Theme 2014: Experiencing God, Embracing People! James 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….

1 Kings 18:20-40 Great man of prayer… accomplished great things for God!

understood the power of God! 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….

“Elijah was a human being, even as we are ….” [TNIV] James 5:17a….

Elijah was just an 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 them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord..… 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 human as 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.”

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 POWER to be His witnesses! He gives us HIS POWER to 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….

“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….

Elijah stood for God when nobody else did! 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…. “He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west.” [TNIV]

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 less for 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….

…. 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 as a man's hand is rising from the 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 Jezreel.” [TNIV]

Elijah kept praying until the results came! Elijah prayed again! And again! Elijah prayed again! And again!

When people persisted in bringing their requests before God, they got results! Elijah prayed until the answer came!

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….

…. 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 by prayer 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