The Elijah Altar

The Elijah Altar of Worship

Summary: Repentance Leads to Revival!

· National desperation – 3 years – no rain – things cannot continue as they are

· Religious futility - False prophets could not change things – fake church

· God’s prophet led the way to revival and the manifold healing it brings – restoration through repentance.

The Elijah Confrontation

1 Kings 18:16–21 NLT

16 So Obadiah went to tell Ahab that Elijah had come, and Ahab went out to meet Elijah. 17 When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, “So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?” 18 “I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead. 19 Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel.” 20 So Ahab summoned all the people of Israel and the prophets to Mount Carmel. 21 Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.

· There is coming an end time showdown between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness.

· The world WILL see who really IS God

The Elijah Challenge

1 Kings 18:22–24 NLT

22 Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets. 23 Now bring two bulls. The prophets of Baal may choose whichever one they wish and cut it into pieces and lay it on the wood of their altar, but without setting fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood on the altar, but not set fire to it. 24 Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!” And all the people agreed.

Vs 25- 29 – False prophets fail

1 Kings 18:29 NLT

29 They raved all afternoon until the time of the evening sacrifice, but still there was no sound, no reply, no response.

The Elijah Call – come and see!

Repair

1 Kings 18:30 NLT

30 Then Elijah called to the people, “Come over here!” They all crowded around him as he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been torn down.

Repaired - Healing by restoring

· H7495 רָפָא [raphaʾ, raphah /raw·faw/]

– healed hurts – make healthy –

· God healing national hurts by restoring favour[1]

· If Israel can be healed in a day – so can America!

Altar = A raised structure on which sacrifices are offered in worship

Torn down – cancel culture

· Monuments removed as offensive – statue of 10 commandments from a US courthouse

· Bible silenced as hate speech

· Ministers attacked as narrow minded and bigoted

God’s Altar REPRESENTS

1 Kings 18:31 NLT

31 He took twelve stones, one to represent each of the tribes of Israel,

God’s Altar Will Be REBUILT

1 Kings 18:32 NLT

32 and he used the stones to rebuild the altar in the name of the Lord. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold about three gallons.

· Rebuild = revival!

· May God’s people Rebuild FELLOWSHIP with God in our day!

God’s Altar REMINDS

· Remind the old generation of what they HAD – God’s presence

· “Open up ye ancient doors so the Lord of Glory can come in!”

· Educate the new generation of what they can HAVE

The Elijah ALTAR

· The basics of the Bible may be considered Old School by today’s generation, but in fact they are TIMELESS to EVERY generation.

AUTHORITY of God’s Word

2 Timothy 3:16 NLT

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

· In the life of the true believer, the Bible has the first, last and only word!

LEADERSHIP of God’s House

Culture of Elijah’s day – wishy washy

People – undecided

· flip flopped – politically correct – double minded (James) – silent (not ONE person would take the risk to speak up and be held accountable) did not want to stand out or offend.

Vs Elijah – one voice – crying out in the wilderness

Stand up and speak out

Today, God is still looking for men and women

· who will put the love of God before the love of people

· Who will put the Kingdom of God before the government of man

· Who will cry aloud and spare not – preaching the Truth of God’s Word in season and out of season

· Who want to be more popular with God than popular with man

· Who are not swayed by opinion polls – but stay consistent with God’s Word

· Who are SURE that God will back up His Word because they KNOW that God is not a liar.

· Not just for the church house, but YOUR house too

TRUTH of God’s Wisdom

Thy Word is truth

John 17:17 NLT

17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

· Not an opinion – does not change

· Ancient foundational truths- Versus new normal = seeker

· Elijah used God’s agenda, no “oxcarts” of man’s failed attempts, ideas

ABSOLUTE Standard of Right and Wrong

Ezekiel 44:23 NLT

23 They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, what is ceremonially clean and unclean.

· Vs relativism – or “YOUR” personal truth vs MY personal truth

RESPECT of God’s Deity

Exodus 20:3 NLT

3 “You must not have any other god but me.

· Preference, honor

· Exclusivity – Jesus is THE way!

John 14:6 NLT

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Call to Action: Return to the Truth

· Foundational teachings

· Basics of the Word

· Bible, prayer, worship, giving, church attendance, etc.

Paul, do not build on another foundation

Build upon the rock – survive the storms

Jesus builds His victorious Church upon the Rock!