Introduction
- What is the problem?
- What is burnout?
Matthew 11:28–30 NLT: Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
3. What is sabbath?
Genesis 2:3 NLT: And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.
Exodus 20:8–10 NLT: Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.
Romans 14:5–6 NLT: In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him.
4. Who is Elijah?
1 Kings 18:46 NLT: Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah…
1 Kings 19:1–3 NLT: When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life…
1 Kings 19:4 NLT: Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die.”…
I. Symptom #1: Abdicating
1. Abdicate working
2. Abdicate living
1 Kings 19:4 NLT: “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
II. Symptom #2: Depreciating
1. Depreciate our capacity
2. Depreciate our ability
1 Kings 19:10 NLT: Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets…
III. Symptom #3: Incriminating
1. Incriminate their effort
2. Incriminate their motives
1 Kings 19:10 NLT: …I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
IV. Symptom #4: Exaggerating
1. Exaggerate how very bad
2. Exaggerate how little good
V. Treating Church Burnout
1. Good sabbath requires us to
1 Kings 19:5 NLT: Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree…
1 Kings 19:5–6 NLT: …But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” 6 He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank…
1 Kings 19:8 NLT: …the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.
2. Good sabbath requires us to
1 Kings 19:11-12 NLT: “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.
3. Good sabbath requires us to
1 Kings 19:6–7 NLT: …So he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”
1 Kings 19:15 NLT: Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus.
1 Kings 19:13 NLT: When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”