1 Kings 17:1-5 (NKJV): ”And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.’ Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, ‘Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.’ So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan.”

1 Kings 17:8-9 (NKJV): “Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, ‘Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.’”

Intro:

It’s a promised land – It’s a fertile land, it’s a fortified land and It will be a fruitful land ——> 

Follow Instruction for Production. 

It’s a land flowing with milk n’ honey -> flowing to the people —-> 

New Streams and New Teams  

It’s a spacious place –> church, school, training center, coffee shop

Deuteronomy 30:11-20 (NLT): “This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you, and it is not beyond your reach. It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?’ 13 It is not kept beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear it and obey?’ No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.

15 “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. 17 But IF your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. 

19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This [a] is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

3 Commands For God’s Mighty Blessing In This Land:

To Love The Lord, Matthew 22:37 (NKJV): “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

To Follow His Commands, John 14:15 (NLT): “If you love me, obey my commandments.”

To Walk In His Ways, Galatians 5:16 (NIV):“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

4 Warnings For The Child of God In The Land:

Hearts That Turn Away, Matthew 24:12 (NLT): “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”

Ears That Refuse To Listen, Jeremiah 17:23 (NLT): “but they did not listen or obey. They stubbornly refused to pay attention or accept my discipline.”

A Drawing Away, Galatians 5:7 (NLT): “You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth?”

Idolatry, 1 John 5:21 (NLT): “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.”

3 Results of Disobedience:

A Destructive Life, Proverbs 18:6 (NLT): “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.”

A Shortened Life, Proverbs 10:27 (NLT): “Fear of the LORD lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.”

A Hard Life, Isaiah 59:2 (NLT): “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.”

3 Results of Obedience:

You Will Live – Hebrew word “aya” — Restored, Quickened, Complete 

You Will Multiply – Hebrew word “raba” — Grow, Enlarge, Increase, Heap 

You Will Be Blessed – Hebrew word “barak” — Blessed, Congratulated, Anointed 

Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT): “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” 

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Rev. Bryan A. Tomes 

Crossroads Community Church 

www.crossroadsconnects.com