TITLE: AN ABUNDANCE OF RAIN
TEXT: I KINGS 18:41-46
INTRO: The people had gathered, the altar repaired, the sacrifice laid out, the trench was dug, water applied and fire fell and consumed it all. But the day was far from over. Most evangelists today would have been satisfied with this display of the power of God. They would have gathered the ashes and soled vials of ash for the ministry, or t-shirts that read “I survived the fire of Mt. Carmel.” But Elijah was after the blessings of God. No rain for 3 ½ years had left the nation that was once a great region of vegetation devastated. It had become a dry barren waist land without the blessings of God.
When we walk in the sin of this world we become; devastated, dry, barren, desolate void of life. What we need is a spiritual down pour of the presence of God’s blessings in our life.
Elijah saw that the nation of Israel was in need of an abundance of life giving rain. What is it that brought this down pour up on this cursed land?
I. REPENTANCE
1. Before blessings can flow our way we must move into position to receive God’s blessings.
2. What is cursed cannot be blessed at the same time.
ILL. Repentance: It only works when it is applied!
A soap manufacturer and a pastor were walking together down a street in a large city. The soap manufacturer casually said, "The gospel you preach hasn’t done much good has it? Just observe. There is still a lot of wickedness in the world, and a lot of wicked people, too!" The pastor made no reply until they passed a dirty little child making mud pies in the gutter. Seizing the opportunity, the pastor said, "I see that soap hasn’t done much good in the world either; for there is much dirt, and many dirty people around." The soap man said, "Oh, well, soap only works when it is applied." And the pastor said, "Exactly, so it is with the gospel."
Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
II. CLEANSING
1. Must turn away from things of this world
2Co 6:17 The Lord says, "Get away from unbelievers. Separate yourselves from them. Have nothing to do with anything unclean. Then I will welcome you."
2. Not enough to pray a prayer with out a change of heart.
3. Not enough to say “I’m sorry”
- I want Christ in my life, BUT
- I don’t want to go to hell, BUT
- I know what I am doing is wrong, BUT
4. Didn’t work for Samson
5. Didn’t work for David
6. It want work for us
ILL. In the movie Godfather III, mafia chief Michael Corleone meets with Cardinal Lamberto, reporting to the Cardinal that executives from the Vatican bank and even an Archbishop, have been involved in a massive case of fraud. After hearing this news Cardinal Lamberto moves to a water fountain, withdraws a stone and says: Look at this stone. It has been lying in the water for a very long time, but the water has not penetrated it." He breaks the stone in two, shows the inside to Don Michael and continues, "Look. Perfectly dry. The same thing has happened to men in Europe. For centuries they have been surrounded by Christianity, but Christ has not penetrated. Christ doesn’t breathe within them."
7. Elijah had to get rid of these prophets before God could move on the land
III. ACT OF FAITH
1. He spoke it to Ahab before he saw anything in the sky
2. Before he had ask God to send rain
3. He spoke by faith that the rain was on it’s way
4. And that it was not just a few drops but a deluge
ILL. When Hudson Taylor went to China, he made the voyage on a sailing vessel. As it neared the channel between the southern Malay Peninsula and the island of Sumatra, the missionary heard an urgent knock on his stateroom door. He opened it, and there stood the captain of the ship. "Mr. Taylor," he said, "we have no wind. We are drifting toward an island where the people are heathen, and I fear they are cannibals." "What can I do?" asked Taylor. "I understand that you believe in God. I want you to pray for wind." "All right, Captain, I will, but you must set the sail." "Why that’s ridiculous! There’s not even the slightest breeze. Besides, the sailors will think I’m crazy." But finally, because of Taylor’s insistence, he agreed. Forty- five minutes later he returned and found the missionary still on his knees. "You can stop praying now," said the captain. "We’ve got more wind than we know what to do with!"
It was an act of faith when Andrew brought a little boy and his lunch to Jesus
It was an act of faith when a women said, if I can just touch the hem of his garment
It was an act of faith when Peter call out if that is you Lord…
5. Faith excites God on our behalf
IV. INTERCESSION
1. Fell on his face and cried out to God for a blessing
2. Most would have given up when nothing happened
3. He prayed again
4. He was determined that he was going to experience rain that day.
5. He prayed again
6. He could have said, well God’s going to do it in His own time and quit praying, but he prayed on.
7. He could have started walking back to town and kept faith in what God was about to do, but he prayed on.
8. He could have began to worship God for the answer, believing that it was coming, but he prayed on.
9. This was a time to pray and keep humble before God and let God be God!
Seven times he sends his servant to see if there was any rain headed that way.
10. Finally an answer, a cloud the size of a mans hand
11. Most would think how could this be my blessing? And would have gotten upset with God
12. Elijah said to Ahab get a going the rain is on it’s way
13. I want you to know that today God is saying to you get ready because I am about to pour out upon you an abundance of blessings.
