Godchaser Podcast

From Fire to Faithful Whispers: Discovering Jesus in Elijah's Story and Bold Expressions of Faith

• Evan Evans • Episode 11

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Elijah’s life serves as a powerful example of standing firm for truth amidst a culture of compromise, reflecting God's provision and compassion even in moments of despair. Through the story of Elijah, we explore themes of faith, courage, and the gentle voice of God, encouraging listeners to remain steadfast in their spiritual journeys. 
• Elijah confronts Ahab, embodying courage in a time of spiritual decline 
• God provides sustenance to Elijah, showing His faithfulness 
• The showdown at Mount Carmel highlights the power of true worship 
• Spiritual exhaustion can follow great victories, as seen in Elijah’s life 
• God offers comfort through gentle whispers instead of grand displays 
• Elijah’s story points to Christ’s ascension and ongoing ministry through John the Baptist

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Speaker 1:

Welcome to the God Chaser podcast, where we pursue the heart of God and explore the depths of His wisdom. I'm your host, evan Evans. Welcome to the God Chaser podcast. I'm your host, Evan Evans, and today we're continuing our journey of discovering Jesus in every story of Scripture. Last week, we explored how Solomon's wisdom ultimately pointed to our need for Christ.

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Today we're diving into one of Scripture's most dramatic narratives the story of Elijah, the prophet of fire. In an age where compromise seems easier than conviction, where truth is often sacrificed for tolerance, elijah's story speaks powerfully to our time. From his sudden appearance before King Ahab to his dramatic departure in a chariot of fire, every aspect of his life points to Jesus Christ and speaks to our own journey of faith. In today's episode, we'll discover how Elijah's stand on Mount Carmel pictures Christ's confrontation with false religion, why his journey from triumph to depression reveals God's tender care, what the still small voice teaches us about hearing God today, how his miracles preview Christ's ministry, why his translation to heaven points to Christ's ascension. Whether you're standing alone for truth like Elijah on Carmel, experiencing God's provision by your own brook Cherith, or sitting exhausted under your personal broom tree, this story speaks directly to your situation. We'll uncover how every aspect of Elijah's life not only pointed to Jesus, but also shows us how to stand firm in a compromising culture.

Speaker 2:

Welcome to the God Chaser podcast, the ultimate destination for those yearning to cultivate a passionate, intimate relationship with God. Join your host, Evan Evans, as he explores the depths of scripture, shares inspiring testimonies and provides practical guidance to help you become a true God Chaser, Discover the transformative power of pursuing God's presence and be inspired to reignite your spiritual journey. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on an adventure that will change your life forever. Welcome to the God Chaser Podcast. Let the chase begin.

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the God Chaser Podcast. I'm your host, evan Evans. Last week we saw how Solomon's wisdom pointed us to our need for Christ. Today we're stepping into one of Scripture's most dramatic narratives, the story of Elijah, the prophet of fire, whose life gives us a powerful picture of standing for truth in a culture of compromise. Elijah bursts onto the scene in 1 Kings 17, verse 1. Now Elijah, the Tishbite from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab as the Lord, the God of Israel lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years, except at my word. No introduction, no background, just a man standing before a wicked king declaring God's word. This points to how Jesus would later confront religious and political authorities with divine truth.

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Both Elijah and Jesus appeared in times of spiritual darkness, confronted corrupt leadership. Appeared in times of spiritual darkness. Confronted corrupt leadership, spoke with divine authority, stood alone for truth. Some of you know what it's like to stand alone right now. Maybe you're the only believer in your workplace, the only one holding to biblical values in your family, the sole voice for truth in your social circle, standing firm while others compromise. Watch what happens next. God sends Elijah to the brook Cherith, where ravens bring him bread and meat. This pictures how Jesus would later say in Matthew 6, verse 26, look at the birds of the air. Your heavenly Father feeds them.

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Now we come to Mount Carmel, one of Scripture's most dramatic showdowns. First Kings, chapter 18, shows us Elijah alone facing 450 prophets of Baal. Listen to his challenge in verse 21. How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him, but if Baal is God, follow him. Some of you are at your own Mount Carmel right now, caught between competing worldviews, facing pressure to compromise your faith, standing alone against popular culture, choosing between truth and acceptance. Watch how Elijah structures this confrontation. He lets the false prophets go first, gives them all day, even mocks their futile efforts. This points to how Jesus would later expose the emptiness of religious performance.

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Both Elijah and Jesus showed that religious activity doesn't equal spiritual reality. Loud prayers don't equal true power. Self-inflicted pain doesn't equal genuine sacrifice. Human effort can't produce divine fire.

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Then comes that powerful moment in verses 36 to 37. Elijah prays Lord, the God of Abraham, isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things. About this prayer? He bases it on covenant relationship, god of Abraham. He stands in his identity as servant. He seeks God's glory, not personal vindication. This points to Jesus' high priestly prayer in John, chapter 17, where he speaks of covenant relationship with the Father. Stands as the perfect servant seeks the Father's glory. The fire falls, consuming not just the sacrifice but the stones, wood, water, everything. 1 Kings 18, verses 38-39. Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried the Lord, he is God. This dramatic scene points to how God would later authenticate Jesus At His baptism with the Spirit's descent through His miracles and signs on the Mount of Transfiguration at Pentecost with tongues of fire.

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But watch what happens next. After this incredible victory. One threat from Jezebel sends Elijah running into the wilderness. 1 Kings chapter 19, verse 4, shows him sitting under a broom tree asking to die. I have had enough, lord, take my life.

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Some of you understand this kind of spiritual depression. You've stood for God and seen his power, you've experienced great victory, yet somehow you find yourself under your own broom tree, exhausted, discouraged, ready to quit. Look how God responds. He doesn't rebuke Elijah. Instead, he provides food and rest. He meets him in his weakness. He speaks in gentle whispers, he shows him he's not alone. This points to how Jesus deals with our weakness. Hebrews 4.15 tells us. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses. To empathize with our weaknesses. Christ understands the loneliness of standing for truth, the exhaustion after spiritual battle, the weight of opposition, the need for divine comfort.

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1 Kings, chapter 19, verses 11 to 12, gives us one of Scripture's most profound moments. God tells Elijah to stand on the mountain. Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

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This picture is how Jesus would often minister not in public spectacle but personal touch. Not in loud proclamations but intimate conversations. Not in judgment but in gentle restoration. Not in power displays but in quiet transformation. Some of you are looking for God in the dramatic, waiting for a supernatural sign, expecting a thunderous voice, seeking an emotional experience, wanting a mountain-moving moment. But sometimes Jesus speaks in a scripture that suddenly comes alive a quiet moment of prayer, a friend's timely word, a gentle conviction of the Spirit. Look what God tells Elijah in that quiet moment. He's not alone. There are 7,000 others who haven't bowed to Baal, just as Jesus would later assure his followers in John 14, verse 18, I will not leave you as orphans.

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Then comes Elijah's dramatic departure. 2 Kings 2 shows him taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. This pictures Christ's ascension, but with a crucial difference. Elijah was taken up. Jesus ascended by his own power. Elijah left his mantle, jesus sent his spirit. Elijah's ministry passed to one no-transcript.

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The story of Elijah doesn't end with his departure to heaven. In Matthew, chapter 17, we find him standing with Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration, talking with Jesus. This isn't just a reunion of spiritual giants, it's the law, moses and the prophets, elijah, testifying to Christ's glory. Malachi, chapter 4, verses 5 to 6, had promised. Malachi, chapter 4, verses 5 to 6, had promised See, I will send the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. This is why the Jews were always looking for Elijah's return. But Jesus reveals in Matthew, chapter 11, verse 14, that John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah. This teaches us something profound. Elijah pointed to Christ in his life. Elijah testified to Christ in his translation. Elijah witnessed Christ's glory at transfiguration. Elijah's promised return was fulfilled in John's ministry. Let's pull this all together.

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Elijah shows us about standing for truth. It often means standing alone. It requires supernatural courage. It demands complete dependence. It leads to divine vindication about spiritual power. It comes through prayer and obedience. It manifests in unexpected ways. It operates through faith and it points people to God about human weakness.

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Even great prophets get discouraged. God understands our exhaustion. Victory can be followed by vulnerability. Weakness leads us to God's strength. God speaks in unexpected ways. He provides in desert places. He sustains through trials. He's present even when we feel alone. Family, wherever you are today. If you're standing alone, remember Carmel. If you're by a drying brook, remember the ravens. If you're under a broom tree, remember his gentle voice. If you're facing giants, remember his power. If you're feeling weak, remember His power. If you're feeling weak, remember His strength.

Speaker 1:

Next week we'll look at Elisha's ministry and see how his miracles point to Christ. But today, remember just as Elijah stood against a culture of compromise. Jesus empowers us to stand for truth, for those facing their own Mount Carmel moments. You're not alone. God still answers by fire, truth still triumphs, faith still prevails. This is Evan Evans reminding you to keep chasing God's heart Until next time. Remember the same God who answered by fire, is still speaking in gentle whispers, still providing in desert places, still showing himself strong through weak vessels. This has been the God Chaser podcast. Join us next week as we continue finding Jesus in every story of the Bible. This episode of the God Chaser podcast is proudly sponsored by God Chaser Apparel, the clothing line designed to empower and inspire your spiritual journey.

Speaker 2:

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Speaker 1:

May you not just chase God but find Him in the blessings, big and small, that he has in store for you. And there we have it, folks. Another episode of God Chaser wrapped up. We hope you've been blessed by today's discussion and we look forward to diving into more life-transforming topics with you in the future. Stay blessed and keep chasing after God.