The 40 Days Mystery Sermon

OPENING TEXT

“And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.”
— Genesis 7:12

Opening Statement (Hook):
In the Bible, 40 days and 40 nights is never casual time. It is God-appointed time—a season where heaven watches closely, hearts are tested, and destinies shift. Nobody enters 40 days the same way they come out.

KEY THEME

40 Days = Divine Testing Before Divine Action

I. 40 DAYS IS A SEASON OF TESTING

(God exposes what is truly in the heart)

Example 1: Israel & the Promised Land

“And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.”
— Numbers 13:25

  • God tested their faith, not the land

  • Fear caused delay, not giants

“I will do unto you… after the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year.”
— Numbers 14:34

Preaching point:
When faith fails in the 40 days, delay follows.

II. 40 DAYS IS A SEASON OF JUDGMENT OR MERCY

(God decides what remains and what is removed)

Example 2: Noah & the Flood

“And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.”
— Genesis 7:12

  • Judgment fell

  • A remnant was preserved

  • A new covenant followed

Preaching point:
The same rain that destroyed the old world preserved the ark.

III. 40 DAYS IS A SEASON OF CONSECRATION & FASTING

(God prepares His servants for revelation)

Example 3: Moses on Mount Sinai

“And Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water.”
— Exodus 34:28

  • Separation from people

  • Communion with God

  • Revelation of the Law

Preaching point:
You cannot carry divine instruction without divine separation.

IV. 40 DAYS IS A SEASON OF RESTORATION

(God revives discouraged servants)

Example 4: Elijah in the Wilderness

“And he went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.”
— 1 Kings 19:8

  • Elijah was burned out

  • God fed him, not rebuked him

  • God spoke in a still small voice

Preaching point:
When God is restoring you, He does not rush you.

V. 40 DAYS IS A WINDOW FOR REPENTANCE

(God warns before He destroys)

Example 5: Nineveh

“Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.”
— Jonah 3:4

  • The city fasted

  • God relented

  • Judgment was reversed

“God saw their works… and God repented of the evil.”
— Jonah 3:10

Preaching point:
Repentance can cancel judgment—even when the warning is severe.

VI. 40 DAYS IS A SEASON OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

(Victory comes before assignment)

Example 6: Jesus in the Wilderness

“And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.”
— Matthew 4:2

  • Tempted by Satan

  • Stood on the Word

  • Entered ministry in power

“Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit.”
— Luke 4:14

Preaching point:
What you defeat in secret cannot defeat you in public.

VII. AFTER THE 40 DAYS—GOD ALWAYS MOVES

(Transformation follows endurance)

Example 7: The Risen Christ

“Being seen of them forty days… speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
— Acts 1:3

  • Teaching

  • Strengthening

  • Preparation for Pentecost

Preaching point:
The Holy Ghost falls after the 40 days—not before.

PATTERN SUMMARY (TEACH THIS CLEARLY)

Before 40 Days:

  • Sin

  • Fear

  • Confusion

  • Weakness

During 40 Days:

  • Testing

  • Fasting

  • Repentance

  • Separation

After 40 Days:

  • Power

  • Clarity

  • Judgment or Mercy

  • New assignment

CLOSING CHALLENGE

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
— 2 Corinthians 6:2

Closing exhortation:
Some of you are in your 40-day season right now.
God is watching how you respond.
What you do now determines what happens next.

ALTAR CALL / RESPONSE

  • Call to repentance

  • Call to consecration

  • Call to fasting & prayer

  • Call to salvation through Jesus Christ

“Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God.”
— Joel 2:13