I Kings 18:1-40 (READ)
II Timothy 3:1 & 5 – “Mark my words. (Pay attention). In the last days there will be a lot of people who have a form of Godliness but there won’t be any power in it. Have nothing to do with them.”
In the last days there will be a lot of people sportin’ a brand of Carmel-Coated Christianity that looks and sounds good that will be powerless. We are living in those last days. The world has seen enough fakes. They’ve seen enough weak-kneed, empty-headed, two-faced, finger-pointin’, big talkin’, no walkin’, wimpy actin’, church-playin’, Godless-livin’, non-givin’, doubt’n, pout’n, gossip-spoutin’, 3 strikes and you’re out’n, “I got problems big as a mountain”, cussin’ on Friday but Sunday morning shoutin’, Christians!
Elijah’s about to teach us a lesson we should already know: “Carmel-Coated Christianity won’t cut it!” When the chips are down, you’ve gotta’ have something real or you’ll be exposed as a fraud. A watered-down gospel will never light anyone’s fire for Jesus. And a thousand Carmel-coated Christians will never have the impact of one man/woman that’s on fire with the genuine power of the living God! If you’re serving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, be encouraged. You’re making an impact even when you can’t see it. If you’re faking it - you look like a Christian on the outside but inside you know all the power’s gone out of your life, pay attention. God wants to light your fire again. I hope and pray we all walk out of this place on fire!
Elijah’s “Showdown at Mt. Carmel” is a great example of what can happen if we uncompromisingly take a stand for God. Consider these thoughts the next time you’re tempted to sugarcoat your testimony with a bunch of religious nonsense.
1. Troubled sinners may view committed believers as troublemakers. Vs. 17-18; Ahab to Elijah, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?”
If you are truly making a stand for God you should expect a reaction. Sinners should react to the God who lives in you. Don’t take it personally. Ahab wouldn’t have had a problem with Elijah if Ahab had been living for God. But he wasn’t. He was a troubled man who viewed Elijah as one of the main sources of that trouble. (famine)
Anyone ever say anything similar to what Ahab said to Elijah to you? “Is that you, you old troubler of (your place of work.)” “Oh great, here comes ‘Mr. Clean’ again to tell us about Jesus!” “I’m sick of her and all her ‘Jesus talk’. If you ask me, she’s nothin’ but trouble.” Isn’t that a typical response? You’re doing your best to live for God, putting in an honest days work. You’re not lying, cheatin’ – not ripping anybody off. Not standing around at break time telling dirty jokes or talking behind your employers/fellow employee’s backs. You’re always on time. Always do your very best. Try to keep the peace around the office. You encourage co-workers when they’re having a bad day. And yet, you’re the one labeled as a troublemaker because you tell people about God and read your Bible over lunch break! (not talking obnoxious; not a turn-off)
I like Elijah’s response. (Vs. 18) Elijah “called a spade a spade”. “Whoa now, Cap’n Ahab. Hang on a second. I’m not the guy whose family abandoned the Lord’s commands and built all the shrines to Baal & Asherah that dot our countryside. I’m not the one who led our people away from God into idolatry. If you’re looking for the source of your troubles, look no further than into your own mirror!” “Mirror, mirror on the wall, biggest trouble-maker of all?” (See II Kings 16:30-33)
If you know in your heart you’re doing your best to live a Godly life – you’re not obnoxious or hypocritical or “faking it” in any way – refuse to take responsibility for the troubles of sinners. You didn’t give anyone a hangover from the party they went to last night; create the guilt they feel from having cheated, lied, bribed or slept their way to the top of the corporate ladder; cause their marriage to fail or their child’s rebellion; work hard to get a raise because you wanted them to look bad when you got the promotion. The truth is, you aren’t out to get anyone. You just want to live for God and tell others how He can make their lives different too. And people label you “trouble-maker”. It goes with the territory.
(Jesus) Matt. 5:11 – “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” Don’t “Carmel-coat” the gospel so people will like you. You’ve got a responsibility to tell them the truth.
2. Witnessing does not always produce immediate results. (Vs. 20-21) “But the people said nothing.”
Elijah stood up. He cleared his throat. Got the people’s attention. Told them the truth. It was a statement similar to Joshua’s. (Josh. 24 – “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house…”) He lays it out. He gives it to ‘em straight. He’s bold. He’s inspiring. He speaks with passion and conviction. He leads the people to a decision point. He’s so hopeful as he asks, “Would any of you like to accept the Lord today?” “But the people said nothing.”
How discouraging. No doubt he’d prayed about this opportunity – a lot. No doubt he was a great witness. No doubt he loved the Lord with all his heart. He got up early in anticipation of this day. He arrived at Mt. Carmel nervous, but excited. He’d been canvassing the mountain all morning handing out tracts that read, “How long will you waver between two opinions?” Surely he had the right to expect at least one convert! “But the people said nothing.”
For all of you who have been discouraged when your witnessing did not bring about immediate results: experienced a door being closed, perhaps even slammed in your face; heard “No thank you.”, “I’m not interested.”, “I’m not ready.”, “Maybe some other time.”, “Just leave me alone, OK?” or perhaps, as in Elijah’s case, you’ve received no response at all. TAKE HEART! It happens to the best of them! Our responsibility is just to plant the seeds. It’s God’s job to bring the increase. You may not see the results in a day, week, month or even years. Just keep on planting! Your moment will come.
3. One man/woman and God are more powerful than all the forces of evil. Vs. 22 (19)
Elijah seemed to be outnumbered 1,000+ to 1 (900 prophets plus all the followers of Baal and Asherah)…but he wasn’t really! It’s so easy to feel outnumbered. Alone. Isolated. Forgotten. Powerless. Hopeless. Defeated. That’s because we see with the physical eye only. But when we pray, there are forces at work far more powerful than what the naked eye can see. (See II Kings 6:8-17) Don’t ever forget – “Those that are with us are more than those who are with them.” “Greater is He that is in us that he that is in the world!” Elijah only appeared to be outnumbered. The Lord was on his side! That will tip the scales in your favor every time.
4. When men of God take a stand, people will listen. Vs. 24
(Explain vs. 22-24) – “What you say is good.” Notice what’s happening. The first time Elijah took a stand; “How long will you waver between two opinions? Make a choice!” “The people said nothing.” Now, just a few verses later, Elijah says, “OK, let’s have a little test”, etc. To which they replied, “What you say is good.” Can you sense the change in their attitude towards Elijah?
This is where those with the real thing are separated from those practicing “Carmel-Coated Christianity”. They’ve been watching this guy. Most of them thought (or had been led to believe) he was some way-out religious weirdo. A nut case. A “trouble-maker”, as King Ahab called him. But something’s beginning to happen. Some of the people have begun to secretly admire this guy with the guts to stand up to the king. They’ve been listening to him and, although up to this point, none of them has said anything, many are beginning to think to themselves, “Hey, this guy’s got something. This guy’s confident. I like the way he operates. What he’s saying makes sense. I kinda’ like this guy.”
And you know what? If you’ve maintained a faithful witness to your friends, family, where you work…people feel the same way about you. You may not know it yet. They may even be laughing at you publicly, but inside they’ve begun to pay attention. Inside there’s a respect and admiration growing for the way you live. The kind of stand you’ve taken. Most people just want to sit back and see if you’re real. They deserve that opportunity. Lord knows, we’ve all seen enough flakes and fakes! In time, if you remain faithful, people will begin to notice and respect you.
5. Godless people sense their spiritual emptiness in a moment of testing. Vs. 25-29 Vs. 29 – “There was no response, no answer, no one paid attention . . .”
Can you feel the emptiness of that moment? These people had all bought into a lie. They had been deceived. The things they were taught to believe in utterly failed them. Their religion was a farce! They came to a critical point in their lives when they desperately needed an answer, “but there was no response, no answer, no one paid attention . . .” At that moment when the bottom drops out and life begins to fall to pieces, guess who your co-worker, friend, family member will come looking for? You! Because they know you’ve got something real. They know you really care. They know you know how to get a hold of God. They’ve seen you go through hard times without losing hope. They know you’ll listen. They’ve been watching – and they know.
Cancer. Death. Divorce. “My son is on drugs.” “I’ve been laid off.” “My 16-year old daughter is pregnant. What should we do?” In moments like that, “Carmel-Coated Christianity Won’t Cut It!” But if you’ve been faithful, people will look you up. Because life is empty without God. A pointless existence. Only God can bring that meaning to us. Make it your business to live for God every day, so they’ll come – and when they come, you’ll know what to do!
6. Let us build an altar “In The Name Of The Lord”. Vs. 32.
I get excited when I think of what Elijah was doing. (Vs. 31) Here in the midst of all these idolatrous people, the prophet begins to repair the altar of the Lord that now stood in ruins before him. It was a visual reminder of what once had been. And I can’t help but wonder what he said as he stacked each one of those 12 stones – one for each tribe of Israel.
How could you forget (1) when God delivered our people out of Egypt (2) parting of Red Sea (3) led us by pillar of cloud by day, fire by night (4) time God brought water from the rock (5) way He fed our people with manna from heaven (6) stories of how He led His people into the promised land (7) battle of Jericho (8) day the sun stood still, etc. “He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. There are no God’s before Him. You know that! You know the law!” And carefully the man of God rebuilt what had been neglected for so long.
Have you built an altar in the name of the Lord? Or have you neglected Him? Is there a place where you go to meet with God? A room, an office, a closet, a hillside somewhere? So much in life could be repaired if we would build an altar in the name of the Lord. (when troubles come, decisions) When the unbeliever comes in search of God – take them to an altar. I don’t just mean down front here in the church. If you really know the Lord, any place can be an altar. An altar is that spot where you meet the Lord. Where you sacrifice selfish wishes and sinful desires. Where you lay down pride/ambition. That place where the blood of the lamb covers every guilty stain! Elijah “built an altar in the name of the Lord”. The Carmel-Coated backslidden people of God were about to have a revival!
7. If we’ll build an altar – God will light the fire! Vs. 32-38.
(describe scene) We don’t need any watered-down religion! We need the fire of God to once again fall in our souls! The all-consuming, purifying, Holy Ghost fire that fell at Pentecost. Luke 3:16 - “I baptize you with water for repentance – but One comes after me…He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire!”
I say, “Lord, set my soul on fire with the power of your Spirit!” I’m gonna’ build an altar in the name of the Lord, water it with my tears – I’m gonna’ stay there and wait until the fire falls! People are afraid of fire. They are afraid of/skeptical of some of the ways God’s power manifests itself. Are you more interested in: figuring out the fire, or in having it? In deciding when the fire’s valid and when it isn’t, or in having it? How the fire feels or makes you look, or in having it? You can say what you want, but I want God to fall upon my altar! “Oh Lord, send the fire just now…”, “Pentecostal Fire is Falling…”
God wants to light your fire! If your wood’s wet, that’s all right. If God lit Elijah’s fire, He’ll light yours! “If you’ll catch fire for God, people will come to watch you burn!” A good, hot fire will melt all that Carmel-coating off. It will get rid of everything but what’s real. God wants to light a fire in you that nothing can put out!
8. Sinners will turn to God when they see something/someone real. Vs. 39 - “The Lord, He is God!”
When the people saw the real power of God revealed before their eyes, they believed. The Gospel works! A powerless Gospel changes no one. People want to see a God who will make their lives different. A God who heals the sick, delivers the alcoholic, saves the prostitute, restores the broken marriage, brings home the wayward son/daughter, will take away their pain and guilt.
Do you have a God like that? Do you believe your God can do that? If you don’t, you need to build an altar. Romans 12:1-2; Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Be a living sacrifice! Continuously on fire. Consumed. A person that the non-believer can look at and say, “His/Her God – He is the Lord!” People all around us are crying out for something real. Something that works. We know what that something is. “The Lord – He is God!”
9. The best way to gain complete victory for God is to kill off the sources of evil in your life. Vs. 40.
When we get to this part in the story we struggle with the drastic measures Elijah took in regards to the prophets of Baal. Elijah gave the command and they grabbed all 450 of those false prophets, took them down in the Kishon Valley, and slaughtered them. It was not a pretty sight. In fact, I’m sure it was gruesome. You don’t slaughter 450 people neatly. You don’t go home after something like that and clean up with a ‘wet-nap’. Blood flowed freely in the Kishon Valley that day. It seems so severe.
“Take ‘em down and kill them. All of them! Don’t let anyone get away!” You know what I want to say? “C’mon Elijah! You just had a great revival service! You don’t need to kill all these guys. The people are fired up for the Lord now! (pardon the pun) They’re ready to serve Him! They’re ready to (c’mon let’s) go out and shake (win) the kingdom (world) for God (Jesus). Don’t do something rash! These 450 prophets won’t stop the people from living for God now that you’ve proven to them once-and-for-all that “The Lord – He is God!” Wanna bet?! You can run down to this altar this morning and cry your way through to forgiveness, but if you don’t purpose in your heart to do something drastic about the evil influences in your life, it won’t last. It just won’t. (Repeat above) I’ve seen enough and been around long enough to know if you don’t determine to terminate sinful associations/habits, you will fall back into sin again.
You’d better get tough on sin if you want to win. Listen to the language the Bible uses:
Rom. 8:13 - “For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
Gal. 5:24 - “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”
Col. 3:5 - “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. (6) Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”
There’s not an ounce of Carmel-Coating to that type of Christianity! If you’re trying to be a Christian and you’ve got some habit, relationship, friendship, whatever, that isn’t pleasing to God, you’d better nail it to the cross and kill it off once-and-for-all (today) or you’ll never gain complete victory.
CONCLUSION: Some of you need to . . .
· Put to death once-and-for-all the sin in your life.
· Stop faking it. Do away with the cover-up. Trash the Carmel-coated mask of Christianity.
All of us need:
· The fire of God to fall fresh on our souls.
