Untitled Sermon (2)

Cars are cool, they do things that are almost of a super natural proportion, Man has never been able to run as fast, or find and ride animals as fast, or work as hard as the machine of the automobile. They do things that feel larger than life, and get us to places you would never achieve by your own strength.

The vehicle of Salvation is of EPIC proportions. For Jesus gave his life to get us to places we could have never dreamed, the destination of heaven is pipe dream to wandering sinner along life’s road. But He purchased the car at the cost of His life to get us to places we couldn’t go.

The make up of the vehicle of salvation is of epic supernatural proportions. Jesus gave his life to get us to places we could have never dreamed as a sinner, lost and wandering the highways. We say THANKYOU!!

As Jesus followers we have the priveledge of setting our gaze on the far point down the road, the hope of heaven, and while down here to reach a world that needs to get there too.

I hope

This morning we are thankful to be in the car, and last week Jared talked about the transmission, and our motivation to go and do what God has for us.

And Today we are going to talk about the Antenna… namely prayer. We are going to look at the life of Elijah, and what His prayer life looked like.

( There’s alot of content regarding prayer, a quick search in logos, which is a Bible study and resource tool i use... I got 10,000 results in 45 different sources.) But how many of you know that it doesn’t matter as much to know a little of everything, but much better to know a couple things, and to know them well… So Im not going to focus on all that this topic holds, but a few things.

This series we are in “The Summer Spiritual Tune UP Series” somehow just beg’s for “first car” stories. And this story came to mind as I was preparing.

My fondest memories were less of my first car, and more of memories riding with my brother Josh in his first car.

He found this car at a farm auction, and it was the dirtiest, loudest thing at the auction. And when the auctioneer came around and they started this thing up, it was barking and sounded terrible. I think the muffler was sawn off, but Josh waited until the auctioneer went way, way down, he bid and payed the whopping price of $200. For that price we drove that car for another 150,000km or more. It was a 1986 Chevrolet Nova, after a new exhaust we called it the “Pootermobile”

When I think of this car it was a gateway of sorts. On Friday nights we’d burn out of the yard to head to Youth Group. One word in particular helps some up the experience “Subs”, Josh had put in a 2x12 in the back with a pre-amp. And getting in that car meant we could rock out, for the 5 miles it took to get to youth group, and we could turn up, which was not an option at home… The only kill joy at first was that at the price of $200 as you might expect, the antenna was broke off. And so we proceeded with metal wiring trying to route wire from the broke off section, along the frame to the top of the car. And in this way we could find a signal, but it wasn’t a complete connection. We had great gear, but bad connection.

Along this life’s journey we need to ensure that our antenna is intact, and free of obstruction so we can communicate with the one that is going to get us home in one piece.

I dont know how many of you make a hobby of people watching, but if you do you might find this sight,

someone oblivious to the world, driving along and singing at the top of their lungs to their favourite song, and in their mind they are like Celin Dion. Just killin it. And we get the pleasure of watching that.

A common experience in any car, is seeing someone oblivious to the world, singing at the top of their lungs to their favourite song, in fact this is a lot of what we enjoy of the experience of being in a car.

I know at times i have confided in the ride home as a private oasis to sing really loud, because nobodies there to tell me how bad i sound, and Im glad for that.

I don’t think this is wrong. But when it comes to our prayer life there is a certain sentiment that we would long for, and it is to have this private oasis with God without dealing with the sin in our lives or hurt relationships or doing, or maybe the opposite. That we are trying to live our lives sold out for God, but our prayers are weak, and seemingly prayerless.

But just like any relationship, you need to spend some life with a person and give of yourself before clear and vital communication happens.

So here’s the church in Acts.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

And so this was the daily routine, it says “ day by day, they were attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes.

This morning we are going to look at the life of Elijah, because if there is a prayer life that I would long for it would be his. His Faith was undeniable for he was praying, listening and doing, and God was moving.

Acts ch. 3

I just want to make it clear at this point that the church in Acts was doing a lot of things that we should be doing and they are a great example of what a church can be.

But in many ways they are the same as us, so lets keep reading...

The ninth hour, that is, three o’clock in the afternoon, was one of the hours of prayer among the Jews; nine in the morning and twelve at noon were the other two.

In James ch. 5 we have some sweeping statements over his life

Acts 1–3 ESV

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “ ‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “ ‘Let another take his office.’ So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’ Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Acts 3:1–11

With reference to public worship, there must be a house of prayer and an hour of prayer: the ninth hour, that is, three o’clock in the afternoon, was one of the hours of prayer among the Jews; nine in the morning and twelve at noon were the other two. See Ps. 55:17; Dan. 6:10. It is of use for private Christians so far to have their hours of prayer as may serve, though not to bind, yet to remind conscience: every thing is beautiful in its season.

Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 2072). Peabody: Hendrickson.

Acts 3:1–3 ESV

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.

Matthew Henry Commentary says this about the ninth hour:

The ninth hour, that is, three o’clock in the afternoon, was one of the hours of prayer among the Jews; nine in the morning and twelve at noon were the other two.

The church in Acts was on fire, but something wasnt

And at 9am 12, and 3pm, these would head to the temple to pray. And so it was that daily the church in Acts was going to the temple, and simulataneously, daily this man was being laid at the temple gate, asking for alms.

This was his daily routine, that he would beg for alms which was the equivalent of crumbs falling from the table.

And this seems to me to be a common experience of us, that on the way home, or on the way to prayer, we pass by either needs that need to be met, or we pass by issues in our own heart that need to be adressed.

And it is a hap hazard attempt at tying the antenna back to the car, and the signal comes through faint and fuzzy at best.

So what can help faint and fuzzy signal??

I think God would have it, that a lot of your own healing and effectiveness in prayer would come through praying with another believer, and working through life together.

Lets turn to for a moment because when I think of road blocks in prayer, this passage has been foundational for me in moving ahead in my prayer life and walk with God.

starting in verse

James 5:13–20 NASB95

Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 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; 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. 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. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

James 5:13 ESV

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

James 5:17–18 ESV

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 5

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, banointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will brestore 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. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

James 5:17–20 ESV

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

James 5:16–20 ESV

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

James 5:16–20 ESV

James 5:17–20 ESV

James 5:13 ESV

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

There’s an interesting connection between the new testament and old testament here. Usually you have to read the Old Testament to give insight to what a New Testament writer is saying, but here James is telling us new insight on things you wouldnt find in the Old Testament.

So If we read back,

The first mention we have of Elijah in the Bible is in and it start this way:

1 Kings 17:1 ESV

Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”

In the old testament passage there is no mention of Elijah spending time in prayer, but the new testament writer sheds light on the life of Elijah as it says that “Elijah prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”

And that is a worthy reality to be aware of.

This morning I’d like to draw our attention to the life of Elijah, because He was a man who’s walk with God was not compartmentalized. He was prayer warrior, and he listened for God’s voice and he was not delayed in doing what that voice was telling him.

Not only did he pray for God to act, but when the Spirit of God spoke to him he lept into action.

three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

There was no disconnect between the antenna and the car, it was fully functioning, and the Glory of God came on display. He had all the gear, and all the connection. And God did some amazing things through Him.

Here are a couple things we can take from His life:

Back James it says that Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. Or the King James said it this way:

In James it says that Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. Or the King James Version said it this way:

Back to James it says that Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. Or the King James said it this way:

He was a man subject to like passions as we are.

Thats good news this morning. I dont know where you are at in your prayer life, but it is good for your soul to know that the prophets were no different than the people sitting to the left or right of you. Regular, normal people, with this defining factor. Passion... and its available to all of us here today.

Elijah prayed Fervently.

not a word we use often, but it means this: exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling.

was a man subject to like passions as we are

Marked by feelings of great intensity.

People get passionate about all kinds of stuff, I get intense about things I like: music, skateboarding, ect. But the passion grows when it is something that I am emotionally affected by. When I think of the love I have for family, music and skateboarding dont really come up on that. I think about my siblings, parents. And then I think about my wife and my kids and I am MARKED BY FEELINGS OF GREAT INTENSITY

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

But the single greatest mark on my life was being moved first be moved by the one that was marked on both hands, and it was for me, and He did it because of the intensity of the feelings He had for each and every one of us.

There was no other way, Jesus Christ gave His life that we could get in the car, and get us home one day.

And it is through Him that we have access to talk to God at all

And when we talk about prayer, we have one advocate between the Father,

Elijah was a man like us with similar passions, its plural. So he didnt just have one singular passion for Christ. In the same way we do he struggled to get His passions in subjection to Christ.

We dont always wake up first thing and love Jesus as we ought to, often our first thoughts are a bit farther out than that, thoughts of money, summer holidays, to do lists, hobbies, our jobs, our friends... But prayer will often play a part in bringing clarity to the array of passions we have. This was David’s prayer in the light of displaced passions:

Psalm 51:10-12

English Standard Version Psalm 51

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from your presence,

and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Any ordinary person can be marked by fervent prayer, they just have to cut loose their passions for Christ, and drive on with the purpose of Christ in their heart.

The other thing that set apart Elijah is that not only did he have a radical abandon in his prayers, but he was undeniable in his convictions, because when he heard God’s voice he acted on it.

How many of you know to live for Jesus you have to hear His voice, this voice is the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Why do you think David prayed “Take not thy Holy Spirit from me?” because it was vital to his heart that he and we may hear what human ears cannot.(MORE?? VERSE??)

In 1 Kings ch.18 It had been almost 3.5 years since ch. 17:1 where we read earlier Elijah had prayed for drought on the land, and the word of the Lord came to Elijah and finally said “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth.”

Ahab had been seeking out Elijah to take his life, but Elijah instead of running went straight to Ahab.

1 Kings 18:1–18 ESV

After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria. And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly, and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.) And Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals.” So they divided the land between them to pass through it. Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadiah went in another direction by himself. And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord, ‘Behold, Elijah is here.’ ” And he said, “How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me? As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek you. And when they would say, ‘He is not here,’ he would take an oath of the kingdom or nation, that they had not found you. And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here.” ’ And as soon as I have gone from you, the Spirit of the Lord will carry you I know not where. And so, when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, although I your servant have feared the Lord from my youth. Has it not been told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the Lord, how I hid a hundred men of the Lord’s prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water? And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here” ’; and he will kill me.” And Elijah said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.” So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him. And Ahab went to meet Elijah. When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals.

Ahab had been seeking out Elijah to take His life, but Elijah instead of running went straight to Ahab “

From Fervent Prayer came radical obedience. Elijah wasn’t afraid to tell Ahab what He needed to hear. When God lays something on your heart to share lives get changed when you speak the truth.

17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is this you, you troubler of Israel?” 18 He said, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and you have followed the Baals.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

From Fervent Prayer came radical obedience. Elijah wasnt afraid to tell Ahab what He needed to hear.

But Elijah knew that God was on his side, He had spent some time with God. He had been praying, and when it was time to stand, He stood tall for the Lord.

We talk about Baal like some passe, dusty old testament reference. But just recently New York, and London have both resurrected the arch of Baal.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

I think it was fully within them at that moment to say “ wait here, I’ll call on some friends and we’ll get you a couple more alms.”

And at the end of the chapter in it speaks to this:

verses 19-20...

English Standard Version Chapter 5

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

This is NEWS!

There is a connection between your healing, prayer, and the people around you. And it comes to a head in verse 16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.”

We are often afraid of stepping on people’s toes when it comes to speaking truth into another persons life. But if I think over my life, I know its often been times when someone took a risk to speak truth into my life... And thats when God revealed to me where I was at, and where I needed to be.

And what cost lies in the balance? whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

I think we can get over ourlselve’s if the cost of someone’s soul is in the balance. God help us.

Elijah was an example of a man that was not compartmentalized, He didnt live one way with one group or another, or pray differently in front of people or behind closed doors. The car was running, and the connection was strong, and it was a stunning display of a life sold out for God.

So what about us? Is the antenna attached to the car? Are our prayers prayerless? Or is our living devoid of obedience?

If your season isn’t as vital as it once was, or your prayers feel like their hitting the roof at night, I will encourage you with this:

If your soul is longing for more of Jesus, but you are feeling weak. Thats a good sign that the car is running.

says this

Instead Peter gave him something that money could never come close to. Healing.

This world need’s us to be Fervent in our prayers, and undeniable in our witness.

“I Have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazerath, rise up and walk.”

AUTHORITY TO HEAL (LUKE), PRAYER AS GATEWAY TO HEALING, UBSTRUCTION TO HEALING. SEEING THE GOSPEL OF SETTING PEOPLE FREE. IF WE ARE NOT LIVING FOR JESUS< THE RECEPTION WILL CONTINUE TO GET FUZZED OUT.

There are two realities that we need to be painfully aware of in this life. One is horizontal, the other is vertical. The two are inextricably woven. We live this life not compartmentalized as a man on an island, but we were made to live in community and relationship with others. The body of Christ, this is the horizontal reality. The other reality is that we live our lives before God, we are under His authority, and in relationship with Him, this is the vertical reality.

This passage is talking primarily about physical healing but all the same things apply when we talk about the healing of a soul.

There are two realities that we need to be painfully aware of in this life. One is vertical, the other is horizontal. The two are inextricably woven. We live this life not compartmentalized as a man on an island, but we were made to live in community and relationship with others. The body of Christ, this is the horizontal reality. The other reality is that we live our lives before God, we are under His authority, and in relationship with Him, this is the vertical reality.

I dont know how many times I go to prayer, and I’m trying to have that intimate drive home talk with God, and the Holy Spirit whispers in my ear. “ Have you talked to Ange yet, have you talked to that friend yet, have you made things right yet?”

All the worst feelings I have felt have usual been because of a broken reationship, and you fill in the blank. that it made you feel sad, guilty, bitter, whatever.

And sometimes its futility to pray

Romans 8:26

English Standard Version Chapter 8

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words

1 Peter 3:7 ESV

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

God’s grace runs so wide and deep that there are times and places for the believer that we dont even know what to pray, but we have a desire to meet before him, and the Holy Spirit understands your heart so intimately that He intercedes on our behalf before God.

If way you are living isnt the way it ought to be, today is a great place to start living for Jesus again, and the example of Elijah is close because he was just like us, but God did great things in His life when prayed, listened and then acted on what He heard.

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