Sunday School Lesson August 18, 2013 Lifelong Faith 1 Kings 18:12 Obadiah the friend of God and Elijah said, “Yet I your servant have worshiped the Lord since my youth.” Elijah had asked Obadiah to go and tell Ahab, the wicked King, that Elijah was here, the one who said there would be no rain for years, after being gone for a long time during the famine had returned. Ahab had turned away from the Lord and had done more evil than any other king before him had. (1 Kings 16:30) We, like Ahab, can too easily trivialize sin, become comfortable with it, and no longer see it as offensive to God. (16:31) Elijah shares ways for living a life of faith just as he did. Crisis & Uncertainty (1 Kings 19) A lifetime of following God prepares you for times of crisis and uncertainty. Though you may not always understand your situation, experience tells you God is faithful and trustworthy. You can find comfort in a proven relationship with God even when, like Elijah, your faith is challenged and shaken. In chapter 19 after his great victory on Mt. Carmel, Jezebel threatens to kill Elijah and he was afraid and ran for his life. What or in whom do you trust? A lifelong faith leads us through the times of crisis in our lives. What is challenging your faith today? What helps us get through the tough times in life? How could you be of help to someone who is going through a time of crisis? The Word Of God Elijah was in a cave at Horeb, when the Word of the Lord came to him. God asked Elijah what he was doing there. Elijah told God he was the only faithful one left. God showed Elijah His power through the wind, and earthquake, and a fire, but He was not in any of those displays. Then He heard the voice of God and God assured him that he was not alone in life. He shared there were seven thousand in Israel who were faithful to Him. The world gives its counsel, and the Bible states its truth. We must choose between the two. We cannot live in two worlds, as the people of Israel tried to do when they worshiped Baal as well as God. If we believe Jesus Christ is Lord, our lives will verify our faith. Do you listen to the ways of the world? The wisdom of the world is often contrary to the Word of God. Do you read the Word of God daily? Do you participate in Bible Study with fellow believers? The Holy Spirit Often we expect God to visit us in spectacular ways. We must learn to recognize God when He speaks to us in a still small voice or a gentle whisper. (19:12) The Holy Spirit is moving in our lives every day. We must learn to be sensitive to His Holy promptings and encouragement. The believer will know when the Lord has laid something on his/her heart. God is fully capable of revealing His will to His children. The Lord is pro-active in our lives. The more we ask the more He answers, the more we seek, the more we find, and the more we knock on His door, the more He opens Himself to us. He loves us deeply and delights in sharing His love and leadership in our lives. As you walk this week with your Lord, listen, trust, and obey. Let others around you see and witness a “lifelong faith!”
Posted on: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 18:44:26 +0000
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