Richvale Community Church
Sunday, September 13, 2026
- Good morning,We are in our sermon series, “Hearing God Through the Noise.”Today we talking about “getting a fresh perspective.”..we are in 1 kings 19And we’ve been following the life of Elijah, who has gone through various seasons of life.There have been moments of incredible provision.great victory.And moments when Elijah became tired, afraid, and discouraged.And I think that's part of what makes his story so relatable.Because these seasons.Of. LifeSometimes we're on the mountaintop.Sometimes we're in the valley.Sometimes we can clearly see what God is doing.And at other times we can't see it at all.— Last week we talked about the great contest on Mt Carmel .. between Elijah and the prophets of Baal—Where God sends fire from heaven that consumes Elijah’s offeringAt mt Carmel..He is at the pinnacle of his ministry…he is on the mountaintop of God’s blessing.And then, the next thing we know, he is on the run from Queen Jezebel.He so relatable..— James 5:17 tells us that “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours,like you and I… He experience a wide range of emotions …from times of … elation to feelings of being overwhelmed..We learn from the Elijah that.. the biggest challenge in life is really our perspective.Several years ago, we visited Chicago, and we went up the Sears Tower..When you’re standing on the street, your perspective is pretty limited…It’s wall-to-wall buildingsYou see traffic.When look up you see these giant skyscrapers hovering over you ..But when you go up above the street—109 floors..seers tower..suddenly, everything looks different.You’re looking at the same city… but you perspective changes..You get this incredible sense of the landscape. Views beyond the buildings. to the edges of the city limits..Perspective is all about where we stand in relationship to an object -When it comes to the challenges face in life..It is easy loose our objectivity…because we are too close… we become perspectivalists..The Theologian D.A. Carson (from trinity) said that…D. A. Carson Sermon Library A Biblical Meditation of Experience and Truth (Psalm 1)
“we are all perspectivalists. That is, we all look at things from a certain kind of perspective, not only because we’re finite, but because we’re sinful”
WE are finite and we have limitations…because we see things from a fallen world view....Carson goes on to say that..“The only non-perspectivalist is omni.science. “in other words..D. A. Carson Sermon Library A Biblical Meditation of Experience and Truth (Psalm 1)God doesn’t look at things from only one perspective. He sees it all: all the proportions, all the parts … the whole. He sees everything, the whole thing
We are limited but he is limitless..We are finite..We can have truth without knowing al the angles — that takes faith — thatWe need his perspective..Getting a fresh perspective..T/S:MeansFirst.1. Learn to Recognize DistortionLast, week we saw how God comforted Elijah…When Elijah received the news that Queen Jezebel was after him…This sent him into a panic…and fear took over…He ran..for his life..He got as far away from jezebel and Jezreel as possible…He travels to the far side of Judah — to place called Beersheba,It’s here that isolates — he leaves his servant behind and walksAnother 15 miles in to the wilderness and throws himself under a broom tree…He prays that God would take his life…Why? Because“Elijah felt that he had personally failed in his ministry and ultimately failed God…”Depression can do this…we can feel we have disappointed ourselvesThe People that are depending on usFriends and Family—But…in the story .. we see .. Gods grace— His favor in Elijahs life!!!God in his mercy meets Elijah — Gives him rest …gives him nourishment…. An Angel delivers a freshly baked muffin with a bottle Dansini water..And then God let’s him have another nap —-after been strengthened - God sends him on a mission..He is to travel to Mt Horeb (the mountain of God)..which a fourty day journeyWe learn that..— When Elijah arrives in Horeb he finds a cave…. and make a home there.let pick on the text..1 Kings 19:9–10 ESV 9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”god sends him to Joren..Horeb was the mount of God— Where God met Moses and gave him the law — The text implies that God is going to something amazing again —Mt Horeb - implies scheduled with the Lord—But, Elijah descides to skip the appointment…instead of climbing the mountain he enters a cave…Now, a cave is not necessarily a bad place to visit..If you have gone to the Shasta Caverns — You know how amazing…caves can be—-There is a door in the side of a granite that leads this huge chamber…a long the way you have these stalactites hanging like icicles from the ceiling that have literary taking shape over thousands and thousands of years…— caves can be beautiful and incredible…and spacious…worth the visit..but— listen there is no way I would like to live in that caveIt is colddamp andwet.And that's where Elijah finds himself.The scripture sys…thatHe settles in… lives there.Depression can take you into Cave like dwelling.. no light — no hope..Remember..Elijahis exhausted.He's afraid.He is still discouraged.But He's alone.But — even in the cave..God knew exactly where Elijah was.God hadn't lost him.God hadn't abandoned him.And God wasn't finished with him.In fact, God was about to meet him in the cave… God was willing to change the location and keep the agenda…In this meeting—God is going to change Elijah's perspective.And maybe that's what some of us need today.Not necessarily a different circumstance.Not necessarily an immediate solution.But a fresh perspective.God comes to Elijah with a Question…And it is good one!- Elijah what are you doing here?— Regardless of where you are in life..What are you doing here??This question was not so much a reproof, but it was indended toreveal what is happening in Elijahs heart…Elijah says:“I have been very jealous for the LORD…”..“Israel has forsaken your covenant…”they Thrown down your alters.They have killed prophets..“I alone am left…”“They seek my life…”Now, notice there is alot of truth here..What's true?Elijah had been very zealous for God… (and arguably more than anyone else.). He was the only one bold enough to speak up— takes zeal—- you just can’t keep silent!Israel really had turned away.They had forsaken the covenant and torn down God Alters. they killed the prophets. And Jezebel really was after him.this is true…What's the distorted?vrs 10English Standard Version Chapter 19“I, even I only, am left”
“I alone am left.”Now.. Elijah has a short term memory…remember when met Obadiah —Obadiah had told Elijah… that he personally had..hid 100 prophets — iand had been taking care of them…making sure that they were fed and had water… that is the Trithbut Elijah has distorted memory— Wrong thinking.. in fact..God later would tells Elijah there were not only 100s of prophets around— but the were 7,000 in Israel (northern kingdom)who have not bowed down to Baal.Here is the thing..Our circumstances may be real. But our conclusions may be wrong..Discouragement says:“Nobody cares.”“Nothing will change.”“I'm always going to feel this way.”“God isn't doing anything.”“I'm completely alone.”The ‘question.. God asks Elijah and the same question we need to answer…What are you doing in the here?That question forces us toVerbalize what is happening internally— (Write question down) start to make a list.. we cans do it ourselves - make a list—list our fears, our sense of failure, our despair—isn’t weakness or lack of faith.Depression thrives in silence;and recovery begins when we speak our truth of where we are...PhysicallyEmotionallyMentallySpiritaullyRelationally..Here is the thing.. nothing surprised God.. God already knows it and cares deeply about our lives—-Elijah finds himself disillusioned, desperate and depressed, but God did not give up on him..T/s If we are going to get a fresh perspective we have to..1. Learn to Recognize the Distortion2. Listen for God in the QuietSeveral weeks ago, I went to Roseville to visit Ryan it was a Sunday afternoon-As I was driving down the freeway and seeing wall-to-wall traffic.I thought, “Where is everybody going?”It’s Sunday afternoon.But it reminded me of the world we live in.We live in a busy world.There is always something happening.There is always somewhere to go, something to do, somebody who needs something.And we don't just live in a busy world.We live in a noisy world.Something is always demanding our attentionWe hav our phonesWe have Social media.There are emails, notifications..And then there are the responsibilities of everyday life.Work.Home.Family.Bills.Appointments.People who need us.And most if the noise is necessary!!But the problem is..And even when the room is quiet, sometimes our minds aren't.We can be sitting in a quiet room and still have a thousand voices running through our heads.And here's the question:Why does silence matter?John MacArthur made an interesting observation.“He said one of the best ways to avoid God is never be alone and always have the music on.”And the reason is simply …That when there is never any silence, we never have time to stop and listen.In our busyness we can miss Gods divine appointmentsAnd Scripture invites us into stillness and quiet.Psalm 46:10 says,“Be still, and know that I am God.”Notice the order.Be still.Then know.There is something about becoming still that helps us recognize who God is.Paul says something similar in Philippians 4:8:Finally, brothers,whatever is true,whatever is honorable,whatever is just,whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence,if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.“think about these things.”In other words, stop take a moment to pause and mediate on the character of God.— God has these wonderful attributes for us to think upon—And that's exactly what Elijah needed.He had been living with so much noise.The threat of Jezebel.The fear of death.The exhaustion from Mount Carmel.The voices in his own head telling him that everything was over.And now God brings him to a cave.And God says, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.”lets read our tet.1 Kings 19:11–13 ESV 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”Notice that God draws him out of the Cave..…God tells Elijah:“Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.”He tell him what To do—-He then sends a mighty windThis is not just a breeze this Hurricane force winds tearing up the side of the mountain..but..God was not in the wind.Then God sends an Earthquake.. The ground moves beneath his feet… but ..God is not in the EarthquakeGod sends Fire—..But God was not in fire..Then God spoke insoft whispervrs 13 says1 Kings 19:13 ESV 13 And when Elijah heard it,What is the It? (in this verse)I am going to suggest something that is an assumption …I believe he heard silence… thesilence drew him outSilence of God drew him out…. we told that ..vrs 191 Kings 19:13 ESV 13 And when Elijah heard it,1 Kings 19:13 ESV he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.What a contrast:— Here is the thing — God is able speak in Wind and fire…… … but he chooses to reveal himself in the whisper...Here is the thing..A whisper demands that we lean in…Elijah had to stop, and listen intently, and then draw near.When Elijah heard the silence..,he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave…Then God spoke…Mother Theresa, once said to hear God we“ ….We need silence of the mind, silence of the heart, silence of the eyes, silence of the hands”Mother Theresa.. ”Silence. demands that we deal— with our emotions and our relationship to our Savior..—Silence is where God does his greatest work…Isaiah 40:31 “31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.We need to learn to embrace silence…Elijah's made the mistake— of thinking that..“If I don't see God working, God must not be working.”God's silence is not God's absence. quite the opposite!!T/s If we are going to get a fresh perspective we have to..1. Learn to Recognize the Distortion2. Listen for God in the Quiet3. Look Beyond What You Can SeeWhen we first came to Northern California, I remember seeing these views around Richvale for the first time.WE had never seen anything like it…Everywhere we lived there either building or trees that stood in the way..But here Richvale.. and the valley.You can See the Sierra Nevada on one side and the coastal mountains on the other.And honestly, it is breath taking.But one of the interesting thing.. when you live close to something long enough, you can forget how unusual it really is.And I think sometimes the same thing happens in our lives.When we get too close to our circumstances, we lose perspective.We can only see what is right in front of us.We see the problem.We see the disappointment.We see what didn't work.We see the person who hurt us.We see what we don't have.And when all we can see is what is right in front of us, it becomes very easy to believe that what we see is all there is.They very meaningfully of Faith in to depend on the un seen..Faith means learning to look beyond what we can see.… Hebrews tells us that Abraham left the Ur of the Chaldeans— looking for a city whose whose builder and maker was God—That is faith beyond what we can see…1 Kings 19:15–18 ESV 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”God says:“Go, return…”God says go back to Northern Israel…This means thst Elijah literally has to retrace his steps through all the deserts — hill country and towns he fled…—IT was take faith through to face the places he had been—. —- —Don’t ever burn the bridges behind you you never know when you will need to cross them again!!!Then God gives Elijah something to do.Anoint HazaelAnoint JehuAnoint ElishaGod is telling Elijah:“Your story isn't over.”Elijah thought everything was ending.God was preparing the next chapter.Elijah goes on to anoint—-Elisha has a prophet — and it is through Elisha that Baal is destroyed and the two kings were anointed—But Here is the thing..Elijah never anointed the two kings .. God uses Elisha..I think it is that reminder.God doesn’t require you and I to do everything!!Not many people know of Mordecai HamMordecai Ham preached in a tent meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, where a teenage boy named Billy Graham gave his life to Christ. Ham probably had no idea what God would do through that young man.Billy Graham would go on to preach the gospel to millions around the world.— Elijah was one of thousands…What is needed is a fresh perspectiveCONCLUSION — A Fresh PerspectiveI was in my 20’s when I first need eye glasses.I didn't realize there was a problem with my vision.I thought I was seeing clearly… Until I was driving one day… could read the street signs… I had to drive right on top of them read the names..And I think sometimes that happens to us spiritually.We can look at our circumstances and think we're seeing clearly.We look at what's happening in our lives and we think, I know what's going on.But sometimes our perspective gets distorted.We see something that is true—but we don't see the whole picture.And that's where we find Elijah.Elijah's problem was ultimately a vision problem.He couldn't see the whole story.He could only see what was right in front of him.He saw Jezebel.He saw Israel's rebellion.He saw his own failure.He saw himself as alone.And he came to the conclusion, “It is over.”But God knew there was more to the story.Elijah couldn't see it—but God could.our circumstances don’t tell the whole story.The good news.:God deals with caves. God deals with tombs.At the cross, it looked like Jesus had failed. It looked like death had won.But God was doing something we could not see.And that first resurrection morning, the women came to the tomb expecting to find a dead body.But the cave was empty.God had dealt with our sin, our failure, our brokenness—and even death itself.So when we come to our own caves, we have to remember:God sees what's beyond the cave.We may see disappointment. God sees redemption.We may see failure. God sees grace.We may see the end. God sees what comes next.And for those who belong to Christ, our identity isn't found in our circumstances.Our identity is found in Christ and His resurrection.So be encouraged this morning.You may not understand what God is doing.You may not be able to see the way forward.But you can trust the One who can.God sees beyond the cave. God sees beyond the tomb. And God's vision is never blurred. 1 Kings 19:9–10ESV
Jeremiah 29:11ESV
Psalm 46:10ESV
Philippians 4:8ESV
1 Kings 19:11–13ESV
1 Kings 19:13ESV
1 Kings 19:13ESV
1 Kings 19:13ESV
1 Kings 19:15–18ESV
Richvale Community Church
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