1 Kings 18:1-21 After the refining - A time to act

I. A time to act - Refined to act for God

(ESV) 1 Kings 18 1 After many days the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria.

A. Understanding the time factor v 1a

1 Kings 18:1 (ESV) After many days (end of days)

1. Much time – days – dragging on – when will it end

2. Daily focus – each day – process a daily one

3. End of days – a plan – an end point – purposed with a transition when ready

B. Listening to the Lord v 1b

(ESV) 1 Kings 18 1 … the word of the LORD came to Elijah ...

1. Needed to be alert every day

2. Listen – in tune with His Word / leadership

3. Never worry about long term direction if listening every day

C. Responding to the Lord v 1c

(ESV) 1 Kings 18 1 … “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. …

1. This is the main requirement – action resting in faith

a) Extended refining produced a responsiveness to God

b) Confidence in God and boldness for God (faith)

c) Regardless of risk – not given a specific promise of safety – know Him well enough to know it would be okay if you obey

d) Just did it

II. A time to act – The opposite of those in the world

A. See symptoms but not real need v 2-5a

(ESV) 1 Kings 18 2 … Now the famine was severe in Samaria. 3 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. … 5 And Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys.

1. Serious problem – felt need

2. Real problem (need for repentance) to obtain any real solution

3. Drugs – real problem emptiness / infidelity – real problem is relationship with Him

4. Our external problems are often surface interruptions of deep needs for God

B. Concern for things not people v 5b

(ESV) 1 Kings 18 5 … Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals.”

1. Focus on His problem

2. Focus on possessions

3. Unconcerned for the millions suffering around him

C. Not accepting personal responsibility v 16-17

(ESV) 1 Kings 18 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him. And Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?”

1. Deny his own role

2. Blame someone else – stir up as water – make waves

3. It wasn’t the messenger – it was the message – the trouble was good trouble – force to deal with sin

4. Needed to search himself – always something to find/grow/learn

5. The tragedy – after 3 ½ years of God’s dealing – still know repentance – bowed his neck and refused to turn

III. A time to act – Speaking the Lord’s message

A. The problem of sin v 18

(ESV) 1 Kings 18 18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals.

B. The need to turn to the Lord v 18

1. Turn to the Lord – implied turn back to Him

(ESV) 1 Kings 18 18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals.

a) Covenant – implied solution embrace the covenant

Deut 30: 2 and when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, 3 then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you.

2. Critical necessity to speak the message

3. Clear message – abandon Him / trouble – turn to Him He will restore

4. The truth in love –

a) must know the truth or no chance to turn to God

Prov 29:18 18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;

but blessed is he who keeps the law.

C. A call to choose * * v 19-21

(ESV) 1 Kings 18 19 Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” 20 So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions?

1. Need for each person to decide

2. How long

3. Waver – limp - cripple

a) Metaphor - Indecisive

b) Unsteady nature because of indecision

4. Two opinions – double minded

5. A need to get off the fence

(ESV) 1 Kings 18 21 … If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” …

a) Which is the real God

b) Who will you serve?

c) A choice between the Lord and other things

d) The choice determines the result

e) Must choose one or the other because God won’t accept you choosing both – must have all or nothing

6. A non response is a decision

(ESV) 1 Kings 18 21 … And the people did not answer him a word.

a) A non response is a response

b) Refuse to respond – made a choice (though God not through yet) - sad

c) No logical reason not to choose Him yet not willing to make that choice

d) Actually already have chosen if not choosing Him – evidence that current choice does not work