Introduction

Good morning, church family!

You know, Martin Farquhar Tupper once said, "Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscle of omnipotence." That's quite a profound thought, isn't it? Just think about it for a moment. Our prayers, as frail and feeble as they may sometimes seem, have the power to move the hand of Almighty God! Isn't that something? Today, we're going to dive into a passage that vividly illustrates this truth.

Let's read 1 Kings 18:36-38 from our Bibles,

"And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, 'O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.' Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench."

Seeing this, we are drawn to 3 key themes: the necessity of holiness, the power of prayer, and the fire of revival. We will walk together through these themes, exploring their relevance and application in our lives today.

Before we dive in, let's bow our heads for an opening prayer,

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, and for the opportunity to gather in your presence. As we study your Word today, we ask that you open our hearts and minds to understand your truth. Help us to grasp the necessity of holiness, the power of prayer, and the fire of revival, and how these elements can transform our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Now, let's get started.

The Necessity of Holiness

Holiness, in its simplest form, is the state of being set apart for God. It is a call to purity, righteousness, and sanctity. It is a call to reflect the very nature of God, who is described in the scriptures as being holy.

The context of our passage today: We see Elijah, a prophet of God, standing alone against the prophets of Baal. He was set apart, not just in his actions, but in his heart and his devotion to God. His life was a testament to the necessity of holiness. He was a man who walked in obedience to God's word, and through his life, we see a clear demonstration of the power and authority that comes from a life of holiness.

More than following a set of rules or regulations: It is about a relationship with God. It is about aligning our hearts, our minds, and our actions with the will of God. It is about living a life that is pleasing to God, not because we are trying to earn His favor, but because we love Him and desire to honor Him with our lives.

The Old Testament: The Israelites were called to be a holy people. They were set apart by God to be a light to the nations. They were given laws and commandments to guide them in their walk of holiness. These laws were not meant to be burdensome, but were given to protect them and to help them live in a way that honored God.

The New Testament: We see this call to holiness echoed in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, Peter writes, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This is not a suggestion, but a command. It is a call to live a life that reflects the holiness of God.

Not something we can achieve on our own: It is a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As we submit to God, the Holy Spirit begins to transform us, shaping us into the image of Christ. This process of sanctification is a lifelong journey. It involves daily surrender, daily repentance, and daily reliance on the grace of God.

An impact on our prayer life: When we live a life of holiness, our prayers are powerful and effective. James 5:16 tells us that "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." Elijah was a man of holiness, and his prayers were powerful enough to bring down fire from heaven. His life serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity of holiness in our walk with God.

Prepares us for the work of God in our lives: When we live a life of holiness, we become vessels that God can use for His glory. We become conduits of His power and His love. We become instruments in His hands, ready to be used for His purposes.

The Power of Prayer

Prayer is the means by which we communicate with God, expressing our desires, our fears, our hopes, and our gratitude ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO