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“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

I Corinthians 13:13

 

“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” 

Acts 9:3-4

 

"Radical Faith"

August 2, 2009

 

          Over the past few weeks in my study of the life of Elijah, something hit me, "Radical faith will produce radical conclusions."

1.)  Radical faith will produce radical results.

(a)  Elijah's belief that God was going to stop the rain for three and a half years wasn't based on his own opinions but was based on what God's word told him in Deuteronomy 28:1-24.  In other words, Elijah wasn't just making something that he thought God would do but this judgment was based on what God had already said in His word.

(b) Elijah's belief that God was going to provide for him at the Brook Cherith was based on the trust that God was going to meet his needs.

(c)  Elijah's belief that God was going to raise the widow woman's son was based on the love and compassion that he knew God had in his heart.

2.) Radical faith will produce radical relationships.

Elijah learned to depend on God for every one of his needs.

(a)  God provided for him at the brook.

(b) God provided for him at the widow woman's house.

(c)  God provided for him at the "broom tree."

God provided for his every need.

          Another way to look at this is, God provided relationships with like minded believers.

(a)  Obadiah was a respected friend to Elijah.

(b) Elisha was a respected friend to Elijah.

(c)  The men that were in the schools of the prophets respected him in II Kings 2.

3.)  Radical faith will produce a radical revival.

          Whenever Elijah called the prophets of Baal to the showdown on Mount Carmel God produced marvelous faith in the nation of Israel.  As a result of this victory over these false prophets, national revival broke out.

4.)  Radical faith will produce radical restoration.

(a)  The widow woman's son was restored backed to life.

(b) The rain once again fell back to the earth.

(c)  Jehu would be the next anointed leader in Israel.

5.)  Radical faith will produce radical respect.

(a)  Even though Ahab hated Elijah he still respected him.

(b) Even though Ahaziah hated Elijah he still respected him.

(c)  The entire army of Israel ended up respecting Elijah because of the fire that fell from heaven on them in II Kings 1:9-16

6.)   Radical faith will produce radical revitalization.

(a)  Elijah seen the widow woman's faith come to life.

(b) Elijah seen his own faith come back to life when God spoke to him in that still small voice.

(c)  Elijah seen Israel come back to life after an immoral downturn as a nation.

7.)   Radical faith will produce radical ridicule.

          Even after Elijah proved that God was the one true God of heaven and earth, Jezebel still wanted to kill him.  Even though God granted Elijah one of the greatest victories in all of Scripture, he still ended up running for his life from this pagan woman.

          Now I know that it is difficult dealing with persecution but I still want to see a mighty move of God in my life.  The question that I must deal with is; how can I ever see a radical move of God in my own life if I never willing to take a radical step of faith?   In saying that, I know that I can never act on my own, (that would just be plain out stupidity), but only in what that Word of God tells me.  Isaiah 55:11 says "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."  God's Word will never fail but we must trust God with a radical faith.

 

           Do you want to see God do something awesome in your life….take a radical step of faith.

 

8.)  Radical faith will see a RADICAL RAPTURE.

          Just as Elijah was taken up in a chariot of fire, Scripture tells us in:

I Thessalonians 4:16-17 "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord."

Pastor Thomas L. Rowan

HC 63 Box 2205

Romney, WV 26757