Last week we looked at the story of Elijah. He was sent to King Ahab to inform him that it would not rain until Elijah proclaimed it. So for three years the nation of Israel suffered through a great drought.
When Elijah returned he set up a show-down between God and the prophets of Baal. Elijah had a vision of God showing his power in a mighty way that others tried to drown. But God consumed all the doubts and negativity poured on Elijah’s vision.
We learned that there were things required of us to see our vision to completion. We must work for it. We must pray for it. We must fight for it. We must be bold. We must be expectant.
But there was a second part to Elijah’s vision and that was fulfilling his prophecy that it would not rain until he commanded it. And he knew that it would only be through the supernatural power of God that it would become a reality.
Let’s read 1 Kings 18:41-42 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!” So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees.
Notice his boldness. Not a cloud in the sky, not a sound in the air. But through the ears of faith he hears “a mighty rainstorm coming”. Not an afternoon shower, but what we in the south call a “gulley washer.”
While Ahab is eating, Elijah is praying. He is not praying a simple 30 second prayer. He is on his knees, bowing before God as low as he can bow. He has his face between his knees. I tried that position and I found it extremely uncomfortable. My blood rushed to my head, making me dizzy. I found it difficult to breathe. My back ached. And that was only for a few seconds. He would spend much more time in this position.
Let’s read on Kings 18:43 Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.” The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.” Seven times Elijah told him to go and look.
You must wonder did Elijah become discouraged. He had faith. He made a bold declaration. But it seemed to be going nowhere. Have you ever felt like that? I have. I decided to set up 32 chairs a week in faith that God would fill them. On most Sundays I preach to 20 empty chairs.
I have two choices on how to deal with this. I can decide that my vision for this church has just been a dream. I can just have everyone get their own chair when they come in and it would make setting up and tearing down a little easier. I could stop expecting great things from God and settle for whatever He gives me. I could begin worshipping him as if the growth has already come and quit asking him for the growth.
Or I can keep going, setting out those 32 chairs while making plans where to put the other 68 chairs when the time comes. I can keep expecting great things from God. But most importantly, I can keep praying.
Elijah kept praying. After seven rejections, Elijah kept praying. And here in this part of the story I think lies our lesson to be learned, that being what can keep God from allowing us to realize our vision.
In my studies for this sermon I discovered seven reasons that God will not answer prayers. And unanswered prayers lead to unfulfilled vision.
1) Ignoring those in need
Proverbs 21:13 Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.
I must guard against deciding a persons worth upon their giving. A lot of churches will allow those who can finically benefit the church to hold sway over the body. I must preach the truth of God’s word without worrying about offending someone and them leaving. When we as a church can assist someone in need we must do so, as much as possible while still being good stewards. I am stunned at pastors who charge a fee to perform weddings and funerals. God was gracious enough to call me into his service and for that I will not place a price.
What ever your ministry becomes, give away as much as possible. Don’t ignore those in need and run the risk of being ignored when you have a need.
2) Ignoring sin
Isaiah 59:1-2 Listen! The LORD’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.
If I have sin in my life God will not listen to my prayers and in fact will turn from my requests. I can perform to perfection. I can preach powerful sermons. But He will not even listen to my petition for his assistance. And as much as I want to blame God for my failure, I have no one to blame but myself.
I have the promise that He will save me in-spite of my sins. I have that guarantee in Jesus. And I have the assurance that He will hear me when I repent. But if I have any sin that is blatant sin, if I have sin in my life that I would chose over God granting my vision for this church, then I am destined to preach to a lot more than twenty empty chairs. To see my vision for Whitestone ministry to be completed, I have to be as sinless as possible.
If you have known sin in your life, repent today. He is listening. He wants to move you into a powerful ministry for him.
3) Ignoring idols
Ezekiel 14:3 “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests?
I certainly don’t have any statues or symbols in my house that I worship. But that is not what modern day worship is. Notice the scripture says that idols are things “that will make them fall into sin” Idols are anything that draws me away from God and into sin. It could be what I read, what I watch, what I listen to. If I watch something that plants lust filled thoughts into my mind that is an idol. If I would rather spend my money on pleasure or possessions than to give to God that which rightfully belongs to him, that is an idol. I need to take an inventory of my heart and see if I have embraced anything more important than my service to God and, if so, destroy it.
You need to do the same if you want your vision to be fulfilled. Have you some new gadget in your life that allows you to do things that are dishonoring to God? Is there something that needs to be purged from your heart? God asks “If you chose an idol over me, why should I heed your requests?”
4) Ignoring grudges
Mark 11:25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
Meaning of the word “grudge“: A deep-seated feeling of resentment. Phil Collins has a song with the lyrics “If I saw you drowning, I would not lend a hand” That is resentment. I may have not put them in the water but I sure won’t pull them out. I will let them flounder.
I have been hurt a lot over the years, by people I work for, by friends that have betrayed me, by family members who walked from me. But I must not carry any type of grudge against them.
And the reality is there are plenty of reasons that I have given people over the years to resent me. None of us are innocent.
Remember that sin will keep God from hearing our prayers and will cause him to turn from us.
If you are harboring grudges in your heart, release them. I am not saying you should run to them and become their friend, but if a time comes when they reach out to you be there for them. And the true test of being sure that you hold no grudge is to reach out now before they have a need.
5) Ignoring motives
James 4:3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
I must check my motives for desiring my vision to become a reality. Am I seeking man’s praises or God’s approval? Sometimes what begins as a vision from God can become a stage in which I can be glorified. I thank God he gave me a wife to help keep my ego in check. I remember early in my ministry seeking her praises after a sermon, a conversation that had become habitual. She calmly looked at me after I had sought this approval over several weeks and asked “What’s wrong? Do you need your ego feed?”
That put my feet on the ground. I must be careful that my desire for Whitestone is to elevate God and not me.
Are you looking for fame from your vision? Or are you looking to lift Jesus on high? If what you want is for your own pleasure you can be assured that you will not receive that which you ask for.
6) Ignoring family
Peter 3:7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
I must guard against allowing my vision to supersede my obligations to my family. I must continue to stand as the head of my household and not ignore those around me as I pursue my vision. My lack of attention to my family will hinder my prayers. This is a difficult thing to manage at times, but is simply about time management. I must learn to manage my time so that my responsibilities to my vision and my family are balanced. And I have learned with wise management that it is possible.
Do not forsake your family time for your vision. Plan outings and times together away from your ministry. But do not forsake your vision for your family. Have them understand that there are certain times when you must be about your call from God. Never let one overshadow the other.
7) Ignoring God
James 1:6-7 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
I must not put my faith in man, including myself, or in any programs. If my loyalty becomes divided between what I feel I can accomplish and what I ask of God, then I will receive no results from either. That does not mean I just sit back and do nothing. I must trust totally in God to accomplish the work. I have stated before and I will once again state, Whitestone Ministry is not my church. It is the church of my Lord, Jesus. And He will grow it or close it as He wills. My role is to do all I can in faith to accomplish his will and to pray. So I pray without wavering, with undivided loyalty to God.
That is your challenge. And that was Elijah’s challenge. And it worked.
Kings 18:44 Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.” Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’”
Can you hear the excitement in Elijah’s voice? “How big? It’s going to be bigger then I thought. God’s going to bring rain more abundantly than I could have imagined” Looking around I see a crowd about the size of a home group but I tell you to get ready, God’s going to send rain. He’s going to fill this place at the proper time when I have proven myself through prayer. He’s going to allow your vision to explode when you have proven yourself through prayer, and your’s and your’s.
It says in vs. 45 that the sky filled with black clouds, heavy winds, and a TERRIFIC rainstorm. Elijah heard the rain before the first drop fell. I hear the rain. It’s coming. Some are prepared, some aren’t.
Will you be prepared when that rain that God is going to send comes into your life? Ahab had to leave quickly to keep from being swept away in a torrent of mud. I want to be swept away but not from a muddy cascade. I want to be swept away in the love of Jesus. Are you ready?
