Sermon by Pastor Brent Snook / Feb 9, 2025
Series: Standing Tall
Text: 1 Kings 17:7-16
When God is going to do something good, He begins with a problem.
When God is going to do something wonderful, He begins with an impossibility.
“If you want a religion that is comfortable, I certainly would not recommend Christianity.” – CS Lewis
Read 1 Kings 17:7-9
I. UNLIKELY REQUEST
A. The Plan
Read 1 Kings 17:8-9
Read Isaiah 40:31
B. The Place
Read 1 Kings 17:9
“It is one thing to be fed by birds, but another thing entirely to go to Zidon – of all places. Zidon was Jezebel’s stomping grounds. Zarephath was on Baal’s home turf. The town contained all the brazen idolatry, unholy sacrifices, and temple prostitution that went along with Baal worship… God was commanding Elijah to go down to the cesspool of sin and not just go there – but also to ‘dwell there’.” – Phillip Ryken
C. The Person
Read 1 Kings 17:9
Read Isaiah 55:8-9
II. UNSELFISH RESPONSE
Read 1 Kings 17:10, Psalm 119:60, Psalm 27:1
Today is the day of obedience and service
III. UNSURE RESULT
Read 1 Kings 17:10-13
God chose this widow for a miracle but also for service. – Spurgeon
Little is much when God is in it.
Three things all of us have
- Time
- Talents
- Treasure
IV. UNUSUAL REWARDS
Read 1 Kings 17:14
God wants to take and multiply what we have
Warren Wiersbe – “The woman’s assets were few: a little oil in a flask, a handful of barley in the barrel and a few sticks to provide fuel for a fire. But Elijah’s assets were great because God had promised to take care of him – his hostess – and her son.”