10-10-10 Comm

Sermon Date: Oct. 10, 2010

Sermon Title: I Am Second

Sermon Text: I Kings 17: 7-16

Small Group Text: I Kings 17: 7-16 I am Second: Courageous Grace What do these words have in common: hospitable, respectful, courteous, gracious and generous?

These words are united by the common spirit of humility: an attitude which subjects oneself under God’s mighty hand, casting all cares and concerns upon Him in the full awareness that He cares for us and knowing that, in due time, He will lift us up (1 Peter 5:6-7). It is this humble trust in God that liberates us from fear – enabling us to live radically in consideration of others – even to the point of putting ourselves second.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

[3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. [4] Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philip. 2:1-4 In practical terms, being humble translates into being empathetic, hospitable and courteous. It’s the opposite of acting with arrogance or indifference. But how far would you take this idea? Would you give up your last bit of food to encourage and refresh another person?

Courageous grace is simple- Read 1 Kings 17:7-16 We can simply offer what we have What comes to mind when you think the “gift of hospitality?” Martha Stewart? The Food Network? Better Homes and Gardens? Interestingly, the Bible seems to portray a very different image. There’s nothing compulsive or obsessive about Biblical hospitality. It’s pretty unpretentious. People are welcomed with a “come-as-you-are” attitude. Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches with a side of soup may even be the bill of fare. But what stands out is a willingness to simply share one’s home and life with people in need of friendship.

In short, it’s less, “check me out” and more “pour me out.”

Elijah, God’s prophet, was not exempt from the famine. The heathen widow of Zarephath was not exempt either. But even in times of scarcity, God wants us to put other’s needs before our own. No matter the circumstances, each of us has something to offer – if not financial, then a meal or volunteer work, or perhaps befriending someone sick, lonely or in need of human contact. And what is so very amazing is that Jesus equates these thoughtful acts toward others with performing such deeds for him directly.

Read Matthew 25:31-46.

1

Courageous grace is genuine No pretence or false humility The widow of Zarephath could not fake the sincerity of her gracious hospitality. She was giving up her last bit of food – giving not out of abundance but from her poverty. In fact, hundreds of years later, it was this very disposition that commended another widow to Jesus.

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. [2] He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. [3] "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. [4] All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

Luke 21:1-4 And here’s the point. Courageous grace does not necessitate a ton of resources. This grace can be given by anyone to anyone.

Not just for “special” people The widow of Zarephath was a Gentile from Sidon. Elijah was an Israelite – a man unfamiliar to her and without the remotest connection to her world. And yet, in response to God’s word, this widow demonstrated the epitome of honor and esteem by valuing the prophet’s well-being above her own. Here, then, is another Biblical principle by which we should live: courageous grace is not reserved for friends, family and special individuals. All people generally are to be treated with courtesy and compassion (1 Peter 2:17; James 2:1, 9, Romans 2:11).

God gets the glory in the miraculous paradox There were innumerable ways God could have solved Elijah’s hunger problem. In fact, there were many widows in Israel that might have cared for the prophet.

Note Jesus’ words: I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. [26] Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. Luke 4:25-26 God, in His great wisdom, solved two dilemmas at the same time: the prophet’s and that of a Phoenician woman living on a small costal town north of Israel on the Mediterranean Sea. Evidently, it is not our job to figure out the “why’s” of God’s word. We are to know Him and trust Him. To this end, the widow of Zarephath was willing to literally consider herself dead to fulfill the will of God. And perhaps it is this very attitude that engages a divine paradox and opens the door to God’s miraculous provision.

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. [24] For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. Luke 9:23-24 When we, God’s people, maintain a humble spirit of personal sacrifice – putting others before ourselves, the Lord is glorified and we, His people, are exalted: For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Matthew 23:12 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. Matthew 19:30 Courageous grace is a miracle in the making Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38

2

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. [7] Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. 9:6-7 Christians long to see the miraculous hand of God. But most often, a miracle begins with simple obedience in the natural realms of daily routine as believers simply do what needs to be done. Pour water into stone jars (John 2:1-11), hand over a lunch (John 6:5-14), give a man (a stranger, no less) the last piece of bread in your house (1 Kings 17:7-16). At that point, it’s God’s prerogative to change one’s humble sacrifice into a supernatural phenomenon. Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when he said, …but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33).

There seems to be an undeniable principle here: In all matters of life, it’s Kingdom first; then miraculously, God’s provision follows in all its various forms. Fear of personal sacrifice can only be overcome by living out God’s word through faith. (See also Mark 9:35; 1 Cor. 10:24; Ephes. 4:1-2) Indeed, God is able to create something out of nothing. A quick review of the creation account in Genesis 1 will bear this out. But God also accomplishes His purposes by choosing to use what we’re willing to offer in self-resignation. It might be something tangible like one widow’s flour and oil or another widows two copper pennies – or any other material goods we might have. It might take the form of showing honor and respect – even hospitality to someone other than friends and family. But in each event, the statement is being made: “I’m second” – as we deliberately help someone else to the front of the line – releasing God to accomplish marvelous things in our lives and theirs.

Why not play a role in the miraculous?

God’s gospel of love, grace and abundant life becomes incarnate (made flesh) through how we respond to people in the world. Our part is to simply be obedient.

Elijah began the conversation with a small request – a little water from a jar: "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?" (1Ki 17:10). But then, the tsunami of all request: Oh, and by the way, I’d like your last bit of food as well. "And bring me, please, a piece of bread" (1Ki 17:11). To the widow, this would be the ultimate sacrifice.

Even after she explained her predicament, Elijah was relentless in his request.

"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.'"

(1Ki 17:13-14) In essence, speaking on behalf of God, Elijah refused to settle for anything less than the complete abandonment of self in favor of meeting another person’s basic need. In truth, the appeal has less to do with filling his own stomach and so much more to do with the widow’s willingness to serve the sovereign purposes of God. Not Elijah, but God’s word was making the claim on her life.

Who would think her rude if she had snubbed Elijah and returned to her home? If anyone had reason to act unfriendly – to be less than hospitable, respectful, courteous, gracious and generous, it was this widow from Zarephath. Would she respond in faith to the need of this man or refuse his request in unbelief? What would you have done?

The reason we’re familiar with this story is because the widow of Zarephath went home to do exactly as Elijah had commanded her. What faith! – A trust in God that translated into a spirit of courageous grace through hospitality. In consequence, God miraculously kept her and her family fed daily while the world around her suffered from drought and famine.

Indeed, this passage highlights the efficacy of faith. But it’s interesting that, at least in this story, faith is demonstrated by a radical, courageous demonstration of consideration and courteous hospitality for a stranger sent by God.

3