3/16/25                                                                               Rentz

 

 

Keep Going, We’re Not Home Yet!

I Kings 19:1-8

 

Introduction—Almost every time I make a trip beyond normal routine, I use my GPS.  I use it to alert me of possible delays ahead and also to get an ETA.  I have noted that I rarely, if ever, actually arrive at the initial time forecasted.  There is always an unplanned stop or delay.  What if we simply quit traveling at the initial time given?  Elijah was at a crucial moment in his ministry, and he had to determine whether he would simply quit or carry on until he was finished.

 

I. To Finish Our Journey, We Must Refocus (1-4)

                A. Why did we begin our journey of faith?—Did we

                    have an encounter with God or did we simply

                    follow our emotions?

                B. We must never lose sight of our goal

                    (Phil.3:13-14)

 

II. To Finish Our Journey, We Must Reload (5-6)

                A. Sometimes life can become weary (Is.40:28-31)

                B. The Lord is the satisfaction for our soul

                   (Is.58:9-11)—As we help others, God helps us by

                    His power

 

III. To Finish Our Journey, We Must Re-energize (5-7)

                A. God has mercy and is patient, even when we are

                    defeated

                B. God has what we need to restore us (Ps.51:12)

                                1. He can restore us from past struggles

                                2. He can restore and prepare us for our

                                    future challenges

 

IV. To Finish Our Journey, We Must Re-enlist (8)

                A. Isaiah’s experience with God changed his life

                    (Is.6:1, 5-8)

                                1. He had already been serving as a prophet

                                2. This encounter changed him for the rest

                                    of his life

                B. There is still a cause—David: “Is there not a

                    cause?”

 

V. To Finish Our Journey, We Must Re-examine

                A. Are we in the will of God?

                B. Are we even in the family of God (II Cor.13:5)

 

Conclusion—Far too many quit the race short of the finish line.  Perhaps today we need to refocus, reload, re-energize, or re-enlist.  There is a need greater than ever for God’s people to stay strong and finish our course.  Many perhaps need to honestly look at their relationship with Jesus and be certain that their faith is in His finished