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The God Who Answers By Fire
Handout
A Bible Study from 1 Kings 18
1 Kings 18:17-21 17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? 18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. 19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table. 20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. 21 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.
A H A B |
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E L I J A H |
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B A A L |
· Facing the wrath of a prophet-killing king, Elijah has only two options: _______________ or ________________.
· “How long halt ye between two opinions?”
· “How long will you ____________________________?”
· “How long will you ____________________________?”
· Idol worship was not proposed as a ________________, but as an __________________ the worship of Jehovah.
· Their ____________________ was making a decision for them! It was not ___________________ of Jehovah, but ___________________ of Him that was the problem.
The Bible makes particular note that it was at “the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice” that Elijah finally got his turn! (verses 29 & 36) The evening sacrifice was offered daily at 3:00 p.m. This offering was associated with separation in Israel:
· The evening sacrifice itself was to separate the people from the penalty of their sins.
· It had its origins in the first Passover lambs when Israel was separated from Egypt.
· David prayed for cleansing, that the lifting of his hands would be as the evening sacrifice.
· Ezra’s prayer of reconsecration for Israel was made at the time of the evening sacrifice.
· Jesus, the Lamb of God, cried “It is finished” at 3:00 p.m. and separated us from our sins!
· Fire has always been a sign of ____________________.
· Truth at its ____________________ is stronger than error at its ____________________!
· The real majority is _____________________________!
ELIJAH’S SACRIFICE |
APOSTOLIC SACRIFICE |
| · drought is devastating the land, and it has been brought on by wickedness | · |
| · during the drought, Elijah has been hidden and sustained by the power of God | · |
| · when Ahab sees Elijah, he accuses him of troubling the nation of Israel | · |
| · a man-made, idolatrous, flesh-pleasing religion is worshipping a pluralistic god named Baal | · |
| · the people are willing to serve both gods, but Elijah (“my God is Jehovah”) issues a challenge | · |
| · religion is impressive with huge numbers, allowed to parade itself and take preeminence all day | · |
| · the prophets are sincere and earnest, but there is no answer and no fire for their sacrifice | · |
| · they add their blood to the sacrifice and dance around it, but to no avail – it is not complete! | · |
| · at the time of the evening sacrifice (“separation”) Elijah finally has his turn | · |
| · Elijah is definitely in the minority, but he wins the victory through God’s power | · |
| · Elijah repairs the old altar from patriarchal times; the twelve stones represent all of Israel | · |
| · Elijah’s sacrifice looks like theirs, but he knows that is not enough so he drenches it with water | · |
| · the fire of God falls and consumes the sacrifice to confirm Elijah’s method! | · |
| · there can only be one winner of the contest – the God that answers by fire, let Him be God! | · |
| · Elijah “intolerantly” has the false prophets killed to silence their message in Israel | · |
· Just because we have the ________________________ doesn’t mean that we can ________________________!
· The outpouring of rain for Israel was now made __________________ for all Israel because God’s man had offered the ________________________!
· The “latter rain” is possible because of the preaching of Apostolic truth! The rain falls on everyone, but never forget that the Spirit is given to lead men into all truth!
o 1 Kings 18:41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.
o Acts 2:16-17 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
o John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
PEOPLE OF THE NAME, REMEMBER …
· THERE ARE STILL LOTS OF ________________ TO DO!
· THERE WILL STILL BE LOTS OF _________________ AND __________________!
· YOU ARE NOT __________________, BECAUSE GOD ALWAYS HAS A _____________________!
