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Lesser men of faith

Lesser men of faith. OBADIAH. Obadiah and Elijah. 1Kings 18 tells us the dramatic story of Elijah on mount Carmel – challenging the prophets of Baal It also tells us about a LESSER MAN OF FAITH – Obadiah. Why?. God uses both men. The narrative reads quite well without the story of Obadiah…..

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Lesser men of faith

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  1. Lesser men of faith OBADIAH Lesser men of faith

  2. Obadiah and Elijah 1Kings 18 tells us the dramatic story of Elijah on mount Carmel – challenging the prophets of Baal It also tells us about a LESSER MAN OF FAITH – Obadiah. Why? Lesser men of faith

  3. God uses both men The narrative reads quite well without the story of Obadiah….. 18After a long time, in the third year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.” 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. … and Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17 When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” But God uses both Elijah and Obadiah Lesser men of faith

  4. Why? • God does not only use the dramatic, and energetic “giants” of faith. • He also uses those whose regular life and duty involves devotion to Him. • If you cannot be an Elijah – be an Obadiah Lesser men of faith

  5. Obadiah • The background to his devotion v12b and vv 3 + 4 • The tests of his devotion v5 and v8 • The limits of his devotion v3a v9 v12a and v 13 Lesser men of faith

  6. The background to his devotion “Now the famine was severe in Samaria, and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of his palace. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the Lord. While Jezebel was killing off the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.)”verses 3 and 4 Lesser men of faith

  7. The tests of his devotion • “while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the Lord? I hid a hundred of the Lord’s prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water.” v13 • “Ahab had said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs and valleys. Maybe we can find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive so we will not have to kill any of our animals.” • “Is it really you, my lord Elijah?” “Yes,” he replied. “Go tell your master, ‘Elijah is here.’ ” Lesser men of faith

  8. The limits of his devotion • Obadiah’s devotion was limited by the responsibilities of his job v3 • Obadiah’s devotion was limited by his misunderstanding of Elijah’s command v12 • Obadiah’s devotion was limited by his sense of what he had done v13 Lesser men of faith

  9. Obadiah’s Lesson It is that last thought that needs careful examination: “Haven’t you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the Lord? I hid a hundred of the Lord’s prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water. And now you tell me to go to my master …” 1Ki 18:13,14 Lesser men of faith

  10. Not what I did! Obadiah’s lesson is that it is no use offering to God the things I have done in the past – however worthy they were. What matters is how I obey Him now. I can offer God nothing, all I can DO is accept what Christ has done – and follow Him now. Lesser men of faith

  11. Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;Not what my toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole.Not what I feel or do can give me peace with God;Not all my prayers and sighs and tears can bear my awful load. Thy work alone, O Christ, can ease this weight of sin;Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within.Thy love to me, O God, not mine, O Lord, to Thee,Can rid me of this dark unrest, And set my spirit free. Horatius Bonar (1808-1889) Lesser men of faith

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