Walk With Me - Elijah & Elisha - Grace Bible Church

Go Along to Get Along - 1 Kings 22

August 27, 2023 • Mike Burt • 1 Kings 22

The real danger in the World today for believers is not sympathy with the World but apathy in the World. Do you really want to know God’s will? Too many people really DON’T. Why? They have chosen to go along to get along – easy life! But doing God’s will and doing God’s work will bring opposition and obstacles. Ask Micaiah – a single story prophet contemporary with Elijah and Elisha. We skipped him earlier because I wanted to use his faithfulness as an introduction to the call of Timothy to walk with Paul in the New Testament. If we seek God’s will and hear God’s call then we have a problem – obey or ignore? So some will chose to merely go along in the World to get along with the World. Not Micaiah! He was a godly man in an ungodly day. This is a great story of courage, faithfulness, consequences and promise. Join me Sunday back in the court of Ahab – listen to the ease of men and the truth of God. Hear the clarity of faith contrasted to the melody of compromise. I am getting ready to share the Narnia book with the Greenhouse kids on Wednesday nights and I am reminded of a favorite quote in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as Mr Beaver responds to Susan about Aslan, “Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King!” The truth may not be safe – but it is the TRUTH! Pastor Mike

Desperate Times – Desperate Measures - 2 Kings 7

August 20, 2023 • Mike Burt • 2 Kings 7

“God, who foresaw your tribulations, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.” C.S.Lewis The 4 lepers were desperate! They were caught between the enemies of Israel who would kill them without hesitation and the city under siege that would not let them in due to their contagious condition – leprosy! The enemy soldiers were desperate to get in – the city was desperate to keep them out – the lepers were desperate just to eat. What the army could not do – starvation was about to complete. Into this desperate situation God speaks through the prophet Elisha – promise that did not seem even remotely possible. The lepers did not know of these predictions – they simply made a choice to act or die – they acted! Sunday will be lessons of humility and trust and desperation. Through all of life’s challenges God is good! Please come walk with us into the camp of the enemy and see that God is already there. Come and listen to the promises of God – they will be kept! Come hear the Word of God and know that it can be trusted. If nothing else – you will hear an explanation of Pascal’s Wager and how it worked for the lepers and how you can use it as a tool to share your faith – Walk with me Sunday! Pastor Mike

I Didn’t Mean To! - 2 Kings 6

August 13, 2023 • Mike Burt • 2 Kings 6

“Today's church wants to be raptured from responsibility.” Leonard Ravenhill When God calls on us to walk together – we must not assume that walking together is always easy – sometimes it is difficult or crowded or even accidents happen. Elisha asked for the ‘hard thing’ from Elijah – he got it! The ‘sons of the prophets’ are those gathered to study God’s Word with the preaching prophets – no mainly Elisha. As they are growing the dorms were getting crowed – time to build. As you might expect this bunch of scholars and students did not have an axe among them – so they borrowed one. Equally, as seminary students there seemed to be a lack of lumberjack skills – so the axe broke and the iron head was lost! Now this group of broke students must replace an axe head they had borrowed. This is an wonderful account of responsibility – trust – humility – priority. While I cannot make iron float – I can relate the story God gave of when He did it. Join us Sunday for a fascinating account of God’s working even in the smallest needs. God stands with us even when things happen that we didn’t intend. God is good – all the time! Pastor Mike

It Seems Too Easy! - 2 Kings 5

August 6, 2023 • Mike Burt • 2 Kings 5

The prophet Elijah is named twenty-nine times in the New Testament while Elisha is named only once. “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian” (Luke 4:27). Naaman was a Gentile and the commander of the Army of an enemy nation – the Syrians. He was an enemy officer who kidnapped little Jewish children and then became leper who would have been isolated and left to die. These Syrians knew nothing of the grace of God – yet Naaman was seeking to buy such favors. The story of the healing of Naaman in 2 Kings 5:1-27 is the account of a man with a very serious medical problem - leprosy. He found no hope in his own country, but he had heard that there was a cure available in Israel. He commenced a “top down” approach to bring about his healing, but, to his dismay, found that this method didn’t work. He learned that God had a “bottom up” solution to his problem. As we know, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble! (Psalm 138) Our text Sunday describes how God quietly frustrates Naaman’s “top down” approach and offers a “bottom up” solution. God is not impressed or motivated by man’s “top down” efforts, because it is God who is at the top - not men! Men like Naaman, or the kings of Syria or even the kings of Israel did not hold sway with Jehovah – the little Jewish girl did. We should listen well to learn about this “bottom up” approach because it is normally the way that God works, especially when it comes to the salvation of men. “We don’t rise to God’s level – He rises to the level of our needs.” See you Sunday, Pastor Mike

Something from Nothing - 2 Kings 4

July 30, 2023 • Mike Burt • 2 Kings 4

In his book “The Problem of Pain” C.S. Lewis gives this great quote: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” God uses the difficult to get our attention and the impossible to gain our trust! Our needs are never unknown to the Lord. He watches and knows all! Though God is the Creator and Sustainer of all that is (Col 1:17) He is still attentive to the smallest details too. Sunday Elisha encounters a desperate mom who is distraught for her kids and has no means of support since she was widowed. She had been the wife of a prophet might have imagined that serving the LORD would protect her from losses or difficulties - not so. In fact, the Scriptures often tell the stories of saints who are allowed into great problems so that their faith is tested and strengthened by the graces of God. God is not asking us to see the solution or even fix the problem - He is asking us trust Him and give Him what we have. He asked Moses for a stick and Jesus asked the little boy for his lunch - and from those tiny things - GREAT things happened! Will you give to God what you have - even though you know it is not enough. God will make Something from Nothing! See you Sunday - bring someone who needs something! Pastor Mike

Can I have seconds? - 2 Kings 2

July 23, 2023 • Mike Burt • 2 Kings 2

"I believe that in each generation God has called enough men and women to evangelize all the yet unreached tribes of the earth. It is not God who does not call. It is man who will not respond!" — Isobel Kuhn, missionary to China and Thailand We need to seek the Lord for spiritual power in these desperate days! We don’t need to be concerned about numbers or programs. We don’t need to be concerned about becoming seeker friendly. We don’t need to get caught up in the many debates that are engaging the hearts and minds of church folks. What we need to do is to carry out the Great Commission. We need to be filled with the Spirit of God! We need to get before the Lord and request an influx of His power and His glory in these days! If we are to get the job done, we must have Him! We need Him and His power more than we need crowds, money, buildings, or any of the things we hold so dear. We need a second helping! Elijah challenges Elisha - “You have asked a hard thing!” Sunday I will challenge us all to step up and do the hard thing! We must stop seeking the easy way or the shortcut – take on the ‘hard thing’ together. This kind of blessing and power does not come upon the uncommitted! It is reserved for those who will pay the price in prayer and holiness before the Lord! If you are willing to go all the way with the Lord, He will bless your life with His power and glory! Would to God we had more like Elijah who share and Elisha who will not give up! The future demands that God’s servants be filled with God's Spirit! We need that same spirit of faith, obedience, and courage that rested on Elijah to be placed within us! Do not be afraid to ask for God’s power and do not be afraid to ask for seconds! Pastor Mike

What are you doing? - 1 Kings 19

July 16, 2023 • Mike Burt • 1 Kings 19

God never calls the idle man or woman! If they are not moving – they will likely not move even if called! I have seen the title for this passage as ‘burn that plow and cook that cow!’ – even though it was an ox (preachers do love a rhyme). This is the Old Testament account of God calling a successor to Elijah as Jesus called on men to become His disciples. Later Paul counselled Timothy the same – ‘train faithful men!’ Sunday we will follow the reluctant Elijah out of the cave and through his fears to the fields of Elisha. There God summons Elisha and begins the next chapter of Elijah. You have heard me say – “There is no success without a successor!” Elijah now finds the man God has chosen to follow him – teach him – walk with him. Who does God have in your path? What are you doing? Who is for the next generation? These and more we will try to answer Sunday – join us! There is no addition without subtraction! Pastor Mike

Pictures of Humility - 1 Kings 21 (2nd service)

July 9, 2023 • Mike Bradshaw • 1 Kings 21

Dear Grace Bible Church Family, This week, we’ll be looking at the story of Naboth’s Vineyard in 1 Kings 21. A classic story, it vividly portrays the wickedness of both King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. But in a surprising twist, it also reveals a humbled Ahab. We’ll look at each character in the story to see what we can learn about humility. At the end of the chapter, the LORD asks Elijah, “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me?” This is a desirable question that any of us should wish to be asked about ourselves! Please pray for me as I prepare to deliver this message and pray for each of us as we prepare to receive it. Mike Bradshaw

Pictures of Humility - 1 Kings 21 (1st service)

July 9, 2023 • Mike Bradshaw • 1 Kings 21

Dear Grace Bible Church Family, This week, we’ll be looking at the story of Naboth’s Vineyard in 1 Kings 21. A classic story, it vividly portrays the wickedness of both King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. But in a surprising twist, it also reveals a humbled Ahab. We’ll look at each character in the story to see what we can learn about humility. At the end of the chapter, the LORD asks Elijah, “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me?” This is a desirable question that any of us should wish to be asked about ourselves! Please pray for me as I prepare to deliver this message and pray for each of us as we prepare to receive it. See you Sunday! Mike Bradshaw

Elijah And The Whisper of Grace - 1 Kings 19

July 2, 2023 • Denis Garijo • 1 Kings 19

“And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.” Elijah is one of the great names in the Old Testament. He prayed that it would not rain, and it did not. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. James uses Elijah as an example of prayer in James 5:17-18. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appear before Jesus, Peter, James, and John. Moses represented the Law, while Elijah represented the Prophets. Elijah was a great man but not perfect. We all know only Jesus is perfect. And in Chapter 19, we find Elijah running away, fearful, in the depths of depression to the point that he asks God to take his life. Yet this chapter is not about Elijah’s weakness but God’s Grace. Come this Sunday, and invite friends who might be hiding in the cave to join you and see God’s Grace in this beautiful story. “The little world within us, like the great world without, is full of confusion and strife; but when Jesus enters it, and whispers “Peace be unto you,” there is a calm, yea, a rapture of bliss.” Charles Spurgeon I appreciate your prayers! Denis Garijo

Mt Carmel – Mt Decision! - 1 Kings 18

June 25, 2023 • Mike Burt • 1 Kings 18

God sent Elijah into hiding to learn some lessons and be a blessing to the widow in Zarephath. Now God summons him to return to Ahab for a challenge – the showdown on Mt Carmel. Notice how Ahab is accusing Elijah of bringing about all of this trouble for Israel. This is typical of how some people react when things don’t work out the way they think that it should. We start to cast blame. It’s what we do. Elijah is the troublemaker because he pronounced a curse against Ahab and Israel. It is all Elijah’s fault. To Ahab, Elijah has offended Baal, and now Baal won’t send any more rain down. This explains why Ahab has been trying to kill Elijah. He thinks that the death of this troublemaker would result in the return of Baal’s blessings and her rain. This is the scenario that Ahab has worked out in his head. But it is nowhere near the truth! Elijah looks at Ahab and tells him the truth. He says, “You are the troublemaker. You are the one who has abandoned the commandments of the Lord to follow the Baals.” Elijah calls Ahab out for his apostasy. Interesting that Elijah did not say this back in Chapter 17. He just let Ahab stew over the curse for 3 1/2 years. Now, he approaches the King challenges him to a duel of altars. Which one will prove true? Which deity has caused this drought? Elijah tells Ahab to gather the prophets together at Carmel so that they can find out. Join us Sunday as we read the duel of fire on Mt Carmel as the Lord forces it to become the Mt of Decision. Come Sunday and be ready to make some decisions. Pastor Mike “Nothing is drier than the times without the Lord!”

Believing the Unbelievable - 1 Kings 17:17-24

June 18, 2023 • Brett Boggs • 1 Kings 17:17–24

“When you go through a trial, the sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which you lay your head.” Charles Spurgeon Last week, Pastor Mike spoke regarding God’s daily provision for the widow and her son. This week we continue the same story with the same characters, where this gentile widow must rely on Elijah’s God not just for food but for the life of her son. As Baal is the god of fertility, she is used to a god that provides based on how pleased he is with her but Elijah knows God’s true character and asks Him for the unbelievable. We learned last week that God is enough with our daily provisions and as we finish this chapter, we will see that He is enough through our ultimate fears. I hope that you will leave Sunday’s sermon with a deeper craving to know our Father and His character. Exodus 34:6-7 God said as the Lord passed in front of Moses, "Yahweh, Yahweh, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” I appreciate your prayers as we look forward to gathering on Sunday, Brett Boggs

God Gives Us Enough - 1 Kings 17:7-16

June 11, 2023 • Mike Burt • 1 Kings 17:7–16

“To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust him in the dark, that is faith.” C.H. Spurgeon Elijah was a man faced with great need! But he was not the only one – he found another just as desperate – the widow of Zarephath. This is a common factor in much of the world – people have unmet needs. Some are simple and minor while others are dire and serious. There will be times in every one of our lives when we will experience a need of some type. Maybe that need will be material in nature, that seems to be where we focus much of our own attention in this earthly life. There will certainly be times when there will be emotional needs relating to other people in our lives. At other times, we will face days when the greatest need in our lives will be spiritual in nature. What are we to do when needs arise? The natural reaction is for us to worry, but we know from the Bible that this is not God’s will for our lives, Phil. 4:6; Matt. 6:25-33. Should we try to meet our own needs? No – seek first the heart of God and listen to His voice. Don’t go to God as a last resort – go there first! Elijah left the Brook Cherith and traveled to Zarephath only to discover the widow’s needs were as great as his and even more discouraging. Yet in full faith, he asked her to listen to the promise of God and obey. Trusting God when we see the answer is not faith – trusting God for the answer is faith! Come Sunday and hear of true faith in the face of a life that was helpless and hopeless apart from God. Pastor Mike

Meet the Prophets: Elijah and Elisha - 1 & 2 Kings

June 4, 2023 • Mike Burt • 1 Kings, 2 Kings

The two most prominent preaching prophets of the Old Testament are Elijah and Elisha. Their story is a model of courage and discipleship. Elijah answers God’s call with great boldness and faith – then calls on Elisha to follow him in the footsteps of Jehovah. I have said before that there is no success without a successor – Elijah pours into Elisha and God gives both men an extraordinary ministry! In the Bible, prophets often had both a teaching and revelatory role, declaring God’s truth on contemporary issues while also revealing details about the future. Prophets had the task of faithfully speaking God’s Word to the people. They were instrumental in guiding the nation of Israel and establishing the church. God’s household is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20). More than 133 named prophets are mentioned in the Bible, including 16 women. In addition, numerous others prophesied, such as the 70 elders of Israel (Numbers 11:25) and the 100 prophets rescued by Obadiah (1 Kings 18:4). As I see several men in Scripture who are sold out to follow the LORD, I think of three who are outstanding examples of mentoring – Moses adopts Joshua and trains him. Elijah adopts Elisha and trains him. John the Baptist adopts several disciples, many who later follow Jesus who also adopts several disciples and pours into them for three years. Do you see the pattern? Join me this summer as we examine the lives of two men who dominate the pair of books known as the Kings (15 of 47 chapters are about them). God used Elijah powerfully and at great risk – yet while watching this calling - Elisha asked for a double portion of this calling – a true protégé and disciple of the Lord. Let us do so as well! During this series I will ask often the pair of questions: Are you following the Lord? Who is following you? I invite you to walk with me this summer as we follow the shadows of two great men of God and hopefully strive toward being better disciples and making disciples! Pastor Mike