Elephants in the Room
Part 4 of 6
“The Pathway to Joy”
1 Kings 19:1-9a; 11-13a
Sermon #1478
May 02-03, 2015
Central Thought: When we entrust our lives to the leadership of the Holy
Spirit, our lives begin to reflect the Character of Christ!

OCC Presentation

Pastoral Prayer:
1.
Elephants;
2.
OCC;
3.
BLESS
Introductory Thoughts:
This weekend, we are going to explore the fourth Elephant in our six
part discovery of the Elephants that may inhabit our Christian lives. We
initiated this series by exploring God’s call for sexual purity, continued
it as we discovered the spiritual fruit of patience, and last weekend, Chris
revealed more effective ways of coping with the challenges of life rather
than becoming addicted to non-Christian solutions.
Tonight (Today), we are going to discover there are pathways that
leads us to joy, especially when we find ourselves encompassed by the
darkness of depression. Let’s begin by letting Pastor Rick Warren speak
to us with some of his thoughts on this matter:
Have you ever wondered if Jesus ever battled the reality of
depression? While it seems like a strange question at first, let’s
consider Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming Messiah: “He was despised and
rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3).
This passage seems to identify the characteristics of someone dealing
with the symptoms of depression. So why do we often push back at the thought
that Jesus might have dealt with symptoms of depression?
Perhaps it is because we have the false notion that depression is
either 1) a sin or a 2) sign of weakness. But neither is the case.
In fact, depression is not something a person chooses. Rather it is
something a person must choose how to deal with. The real issue is not
whether a Christian will experience depression, but rather, how the person
choose to react to depression.
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For this reason I am of the opinion that Christ did indeed battle
depression. And more importantly, He battled it perfectly. Hebrews 4:15
reminds us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize
with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we
are, yet without sin.”
Scripture teaches us Jesus wasn’t the only Biblical person who dealt
with depression. Another example was King David, when he exclaimed, “I
am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench
my couch with my weeping” (Psalm 6:6).
Even great Christian leaders such as C.H. Spurgeon experienced the
woes of depression. He explained, “I find myself frequently depressed –
perhaps more so than any other person here. And I find no better cure for
that depression than to trust in the Lord with all my heart, and seek to
realize afresh the power of the peace -speaking blood of Jesus, and His
infinite love in dying upon the cross to put away all my transgressions.”
This issue is important to me because I have struggled with
depression. And it has been my experience that there are no easy answers.
The darkness can attack without warning. It does not ask permission and
it does not need a reason. Make no mistake; depression is real and can be
a reality for any Christian.” Rick Warren, www.Pastors.com
If depression visited the life of Jesus as it did the lives of King
David and Pastor Charles Spurgeon, it’s a good possibility we will find
in impacting our lives someday, as well. So, let’s take a few moments to
dive deeper into this subject as we explore a chapter in the life of the
Prophet Elijah!
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
Everyone Gets the Blues …
(1 Kings 19: 1-5) “Now Ahab told Jezebel
everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the
sword.
2
So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with
me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your
life like that of one of them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.
When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4a while
he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree,
sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,”
he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”
We first hear about the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 17 when he stood
before King Ahab and announced neither rain nor dew would touch the land
unless he would give the word. Following this declaration, Elijah went into
hiding for nearly three years. During his exile, the nation of Israel
experienced a tremendous drought and King Ahab had diligently searched for
Elijah, but was never able to find him.
Responding to God’s command, Elijah sets out to meet with Ahab. When
King Ahab and Elijah met, Elijah set up a confrontation between the prophets
of Baal and himself on Mount Carmel. This confrontation would serve as
an opportunity for God to declare His supremacy over the religious system
that had overtaken the land of Israel.
Baal was a pagan fertility god whose followers believed manifested
himself through fire. Grain, animal, and human sacrifices were consumed
by the fires representing Baal with the hope of appeasing his nature and
bringing prosperity to their land and their families.
The 450 prophets of Baal spent all day beseeching Baal to manifest
himself on Mount Carmel by consuming the sacrifice offered to him, but no
amount of chanting, dancing, prophesying, or bloodletting led Baal to
answer their prayers.
As the day grew to an end, Elijah built an altar using twelve stones
that represented the twelve tribes of Israel. Once the altar had been
constructed, Elijah had four large jars of water poured over the sacrificial
meat and the altar. He had this done three times. Following this he prayed
to our God and his prayer was answered – an all-consuming fire devoured
the sacrifice and declared to those assembled that Our God was, is, and
forever will be the only true God!
Following this amazing declaration, the prophets of Baal were executed,
Elijah prayed for rain and his prayer was answered, Ahab informed Jezebel
that her prophets were no more, Jezebel issues a contract on Elijah, Elijah
flees for his life, and Scripture tells us Elijah began to experience a
season of isolation and depression.
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I have come to love this passage of scripture . . . it has become a great
source of comfort, encouragement, and empowerment to me in my life and in
my ministry. It speaks to so many issues I have encountered in my life
and my ministry.
First, it reveals that people will pursue counterfeit options to true
spirituality – even to the point of sacrificing members of their family
to a counterfeit god.
Second, it reveals that God is always sovereign, even when the world
around us seems so lost and absent of His presence.
Third, God calls people to change the world by revealing the supremacy
of the Christian faith.
Fourth, the Christian life is more challenging, filled with greater
risks, and more satisfying than any other lifestyle human beings can pursue.
Fifth, spiritual warfare is real, it is an active element of our lives,
and is extremely draining!
Sixth, we need to be extremely sensitive to the time and events that
precede and follow key spiritual encounters and victories.
Seventh, we can do everything right in our Christian lives and ministries
and still encounter seasons of isolation, depression, and feeling forsaken
by God.
Each of these principles are worthy of spending time studying and
reflecting, but our focus tonight (today) is on the seventh truth – even
when Christians are in harmony with God, with each other, their families,
and their ministry – they can experience times of isolation, depression,
and feeling forsaken by God.
Like Elijah, each of us can get the blues. And, when we do, our
response may need to be different than what we might first imagine.
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Step 1: Focus on the Physical … (1 Kings 19:6-8a) “Then he lay down
under
the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get
up and eat.”
6
He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked
over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
7
The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and
said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8a So he got
up and ate and drank.
Many years ago, as I explored this passage, I began to discover an
amazing insight – in addressing Elijah’s season of depression, God sent
an angel to minister to him physically prior to meeting him spiritually.
(c.f. Matt.26:41; 2 Cor 4:16-18)
This truth began to transform how I addressed this issue in my own
life and has been a source of comfort to me during the seasons of depression
that have visited me throughout the years.
Let’s spend a few moments identifying ways to respond to those
experiencing depression physically prior to us discovering how to respond
spiritually!
1.
The Blues Covenant – tread carefully (a. Have you ever
considered self-destruction?; b. if so, in what way and how?; c. have
you ever considered who will find you and how it will affect your family
and friends?;
d. Will you promise to call me first and do nothing until
we meet in person?)
2.
The Grand Canyon Principle … “the deeper you walk in … the
higher you have to walk out!” -- apply it to depression …
3.
The Depleted Battery … often, we will find ourselves being
surrounded by the gloom of depression as we become aware our physical and
emotional energy has been depleted …
4.
Steps We Can Take …
a.
Evaluate eating, sleeping, and exercise habits … eat
healthily;
sleep regularly for 8 hours; and
establish an exercise routine
b.
See a Physician for a physical exam
i.
illness or disease
ii. any medications building up in your system
iii. any dramatic changes in your normal daily
routine … + or – sleep; neglecting time with family
&
friends; or withdrawing from regular
activities
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c.
See a Christian Counselor
i.
Evaluate the type of depression you are experiencing
and
identify a pathway to health
ii. Evaluate thinking patterns to reshape our thoughts
to match
Biblical principles
iii. Identify personal emotions and seek to adopt
Biblical
attitudes – chosen emotions—attitudes we
are to be!
Seasons of depression will visit most of us and when they do, our first
step is to focus on the Physical in order to prepare us to experience the
Spiritual!
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Step 2: Experience the Spiritual (1 Kings 19:8b-13a)
“Strengthened by that
food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the
mountain of God. 9a There he went into a cave and spent the night.”
11
The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of
the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered
the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the
12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not
earthquake.
in the fire.
And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13a When Elijah heard it,
he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of
the cave.”
After God has restored us physically, we discover He desires to
embrace us spiritually. Here are some ways we can enhance this process:
1.
Meet with one of our Pastoral Staff. While none of us are trained
to counsel you through depression, we can help your identify the pathway
where others can help and we will pray for you as you embark on your journey
to spiritual health.
2.
Share your struggle with a Christian friend and ask them to pray with
you and keep you in prayer daily.
3.
Create an atmosphere of praise: a. listen to Christian music; b.
sing Christmas music; c. play Christian music
4.
Immerse yourself in God’s Word: a. listen to God’s Word; b. read
God’s Word; c. Listen to sermons of hope; d. Read promises within
Scripture – Spurgeon
5.
Pursue other Christian Disciplines: Steve – Count blessings daily;
Stephani – seek to sit in the presence of Jesus
6.
Whatever works for you!
Seven Guides to Prayer!
As we engage in elements of this process; we, like Elijah, will find
ourselves standing at the mouth of our caves as God surrounds us with His
presence!
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Take Away Items:
We opened our time with some thoughts from Rick Warren, so as we close,
let’s
gain some additional insights:
When depression strikes me, there are
days when
everything is covered with a thick fog. Despondency feels like an unending
trance that is inescapable. And, if someone were to offer you an all-expense
paid vacation, you wouldn’t take it because you don’t even know what would
make you happy. Worse, you feel like you don’t even know yourself anymore.
Unfortunately, a stigma still surrounds depression. Some believe it’s
imagined. Others believe it demonic oppression. Some say it’s strictly
spiritual, while others believe it’s strictly physical. Some believe you
must take medicine. Others believe it’s a sin to take medicine.
We know there is more than one category for depression and there are
a variety of treatments, but we also realize depression always provides
an opportunity for us to draw nearer to Christ. For this reason, we must
view the words of a counselor as an extension of Christ’s wisdom –not a
replacement for it. And we must see medicine as a gift of God –not an
alternative to His power. If I seek a cure without seeking Christ, I am
bowing to idols of my own desires.
That’s why I think Hebrews 4, after reminding us that Christ has
experienced our same temptations, encourages us in verse 16 to “draw near
to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help
in time of need.”
Do I believe Jesus battled the temptation of depression? Yes, I think
so. But, what is even more important -I believe He also emerged from it
victorious! Rick Warren, www.pastors.com
We too can emerge victorious from the challenges of depression. The
Holy Spirit can engender joy in our lives regardless of how we feel or the
circumstances we are experiencing. Jesus instructed His disciples to
rejoice when they were persecuted, reviled, and slandered (Mt 5:11, 12).
The apostle Paul commanded us to continuously rejoice regardless of our
circumstances (Phil 4:4; 1 Thes 5:16). James called Christians to reckon
it all joy when they fall into various seasons of testings because such
trials produce endurance (Jas 1:2). 1 Peter 4:13 calls us to , “Rejoice
in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and
be glad when his glory is revealed.” The Bible promises us Joy is possible
in every Christian’s life as the Holy Spirit bears its fruit deep within
our souls (Gal 5:22).1
…
So, when times get tough, let’s always remember: Everyone get’s
the Blues!
And, when they show up on our doorsteps, let’s be sure to Focus on the
Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (p. 1225). Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Book House.
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1
…
Physical
which prepares us to Experience the Spiritual!
Let Us Pray!
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