Change is Coming

1Kings 18:41-46 NKJV - 41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain." 42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, 43 and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So, he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times he said, "Go again." 44 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!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.' " 45 Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. 46 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.    The Season Before the Change

• The physical drought reflected the spiritual condition.

Amos 8:11 NLT - 11 "The time is surely coming," says the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine on the land--not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the LORD.

2.    He Changed the Altar

1Kings 18:30 NLT - 30 Then Elijah called to the people, "Come over here!" They all crowded around him as he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been torn down.

• God had to restore worship before He restored blessing!

Galatians 5:24 NLT - 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

3.    Change Begins with a Decision

1Kings 18:21 NKJV - 21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word.

• God demanded a choice to Israel, and he demands a choice to us.

Act 3:19-20 NLT - 19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.

4.    The Rain Started Small

James 5:16-18 ESV - 16 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. 17 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. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

Zechariah 4:10 NLT - 10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.

1Kings 18:41 NKJV - 41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain."

5.    Pray Until Heaven Responds

• God’s promises don’t eliminate prayer, they inspire prayer!

Joel 2:28-29 NLT - 28 "Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. 29 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants--men and women alike.