Sermon Notes + 7.27.2025
Sermon Notes
The Hand of the Lord Was on Elijah
1 Kings 18:41-46
Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor
Overview: After the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal reaches its definitive conclusion, Elijah announces to King Ahab that he hears the sound of the rushing of rain. While Ahab goes up to eat and drink, presumably to celebrate the victory of Yahweh, Elijah ascends to the top of Mount Carmel. Bowing before the Lord in a posture of deep prayer, Elijah instructs his servant to look toward the sea. After doing so seven times, the servant reports seeing a little cloud like a man’s hand rising from the sea. When the heavens darken and a great rain begins pouring down, both Ahab and Elijah hurry down the mountain. Despite the fact that Ahab rode by chariot and Elijah traveled by foot, the hand of the Lord was upon Elijah, enabling him to reach Jezreel ahead of the king. Once again, the Bible proves the hand of the Lord is upon those who fear Him.
01. The hand of the Lord is upon those that fear Him; thus, the singular definition of success in the Bible is to remain faithful to the Lord always.
02. The hand of the Lord is upon those that fear Him; therefore, let us look for the hand of the Lord in small things while we anticipate seeing the hand of the Lord in larger ways.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
1. In verse 41, Elijah tells King Ahab to “go up, eat and drink.” What does this suggest about Ahab’s sudden realization that the Lord, not Baal, was responsible for drought and the coming rain? Given Ahab’s proclivity to follow the false prophets, what does Elijah’s comment suggest about his hope that Ahab will turn his life around? How are you encouraging others to turn their life over to the Lord?
2. Compare 1 Kings 18:42 with James 5:17-18. Why does the Lord call upon His people to pray for things, like rain, that only He can give? How does our participation in prayer help us to grow in our relationship with the Lord? Can we expect the Lord to bless us and our church if we do not pray?
3. Elijah instructed his servant to look toward the sea seven times before the servant finally saw a little cloud like a man’s hand rising (verses 43-44). What does this event teach us about persistence in prayer? What are you praying for the Lord to do through Northpoint that has yet to be answered? How are you praying for churches throughout the world to experience God’s blessing on their work for the kingdom?
4. The little cloud that the servant sees turns into a darkened sky and a great rain (verse 45). What confirmation did this event provide that the drought was now over? When has the Lord answered your prayers in such a way that the difficulties of the past were put behind you and you could rejoice in the Lord again? Share your experience and pray with those who are going through a dry time in their lives in order that they will continue to trust and wait upon the Lord.
5. What evidence does the author give to prove the hand of the Lord is upon Elijah (verse 46)? What evidences have we seen of Elijah’s faithfulness up to this point? Using the points shared by Pastor Tamene, in what ways have we seen the Lord’s faithfulness at Northpoint over the past year? What are you praying for the Lord to do in the future of Northpoint?
For Further Reading: Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church (4th edition; Crossway, 2021)