First Baptist Church of Hull
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LEAVING NO DOUBT
“LORD, LET THE FIRE FALL”
1 Kings 18:17-39
1. THE PROBLEM AMONG GOD’S PEOPLE
A. The people were corrupt.
1. Ahab had led the people into idolatry.
1 Kings 18:17-18 (CSB) – “17When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, the one ruining Israel?” 18He replied, “I have not ruined Israel, but you and your father’s family have, because you have abandoned the Lord’s commands and followed the Baals.”
17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, the one ruining Israel?”
18 He replied, “I have not ruined Israel, but you and your father’s family have, because you have abandoned the Lord’s commands and followed the Baals.
Ahab was one of the most wicked kings that ever reigned over Israel.
1 Kings 16:33 (CSB) – “33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole. Ahab did more to anger the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.”
33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole. Ahab did more to anger the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.
2. Ahab’s wife, Queen Jezebel, blatantly honored and supported the idolatrous priests of Baal.
1 Kings 18:19 (CSB) – “19 Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
19 Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
It seems that our nation has made a habit of honoring people, who deserve none.
We give accolades to perverse movie stars, and elevate to hero status, athletes who live ungodly and perverted lives.
That says a lot about how far our nation has fallen from God.
B. The people were confused.
1 Kings 18:20-21 (CSB) – “20 So Ahab summoned all the Israelites and gathered the prophets at Mount Carmel. 21Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him. But if Baal, follow him.” But the people didn’t answer him a word.”
20 So Ahab summoned all the Israelites and gathered the prophets at Mount Carmel.
21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him. But if Baal, follow him.” But the people didn’t answer him a word.
Idolatry had been a recurring problem throughout Israel’s history.
They would serve God faithfully for a while, and then resort to serving idols for a while.
People in our day are in much the same spiritual condition.
They are not only confused about who God really is, but whether He even exists at all.
2. THE PROPOSED PLAN OF PROOF
A. Elijah proposes a trial.
1 Kings 18: 22-24 (CSB) – “22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. 23 Let two bulls be given to us. They are to choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The God who answers with fire, he is God.” All the people answered, “That’s fine.”
22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.
23 Let two bulls be given to us. They are to choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire.
24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The God who answers with fire, he is God.” All the people answered, “That’s fine.”
Notice that there was to be no man-made fire put under the sacrifice.
After all, this was not to be about what man could do, but about what God could do.
People are waiting to see some things from Christians:
People need to see the fire of fervor for God.
Our indifference towards God implies His lack of significance.
People need to see the fire of committed consistency in the way we live.
Our wishy-washy lifestyle sends the message to the world that God doesn’t really make a difference in one’s life.
People need to see the fire of God’s power, purity, and presence in the lives of His children.
Too often, Christians live and react to life as though God were impotent, indifferent, and absent.
B. Baal is put to the test.
1. Prayer was enjoined.
1 Kings 18: 25-26a (CSB) – “25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god but don’t light the fire.” 26aSo they took the bull that he gave them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “Baal, answer us!”
25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god but don’t light the fire.”
2. Baal’s priests were enthusiastic.
1 Kings 18: 26b-28 (CSB) – “26bBut there was no sound; no one answered. Then they danced around the altar they had made. 27 At noon Elijah mocked them. He said, “Shout loudly, for he’s a god! Maybe he’s thinking it over; maybe he has wandered away; or maybe he’s on the road. Perhaps he’s sleeping and will wake up!” 28They shouted loudly, and cut themselves with knives and spears, according to their custom, until blood gushed over them.”
27 At noon Elijah mocked them. He said, “Shout loudly, for he’s a god! Maybe he’s thinking it over; maybe he has wandered away; or maybe he’s on the road. Perhaps he’s sleeping and will wake up!”
28 They shouted loudly, and cut themselves with knives and spears, according to their custom, until blood gushed over them.
3. Their god did not respond to their efforts.
1 Kings 18:29 (CSB) – “29 All afternoon they kept on raving until the offering of the evening sacrifice, but there was no sound; no one answered, no one paid attention.”
29 All afternoon they kept on raving until the offering of the evening sacrifice, but there was no sound; no one answered, no one paid attention.
There are a few things to be noted here:
The priests of Baal had prayer, but no power; they had fervor, but no fire; they had an altar, but a god who was absent.
Folks, all the fleshly programs and enthusiasm builders in the world won’t bring down the fire of God.
But these guys had a more basic problem.
Psalm 135: 15-17 (CSB) – “15The idols of the nations are of silver and gold, made by human hands. 16 They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. 17 They have ears but cannot hear; indeed, there is no breath in their mouths.”
15 The idols of the nations are of silver and gold, made by human hands.
16 They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.
17 They have ears but cannot hear; indeed, there is no breath in their mouths.
If actions speak louder than words, then Baal’s lack of activity spoke volumes.
God is not impressed with the fleshly fire of religious self-effort; no matter how enthusiastic it may be.
He is looking for the fire of Holy Spirit-inspired commitment, dedication, and love toward God that comes from the heart.
3. THE PREPARATION OF GOD’S PROPHET
A. Elijah repaired the broken altar.
1 Kings 18: 30-31 (CSB) – “30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near me.” So all the people approached him. Then he repaired the Lord’s altar that had been torn down: 31 Elijah took twelve stones—according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Israel will be your name.”
30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near me.” So all the people approached him. Then he repaired the Lord’s altar that had been torn down:
31 Elijah took twelve stones—according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Israel will be your name”—
Ahab and Jezebel had ordered all the altars of Jehovah destroyed.
1 Kings 19:10 (CSB) – “10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.”
10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.”
The priests of Baal had destroyed this altar with all their false religious hoopla.
There’s a principle to be found in that: Anytime we allow false gods to come into our lives, the altar of God will suffer.
If you are drifted away from God, today, you need to repair the altar of your heart and turn back to Him.
The fire of God can’t fall until the altar is repaired.
B. Elijah removed every possibility of doubt.
1 Kings 18: 32-35 (CSB) – “32 and he built an altar with the stones in the name of the Lord. Then he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold about four gallons. 33 Next, he arranged the wood, cut up the bull, and placed it on the wood. He said, “Fill four water pots with water and pour it on the offering to be burned and on the wood.” 34Then he said, “A second time!” and they did it a second time. And then he said, “A third time!” and they did it a third time. 35 So the water ran all around the altar; he even filled the trench with water.”
32 and he built an altar with the stones in the name of the Lord. Then he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold about four gallons.
33 Next, he arranged the wood, cut up the bull, and placed it on the wood. He said, “Fill four water pots with water and pour it on the offering to be burned and on the wood.”
34 Then he said, “A second time!” and they did it a second time. And then he said, “A third time!” and they did it a third time.
35 So the water ran all around the altar; he even filled the trench with water.
C. Elijah requested a show of power from God Almighty
1 Kings 18: 36-37 (CSB) – “36 At the time for offering the evening sacrifice, the prophet Elijah approached the altar and said, “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that you are God in Israel and I am your servant, and that at your word I have done all these things. 37 Answer me, Lord! Answer me so that this people will know that you, the Lord, are God and that you have turned their hearts back.”
36 At the time for offering the evening sacrifice, the prophet Elijah approached the altar and said, “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that you are God in Israel and I am your servant, and that at your word I have done all these things.
37 Answer me, Lord! Answer me so that this people will know that you, the Lord, are God and that you have turned their hearts back.”
4. THE POWER OF GOD WAS PERSUASIVE
A. The altar and sacrifice were consumed.
1 Kings 18:38 (CSB) – “38 Then the Lord’s fire fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.”
38 Then the Lord’s fire fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.
B. The people came to the right conclusion.
1 Kings 18:39 (CSB) – “39 When all the people saw it, they fell facedown and said, “The Lord, he is God! The Lord, he is God!”
39 When all the people saw it, they fell facedown and said, “The Lord, he is God! The Lord, he is God!”
C. False religion was condemned.
1 Kings 18: 40 (CSB) – “40 Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let even one of them escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Wadi Kishon and slaughtered them there.”
40 Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let even one of them escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Wadi Kishon and slaughtered them there.
The principle here is that when the fire of God falls in a person’s life, bringing them to fervor and full commitment to Christ, every provision for the false gods of the past must be terminated, not toyed with.