When the Brook Dries Up--Sermon Outline Only

A Survival Kit for an Economic Downturn Period

When the Brook Dries Up

Philippians 4:19 NIV But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

Text: 1Kings 17:1-16

(1 Ki 17:1-16 NIV)  Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word." {2} Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: {3} "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. {4} You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there." {5} So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. {6} The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. {7} Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. {8} Then the word of the LORD came to him: {9} "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food." {10} So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?" {11} As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread." {12} "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread--only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it--and die." {13} Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. {14} For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'" {15} She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. {16} For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.

INTRODCUTION:

 (John 16:33 NIV)  "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

 (2 Tim 3:12 NIV)  In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
(James 1:2 NIV)  Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
(1 Pet 4:12 NIV)  Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.

 (Job 13:15 NIV)  Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.

What is a brook? A brook is a small, natural stream of fresh water.

 (1 Ki 17:1 NIV)  …"As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word."

 (Psa 34:10 NIV)  The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

 (1 Ki 17:6-7 NIV)  The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. {7} Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land.

(1 Ki 17:9 NIV)  "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food."

What should one do when the brook dries up?

1. Remember how You were miraculously Sustained in the past.

(1 Ki 17:2-6 NIV)  Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: {3} "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. {4} You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there." {5} So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. {6} The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.

 (Exo 16:8 NIV)  Moses also said, "You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD."

(Job 38:41 NIV)  Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?


2. Recognize the Momentary Support of Material blessings

(1 Ki 17:6-7 NIV)  The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. {7} Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land.

 (Psa 119:67 NIV)  Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
(Psa 119:71 NIV)  It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
 (1 Tim 6:6 NIV) But godliness with contentment is great gain.
(Isa 48:10 NIV)  See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

(Job 23:10 NIV)  But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

 3. Realize that the Lord that Sustained in the Past will Supply now and in the Future

(1 Ki 17:8-16 NIV)  Then the word of the LORD came to him: {9} "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food." {10} So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?" {11} As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread." {12} "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread--only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it--and die." {13} Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. {14} For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'" {15} She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. {16} For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.

 (Psa 37:25 NIV)  I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

 (Phil 4:19 NIV)  And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

4. Respond to God’s Commands Submissively

 (1 Ki 17:2-6 NIV)  Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: {3} "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. {4} You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there." {5} So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. {6} The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.

1 Ki 17:7-10 NIV {7} Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. {8} Then the word of the LORD came to him: {9} "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food." {10} So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?"
1 Ki 17:10-16 NIV {10} So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?" {11} As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread." {12} "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread--only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it--and die." {13} Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. {14} For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'" {15} She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. {16} For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.

 (John 15:14 NIV)  You are my friends if you do what I command.

CONCLUSION:

 (Rom 8:28 NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

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