FIRE

FIRE 1st Kings 18

4. Introduction

5. After Solomon Israel was divided into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Ahab was the King in Israel and he reigned from the city of Samaria. Jezebel was his wife
a. Elijah = (YHWH is God) was God’s Prophet
b. Because of Baal worship Israel was experiencing God’s judgment it had not rained for 3 years 18:1

7. Mount Carmel = the center of Baal worship, Baal’s Stronghold. When we take ownership of the enemies thoughts or the negative messages of this world it becomes a stronghold a way of thinking = a way of behavior
a. Baal was the chief male deity of the Canaanites
b. Ashram was the chief female deity of the Canaanites she was Baal’s female counterpart
c. Idols are anything we place before God
d. Psalms 115:4-8 their idols are silver and gold the work of MAN’S hands. They have mouths but they cannot speak. They have eyes but they cannot see. They have ears but they cannot hear. THOSE WHO MAKE THEM WILL BECOME LIKE THEM everyone who trusts in them

8. The Choice: 18:21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, How long will you HESITATE or WAVER between two opinions if the Lord is God follow Him but if Baal follow him
a. On The Fence
b. The middle ground has disappeared politically, morally and socially in this country. What today is called the Political middle ground in America used to be called the far left
c. Being on the fence is a lie from the enemy it is a way to justify your own sin and comfort yourself in the process
d. The response: 18:21 But the people did not answer him a word
e. The silent majority in any society does not count

9. Against all odds: 18:22 Then Elijah said to the people, I alone am left a prophet of the Lord but Baal’s prophets are 450 men (400 prophets of Ashera (v19)
a. Prophets of Baal 450 to 1 Prophet of God
b. Gideon’s 300 men of Israel against thousands of Midianites
c. Samson 1 against 1000 Philistines
d. David was average height Goliath was 9’6”
e. You + God = the majority

10. The Challenge: 18:24 Then you call on the name of your god and I will call on the name of the Lord and the God who answers by FIRE He is God
a. Deaf Dumb and Blind 18:28-29 So they cried aloud and cut themselves as was their custom. And it came about when midday was past that they raved until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice
b. There is no physical penance we can offer God
c. Self mutilation or self-destructive behavior originates from the lie/stronghold of negative self-worth

11. Restoration: 18:25 Then Elijah said to all of the people, Come near to me. So all the people came near to him And he REPAIRED the ALTAR OF THE LORD
a. The Altar is a place of worship and communion with God
b. Commitment or consecration was made or renewed to God
c. Sacrifices were made for the FORGIVENESS OF SINS
d. The Answer: 18:38 Then the FIRE of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the and the stones and the dust and licked up the water that was in the trench
e. The problem was no rain God answered by FIRE
f. The message
g. Only God can forgive sins when they are forgiven Judgment will be lifted
h. This was a REVELATION of who GOD is