1 Kings 18:21-24 (KJV) And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
[22] Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
[23] Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
[24] And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
1 Kings 18:36- And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
[37] Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
[38] Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
[39] And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.
VERY BRIEFLY THIS MORNING I WANT TO REASON WITH YOU ON THE THOUGHT OF
(WINNING LIFE`S SUPER BOWL)
TODAY MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IS SUPER BOWL SUNDAY
AND IT`S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT
AS CHRISTIANS WE ARE ENGAGE IN A SUPER BOWL CONTEST FOR OUR SOULS EVERY DAY
THATS WHY THE APOSTLE PAUL TELLS US IN HIS LETTER TO THE CHURCH EPHESUS THE
6:11-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
YOU SEE TODAY IS SUPER BOWL SUNDAY IN THE
NFL
BUT EVERYDAY IS SUPERBOWL DAY FOR A CHILD OF GOD
BECAUSE WE ARE ENGAGE IN SUPER BOWL GAME CALL LIFE
AND I NEED TO PAUSE AND DROP SOMETHING ON YOUR MIND
AND THAT IS THAT IF YOU DON`T KNOW JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOR OF YOUR LIFE
YOU`RE LOSING THE GAME
BUT IF YOU KNOW HIM AN HAS CONFESS HIM AS LORD AND YOUR SAVIOR OF YOUR LIFE
I NEED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE ON A WINNING TEAM
BECAUSE YOU HAVE GOD AS THE OWNER
THE HOLY SPIRIT AS YOUR GENERAL MANAGER
AND THE MOST VALUEABLE PLAYER IN HISTORY OF MAN KIND ON YOUR TEAM
AND HIS NAME IS JESUS CHRIST
BUT AS WE EXAMINE THE TEXT
ELIJAH`S IS ON MOUNT CARMEL HAVING A FACE OFF WITH THE 450 FALSE PROPHETS OF BAAL`S
AND IT`S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND
THAT ELIJAH WAS IN GAME SHAPE
HE WAS GAME READY
AND HE HAD HIS GAME FACE ON READY TO RUMBLE
HE WAS GAME SHAPE BECAUSE ELIJAH HAD BEEN TO EVERY PRACTICE
ELIJAH HAD SOME GOOD DAYS AT PRACTICE
AS WELL HE HAD SOME BAD DAYS AT PRACTICE
YOU SEE IT WAS A GOOD DAY OF PRATICE
WHEN ELIJAH WENT TO HEN PECK AHAB AND TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A 3 YEAR DROUGHT IN THE LAND
IT WAS A GOOD DAY OF PRACTICE WHEN THE WATER WAS FLOWING AT THE BROOK OF CHERITH
AND GOD INSTITUTED THE 1ST MEAL ON WINGS PROGRAM
BUT NOT ONLY DID ELIJAH HAVE SOME GOOD PRACTICES BUT HE ALSO HAD SOME BAD PRACTICES SESSION
YOU SEE IT WAS A BAD PRACTICE SESSION WHEN THE BROOK OF CHERITH STOP FLOWING
IT WAS A BAD PRACTICE SESSION WHEN HIS MEAL ON WINGS PROGRAM WAS SHUT DOWN BY
HEAVEN BECAUSE GOD HAD SOMETHING BETTER FOR ELIJAH TO DO
BUT IN THE MIDIST OF IT ALL ELIJAH REALIZE THAT IF IT WAS`NT FOR THE
BAD PRACTICES THAT HE WOULD`NT BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE GOOD PRACTICES
THAT WHY I FEEL THAT MY CLAIM IS VALID THAT ELIJAH WAS IN GAME SHAPE
BUT I NEED TO PAUSE AND ASK EACH OF YOU ARE YOU IN GAME SHAPE
WELL NOT ONLY WAS ELIJAH IN GAME SHAPE
BUT HE WAS GAME READY BECAUSE HE HAD STUDIED GOD`S PLAY BOOK
ELIJAH REALIZED THAT HE WAS ONLY A MESSAGER SENT TO DELIVER HEAVENS MESSAGE
AND HE HAD STUDIED GOD`S GAME PLAN
YOU SEE ELIJAH KNEW HOW TO RUN
ISHIAH`S 40 &31 TRAP
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall
walk, and not faint.
HE KNEW HOW TO RUN
ISAIAH 54:17 DIVE
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper;
HE KNEW HOW TO RUN
Philip. 4:13 TIGHTEND DRAG
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
HE KNEW HOW TO RUN
Psalm 37:25 -WIDE OUT STREAK
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen
the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
HE KNEW HOW TO RUN 2 Tim. 2:15 TRIPLE HALFBACK OPTION
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth.
ELIJAH WAS GAME READY BECAUSE HE HAD STUDIED GOD`S GAME PLAN
WELL I NEED TO ASK YOU THIS MORNING ARE YOU GAME READY
HAVE YOU BEEN STUDYING GOD`S PLAY BOOK
******************************************
WELL NOT ONLY WAS ELIJAH IN GAME SHAPE AND GAME READY
BUT HE HAD HIS GAME FACE ON READY TO RUMBLE
I WONDER IS THERE ANYBODY HERE THIS MORNING READY TO RUMBLE
YOU SEE
ELIJAH WAS READY TO RUMBLE BECAUSE HE MADE HIMSELF AVAILABLE FOR
THE MASTERS USE
NOTICE -NOTICE -NOTICE
HE DID`NT SIT ON THE SIDE LINES TALKING ABOUT WHAT OTHER FOLKS WAS`NT DOING
HE WAS`NT POINTING FINGERS AND GOSSIPING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE AND
COMPLAINING ABOUT THE GAME CONDITION
BUT ELIJAH HAD HIS GAME FACE ON READY TO RUMBLE
******************************************
IN THE TEXT----IN THE TEXT
ELIJAH TEACHES US WHAT WE MUST DO AS CHRISTIANS IF WE WANT
TO WIN LIFE `S SUPER BOWL
WELL THE 1ST THING ELIJAH TELL US IS
THAT WE MUST FACE LIFE CHALLENGES WITH CONFIDENCE
AND CONFIDENCE IS A FAITH -BASED VIRTURE
THAT MEANS WE ARE NOT INTIMIDATED BY THE ODDS BECAUSE WE KNOW
THAT GOD+ ONE EQUALS THE MAJORITY
VERSES 30 -35 TELLS US WITH CONFIDENCE
ELIJAH QUIETLY PERPARED HIS ALTER
WITH CONFIDENCE HE ORDERED 4 BARRELLS OF WATER AND THAT HIS SACRIFICE BE SOAKED 4 TIMES
AND AS CHILDRENS OF GOD WE SHOULD ALWAYS FACE LIFE SITUATIONS WITH THE
CONFIDENCE THAT
WE can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth us
******************************************
BUT NOT ONLY DO WE NEED TO FACE LIFE CHALLENGES WITH CONIFIDENCE
BUT WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER GODS CAPABLITY
1 Kings 18:21 (KJV) And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow
him. And the people answered him not a word.
YOU SEE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
IT`S EASY TO GET OVER WHELMED BY OUR PROBLEMS IF WE FORGET GOD`S CAPABILITES
AND AS CHILDREN OF GOD WE MUST NOT FOCUS ON THE SIZE OF OUR CHALLENGES
BUT WE MUST STAY FOCUS ON GOD WHO WILL GIVE US STRENGHT AND GUIDANCE TO OVERCOME OUR CHALLENGES
CAN I BORROW A SKINNY MINUTE AND TELL YOU WHAT I`M TALKING ABOUT
YOU SEE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
WHEN DAVID STOOD BEFORE GOLIATH HE DID`NT FOCUS ON HOW BIG GOLIATH WAS
BUT HE STAYED FOCUS ON GOD
DAVID REMEMBERED HOW GOD GAVE HIM POWER TO KILL THE LION AND THE BEAR
WITH HIS OWN HANDS
AND I NEED TO HELP SOMEBODY HERE THIS MORNING THATS SITTING ON THE SAME ROW YOU SITTING ON
JUST MIGHT BE SITTING IN THE SAME SEAT YOU SITTING IN
BY LETTING YOU KNOW THAT NO MATTER HOW BIG YOUR PROBLEM SEEMS TO YOU
THAT GOD IS ABLE
BECAUSE THERES NO MOUNTIAN TO HIGH FOR GOD TO CLIMB
NO RIVER TO WIDE FOR GOD TO CROSS
BECAUSE GOD SPECIALIZES IN MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE ---POSSIBLE
YOU SEE THE PEOPLE WAS IN LIMBO
THEY WAS STRADLING THE FENCE
IN OTHER WORDS THEY WAS LUKEWARM
THEY WE`RE LIKE SOME OF US WHO PROFESS TO BE CHRISTIANS ON SUNDAY
BUT DO THE WHIP AND THE NAE --NAE WITH THE DEVIL MONDAY THRU SATURDAY
BUT ELIJAH ASK THE PEOPLE HOW LONG WILL YE HALT BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS
IN OTHER WORDS YOU HAVE LOVE ONE AND HATE THE OTHER
YOU HAVE TO LOVE ONE AND DESPISE THE OTHER
BECAUSE LIKE THE OLD FOLKS SAID IT LOVING 2 IS HARD TO DO
******************************************
BUT NOT ONLY DO WE NEED TO FACE LIFE CHALLANGES WITH CONFIDENCE AND REMEMBER GOD`S CAPABLITY
BUT ELIJAH ALSO REVEALS TO US IN THE TEXT
THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE A LITTLE TALK WITH JESUS BEFORE WE GET ON THE PLAYING FIELD
1 Kings 18:36-37 (KJV)
And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
[37] Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
AND YOU DO KNOW THAT PRAYER CHANGES THINGS –
IT CHANGES WHAT SOVERIGN GOD WANTS CHANGED
CAN I BORROW A SKINNY MINUTE AND TELL YOU WHAT I,M TALKING ABOUT
YOU SEE
WHEN MOSES HAD THE RED SEA BEFORE HIM AND PHAROAH `S ARMY BEHIND HIM THE
BIBLE SAID HE PRAYED
AND THE LORD TOLD HIM TO STRECTH OUT THE ROD
AND GOD PUT THE WIND IN A FULL NELSON AND MADE A FREEWAY THROUGH THE RED SEA
EVEN WHEN THEY FACED STARVATION AND DROUGHT IN THE DESSERT MOSES PRAYED AND
GOD SENT THEM MANNA FROM HEAVEN
EVEN THE HEBREW BOYS PRAYED WHEN THEY STOOD BEFORE THE FIREY FURNACE
AND GOD TURN THE FURNACE INTO A FELLOWSHIP HALL
AND WHEN WE FACE LIFE CHALLENGES WE MUST GET SOME BEND KNEE IN OUR LIVES PRAY
BECAUSE PRAYER CHANGES THINGS
WELL AS I PREPARE TO GO TO MY SEAT
THE 4TH THING I NEED TO TELL YOU ABOUT WINNING LIFE`S SUPER BOWL
IS THAT YOU NEED TO GET READY TO RUMBLE
YOU SEE EVERY CHILD OF GOD SHOULD BE ABLE TO SAY
TODAY IS SUPER BOWL SUNDAY --BUT TOMORROW IS SUPER BOWL MONDAY
BECAUSE EACH AND EVERY DAY WE ARE IN A BATTLE WITH THE DEVIL
AND THE WORD OF GOD GIVES US THE ASSURANCE OF VICTORY
AND THE REASON WHY IS OUR LINE UP
YOU SEE
AT THE TIGHT END THERE IS GENESIS
AND REVELATION
AT TACKLE AND GUARD THERE IS MATTHEW -MARK -LUKE AND JOHN
AND AT CENTER IS MALACHI
AT HALF BACK THERE IS FAITH AND HOPE
AT FULL BACK THERE IS PRAYER
AND AT QUATERBACK IS THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND
NO IT`S NOT CAM NEWTON NEITHER IS IT PAYTON MANNING
IT`S NOT BRETT FARVE NEITHER IS JOE MONTANA
IT`S NOT STEVE YOUNG NEITHER IS IT MICHAEL VICK
IT`S NOT TROY AIKMAN AND IT SHOW NOT TONY ROMO
BUT HIS NAME IS JESUS CHRIST
AND HIS JERSEY NUMBER IS 1-1-1
THAT IS ONE FOR THE FATHER -ONE FOR THE SON AND ONE FOR THE HOLY GHOST
AND OUR QUATERBACK KNOWS HOW TO WIN BECAUSE HE WON THE GREATEST SUPERBOWL
EVER
YOU SEE 2000-PLUS YEARS AGO HE MET FORCES WITH SATAN-SIN AND DEATH ON A MOUNTAIN CALLED CALVARY
IN THE 1ST QUARTER THEY NAILED HIM TO AN OLD RUGGED CROSS
IN THE 2ND QUARTER HE GAVE UP THE GHOST AND DIED ON THAT CROSS
HE DIED--- OH HE DIED FOR THE SUN BLEW A FUSE AND REFUSE TO SHINE
HE DIED FOR THE EARTH REEL AND ROCK LIKE A DRUNK MAN
HE DIED FOR A ROMAN SOLDIER STOOD UP AND TESTIFIED SURELY--SURELY HE MUST BE THE SON OF GOD
IN THE 3RD QUARTER JOSEPH AND NICODEMUS PLACE HIM IN A BORROWED TOMB
HE STAYED THERE ALL FRIDAY EVENING
ALL SATURDAY MORNING AND ALL SATURDAY EVENING
BUT IN THE 4TH QUARTER
AND JUST BEFORE THE GAME WAS OVER--- EARLY ---EARLY---EARLY
SUNDAY MORNING HE GOT UP JUST BEFORE THE CLOCK RAN OUT AND DECLARED
THAT ALL POWER--ALL POWER IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH IS IN HIS HANDS
AND BECAUSE HE GOT UP WE GOT THE VICTORY
AND BECAUSE WE HAVE THE VICTORY
WE CAN FACE LIFE PROBLEMS WITH CONFIDENCE
WE HAVE TO REMEMBER GOD`S CAPABLITIES
AND WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER TO HAVE A LITTLE TALK WITH JESUS BEFORE GETTING ON THE BATTLE FIELD
I`M TALKING ABOUT ----JESUS ---MARY`S LITTLE BABY
JESUS --MY LILY OF THE VALLEY AND BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR
JESUS --THE FAIREST OF TEN THOUSAND TO MY SOUL
JESUS ---- THE BURDEN BEARER --HEAVY LOAD CARRIER --HEART FIXER AND MIND REGULATOR
JESUS --A COMPANY KEEPER IN YOUR LONELY
AIN`T HE ALRIGHT -----AIN`T HE ALRIGHT
