1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,440 I invite you to open up the first Kings chapter 19 as we continue in our second part of our series mixed emojis 2 00:00:06,720 --> 00:00:11,400 learning to master our emotions and when we came up with the schedule of these 3 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:14,200 these emotional 4 00:00:14,580 --> 00:00:19,320 topics as Pastor Miles had said last week we are 5 00:00:19,960 --> 00:00:21,960 Utilizing a resource of another 6 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:27,360 Pastor Adrian Rogers and chapter 2 was the chapter that we're gonna cover tonight and 7 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:33,200 As we're thinking about it. I was like wow, it's kind of funny that it lines up on Valentine's Day weekend 8 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:35,200 But tonight we're gonna be talking about depression 9 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:41,120 So it has it's just coincidence. I think but we're gonna be in second Kings 10 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:49,840 Chapter 19 some of you may be very familiar with the picture that you're about to see but around 2008 a 11 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:51,840 Hungarian 12 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:53,840 Electrician was approached by a photographer 13 00:00:53,840 --> 00:01:00,560 And on vacation of all things and he said hey, can I take a few pictures of you smiling and in various spots? 14 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:05,920 Acting as if you were a specific person like as an electrician or as a teacher 15 00:01:05,960 --> 00:01:09,360 We need some stock footage and so the guy said yeah sure fine 16 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:13,480 I can make a few extra bucks on vacation and so he sat him down and told him hey 17 00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:16,760 Just smile in different various positions and we'll take some pictures of you 18 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:19,360 And he thought nothing of it 19 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:27,760 But what was interesting about this in this picture in particular and many of the other pictures that he came up with is that you guys know him on the 20 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:29,120 backside 21 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:30,040 of 22 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:31,640 this story 23 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:38,120 But what was interesting is that when people began to look at his photographs or the photographs that were taken they began to see that the 24 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:41,760 photograph seemed to have captured a very a 25 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:46,800 Guy that's smiling but kind of seems to be hiding behind very melancholy 26 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:51,400 Sort of smile there seemed to be some discomfort in his eyes 27 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:56,160 But it took a few years, but in 2011 this picture became 28 00:01:56,680 --> 00:02:04,120 World famous because it became known as the picture that was used for memes and so he was 29 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:12,120 The hidden picture in fact is called hide the pair hide the pain Harold the guy's name is not Harold. It's Arato 30 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:17,800 But he became famous as hide the pain Harold and many of you have probably seen different memes 31 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:23,360 You might even shared the memes of this guy and just hit this guy's it seems to be hiding 32 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:28,480 behind this fake smile and what's funny is that the irony of this is that 33 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:33,200 At first when he took these pictures, you know, they were just stock footage 34 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:37,480 And then when he began to circulate all over the internet and go viral 35 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:39,680 He was very 36 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:45,120 Perplexed and actually pretty sad because he thought it would hurt his reputation. He thought it would hurt 37 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:51,560 His ability to get jobs. He was a very prominent like Christian in in in Hungary 38 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:54,580 And he thought it would mess up his whole life 39 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:59,840 But actually and he ended up embracing the awkwardness and in fact he's been on 40 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:02,440 television and different TED talks giving 41 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:04,000 lectures 42 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:10,480 Just kind of explaining that this is not I wasn't hiding anything. This is just my face and this is 43 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:15,240 learning how to how to deal with how people and how things can happen in life 44 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:20,400 And now his face is legendary, but unfortunately sometimes when we think about 45 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:25,920 the way that we handle anxiety and we really be handled depression sometimes 46 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:32,860 We can be a lot like this hide the pain Harold meme and we've kind of live in a culture where we feel like sometimes 47 00:03:32,860 --> 00:03:39,140 Instinctively when we deal with sadness when we deal with depression we tend to choose to hide it 48 00:03:39,140 --> 00:03:43,900 We choose to head we choose to stuff it we choose to pretend like it's all fine 49 00:03:43,900 --> 00:03:46,780 We try to learn how to fake it until we make it 50 00:03:47,300 --> 00:03:54,700 But really the reality is that this is not exactly the very best way to handle how we deal with this emotion of 51 00:03:54,940 --> 00:04:01,260 Melancholiness and depression now depression is characterized by emotions of helplessness or hopelessness 52 00:04:01,260 --> 00:04:03,260 Which leads to a deep despondency? 53 00:04:04,460 --> 00:04:07,540 oftentimes it's associated with the feelings or the 54 00:04:07,860 --> 00:04:15,820 Feelings of nothing matters or it's never going to be okay or nothing nothing is ever going to get better and sometimes in our Christian culture 55 00:04:15,940 --> 00:04:22,700 We try to well kind of pretend these emotions away. We don't want to admit that we deal with sometimes 56 00:04:23,580 --> 00:04:28,740 Depression and in a dark state we feel like it doesn't really add up to 57 00:04:28,740 --> 00:04:34,060 The people that we see in scripture sometimes we see the heroes of scripture and we think well 58 00:04:34,060 --> 00:04:39,340 They would never act like that or they would never deal with this deep deep dark 59 00:04:39,860 --> 00:04:46,980 Despondency, but that's not really true and what I love about the scriptures many times especially in the Old Testament and in the new is that we see 60 00:04:47,540 --> 00:04:53,460 People in their real light that the scriptures don't a gloss over or hide 61 00:04:53,460 --> 00:05:00,500 The realness of people in fact there are two people prominently in the Old Testament 62 00:05:00,860 --> 00:05:03,020 They're mentioned many times together 63 00:05:03,820 --> 00:05:05,660 meant one represents 64 00:05:05,660 --> 00:05:12,260 The the law the other the prophets the two major things in fact both of them are seen in the New Testament 65 00:05:13,220 --> 00:05:19,060 Present with Jesus at the transfiguration one was Moses and the other was Elijah 66 00:05:19,060 --> 00:05:23,140 Now these two men who became very prominent both dealt 67 00:05:24,220 --> 00:05:29,300 Explicitly and their responses are captured in scripture of dealing with anxiety 68 00:05:30,500 --> 00:05:32,500 despondency and depression 69 00:05:33,020 --> 00:05:35,900 Listen to this numbers chapter 11. This is Moses 70 00:05:36,380 --> 00:05:42,700 Moses says to God I am not able to bear all these people alone because it's too heavy for me 71 00:05:42,700 --> 00:05:45,780 If thou deal thus with me kill me 72 00:05:45,780 --> 00:05:53,300 I pray out of the hand if I have found favor in thy sight and let me not see my 73 00:05:53,740 --> 00:05:54,940 wretchedness 74 00:05:54,940 --> 00:06:03,180 Moses came to a point of breaking point in his ministry where he has bearing all of the weight of the ministry of the people of God 75 00:06:03,460 --> 00:06:08,780 By himself and he gets to this point of depression. He says God it's never gonna get better 76 00:06:08,780 --> 00:06:12,740 Can you just kill me and get it over with at this point? 77 00:06:12,740 --> 00:06:19,380 His father-in-law says hey you need to appoint elders and you need to share the ministry 78 00:06:19,380 --> 00:06:24,820 You need to get some rest and you need to move forward and that's exactly what he does 79 00:06:25,660 --> 00:06:27,660 Elijah this in the same way 80 00:06:28,060 --> 00:06:33,820 Is like us James chapter 5 says this expressively it says Elias is another 81 00:06:34,540 --> 00:06:41,220 Spelling for Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are and he prayed earnestly 82 00:06:41,220 --> 00:06:48,220 That it might not rain and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months 83 00:06:48,460 --> 00:06:52,380 James says Elijah was just like us 84 00:06:52,900 --> 00:07:00,420 He was a man who dealt with emotions and specifically we're gonna look into his life today in first Kings chapter 19 85 00:07:00,740 --> 00:07:04,620 at a time of his lowest a time where he dealt with 86 00:07:04,620 --> 00:07:11,740 Depression so first Kings chapter 19 want to bring you up to speed before we jump into the first couple verses here 87 00:07:11,740 --> 00:07:16,580 But Elijah if you're not familiar with his story was a man called by God and 88 00:07:16,980 --> 00:07:23,900 Transformed of God to be a prophet in fact some people would say that he was the prophet of prophets 89 00:07:24,220 --> 00:07:29,580 He challenged idolatry and the polytheism of his day and in fact in fact 90 00:07:29,580 --> 00:07:33,900 It's first Kings chapter 17 and 18 the chapter is leading up to 19 91 00:07:33,980 --> 00:07:37,220 He had some of the highest highs of his ministry 92 00:07:37,220 --> 00:07:40,780 In fact most of you probably know if you don't know much about Elijah 93 00:07:40,940 --> 00:07:48,460 You know about Elijah on Mount Carmel where he calls down fire from heaven and it consumes the offering 94 00:07:48,700 --> 00:07:53,100 It consumes all the water that they place and he has an incredible 95 00:07:54,020 --> 00:07:58,580 Victory he prays and after three and a half years of drought 96 00:07:58,580 --> 00:08:00,580 It rains 97 00:08:00,820 --> 00:08:05,100 It should have been a high time for Elijah in his ministry 98 00:08:05,100 --> 00:08:11,860 He saw God answer by fire and in first Kings that chapter 19. We should see a man who's on fire 99 00:08:12,380 --> 00:08:14,020 for God 100 00:08:14,020 --> 00:08:19,560 But what we find is quite the opposite in first Kings chapter 19. We see a man 101 00:08:20,380 --> 00:08:26,140 Overwhelmed with depression. Let's look at verse first Kings chapter 19 beginning of verse 1 102 00:08:26,140 --> 00:08:34,820 It says an ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done and wherewithal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword 103 00:08:34,820 --> 00:08:37,940 And that's exactly what had happened in first Kings chapter 18 104 00:08:38,460 --> 00:08:44,820 Answered from and God answered with fire. He had a incredible victory and he slew the prophets of the bale 105 00:08:45,460 --> 00:08:51,860 Verse 2 then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah saying so that the gods do to me and more so also 106 00:08:51,860 --> 00:08:59,100 If I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time 107 00:08:59,820 --> 00:09:05,740 now ahab who was married to Jezebel was the king of Israel at this point and he had basically 108 00:09:06,420 --> 00:09:14,480 Given over his reign of his country and his of his of his life to his wife a wicked woman by the name of Jezebel and 109 00:09:15,260 --> 00:09:16,700 Jezebel 110 00:09:16,700 --> 00:09:23,380 Threatened Elijah and she says I'm going to kill you. Let's see how he responds in verse 3 verse 3 Elijah 111 00:09:23,380 --> 00:09:27,060 It was was this is how he responds and when he saw that this is Elijah 112 00:09:27,060 --> 00:09:33,940 He arose and went for his life and came to bear sheba which belonged to Judah and left his servant there 113 00:09:34,540 --> 00:09:41,700 Now the man who we thought would be on fire for God a man who had be on that has just experienced 114 00:09:41,700 --> 00:09:45,020 one of the most incredible victories in his ministry 115 00:09:45,020 --> 00:09:52,040 When he is threatened by a woman who says I'm going to kill you turns tail and runs 116 00:09:53,180 --> 00:09:55,780 How strange Elijah? 117 00:09:57,260 --> 00:10:04,500 Look on in verse 4 it says but he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a 118 00:10:04,620 --> 00:10:06,620 Juniper tree will stop there for a second 119 00:10:07,220 --> 00:10:11,500 Elijah at a time where he should have been on a high for God 120 00:10:11,500 --> 00:10:15,060 Ends up in a very low point in his ministry 121 00:10:16,140 --> 00:10:21,660 He throws a pity party for himself and he requests the same as Moses 122 00:10:21,740 --> 00:10:27,300 He requests that he would die read on in verse 4 it says he came and sat down under a juniper tree 123 00:10:27,300 --> 00:10:32,900 And he requested for himself that he might die and said it is enough now 124 00:10:32,900 --> 00:10:37,900 Oh Lord take away my life for I am not better than my 125 00:10:37,900 --> 00:10:43,620 Fathers let's go ahead and go to the Lord and prayer real quick before we continue on God 126 00:10:43,620 --> 00:10:48,220 I pray that you would help us Lord to understand the meaning of this passage tonight 127 00:10:48,660 --> 00:10:56,020 Lord that there may be one in here tonight who is going through a deep despondency a deep depression in their life 128 00:10:56,020 --> 00:11:00,100 Or Lord others who are about to enter into this season 129 00:11:00,420 --> 00:11:06,980 Father I pray that you would help illuminate our hearts Lord to understand both what not to do and what to do for your 130 00:11:06,980 --> 00:11:14,900 Scripture give us gives us both it is profitable for docks and for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness 131 00:11:15,260 --> 00:11:21,020 Father I pray that the words of your word and father your spirit would 132 00:11:21,420 --> 00:11:27,260 Work upon our hearts tonight to help us to know both how to deal with depression Lord 133 00:11:27,540 --> 00:11:34,060 To move through it and to honor you with our lives and our emotions. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen 134 00:11:34,060 --> 00:11:40,020 If you're taking notes tonight, I want to share with you very quickly four easy ways to get depressed 135 00:11:40,020 --> 00:11:43,500 All right, you're probably gonna be like what wait a minute. I don't need to know how to get depressed 136 00:11:43,540 --> 00:11:49,580 Well watch and stay with me. All right, cuz we're gonna move very quickly tonight four easy ways to get depressed number one from 137 00:11:50,260 --> 00:11:52,540 Elijah's life wear yourself out 138 00:11:53,100 --> 00:11:57,380 Wear yourself out look back at chapter 19 verse 3 139 00:11:57,380 --> 00:12:05,380 It says and when he saw that he arose and went for his life and came to bear sheba which belongeth to Judah 140 00:12:05,500 --> 00:12:10,460 Now Elijah had been running like the Energizer bunny you guys remember those commercials 141 00:12:10,460 --> 00:12:13,980 He keeps going and going and going that was Elijah in 142 00:12:14,780 --> 00:12:17,500 1617 and 18 those chapters in Kings 143 00:12:18,220 --> 00:12:21,700 Miracles fasting spiritual warfare physical battle 144 00:12:21,700 --> 00:12:28,020 He had run and run and run and now he is running physically for his life from Jezreel 145 00:12:28,020 --> 00:12:33,060 Which is where he was down to the most southern tip of bear sheba there 146 00:12:33,060 --> 00:12:39,460 He drops off his servant and then he continues on another full day into the wilderness 147 00:12:39,460 --> 00:12:44,820 If you're tracking that that's over a hundred miles of running for Elijah 148 00:12:45,940 --> 00:12:51,580 Elijah leaves his servants there and he continues on until the wilderness and to be honest a lot 149 00:12:51,580 --> 00:12:54,260 Like us a man of the same kind of like passions 150 00:12:54,580 --> 00:13:00,860 He was running ragged and a lot of times we can be like that especially in our culture. We can run ourselves 151 00:13:01,860 --> 00:13:04,360 Ragged we have no margin of time 152 00:13:04,500 --> 00:13:11,020 We're involved with all kinds of things from kids games to try to stay up to the latest cooking trends from house improvements 153 00:13:11,020 --> 00:13:18,280 To late-night works to staying and trying to stay up with friends finding time somehow for entertainment or for our favorite hobbies 154 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:23,220 And we go and we go and we go and we go and we go and we wear ourselves out 155 00:13:24,540 --> 00:13:27,580 Second easy way to get depressed is to shut people out 156 00:13:27,780 --> 00:13:32,540 We see this in the end of chapter 19 verse 3 verse 3 157 00:13:32,540 --> 00:13:37,740 It says and he came to bear sheba which belonged to Judah and he left his servant there now Elijah 158 00:13:38,420 --> 00:13:45,180 Abandons his second hand man his right hand man this servant had been with him through thick and through thin 159 00:13:45,180 --> 00:13:51,740 But now he has shut out his very closest friend. He goes through what I would call the martyr complex 160 00:13:51,740 --> 00:13:57,020 Whoa is me nothing's ever going to get better. No one can help me and 161 00:13:57,820 --> 00:14:03,740 Oftentimes like us when we're hurt we put up walls and we shut people out. We shut out our friends 162 00:14:03,740 --> 00:14:09,900 We shut out those who speak into our lives. We shut out our spouses. We shut out our kids. We shut out 163 00:14:10,460 --> 00:14:12,460 Everyone who can speak into our life 164 00:14:12,460 --> 00:14:14,940 We think things like no one could understand 165 00:14:16,140 --> 00:14:18,860 No one else really really truly cares 166 00:14:19,820 --> 00:14:21,820 We shut people out 167 00:14:22,420 --> 00:14:24,940 Number three focus on the negative 168 00:14:25,420 --> 00:14:32,060 Focus on the negative look at verse four again verse four in chapter 19 says he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness 169 00:14:32,380 --> 00:14:35,900 Came and sat down under a juniper tree. He requested himself that he might die 170 00:14:35,900 --> 00:14:43,020 He said is enough now. Oh lord take away my life for I am not better than my fathers 171 00:14:43,820 --> 00:14:50,540 Elijah here says I'm not better than the people around me. This wasn't an admission of repentance 172 00:14:50,620 --> 00:14:57,020 This wasn't one of him trying to get right with God. This was remorse over the course of his life 173 00:14:57,820 --> 00:15:04,620 It was self pity. He was exaggerating the fact that all the people around me don't serve the lord 174 00:15:04,620 --> 00:15:08,220 My parents I'll grow up in this bad family 175 00:15:09,340 --> 00:15:11,900 I'm no better than anybody else. It's all 176 00:15:12,860 --> 00:15:14,140 gone 177 00:15:14,140 --> 00:15:16,140 the wrong way 178 00:15:17,020 --> 00:15:19,020 A lot like us 179 00:15:19,020 --> 00:15:22,940 if we focus on the negative if we focus on 180 00:15:24,380 --> 00:15:26,220 oftentimes 181 00:15:26,220 --> 00:15:28,220 The lies of satan 182 00:15:28,220 --> 00:15:34,620 We can get to a place where we believe well, it's never going to get better. We have this defeated mindset 183 00:15:34,700 --> 00:15:36,700 Number four if we're taking notes 184 00:15:36,780 --> 00:15:39,660 Another easy way to get depressed is to forget God 185 00:15:40,860 --> 00:15:42,860 It's exactly where Elijah was 186 00:15:43,420 --> 00:15:48,220 Versus chapter 17 chapters 18. There was a spiritual high point 187 00:15:48,940 --> 00:15:53,740 There is literally a point in time where he's sitting by the rook the the brook of charath 188 00:15:53,740 --> 00:15:58,220 And the birds are coming and feeding him steak dinners. They're bringing him flesh 189 00:15:58,940 --> 00:16:01,980 And bringing him things to eat. He's sitting by a brook 190 00:16:02,540 --> 00:16:09,660 In the middle of a drought and God supernaturally allows this brook to flow and give him the water that he needs 191 00:16:10,380 --> 00:16:15,580 In chapter 17, he goes on to outside of the borders of Israel 192 00:16:15,980 --> 00:16:19,820 And he speaks to a widow and he does a miracle in her life 193 00:16:19,820 --> 00:16:26,620 But then that widow's son dies and for the first time in scripture the first time ever recorded in scripture 194 00:16:26,860 --> 00:16:31,820 Elijah but through the through the power of God raises someone from the dead 195 00:16:32,620 --> 00:16:36,300 That hadn't happened in the bible for us. We think oh, yeah raising from the dead 196 00:16:36,300 --> 00:16:39,820 That's just like another thing that happens in the bible that hadn't happened 197 00:16:40,620 --> 00:16:42,620 Until this point in Jewish history 198 00:16:43,900 --> 00:16:45,900 Something incredible 199 00:16:46,300 --> 00:16:48,300 raising from the dead 200 00:16:48,300 --> 00:16:51,900 And then of course in chapter 18 calls down fire from heaven 201 00:16:53,740 --> 00:16:55,740 Chapter 19 202 00:16:55,980 --> 00:17:00,700 Doesn't seem like the same man of chapters 17 and chapter 18. Why? 203 00:17:01,900 --> 00:17:03,900 Well because he had forgotten the god that he served 204 00:17:05,900 --> 00:17:08,460 A woman had said i'm gonna kill you Elijah 205 00:17:09,500 --> 00:17:11,500 And he ran for his life 206 00:17:11,820 --> 00:17:15,180 forgetting that he served the lord who answers by fire 207 00:17:15,180 --> 00:17:20,540 Oftentimes that's like us god shows up in our life over and over and over again 208 00:17:20,540 --> 00:17:25,820 We come to god in prayer. We need god to show up. He shows up. He blesses our lives 209 00:17:25,820 --> 00:17:30,540 He brings us through the hardness. He brings us through the pain. He brings us through the turmoil 210 00:17:30,540 --> 00:17:33,340 And then the next thing happens and where are we? 211 00:17:34,940 --> 00:17:36,940 We've forgotten the god 212 00:17:36,940 --> 00:17:43,900 We've forgotten that god has answered before that god has brought us through the pain brought us through the turmoil 213 00:17:43,900 --> 00:17:45,900 But we're in the pit again 214 00:17:46,460 --> 00:17:49,500 When faced with difficulty we forget his faithfulness 215 00:17:50,300 --> 00:17:52,300 That's where many of us are 216 00:17:53,180 --> 00:17:55,180 But we don't have to stay there 217 00:17:55,180 --> 00:17:57,660 So what I want to share with you from the rest of our time today 218 00:17:57,660 --> 00:18:03,660 Is the reality that if we're going to deal with this emotion of depression which we all deal with from time to time 219 00:18:03,660 --> 00:18:07,260 How can we do it? How can we learn to manage the feelings of depression? 220 00:18:07,260 --> 00:18:11,820 Well, I want us to apply four remedies exemplified in our life 221 00:18:11,820 --> 00:18:15,820 Of Elijah from 1 Kings chapter 19. All right, let's jump into it 222 00:18:15,820 --> 00:18:22,700 The first one if you're taking notes the first remedy to get out of this pit of depression is a rested capacity 223 00:18:22,700 --> 00:18:27,340 It's a rested capacity look on again at verse 5 and following 224 00:18:27,340 --> 00:18:31,180 It says this and he lay and slept under the juniper tree 225 00:18:31,180 --> 00:18:36,140 And behold then an angel touched him and said unto him arise and eat 226 00:18:36,540 --> 00:18:41,260 And he looked and behold there was a cake baked in the pit of the first king 227 00:18:41,260 --> 00:18:45,100 A cake baked in on the coals and a cruise of water at his head 228 00:18:45,100 --> 00:18:47,660 And he did eat and drink and laid him down again 229 00:18:48,140 --> 00:18:53,500 And the angel the lord came again the second time and touched him and said arise and eat 230 00:18:53,980 --> 00:18:55,980 Because the journey is too great for thee 231 00:18:56,300 --> 00:19:03,100 And he arose and did eat and drink and went in the strength of that meat 40 days and 40 nights unto horrib 232 00:19:03,580 --> 00:19:05,580 The mount of god 233 00:19:05,740 --> 00:19:07,740 Now I can't prove this 234 00:19:07,980 --> 00:19:09,980 But I want to say that 235 00:19:09,980 --> 00:19:11,980 God might have been a Baptist 236 00:19:13,740 --> 00:19:18,220 Because in the midst of this problem, what's he do pot luck? 237 00:19:19,420 --> 00:19:25,740 All right, Elijah. I'm gonna send an angel. Here's some food for you. We got some cakes on the coals 238 00:19:26,060 --> 00:19:29,420 Here's some water get up. Let's have a pot luck Elijah 239 00:19:31,500 --> 00:19:33,500 You understand what I'm saying 240 00:19:33,900 --> 00:19:37,420 In the midst of his tiredness physical 241 00:19:37,420 --> 00:19:47,580 He needed nourishment. He needed rest and god the creator of us understood that he needed to rest and to recuperate 242 00:19:48,300 --> 00:19:51,740 Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is rest 243 00:19:52,540 --> 00:19:57,900 It's a commandment of god. Is it not the Sabbath day was given for man to what? 244 00:19:58,620 --> 00:20:00,220 to rest 245 00:20:00,220 --> 00:20:05,340 And I know that sometimes this word rest seems like the opposite of what our culture asks of us 246 00:20:05,340 --> 00:20:10,220 Go go go do do even when we're laying in the bed. What are we doing? 247 00:20:10,220 --> 00:20:15,100 We're we're doing something with this right? We're never truly resting anymore 248 00:20:16,300 --> 00:20:18,300 But we need to 249 00:20:18,380 --> 00:20:20,700 If not we'll become overcome 250 00:20:21,340 --> 00:20:23,340 Elijah had been overtaxed 251 00:20:23,900 --> 00:20:25,900 physically mentally emotionally 252 00:20:26,460 --> 00:20:29,500 And he had worn himself out and needed to rest again 253 00:20:29,500 --> 00:20:36,540 Recently many studies have been done linking and connecting between physical exhaustion and depression 254 00:20:37,100 --> 00:20:44,140 a study that came out just a few years ago by a New York University professor tracked over 7 000 Americans 255 00:20:44,460 --> 00:20:48,780 across three decades of time from ages 22 to age 50 256 00:20:49,260 --> 00:20:54,860 Revealing that only one quarter of workers maintain traditional daytime hours while 75 257 00:20:54,860 --> 00:21:02,460 percent worked variable schedules including night shifts and rotating shifts and those with volatile schedules reported 258 00:21:03,100 --> 00:21:07,660 significantly less sleep and higher rates of depression and poor health 259 00:21:08,220 --> 00:21:10,220 quality by the age of 50 260 00:21:10,460 --> 00:21:15,020 People are wearing themselves out in our culture 261 00:21:15,580 --> 00:21:19,340 By doing nothing, but just keeping pace with our culture 262 00:21:19,340 --> 00:21:24,540 In this passage God's remedy for Elijah wasn't a sermon 263 00:21:26,780 --> 00:21:29,580 God's remedy for Elijah wasn't a rebuke 264 00:21:31,260 --> 00:21:33,260 It wasn't shame 265 00:21:33,660 --> 00:21:35,820 It wasn't just get over it Elijah 266 00:21:37,420 --> 00:21:39,420 God's remedy 267 00:21:39,740 --> 00:21:42,460 was I'm going to meet your need 268 00:21:43,820 --> 00:21:45,820 As a created being 269 00:21:45,820 --> 00:21:47,340 Not once 270 00:21:47,340 --> 00:21:51,580 But twice we see in this passage God sends an angel to instruct 271 00:21:52,220 --> 00:21:55,340 Elijah to eat drink and rest 272 00:21:57,260 --> 00:22:02,140 This is a principle of stewardship just as much as a principle of practicality 273 00:22:03,820 --> 00:22:09,020 The lady evangelist Dr. Vance Havener once commented very poignantly 274 00:22:09,500 --> 00:22:13,660 We had better come apart or we will come apart 275 00:22:13,660 --> 00:22:21,660 You see our physical restoration is important because physical restoration enables spiritual 276 00:22:22,140 --> 00:22:25,500 readiness if you have worn yourself out 277 00:22:26,780 --> 00:22:30,780 You will not move forward very triumphantly 278 00:22:31,900 --> 00:22:33,900 spiritually 279 00:22:33,900 --> 00:22:37,100 So the first remedy is a rested capacity 280 00:22:37,100 --> 00:22:43,740 The second remedy we see from verses 9 through 10 is a replaced focus 281 00:22:44,300 --> 00:22:47,500 A replaced focus look on it verse 9 and 10 282 00:22:48,380 --> 00:22:54,060 And he came there unto the cave and lodged there and behold the word of the Lord came unto him and said unto him 283 00:22:54,140 --> 00:22:56,140 What do us thou here Elijah? 284 00:22:56,460 --> 00:23:01,980 And he said I've been very jealous for the Lord a god of host for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant 285 00:23:01,980 --> 00:23:08,460 Throne down thine altars and slain thy prophets with the sword and I evened I only am left 286 00:23:08,860 --> 00:23:11,420 And they seek my life to take it away 287 00:23:12,540 --> 00:23:16,060 Here God has a one-on-one counseling session with Elijah 288 00:23:16,620 --> 00:23:21,900 Now God knew where Elijah was he says hey Elijah. What are you doing here? 289 00:23:22,460 --> 00:23:24,460 It wasn't a question of he didn't know 290 00:23:25,100 --> 00:23:27,580 He wanted Elijah to reveal 291 00:23:27,580 --> 00:23:33,980 By speaking the lie that he had believed that had refocused him off and away 292 00:23:34,620 --> 00:23:36,620 From the god that he served 293 00:23:36,860 --> 00:23:39,580 He wanted Elijah to verbalize the lie 294 00:23:40,300 --> 00:23:43,180 So that he could reveal it and replace it with his truth 295 00:23:44,220 --> 00:23:47,580 Here God has a one-on-one counseling session 296 00:23:48,060 --> 00:23:52,620 And he says Elijah. Why are you here? And Elijah's response is thusly 297 00:23:52,620 --> 00:23:56,780 I've been very jealous for you Lord now was that true? 298 00:23:57,660 --> 00:24:02,940 Yeah, that was true. He had been very jealous for the Lord zealous would be another way of saying that 299 00:24:03,340 --> 00:24:05,340 He had been very zealous for the Lord 300 00:24:05,900 --> 00:24:10,220 He said the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant. Was that true? 301 00:24:10,700 --> 00:24:17,100 Yes, it was the people of God had no longer been serving God because of ahab and jesabel and their leadership 302 00:24:17,260 --> 00:24:19,260 They had served Baal 303 00:24:19,260 --> 00:24:24,620 He says they've thrown down your altars. Was that true? Yes, it was 304 00:24:25,740 --> 00:24:30,780 They had thrown down the altars of God and had built in its place altars for Baal 305 00:24:31,180 --> 00:24:34,860 They had slain thy prophets with a sword that was true as well 306 00:24:35,260 --> 00:24:37,500 In fact, Jesus would say that 307 00:24:38,220 --> 00:24:40,780 He would say they have slain the prophets 308 00:24:42,540 --> 00:24:45,180 He says I even I am left 309 00:24:45,980 --> 00:24:47,420 Now was that true? 310 00:24:47,420 --> 00:24:48,620 Was that true? 311 00:24:50,220 --> 00:24:51,260 You know the story 312 00:24:52,540 --> 00:24:54,700 No, it wasn't true 313 00:24:55,900 --> 00:24:57,500 Everything else he said was true 314 00:24:58,540 --> 00:25:02,460 But that one piece of deception that one lie 315 00:25:03,820 --> 00:25:08,700 Was enough to refocus himself off of the God that he served 316 00:25:09,500 --> 00:25:15,900 You know, it's amazing I find how a little lie can poison us 317 00:25:15,900 --> 00:25:17,900 Just one little lie 318 00:25:17,900 --> 00:25:21,420 We say things like I'm the only one who cares 319 00:25:22,620 --> 00:25:25,660 I've been doing all the work by myself 320 00:25:26,300 --> 00:25:28,300 They never they always 321 00:25:29,020 --> 00:25:31,900 I'm the only one that can get it done 322 00:25:33,660 --> 00:25:38,060 The conversation is repeated in verse 14. He says it again 323 00:25:39,180 --> 00:25:42,220 And then God responds to Elijah in verse 18 324 00:25:42,220 --> 00:25:46,220 We'll come back to the time in between look down at verse 18 325 00:25:46,700 --> 00:25:51,900 God responds by replacing the lie that Elijah believes with truth 326 00:25:52,620 --> 00:25:54,620 To help him refocus 327 00:25:54,620 --> 00:26:01,420 Verse 18 says yet I have this is God responding to Elijah yet I have left me how many? 328 00:26:02,220 --> 00:26:05,020 7,000 in Israel 329 00:26:06,540 --> 00:26:09,980 All the knees which have not bowed unto Baal 330 00:26:09,980 --> 00:26:13,980 And every mouth which hath not kissed him 331 00:26:14,940 --> 00:26:16,940 Elijah God says 332 00:26:16,940 --> 00:26:18,940 You're not the only one 333 00:26:18,940 --> 00:26:26,380 There are 7,000 other Jewish men and women like you who have stood their ground at great peril 334 00:26:26,780 --> 00:26:30,700 Who have continued to serve me 335 00:26:31,500 --> 00:26:36,220 God shifts Elijah from the self pity to divine perspective 336 00:26:36,220 --> 00:26:43,420 He moves from the I'm all alone God to seeing God's bigger plan in place 337 00:26:45,180 --> 00:26:48,140 What lies are you focused on tonight? 338 00:26:49,820 --> 00:26:54,220 Sometimes it's been said that the most dangerous deception is self deception 339 00:26:55,980 --> 00:27:01,260 Is what you're believing about your situation about where you are 340 00:27:01,260 --> 00:27:03,820 About what you are going through 341 00:27:03,820 --> 00:27:06,380 Does it line up with what scripture says? 342 00:27:06,380 --> 00:27:08,380 What you believe about yourself? 343 00:27:08,380 --> 00:27:10,380 What you believe about your spouse? 344 00:27:10,380 --> 00:27:12,380 What you believe about your future? 345 00:27:12,380 --> 00:27:14,380 About your children? 346 00:27:14,380 --> 00:27:16,380 About your career? 347 00:27:16,380 --> 00:27:18,940 About your school your friend group? 348 00:27:18,940 --> 00:27:21,420 Is it based in scripture? 349 00:27:22,620 --> 00:27:24,620 Or is what you're believing a lie? 350 00:27:24,620 --> 00:27:29,740 Has it distracted you from what you ought to be focusing on? 351 00:27:29,740 --> 00:27:34,460 When I was in middle school and then going into high school. I was into karate 352 00:27:35,020 --> 00:27:39,900 I went to karate weekly grandparents took me and during that time 353 00:27:39,900 --> 00:27:44,780 I was really obsessed with a certain movie the karate kid anybody ever seen the karate kid 354 00:27:44,780 --> 00:27:50,700 There's a point in time in the movie of course the climax of the movie at the all valley tournament 355 00:27:51,260 --> 00:27:57,740 The final point is about to be one. It's Daniel's son and he's been in the army for a long time 356 00:27:57,740 --> 00:28:00,460 It's Daniel's son and he's been injured 357 00:28:01,500 --> 00:28:04,940 And he attempts to win with the iconic crane kick 358 00:28:05,980 --> 00:28:12,220 Now those of you who have been in karate know that the crane kick is not an actual real karate move 359 00:28:12,700 --> 00:28:18,140 It was actually created by the screenwriter of that movie for this scene specifically 360 00:28:18,780 --> 00:28:23,580 But what it was supposed to do is it's supposed to give the appearance of being 361 00:28:24,300 --> 00:28:26,060 unbalanced 362 00:28:26,060 --> 00:28:29,020 It was an evolved one person standing on their foot 363 00:28:29,980 --> 00:28:31,980 as a stationary target 364 00:28:32,620 --> 00:28:35,020 their arms are spread wide 365 00:28:36,140 --> 00:28:40,300 They're leaving their head and their center mask where most of the points would be collected 366 00:28:40,300 --> 00:28:42,140 undefended or seemingly 367 00:28:43,020 --> 00:28:49,580 And at the right amount of time when the defender would be attacked they were going to counter attack with a strike 368 00:28:50,700 --> 00:28:52,700 And that's exactly what happens 369 00:28:53,020 --> 00:28:55,020 They say go 370 00:28:55,020 --> 00:28:57,020 The attacker comes in and Daniel's son 371 00:28:58,060 --> 00:29:00,060 Right wins 372 00:29:01,020 --> 00:29:03,020 And that's the end of the movie, right 373 00:29:05,980 --> 00:29:08,060 You know in the spiritual battle that we face 374 00:29:09,980 --> 00:29:13,020 Are we the defenders or are we the attackers? 375 00:29:16,060 --> 00:29:19,020 Well, I want to say to you that all authorities been given 376 00:29:19,500 --> 00:29:21,020 to Jesus 377 00:29:21,020 --> 00:29:27,260 and heaven and earth and then he passes it along to us and he tells us to go and make disciples 378 00:29:28,220 --> 00:29:32,700 That doesn't sound like defenders to me. That sounds like people who need to be on the charge 379 00:29:39,020 --> 00:29:41,740 Our spiritual enemy will do everything that he can 380 00:29:42,860 --> 00:29:45,980 Everything that he can to lead us into deception 381 00:29:45,980 --> 00:29:49,980 It's his native tongue the Bible says lies and deception 382 00:29:51,660 --> 00:29:53,660 And if you're believing a lie 383 00:29:54,300 --> 00:29:57,900 Most likely you've been refocused off of the mission 384 00:29:59,100 --> 00:30:01,100 And it's time to identify that lie 385 00:30:01,660 --> 00:30:07,420 And replace your focus back on the God who's given you the mission to go and make disciples 386 00:30:09,660 --> 00:30:11,660 Thirdly, if you're taking notes 387 00:30:11,660 --> 00:30:13,660 A refreshed presence 388 00:30:13,660 --> 00:30:18,380 A third remedy that we find here in scripture is a refreshed presence 389 00:30:18,380 --> 00:30:22,140 An understanding that God is with Elijah 390 00:30:22,780 --> 00:30:26,780 Now go back a few verses. I told you we'd go back to the scene in between 391 00:30:28,060 --> 00:30:34,380 Chapter 19 verse 11 let's pick up there. It says he said go forth and stand upon the mount before the Lord 392 00:30:34,860 --> 00:30:38,700 And behold the Lord passed by and a great and strong wind 393 00:30:38,700 --> 00:30:43,740 Rent the rock meant at mountains and break in pieces the rocks before the Lord 394 00:30:44,300 --> 00:30:46,540 But the Lord was not in the wind 395 00:30:47,020 --> 00:30:51,180 And after the wind and earthquake but the Lord was not in the earthquake 396 00:30:51,740 --> 00:30:53,740 And after the earthquake of fire 397 00:30:53,980 --> 00:30:58,540 But the Lord was not in the fire and after the fire 398 00:30:59,020 --> 00:31:01,420 A still small voice 399 00:31:02,700 --> 00:31:07,900 And it was so when Elijah heard it that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went to the mountain 400 00:31:07,900 --> 00:31:14,060 Mantle and went out and stood in the entering of the cave and behold there came a voice unto him that said 401 00:31:14,780 --> 00:31:16,780 What do us now hear? 402 00:31:17,020 --> 00:31:18,540 Elijah 403 00:31:18,540 --> 00:31:20,540 In the middle of Elijah's depression 404 00:31:21,100 --> 00:31:29,660 In the dark of the cave God demonstrates and communicates one theme I believe and the theme is his presence 405 00:31:30,780 --> 00:31:32,060 Elijah 406 00:31:32,060 --> 00:31:39,900 Who is used to ministering to a god who answers by fire and answers by not allowing the rain to happen for three 407 00:31:40,460 --> 00:31:41,660 Years 408 00:31:41,660 --> 00:31:47,020 Who is used to a god who has done the impossible the magnificent the miraculous 409 00:31:48,220 --> 00:31:53,340 At his lowest god speaks his softest and he says 410 00:31:55,660 --> 00:31:57,660 I am with you 411 00:31:57,660 --> 00:32:02,860 He sends a strong wind some people think that that may have been even a tornado 412 00:32:03,500 --> 00:32:06,300 But it says he's not in the wind. He sends an earthquake 413 00:32:06,540 --> 00:32:11,660 But scripture says he wasn't in the earthquake a fire, but he wasn't in the fire 414 00:32:12,380 --> 00:32:17,900 But following those catastrophes it says that god appears in a gentle 415 00:32:18,780 --> 00:32:21,260 Wistoper I still small voice 416 00:32:22,060 --> 00:32:25,340 An intimate personal encounter with Elijah 417 00:32:25,340 --> 00:32:27,820 You know in my experience following christ 418 00:32:28,540 --> 00:32:30,540 When I've needed it the most 419 00:32:31,500 --> 00:32:33,500 Maybe it's been just a word 420 00:32:33,660 --> 00:32:37,100 Maybe it's just been one verse of scripture 421 00:32:38,620 --> 00:32:44,620 But when I've needed it the most god has always shown up and is still small voice to encourage me 422 00:32:45,260 --> 00:32:47,660 I believe that god still speaks to us today 423 00:32:48,300 --> 00:32:51,580 He speaks to us through his word. He speaks to us through his spirit 424 00:32:51,580 --> 00:32:57,500 And what his spirit says to us will line up with what his word says and it will always be 425 00:32:57,980 --> 00:32:59,980 What you need 426 00:32:59,740 --> 00:33:04,140 In the middle of your melancholy in the middle of your anxiety in the middle of your depression 427 00:33:04,700 --> 00:33:06,700 You can be refreshed 428 00:33:07,100 --> 00:33:09,420 Understanding that he is with you 429 00:33:10,220 --> 00:33:13,820 His presence has not left. He is with you 430 00:33:14,380 --> 00:33:17,580 Jesus says I am with you even into the end of the world 431 00:33:17,580 --> 00:33:20,780 He will never leave us. He will never forsake us 432 00:33:21,420 --> 00:33:23,420 In the summer of 2006 433 00:33:23,660 --> 00:33:27,100 I had just finished high school and I was preparing to go off to bible college 434 00:33:27,340 --> 00:33:30,380 I stayed an extra year to save up money because 435 00:33:30,700 --> 00:33:32,700 Those of you who may know my story 436 00:33:33,100 --> 00:33:36,140 My parents basically said if you go off to bible college 437 00:33:36,860 --> 00:33:38,060 You're on your own 438 00:33:38,300 --> 00:33:42,860 You're gonna have to pay for everything. We're basically just gonna cut you off right here 439 00:33:43,660 --> 00:33:45,660 And for that year, I just wanted to say 440 00:33:45,660 --> 00:33:50,780 And for that year, I decided, you know, I knew that the Lord's calling was on my life 441 00:33:50,780 --> 00:33:56,860 I knew that I needed to go and I needed to serve him and I was going to go to bible college with or without my parents' help 442 00:33:57,500 --> 00:34:02,540 And so I spent that year cashing out savings bonds and working extra odd jobs 443 00:34:02,620 --> 00:34:08,540 I literally had a garage sale where I sold everything in my room except for what I needed to take to college my freshman year 444 00:34:08,940 --> 00:34:13,340 By the end of that year, I had saved up exactly what I needed with some scholarship money 445 00:34:13,340 --> 00:34:15,740 To pay for my first year of bible college 446 00:34:16,700 --> 00:34:18,700 But in between that time 447 00:34:19,180 --> 00:34:25,740 Every single week I had an experience that to be honest, it's still heartbreaking to think about to this day 448 00:34:26,380 --> 00:34:29,100 Every week on a wednesday when I would go to church 449 00:34:29,180 --> 00:34:32,460 I would go to youth group and of course I was driving myself to youth group 450 00:34:32,780 --> 00:34:37,180 My parents would sit me down and they'd try to talk me out of going to bible college 451 00:34:37,180 --> 00:34:40,700 And oftentimes it would always kind of come down to this 452 00:34:41,260 --> 00:34:42,860 this this 453 00:34:42,860 --> 00:34:44,860 Dispusting, depressing, dejected 454 00:34:45,740 --> 00:34:50,540 Argument and I was constantly defending what I believe was the Lord's calling in my life 455 00:34:51,740 --> 00:34:56,380 And I'll be honest that after a year of dealing with this I felt alone 456 00:34:57,420 --> 00:34:59,420 I felt depressed 457 00:35:00,620 --> 00:35:03,100 But that summer a song came out 458 00:35:03,900 --> 00:35:05,900 It was released and I remember 459 00:35:06,220 --> 00:35:10,620 In a way it was God's still small voice reminding me that he was with me 460 00:35:10,620 --> 00:35:12,620 I 461 00:35:12,780 --> 00:35:16,220 Remember driving to church with tears flowing down my face 462 00:35:16,860 --> 00:35:20,540 And I was trying as much as I can to choke out the words 463 00:35:21,180 --> 00:35:23,180 I'll praise you in the storm 464 00:35:23,740 --> 00:35:25,740 I will lift my hands 465 00:35:25,900 --> 00:35:28,700 For you are who you are no matter where I am 466 00:35:29,740 --> 00:35:32,700 And every tear I've cried you hold in your hands 467 00:35:33,340 --> 00:35:35,340 You've never left my side 468 00:35:35,740 --> 00:35:37,740 Though my heart is torn 469 00:35:37,740 --> 00:35:40,540 I will praise you in this storm 470 00:35:41,580 --> 00:35:44,780 And God refreshed me with his presence 471 00:35:46,140 --> 00:35:48,140 Finally if you're taking notes we're almost done 472 00:35:48,700 --> 00:35:50,700 A renewed purpose 473 00:35:50,780 --> 00:35:52,780 A renewed purpose 474 00:35:54,060 --> 00:35:57,980 For Elijah it was time to get back to work 475 00:35:58,620 --> 00:36:00,620 To do what prophets are to do 476 00:36:01,340 --> 00:36:04,220 And God would renew his purpose once again 477 00:36:04,860 --> 00:36:06,460 Look at verse 15 478 00:36:06,460 --> 00:36:08,860 It says the Lord said unto him go 479 00:36:09,740 --> 00:36:12,780 Return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus 480 00:36:13,260 --> 00:36:19,580 And when thou comest anoint Hazazel to be king over Syria and Jehu the son of Nimshi 481 00:36:20,060 --> 00:36:27,020 Shout thou anoint to be king over Israel and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Mola 482 00:36:27,660 --> 00:36:33,260 Shout thou anoint to be prophet in thy room or in thy stead 483 00:36:33,260 --> 00:36:37,580 And it shall come to pass that him that escaped the sword of Hazazel 484 00:36:38,540 --> 00:36:44,220 Shout Jehu slay and him that escaped the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay 485 00:36:45,420 --> 00:36:49,500 Following a time of gaining the capacity that he needed through rest 486 00:36:49,900 --> 00:36:56,460 Replacing his focus back on truth and refreshing himself and God's still small voice 487 00:36:56,460 --> 00:36:59,740 The presence of God God says to Elijah get up 488 00:36:59,740 --> 00:37:02,860 It's time to get back to do what prophets do 489 00:37:03,340 --> 00:37:07,580 Depression often leads us to a loss of drive and an overwhelming apathy 490 00:37:07,580 --> 00:37:09,580 But God says enough is enough 491 00:37:09,980 --> 00:37:16,140 It's time to get up out of your sorrow Elijah and get back to doing what you've been called to do 492 00:37:16,860 --> 00:37:22,140 Elijah had been brought back to a place of strength and he was able to get up and move forward 493 00:37:22,700 --> 00:37:28,940 These three men Hazazel, Jehu, and Elisha would be the final death below 494 00:37:28,940 --> 00:37:32,140 In the land of Israel for the worship of Baal 495 00:37:32,940 --> 00:37:37,980 Their times they would remove Baal from the people of God 496 00:37:38,860 --> 00:37:46,220 These three would band together to finish the work of driving out the idolatry that was dominating Elisha's time 497 00:37:46,700 --> 00:37:51,500 And soon God would bring Elisha along to Elijah's side 498 00:37:52,060 --> 00:37:54,300 They would start doing what prophets do together 499 00:37:54,940 --> 00:37:58,140 Elisha, of course he tells Elijah, I want to do it 500 00:37:58,140 --> 00:38:04,620 I want to double portion the spirit that you have Elijah and Elijah says well if you're with me when I go you can have it 501 00:38:06,540 --> 00:38:10,860 You know to us in our depressed state, I think oftentimes God would say to us 502 00:38:11,500 --> 00:38:12,780 You're ready 503 00:38:12,780 --> 00:38:17,580 It's time to get back to doing what I've called you to do as my child 504 00:38:18,860 --> 00:38:23,740 God will bring back life to you in a place of deep despondency 505 00:38:23,740 --> 00:38:27,980 When you've rested when you've refocused on the truth 506 00:38:28,700 --> 00:38:32,220 When you remember God's presence, he will give you a new purpose 507 00:38:32,780 --> 00:38:36,940 Restore back to you that fervor to go and make disciples 508 00:38:37,980 --> 00:38:43,020 When you do what God has gifted you to do he will bring life back to you 509 00:38:44,300 --> 00:38:48,700 You can't just keep sitting in your pit of depression and expect God to shove you 510 00:38:48,700 --> 00:38:50,380 He's not going to shove you 511 00:38:50,380 --> 00:38:54,220 But he will give you what you need to stand back up again and say 512 00:38:55,020 --> 00:38:58,380 God all I have is yours use me as you see fit 513 00:38:58,940 --> 00:39:01,260 And give me the strength to do it and he will 514 00:39:02,700 --> 00:39:06,780 Now I want you to go back for a second because I think this is this is incredible 515 00:39:07,260 --> 00:39:10,220 I want you to go back for a second to the beginning of this chapter 516 00:39:11,020 --> 00:39:13,020 chapter 19 517 00:39:14,140 --> 00:39:17,500 What started Elijah's spiral into depression 518 00:39:17,500 --> 00:39:20,780 Well, he had done the four things to get depressed 519 00:39:20,780 --> 00:39:24,860 But what was the capstone what forced him what pushed him over the edge? 520 00:39:24,860 --> 00:39:28,620 What was that needle that that that that that that broke 521 00:39:30,300 --> 00:39:31,340 For him 522 00:39:31,340 --> 00:39:33,420 Well look at verses two and three again 523 00:39:33,420 --> 00:39:39,420 It says, Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah saying so let the gods do to me and more so also 524 00:39:39,420 --> 00:39:44,860 If I make not thyself as a life of one of them by tomorrow about this time 525 00:39:44,860 --> 00:39:45,660 Who was the them? 526 00:39:45,660 --> 00:39:48,140 It was the prophets that he had slain 527 00:39:48,140 --> 00:39:52,940 She says, I'm going to kill you by this time tomorrow you're gonna die 528 00:39:54,940 --> 00:39:57,340 What did Elijah fear the most? 529 00:39:58,140 --> 00:40:00,540 What started this spiral of depression? 530 00:40:01,340 --> 00:40:02,140 Death 531 00:40:02,940 --> 00:40:04,380 The threat of death 532 00:40:04,380 --> 00:40:05,580 His fear 533 00:40:05,980 --> 00:40:07,580 Was that it would happen 534 00:40:09,180 --> 00:40:12,380 And that became the key that unlocked the engine 535 00:40:12,380 --> 00:40:15,820 That started the engine that spiraled him into depression 536 00:40:16,380 --> 00:40:17,660 The fear of death 537 00:40:19,180 --> 00:40:21,100 Now what do we know about Elijah? 538 00:40:22,380 --> 00:40:23,260 Stay with me 539 00:40:23,260 --> 00:40:25,180 What do we know about Elijah? 540 00:40:27,100 --> 00:40:29,100 God at the end of Elijah's life 541 00:40:29,660 --> 00:40:31,660 Sends a chariot of fire 542 00:40:32,140 --> 00:40:33,340 Picks him up 543 00:40:33,340 --> 00:40:35,340 And he goes to glory 544 00:40:36,380 --> 00:40:39,260 The greatest fear of all for Elijah 545 00:40:39,260 --> 00:40:40,060 Death 546 00:40:40,060 --> 00:40:44,060 Was something he never experienced 547 00:40:44,060 --> 00:40:46,060 Now let that sink in 548 00:40:46,060 --> 00:40:49,580 Because you may be in a point in time in your life right now 549 00:40:49,580 --> 00:40:51,580 In the state of depression 550 00:40:51,580 --> 00:40:54,540 Over something that hasn't even happened 551 00:41:00,540 --> 00:41:01,660 For many of us 552 00:41:01,660 --> 00:41:03,180 Much of what we fear 553 00:41:03,180 --> 00:41:05,660 Much of what becomes that key 554 00:41:05,660 --> 00:41:06,780 That unlocks that engine 555 00:41:06,780 --> 00:41:08,460 That leads us into the spiral of depression 556 00:41:08,460 --> 00:41:11,660 Is something we never even experience 557 00:41:13,260 --> 00:41:16,460 And if we allow fear to overtake us 558 00:41:16,460 --> 00:41:20,460 We can easily slide down that slippery slope into depression 559 00:41:20,460 --> 00:41:23,260 Especially if we've worn ourselves out 560 00:41:24,460 --> 00:41:26,460 If we've forgotten about God 561 00:41:31,260 --> 00:41:33,260 What are some things that we can take away? 562 00:41:33,260 --> 00:41:34,460 Because our time is through 563 00:41:34,460 --> 00:41:35,660 What are some ways... 564 00:41:35,660 --> 00:41:37,660 What are some things we can walk away with? 565 00:41:37,660 --> 00:41:39,660 What are some practical things we can walk away with? 566 00:41:39,660 --> 00:41:42,460 Well, first of all, we can watch out 567 00:41:42,460 --> 00:41:44,460 For the things that can lead to depression 568 00:41:44,460 --> 00:41:46,460 We can try to be wise 569 00:41:46,460 --> 00:41:50,460 In how we steward our lives, our time, and our physical bodies 570 00:41:50,460 --> 00:41:53,260 But most of all, we can do this 571 00:41:53,260 --> 00:41:56,460 We can prioritize weekly rest 572 00:41:56,460 --> 00:42:00,460 So that we'll have the capacity to serve Jesus 573 00:42:00,460 --> 00:42:02,460 Rest is not a dirty word 574 00:42:02,460 --> 00:42:04,460 It's okay to rest 575 00:42:04,460 --> 00:42:06,460 Get the rest that you need 576 00:42:06,460 --> 00:42:08,460 Get the rest that you need 577 00:42:08,460 --> 00:42:10,460 Focus on truth 578 00:42:10,460 --> 00:42:12,460 Why? 579 00:42:12,460 --> 00:42:14,460 So that we are... 580 00:42:14,460 --> 00:42:18,460 So you are able to not be led astray 581 00:42:18,460 --> 00:42:20,460 By the lies 582 00:42:20,460 --> 00:42:22,460 By the deception 583 00:42:22,460 --> 00:42:24,460 Thirdly, remember God's presence 584 00:42:24,460 --> 00:42:26,460 He's always with you 585 00:42:26,460 --> 00:42:28,460 And you're not alone 586 00:42:28,460 --> 00:42:30,460 And restore your focus 587 00:42:30,460 --> 00:42:32,460 Focus primarily on Jesus 588 00:42:32,460 --> 00:42:34,460 And the mission he's given you 589 00:42:34,460 --> 00:42:37,460 And you will be able to lead a life 590 00:42:37,460 --> 00:42:39,460 And manage depression when it comes 591 00:42:39,460 --> 00:42:42,460 By remembering those four remedies 592 00:42:42,460 --> 00:43:06,460 Would you pray with me?