We welcome you to Stone's Hill today!

A typical Stone's Hill service has:

* music (so feel free to sing out);

* some announcements (things that are upcoming that you can be a part of);

* a message out of the Bible (God speaks to us through his Word);

* and an opportunity for you to respond to the message (either immediately in the case of a decision that needs to be made OR in the future as you live out the message in your daily life.)

So relax and enjoy your morning! We're so glad you are here!

MESSAGE TEXT
1 Kings 17:7-24
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“Snap shots” and “Sound bites”. That’s how people form an opinion these days. If you bring that same philosophy to our Fed by Ravens series (FYI - Elijah had a prophetic, preaching ministry during a time of great moral and political corruption – more on this in another sermon), you will not get Elijah’s story. I’ll fill you in on the backstory in upcoming installments of Fed by Ravens, but you are going to love the prophet Elijah. But first, you’re going to think he’s an obnoxious at worst, or insensitive at best – but some kind of obnoxious, insensitive jerk.
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He comes out of nowhere and says “I’m turning off everybody’s water supply.” That’s major. He says “Feed me first then you can have some” to a hungry widow while her son was starving at home – and Elijah doesn’t even help her pick up sticks for the fire she’ll need to make her last meal. If you go with “snap shots” and “sound bites” Elijah can sound like a jerk.
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Have you ever been a jerk? Has anyone every called you a jerk? You know how someone with a jerkitude behaves in our day. They do or say things that are really annoying: being rude to the receptionist or cashier, like talking on the phone while they’re checking out; holding up the checkout line to grab a few more items; texting while talking to someone else face-to-face, especially if you’re on a date; answering the phone with a “what?” or a “yeah?” instead of a “hello”; using their speaker phone in public; leaving a pile of clothes on the fitting room floor; stealing the credit for someone else’s idea; scowling or sighing heavily at someone. Elijah was a sensitive and loving man. You’re going to see this in a very personal story today. He definitely was NOT a jerk.
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PROPOSITION
The true Yahweh God is an outsider’s God.
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18 And she said to Elijah, “What have you against me, O man of God?... [“Why did I ever invite you to my home?! Why did I have the misfortune of ever meeting you, Elijah? She said “I know what it is…]
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You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance...
[“I’ve dabbled in some dark stuff and it’s coming back to me now.” Somewhere, in the background of this woman’s life, there was a dark deed which dwarfed all other memories and she thinks it’s coming for her now. Forget this thought of Elijah being a jerk! “I’ve been a jerk toward the living God.”]
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and to cause the death of my son!” ...
[She says in so many words, “Is this punishment for my sins? Is this evidence of my wrong-doing? Have I been punished for my sins?” She says, “I thought you came with blessing. You’ve come with judgment. You have come to punish me for my sins. She doesn’t say, “I’m a good person. I took you in. I obeyed. I followed what you told me to do.” She doesn’t say that. She says, “Is this punishment for my sins?” She doesn’t say, “I’m not a sinner.” She says, “I know I’m a sinner. Is this punishment?”]
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Tune in to the live sermon for more insights on this incredible story!