How Long

How Long?

Pastor Keith Hassell

Foundation Scripture:   I Kings 18:20-21

I.          Israel had compromised and was experiencing the consequences

            A.        Idolatry and compromise had resulted in unfaithfulness to God

B.         Idolatry and compromise had brought upon them the curse and extreme famine

II.         Elijah’s Question:  “How long will you falter between two opinions?”

            A.        How long will you sit on the fence?

            B.         How long will you avoid making a quality decision?

            C.        How long will you continue to allow evil to remain in your midst?          

D.        How long will you excuse your own sin and compromise?

            E.         How long will you live a double life?

F.         How long will you say that God is your God but live like the world?

G.        How long will you continue to make excuses for your lack of devotion to God?

H.        How long will you allow that habit to control your life?

I.          How long will you continue to allow Satan to devour your lives?

J.          How long will you refuse the salvation and blessing of God?

III.       No decision is a decision by default

A.        James 4:17  “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

IV.       No decision maintains the power of the curse in our lives

            A.        Israel remained under the power of a three-year famine

            B.         For us it is the fallout of sinful choices in our lives

V.        No decision separates us from a relationship with God

            A.        The altar had fallen down

B.         If we do not choose God, we will give ourselves to our idols

VI.       No decision keeps us from experiencing the power of God

A.        Israel had not experience the power of God in their midst for a long time

B.         When Elijah restored the altar and called upon God, God answered by fire

VII.      No decision keeps us from experiencing revival. Once Israel chose God as their God:

A.        Then the evil (idols and prophets) was purged from the land

B.         Then the power of the curse was broken

C.        Then the intercession was loosed on behalf of God’s people

D.        Then the rain of God’s refreshing began to fall.

VIII.     How long will you falter between two opinions?

            A.        If the Lord is God, then serve Him

B.         If the things that you have given yourself to are your gods, then serve them