SERMON SEEDS K23 FOR 8/20/07
Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>
SUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-subscribe@welovegod.org
TO UNSUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-unsubscribe@welovegod.org
SERMON SEEDS FOR AUGUST 20, 2007
************************************************************************************
GOD DEMONSTRATES
1 Samuel 17
#4 of 5 D. O. G. (DEPEND ON GOD) DAYS
We usually dont think of God as demonstrating things, but He does.
This week we are looking at one of the great prophets of the Old Testament, Elijah, to discover that God Demonstrates. God demonstrates His power. If you have ever felt the need for more of Gods power in your life, this message is for you! He wants to demonstrate His power through you!
By the time Elijah the Prophet came on the scene, the nation Israel had split into two countries, the Northern nation was Israel and the southern nation was Judah.
The northern nation, Israel, was trying to worship other gods, especially one called Baal, and God at the same time.
The King and Queen then, Ahab and Jezebel are remembered for their wickedness and idolatry.
1 Kings 16:30-33
God decided to demonstrate His power to Ahab and Jezebel, and the rebellious nation of Israel. He decided to demonstrate it through the prophet Elijah. God had warned Israel many times about turning away from the God of Israel to worship other Gods. He warned that there would be consequences.
Deuteronomy 11:16-17
So one day, God sent Elijah the Prophet to King Ahab to make an announcement. It was a demonstration of the Power of God working through Elijah. 1 Kings 17:1
Obviously Elijah was aware of the promise of draught if Israel worshipped other Gods. Based on these promises Elijah prayed. James 5:17
Please note that Elijah was a human being just like us!
There was nothing special about him except for His faith and his prayers. These are two things we can use as well so that God will demonstrate His power.
After it was obvious there was a draught, that Ahab started looking for Elijah! 1 Kings 18:10
But God knew that Ahab would be looking for Elijah, so He hid him! First Elijah was instructed to hide by the book Cherith where he drank from the stream and Ravens brought him food. When the stream dried up he was kept in Zarephath by a widow. Her cruise of oil and barrel of meal did not run out until it rained.
Finally, after 3 ½ years it was time for God to demonstrate His power to Israel. 1 Kings 18:1
So Elijah did as he was told and appeared before Ahab. 1 Kings 18:17-29
Elijah called Ahab to gather the nation of Israel and the false prophets to Mount Carmel. This was a mountain near the Mediterranean Sea. God was going to demonstrate His power.
There are three things that I want us to examine in this passage this morning.
MOTIVES
In order for God to demonstrate His power through Elijah, Elijah had to have the right motives.
In order for God to demonstrate His power through us, we have to have the right motives.
Vs. 36 Elijahs motives are displayed in this prayer.
1. He wanted Israel to know who the true God was in Israel. Because there were false prophets, particularly the prophets of Baal who were being worshipped, Elijah wanted Israel to know the only true God!
2. He also wanted to be known as the servant of God. If Elijah was going to be listened to, it needed to be clear that he was Gods servant.
3. He also wanted it to be known that what he had done and was doing was through directions or word. He wanted it known that the proclamation of the draught, the hiding, the contest between him and the prophets of Baal, were all according to Gods will.
If we want to see Gods power working through us, we need to have the same motives.
1. Whatever we ask for should be because we want people to know the only true God. Whatever we ask God to do should be because we want Him glorified and not ourselves.
2. Whatever we ask for should be because we want it known that we are Gods servants.
3. Whatever we ask for should be because we want it known that our actions are according to the will of God.
If you want God to demonstrate His power, make sure that your motives are right!
MOTIVES
METHODS
What methods did Elijah use so God would answer His prayers?
1. HE CONFRONTED.
Vss. 20-21 The word halt means to limp or to totter.
The children of Israel were trying to serve God and Baal at the same time! They were wavering between two gods!
How many of us are just like that? We want all the pleasures that the world has to offer and to serve God at the same time. It doesnt work! Matthew 6:24
There are times when for God to demonstrate his power we are going to have speak up!
We will have to say to others, Dont flip-flop between two opinions. If you are going to serve Christ, serve Him! If you are going to serve yourself, another person, money or any other God, serve Him! Decide! You cant do both!
2. HE CHALLENGED
Vss. 22-24 Elijah proposed a contest. The prophets of Baal, who was the sun God and the God of fire, were to prepare a sacrifice but not to light it. Elijah would do the same. The God that sent fire from Heaven was God!
Sometimes we might have to challenge people to put God to the test as well. Lets compare what my God is doing with what your God is doing. The one, who is actually making a difference in our lives, let Him be the God!
If you are truly dedicated to the Lord and the other person is honest, you will never lose that challenge.
HE CONCEDED
Elijah gave every advantage to his foes.
Vs. 25 He let them go first and chose the sacrifice.
He let them have the better part of the day. He didnt start his sacrifice until 3:00 in the afternoon. We already said the contest involved their God of fire!
Vss. 32-35 When Elijah offered his sacrifice he had it doused it with water three times!
How do we make concessions? It will seem that God is giving every advantage to our foes!
Sometimes the situations we are asking God to solve get worse before they get better.
When this happens it means that God gets even more glory when He answers. And we should not get discouraged.
HE CRIED
In this chapter there are two cases where Elijah cried to God. The first case is in this contest. Vss. 36-37
The second case was after the contest when he went further up the mountain and cast himself on the ground, scrunched himself up on the ground, and prayed for rain.
God wants us to cry to him in prayer! This is when he will demonstrate His power! Jeremiah 33:3,
1 John 5:14-15, Mark 11:22-24
God will demonstrate his power if we pray!
HE CONTINUED
As well see in a minute, God answered the prayer for fire from Heaven immediately with fire from Heaven.
Vss. 42-44 When Elijah prayed for rain, he had to keep at until it happened!
Some prayers God will answer quickly. Other prayers God will expect you to keep praying until He answers.
We must be stubborn in prayer!
Matthew 7:7-8 - Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: [8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
In the original language it means that we are to keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. We are to be persistent in our prayers. Continue until God gives you an answer!
MIRACLES
Vss. 38 Fire came from Heaven
Vs. 39 The people acknowledged the Lord as God. That was the greatest miracle of the four here.
Vs. 45 It rained!
Vs. 46 Elijah outran Ahab a distance of about 17 miles.
Does God work miracles today?
This week, He reminded me that he does.
MOTIVES
METHODS
MIRACLES
*****************************************************************************
Psalm 97
OUR GOD REIGNS!
COMMUNICATION OF GODS MAJESTY Vss. 1-6
CONFUSION OF IDOL WORSHIPERS Vs. 7
COMFORT FOR ZION Vs. 8
CONDUCT OF THE SAINTS Vss. 9-10
**************************************************************************
Zephaniah 3:2
KNOWING IT'S TIME A MESSAGE ON REVIVAL
"She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God."
Pity the housewife who does not know when it's time to take the cake out of the oven.
Pity the workaholic when he does not know it's time to rest.
Pity the little boy who does not know when it's time to change his socks.
Pity the Christian when he does not know it's time for revival.
The citizens of Jerusalem did not know when it was time for revival. They did not know when it was time to turn back to God.
We know it's time for revival when:
1. When we are disobedient - "She obeyed not the voice;"
2. When we are stubborn - "...she received not correction;"
3. When we are unbelieving - "...she trusted not in the LORD;"
4. When we are reluctant - "...she drew not near to her God."
This is a previously shared Sermon Seed.
************************************************************************************
Matthew 4:13-25
WHEN JESUS CAME
HE WAS A MESSENGER Vss. 13-17, 23
HE WAS A MENTOR Vss. 18-22
HE WAS MIRACLE WORKER Vss. 23-25
************************************************************************************
John 15:17-24
THE SON AT WORK
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FATHER- Vss. 17-20
POWER OF THE SON Vs. 21
POSITION AS JUDGE Vss. 22-23
PROMISE OF SALVATION Vs. 24
*****************************************************************************
Acts 9:32-43
PRACTICAL MINISTRY
Peter was involved in ministry that was very practical
THE CRIPPLE WALKED Vss. 32-34
THE UNBELIEVING BELIEVED Vss. 35, 42
THE DEAD LIVED Vss. 36-43
· A Good Woman Vs. 36
· A Dead Woman Vss. 37-39
· A Living Woman Vss. 40-41
**************************************************************************
Hebrews 11:5-6
FAITH WALKER
(Third in a series on Hebrews)
I began this message by quoting verses from 3 hymns - "Just A Closer Walk With Thee," "In the Garden", and "O Master Let Me Walk With Thee".
The words from these three hymns remind us of the importance of walking with God. The original faith walker was a man named Enoch. He walked by faith!
HIS TRIP
"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him:"
Enoch jumps off the pages of Genesis 5 and grabs our attention.
If Hebrews 11 is the "Faith Chapter" of the Bible, Genesis 5 is the "Death Chapter". The key phrase in this list of genealogies is, "And he died".
Enoch is the exception to the rule. Genesis 5:21-24
Enoch did not see death. God brought Him directly home to Heaven. This translation from earth to Heaven was a result of Enoch's faith. That was some trip!
As a result of the faith of each Christian, we too will experience "translation". We call it the rapture, and it is possible that some of us will experience the rapture before we experience death.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
While we await the coming of the Lord Jesus, faith is to be a key part of our waiting.
Titus 2:11-14 - The evidence that we believe that Jesus is coming back soon is found in our Godly living.
HIS TESTIMONY
"for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God."
This is a wonderful testimony to have. Enoch pleased God.
This is a thought that I don't want you to take lightly.
There are a lot of things that people deem important. And many things are important things after a fashion.
Family is important.
Friends are important.
Church is important.
The job is important.
Inter-personal relationships are important.
Paying our bills is important.
But there is nothing more important than pleasing God!
If we get to the end of our lives and God is not pleased, what do we have? Nothing!
How did Enoch please God? Enoch pleased God by walking with God! Genesis 5:24
To please God today, we must walk with God.
Our walk with God has certain ingredients in it.
1. COOPERATION
We can not walk with God unless we are in agreement with God. Amos 3:3
2. COMMUNICATION
To walk with someone does imply some sort of fellowship or communication. If we are going to walk with God, we must be listening to what He has to say. What's the use of walking with someone if you are not speaking with someone?
We talk much about prayer and the concept of talking to God.
Indeed the Bible tells us that this important.
But just as Elijah heard a still, small voice, we need to be listening for that same voice as we pray and as we listen to the Word of God.
3. CONDUCT
Walking with God requires certain kinds of behavior, if we are going to walk the way God wants us to walk.
We are to walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
We are to walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16
We are to walk in love. Ephesians 5:2 -
4. CONFIDENCE
Confidence is a very important part of our walk with God. In fact, I mention it now but the concept is developed in the next verse. 2 Corinthians 5:7
HIS TRUST
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
If we do not have faith, it is impossible to please God.
If we are going to come to God, we must believe that He exists.
If I asked each of you if you believed that God exists, you will all say "yes".
However, the real question is "Do you act like God exists?"
I confess that all too often, I haven't.
Very often our behavior betrays how much we really believe in the existence of God. If we really believed in God's existence, we wouldn't be so quick to do some of the things we do.
We must also believe that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Do we truly believer that God rewards those who seek Him?
How does God reward those who seek Him?
Peace
Answered prayer
Holy Spirit Power
Godliness
Now, if we truly believe that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, what will be do? Isaiah 55:6, Psalm 27:4-8, John 15:1-7
If we truly are men and women of faith, we must be men and women who believe He exists and that he is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him. If we believe that He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him, we will seek Him. This is what Trust is about!
Sermon Seeds D32
***************************************************************************PLEASE VISIT OUR NEW SISTER WEBSITE
http://WWW.EXPOSITORYECHOES.ORG
***************************************************************************
PASTOR MAIL is a mailing list for male pastors. The purpose of the list is to share sermons, outlines, illustrations and prayer requests. To subscribe send a blank email to pastormail-subscribe@associate.com
EXPOSITORY ECHOES is a mailing list that includes a full text sermon from Pastor Jack Peters. To subscribe send a blank email to expositoryechoes-subscribe@welovegod.orgHAVE THESE SERMON SEEDS BLESSED YOU? THEN, PLEASE PASS THEM ALONG!
ABOUT SERMON SEEDS:
Sermon Seeds is a weekly e-mailing of free brief sermon outlines from Pastor Jack Peters. These outlines are meant to help other pastors and Bible Teachers in their own preparations.
These outlines are only "seeds". They are not sermons ready for you to preach. Feel free to improve on these outlines anyway the Lord leads you.
TO SUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-subscribe@welovegod.org
TO UNSUBSCRIBE - Send a blank e-mail to: sermonseeds-unsubscribe@welovegod.org
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEB SITE!
http://www.sermonseeds.org is the location for the Sermon Seeds Archives. You will find most of the outlines from these e-mail editions, plus links to other helpful web pages. Be sure to sign the guest book, and tell me a little about yourself.
JACKS EMAIL ADDRESS jpeters@alltel.net
TALK TO JACK THROUGH INSTANT MESSAGING
I welcome live correspondence with those on the Sermon Seeds list. To put me on your "buddy list" here is the information you need.
AOL AIM JackPeters1947
MSN (Microsoft) - johnwpeters@hotmail.com
VISIT OUR WEBSITE http://www.sermonseeds.org
This ministry has grown over the years because people like you have told others about Sermon Seeds. Always feel free to forward the weekly Sermon Seeds email to those who you think might be interested in these outlines. Also, please share our website address with others as well. Thank you for your support.
-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: sermonseeds-unsubscribe@associate.com