of recovery.  It gave his adrenal system time to repair.  "The longer a person is in a state of demand or energy the longer it may take for the adrenal system to repair.  Likewise, the older we get, the less resilient is our adrenal system and the more depressed we become after an adrenalin high." (Hart, Counseling the Depressed)

EAT YOUR SPIRITUAL CAKE

This is why those who have recently believed in Christ need discipleship.  When a person comes to Christ he or she realizes that their sins are forgiven and that they are  recipients of the gift of eternal life.  For many they feel as if a burden is lifted off of them.  They hunger for the Word of God, they want to tell others about Christ, they desire to live their lives pleasing to the Lord.  At the same time, because they are human, they are tested by the trials of life and it's possible that they can get worn down.  Which is why we constantly need the filling of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Like the "cake and water" that was provided to fill Elijah and give him strength, so the Holy Spirit fills us, guides us and strengthens us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling (2 Thessalonians 1:11).  Like Elijah, we must wake up and eat.  Here are two Scriptures that will help in your time of despair:

Psalm 62:5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.

Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

Focus on Christ.  If you only focus on yourself you will sink deeper and deeper into the mire of despondency.  You need to focus your life on something much bigger than yourself. 

HOW DO I PREVENT DEPRESSION OR DESPAIR?

1.  Trust in God.  Do you really believe that God knows the situation you are in?  God didn't forget Elijah while he was wandering in the wilderness and neither will he forget you.  Look at what the Apostle Paul said:

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:11-13

2.  Expect Discouragement.  Here are words from Jesus that help put life into reality:

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

It is unreasonable for you to think that depression, discouragement, doubt and despair shouldn't be a part of your life.  Jesus said, that you WILL have tribulation. 

Here's what Jesus' half brother James said;

James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
James 1:3 For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

You see, it is what you do when you are depressed or discouraged.  James says to remain steadfast!

3.  Reach Out:  We've touched on this already, but part of the problem in our world today is that we are too self-focused.  We want happiness.  So, we look for happiness in areas that never satisfy us, like money, drugs, sex, entertainment, sports, etc.  Earthly pleasures never satisfy.  They simply cause more distress in a person's life. 

It's like buying a car.  Before you had the car you never worried about it being stolen or breaking down!  You never worried about getting a scratch on it, because you didn’t have a car to worry about.  But as soon as you owned the car all these worries and more flooded into your life. 

If you are constantly striving for money, you can never get enough.  Gamblers understand this very well.  They can never stop because they are always craving more. They never win enough -- never satisfied.

Some think having sex will satisfy them only to find out that it won't.  It's the relationship that is built around sex that satisfies and sex is the natural outcome of that relationship between a husband and a wife.

When you only look to satisfy yourself, you'll find yourself sinking into depression;
Because you can't satisfy yourself.

So how do you do it?  How do you reach out to others?  How do you get the focus off yourself?  J.P. Moreland, professor at Talbot Theological Seminary puts it this way:

One must "learn to give one's life away for Jesus’ sake."  We must "grow in the skill of daily, habitual, healthy self-denial for Jesus' sake.... Here’s one simple suggestion for progress in this area.  When you get up in the morning, start off with praise and thanksgiving to God for the things you honestly appreciate about him and his dealings with you.  Then lift all your burdens to him until you have a sense of rest before the Lord.  Then tell him that between now and, say, lunch, with his help you are going to orient your morning towards focusing on others and giving yourself away for their good."

SUMMARY

Things were going pretty well in Elijah’s life and perhaps that caused him to take his focus off of God and place it on himself. We can learn from Elijah's mistakes.  We don't need to spend time in the wilderness like Elijah did, but if we do we should remember that God never leaves us – he never runs from us, we run from him.  He is always there to impart to us his gentle, gracious whisper of encouragement.  As God sent Elijah to anoint two new kings and a new prophet, so God wants to use you to anoint friends, family and co-workers with his blessings.  When you are depressed or discouraged you can't do that -- gain your strength from God and go forth and obey his will this week!

This Week:  Give your life away for Jesus.  Take the focus off of your problems and make an attempt to help someone else.  Maybe you can just bless someone with a note that says you are praying for them?   Or, perhaps you reach out and help someone in need in the name of Jesus?  Ask God to show you how you can reach out to others.

Study Questions

1.  Elijah became depressed after all he had seen God do.  God works in our lives and yet we too become depressed from time to time.  Does it encourage you to think that we face the same emotional issues that Elijah faced?  Explain.

2.  If you had met Elijah while he was sitting under the broom tree, what would you have told him?

3.  What would you tell a friend who is struggling with his or her Christian walk and being obedient to Christ?

Standing for Truth: Studies in the Life of Elijah

Sometimes it is difficult to stand up for the truth. People may think that it is easier to tip-toe around the truth in order to not offend anyone. As the saying goes, "The truth hurts." Many times it seems beneficial to tell a lie instead of the truth so that the pain might be lessened. What does God say about truth?

Jesus said it best, "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32.) Christians should always love the truth.

In our study this week we find Elijah poised and ready to speak the truth to King Ahab and 450 prophets of Baal. In the story, found in 1 Kings 18, the truth literally hurts, to the point of death for some.

THE BACKGROUND

Last time we discovered that the nation of Israel had split in two. The Kingdom of Judah was located in the south and the Kingdom of Israel was in the north. Israel was now ruled by King Ahab. He had turned away from the one true God and was worshiping a false god named Baal. Baal had been brought to Israel by Ahab's wife Jezebel. False prophets had arisen in the kingdom and the people were living in sin, even going so far as performing human sacrifices and promoting sexual immorality.

It was at this time that God raised up a prophet named Elijah. The name Elijah means "Jehovah is God." Elijah was sent to prove that Jehovah, not Baal is truly God.

We left off last time (See study, Obeying God in Times of Sensuality) with Elijah telling Ahab that because he had gone after other gods, Jehovah was going to hold back dew and rain from Israel for a prolonged period of time (1 Kings 17:1.)

With that warning, Elijah left the presence of King Ahab and hid by a brook where God performed a miracle allowing "ravens to feed [him] there" (1 Kings17:4.)

THE YEARS OF DROUGHT PASS BY

As the days, weeks, months and years of the drought passed by, the brook where Elijah had been living dried up. God commanded him to go to the town of Zaraphath where he lived out the rest of the drought in the home of a widow and her son. It is there that Elijah performed two miracles which caused the widow to proclaim, "I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth" (1 Kings 17:9-24.)

GOD IS READY TO END THE DROUGHT

In the third year of the drought (1 Kings 18:1), God commanded Elijah to go confront King Ahab (See 1 Kings 18:1-16.)

AHAB AND ELIJAH MEET (1 Kings 18:17,18)

It had been three long years. Drought ravaged the land of Israel and Ahab blamed Elijah, "You troubler of Israel." Elijah replied that he was not the one who caused the drought, rather it was because Ahab "Abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals" Elijah placed the blame for the drought that undoubtedly killed many animals and people squarely on the shoulders of Ahab. Elijah was ready to prove to Ahab that there was only one true God in Israel. The proof would come through a challenge or contest between Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal.

THE CONTESTANTS (1 Kings 18:19)

For the contest Elijah told Ahab to get all the prophets of Baal (all 450 of them) and the 400 prophets of Asherah and bring them up to Mt. Carmel.

It appeared that Ahab controlled the 450 prophets of Baal and Jezebel controlled the 400 prophets of Asherah -- since Jezebel was away at the time, only the 450 prophets of Baal showed up for the contest.

ELIJAH ADDRESSES CROWD (1 Kings 18: 20,21)

Elijah issues his first stern warning to the Israelite people, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him" (1 Kings 18:21.)

The people were trying to combine both the worship of Baal and Jehovah. They weren't bold about either belief. Elijah tells them that they're like lame people, limping around and never able to stand firm in one spot.

"The people did not answer him a word." They knew they were wishy-washy. They were convicted. They most likely hung their heads in shame--they couldn't look him in the eye. They believed in Jehovah, but Baal was at the center of their lives.

[Whatever is at the center of your life is your god. What are you "Limping" between? What god is holding you back from worshiping and serving the One True God?]

THE CONTEST RULES (1 Kings 18:22-25)

It was time for the contest to begin. Elijah announced the teams:

For Jehovah: 1, Elijah.
For Baal: 450, prophets.

1 against 450

Two bulls were to be brought to the top of the mountain. The prophets of Baal would get to choose first -- whichever bull they wanted. Then, they were to cut the bull in pieces and lay it on the wood, but not light a fire. Elijah told King Ahab that he would do the same.

Then, the prophets of Baal were to call upon the name of their god and Elijah would call upon the name of the LORD.

Whichever God answered by fire, "He is God." Everyone agreed to the rules of the contest!

IT'S ON! (1 Kings18:26-29)

After the prophets of Baal prepared the bull, they began to call out to their god but "no one answered" (vs.26.)

By noon Elijah began to mock them.

• "He is a god." Literally Elijah is saying "Come on! Baal is your supreme god -- Cry out louder to him!"
• "Either he is musing." Maybe he is not answering because he is deep in meditation?
• "He is relieving himself." Maybe Baal is on the toilet?
• "Or on a journey." Did he step out for a moment?
• "Perhaps he is asleep." If you shout loud enough you may be able to wake him up!

And so the prophets continued on, shouting louder, cutting themselves with their swords. Verse 29 says "They raved on." In other words, they were delirious, irrational and wild.

But "There was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention."

The altar, the wood and the bull looked the same as it had earlier in the day. Their god, Baal had failed to light the altar on fire.

NOW IT'S ELIJAH'S TURN (1 KINGS 18: 30-35)

At one time there had been an altar to the Lord on Mt. Carmel. Now, Elijah began the task of repairing it. He began by taking 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel -- by doing so Elijah was making the statement that all of Israel should worship Jehovah.

He put the wood and the bull on the altar exactly as the prophets of Baal had done. But instead of mimicking the prophets of Baal took it a step further.

He dug a trench around the altar and ordered "Four jars with water" be poured on the bull and the wood. He had the people do this three times -- 12 jars of water soaking the bull, the wood and filling the trench.

ELIJAH'S PRAYER AND GOD'S ANSWER (1 KINGS 18:36-38)

Rather than running around the altar and chanting like the prophets of Baal did, Elijah calmly turned his attention to the God of heaven. He gave praise to the Lord, and God heard his prayer and answered by sending a fire from the sky so great that it "consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench."

THE PEOPLE BELIEVE AND THE PROPHETS OF BAAL ARE KILLED (1 KINGS 18:39-40)

Who wouldn't believe? The prophets of Baal had tried for hours to bring fire to their altar, but had failed. Elijah prayed a simple prayer and God answered it quickly and violently.

The prophets of Baal were put to death for various reasons. First, they were promoting a false religion that was leading people astray from the One True God. Second, they had been guilty of putting people to death through human sacrifices which in itself was punishable by death.

LESSONS FROM THE PASSAGE

1. We have to choose whom we are going to serve; God, or our own pleasures.

Jezebel was intent on wiping out the worship of God (1 Kings 18:4), but the people, and even King Ahab still kept one foot in the door. The Bible says "Choose this day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15). God wants your whole heart. "You cannot serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13).

2. It takes courage to stand for truth.

Elijah stood alone and proclaimed the truth of God. Who do you need to proclaim the truth of God to? Maybe you are the only Christian in your family and you need to tell them the truth of Jesus Christ and his free gift of eternal life? Perhaps you need to stand for truth among your friends? Whatever the case, like Elijah, it will take courage which only comes from God.

3. The truth sets us free.

When the Israelites finally believed, they were set free from the sin of Baal worship. Their hearts were turned back to God. Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32.) That's what truth does, it sets us free! Do you need to be set free from some sin that is consuming you? Then, turn your heart to God.

4. God always answers our prayers when we call on him in truth.

The Bible says, "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them" (Psalm 145:18.)

WHAT IS TRUTH?

Like the Israelites, it is easy for us to get caught or trapped in our culture. We are told by the media and by Hollywood stars that it's okay to fulfill our own desires. Whatever makes you feel good, do it! Just listen to your heart. Yet Scripture gives us many clear cut examples of truth. Let's examine a few of them:

1. It is true from Scripture that homosexuality is wrong.

1 Corinthians 6:9 says that those who practice homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God. The Bible goes on to say the same about lesbianism (Romans 1:26). God calls it vile or debased. Debased means degraded -- the lowest possible place to be.

The world is chipping away at our minds, trying to convince us that homosexuality is okay. Let people be who they are, they say. What a dangerous philosophy to follow. What if a person is a pedophile? Should we let him "be the way he is?" What if a person is a murderer? Do we let him run loose in society? No, there are natural laws that everyone knows are wrong. We all know that molesting a child is wrong; we all know that murder is wrong, likewise, we all know that homosexuality is wrong because it goes against the "natural relations" of a man and a woman. But the Bible says that even though people know homosexuality is wrong, there will be some who continue to "give approval to those who practice [it]" (Romans 1:32)

2. It is true from Scripture that adultery is wrong.

The book of Job calls adultery a "heinous crime" (Job 31:11.) The word heinous means hateful or totally reprehensible. Another word to describe heinous would be wicked.

Adultery rips at the heart of the family. It destroys the union of a man and woman and crushes the spirit of the children.

Rather, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies and women are to respect their husbands. Marriage is a picture of Jesus Christ (the groom) and what he does for the church (his bride.)

We are to "flee" adultery (1 Corinthians 6:18.)

3. It is true that it is wrong for a Christian to marry a non-Christian.

"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers" (1 Corinthians 6:14.) The idea here is hooking up two different animals to a plow, like an ox and a donkey. The plow wouldn't go straight since the ox is much stronger than the donkey; the result would be inconsistent and uneven rows in the field making planting difficult.

The same principle applies in marriage. One marriage partner would want to pull one way and the other another way. For example, if a Christian and a practicing Muslim were to somehow fall in love and marry, how would they raise their children? One parent would want the children to know Christ and the other would want them to follow Allah. God knew that it wouldn't work so therefore he warned (commanded) against it.

4. It is true that it is wrong for a Christian to take another Christian to court.

Christians are to take their disagreements between each other to other Christians, not the secular court of law (1 Corinthians 6:1.) There is no worse testimony for Christ than two Christians fighting against each other. The apostle Paul says don't lay your "Cases...before those who have no standing in the church" (6:4.) We are to be a testimony to the world of what Christ has done in our lives and how he offers us eternal life.

5. It is true that pride is wrong.

Pride is hateful to God (Proverbs 8:13.) In fact, pride keeps people from believing in God (Psalm 10:4.) We are told that God actually "Opposes the proud" (James 4:6.) God will punish the proud (Zephaniah 2:9,10.)

When the Bible speaks clearly on an issue Believers in Christ must speak the truth to those who are in error. The apostle Paul calls it, "Speaking the truth in love."

In his book "The Truth War" Pastor John MacArthur writes:

"How do we grow spiritually? By "speaking the truth in love" to one another. We grow under the truth. It is the same truth by which we are sanctified, conformed to the image of Christ, made to be mature spiritually (John 17:17,19). As we absorb the truth of God's Word, we grow up and are built up."

Are you ready to be like Elijah and stand up for the truth of God's Word?

Study Questions

1. Can you tell of a time when you had courage to stand up for God's truth?

2. Tell of a time when you know that God specifically answered your prayer.

3. Is it easier to follow the advice of the world (Like Dr. Phil or Oprah) than to follow the Bible? Explain.

This Week: Resolve to stand up for the truth this week. Be prepared to speak the truth in love to someone who needs to know the saving message of Jesus Christ.

Obeying God in Times of Sensuality: Studies in the Life of Elijah

We live in a sensual world. Sensuality can be defined as "Enjoying the pleasures of the body." Theologians might describe sensuality as "Worldly." Self-gratification might be another way to describe the idea of sensuality.

It seems we are caught in a battle between serving our sensual nature and serving God. Is it wrong to gratify our selves? After all, doesn’t God want us to be happy? While it is not God’s intention to make people unhappy, the apostle Paul makes it clear that those who believe in him are not to "Gratify the desires of the flesh’ (Galatians 5:16.)

Why does Paul give this warning? Throughout history man has rejected God and replaced him with self-gratification. The Bible records from the beginning of time people who sought to enjoy the sensual pleasures of life rather than follow after God.

In the Old Testament book of 1st Kings we read about a Prophet of God named Elijah. He lived about 2,800 years ago yet his message to the King of Israel of turning from sensuality to a life of serving God is still as fresh today as it was then.

THE BACKGROUND

The Old Testament is filled with true stories of people like you and me; people with faults; sensual people. When God created the earth and mankind his purpose was that man would follow him and obey him. Yet God gave man the freedom to make his own choices and man chose to obey his sensual desires rather than his Creator.

The Old Testament tells the story of the nation of Israel. They were to be God’s chosen people; a people set apart to worship God and serve him. In fact, God told them what their lives would be like if they continued to obey him. In Deuteronomy 28 God laid out a list of blessings the nation of Israel would receive in exchange for obedience.

Specifically God told the Israelites that he would bless them if they did not "Go after other gods to serve them" (vs. 14.) God’s ground rules weren’t that difficult to follow in order to obtain this blessing – if they would just follow him they would experience:

• Honor among all the nations of the earth (vs. 1)
• Safe cities to live in (vs. 3)
• Abundant crops (vs. 3)
• Healthy children (vs. 4)
• Increase in livestock (vs. 4)
• Safety to walk the streets (vs. 6)
• Plenty of food (vs. 5)
• Lack of enemies (vs. 7)

By obeying God they would have everything they needed to live a long and prosperous life.

THE PROBLEM

The Israelites were weak. They saw all of the nations around them enjoying the sensual pleasures of life and they wanted to be like them. (It’s hard to be too tough on the Israelites because they were just like us. We also are weak and want to enjoy the pleasures of life.)

The surrounding nations had kings to rule over them and Israel did not. God had promised to be their king. Nevertheless, they wanted a king from among themselves. They wanted to be like everyone else.

God gave them what they wanted, and the line of kings began in Israel with Saul, David, and Solomon. As the nation grew the people began to fight among themselves. This infighting resulted in a split in the nation of Israel. Rather than being one united nation under God they became two kingdoms: The kingdom of Israel to the north and the kingdom of Judah to the south. Each kingdom had its own king.

God had specifically told them not to "Go after other gods" yet they didn’t listen and they did the exact opposite of what God commanded. Around 874 B.C. the northern kingdom of Israel grew strong. It was at that time that King Ahab began ruling Israel.

Ahab was not a man of God. The Bible says, "Ahab…did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him" (1 Kings 16:30.) Ahab’s father who ruled before him was an evil man as well. Ahab not only followed his father’s tradition of evil, he took it one step further and married a Sidonian woman named Jezebel who could care less about God. She introduced Ahab to her god, the false god Baal. And so, the era of sensuality in the nation of Israel began.

WHO IS BAAL?

Baal was the pagan god of fertility. He was known by many of his traits including that of storm god. As Baal was introduced to the nation of Israel people began to like the idea of worshiping him. They were able to practice their sensual desires. The worship of Baal included sexual practices as well as human sacrifices. If they wanted to have sex with a prostitute it was okay. They were so blinded by their sins that they even sacrificed their children by burning them to death as offerings to Baal (Jeremiah 7:31; 19:4-6.) Their sensual pleasure overruled the thought of losing a loved one. They wanted to do their own thing and live their lives as they pleased; satisfy their own desires and not worry about some God putting a damper on it for them. They could party freely, and best of all, it was blessed by the government!

In fact, King Ahab did the following:

• He served Baal (1 Kings 16:31)
• He worshiped Baal (1 Kings 16:31)
• He erected an altar to Baal (1 Kings 16:32)
• These altars are called "High Places" in Scripture. They were usually setup high on a hill to be seen by all who passed by.
• He built a temple for Baal in Samaria (1 Kings 16:32)
• He made shrine to the female goddess Asherah (goddesses were consider sacred prostitutes.)
• Ahab had disregarded the One True God so badly that the nation was now "ripe for the sickle of God’s judgment!"

COURAGE TO SPEAK OUT

The nation continued to plunge itself into moral darkness. The worship of Baal was a huge money making opportunity for the kingdom. People would pay to go to the temple to have their needs met. They would come to Samaria from all the surrounding towns and villages to worship Baal. It was an economic boomtown. Ahab even provided a builder named Hiel with enough money to rebuild the city of Jericho (1 Kings 16:34.) But with total disregard for the Scriptures, both Hiel and Ahab forgot what the deadly consequences would be if that city were ever rebuilt (See Joshua 6:26.)

Against this powerful king and queen and their booming economy stood a man named Elijah. In the New Testament, James the brother of Jesus describes Elijah as someone who was just like us, he had a "Nature like ours" (James 5:17.)

God uses people like you and me to accomplish his work. He isn't looking for the best dressed person or the most educated. God wants to use people who are obedient. In 1st Corinthians 1:27 Paul writes, "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." You may say, "God could never use me. I don't know enough. I'm not well educated. I'm still learning the Bible. But God says, "When [you] are weak, then [you are] strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10.) That is the time when God wants to use you. When you look at yourself and realize that you cannot do anything on your own; that you need his power. It is then that you receive power from Christ to do his will.

Elijah was a Tishbite from an area in a place called Gilead. It was most likely a small backwoods village where he grew up. But God called him to confront the powerful king.

Elijah didn’t waste time in making his prophetic remarks to King Ahab. He stood directly in front of the King and said, "As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, "before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word" (1 Kings 17:1.) That’s all that he said. The message he wanted the King to understand was this; I serve the True God of Israel, the living God. You have turned your back on him and have chosen to serve and worship a false god. Because of that, your country is going to experience a drought like it has never felt before. You say you want to follow this Baal, this storm god? Well, let’s see what he can do for you.

With that message, Elijah left. The Lord told him to "Hide yourself by the brook Cherith" (1 Kings 17:3.) God wanted Elijah to lay low while the minutes, hours, days, months and years of the drought ticked by. Because of Elijah’s obedience, God provided a place for him to obtain water and performed a miracle causing ravens to bring him food each morning and evening.

WHAT CAUSES TOTAL DISREGARD FOR GOD?

How did the nation of Israel go from loving God and serving him to a nation that turned their backs on him in favor of the sensual pleasures of life? What causes us to do the same?

The book of James tells us how it happens:

1. It begins with temptation (1:13.) Temptation in itself is not wrong. Everyone is tempted. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that temptation is "Common to man." Jesus said, "Temptations to sin are sure to come" (Luke 17:1.)

2. Temptations come by our own desires (1:14.) James says temptations come when we are "Lured and enticed" by our desires. A lure is a something a fisherman uses to catch fish. It is usually a very bright object that resembles the type of food that the fish want to eat. The problem is that there is a sharp hook on the end of it ready to snag the fish as soon as it bites at the lure. That’s how our temptations come – we hold our desires out in front of us and we make them look better than they really are – we forget that there is a hook that will catch us and drag us away from God.

3. We think of the desire over and over in our minds (1:15.) James says, "Desire when it has conceived…" That word "conceived" literally means to "capture", like we capture a picture on a camera. What does a person do with a picture? He looks at it over and over again. Get the idea? Temptation doesn’t become a problem until we "capture" it in our minds. At that point, we have just given birth to sin. This birth is not an exciting one because it always ends in death.

WHAT LURES YOU AWAY FROM GOD?

Ahab was lured by his desire for Jezebel. The hook she brought with her was the moral impurity of her false gods.

Think of the things in your life. What lures you away from God? What entices you to capture your desires and hold them in your mind? Is it Music? Pornography? Sex? Materialism? Recreation? When God is outside of your desires you are susceptible to sin. It happens quickly and without mercy.

YOU CAN’T LOVE YOUR DESIRES AND GOD?

James makes it pretty clear. You can’t capture desires and still love God. He says, "Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (James 4:4.)

He gives three solutions to the problem of sensual desires that captivate us:

1. Submit to God (James 4:7.) Submitting to God is a form of resistance. Resistance against whom? The devil. James says, when we resist the devil he will flee… Submission to God keeps the devil away.

2. Draw near to God (James 4:8.) James says, God will draw near to us when we draw near to him. We draw near to God by making sure we are clean; by confessing our sins.

3. Be humble (James 4:9.) The Bible says when you are humble you will be exalted. We think just the opposite? We think, If I am humble I’ll never get noticed. I need to sound my own horn and let people know how great I am. If I don’t people will walk all over me. But God says that’s not true, he says, "When you are humble I will "exalt you."

Ahab didn’t figure this out. He chose to submit and serve Baal rather than God. He chose to worship and draw near to Baal rather than God, and he chose to be prideful by disobeying God’s command to "Not go after other gods" thinking he knew what was best for his nation.

HOW CAN A BELIEVER HELP SOMEONE WHO IS CAUGHT IN SENSUALITY?

Elijah wasn’t afraid to go before the powerful king. Why? He wanted his nation to be healed. He wanted them to turn from their evil ways and serve the one true God. That should be our desire too for those we know who are captured by sin.

The apostle Paul says, "If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted" (6:1.) The person who is following Christ is to restore the one caught in sin. To restore means to "mend" or to "make whole."

Even gentleness can sometimes feel like a huge blow to our ego! Look at what king David said about being confronted when he sinned:

"Let a righteous man strike me – it is kindness;
let him rebuke me – it is oil for my head;
let my head not refuse it" (Psalm 141:5.)

We’ll find out later what Ahab’s response was to Elijah. Did he take it as kindness? Or, did he refuse it?

Study Questions

1. If you had been a follower of God during Ahab’s reign, what pressures and temptations would you have felt?
2. What things do you see people "worshiping" today? Why would they rather worship these things than God?
3. Would it be difficult for you to hear a righteous person confront you regarding your sin?
4. Is it easy or difficult to point out someone else’s sin? Explain.

This week: Ask God to show you the areas of your life that might be luring you away from him. Determine this week to "submit" to God in all areas of your life. If you are struggling with a specific sin, make a decision not to "capture" it in your mind. Share your burdens with someone you can trust who will pray for you.