Pastor Gao Mingqian | Topic: Must Have the Heart of Elijah (Lecture 5)

Sermon Summary: 1 Kings 19:9-21 - Elijah's Loneliness, God's Response, and Team Service

what are you doing here?

1. Key Points and Background

• Key Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-21

• Elijah was in the cave on Mount Horeb, experiencing a low point in his life. God asked him twice, "What are you doing here?"

• Elijah felt that he was alone and that he was the only one who was zealous for the Lord and that everyone else had forsaken God.

II. Scripture Details and Theological Discussion

1. Elijah’s loneliness and misunderstanding

• Elijah repeated twice: “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts…and I am the only one left.”

• Scholars' analysis:

  • Some scholars believe that Elijah's statement is inconsistent with the facts (for example, the covenant had just been restored and the altar rebuilt on Mount Calvary, and the prophet of Paris was killed).

  • Another scholar believes that Elijah had a selective memory and exaggerated his self-importance and loneliness.

• Elijah’s problem was not that he was faithful, but that he thought others had to serve God zealously in his way, otherwise they would not be faithful.

2. God’s Response

• God did not rebuke or comfort Elijah, but simply commanded him to "come out and stand on the mountain."

• "Standing" is not just a physical action, but also a posture of preparation for service.

• Elijah used to stand before God on his own initiative, but now he needed God’s command before he was willing to stand, which showed his spiritual weakness and retreat.

3. The Way God Appears

• God is not revealed in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a "still, small voice" (a gentle, still voice).

• This sound symbolizes holiness and silence, echoing the solemnity of temple worship.

• God’s word often comes to people’s hearts in silence, reminding us not to pursue sensational miracles alone, but to listen carefully to God’s voice.

4. God’s New Mission

• God told Elijah to go back and appointed three men: Hazael as king of Aram, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as successor to the prophet's office.

• These three men will become the new generation of leaders who will fight against the forces of Baal, showing that God's plan does not rely on a single hero, but on group cooperation.

• God also preserved "seven thousand people who did not bow the knee to Baal," far more than Elijah knew. God's kingdom has never lacked loyal people.

3. Modern Applications and Story Sharing

1. The loneliness and self-pity of serving

• Elijah's feeling of loneliness is common among church servants. When others do not serve in their own way, they easily develop the illusion that "I am the only one."

• Example: A worship team member insists on doing things his own way and feels lonely and self-pitying when others don’t follow his lead.

2. God’s Kingdom Requires Diversity and Teamwork

• God does not raise up just one person, but a group of people, each with different personalities, positions, and methods.

• Example: Pastor Teng Chaohui encourages and supports the younger generation, who understand that the construction of the Kingdom of Heaven requires the participation of different people and cannot be accomplished by one person alone.

3. The True Power of Service

• Great works (such as wind, fire, and earthquakes) do not necessarily represent God’s presence. The real power comes from the quiet coming of God’s Word.

• Example: A great journalist needed to be convinced of God’s salvation even before his death, reminding us that the effectiveness of our service does not equal intimacy with God.

IV. Call to Action and Reflection

• Let go of self-pity and loneliness : Don’t think that you are the only one who is faithful. God has His plans and groups.

• Listen carefully to God's voice : Seek God’s word in silence, and don’t just pursue external sensations.

• Appreciate Diverse Service : Encourage and support people with different gifts to participate in the work of the Kingdom of God, and do not use a single standard to measure others.

• Inheritance and succession : The older generation must let go, appreciate the differences of the new generation, and allow the kingdom of God to continue to develop.

• Teamwork : God's plan requires community, not individual heroism.

5. Conclusion and Prayer

• God wants to raise up a group that does not bow the knee or kiss Baal, so that we can put aside our self-pity and serve one another together.

• Encourage brothers and sisters to return to church, share messages with fellow believers, support each other, and be used by God together in His kingdom.

Key Scriptures:

• 1 Kings 19:9-21

• Exodus 33:20-23 (Moses in the cleft of the rock)

• 1 Kings 18 (The Mount Kamagra Incident)

Action priorities:

• Let go of loneliness and self-pity and appreciate diverse service

• Listen carefully to God's still, small voice

• Encourage teamwork and inheritance

• Support each other and serve together in God's kingdom