Sermon Cloud

INTRODUCTION: 1 Kings 17:1-4 - Elijah confronts King Ahab.
- When the “brook dries up”, his training was over, and he had to
go into the “real world” of ministry … a new challenge.

3 LESSONS: 17:8-9
    1.- God Knew Where He Was – 17:8
        - God hasn’t FORSAKEN him, but is FOCUSING on him –
        Matthew 10:29-31, Isaiah 41:10
    2.- God Knows Where He’s Going – 17:8
        - God can see into the future … we can’t – Matthew 6:31-34
        - Take life “one day at a time” … He’ll provide needed grace.
        - “God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot sustain you.”
    3. God Had Prepared A Place – 17:9
        - God humbles us, so we will depend totally on Him.
        17:10-11 – Elijah meets God’s “provision” for him.
        17:12 – This was WORSE than he had expected!
        - Every challenge is an experience to build upon, to increase our
            faith for the NEXT challenge.
        17:13 – Elijah appears to be a selfish man.
        17:14 – A PROBLEM to you … is NO PROBLEM to God.
        17:15a – She’s giving up EVERYTHING, in faith that Elijah’s God
            is a God of His word … “walk by faith, not by sight”.
        - She was willing to give ALL she had – Mark 12:41-44
        - God asks us to exhaust all our resources, to gain His salvation
            which He will provide – Galatians 2:20

2 VIEWS OF WEALTH:
    1.- We Own It All and Control It
    2.- God Owns Everything and He Controls It
        - Keep your eyes on the SOURCE, rather than the SUPPLY.
        17:15-16 – God has plentiful resources – Philippians 4:19
        - Obey God, and let Him lead you “one day at a time”.

3 QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT:
    1.- “Would you give away something you needed, in order to help
        someone in need?
    2.- “Are you willing to accept the reality that you don’t really own
        anything, and it all belongs to God?
    3.- “If the Lord told you to give away all your possessions, would
        you?” – Mt. 6:21

CONCLUSION: Your problem is no problem for God!