"Death unto Life"
I Kings 17:17-24

God is God of Death as Well

 

I.    There is a  boy  sick unto  death . (vs. 17)

                Death comes and it comes to all people.
                Last week we saw how Elijah came to the woman and her child.
                The widow thinks that she is entitled to something because she took care of the prophet.
                    It does not matter because death comes to everyone.
                It is wrong to question or be angry at God. Death just comes.
                There are only 8 times in the Bible where people were raised from the dead--not because of
                    their faith, but because God wanted to raise them.

II.    There is a  blame  for the  death . (vs. 18-21)

                    
        A.    The  widow  blamed  Elijah . (vs. 18)

                  It was not Elijah's responsibility for the death, but it is God's because He is the the giver and 
                    sustainer of life and the taker of life.

                1.    He is blamed for the  reminder  of  sin .

                      Elijah did not come to remind the widow of her sin and if she has confessed her
                            sin, then God did not remember her sin either.
                       It is the same for us, if we have confessed our sin, then God does not come and
                            remind us of past sin.
                       God forgets--it says, "As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our
                             transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12 (NASB)
                       There are only 2 that remember your sin--you and Satan! If you forget your sin
                            then Satan cannot remind us of it.              

                2.    He is blamed for the  removal  of her  son .
                            The widow should understand the words of Job...

                            If you can lose your job easier than losing your spouse, then you are not in a biblical
                                relationship. 
                   

        B.    Elijah  blamed   God . (vs. 19-21)

                1.    God is  blamed  for the  tragedy . (vs. 20)
                           The widow was ready to give her son up earlier. She told Elijah when he asked for food
                                that she had only enough for her and her son. She said that they would eat and then
                                die. (I Kings 17:12)
                           God had given her more time with her son, now it is God's fault after He had given her
                                more than she deserved. That is no reason to curse God.

                2.    God is  begged  for  triumph . (vs. 21)
                           God had blessed them, but when something went wrong, they complained to God.
                           They were also saying, forget that I blamed you for the boy's death--now save
                                him!                                    

       

III.    There is one coming  back  from  death . (vs. 22-24)

        A.    God revived the  widow's   son . (vs. 22)
                    We should not think that God will give you everything that you ask for. The Bible says He
                        will give us the desires of our heart--but this talking about Spiritual things not physical.

        B.    God revealed the  prophet's   source . (vs. 24)
                    Signs point us in the right direction. This sign pointed the widow to God.

                    The one thing that Elijah did right during this entire incidence was to turn to God.

                    We need to turn to God during our trials and tribulations. We must learn to depend on Him.

                    The prayer--We must Praise Him--no matter what!!

                    We should hope this is what our prayer should be!

                    Hope we would say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord!", no matter what!!