Beyond Our Means

ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON OUTLINES

Beyond Our Means

Text: I Kings 17:8-16 IBCSWS June 3, 2007

Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

It is common for an excited man to set great goals in life then realize later that he does not have enough resources to back up the execution of his plans. As a result, he will end up discouraged and frustrated because he failed to reach his goals.

Intelligent and smart people may say that “Guts and means” are must-haves in order to achieve great goals in life. Practically speaking, we may admit it as true, but when it comes to higher way of attaining success, the Bible clearly reveals God’s ways to attain extra-ordinary success.

Lack of guts and means has been a great barrier between man and his well-desired success. Obviously, total acceptance of such viewpoint has been pushing countless people to the line of mediocrity, and if we are not watchful of our attitude toward achieving success, we may end up frustrated and never be challenged again to keep on trying till we succeed.

The Word of God is truly a hope-giving Word. Those who fear God and live by His Word will surely attain amazing success. Man’s guts and means will never be a problem to them because God who is the source of all resources will help them to attain remarkable success.

A believer who walks by faith will reach more milestones of success than a natural man who walks by sight. Faith in God is a barrier breaker that leads a believer to go beyond his means. Through faith, nothing could hinder a believer’s path to achieve more victories in life.

As we study the Bible account of the widow of Zarephath, may we take note of the miraculous survival of the widow and his son and their amazing secret of success. It will surely lead us to conclude that beyond our own limited resources, we could still attain good success and be a blessing to others.

(I) God Could Use Us To Help Others

I Kings 17:8-13

-If we obey God’s command

We cannot imagine how successful we would be and how significant our help would be to others if we have the needed sensitivity toward God’s command. We believe that man’s negative attitude toward God’s instructions could hinder him from success more than lack of guts and means.

The widow of Zarephath was commanded by God to sustain Elijah’s needs, but it seemed that she was not aware of the command. Insensitivity is still a great problem of many believers today. We really need Elijah-like preachers to remind us about God’s command for us to obey. May we not lose our privilege to be used by God in an extraordinary way.

(II) God Could Use Us To Be A Part Of His Miracle

I Kings 17:14-16

-If we follow God’s instruction

* Through God’s spokesperson

Through faith and obedience, the widow of Zarephath became a part of God’s notable miracle. Faith without obedience to the Word of God is questionable. Blessed is the man who exercises his faith, and at the same time, follow God’s instructions.

We must also be aware that the instructions of God are being channeled through His servants. Without Elijah, the widow could not have experienced the miraculous working of God in her life. It is wise not to underestimate God’s Word that is being imparted by preachers of the Lord. Hear them, apply what they imparted and be blessed.

In II Chronicles 20:20, it is written, And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. (KJV)

(III) God Could Use Us To Inspire Others

I Kings 17:17-24 Luke 4:25-26

-If we live by faith

Hebrews 11:35

Our faith in God will not only lead us to great achievements in life but also to become a challenging testimony someday to those who underestimate the working of God in a believer’s life. In Luke 4:25-26, it is written, But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. (KJV) Truly, men and women of faith will never be forgotten by the Lord because their lives are delightful to Him.

Faith in God inspires, but doubts hinder unbelievers from the path of success. Hebrews Chapter 11 contains inspiring testimonies of the early believers who lived by faith and their well-lived lives could inspire us to keep on walking by faith especially in times of hopelessness.

In Hebrews 11:35, it is written, Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: (KJV) The widow of Zarephath has been dead a long time ago, but the testimony of her faith in God is still being used today to inspire others to put their trust in the Living God. Bear in mind that beyond our means, God could still give us great success to be remembered and be used to inspire the next generation to walk in the path of faith.

Beyond our means, God could use us powerfully for His honor and glory. Keep on trusting the Lord Jesus Christ and be a part of His miraculous working!

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