Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

The Need to Persevere in God's Appointed Work (1 Kings 19:1-9)

Dr. John Wiers · November 9, 2019

1 Kings 19:1-9

sharonrpc.org/sermons/the-need-to-persevere-in

Summary

Even a servant mightily used by God can become afraid, disappointed, exhausted, and tempted to abandon appointed work.
Elijah's victory on Mount Carmel did not immediately produce Ahab and Jezebel's repentance; spectacular success did not end spiritual opposition.
Elijah said that it was enough and asked to die, but the end of his calling belonged to the Lord rather than to his discouragement.
God graciously addressed Elijah's bodily weakness with sleep, food, and water instead of shaming him for needing physical restoration.
The forty-day journey to Horeb returned Elijah to the setting of God's covenant works and prepared him for renewed spiritual focus.
Believers persevere through God's provision and Christ's victory, receiving physical and spiritual refreshment for the work God still gives them.

Have unmet expectations after a spiritual success made me assume that God's work has failed?
Am I trying to decide for myself that my calling is finished when the Lord has not said it is enough?
Do I recognize when fear and physical exhaustion are distorting my judgment?
Can I receive sleep, food, and appropriate rest as provisions of God rather than signs of spiritual weakness?
Where do I need to remember God's former covenant faithfulness before returning to present responsibilities?
Is my confidence for persevering located in my resolve or in Christ's victory and God's sustaining grace?

Perseverance: Continuing faithfully in God's calling through fear, disappointment, and opposition by relying on God's preserving strength.
Discouragement: A loss of heart that can follow exhaustion, unmet expectations, or continuing opposition even after evident blessing.
Providence: God's wise care and direction of his servants, including ordinary bodily provision and spiritual renewal.
Syncretism: The attempt to combine worship of the Lord with the worship of idols, as Ahab mixed allegiance to Yahweh and Baal.
Refreshment: God-given restoration of body and soul that prepares a weary servant to return to appointed work.