After the Fire

Sermon Summary: Pastor Dale Tunnell’s sermon follows Elijah immediately after his extraordinary victory on Mount Carmel. Although Elijah had just witnessed God answer by fire and had experienced a tremendous spiritual high, Jezebel’s threat caused him to become afraid and flee for his life. Exhausted, discouraged, and overwhelmed, Elijah eventually sat beneath a broom tree and asked God to take his life. His experience reminds us that even faithful people can experience fear, poor judgment, disappointment, and deep discouragement. Elijah was a great prophet, but as James says, he was also a man with a nature like ours. Rather than condemning Elijah in his weakness, God responded with patience and compassion. He allowed Elijah to rest, provided him with food, and led him on a forty-day journey to Mount Horeb, giving him time to recover and commune with God. There, Elijah encountered a powerful wind, an earthquake, and a fire—but God spoke to him through a “still small voice.” The sermon emphasizes that when we are discouraged, God does not abandon us. He cares for our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and patiently reminds us that He is still present, even when circumstances make Him difficult to see. Finally, God reminded Elijah that his mission was not finished and that he was not alone—there were still seven thousand in Israel who had remained faithful. Elijah responded by getting up and returning to the work God had given him. The sermon challenges us to do the same: when disappointment, fear, or discouragement causes us to lose perspective, we can listen again for God’s voice, trust His care, and remember that He still has a purpose for us. The mission is not finished; there is still more to do. --- Welcome to Mesa Palms Seventh-day Adventist Church! We hope that you will find this sermon to be a blessing to you, as you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. If you would like to learn more about our church, check out our website: https://www.mesapalmssdachurch.com Bible Studies: https://itiswritten.study/home Reading Library: https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library Donations: https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANP4CG/envelope/start