Let Not the Rain Become a Hindrance to You
Summary
The sermon explores the life and message of the prophet Elijah, drawing parallels to today's Christians. The speaker emphasizes the importance of seeing and hearing God's voice in a time characterized by challenges and drought. The message encourages expectation, faith, and active participation in God's plan, by being "ordinary people" who rise up and take responsibility. The sermon challenges listeners to live a radical life filled with God's fruit, so that they may be light and salt in the world and not let God's plans become a "hindrance" to them, but rather a source of strength and transformation.
Listen to the sermon
Key verses
Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of the abundance of rain.” So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel. And he bowed himself down to the earth and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” Then he said, “Go again seven times.” And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a small cloud like a man’s hand is rising out of the sea.” And he said, “Go up, tell Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” And soon the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. But the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
1 Kings 18:41-46
The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see an almond branch.” Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.”
Jer 1:11-12
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
Eph 4:11-12
Scripture quotations translated from Bibel 2011 © Bibelselskapet.
Discussion questions
- 1.In what ways can "the rain" (God's blessings or challenges) become a "hindrance" in your life, and how can you turn this into something positive?
- 2.How can you, as "ordinary people," rise up and take responsibility in your church and community, as the speaker encourages?
- 3.What does it mean for you to live in "expectation" of what God will do in your time, and how can you actively seek and experience this in your daily life?
- 4.How can you strengthen your relationship with Jesus so that you become more "online" with heaven, and how will this affect your life and your influence on your surroundings?