Robert Harper

ID 52194Nov 25, 1976

Elijah's experience at the Brook Cherith demonstrates the necessity of divine communication and a step-by-step walk of faith. Following God's direct command, Elijah was hidden by the brook where ravens provided his daily sustenance, illustrating that God's grace is sufficient and faith progresses incrementally. The core lesson is that God's provision is reliable, even in seemingly difficult or obscure circumstances, and that periods of hiddenness are crucial for spiritual growth and maturity. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that trusting God's specific appointments, even when they involve obscurity or hardship, is essential for receiving His blessings and deeper communion with Him.

ID 52185Nov 26, 1976

Elijah's obedience to God's command to go to Zarephath, a Gentile town, demonstrates the importance of trusting God even when circumstances are difficult or unfamiliar. After his brook dried up, Elijah waited for God's word before moving, illustrating that true service requires divine direction rather than human initiative. The story of the widow in Zarephath highlights that God provides for those who obey Him, even in times of scarcity, by miraculously sustaining them through faith and obedience. The sermon concludes that God's provisions are often given daily, fostering complete dependence on Him and purifying believers through challenging circumstances.

ID 51984Nov 22, 1976

Elijah's appearance before King Ahab is presented as a pivotal moment where one man, empowered by God, stood against widespread idolatry and moral decay in Israel. The sermon highlights Elijah's name, meaning "Jehovah is my God," as a direct challenge to the prevailing worship of Baal, and emphasizes his role as a "stranger" and "witness" from Gilead. It explores Elijah's mission to lift a standard against the flood of iniquity, his respect for Ahab's office despite his wickedness, and his ultimate allegiance to his heavenly monarch, the Lord God of Israel. The core lesson is the necessity of living with the reality of God, acting as His representatives, and demonstrating His supernatural power in our lives to offer hope in a despairing world, underscoring that true courage stems from persistent prayer, personal persuasion of God's reality, and the practice of His presence.