Pastor Don gives this message on Mother's Day 2008.  The Zarephath widow is a strong and courageous woman, but more than that, a dedicated mother.  She provides a great example of how we should have a servants heart, even when meeting strangers.  With just enough food for her son and herself she made a choice to provide for the stranger, a man of God.  She was rewarded, and was able to give her son gifts untold.

Message Outline -

Introduction:

God brought a drought upon the land. No crops, food or water. But, God provided for Elijah that great Old Testament prophet.

God sent Elijah to a widow in Zaraphath, who had a son.

What makes this mother so special? Verse 18, she acknowledges that she is a sinner and apparently the sin is a big one to her. She thinks about it often and thinks that God will get even with her. We know God does not work that way.

#I        She had toughness.

a.     You can be tough in many ways.

b.     Physical, mental, Spiritual.

c.     Mental and Spiritual toughness can carry you when your physical body has given-up.

d.     She didn’t expect others to take care of her family.

e.     I Timothy 5:8

f.        She gathered stick, carried water. Up at 2:00 AM child with fever, lack of sleep but out to work the next day and do it again.

g.     If you’re afraid of work and long hours do not become a mother.

#II       She had a servants heart, the heart of God. Verses 10 &11

a.     “As she was going to get it”—Her response came from years of serving.

b.     She didn’t say who are you.

c.     She didn’t look at how he dressed. II Kings 1:8 he was a man with a garment of hair and with a leather belt around his waist.

d.     Hebrews  13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

#III      She had a choice to make Verses: 12-14

a.     She had only enough food for her son a small bite, and herself.

b.     But this stranger said “Feed me first and if you do God will provide for you and your son”

c.     Let see you want feed first. If you think that is easy let me read to you.” Give and it will be given to you------for the measure you use, it will be measured to you” Luke 6: 38

d.     You have to be careful about getting between a mother and her children.

#IV     She had a reward Verses, 15 & 16

a.     If she had said no, Elijah would have gone to another.

b.     By putting her faith in what this man of God promised, even when it didn’t seem logical. She had food for her son, food for herself, and food for this man of God.

c.     Doing it God’s way she gave her son the best.

#V       What did she give her son?

a.     She gave him life four times. At birth, here with food, verse 18 and eternity.

b.     She gave him an example of faith.

c.     Luke 6: 25-26 Jesus spoke of her.

d.     She gave him the joy of serving others.

Conclusion:

Do you this was a chance meeting, Elijah and this widow? No more than you being here today. You can have the assurance of heaven today. She made a decision based on faith to obey God you can do the same right now. You can choose right now to accept Jesus by faith.