Overcoming Burnout in God's Work
Life Lessons From Elijah • Sermon • Submitted
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1 When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal.
2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”
3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.
4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
INTRODUCTION:
Do you feel tired of the struggle? Feel like you are alone in the work and no one cares? Does it seem that you are personally under attack and about to go under? Would you like to hang it all up?
What you are experiencing is called “burnout.” According to WedMD, “Burnout is a form of exhaustion caused by constantly feeling swamped. It’s a result of excessive and prolonged emotional, physical, and mental stress.”
Burnout symptoms can manifest themselves in spiritual activities:
Feeling too tired or exhausted to carry out responsibilities
No enthusiasm, and feelings of negativity toward services, activities and interaction
Inability to perform your daily tasks including quiet time, Bible study and ministry to others.
Elijah experienced what we now call burnout. Here in our text we find God’s solution to burnout.
I- ADMIT TO GOD THERE IS A PROBLEM (1 Kings 19: 1-4)
I- ADMIT TO GOD THERE IS A PROBLEM (1 Kings 19: 1-4)
1 When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal.
2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”
3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.
4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
A- The testimony of service spreads. (1 Kings 19:1)
A- The testimony of service spreads. (1 Kings 19:1)
1 When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal.
1- Faithful service to God will become known.
2- News travels from person to person.
B- The threats of an ungodly world issued. (1 Kings 19:2)
B- The threats of an ungodly world issued. (1 Kings 19:2)
2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”
1- Everyone is not happy with faithfulness.
(2 Timothy 3:12)
12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
C- The terror that can seize the heart.(1 Kings 19:3)
C- The terror that can seize the heart.(1 Kings 19:3)
3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.
(Hebrews 13:6)
6 So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
(Psalm 118: 6)
6 The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?
(Psalm 56: 4 )
4 I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
D- The telling of the problem to God. ( 1 Kings 19:4)
D- The telling of the problem to God. ( 1 Kings 19:4)
4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
II- ALLOW GOD TO FEED YOU. (1 Kings 19:5-7)
II- ALLOW GOD TO FEED YOU. (1 Kings 19:5-7)
A- Get in a position for God to meet your needs. (1 Kings 19:5a)
A- Get in a position for God to meet your needs. (1 Kings 19:5a)
5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!”
1- Get still and quiet. (Psalm 46:10 )
10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
a- To hear God in the normal clamor of life.
B- Wait and be open to his touch.(1 Kings 19:5b)
B- Wait and be open to his touch.(1 Kings 19:5b)
5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!”
1- Waiting upon his direction is key.
(Psalm 25: 5)
5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
(Psalm 27: 14)
14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
(Psalm 62: 5)
5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
(Isaiah 40: 31)
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
C- Consume what he gives you.(1 Kings 19:6-7)
C- Consume what he gives you.(1 Kings 19:6-7)
6 He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.
7 Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”
III- ALLOW TIME TO SEEK GOD'S PRESENCE. (1 Kings 19:8-10)
III- ALLOW TIME TO SEEK GOD'S PRESENCE. (1 Kings 19:8-10)
8 So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.
9 There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
A- Be willing to go as far as is needed to find his presence. (1 Kings 19:8)
A- Be willing to go as far as is needed to find his presence. (1 Kings 19:8)
8 So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.
1- Elijah traveled 200 miles from Beersheba to Horeb (Sinai) through mountains by foot.
a- The trip took 40 days.
B- Deal with the real issues that God confronts you with. (1 Kings 19:9)
B- Deal with the real issues that God confronts you with. (1 Kings 19:9)
9 There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
1- When you come into God's holy presence, you will come face to face with the truth.
a- It is only by facing the truth that you can be set free. (John 8: 31-32)
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.
32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
C- Continue to openly share your heart. (1 Kings 19:10)
C- Continue to openly share your heart. (1 Kings 19:10)
10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
1- You can be bold about what is on your heart. (Hebrews 4:16)
16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
a- The church set this example (Acts 4:29)
29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.
IV- ACCEPT THE WORD THAT GOD GIVES YOU. (1 Kings 19:11-18)
IV- ACCEPT THE WORD THAT GOD GIVES YOU. (1 Kings 19:11-18)
A- His first word: “stand before me”. (1 Kings 19:11-14)
A- His first word: “stand before me”. (1 Kings 19:11-14)
11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.
12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.
13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
1- He calls for you to continue in his presence. (1 Kings 19:11)
11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.
a- You can't get his message if you run or hide.
· Adam and Eve hid from God's presence
· Jonah tried to run from God's presence
2- Listen for his quiet voice (1 Kings 19:12)
12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.
3- Respond in humility. (1 Kings 19:13-14)
13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
B- His second word: “ I'm not finished with you.” (1 Kings 19:15-17)
B- His second word: “ I'm not finished with you.” (1 Kings 19:15-17)
15 Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram.
16 Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet.
17 Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha!
1- Touching others on vital issues.
2- Discipling others- Elisha
C- His third word “you are not alone.” (1 Kings 19:18)
C- His third word “you are not alone.” (1 Kings 19:18)
18 Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”
1- Other faithful believers are there.
2- God is there.
V- ACCEPT THE RECOMMISSIONING OF GOD. (1 Kings 19:19-21)
V- ACCEPT THE RECOMMISSIONING OF GOD. (1 Kings 19:19-21)
19 So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away.
20 Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!” Elijah replied, “Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.”
21 So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.
A- God gives specific instructions. (1 Kings 19:15-17)
A- God gives specific instructions. (1 Kings 19:15-17)
15 Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram.
16 Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet.
17 Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha!
1- God directs us in all areas of life.
(Proverbs 3: 5-6)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
* Just like God directed Paul. (Acts 16:6-10)
6 Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time.
7 Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there.
8 So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas.
9 That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”
10 So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.
B- Be obedient to the directives of God. (1 Kings 19:19-21)
B- Be obedient to the directives of God. (1 Kings 19:19-21)
19 So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away.
20 Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!” Elijah replied, “Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.”
21 So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.
1- Obey what God says.
(Luke 6:46)
46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?
2- Disciple others to obey what God says.
(Matthew 28:19-20)
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
CONCLUSION:
What are you to do when you are facing burnout in God’s work?
I- ADMIT TO GOD THERE IS A PROBLEM
II- ALLOW GOD TO FEED YOU.
III- ALLOW TIME TO SEEK GOD'S PRESENCE.
IV- ACCEPT THE WORD THAT GOD GIVES YOU.
V- ACCEPT THE RECOMMISSIONING OF GOD.