1 Kings 18:17-39-Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, "Is that you, O troubler of Israel?"
18 And he answered, "I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals.
19 Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."
20 So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel.
21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word.
22 Then Elijah said to the people, "I alone am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
23 Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it.
24 Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God." So all the people answered and said, "It is well spoken."
25 Now Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it."
26 So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, "O Baal, hear us!" But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they leaped about the altar which they had made.
27 And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, "Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened."
28 So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.
29 And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.
If there is not a balance within the Christian life, we can become off kilter, like a washing machine with the clothes off balance, it makes a lot of noise, but it’s not cleaning your clothes properly.
If we are not careful we can put so much emphasize on rituals or traditions that we can began to do those things without our heart being involved!
Church is important, but so is having the right attitude about being in church!
Sunday school is important, but so is being there for the right reason!
Tithing is important, but God wants us to give from the heart not only from the pocket book!
Because all of this….Church, Sunday school, tithing, witnessing, helping, sacrificing, praying, studying, it is all for your benefit, and God wants you to get the most out of all these experiences! (You cannot out give God!)
Troubler of Israel
We are always looking for someone to blame for our troubles!
Then You Call On The Name Of Your gods, And I Will Call On The Name Of The LORD; And The God Who Answers By Fire, He is God."
He knew they were praying to nothing, and he was praying to the One who is everything!
The way they worship Baal and the way Elijah worshipped God, is miles apart!
One is worshipping the One True God……The other isn't!
One is talking to God that can hear him…..The other isn't!
One is asking a God who can answer him.......The other isn't!
Some church members are worshipping a false god!
It maybe ritual!
It maybe tradition!
It might be money!
It maybe family!
It may be a career!
It may be a person!
If We Are Not Careful, We Can Begin To Worship God, The Baal Way!
True worship is not only towards the right person but done the right way!
Worship of Baal
Called On The Name Of Baal From Morning Even Till Noon
Just because you do it for a long time don’t make it right!
I’m at church every time the doors are open, doesn’t mean it has changed your life!
I prayed for hours, I prayed all night, doesn’t mean God heard you!
I went to church all my life, doesn’t mean you are right with God!
I have given thousands of dollars to this church, doesn’t mean God is impressed!
Then They Leaped About The Altar Which They Had Made
Just because a service is exciting, just because a preacher can get a congregation worked up into a frenzy, doesn’t mean there is any real substance, any real meat to feed that congregation!
In a storm, it is the lighting that is powerful, now the thunder, thunder might make you jump, but the lighting that has the lasting effect!
People can be enthusiastic and still be wrong! People can be earnest and be wrong!
People can be sincere and be wrong!
Those suicide bombers are sincere, they are earnest, they are enthusiastic, but they are dead wrong!! (70 virgins await him because of his sacrifice! Sorry, I don’t think so, Habib!)
Verse 28- So They Cried Aloud, And Cut Themselves, As Was Their Custom, With Knives And Lances, Until The Blood Gushed Out On Them.
Listen to me, just because a preacher is loud and vocal, and charismatic, doesn’t mean he is a man of God.
Just because a preacher is quiet and reserved and doesn’t offend anybody, doesn’t mean he is a man of God.
Just because you make a personal or physical sacrifice doesn’t mean God accepts it!
Matthew 7:21-23- "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
The difference between the prophets of Baal and Elijah is this! (Besides not worshipping the right God!)
The worship of Baal is all show and no power!
Verse 29-And When Midday Was Past, They Prophesied Until The Time Of The Offering Of The Evening Sacrifice. But There Was No Voice; No One Answered, No One Paid Attention.
God is not interested in a show, He is not interested in you trying to get His attention! (Like a child saying, “Daddy look at me!”)
You got His attention when He sent His Son to die on a cross for your sins!
What He does want is your heart!
What He does want is your attention!
Verse 21-And Elijah Came To All The People, And Said, "How Long Will You Falter Between Two Opinions? If The LORD Is God, Follow Him; But If Baal, Follow Him." But The People Answered Him Not A Word.
How long are you going to straddle the fence?
How long are you going to try to serve the world and serve God at the same time?
The People Answered Him Not A Word….Don’t sit there like a bump on a log, He is asking you a question, what is your response?
