1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,440 Amen first king chapter 19 in verse 1 now 2 00:00:03,440 --> 00:00:07,920 I realized that I might be the only thing standing between you and the Super Bowl 3 00:00:07,920 --> 00:00:11,900 But I'm gonna preach a little bit today if that's all right. I said is that all right? 4 00:00:12,840 --> 00:00:15,440 Amen, because I got an assignment today 5 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:21,360 I got an assignment and I thank God for this word that he's placed in my heart 6 00:00:22,080 --> 00:00:28,220 The word of the Lord says this way and Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done 7 00:00:28,220 --> 00:00:33,080 Also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword and 8 00:00:33,860 --> 00:00:40,060 Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah saying so let the gods do to me and more also 9 00:00:40,220 --> 00:00:45,980 If I do not make your life as a life of one of them by tomorrow about this time 10 00:00:46,780 --> 00:00:54,140 And when he saw that he rose and ran for his life and went to bear sheba which belongs to Judah and 11 00:00:54,140 --> 00:01:01,340 Left his servant there, but he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and 12 00:01:02,180 --> 00:01:08,020 Came and sat under a broom tree and he prayed that he might die and 13 00:01:08,740 --> 00:01:10,740 Said it is enough 14 00:01:11,660 --> 00:01:15,700 Now Lord take my life or I'm no better than my father's 15 00:01:16,580 --> 00:01:22,020 And as he lay and slept under a broom tree suddenly an angel touched him and said to him 16 00:01:22,020 --> 00:01:24,780 arise and eat and 17 00:01:25,260 --> 00:01:32,620 He looked and there by his head was a cake baked on coals and a jar of water 18 00:01:32,820 --> 00:01:41,420 So he ate and drank and lay down again verse 7 and the angel of the Lord came back the second time 19 00:01:41,580 --> 00:01:44,080 and touched him and said 20 00:01:44,300 --> 00:01:47,420 Arise and eat because the journey is 21 00:01:47,420 --> 00:01:53,740 Is too great for you with God's help today. I want to speak on the thought the healing journey 22 00:01:53,980 --> 00:01:59,080 The healing journey would you pray with me? Let's ask God to speak to us in this moment father 23 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:02,500 We thank you for your presence that we feel in this house right now 24 00:02:03,140 --> 00:02:09,940 You have come not only to visit us, but to inhabit the praises of your people and God 25 00:02:09,940 --> 00:02:16,920 I need a special anointing to come upon me right now God to fill my heart in my mouth with your word and 26 00:02:16,920 --> 00:02:18,440 to touch 27 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:20,440 the hearing of every 28 00:02:20,960 --> 00:02:29,000 Person in this place God surely somebody needs to be healed someone needs to take that next step in their healing 29 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:34,600 Journey father. I pray that by your divine will empower that will be done 30 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:39,680 Father I bind all doubt confusion uncertainty and fear 31 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:47,560 Because perfect love cast out fear in the name of Jesus we give you glory and honor someone say amen 32 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:52,180 Amen, you may be seated in the presence of God 33 00:02:53,400 --> 00:03:00,320 Elijah's life is in many ways a case study of extremes. I'm fascinated by his life 34 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:03,680 extreme ups extreme downs 35 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:07,120 extreme friends 36 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:09,880 extreme enemies 37 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:11,880 extreme miracles and 38 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:14,200 extreme weaknesses 39 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:17,480 But God would have it no other way 40 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:22,080 Because this was an extreme time a 41 00:03:23,720 --> 00:03:27,040 Intensely dark period in Israel's history 42 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:33,600 the extreme nature of evil that spread under the regime of King Ahab and 43 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:39,920 and Queen Jezebel demanded a man of extreme faith a 44 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:42,880 man of extreme conviction to 45 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:49,400 Stand for truth and righteousness and call Israel back to God 46 00:03:49,840 --> 00:03:55,760 so his life and the period in which he lived was all about 47 00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:58,720 extremes and 48 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:00,520 extremes 49 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:01,640 attract 50 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:05,760 extremes and so living extreme for God 51 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:10,080 Does it do what you might think it does by? 52 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:15,920 Repel in pain and trouble it actually invites it 53 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:23,160 in fact the more extreme you get for God not to scare anybody today because there's nothing to be afraid about 54 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:31,280 But the more extreme you get for Christ and the more extreme you are for him and just in life 55 00:04:31,280 --> 00:04:33,040 in general 56 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:38,840 The more extreme all life tends to be and we find this is the case through many 57 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:45,840 Patriarchs heroes and heroines throughout scripture whether it's Elijah like I'm reading about today 58 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:51,440 Joseph David or even the Lord Jesus Christ himself 59 00:04:51,880 --> 00:04:59,880 Those who love hard often suffer hard. Amen. Those who believe hard 60 00:04:59,880 --> 00:05:09,160 tend to bruise hard those who lead hard also bleed hard and 61 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:19,760 Probably Jesus is the prime example of this because he came with a powerful mission to redeem to save us from our sins 62 00:05:20,040 --> 00:05:24,400 He was he was God in flesh and he had a powerful mission 63 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:34,240 And he loved hard and he loved passionately, but he was also as Isaiah wrote and foretold a man of sorrows 64 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:37,240 acquainted with grief and 65 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:44,320 So we see these these polar opposites at work even in Christ, but this scene in 66 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:52,600 Elijah's life shows us how quickly the pendulum swings in life from blessing 67 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:55,320 to breaking from from high to 68 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:57,800 spiritual low and 69 00:05:57,800 --> 00:06:03,920 It's one that we ought to pay attention to because if you are extreme in any way in your life 70 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:06,960 Whether it's extreme faith or extreme love 71 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:12,440 For for your for your family or your friends if you're extreme in any way in your life 72 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:16,360 Then there is a high probability that you will extreme 73 00:06:16,840 --> 00:06:20,760 You will experience some kind of extreme hurt because if you love somebody 74 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:26,000 Extremely and they disappoint you what happens you are 75 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:34,960 Extremely disappointed amen if you don't love somebody so extremely and they hurt and disappoint you you're not so hurt 76 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:38,000 Extremely about it. You're kind of like it is what it is 77 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:43,720 But if you love and do anything if you're extreme about your job 78 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:47,840 You're extreme about your career and then you lose that job or career 79 00:06:47,840 --> 00:06:53,640 It feels like an extreme loss, but if you don't really love your job and you're kind of looking for a way out 80 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:59,680 And you lose that job. It's not so extreme, but I think every one of us is a 81 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:06,400 Extreme in at least one place. I hope one of those places is is in your faith. Amen your relationship with God 82 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:13,960 But if you're extreme you're gonna experience also some extreme pain at times, especially in the heart 83 00:07:13,960 --> 00:07:16,720 and this is what happened to Elijah and 84 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:24,240 It also reveals this period in his life this scene reveals three steps to a healing journey 85 00:07:24,240 --> 00:07:29,700 Now, why do I entitle it a healing journey because oftentimes healing is a process? 86 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:32,640 Someone say it's a process 87 00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:36,000 It doesn't happen overnight. It doesn't happen 88 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:42,600 Instantaneously all the time. Thank God when it does. Amen. Thank God when it does and and when we 89 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:47,080 Experience instant healing in any way praise God for that 90 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:54,600 We love that instant relief that we get but many times the healing that we so desperately want 91 00:07:54,960 --> 00:07:59,820 Takes time or it's at least a multi-step process 92 00:07:59,820 --> 00:08:01,820 That's not something that occurs right away 93 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:05,800 And when we see Elijah it in this extreme 94 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:12,960 Emotional low point in his life where his heart is overcome with stress worry anxiety 95 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:18,040 I mean you name it all of the different I think emotional conditions one could feel all 96 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:22,600 Kind of came crashing and bearing down on Elijah in this moment 97 00:08:22,880 --> 00:08:29,560 But the first thing that we see in the road to healing is this is that number one you need to 98 00:08:29,560 --> 00:08:35,560 Commune with God in prayer someone say prayer we 99 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:46,560 Read there in verse 4 it says he prayed and he prayed now before we scrutinize the contents of this prayer 100 00:08:46,920 --> 00:08:50,000 We first need to recognize that he prayed 101 00:08:50,680 --> 00:08:56,160 The Bible says in James 5 and 13 is anyone among you? 102 00:08:56,160 --> 00:09:02,720 Suffering that's the question and the answer is let him pray 103 00:09:03,760 --> 00:09:08,320 Can I just tell somebody right now? It's never wrong to pray 104 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:16,520 Faster that's so basic, huh? I know it is but let me say it again. It's never wrong to pray 105 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:20,560 You don't have to wait to feel like praying 106 00:09:20,560 --> 00:09:28,440 You don't have to wait to be in the mood to pray or you don't have to do what a lot of people do is kind of get their 107 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:33,240 Thoughts and get their emotions to kind of get themselves together and in order 108 00:09:33,680 --> 00:09:40,040 Before they pray no God says my door is wide open and I'm inviting you to come 109 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:44,120 Just as you are into my presence and pray 110 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:50,360 Thanks be to God that he doesn't test us and evaluate us and dismiss us 111 00:09:50,640 --> 00:09:53,440 Based on how we are before we go into prayer 112 00:09:53,680 --> 00:09:59,840 But what we see here in Elijah's case is that no matter what condition your heart is God is saying 113 00:09:59,840 --> 00:10:02,680 Why don't you come and talk to me about it? Amen somebody? 114 00:10:03,840 --> 00:10:08,080 It's always right to pray. It's never wrong to pray 115 00:10:08,080 --> 00:10:14,120 Let me tell you even if what you confess in prayer is not a hundred percent right 116 00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:20,840 Even if your conclusions that you are drawing about your life are not a hundred percent right 117 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:27,640 Prayer is not for perfect people to pray perfect prayer prayer is for 118 00:10:28,680 --> 00:10:37,080 Everybody no matter where you are prayer is a safe space to talk to God about whatever it is 119 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:41,600 That is on your heart how many of you are thankful for that today? Amen? 120 00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:46,720 Let me tell you that God can handle it 121 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:52,920 Whatever it is that you need to get off your chest whatever it is that you've been bottling up whatever it is 122 00:10:52,920 --> 00:10:58,080 That's been that's been wrecking you that's been disturbing your peace keeping you up at night 123 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:04,520 Depressing you making you cry God can handle it my Lord. I felt something when I said that 124 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:11,560 He can handle it. He's heard it all there was nothing you're gonna tell God that's going to surprise him anyways 125 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:19,320 He's just waiting for you to get honest with him and say God knows that sometimes we pray things that don't quite 126 00:11:20,040 --> 00:11:27,720 Add up. He knows that sometimes our petitions are misguided and our conclusions are ill advised 127 00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:34,200 They come sometimes we come to God asking for things amiss we start asking for stuff that God knows well 128 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:39,080 I know those are just your emotions talking. I know you really don't want me to flatten those people's tires 129 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:41,080 You're just mad right now 130 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:44,480 How many of you are thankful God doesn't answer every prayer? 131 00:11:46,200 --> 00:11:50,000 Because we have pray some stuff that oops if I could take that one back 132 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:54,400 Hmm 133 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:57,920 And thank God that he doesn't do that 134 00:11:58,320 --> 00:12:02,720 But the but the remedy is found in prayer. It's not found in popular psychology 135 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:07,920 It's not found in and all of the lexicon's in the books of the world 136 00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:12,120 That's not where you start my friend you start in prayer 137 00:12:12,120 --> 00:12:18,600 Oh my god, it's got to begin in prayer and Elijah was honest when he went before the Lord and he confessed 138 00:12:18,600 --> 00:12:21,040 He said God I've had enough 139 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:23,040 Oh 140 00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:29,360 My Lord he said it is enough and not my friend was not just his fatigue talking 141 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:36,440 That wasn't just his his emotions talking that it was more than just I've heard people preach preachers preach that 142 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:39,920 He was just having a big pity party listen 143 00:12:39,920 --> 00:12:45,200 I think it's unfair to Elijah to call this just a big pity party 144 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:48,360 I think that it was more than just a mental slump 145 00:12:48,360 --> 00:12:53,400 But Elijah had reached a place where he simply couldn't take it anymore 146 00:12:55,080 --> 00:13:01,680 And even if it was partly because of his skewed way of seeing things even if it was partly because 147 00:13:01,760 --> 00:13:06,000 He was a little off track. I believe that as he confesses to God 148 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:10,880 I've had enough he was being true and honest and raw before God 149 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:19,400 And you have to understand that the moment he says this to God comes right after his most epic 150 00:13:20,280 --> 00:13:27,120 His most epic encounter with God's power it came right after he had just defeated all the 151 00:13:27,880 --> 00:13:33,160 450 prophets of Baal plus another 400 prophets of Astra on the Mount of Carmel 152 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:38,080 When he called fire down from heaven and it consumed the wet sacrifice 153 00:13:38,080 --> 00:13:45,600 Proving that Jehovah was God. I mean he just came off of the greatest revival that he's ever had in his life 154 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:49,600 And all of a sudden from that point to this point he says God 155 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:54,840 I can't take it anymore all because of one letter that reached him from 156 00:13:55,560 --> 00:13:58,200 Jezebel's desk telling him that by tomorrow 157 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:02,160 I'm gonna execute you the way that I did all those prophets 158 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:05,680 How does a man go from seeing the fire of God fall? 159 00:14:05,680 --> 00:14:11,280 Executing one by one. I mean it was a this was just I mean it was gory 160 00:14:11,280 --> 00:14:16,120 You know it was it was just you know now it was rated R the kind of 161 00:14:17,760 --> 00:14:22,720 Bloodshed that took place and it was a decisive victory 162 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:27,920 How does one go from there to this point of emotional fallout? 163 00:14:28,840 --> 00:14:33,680 Overnight it seems how does he go there? I think it's because like all of us 164 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:37,120 He's only human and he got into a moment in his life 165 00:14:37,640 --> 00:14:44,800 Where because of one message because of one thing that somebody said against him it took him back maybe years 166 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:50,880 In the past it took him back to another time in his life where he was weaker another time in his life 167 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:57,640 Where he knew less of God or another time in his life where he wasn't as spiritual or wasn't it just took him back? 168 00:14:57,840 --> 00:14:59,840 To his lowest place 169 00:14:59,840 --> 00:15:05,440 In life and he got so low that he's even contemplated suicide 170 00:15:05,960 --> 00:15:12,000 He even contemplated taking his own life that how serious it was 171 00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:19,440 He sunk into depression. He said I can't take this anymore and then he says I'm no better than my father's 172 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:25,240 I'm no better than my father's. I'm no better than them in other words. I'm a failure. I 173 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:27,960 Must be a defect 174 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:35,240 Defected product. I must be damaged goods. I'm better off dead God and yes, he might say well 175 00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:37,240 You know Elijah's just being melodramatic 176 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:41,880 He doesn't really mean all these things and maybe there's a part of him that did it 177 00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:47,240 But but you've got to respect the fact that he is saying these things and he means them to a certain degree 178 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:53,040 But as he is praying and as he's there he's just kind of laid out before God 179 00:15:53,040 --> 00:16:00,920 He falls to sleep and right in that moment the Bible says that suddenly an angel touched him and 180 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:08,840 Started to wake him up. Can I just tell you today that no matter how low you might feel how wounded how insulted how hurt 181 00:16:08,840 --> 00:16:15,480 How broken you are in your heart? You are not outside the reach of the touch of God this afternoon 182 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:19,240 I have come to encourage some. Hey, come on give a God some praise 183 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:26,200 I've come to encourage you and tell you that the hand of God is in this place to touch your heart and 184 00:16:26,400 --> 00:16:31,200 Heal you and raise you up from where you are somebody say man today 185 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:35,240 If you would just keep praying God will show up and 186 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:39,880 His presence is a sign that he is still working 187 00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:45,360 His presence is a sign. I think that when he felt the touch of that angel 188 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:50,080 It must have surprised Elijah like man. I thought God fired me already. I 189 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:55,720 Thought he took me off the payroll. I thought I was done and some of you right now 190 00:16:55,720 --> 00:17:02,480 I say this in the Holy Ghost you're feeling the touch of God and that touch of God is an indication to you that 191 00:17:02,640 --> 00:17:08,040 God still loves you and God still has a plan for you and God still shows you 192 00:17:08,760 --> 00:17:10,760 Yes 193 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:19,080 How you feel doesn't change who you are? How you feel doesn't change God's opinion about you 194 00:17:19,080 --> 00:17:25,120 How you feel doesn't change God's God's his opinion about your life 195 00:17:25,320 --> 00:17:32,080 God does not change his mind about you because you've changed your mind about you 196 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:35,360 God still has a plan to bless you 197 00:17:35,360 --> 00:17:41,560 God still has a plan to raise you up and he's going to heal and he's going to touch and when heaven touches something 198 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:44,360 Let me tell you it increases in value 199 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:49,120 The angel said to him arise in the someone say arise 200 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:52,160 Someone say eat 201 00:17:52,360 --> 00:17:57,760 Yes, and the next step is after you commune with the Lord in prayer and you continue 202 00:17:57,760 --> 00:18:04,120 Don't stop doing you continue to commune with God in prayer every day pray without season like Paul said you've got to consume 203 00:18:04,120 --> 00:18:06,120 God's provision 204 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:08,960 Angel said okay, you know enough of this 205 00:18:10,360 --> 00:18:12,640 You need to get up and you need to eat something 206 00:18:13,920 --> 00:18:15,920 When you are physically sick 207 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:18,600 You lose your appetite most times 208 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:21,240 You don't feel like eating 209 00:18:21,240 --> 00:18:27,120 I don't care if somebody places in front of you the most delicious meal you have ever smelled or seen 210 00:18:27,120 --> 00:18:30,120 When you're not feeling right, you don't want to eat 211 00:18:31,120 --> 00:18:33,120 You're just like 212 00:18:33,120 --> 00:18:40,360 But it doesn't do anything to you and so it is emotionally and spiritually sometimes 213 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:48,040 You can tell when someone is sick on the inside when they don't want to eat 214 00:18:50,240 --> 00:18:52,320 Doesn't matter how good the preaching is 215 00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:56,520 Doesn't matter what song has been sung 216 00:18:56,520 --> 00:19:04,040 Doesn't matter what programs are happening doesn't matter what's going on when you're not emotionally 217 00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:06,400 spiritually well 218 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:10,040 You don't want to eat you lose your hunger for life 219 00:19:11,080 --> 00:19:18,800 For dreams that God's given you for desires that God's placed in you watch what Proverbs 1312 says hope deferred 220 00:19:19,160 --> 00:19:21,160 Makes the heart sick 221 00:19:21,160 --> 00:19:26,680 Hmm, but when desire comes it is a tree of life 222 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:34,720 Other translations say when desires come it is a tree full of fruit to eat a 223 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:39,360 Sick heart cannot eat the fruit of life 224 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:42,200 That was Elijah 225 00:19:43,240 --> 00:19:44,760 He didn't want to eat 226 00:19:44,760 --> 00:19:51,760 He was so wrapped up in his feelings and his emotions you're so wrapped up and how things were going for him 227 00:19:52,160 --> 00:19:57,880 But everything changed when the angel touched him that day and 228 00:19:58,440 --> 00:20:01,800 He shrugged him and he touched him and he said it's time to get up 229 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:09,000 And I believe as I'm looking up this story that when he felt that touch of heaven on his life 230 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:12,280 There was a transfer of healing 231 00:20:12,280 --> 00:20:18,280 Because that which was infirm came into contact with that which is whole 232 00:20:19,240 --> 00:20:23,200 Heaven touched earth how many of you know there's no diseases in heaven? 233 00:20:24,760 --> 00:20:26,680 My god 234 00:20:26,680 --> 00:20:32,320 There's no sicknesses in heaven. There's no depression in heaven. There's no sadness in heaven 235 00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:34,120 There are no tears in heaven 236 00:20:34,120 --> 00:20:38,720 So when heaven touches earth like it did here in this scene 237 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:45,280 It had to transfer something into Elijah with all of a sudden when he woke up 238 00:20:45,320 --> 00:20:51,080 He probably got his hunger back again and in verse 6 it says then he looked and 239 00:20:51,600 --> 00:20:55,920 Thereby his head was a cake of bread on coals and a jar of water 240 00:20:57,920 --> 00:20:59,920 You didn't know that angels could cook, huh? 241 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:03,760 And I'm not talking about angel hair pasta 242 00:21:03,760 --> 00:21:07,600 It's okay. You can laugh. I know it's corny. It's all right 243 00:21:08,640 --> 00:21:13,120 Angel food cake. No, this is a different type of angels food cake 244 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:17,760 But this angel whipped up something for Elijah and say hey man 245 00:21:17,960 --> 00:21:24,760 Wake up and eat and it was bread and water cake there doesn't refer to like a birthday cake 246 00:21:24,760 --> 00:21:31,000 Okay, this is actually bread and he's got bread and water and this is significant 247 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:35,640 It's very symbolic. Why because we see these pictures all throughout scripture 248 00:21:36,200 --> 00:21:41,880 Anytime God gets ready to restore someone not just physically but emotionally and spiritually 249 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:49,240 Bread and water is what's on the menu. You say well, what is that? Well bread represents the word of God 250 00:21:49,920 --> 00:21:55,880 Jesus said man shall not live by bread alone. Amen, somebody but by every word that 251 00:21:55,880 --> 00:22:02,880 Proceeds out of the mouth of God. So what is that that bread that bread is the word of God? 252 00:22:02,920 --> 00:22:04,120 Let me tell you today 253 00:22:04,120 --> 00:22:09,040 Hear me loud and clear if you are struggling today or if you find yourself struggling tomorrow 254 00:22:09,240 --> 00:22:16,000 You will not get any better unless you feed yourself the word of God if you want to be healed 255 00:22:16,120 --> 00:22:17,960 Listen and stay healed 256 00:22:17,960 --> 00:22:24,880 Then you need a steady diet of the word of God you need to consume the word of God 257 00:22:24,880 --> 00:22:32,240 And then somebody hallelujah Jesus said the word that I speak to you are spirit hallelujah 258 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:34,140 And they are life 259 00:22:35,360 --> 00:22:42,400 This word this Bible the scriptures they come to us not just to inform us and not just to 260 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:44,320 Move us in a certain way 261 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:49,880 But they not just to teach us but they come to reach us and they come to build us up 262 00:22:49,880 --> 00:22:57,160 Hallelujah, and if you're going to get healed and stay healed it's got to be through the consumption of his word 263 00:22:57,560 --> 00:23:04,280 Get in his what break his break break that daily bread and get into the Psalms and get into the word 264 00:23:04,600 --> 00:23:08,280 And see what the say of the Lord, but not only that 265 00:23:08,600 --> 00:23:14,400 But he also had for him a jar of water and the water represents the Holy Ghost 266 00:23:14,400 --> 00:23:21,600 The water represents the spirit of God not only do you need to continually to feed yourself the word of God 267 00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:29,040 If you're gonna stay healed and be healed, but you need to drink from the refreshing fountains of the spirit 268 00:23:29,360 --> 00:23:32,720 Hallelujah, you've got to get into the spirit of the Lord 269 00:23:32,720 --> 00:23:39,760 I feel something right now and drink deeply from the Holy Ghost and pray when you pray 270 00:23:39,760 --> 00:23:47,280 Pray in the spirit pray in tongues because as you do you are edifying yourself 271 00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:54,880 Hallelujah, you've got to pray and into the spirit and this is how we're gonna stay healed and move 272 00:23:55,840 --> 00:24:01,760 Towards healing in our hearts and as you get the water of the spirit into your heart 273 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:06,560 Not only is it gonna quench every drop place in your heart 274 00:24:06,560 --> 00:24:12,640 Not only is it gonna quench your thirst, but what the water does it starts to wash away 275 00:24:13,280 --> 00:24:17,040 All of the toxins it starts to cleanse your system 276 00:24:17,680 --> 00:24:19,680 Hey, man somebody hallelujah 277 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:25,360 It starts to wash away and wash your wounds and treat your wounds 278 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:28,800 You've got to get the water of the spirit 279 00:24:28,800 --> 00:24:36,160 It's flowing in your life so that it can wash away the bitterness come on wash away the hatred 280 00:24:36,560 --> 00:24:42,960 Wash away the anger wash away all the depression somebody give God some praise today 281 00:24:46,160 --> 00:24:51,760 The step to healing is about communing with God in prayer. It's about consuming the word 282 00:24:51,760 --> 00:24:59,600 And thirdly it's about connecting with the right people 283 00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:01,600 Connecting with the right people 284 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:04,000 Something happened as Elijah 285 00:25:04,960 --> 00:25:06,960 Was in this low point 286 00:25:07,120 --> 00:25:13,040 It's very unfortunate and many of you know exactly how this feels in some way or another 287 00:25:14,640 --> 00:25:17,520 But as he sunk into despair verse three tells us 288 00:25:17,520 --> 00:25:26,800 That he and his only confidant his only remaining friend his servant parted ways 289 00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:32,080 They parted ways 290 00:25:32,080 --> 00:25:36,720 And they came a point in his journey where Elijah basically told him 291 00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:42,240 We don't know the servant's name his friend, but but he tells them look stay right here 292 00:25:42,240 --> 00:25:48,000 Now on the surface that sounds like Elijah didn't want him to go with him 293 00:25:49,440 --> 00:25:52,320 But it wasn't that Elijah didn't want him to go with him 294 00:25:53,280 --> 00:25:56,640 Elijah didn't want him to go with him out of obligation 295 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:04,160 Elijah wanted his company, but what he didn't want was charity 296 00:26:04,160 --> 00:26:10,720 He wanted somebody that wanted to be with him because they wanted to be with him 297 00:26:12,160 --> 00:26:15,280 And so he gave him an opportunity to walk away 298 00:26:16,720 --> 00:26:19,280 And I think this guy was so relieved 299 00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:22,960 He was like man, this is bad 300 00:26:23,360 --> 00:26:27,760 You know everything was great when we were calling fire down from heaven on Mount Carmel 301 00:26:28,320 --> 00:26:30,080 But I don't want to be a part of that, you know 302 00:26:30,080 --> 00:26:36,320 Ha things that this is not what I signed up for and so I think that his servant friend 303 00:26:36,880 --> 00:26:38,880 Was relieved because he wanted out 304 00:26:40,480 --> 00:26:43,920 And as painful as it was I'm just about done as painful as it was 305 00:26:44,480 --> 00:26:46,980 Listen, this was a moment of clarity 306 00:26:48,400 --> 00:26:49,920 For Elijah 307 00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:51,920 This was a moment of clarity 308 00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:54,720 It was a moment of clarity because he found out 309 00:26:54,720 --> 00:27:00,240 Some things that sometimes you don't find out until you hit an emotional or spiritual low 310 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:04,960 You find out who's really with you 311 00:27:08,560 --> 00:27:12,640 Because now he knows who was really with him 312 00:27:13,520 --> 00:27:17,840 Some of you are realizing that not everyone who started with you 313 00:27:19,120 --> 00:27:21,120 Is going to finish with you 314 00:27:21,120 --> 00:27:24,880 And wouldn't it be nice if they did 315 00:27:27,520 --> 00:27:31,360 But not everyone who starts with you finishes with you 316 00:27:34,160 --> 00:27:36,160 Man 317 00:27:37,280 --> 00:27:39,280 I know that firsthand 318 00:27:40,320 --> 00:27:47,040 I've experienced throughout my own life and and it seems like those departures they always feel so ill timed 319 00:27:48,480 --> 00:27:50,320 Like really 320 00:27:50,320 --> 00:27:52,320 Like this is what I need you the most 321 00:27:56,080 --> 00:27:58,080 You're gonna walk out of them 322 00:28:00,160 --> 00:28:03,360 But Elijah didn't fight for him today because he said if I 323 00:28:04,160 --> 00:28:08,640 If I have to convince him now i'm gonna spend the rest of my life convincing him 324 00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:12,560 And some of you need to be free from that 325 00:28:15,440 --> 00:28:18,320 Because real friendship and partnership in the kingdom of god 326 00:28:18,320 --> 00:28:21,520 Is not about holding people 327 00:28:23,360 --> 00:28:26,640 Hostage in your life and say no you you you have to 328 00:28:31,440 --> 00:28:33,440 Amen 329 00:28:33,840 --> 00:28:35,840 Like Elijah's friends 330 00:28:35,920 --> 00:28:37,440 Some 331 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:39,440 Will stand with you on the mountain of god 332 00:28:40,720 --> 00:28:45,360 They'll stand with you in the good times. They'll stand with you on the mountain 333 00:28:45,360 --> 00:28:47,360 But they'll vanish 334 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:50,400 In the valley 335 00:28:52,400 --> 00:28:55,760 Hear me today, I don't say what I'm saying today 336 00:28:57,440 --> 00:28:59,440 To 337 00:28:59,440 --> 00:29:01,440 To bash those people 338 00:29:02,080 --> 00:29:04,080 No, that's not what we're doing 339 00:29:04,240 --> 00:29:06,400 We're not going to start sending them hate mail 340 00:29:08,320 --> 00:29:09,520 No 341 00:29:09,520 --> 00:29:11,520 Because it's not even about them 342 00:29:11,520 --> 00:29:14,880 We're learning through our healing journey 343 00:29:18,080 --> 00:29:20,480 We're learning that there is a friend 344 00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:25,680 Who sticks closer than a brother 345 00:29:26,800 --> 00:29:28,800 Whoo 346 00:29:29,120 --> 00:29:31,120 Aren't you glad you came to church? Oh my god 347 00:29:31,760 --> 00:29:34,160 I'm glad I came to church today. I needed to hear that 348 00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:36,960 There is a friend 349 00:29:36,960 --> 00:29:38,960 Who sticks closer than a brother? 350 00:29:38,960 --> 00:29:40,960 And you need to understand this 351 00:29:41,600 --> 00:29:48,000 Hear me today. Not everyone. This is going to help somebody not everyone is qualified 352 00:29:49,440 --> 00:29:51,680 To walk with you in your wilderness 353 00:29:54,880 --> 00:29:56,880 And everyone is qualified 354 00:29:57,680 --> 00:29:59,680 But there would come a day 355 00:30:01,440 --> 00:30:03,440 And that day would come soon because 356 00:30:04,560 --> 00:30:06,960 Everything would change for Elijah because 357 00:30:06,960 --> 00:30:08,960 In this moment of healing 358 00:30:09,520 --> 00:30:14,880 God begins to speak to Elijah and you can read the rest of the story there. There's lots of details in 359 00:30:15,760 --> 00:30:21,200 Chapter 19 of first kings, but he tells them to go out on the mountain of God. He shows them lightning 360 00:30:21,200 --> 00:30:24,160 He shows them thunder. He shows them wonders from heaven 361 00:30:25,200 --> 00:30:27,200 And then there came a still small voice 362 00:30:28,080 --> 00:30:34,720 And God begins to talk to Elijah and one of the things he tells him is this which was a key to his step in healing 363 00:30:34,720 --> 00:30:38,080 He says you're gonna go and you're gonna anoint Elijah 364 00:30:40,080 --> 00:30:42,080 God is saying 365 00:30:42,080 --> 00:30:44,800 I did not intend for you to take this journey by yourself 366 00:30:45,440 --> 00:30:48,080 It's just that that relationship 367 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:50,960 Went as far as it couldn't go 368 00:30:50,960 --> 00:30:56,880 That person went as far as it can go, but now I've got a new community for you. Hmm. My god 369 00:30:56,880 --> 00:30:59,360 Don't get spiteful. Would you stand with me today? 370 00:31:00,240 --> 00:31:02,240 Don't get spiteful 371 00:31:02,240 --> 00:31:04,240 Don't get positive 372 00:31:04,240 --> 00:31:06,240 possessive 373 00:31:06,720 --> 00:31:08,720 Don't get 374 00:31:08,880 --> 00:31:10,880 Even 375 00:31:11,200 --> 00:31:13,200 The best thing that you can do 376 00:31:14,400 --> 00:31:16,400 Is let them go 377 00:31:18,400 --> 00:31:20,400 Whoever hurts you 378 00:31:21,040 --> 00:31:24,720 Whoever wounded your heart whoever said that nasty thing 379 00:31:26,240 --> 00:31:28,240 Whoever took advantage 380 00:31:28,240 --> 00:31:37,280 Whoever wasn't in it for the long haul. Would you close your eyes right there? I just feel the spirit of God 381 00:31:39,680 --> 00:31:41,680 I just 382 00:31:42,960 --> 00:31:44,960 I just need to tell somebody 383 00:31:46,320 --> 00:31:51,120 That letting go is the key to loving again 384 00:31:51,120 --> 00:31:59,040 My god, it's the key to loving again 385 00:32:01,600 --> 00:32:03,600 It's the key 386 00:32:03,600 --> 00:32:05,600 To finding the community 387 00:32:06,480 --> 00:32:08,480 Finding the friendship 388 00:32:08,880 --> 00:32:10,880 The love 389 00:32:12,000 --> 00:32:16,720 The church your church family is here 390 00:32:18,400 --> 00:32:19,920 God 391 00:32:19,920 --> 00:32:21,920 Is here 392 00:32:22,240 --> 00:32:24,240 Hmm my lord 393 00:32:24,240 --> 00:32:25,920 everything 394 00:32:25,920 --> 00:32:27,920 I say that you need 395 00:32:29,120 --> 00:32:33,200 Is right here, but there's a still small voice that's talking 396 00:32:34,320 --> 00:32:36,320 And saying when you let that go 397 00:32:36,800 --> 00:32:38,800 You can hold on to this 398 00:32:38,960 --> 00:32:44,720 This is what the word of the lord says in psalm 147 verse 3. He heals the brokenhearted 399 00:32:44,720 --> 00:32:51,600 He binds up their wounds. I don't know if there's somebody right now under the sound of my voice who just needed to hear this word 400 00:32:52,160 --> 00:32:55,920 Somebody who needs to take the next step in your healing journey 401 00:32:55,920 --> 00:32:58,640 But I'm gonna invite you to pray because what did I say in the beginning? 402 00:32:58,880 --> 00:33:01,760 It all starts with prayers. Shella mama come to love over you 403 00:33:01,920 --> 00:33:05,920 I'm gonna invite you right there where you are to open up your heart and begin to talk to God 404 00:33:06,640 --> 00:33:10,640 I want you to begin to talk to God right now. I want you to begin to 405 00:33:10,640 --> 00:33:14,400 Express to God whatever you want is in your heart 406 00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:17,520 Whatever step you are in in your journey 407 00:33:17,920 --> 00:33:22,640 Whatever step you are in in your healing hallelujah, whatever step you are 408 00:33:23,200 --> 00:33:28,880 In god restoring in god reviving in god rebuilding 409 00:33:29,600 --> 00:33:36,640 Something in your heart something in your life wherever you are my friend it all starts 410 00:33:36,640 --> 00:33:41,360 Uh had an altar of prayer it all starts when you begin to go before god 411 00:33:42,000 --> 00:33:48,720 They start telling him what's on your heart. Oh hallelujah. Yes your cares upon him 412 00:33:48,720 --> 00:34:06,720 Because he cares for you