Elijah: Power of Prayer (2)

The Courage to Pray: A Call to Stand Firm

1 Kings 18:16-24

Intro:

If you remember a couple weeks ago, 1 Kings 17:1-7, Elijah had confronted King Ahab with news that there was going to be a severe drought.

Then the Lord told Elijah to go to the brook Cherith, where He would provide for him.

1 Kings 17:1–3 CSB

1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from the Gilead settlers, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, in whose presence I stand, there will be no dew or rain during these years except by my command!” 2 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward, and hide at the Wadi Cherith where it enters the Jordan.

When the brook dried up and there was no water left, God told Elijah to go to Zarephath (Sidon). That the Lord will provide a widow to take care of him. - So, he did.

If you remember, the widow said she didn’t have enough flour or oil to make Elijah bread.

What did the Lord tell Elijah to say?

1 Kings 17:13–14 CSB

13 Then Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid; go and do as you have said. But first make me a small loaf from it and bring it out to me. Afterward, you may make some for yourself and your son, 14 for this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.’ ”

We are now 3 years after Elijah told King Ahab there was going to be a drought, and King Ahab has been trying to find Elijah the entire time.

God told Elijah to go to King Ahab.

1 Kings 18:1 CSB

1 After a long time, the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year: “Go and present yourself to Ahab. I will send rain on the surface of the land.”

1. Confrontation Commands Courage

1 Kings 18:16–18 CSB

16 Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him. Then Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, the one ruining Israel?” 18 He replied, “I have not ruined Israel, but you and your father’s family have, because you have abandoned the Lord’s commands and followed the Baals.

What did Elijah do when he was commanded to go to King Ahab?

He went. He left what he had, which was comfort, to go back into the land that was riddled with drought.

God was taking care of him where he was. (the flour and oil never ran out)

It took courage just to leave his current provision, but it took courage to go confront King Ahab.

Elijah fully believed God was going to take care of him and that is what gave him the courage to do it.

When Elijah and Ahab meet, Elijah didn’t run around the bush.

look at their conversation.

1 Kings 18:17–18 CSB

17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, the one ruining Israel?” 18 He replied, “I have not ruined Israel, but you and your father’s family have, because you have abandoned the Lord’s commands and followed the Baals.

Elijah courageously stood his ground. “YOU are the one who ruined Israel, because YOU have abandoned the Lord.”

Elijah stood on God’s command because he was directed by the Lord.

He knew he was because he had constant communication with God through prayer.

That gave Elijah the courage to confront sin when faced with it.

Let me ask you this, when was the last time that you confronted sin?

Whether it was your own sin or the sin of a fellow christian?

Have you ever stood in front of either the mirror or a friend or family member and told them they are sinning? Or… have you taken the easy road and let it go without saying anything?

Confrontation commands courage — courage comes from prayer.

2. Challenge to Choose Christ

1 Kings 18:19–21 CSB

19 Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.” 20 So Ahab summoned all the Israelites and gathered the prophets at Mount Carmel. 21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him. But if Baal, follow him.” But the people didn’t answer him a word.

Elijah challenges Isreal at this point. What was the challenge that was presented? Who do you choose?

Elijah had King Ahab bring 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah to Mount Carmel to challenge them with who they will choose.

Once they were all there, Elijah confronted all of them. He stood in front of them and asked,

1 Kings 18:21 CSB

21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him. But if Baal, follow him.” But the people didn’t answer him a word.

How hard do you think it was for someone to stand in front of 850 people and say they do not follow Baal?

pretty hard to change your mind on your own.

Elijah called Isreal to make a hard decision. To stop wavering and going back and forth. To make a choice and stick with it.

Either God is God, so worship Him. Or… Baal is God, so worship him.

Either way, going back and fourth is not the strong relationship that God desires us to have.

God desires us to stand against the pressures of society, and stand on His Word. - He wants us to choose Christ above ALL.

God wants full commitment.

Full commitment comes from a foundation of prayer.

3. Confidence Despite the Crowd

1 Kings 18:22–24 CSB

22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. 23 Let two bulls be given to us. They are to choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The God who answers with fire, he is God.” All the people answered, “That’s fine.”

Elijah was the only 1!

Standing against 450 prophets of Baal, he gave them ALL a challenge that he fully believed would help them to choose Christ.

How was Elijah able to do this?

Because of his relationship with God.

Not just a relationship, but an intimate relationship.

How would you describe your relationship?

Example: Stand in front of your school and proclaim Christ?

Elijah was able to do this not because of himself, but because of who was with him - The Lord.

Conclusion:

When we build our relationship with God on intimate prayer, we are going to have the courage to do what is right and take a stand against sin.

That is not because of us, but because of who is within us!

The things that we are called to do may be things that we can not accomplish on our own, but have full trust in God’s ability to validate the faith that we have in Him.

no matter what the odds are you are standing against.