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    Mar 21, 2021

    What's Your Story?

    Passage: 1 Kings 19:1-21

    Speaker: Doug Swagerty

    Category: Sermon

    Sermon Summary:
    "We don't see things as they are—we see things as WE are."

    "My story" is the mixture of objectivity and subjectivity that shapes how I perceive reality—i.e. my worldview. We always see things according to a particular narrative. This story affects how we understand the world, how we prioritize our lives, and how we view ourselves. Because it shapes so much about us, it is very important to answer the question, "What is my story—and how does God fit into it?"

    1 Kings 19 - Elijah's Story (And How God Responds)

    What Happened to Elijah?

    • Context: Mount Carmel Challenge > Jezebel's Threat > Elijah's Despair > Elijah's Journey > Elijahs' encounter with God.


    "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

    • Elijah answers with his story (1 Kings 19:10). He thinks he is the all-star player who is going to win the game for God, and he is in despair because God is not cooperating.


    The Problem with Elijah's Story:

    • Focused on Fear not Faith
    • Focused on Circumstances not Promises
    • Focused on himself not God


    God's Response:

    • I'm not in the wind, earthquake or fire; I'm in the gentle whisper.


    "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

    • Elijah gives the SAME answer (1 Kings 19:14). This shows the power our story has over our lives. Even in the face of a radical encounter with God, Elijah still sees things inaccurately.


    God's Response:

    • Chill out
    • Do your job
    • My plan is bigger than your dreams


    Application:

    • Does your story leave room for the bigness of God and the radical goodness of the gospel?



    Discussion Questions

    1. Share one way your story shapes your experience of reality.
    2. What are some problems with your story?
    3. In what ways does the goodness of the gospel challenge and correct your story?
    4. Pray for each other.