Sermon Tone Analysis

*1 Kings 18:20-39*

*Powerful Prayer*

 

I.

Introduction

A. People today have faith but it is in nothing

1. Jobs

2. lottery

3. fame

B. We rarely put our faith in the one that can truly change us

C. History of Ahab, Jezebel, and Elijah

II.

Know the will of God

A. Everyone else was following the religions and philosophies of the day: Baal and Asherah; Today everyone follows secularism, pluralism, universalism, materialism, relativism

B. Stand up for God even when no one else does

C. Elijah knows the will of God because he studied the word of God

D. Once we know the will of God, we can ask for His will to be done – which includes what appears to be impossible (22-28)

E. Parallel

1. Prophets of Baal = today’s entertainment driven, secular, relativistic society – Both asking the impossible out of a non-existent entity

a) They wanted the Baal and Asherah to show themselves through fire

b) We want money, fame, sex, etc to make our lives more fulfilling and to give us hope.

c) We have made them are gods, but they are not gods and have only the power to make us fail.

They do not have the power to give us fulfillment and hope

d) The true and living God, alone has the power to give us abundant life and hope

2. People began to sacrifice themselves for the gods by slashing themselves – Many people do this for their gods today

3. Elijah alone could ask for power from his God and expect it

a) Elijah had faith in the greatness of God

b) Elijah was so in tune with the will of God that he knew what to ask for

(1) Knew the word of God

(2) Stayed in frequent fellowship with God through prayer

III.

Prepare for prayer

A. Called the people to him – not self-seeking, but that they might see the power of God

B. Elijah came to God on God’s terms

1. Repaired the alter  - Their should be a sacrifice

2. At the time prescribed – (36) – The time of the evening sacrifice

C. Prayer should never be entered into lightly, though most of us do

1.

faith

2. humility

D. Prepare to depend on Him

IV.

Pray for the impossible (32-36)

A. In the will of God

B.  He wants to show that God is not only capable of starting a fire, but starting a fire that was impossible to start

C. It shows the true glory of God

D. In His prayer, Elijah recalls the promises of God

1. God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – The promises for His people and their blessings to all nations – Not to be an abomination

2.

He is recalling the wonders of God in the past and remembering His power

V. Expect God glory to be shown

A. God sends down fire (38)

B. They turn back to God (39)

1. Hit their faces

2. “The LORD, He is God”

VI.

Conclusion

A. Effective evangelism stems from true prayer

B. IMPACT will only happen through true prayer

C. Abundant life will only come through true prayer.

D. We must Pray for Power

E. James 5:13-19 (NASB95)13 Is anyone among you suffering?

/Then /he must pray.

Is anyone cheerful?

He is to sing praises.

14 Is anyone among you sick? /Then /he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.