But First | Guest Speaker: Rev. Tim Greaves

But First | Guest Speaker: Rev. Tim Greaves — Sermon Notes
January 25, 2026

Scripture Focus: 1 Kings 17

What does the Lord have prepared for us this year? And how do we prepare ourselves to receive what He has for us? 

Core Question

What does the Lord have prepared for us, and are we prepared to receive it?

God’s provision isn’t always what we expect, but obedience determines whether we receive it.

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Elijah & the Widow at Zarephath

1 Kings 17:1–16

The Setting

• Elijah declares a drought over Israel
• God provides through ravens and a brook
• The brook eventually dries up

God’s provision is real, but sometimes temporary. Obedience requires listening for the next instruction.

God Sends Elijah

1 Kings 17:7–9

• God directs Elijah to Zarephath
• God directs a widow in advance

God never sends us where He hasn’t already prepared the way.

Prepared People

1 Kings 17:10–11

• Elijah obeys immediately
• The widow is already at the gate

Supporting Scriptures:

• Luke 19:30 — The colt prepared
• Exodus 4:21 — Pharaoh’s heart prepared
• John 14:2–3 — A place prepared

Provision is already in place before obedience begins.

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The Test of Faith

1 Kings 17:12

• Widow has only enough for one final meal
• Expects death after eating

Faith is tested when obedience costs what feels essential.

“But First”

1 Kings 17:13–14

• Elijah asks for bread first
• Promise: flour and oil will not run out

Putting God first is the condition for continued provision.

The Widow Obeys

1 Kings 17:15–16

• She does as Elijah says
• Daily provision follows

Supporting Scripture:

• Matthew 6:33 — Seek first the Kingdom

Obedience before understanding unlocks provision.

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Crisis After Provision

1 Kings 17:17–18

• The widow’s son dies
• She blames Elijah

Comfort with provision can cause us to forget God when crisis comes.

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Intercessory Prayer & Resurrection

1 Kings 17:19–23

• Elijah prays earnestl
• God restores the child’s life

God’s power extends beyond provision—He is Lord over life itself.

The Widow’s Response

1 Kings 17:24

• Acknowledges Elijah as a man of God
• Confirms the Lord’s word is true

Believing in God’s work is not the same as personally knowing God.

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Key Themes & Takeaways

1. Prepare to Hear God

• Prayer and fasting position us to listen

Preparation precedes revelation.

2. Recognize God’s Voice

• God may speak through others
• Familiarity with His voice comes through a relationship

You recognize God’s voice the same way you recognize a loved one’s—by hearing it often.

3. Acknowledge God’s Work

• Remember daily provision
• Record God’s faithfulness

Gratitude guards us from forgetting God in hard moments.

4. Put God First

• Faith, obedience, worship before outcomes

Song Reference: Bless God

• Bless God when hands are empty
• Bless God when it costs

Praise is the “but first” posture of faith.

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Final Challenge

Put God before all else—and watch what happens.

Then tell someone. That’s testimony.