The widow of Zarephath (I Kings 17)
Dr. Roberto Miranda
(Audio: Spanish)
SUMMARY: In the Book of Kings, there is a story about the prophet Elijah who is sent by God to a widow in Sarepta to ask for food. The widow only has a little flour and oil left, but Elijah tells her to make him a small cake first, promising that God will provide for her and her son. Miraculously, the flour and oil do not run out until the day it rains. This story is a reminder that God calls us to be builders and rebuilders in our community, and that we should be generous and faithful stewards of the resources God has given us. The Lion of Judah congregation is currently raising funds to build a temple, and everyone is encouraged to give what they can with joy, whether it is $5,000 in two years or more. We should all pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in how we can give to the Lord.
The sermon discusses the story of the widow of Zarephath and how God provides for his servants. The speaker emphasizes that God is a provider for those who honor and fear him, and that he can provide even in adverse circumstances. The speaker also emphasizes that God often uses unexpected ways to provide for his children, and that we must participate in the process of faith for miracles to occur. The sermon encourages giving to the Lord from a position of trust and faith in his provision.
God calls us to give generously, without fear or worry, because it pleases Him to provide for us. We have an unlimited line of credit in the Kingdom of Heaven, so we should dare to be generous with our time, energy, and resources. We often operate from a mentality of lack, thinking only of our limitations, instead of having a mentality of faith and possibilities. When we live with a mentality of faith, our lives become magnetic towards blessings and opportunities. We need to break the chains of limitation in our minds and dare to have a mentality of possibility, trusting in God to provide and make a way for us.
The speaker discusses the story of the widow in the Bible who gives her last bit of food to the prophet Elijah, trusting that God will provide for her. He emphasizes the importance of trusting in God and taking risks, even when it seems impossible. He encourages listeners to honor God with their possessions and the firstfruits of their increase, and to live in a mindset of possibility and achievement. He reminds them that God's goals are always broader than what they can conceive, and that they must be willing to sacrifice and die to receive blessings. Overall, he encourages listeners to have faith and trust in God's power to provide and bless them.
The sermon discusses the story of the widow of Zarephath and how God provides for his servants. The speaker emphasizes that God is a provider for those who honor and fear him, and that he can provide even in adverse circumstances. The speaker also emphasizes that God often uses unexpected ways to provide for his children, and that we must participate in the process of faith for miracles to occur. The sermon encourages giving to the Lord from a position of trust and faith in his provision.
God calls us to give generously, without fear or worry, because it pleases Him to provide for us. We have an unlimited line of credit in the Kingdom of Heaven, so we should dare to be generous with our time, energy, and resources. We often operate from a mentality of lack, thinking only of our limitations, instead of having a mentality of faith and possibilities. When we live with a mentality of faith, our lives become magnetic towards blessings and opportunities. We need to break the chains of limitation in our minds and dare to have a mentality of possibility, trusting in God to provide and make a way for us.
The speaker discusses the story of the widow in the Bible who gives her last bit of food to the prophet Elijah, trusting that God will provide for her. He emphasizes the importance of trusting in God and taking risks, even when it seems impossible. He encourages listeners to honor God with their possessions and the firstfruits of their increase, and to live in a mindset of possibility and achievement. He reminds them that God's goals are always broader than what they can conceive, and that they must be willing to sacrifice and die to receive blessings. Overall, he encourages listeners to have faith and trust in God's power to provide and bless them.
First Book of Kings, Chapter 17, says the word of the Lord about the prophet Elijah:
“.... then the word of the Lord came to him saying: “Get up, go to Sarepta of Sidon and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to support you." Then Elijah got up and went to Zarephath, and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow woman was there gathering sticks, and he called her and said to her, "I beg you, bring me some water in a glass." for him to drink", and she went to bring it to him, he called her again and said: "I beg you, bring me a morsel of bread in your hand", and she replied: "As the Lord your God lives, I have no baked bread, only I have a handful of flour in the jar and a little oil in a jar, and now I was collecting two logs to go in and prepare it for me and my son so that we could eat it and let ourselves die”. Elijah told him: "Do not be afraid, go do as you have said but do me first - everyone say "me first", that sounds good Pentecostal make them say that - make me first of it a small cake baked under the ashes and bring it to me and then you will do for yourself and for your son because Jehovah, God of Israel, has said so. The flour in the jar will not become scarce, nor will the oil in the jar diminish until the day Jehovah sends rain on the face of the earth.” So she went and did as Elijah told her and ate he and she and their house for many days. And the flour in the jar did not become scarce, nor did the oil in the jar dwindle, according to the word that Jehovah had spoken through Elijah.” May the Lord bless his word to us. Amen.
“.... then the word of the Lord came to him saying: “Get up, go to Sarepta of Sidon and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to support you." Then Elijah got up and went to Zarephath, and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow woman was there gathering sticks, and he called her and said to her, "I beg you, bring me some water in a glass." for him to drink", and she went to bring it to him, he called her again and said: "I beg you, bring me a morsel of bread in your hand", and she replied: "As the Lord your God lives, I have no baked bread, only I have a handful of flour in the jar and a little oil in a jar, and now I was collecting two logs to go in and prepare it for me and my son so that we could eat it and let ourselves die”. Elijah told him: "Do not be afraid, go do as you have said but do me first - everyone say "me first", that sounds good Pentecostal make them say that - make me first of it a small cake baked under the ashes and bring it to me and then you will do for yourself and for your son because Jehovah, God of Israel, has said so. The flour in the jar will not become scarce, nor will the oil in the jar diminish until the day Jehovah sends rain on the face of the earth.” So she went and did as Elijah told her and ate he and she and their house for many days. And the flour in the jar did not become scarce, nor did the oil in the jar dwindle, according to the word that Jehovah had spoken through Elijah.” May the Lord bless his word to us. Amen.
