Theme 2014: Experiencing God, Embracing People!

Theme 2014: Experiencing God, Embracing People!

James 5:17-18James 5:17-18

“17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not

rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half

years. 8 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”

[TNIV]

James 5:17-18….James 5:17-18….

1 Kings 18:20-401 Kings 18:20-40

Great manof prayer… accomplished great things for God!

understood thepower of God!

A secret about Elijah….

A secret about Elijah….

“17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not

rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half

years. 8 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”

[TNIV]

James 5:17-18….James 5:17-18….

“Elijah was a human being,even as we are….” [TNIV]

James 5:17a….James 5:17a….

Elijah was justan ordinary man

who was a servant of the most

extraordinary God!

“13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is

anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone

among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray

over themand anoint them with oil inthe name of the Lord. .…

James 5:13-16….James 5:13-16….

…. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make them well; the Lord will raise them up. If they

have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess

your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful

and effective.” [TNIV]

Nothing inherently special about Elijah.

He was just as humanas the rest of us!

There are

we can glean from the

life of Elijah.

THE POWER that Elijah

experienced through prayer

was for a “purpose.”

THE POWER that Elijah

experienced through prayer

was for a “purpose.”

God does not give us His power for our own benefit.Although sometimes He does use His power for our benefit,

like when He heals us.

He gives us HIS POWERto be His witnesses!

He gives us HIS POWERto be His witnesses!

“But you will receive power

when the Holy Spirit comes on

you; and you will be my

witnesses in Jerusalem, and

in all Judea and Samaria, and

to the ends of the earth.” [TNIV]

Acts 1:8….Acts 1:8….

“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if

you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to

this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move.

Nothing will be impossible for

you.’ ” [TNIV]

Matthew 17:20….Matthew 17:20….

Elijah stood for Godwhen nobody else did!

James 5:16b….James 5:16b….

“… The (earnest) prayer of a righteous person is (has)

powerful (great power) and effective (wonderful results).”

[TNIV]

The greatest miracle of all

is the NEW LIFE that we

live

in Jesus Christ!

Psalm 103:12….Psalm 103:12….

“He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as

the east is from the west.” [TNIV]

1 John 1:9….1 John 1:9….

“If we confess our sins (to him),

he is faithful and just and will

forgive us our sins and purify

(cleanse) us from all

unrighteousness (every wrong).” [TNIV]

How do we get the results?

• Elijah’s life

• the rest of Scripture

• historical proof

… is just one word –

The reason why we see less of the power of God

is that we pray lessfor the power of God!

“41 And Elijah said to Ahab,‘Go, eat and drink, for there is

the sound of a heavy rain.’42 So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the

top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face

between his knees. ….

1 Kings 18:41-45….1 Kings 18:41-45….

…. 43 ‘Go and look toward the sea,’ he told his servant. And he went up and looked. ‘There

is nothing there,’ he said. Seven times Elijah said, ‘Go

back.’44 The seventh time the servant reported, ‘A cloud as small asa man's hand is rising fromthe sea.’ So Elijah said, ….

…. ‘Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch

up your chariot and go down

before the rain stops you.’45 Meanwhile, the sky grew

black with clouds, the wind

rose, a heavy rain came on

and Ahab rode off to Jezree

l.” [TNIV]

Elijah kept

praying until

the results

came!Elijah

prayed again!

And again!

And again!

Elijah

prayed again!

And again!

And again!

When people persistedin bringing their requests before God, they got results!

Elijah prayed until the

answer came!

Daniel 10:12-13….Daniel 10:12-13….

“12 Then he continued, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to

gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard,

and I have come in response to them …..

…. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me

twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me,

because I was detained there with

the king of Persia.’ ” [TNIV]

had prayed to God for

understanding (21 days)

– the reason for the delay.

Things may not come easy.

But IF we persist in seeking

before God, we will prevail!

“18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then the

disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ 20 So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your

unbelief; for assuredly, ….

Matthew 17:18-21….Matthew 17:18-21….

…. I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you

will say to this mountain,’ Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will

be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not

go out except byprayer and fasting.” [NKJV]

How many of you desire to

see the POWER of God

manifest in your life?

Take note of the 3 principles we learn from Elijah’s life!

You must be yourself, be

You must be willing

to stand for God, be

You must be