Sermon Nuggets Mon Feb 15
Theme- Differences
Verses. 1 Kings 18:1-15
Differences
Can you identify with the feelings of little Jimmy who prays, “God I know that you said we’re suppose to love everyone but you haven’t met my sister, Ellen, yet.”
Indeed there are people who get under our skin in unbelievable ways that try our patience and tempt us to respond in ways we know later would make us sorry.
How we look at differences in others is in part how we look also at ourselves in our weaknesses and our strengths, our values and our abilities.
Comparing ourselves with others seems to be common in everyday life. Sometime it is important diagnosis of health. Is my blood cells the same as most other people’s tests? Do I have some social abnormality that needs some professional attention?
Comparing will be part of our lives I am afraid. We begin by comparing babies. Sometimes that can spill over to competition. We want our babies to show more aptitude in speaking and walking and mental ability. We see comparisons when they go to school to see “if they are ready” meaning do they function like those around them? There are educational theories as to how different kids learn differently
It seems that in junior high there is strong desire to be like everyone else and be accepted socially by one’s peers. I compared myself with those I admired in different areas. I remember first a girl named Dana. She was a brilliant student. She had a photographic memory looking at chapters and out of test book and quoting them. She made all A. and I wish I could have her report card.
I compared myself to Bob who was rich, or at least his parents were. Bob was a son of an optometrist. He owned a boat, had nice clothing and traveled to Europe during his summer vacations and Hawaii during the winter. Our vacations trips averaged one every 4 years because we could not afford them.
Stan was a classmate who had athletic ability. I hated gym classes because I was among the last chosen. When we had to run laps or do calisthenics I was on the lower 25%. Stan scored the top 5
Martin and I went to school together since Jr. High. He wasn’t a good student, he wasn’t rich, he wasn’t an athlete, but he was very popular because of his outgoing personality. He had human charisma that made him popular with peers, parents and teachers alike. Being likeable was really the key to growing up as a Jr. Highers. He was very likeable.
Many in church will fall into religious comparisons as to who reads the most Bible, prayers more often, comes to church the most, wins more souls to the Lord, has the largest of churches. And my feeling of inferiority surface when I think I am not doing as good as job serving the Lord as others I admire. Attitude doesn’t always improve with age.
I constantly need a reminder that God makes us differently. He made you the way he wanted you, except to live for Him. He did so for a purpose. He loves you. He wants to use your uniqueness in ways that honor Him. Satan wants to take us out service. God wants to show us how our differences can be our assets and not liabilities.
I want this week to compare and contrast Elijah with Obadiah and recognize how God uses them differently.
Obadiah was under the authority of the king who denounced the very God whom Obadiah worshipped. One stood up to the King and his evil, the other worked as he could under cover within the very house of the oppressor.
In what ways do you see God’s unique design in your life? How has that helped you and do you think hindered you? Can you see God using you with your gifts and talents? How?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Feb 16
Verses- 1 Kings 18: 1-4 After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: "Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land."
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria, and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of his palace. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the LORD.
While Jezebel was killing off the LORD's prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.)
Different Personalities
We will begin to compare and contrast Elijah, the prophet of God, with Obadiah one who was a devout believer in the Lord. Both were serving the Lord in different ways. Both were used of God to accomplish His purposes. But they were far different people.
God uses different personalities to accomplish different tasks. It is hard to think that everyone comes from the same mold. Look around you and see how God chooses all kinds.
Elijah was the outdoor type. He was rugged, comfortable being alone, strong in his convictions, and a confronting personality. Obadiah was quiet. What we know about him was more of a urban person who worked with those who held different convictions and beliefs. He ate not food of the wilderness but more the plates of the palace. I think of Elijah as a camper and Obadiah more a motel man.
Obadiah was determined to face challenges living in an environment hostile to the Lord. Yet he knew in his quiet manner how to secretly care for a hundred prophets hiding them in caves and providing food and water. This is not the same prophet who wrote the other OT book with that name. In fact there are at least 12 different Obadiahs mentioned in the Bible.
Having peace with who we are helps us see our differences in personality and traits and how we can be used of God. Most obviously there are people who are more introverted and others more extraverted. They are different. They approach life differently because of their personalities. There are some who love to be with people most of the time and others who enjoy books and behind the scene responsibilities.
Sometimes in marriage counseling I will give a temperament analysis test where couples can better see how they compare with their partner in important areas of life. It is easy to expect someone to understand us or be more like us when we operate out an entirely different personality. The more obvious things include details verses the bigger picture.
I remember discussing in one of my seminary classes discussing the difference between managers and leaders. Few people can do both well. A leader is one who is creative, a dreamer, visionary, one who can inspire and get listeners and followers. He is a trailblazer and can challenge people to new and exciting things. He gets into trouble for ignoring details or how to carry out his plans. He can offend others by being task oriented and ignoring the needs of those around him, and can be offensive.
The other personality characteristic is a manager. This is an administrator type. One who more concerned for detail. He prefers to have answers before he starts projects. He needs not only to see the big picture, but how to get there. He anticipates the objects and problems that might be faced and is more cautious to risk. The first may challenge faith to raise the money and wants to call people to move on and see how God works; the latter will want to see the money raised and plans in place before decisions are made. It is hard for them to see the other’s point of view.
Elijah was definitely a leader. Obadiah was definitely a manager. Look at the different personalities of Paul and Barnabas. One was a behind the scene worker, preferring to work one to one. He was a people person, a friend to many. Paul was a dynamic preacher, a brilliant debating mind, and visionary. It became a challenge working together. Peter and Andrew were brothers but had very different personalities.
Some of the conflicts we face in church or at home come from failing to see how God created personalities different from ours. There are some on extremes of traits and others more in the middle.
Ask yourself-are you more composed or more anxious to get things done right away? Are you typically more light-hearted or serious; more introverted or extraverted? How about when it comes to leadership, are you more of a follower or decision maker? Are you more open sharing your thoughts and feelings or hidden, reluctant to speak up? Are you more dominant or submissive? Are you more impulsive or reluctant to try new things?
As you are about your activities don’t judge those different than you in personality, but see the importance of the balance each brings to a relationship. Seek to understand yourself and others. Be willing to admit some people will not change the basic ways they are wired but can learn how to cooperate with others of different personalities by God’s grace.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Wed Feb 17
Verses- 1 Kings 17: 5-13 Ahab had said to Obadiah, "Go through the land to all the springs and valleys. Maybe we can find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive so we will not have to kill any of our animals."
6 So they divided the land they were to cover, Ahab going in one direction and Obadiah in another.
7 As Obadiah was walking along, Elijah met him. Obadiah recognized him, bowed down to the ground, and said, "Is it really you, my lord Elijah?"
8 "Yes," he replied. "Go tell your master, 'Elijah is here.'"
9 "What have I done wrong," asked Obadiah, "that you are handing your servant over to Ahab to be put to death?
10 As surely as the LORD your God lives, there is not a nation or kingdom where my master has not sent someone to look for you. And whenever a nation or kingdom claimed you were not there, he made them swear they could not find you.
11 But now you tell me to go to my master and say, 'Elijah is here.'
12 I don't know where the Spirit of the LORD may carry you when I leave you. If I go and tell Ahab and he doesn't find you, he will kill me. Yet I your servant have worshiped the LORD since my youth.
13 Haven't you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the LORD? I hid a hundred of the LORD's prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water.
Different Gifts
We are comparing and contrasting Obadiah with Elijah. The two certainly have different personalities. But they also have different gifts and abilities as given by the Lord.
When we speak of gifts, we usually speak of Spiritual gifts. I would suggest that in the New Testament when someone had accepted Christ as Savior and Lord the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within that new believer. The Spirit is at work in different ways. He chooses to give gifts at His will in order to better serve the Lord. Rom 12:6-8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
A talent is an ability also given by God but can be used by Christian or non Christian. A talent or aptitude might include such things as singing, ability to teach, or obtain intellectual abilities. It might include having mechanical ability or artistic aptitude.
In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit works with individuals and is upon them for certain tasks or purposes but does not dwell with a person as He does since the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
Having acknowledged that, God used Elijah for purposes of proclaiming His truth by confronting Ahab and the priests of Baal. God used the talents and abilities of Obadiah in organizing the details whereby God’s prophets could be hid and provided for. Elijah had more faith than Obadiah. We see that demonstrated in Obadiah’s fear and lack of trust in God’s protection. But they used their abilities according to their faith.
When we use the word, grace, we must think of Gods’ gifts to us. There is common grace that all people enjoy- beauty of the universe, rain, sun, air, and food. There is grace of salvation preparing us for eternity. There is grace given which are gifts and abilities allowing God to work in and through us.
Obadiah had used his gifts in the position of serving King Ahab. God needed someone with administrative skills to organize the feeding of his people while they were hiding. I think of the vast organizational skills required to help relieve the suffering and help with the reconstruction of Haiti right now. Certain gifts are needed. How to administrate the process of food distribution so as not to have chaos is huge. Having leadership ability to call the shots is not only someone with the job description but must be a decision maker, have followers to carry out those decisions and think of ways to accomplish the task. God uses those gifts to accomplish His purpose.
I remember talking to a wealthy Christian. He made an interesting statement, “I’m surprised how much the Christians honor the workers who go out and live by faith, meaning they work without any set income. Anything they receive is a blessing from the Lord and often unexpected. They are placed up on a Spiritual pedestal for their great faith. How do you think they get their money from the Lord? From people like me. Yet among other Christians we are made to feel guilty for making money. Is it not also faith that God allows some to provide for others? I believe I am just a much in the will of God in my generosity, for if there were not people like me there could not be people out there living on nothing.” He had the gift of giving.
While a youth pastor there was a neighboring youth pastor who had many gifts. He was musical, he could juggle, gave great devotions, and like the pied piper, kids follow him everywhere. I looked at all the gifts he had and felt inferior. I was hurt and envious when some youth from my church started attending his programs because they liked him so well.
Then God spoke to my heart. “Dale, I made you. I gave this other fellow certain gifts and to you other gifts. To whom much is given, much shall be required.”
That hit me right between the eyes. My youth pastor friend had more responsibility before God than I did. He was given more and expected to use them and do more with what God gave him than what God required from me. At that point I no longer felt envious. In fact, I prayed that indeed God would give him wisdom how to improve and use those gifts to the best of his ability and God’s glory. But I had a responsibility to use mine for the Lord as well according to my faith.
God needed and called Elijah. God also called and used Obadiah. As a Christian, God has also given you certain gifts to be used for His glory. Are you willing to be filled and used by His grace today?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs Feb 18
Verses- 1 Kings 18: 1 After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: "Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land."
2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria,
3 and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of his palace. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the LORD.
4 While Jezebel was killing off the LORD's prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.)
5 Ahab had said to Obadiah, "Go through the land to all the springs and valleys. Maybe we can find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive so we will not have to kill any of our animals."
6 So they divided the land they were to cover, Ahab going in one direction and Obadiah in another.
Different Tasks
Someone asked a famous conductor of a great symphony orchestra which instrument he considered the most difficult to play. The response was “Second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find one who can play second fiddle with enthusiasm that’s a problem. And if we have no second fiddles we have no harmony.”
You have seen the motto, “Bloom where you are planted”. Many people make up all kinds of excuses- “if I could only have a beautiful voice, I’d sing for the Lord; If I could stand up in front of others, then I would be a preacher; If I only had money, I’d really be faithful in giving lots to he Lord’ work; If I only I wasn’t sick I could do more for the church….”
If you don’t have what you want then use what you have. Bloom where God plants you. You know if you are where God has you then do what He gives you to do until He presents another task. So many people are caught up in the dreams of something happening out there in the future they miss the possibilities and responsibilities right before them. Or some linger in the past that they miss the opportunities for the present.
Obadiah had a job that God wanted him to do and that was to provide for the servants of God and hide them from the armies of the King from arrest and murder. He had the ability, resources, and position to do that task.
So quietly and carefully he would hear about a prophet they were after and then intervened and found a safe spot for him. I think of the hundred of Jews who were saved from the Holocaust in Nazi Germany when Christians and well meaning people used their influence and resources to save lives. Obadiah was authorized to get food for his tasks within the palace as one of the key administrators. But when others were unaware he saw to it that there was enough left over to feed a hundred prophets in two caves.
Obadiah was a good employee and very important to Ahab. He was highly respected because of his work record. He was a secret believer to Ahab and Jezebel. But ultimately he worked for God and God saw to it he was in the place to serve Him by serving others.
Being a good worker is a testimony to the Lord. I think of the hard work and good reputation of the Amish community. Because of their industry and integrity they are sought after for their quality of products and work ethic. Since they live simple lives free of material accumulations they often are wealthy farmers. But money is not their reward. Serving God and providing for family and helping one another in need is more important to the community.
When I was attending Bethel college I worked at the Grain Terminal Association near old campus. I was told they liked to hire Bethel workers for they weren’t as lazy and were more conscientious workers. If there is one thing that is a good witness to the outside world it is being a good employee and a fair employer- someone who works as unto the Lord. Develop good working habits, courteous and consistent for what is honoring to the Lord.
It is not easy to be a godly man or woman among evil people. The Bible says, “Come out be separate” Elijah was called to come out and stand up against the king and apostasy. He was called to be a transformer, not a reformer. He wasn’t trying to change the system from within, but from without. There wasn’t any real change until God rose up someone and gave him courage and conviction to stand up and declare the truth in boldness and faith. We will see the task he took to call people to repentance and make a choice between Baal and Jehovah, between sin and godliness.
If you rely on God in your job, city, home, school, if this is where you are planted then bloom for Him. Do something, but by all means don’t be influenced by the temptation of sin, or the influence of evil people around you. God may have you where you are to pave the road for a plan just like he did with Obadiah, who also paved the way for Elijah. Each had different task and would be wrong to do something else.
Remember there was a time when it was within God’s will for the Apostle Paul to hide by concealed in a basket and escaping to carry on a task. And there was a time when he knew he was to go to Jerusalem and be arrested. God can call Christian to different tasks and situations in different stages of life. Don’t try to make others fit your mold or calling. Don’t think God can’t also change your situation when the time is right by His timetable. The question is are you doing what you know God wants you to be doing by the gifts and abilities He has given you?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri Feb 20
Verses- 1 Kings 18: 10 As surely as the LORD your God lives, there is not a nation or kingdom where my master has not sent someone to look for you. And whenever a nation or kingdom claimed you were not there, he made them swear they could not find you.
11 But now you tell me to go to my master and say, 'Elijah is here.'
12 I don't know where the Spirit of the LORD may carry you when I leave you. If I go and tell Ahab and he doesn't find you, he will kill me. Yet I your servant have worshiped the LORD since my youth.
13 Haven't you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the LORD? I hid a hundred of the LORD's prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water.
14 And now you tell me to go to my master and say, 'Elijah is here.' He will kill me!"
15 Elijah said, "As the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will surely present myself to Ahab today."
Different Stages of Maturity
When it comes to differences there is something else that we shouldn’t ignore and that is that God can use us even at different levels of Spiritual maturity. I believe there is a feeling that to be used from God we must be a super saint. Many fail to serve the Lord thinking they are not a strong enough in their faith or good enough for God. Some see their shortcomings and take themselves out of ministering opportunities.
How can I make the point that none of us are perfect, so God can only use imperfect folks who slip and sin? And yet on the other side there are people who live hypocritical lives- pastors that sexual abuse children, embezzlers, cheats, and folks who ought not to be in the ministry. Headlines are full of Christian leaders who fall into sin and stay there. The Bible warns of false teachers and hirelings who care nothing for the sheep.
Obadiah has weak faith. We will see Elijah will go through deep depression. Yet I think Elijah’s faith is stronger in the long run than Obadiah’s faith. God uses them both.
Where is your heart? Do you love the Lord, or are you a pretender? Do you desire to serve the Lord or yourself? Are you recognizing your short-comings and desire to grow, or are you satisfied in your sin? God knows the heart that sins and the one which dwells apart from Him.
Satan will sideline us in anyway he can and keep people from being used of God. We know we have faults. Confess them and move on. Let Him still work in and through you while you are growing in love, godliness and service.
I have seen some prideful people that are on quite an ego trip and God uses them anyway. I’ve seen teachers and preachers really loving the limelight always want to be the center of attention yet God has used them bring folks to repentance and salvation.
Obadiah knows that Elijah is a Spiritual giant and he is not. He is full of fear and afraid for his life, whereas Elijah does not seem concerned about anything except to be God’s instrument. Don’t forget that Elijah has spent 3 years in hiding and waiting on God in spiritual preparation. Obadiah has been used of God in an evil environment and hindered from practicing the faith of his heart. He is not on the same level in trusting the Lord, but don’t undersell what God has done to use him for good.
Obadiah is still more concerned for self that Elijah was. Selflessness is a characteristic demonstrated by Christ and taught throughout the Bible, yet his followers kept asking who was the greatest in the kingdom. They kept wondering who got the privilege of sitting next to Jesus in the future. They were used of God but still had some maturity to do in their faith, practice and understanding.
Ahab certainly was evil and selfish. Here was a nation dying of starvation and he was more concerned about his animals than about people. He was more concerned about pets than hungry children. When we live in our own little world, little things become big things. We learn to curse hangnails, while there are people dying. We can complain about food not cooked to perfection while others are starving to death. We are upset about the price of fuel for motor boats, snowmobiles and recreation vehicles while others cannot keep warm in the winter.
Obadiah calls Elijah master or lord, but Elijah correct him vs. 8 and says “Go tell your master, or your lord Ahab, that I am here.“ Elijah wasn’t his lord or master, Ahab was. I realize those terms can be greetings in that culture, but I think it was to point out those first lessons that Elijah wanted to serve God as His master and Obadiah was still on the learning curve.
Obadiah is quick to point out his “accomplishments” as a means to excuse him from the task Elijah is asking of him. He does not want to confront the king with the news that he just talked with Elijah. He is afraid he is going to die. I think of when people are asked to go to the next step in their faith how they want to excuse themselves with they are doing, or have been doing instead of growing into greater trust, and service or character development. What is keeping them from trusting and obeying?
God is not done working with us yet. We are all on our journey. Don’t let excuses get in the way of what God wants to do in and through you. Elijah gives him confirmation and promise he will show up to see Ahab. God gives us the promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Act on his truths instead of your fears. And when you seem weak and falling short, don’t give Satan the opportunity to sideline you but God the permission to keep working in you.
Pastor Dale
