Introduction:
So many times in the battle against the wiles of the devil, we feel that we are all alone.  Such is the case with the prophet Elijah.  He felt that he was all alone, but God said 7,000 had not bowed the knee to Baal.

Texts: I Kings 19:9-18 & Romans 11:1-4
 

A. We should be able to count on our brethren:

1. The body of Christ builds up [edifies] itself TOGETHER.  Ephesians 4:16 
2. Brethren will aid each other in bearing one another’s burdens.  Galatians 6:2 
3. We need to hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Matthew 5:6 

a. In our hunger and thirst for righteousness we will be naturally opponents to unrighteousness (Romans 6:12-16).

4. One of our reasons for assembling is to provoke one another to good works (Hebrews 10:24-25).
5. There are examples of brethren standing and helping one another:

a. The church at Berea stood behind to face persecution, but sent Paul on to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-10).
b. Brethren helped Paul escape risking their lives using a basket (Acts 9:20-25).
c. Brethren kept Paul from harm when the mob sought him out over his teaching against idolatry (Acts 19:23-30).

B. But, sometimes true brethren are hard to find, and the stand is a lonely one.  Such is to be expected when we think of the number of those who will be found faithful (Matthew 7:13-14 and Matthew 20:16).

1. Such was the case Paul faced (II Timothy 4:9-11).

A. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

1. God is with the righteous.  Psalms 37:39-40 

B. Romans 8:31 “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

1. Let God be our rock (Psalms 18:1-6).

C. There will be those who fight against us.  But, we can take what God told Jeremiah to heart: (Jeremiah 1:19) “And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee.”

1. When all are against us we can do as did David: (I Samuel 30:6) "And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God."

D. Some examples that shows us God will deliver us:

1. Noah stood alone for 120 years among great wickedness.  Notice the language of the situation of the days of Noah: Genesis 6:5 “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

a. Noah preached 120 years ALONE among the heathens.  II Peter 2:5 
b. God delivered Noah and his family because of their obedience: I Peter 3:20-21 

2. God delivered Israel - Exodus 18:10 
3. God delivered mankind from sin – I Corinthians 15:22 

a. When converted we are delivered from darkness – Colossians 1:13 

4. We need to pray for deliverance – Matthew 6:13 

a. If we stand fast and have faith in God victory will be ours.  I Corinthians 15:57-58 

A. James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
B. Jesus did so with Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11).

A. Paul said: (II Timothy 4:6-8) “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

1. To look forward to the reward, you have to have faith (Hebrews 11:6) “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

B. The reward is an eternal home in Heaven:

1. Hebrews 13:14 
2. II Corinthians 5:1 
3. Compare Heaven and Hell (Revelation 21:3-8).

2002 by Brian Yeager may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.