In this, our first of three joint services, of The Teaching Service and The Gathering, held at Archbishop Holgate school, Graham preached about three signs, two them in the bible.

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1 Kings 16:34-17; 18-

The Demonstration of the power of God

Today we look at three miracles or ‘signs’.

Miracle 1, The ruin of Jericho.

The nation had turned to idolatry and the worship of a false god called Baal. Elijah’s ministry was particularly important at a time when the king and priests had failed to continue in faithfulness to the Lord God.

God’s judgement was pronounced, three years without dew or rain. Without dew!? This would have been a ‘sign’ or miracle that was a call to the nation to repent and turn back to God.

Interesting that the pronouncement of judgement in 1 Kings chapter 17, follows the mention of rebuilding of Jericho.

Jericho had fallen by a demonstration of the power of God. This evidence was to be left untouched, a continuing reminder of the power of God and of his capacity to bring judgement. A curse would come upon anyone removing the evidence of the miracle by restoring the city

See Joshua 6:26 “At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: Cursed before the LORD is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho: At the cost of his firstborn son will he lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest will he set up its gates.”

They were removing the evidence of a miracle.

Miracle 2, Drought

Now another miracle speaking of judgement, offering this time the opportunity for humility and repentance – a three year drought even without any dew. Famine follows.

After three years (1 Kings 18) Elijah is to go up to Ahab the king and bring an end to the famine. Ahab is again given the opportunity to repent. Ahab’s greeting showed there was not repentance. [When God allows us to face trouble as an act of discipline -"he would the Lord loves..." - how well do we use that opportunity to learn?] What follows is a demonstration of God’s power on Mount Carmel followed by Elijah praying for the return of the rain, yet another sign of the power of the true God.

As I read about Elijah on Mount Carmel it reminds me of something I often say about this God who is now revealed through the Christian gospel, This stuff is not only true, this stuff works! Today I am asking you if you know that the gospel true and do you know it works.

In our day we do not have the same sort of signs (we still have signs). A reason is this, in the Old Testament we see a whole nation learning to live in a special relationship with God, so they have evidence of his power in the ruins of Jericho and the events on Mount Carmel. These speak to the whole nation, calling them back to God. The the New Testament age, our age, it is no longer a nation, but people called out of all nations to belong to Him. While Old Testament law taught a nation how to live with God, the New Testament teaches Christians how individuals and churches can live in relationship with God in an unbelieving world.

Miracle 3, the one we ask for now

We do still have signs and miracles but now instead of only one or two special people in the whole land, now all Christians can know the power of the Holy Spirit and can show it in their lives. That is you and me. The Holy Spirit in you and me shows that the gospel is not only true, it works.

Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

A miracle/sign is not measured by the flamboyance of the asking but the quality of the giving by our generous God.

Remember the over-the-top behaviour of the followers of Baal compared to the request of Elijah.

See the following:

From the Old Testament

2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman went away angry and said, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.

Zechariah 4:5-7 He answered, Do you not know what these are? No, my lord, I replied. So he said to me, This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.

1 Samuel 17:47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.

From the New Testament

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.

Acts 8:17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:17-18 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, Brother Saul, the Lord- Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here- has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptised.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.