Pick Your Team:

I know everyone is not into sports but the season of Football is upon us. So before the season starts I need everyone to pick your team. The Superbowl is not yet determined but we know that one team for sure the Denver Broncos will be there. And, when this happens you will have to choose, if your going to really enjoy the game, who will you go for. You will have have to choose. Last year on the Friday before the Bedlam game I was asked by a fellow minister, “Rev. who are you going for in the Bedlam tomorrow?” my response was “well you know I'm not from around here, and I wasn't raised watching a lot of college football so I really don't care who wins.” I was then told this, “Well you live in Oklahoma now, and you have been here for a few years so, Rev. Its time to Choose!” And he just like you right now, were waiting to hear who's side I was going to be on but I had nothing. All I could say was, “well who are you going for?” Even if sports or football is not your thing you will always be forced to choose between something. Life is not a road that is straight and mapped out, not in this live you will have to make decisions on what direction to take when faced with a fork in the road and after you have made some choices you will be able to look back and see the road you travel and where you could have taken a better way to get you where you are now. In this season of life we are in everyone of us will have to choose how we are going to the time we have left this year and the rest of our life. Will we glorify God or not, and how. Sometimes. Sometimes it takes something to decide for us. Sometimes we need a little motivation to make that choice. When you have to choose between jobs I bet you will examine which pays more. When you have to choose between what you want to eat for dinner I bet you will see what taste better or better fits the budget. When you have to choose what school to send your child to I bet you will examine which has the better program conducive to their learning. So when it comes to choosing between God and what the world/flesh/devil have to offer you must make a decision, even if God has to help you. Its time to choose.

1. Consider Your Options (v.21)

Elijah calls to attention to the fact that they are wavering between to minds. Two opinions. On one hand they want to maintain their identity as Israelites and lay claim to the promises of God in the promised land. On the other hand they have forsaken God and worshiped other gods.

Elijah's question to them on “how long?” takes on several meanings and ways they would have interpreted it. You see it is a rhetorical question, not meant to be answered in the same manner its delivered. He was not looking for a time so much as he was looking for a reason. The people of Israel had began to follow after other gods. Nothing gets God fired up like Idolatry, or putting something before him. The bible says he is a jealous God. So this people who are called Israel which in itself bears the story of God's grace, are split between following the Lord or following Baal. The problem is simple. They have not completely forsaken God, they have just invited in other gods to the relationship. So they one one hand still attempt identify with the God who made them the people they are and the gods of the world who other people follow. (preach this, called on the name of Jesus vs. other names) If you put this into perspective its not really a difficult decision on who you ought to follow. And what gets me is that even though they know what the Lord has done, and they know what the Baals have not done still when he asked them the simple question they didn't say a word. They didn't even take sides with the world. Aint that how church folk are? If you can choose between:

Coke or Pepsi

Sprite or Sierra Mist

A&W or Barq's

Popeye's or KFC

Ihop or Denny's

Nestle or Hershey

PlayStation or Xbox

Nike or Jordan

Sears or Dillard's

Microsoft or Apple

Ford or Dodge

All of which are about the same up against another. How much more should be be able to choose between the God who saved your soul over the idol that has never live or said anything or ever moved on your behalf. Its time to Choose.

2. Check the Front Office (v.24)

If Lord answers, he is God… Who is calling the shots?

Yahweh has a track record of success.

Baal has no record.

He answered Joseph in prison, he answered Moses at the red sea, he answered Joshua at Jericho, he answered Hannah in the tabernacle, he answered Sampson between the pillars.

3. Check the Roster (v.27)

Its not difficult to see God in the lives of people. Who you keep company with is indicative of the God you serve. As Elijah is awaiting his turn he starts to have little fun. He begins to taught the prophets. Because they have been calling on their god all morning. They go out of their way to be pleasing to their idol of choice.

This is happens in real time also.

4. See who will answer the Call? (v.36)

Invoke the name.

Answer me

You have turned their heart back again.