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THE SOUND OF ABUNDANCE OF RAIN

Text: 1 Kings 18
25 August 2009

(I) THE SOUND OF ABUNDANCE OF RAIN

1. Elijah intimates the ending of drought in the land

“…there is the sound of the abundance of rain” 1 Kings 18:41

2. Advice to Ahab

“…eat and drink…” 1 Kings 18:41, 42

a) Ahab too anxious to eat and drink?

b) Too numbed by the day’s events to eat and drink?

c) Influence of the false prophets?

(II) ELIJAH IN PRAYER

“…And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees…” 1 Kings 18:42

1. Significance of posture in prayer

a) Bowed down on the ground

Prostration

b) Put his face between his knees

Personal preference

2. Place of Prayer

a) Praying throughout the drought period of 3 ½ years

b) Praying for the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17)

c) Praying at Mount Carmel in the battle against the false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18)

d) Praying at Mount Carmel for the drought to end

i) Prayer ensures that nothing is taken for granted

ii) Prayer enables the carrying out of God’s plans

iii) Prayer empowers the individual for significant ministry

(III) ELIJAH AND HIS SERVANT

1. Elijah’s servant (1 Kings 17:43a)

a) Possible reference to a real “servant”

b) Probable reference to a disciple

2. Instruction to his servant

“…Go up now, look toward the sea…” 1 Kings 18:43b

3. Reply of Elijah’s servant

“…So he went up and looked, and said, ‘There is nothing…’ ” 1 Kings 18:43c

4. Repeat procedure

“…And seven times he said, ‘Go again.’ ” 1 Kings18:43d

5. The seventh time

“Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said,

‘There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!’…” 1 Kings 18:44a

6. A word to Ahab

“…So he said, ‘Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’ ” 1 Kings 18:44b

(IV) ANOTHER MIGHTY ANSWER TO PRAYER

“Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel.” 1 Kings 18:45

1. Rain clouds came up

2. Heavy rain was anticipated

(V) THE HAND OF THE LORD

“Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.” 1 Kings 18:46

1. The hand of the Lord (1 Kings 18:47a)

a) A significant concept

b) This teaches us about the personal involvement in the life and ministry of His servants.

2. Physical empowerment

Elijah ran faster than the chariot of Ahab (1 Kings 18:47b)