5/17/13 lesson and notes by Savy
2 Kings 1
v 1-8 : Ahaziah was apparently tailgating during football season. fell out of a window (or off a balcony).
send messengers to his home town to inquire of a Philistine god
Elijah meets them and pretty much says, "Oh yeah go ask that other god. because there's no God around here, right?" loving the sarcasm, dude. :)
Ahaziah knew by the description of him that this was Elijah (the bad news bear, according to Ahab.) :P
Acts 19:13-15 "I know Jesus and I recognize Paul, but who are you?"
Does your reputation precede you? Do people know who you and whom you follow?
v 9-12: Elijah is completely confident that God has his back.
Matthew 17:20 "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain 'move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Do we live with such confidence?
Point made in discussion: Elijah did not start out with such confidence. When he was living by the brook, he probably lacked confidence when it started to dry out. When he saw the state of the widow's kitchen, he probably only had a little confident. But through faithful obedience he saw the wonders of God, and thus his confidence grew from his faithfulness.
v 13-16: catching flies with honey or vinegar :P
verse 11 tells us that the second cheif "took in the situation" (HCSB) and then answered. His answer, however, was met with destruction. The cheif who came in humility truly understood the situation.
In what way have you misunderstood a situation God put you in and it resulted badly? Did you come to him differently the next time?
v 17-18: "according to the word of the Lord"
How strongly do we believe the word of the Lord? Do we live like it?
2 Peter 1:4 "By these [His glory and goodness, verse 3] He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires."
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Matthew 11:28-29 "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves."
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Romans 8:37-39 "No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!"
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment."