David Rathel - August 20, 2023
Get Back Up - Elijah, Part 2
Nothing Matters More Than Knowing God's Purpose For Your Life And Nothing Can Compensate For Not Knowing It.” - Rick Warren. Elijah knew what his calling was, but yet he was depressed about it - Why? Because... The ultimate purpose in life is not what we do, but who we are doing it for. Elijah wanted to bring glory to himself. estminster Shorter Catechism: Q: What is the chief end of man? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. “Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory.” Isaiah 43:7 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 To Glorify God means to Magnify Him like a telescope magnifies an object in space and brings it closer.The reason God looks small is because I'm so far away. Magnifying God doesn't make Him bigger than He is. Magnifying God REVEALS how much bigger He is. If I have a Big God then I have Small Problems. But, if I have a Small God then I have Big Problems. When I magnify God I make Him bigger to the people around me. When I magnify God I make Him bigger to myself. But, When I magnify God I make myself smaller... and I don't like that. Releasing Wrong Responsibility Reveals God's Glory. I Can't Glorify God And Try To Do His Job. I Try To Do God's Job When I Take Over The Responsibility Of Someone Who Is Falling Down On Their Job. When I Am doing Someone Else's Job Then I Am Living Their Life And Am Unable To Do My Job And Live My Life. So, What IS Your Job? "GOOD TO GREAT" 1. Economic 2. Passion. 3. What can you do better than anyone else. THREE CIRCLES OF GOD'S GLORY: 1. Stewardship 2. Passion 3. Revelation. Elijah 8 Miracles - Elisha 16 Miracles 2 Kings- Hazael king over Aram; and Jehu king over Israel What Wrong Responsibility Do I Have? In What Way Am I Attempting To Do God's Job or Someone Else's Job?
From Series: "Get Back Up"
The fighter is knocked down. His face is bludgeoned, swollen and bleeding. His body aches. The arena is spinning out of control. The crowd boos and hisses his name. Every cell in his body is screaming out the words: “STAY DOWN!” What’s he gonna do? What are you going to do? In the fearsome fight of life, every one of us has been knocked down. That’s your test! That’s when you find out who you are. Your decision to get back up isn’t a fight against your opponent. It’s a fight against yourself! God has never allowed one of his children to be knocked down without also giving him the ability to get back up. The most beautiful thing in the Christian life is when a believer has been knocked down and gets back up. The reason it’s so beautiful is because it’s so rare. Together, let’s make it commonplace. Let’s be the comeback congregation. Take a deep breath. Look up to heaven one last time. And… GET BACK UP!
