This Week’s Experience – 11/22/2020

Message notes

When Ahab got to his palace in the Jezreel Valley, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. She sent a message to Elijah: "You killed my prophets. Now I'm going to kill you! I pray that the gods will punish me even more severely if I don't do it by this time tomorrow." Elijah was afraid when he got her message, and he ran to the town of Beersheba in Judah. He left his servant there, then walked another whole day into the desert. Finally, he came to a large broom tree and sat down in its shade. He begged the LORD, "I've had enough. Just let me die! I'm no better off than my ancestors."

-1 Kings 19:1-4

On Mount Horeb Elijah came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the LORD said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

-1 Kings 19:9-10

1. When I avoid an offense, I end up for me to be.

2. When I avoid an offense, I put myself in a place

3. When I avoid an offense, I feel way.

4. When I avoid an offense, I make the offense is.

5. When I ignore an offense, I let the out God’s voice.

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.

And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

He replied again, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

 -1 Kings 19:11-14

6. When I ignore an offense, I God has given me.

Then the LORD told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat to take your place as my prophet.

-1 Kings 19:15-16

Jesus Rules For Confrontation:

1. I must confront only other and even then it must be in .

If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.

-Matthew 18:15

A Helpful Phrase:

When you I feel .

2. If step 1 doesn’t work I must bring in a .

But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses

-Matthew 18:16

3. If the first two don’t work, I must bring it before the .

If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

 -Matthew 18:17

LIFE APPLICATION
To discuss during the week with your family or Life Group

1. When you are hurt by someone’s sin do you tend to pout, ignore or avoid?

2. Share a time when you ran like Elijah did.

3. What do you need to do to begin listening to God’s voice better and more clearly?

4. Is there someone you know you need to have an awkward conversation with? If yes, don’t share the details with the group but ask them to pray with and for you that you’d have the courage to do it.

5.What is your next step as a result of this message?