In His House: Part 2 - "Highly Unlikely" with Christine Caine - LifeChurch.tv

Highly Unlikely

Scripture References

• 1 Kings 17:7
• Genesis 8:22
• Matthew 6:33

Overview

God delights in doing the unexpected—sending unlikely people to unlikely places with unlikely strategies that produce unlikely outcomes. Christine Caine walks through the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath to show that the ingredients for every miracle are already in our midst. When we embrace the place we are planted and offer God the first of our time, talent, tongue, and treasure, scarcity gives way to sufficiency and our obedience becomes seed for harvest.

Main Points

God specializes in the unlikely

• From Genesis to Revelation—and in modern-day Oklahoma City—God chooses unlikely places, people, strategies, and results.
  • Illustration: Life.Church began in an “unlikely” city with an “unlikely” young pastor and now reaches 20+ campuses and hundreds of partner churches.
  • Illustration: YouVersion (referenced through Bobby Gruenewald) started with an unlikely idea yet has placed Scripture in 150+ million devices.

Embrace here, not “there”

• We are always “here”; when we finally arrive “there,” it becomes “here.”
• Stop waiting for perfect conditions—marriage, money, platform, recognition—and steward what God has placed in front of you now.
• Four resources everyone possesses right now:
  1. Time
  2. Talent
  3. Tongue (words)
  4. Treasure

Sow what you have

• Elijah asked the widow, “What have you got?”—she focused on lack, but she already held the seed (flour and oil) for a miracle.
  • Story: Christine walked into Hillsong 25 years ago—nameless, abused, and broken—but began by cleaning bathrooms; that hidden obedience became seed for global ministry and A21.
  • Story: As a volunteer driver for Joyce Meyer, an “ordinary” task later opened extraordinary doors of influence.
• Scarcity mindset says, “I’ve only got $20, so it’s useless.” Sufficiency mindset says, “I’ve got $20 seed—plant it!”
• We abort potential when we keep seed in our pocket.

Give God the first

• Elijah’s instruction: “But first, make a small loaf for me.” The principle of firstfruits activates provision.
• Matthew 6:33—seek first God’s kingdom; Malachi’s call to bring “the whole tithe” (chapter unstated) echoes the same priority.
• When the first 10 percent is returned to God, the remaining 90 percent stretches further than 100 percent on our own.

Generosity enlarges your world

• Proverbs pattern: the world of the generous gets larger; the world of the stingy shrinks.
• The enemy targets our generosity to keep our lives small, fearful, and self-protected.
• God is not limited by Keynesian economics—He never runs out.

Your miracle may later need a miracle

• The widow’s obedience fed Elijah, then Elijah’s presence raised her son; the blessing she released came back multiplied.
• Investing in the house today positions you for the help you may need tomorrow—community, care, spiritual covering.

Key Truths

• God is looking for availability more than ability.
• The place that feels barren often hides the seed of your next miracle.
• What you protect out of fear will eventually run out; what you release to God multiplies.
• Generosity in time, talent, tongue, and treasure creates space for God to move.
• Firstfruits living anchors trust in God’s sufficiency, not our scarcity.

Response

• Recognize and thank God for the “here” where you are planted.
• Inventory your time, talent, tongue, and treasure; offer the first of each to God this week.
• Replace “I only have…” statements with faith-filled sowing—give, serve, speak life.
• Combat fear with action—take one step that proves you trust God’s provision.
• Expect unlikely outcomes and testify when they arrive.

Closing

God still uses highly unlikely people in highly unlikely places—and you are next in line. When you plant your limited seed, Heaven’s unlimited supply goes to work. The world of the generous expands; the jar of flour does not run out; the oil keeps flowing.

“Father, we trust You with the first—not our leftovers. Have Your way and blow our minds.”

Prayer

Father, I thank You for this extraordinary house and every person You’ve planted here. May what has happened be only a foundation for what You are yet to do. Help us give You the opportunity, in this place and this moment, to work through our lives. We trust You with the first, not the leftovers. In Jesus’ name, amen.