The God who answers by fire Part 4b
Notes
Transcript
1 King 18:20-46
3 weeks ago we started looking at The God who answers by fire . This is at the time when Eljah was standing before Ahab, King of Israel, and opposing the prophets of Baal.
We were reflecting on how Elijah brought 4 challenges that we need to take seriously. We managed to get through 2. I know Tonde brilliantly took us further in the story of Elijah, but I felt it would be good to go back and be reminded of the challenges that Elijah was bringing to Israel because it speaks into what we are doing today.
Challenge #1 - You must decide who you will worship v21
Challenge #1 - You must decide who you will worship v21
Challenge #2 - Call on your god v24
Challenge #2 - Call on your god v24
Put your faith fully in your god that you worship. Don’t try and stand with a foot in both worlds.
This is relevant for today we we saw a couple dedicate themselves and their children to God. Parents will lead their home to the things they worship.
Challenge #3 - See the true God v30
Challenge #3 - See the true God v30
He calls the people to come and see! v30
3.1. Confident that God will show Himself glorious
3.1. Confident that God will show Himself glorious
3.2. Confident in the power of God
3.2. Confident in the power of God
3.2.1. God has spoken v1
3.2.1. God has spoken v1
3.2.2. The God whose word is true
3.2.2. The God whose word is true
The same God...
He parted the Red Sea
He made the walls of Jericho fall
3.3. An invitation to be awed
3.3. An invitation to be awed
12 stones - representing the 12 tribes of Israel. He is taking them back to the roots of who they were. Don’t forget where you came from.
He digs a trench around the altar that can hold
Stacks the wood
He takes the 2nd bull -cuts it into pieces
He invites active participation - 4 pots with water - 3 times - water fills the trench.
3.3. A confident request v36
3.3. A confident request v36
See the contrast between those who know God and those who don’t.
Frenzy vs calm confidence - He is aware of the reality that God is with Him.
Shouting vs speaking - He simply speaks knowing that God hears. We have God’s attention.
Fire then comes from heaven and devours everything v38. This takes us back to v24, “The God who answers by fire He is God.”
3.4. Where do we see the revelation of the true God?
3.4. Where do we see the revelation of the true God?
In Christ - in His death, burial and resurrection of Jesus
Miracle of new birth and the work of God in transforming lives - that’s what we are xcelebrating today in baptisms
In God’s grace to His people
Tim Keller: “Jesus is the only God that if you find him, will satisfy you; and, if you fail him, will forgive you.”
We see it in creation
We see it in our worship
The challenge - See the true God and worship Him!
“Divided affections will never lead you into devoted worship to God.” Tony Merida
An undivided heart will lead to active obedience. That’s what we find when Elijah calls for the seizure of the prophets of Baal.
God doesn’t call us to do that today. But he does call us to put to death things in us that are not of Hs Spirit!
Challenge #4 - Believe God
Challenge #4 - Believe God
The prophets of Baal are killed. And then...
41 Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a rainstorm.”
The glory of God has been seen, but there was still the need to believe God.
We often think of things like this, “If I could just see, then I would believe.” But Ahab didn’t. Many of the Jews in Jesus day didn’t. This is what led Jesus to say to Thomas:
29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
That is what faith is! God had said it would rain and he believed it.
What does believing God look like?
4.1. Believing the revelation of God
4.1. Believing the revelation of God
Believe the God who sends fire can also send rain.
4.2. Standing on the promise of God.
4.2. Standing on the promise of God.
God will do what He has said He will do.
4.3. Waiting confidently for God
4.3. Waiting confidently for God
Prophetic ear - “I can hear the rain coming.” This isn’t positive thinking. He was speaking only what God has said and he had heard in the spiritual. My mother knew her sons would follow Jesus. It gave her rest when we gave her trouble.
4.4. Resting in the power of God
4.4. Resting in the power of God
God enables the more.
This is the God who saves.
‘If you will indeed stay in this land, then I will rebuild and not demolish you, and I will plant and not uproot you, because I relent concerning the disaster that I have brought on you.
