Untitled Sermon

THE OBJECT OF WORSHIP PART 6

1 KINGS 18: 20-29. So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. 21And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. 22Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. 24Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” So all the people answered and said, [e]“It is well spoken.” 25Now Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.” 26So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, “O Baal, [f]hear us!” But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they [g]leaped about the altar which they had made. 27And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Cry [h]aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 28So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with [i]knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. 29And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention

THE ALTER OF DOUBLE MINDED

A-THE GATHERING

1. In our text vs. 20. So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel.

a. HEB 10:24-26. 24And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. 25 Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 26If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,

b. People get together, and the reason they get together is the key principle

c. We see the king Ahab himself gather the of Israel together.

2. The coming together place a significant roll in our lives.

a. The second thing about gathering together, is to whom do we gather to.

b. It matters why, we need to know the reason they gather together

c. The people were summoned together to Mount Carmel for a specific purpose:

3. To witness a demonstration of the power and sovereignty of God in contrast to the false prophets of Baal.

a. This gathering took place in the context of a confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of the pagan god Baal.

b. At that time, the Kingdom of Israel was deeply divided in matters of faith.

c. and many people had turned to the worship of idols, including Baal.

4. The purpose of the gathering was to demonstrate to the Israelites the futility of their idolatrous worship and to challenge them to turn back to the one true God, Yahweh.

a. The dramatic gathering at Mount Carmel ultimately served as a pivotal moment for the people of Israel,

b. challenging their faith and loyalty to God and offering an opportunity for them to witness the undeniable power and authority of Yahweh in response to the prayers of Elijah.

c. This event is a significant demonstration of God's presence and sovereignty and serves as a call to the people to return to the worship of the true God.

B-THE ALTER OF DOUBLE-MINDEDNESS

1. In our text 21And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. 22Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

a. Prophet Elijah's question "How long will you falter between two opinions?"

b. Refers to the wavering and indecisiveness of the people of Israel regarding their faith and beliefs.

c. The term "falter" indicates their hesitation, uncertainty, and divided allegiance between two conflicting belief systems.

2. Meaning of "Falter": When Elijah speaks of "faltering between two opinions,"

a. He is addressing the people's vacillation and lack of commitment to a single belief or course of action.

b. It implies a state of uncertainty, indecision regarding their faith and adherence to either the worship of the true God, Yahweh, or the pagan god Baal.

c. The two conflicting opinions in the text are the commitment to the worship of the Lord, the God of Israel, or the adoption of the idolatrous worship of Baal.

3. These contrasting perspectives represent a critical moment of decision for the people, founded on their allegiance to the one true God

a. or their departure from His commandments to follow the false god, Baal.

b. The historical and cultural context of this passage is rooted in a period of spiritual and moral decline in the Kingdom of Israel.

c. The people had turned away from the worship of Yahweh and instead embraced the worship of Baal,

4. succumbing to the influence of idolatrous practices prevalent at the time.

a. Our text depicts the confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal,

b. serving as a significant moment of decision and a call to the people to choose their allegiance to the true God.

c. Elijah's question challenges the people to make a definitive choice between the worship of the true God and the false gods,

i. urging them to transition

ii. from their state of indecision to a committed

iii. and steadfast devotion to the Lord.

BAAL WORSHIP HAVE TO BE CHALLENGED BEFORE IT CAN BE EXPOSED

A-THE EFFECT OF BAAL WORSHIP

1. In our text 22Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

a. Baal, god worshipped in many ancient Middle Eastern communities, especially among the Canaanites,

b. Who apparently considered him a fertility deity and one of the most important gods in the pantheon.

c. The word "Baal" originates from ancient Semitic languages and is known to have been used to refer to various ancient Near Eastern deities.

2. In its original context, "Baal" was a title or term used to denote a lord, master, or ruler,

a. and it was also employed as a specific name for a number of pagan deities in the ancient Near East.

b. In the cultures of the ancient Near East, "Baal" was often associated with a fertility or storm god,

c. and different regions had their own variations and interpretations of the deity.

i. The term "Baal" was used in combination with other words to specify particular deities,

ii. such as Baal-Hadad, Baal-Zebub, or Baal-Peor, each associated with different attributes and domains of influence.

3. The influence of the majority can often lead individuals to forsake their true worship of God for the sake of conformity and acceptance within the society or community.

a. Idolatry can be appealing to individuals seeking immediate gratification or tangible demonstrations,

b. as opposed to patience and steadfast faith in God’s unseen promises.

c. When individuals lack a deep understanding of God’s character and His will, they susceptible to the allure of false gods and counterfeit forms of worship.

4. In our text, God was no longer the focus of their heart anymore,

a. they have entertain another opinion, or adopt another worship.

b. A lack of moral absolutes can lead individuals to compromise their true worship of God due to a belief in the relative validity of various faith.

c. The distractions and material wealth, worldly success, and immediate pleasures can lead individuals to abandon their true worship of God.

5. 22Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

a. Prophet Elijah, express his deep loneliness of the effect of baal spirit, what it does to a people who are open to it.

b. It makes believer to feel alone, and you will always feel you are the only one left in this world.

c. He place himself in the ration of 450 Baal prophet to one prophet of God.

B-BAAL WORSHIP HAVE TO BE CHALLENGED BEFORE IT CAN BE EXPOSED

1. In our text 23Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. 24Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” So all the people answered and said, [e]“It is well spoken.”

a. Idol always hide behind good deed so many times,

b. That is why they have all kind of event and charity or parties or family get together.

c. In our text, Prophet Elijah called them out, lets see what is happening here,

2. We know what take place, Baal is a stronghold, that hinder people thinking faculty.

a. You would have thought to yourself, they would have stop and rethink about the prophet is saying

b. They were so filled with their ways and take away from theri worship.

c. 24Then you call on the name of your gods,

3. and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.”

a. So all the people answered and said, [e]“It is well spoken.”

4. 26So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, “O Baal, [f]hear us!” But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they [g]leaped about the altar which they had made. 29And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.

a. The truth is all the Baal and the idols of the world are as dead as the Baal in the days of prophet Elijah.

b. Think about the length people are will to go, to prove to their gods that worshipper.

c. 26So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, “O Baal, [f]hear us!” But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they [g]leaped about the altar which they had made.

5. 27And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Cry [h]aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 28So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with [i]knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.

a. Its ridiculous how millions of people in the world leave their lives.

b. You go to some rally, you wonder, what people are on,

c. The carnivals that take place in our world is a typical picture of Baal and idol worship

6. The prophet was mocking them, cry more, loud, is he meditating, all this meditation and yoga is a vehicle that opens ones heart and spirit into idol worship

a. and cut themselves, as was their custom, with [i]knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.

b. Self harm, is idolatry, and witchcraft, its self sacrifice at the alter of selfishness

c. Its always link to self-will, we want to have our way all the time.

7. 29And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.

a. 2 TIMOTHY 3:2-5. 2For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

b. They prophesied But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.

c. We see this in our world today, demonic people are calling on all sort, yet they are not receiving from God.

THE POWER OF GOD

A- PROPHET ELIJAH

1. In our text 30-36. Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. 31And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” 32Then with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord; and he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33And he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, “Fill four waterpots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood.” 34Then he said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time; and he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time. 35So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water. 36And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.

a. The prophet call on the foundational principle of God

b. The prophet repairs the altar and bring back what was forgotten and renew it

c. He refocus the people back to the altar of God that ignored

2. Elijah called on the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, this is where has declared his promised forever.

a. In this passage from 1 Kings 18:36, Elijah is offering a prayer to the Lord God at the time of the evening sacrifice. The construction of his prayer, combined with the context of the events surrounding it, holds significant importance. Here's a breakdown of the elements in Elijah's prayer:

b.

c. 1. Addressing God: Elijah starts his prayer by addressing the Lord God using the names of the patriarchs of the Israelite faith: Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob). By invoking these names, he is affirming the covenantal relationship between God and the people of Israel, aligning his prayer with the legacy and promises of their forefathers.

d.

e. 2. Petition for Revelation: Elijah petitions the Lord to make His presence and authority known distinctly and powerfully: "let it be known this day that You are God in Israel." He seeks a clear and undeniable demonstration of God's sovereignty, particularly in contrast to the false gods worshiped by the people.

f.

g. 3. Recognition of Servanthood: Elijah acknowledges his role as a servant of God, highlighting his obedience to the divine will: "that I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word." This statement underscores his faithfulness to carry out God's instructions and acts as a testimony to his submission and devotion.

h.

i. The prayer demonstrates Elijah's dependence on God's power and authority, as well as his unwavering commitment to fulfilling God's purpose. It sets the stage for the miraculous events that follow, as God responds to Elijah's prayer with a powerful and unmistakable display of His supremacy and sovereignty.

B-THE POWER OF GOD

37-40. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.”

38Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.

39Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!”

40And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!” So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there.

Certainly! The passage from 1 Kings 18:37-40 demonstrates a powerful display of God's authority and Elijah's faithfulness as a prophet. Here is an explanation of the text and the connection to Elijah's prayer:

37: Elijah's Prayer for Revelation: Following the evening sacrifice, Elijah prays for a visible manifestation of God's power and presence, petitioning for a profound revelation that would turn the people's hearts back to God. This aligns with his earlier prayer, asking for God's sovereignty to be demonstrated in a tangible way.

38: Divine Confirmation: In response to Elijah's prayer, the fire of the Lord falls upon the burnt sacrifice, consuming not only the sacrifice but also the wood, stones, and even the water in the trench. This miraculous event serves as a divine confirmation of God's supremacy and a direct response to Elijah's prayer for revelation.

39: Recognition of God's Supremacy: Witnessing the powerful manifestation of God's authority, the people fall on their faces and acknowledge the Lord's dominion, proclaiming, "The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!" Their response reflects a profound recognition of God's sovereignty and a turning back to true worship of the living God.

40: Confrontation and Judgment: Elijah seizes the prophets of Baal, demonstrating a swift judgment upon those who had led the people astray with idolatrous worship. This action symbolizes the restoration of true worship and the elimination of false prophets to reaffirm the people's commitment to the Lord God.

The connection between Elijah's prayer and the subsequent events in the passage emphasizes the prophet's unwavering faith in God's power and his commitment to turning the people's hearts back to genuine worship of the living God. The miraculous display of God's authority serves as a powerful revelation that leads to the people's acknowledgment of His supremacy and the restoration of faith in Him.

Elijah's Prayer for Revelation (1 Kings 18:37): Elijah's prayer is a plea for a visible and undeniable display of God's sovereignty, seeking to turn the hearts of the people back to true worship and faith in the living God. This prayer embodies a longing for God's power to be made known and for His authority to be unmistakably demonstrated before the people.

Divine Confirmation of God's Authority (1 Kings 18:38): In response to Elijah's prayer, the fire of the Lord falls upon the burnt sacrifice, consuming not only the offering but also the wood, stones, and even the water in the trench. This miraculous event serves as a definitive and tangible display of God's overwhelming power and authority, confirming the Lord's supremacy in a dramatic and unmistakable manner.

People's Recognition of God's Supremacy (1 Kings 18:39): Witnessing the profound manifestation of God's authority, the people fall on their faces and collectively declare, "The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!" This response reflects a profound recognition of God's sovereignty and a turning back to true worship of the living God following the undeniable display of His power.

Judgment and Restoration (1 Kings 18:40): Elijah's subsequent action of confronting and executing the prophets of Baal serves as a symbolic restoration of true worship and the elimination of those who had misled the people. This judgment reestablishes the people's commitment to the Lord God and serves as an affirmation of God's authority over false idols and their proponents.

These events powerfully illustrate the effectiveness of Elijah's prayer and the indisputable demonstration of God's authority and power, ultimately leading to the people's acknowledgment of His supremacy and the restoration of true worship.