1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:04,200 I hope you’ll open your Bible today at 1 Kings 18. 2 00:00:04,200 –> 00:00:10,900 We’re really coming today to the central, the best known, event in all of the life of Elijah. 3 00:00:10,900 –> 00:00:16,559 Our title is, Leaders Exercise Faith and Call for Clear-Cut Decisions, 4 00:00:16,559 –> 00:00:21,139 and we’re looking at the story of the fire that came down from Heaven 5 00:00:21,139 –> 00:00:24,480 at the mountain that was known as Carmel. 6 00:00:24,639 –> 00:00:28,059 Just to set this familiar story in its context, 7 00:00:28,059 –> 00:00:34,500 God has extended patience to his people over many years, as they have turned to idols. 8 00:00:34,500 –> 00:00:39,220 But God’s patience did not lead them to repentance. 9 00:00:39,220 –> 00:00:42,520 The passage of time didn’t change their hearts. 10 00:00:42,520 –> 00:00:46,660 Great mistake to think that simply the passage of time will do that. 11 00:00:46,660 –> 00:00:51,400 Then God sent droughts. He sent famine that lasted for three years. 12 00:00:51,400 –> 00:00:53,560 There was a judgment that came on the land, 13 00:00:53,599 –> 00:00:59,320 but God’s judgment did not lead the people to repentance. 14 00:00:59,320 –> 00:01:01,919 Think of this, amongst God’s own people, 15 00:01:01,919 –> 00:01:08,419 the people who had been included in his great covenant that was forged with Moses generations before, 16 00:01:08,419 –> 00:01:13,779 amongst God’s own people, the prophets who spoke the Word of God were being hunted and killed. 17 00:01:14,500 –> 00:01:22,720 And those who pervade Baalism were being sponsored right out of the royal household. 18 00:01:22,839 –> 00:01:27,699 And the time has come finally for Elijah to confront the prophets of Baal. 19 00:01:27,699 –> 00:01:32,000 I want you to notice from verse 36 that this was not his own idea. 20 00:01:32,000 –> 00:01:35,559 Elijah was not at any point acting independently. 21 00:01:35,559 –> 00:01:37,779 At the end of verse 36, when he prays, 22 00:01:37,779 –> 00:01:42,820 Let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, 23 00:01:42,820 –> 00:01:47,080 and that I have done all these things according to your word. 24 00:01:47,080 –> 00:01:52,360 And so to be a prophet meant for Elijah that he was operating under the direct instruction 25 00:01:52,360 –> 00:01:57,080 and command and revelation of God and that is true of everything that happens 26 00:01:57,080 –> 00:01:59,820 in this account that’s before us today. 27 00:01:59,820 –> 00:02:01,440 Now, let’s begin at verse 19. 28 00:02:01,440 –> 00:02:03,699 Then Elijah has said to Ahab, 29 00:02:03,699 –> 00:02:07,419 send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, 30 00:02:07,419 –> 00:02:16,199 and the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.” 31 00:02:16,279 –> 00:02:18,100 Picture the scene, dramatic. 32 00:02:18,100 –> 00:02:23,199 There are nearly a thousand prophets all told. 33 00:02:23,199 –> 00:02:26,600 Can you picture them in brightly dressed colors? 34 00:02:26,600 –> 00:02:31,199 And they’re there ready to perform their particular religious rites. 35 00:02:31,199 –> 00:02:33,100 There’s a large crowd of people who’ve come. 36 00:02:33,100 –> 00:02:38,399 You know, the prospect of a confrontation or a fight usually draws a large crowd, 37 00:02:38,399 –> 00:02:40,600 and people have come from all over Israel. 38 00:02:40,600 –> 00:02:45,000 They’ve been summoned for this big showdown event. 39 00:02:45,000 –> 00:02:49,899 Here is Elijah, and he is the lone Prophet who speaks and who acts 40 00:02:49,899 –> 00:02:54,100 under the direction of the revealed Word of God. 41 00:02:54,100 –> 00:02:59,500 And the drama begins in verse 21, where Elijah gives this challenge to the people. 42 00:02:59,500 –> 00:03:02,399 Elijah came near to the people, and he said, 43 00:03:02,399 –> 00:03:06,600 How long will you go limping between two different opinions?” 44 00:03:06,600 –> 00:03:09,000 If the Lord is God, follow Him. 45 00:03:09,000 –> 00:03:12,699 If Baal is God, follow him. 46 00:03:12,699 –> 00:03:17,699 And I want us to camp out there, for a few moments here, at the beginning. 47 00:03:17,699 –> 00:03:20,699 I want you to notice first that Elijah makes very clear 48 00:03:20,699 –> 00:03:24,500 that for every person there is a decision to make. 49 00:03:24,500 –> 00:03:31,800 How long will you go limping between two different opinions? 50 00:03:31,800 –> 00:03:35,300 Now, that picture of limping between two different opinions 51 00:03:35,300 –> 00:03:38,300 speaks powerfully to our nation today. 52 00:03:38,300 –> 00:03:40,699 If you had taken a survey in the time of Elijah, 53 00:03:40,699 –> 00:03:44,000 the vast majority of people in Israel would have said 54 00:03:44,000 –> 00:03:48,100 that they believed in the Lord, the God of their fathers. 55 00:03:48,100 –> 00:03:53,399 It’s just that they had added a lot of other beliefs in, with it as well. 56 00:03:53,399 –> 00:03:56,860 Under this great onslaught that had come into the culture 57 00:03:56,860 –> 00:04:00,300 of this promotion of Baalism, 58 00:04:00,300 –> 00:04:03,600 what had happened was that these people who professed faith in God 59 00:04:03,600 –> 00:04:06,300 had got to a place where their own walk with God 60 00:04:06,300 –> 00:04:08,500 had become hopelessly compromised, 61 00:04:08,500 –> 00:04:12,419 unrecognizable as authentic biblical faith. 62 00:04:12,419 –> 00:04:15,399 And that, of course, is the significance of the word limp. 63 00:04:15,399 –> 00:04:18,799 They still have some connection with the knowledge of God, 64 00:04:18,799 –> 00:04:23,299 and yet they are not walking in the ways of God, 65 00:04:23,299 –> 00:04:27,279 they are limping between two opinions. 66 00:04:27,279 –> 00:04:33,079 I can’t think of a more penetrating description, or analysis, 67 00:04:33,600 –> 00:04:37,000 where the vast majority of people in this country, 68 00:04:37,000 –> 00:04:40,640 that we love, find themselves in today. 69 00:04:40,640 –> 00:04:45,559 As all you good students of American history know very well, 70 00:04:45,559 –> 00:04:51,779 the fifth President of the United States was James Monroe. 71 00:04:51,779 –> 00:04:53,279 James Monroe. 72 00:04:53,279 –> 00:04:58,679 Does it take someone who was raised in Europe to tell you these things? 73 00:04:59,480 –> 00:05:05,160 He is best remembered for the Monroe Doctrine. 74 00:05:05,160 –> 00:05:07,859 I remember in school learning about the Monroe Doctrine, 75 00:05:07,859 –> 00:05:09,820 fifth president of the United States, 76 00:05:09,820 –> 00:05:12,220 who deeply believed the United States of America 77 00:05:12,220 –> 00:05:16,880 should not become embroiled in any European wars. 78 00:05:16,880 –> 00:05:21,100 Now, if you say what is the name that first comes to your mind 79 00:05:21,100 –> 00:05:23,279 when you say the name Monroe, 80 00:05:23,279 –> 00:05:28,179 most people will not identify today the fifth president of the United States 81 00:05:28,200 –> 00:05:32,739 but are more likely to identify Marilyn Monroe, 82 00:05:32,739 –> 00:05:39,739 the famous actress whose life and death were marked, of course, by great sadness. 83 00:05:39,739 –> 00:05:43,920 On one occasion, Marilyn Monroe was asked the question 84 00:05:43,920 –> 00:05:48,339 if she believed in God and here’s what she said, 85 00:05:48,420 –> 00:05:53,000 I believe in everything a little bit. 86 00:05:53,480 –> 00:05:56,040 Now, Philip Rikin has picked up that quote 87 00:05:56,119 –> 00:05:59,739 and relating it back to the President of the United States 88 00:05:59,739 –> 00:06:01,839 who carried the same name, 89 00:06:01,839 –> 00:06:09,839 he has described Marilyn Monroe’s comment as the New Monroe Doctrine, 90 00:06:09,839 –> 00:06:15,859 that prevails in America, believing in everything, comma, a little bit 91 00:06:16,640 –> 00:06:18,140 And he says this, 92 00:06:18,140 –> 00:06:22,239 The New Monroe Doctrine has become the basic principle 93 00:06:22,239 –> 00:06:24,320 of American culture 94 00:06:24,359 –> 00:06:25,959 People do not want to be intolerant 95 00:06:25,959 –> 00:06:29,760 and so they believe a little bit in everything 96 00:06:29,760 –> 00:06:34,160 A majority of Americans believe in God, the Bible, Jesus, 97 00:06:34,160 –> 00:06:37,940 the power of positive thinking, the basic goodness of humanity, 98 00:06:37,940 –> 00:06:42,480 luck, alien life forms, and checking horoscopes every day 99 00:06:42,480 –> 00:06:43,600 He continues, 100 00:06:43,600 –> 00:06:47,339 The only way to believe all these things at the same time 101 00:06:47,339 –> 00:06:51,640 is to adhere to the Monroe Doctrine 102 00:06:51,640 –> 00:06:56,160 Believe everything a little bit 103 00:06:56,160 –> 00:06:58,739 and he adds this comment that the whole purpose 104 00:06:58,739 –> 00:07:03,339 of the ministry of Elijah was to refute the Monroe Doctrine 105 00:07:03,339 –> 00:07:06,119 That’s what it was 106 00:07:06,119 –> 00:07:09,920 It was to say you cannot worship God 107 00:07:09,920 –> 00:07:13,899 and at the same time craft your own truth, 108 00:07:13,899 –> 00:07:16,540 shape your own morality 109 00:07:16,540 –> 00:07:21,480 and somehow contrive your own independent purpose for life 110 00:07:21,600 –> 00:07:23,000 You can’t do it 111 00:07:23,000 –> 00:07:25,079 So long as you’re trying to do both of these things 112 00:07:25,079 –> 00:07:27,779 at the same time here will be your position 113 00:07:27,779 –> 00:07:29,660 You will be limping along 114 00:07:29,660 –> 00:07:34,519 and there is a decision that has to be made 115 00:07:34,519 –> 00:07:36,480 Second, still verse 21 116 00:07:36,480 –> 00:07:41,200 There is a reason for us to grasp 117 00:07:41,200 –> 00:07:43,100 You’re thinking about this decision 118 00:07:43,100 –> 00:07:47,559 What’s the basis of the decision on which you should direct your life? 119 00:07:47,559 –> 00:07:48,200 Well here it is 120 00:07:48,399 –> 00:07:53,720 If the Lord is God, follow Him 121 00:07:53,720 –> 00:07:55,220 You see the rationale there 122 00:07:55,220 –> 00:07:56,859 If the Lord is God, follow Him 123 00:07:56,859 –> 00:07:58,720 Now this is very important 124 00:07:58,720 –> 00:08:01,179 Especially for younger people 125 00:08:01,179 –> 00:08:03,779 Elijah does not say 126 00:08:03,779 –> 00:08:06,679 Your parents followed the Lord 127 00:08:06,679 –> 00:08:08,540 So you should too 128 00:08:08,540 –> 00:08:10,500 He could have said that 129 00:08:10,500 –> 00:08:12,179 It’s a powerful argument 130 00:08:12,179 –> 00:08:13,559 It has some force 131 00:08:13,559 –> 00:08:15,700 But it is highly manipulative 132 00:08:15,700 –> 00:08:18,000 And nobody has the right to say to you 133 00:08:18,019 –> 00:08:19,600 Your parents lived this way 134 00:08:19,600 –> 00:08:21,000 Therefore you should as well 135 00:08:21,000 –> 00:08:25,980 Following Christ because your parents are Christians 136 00:08:25,980 –> 00:08:29,140 Following Christ because your friends are Christians 137 00:08:29,140 –> 00:08:33,260 is a reason that will not stand the test of time 138 00:08:33,260 –> 00:08:35,140 It is wholly inadvertent 139 00:08:35,140 –> 00:08:39,479 And the Bible never appeals to you on that kind of a basis 140 00:08:39,479 –> 00:08:41,859 Secondly Elijah does not say 141 00:08:41,859 –> 00:08:46,739 Follow the Lord because that’s the right thing to do 142 00:08:46,780 –> 00:08:51,059 You see the appeal here is not to moral duty 143 00:08:51,059 –> 00:08:53,099 And we live in a time when there are many church folks 144 00:08:53,099 –> 00:08:55,200 who become very confused on this issue 145 00:08:55,200 –> 00:08:59,580 Listen, our business is not to try to impose 146 00:08:59,580 –> 00:09:04,440 some Christian morality on godless people 147 00:09:04,440 –> 00:09:06,440 I sometimes hear people say 148 00:09:06,440 –> 00:09:08,719 Even if Jesus did not rise from the dead 149 00:09:08,719 –> 00:09:11,280 then Christian life would still be the way to live 150 00:09:11,280 –> 00:09:14,719 Well that’s not what the Apostle Paul says 151 00:09:15,299 –> 00:09:18,000 If Jesus Christ is not raised from the dead 152 00:09:18,000 –> 00:09:21,380 we are the most miserable people in the world 153 00:09:21,380 –> 00:09:22,619 what he says is this 154 00:09:22,619 –> 00:09:25,559 If Jesus Christ is not raised from the dead 155 00:09:25,559 –> 00:09:28,440 the church has nothing whatsoever to offer 156 00:09:28,440 –> 00:09:30,219 nothing at all 157 00:09:30,219 –> 00:09:31,900 Our message is very simple 158 00:09:31,900 –> 00:09:34,440 it is that Jesus Christ is risen 159 00:09:34,440 –> 00:09:36,979 And therefore life and purpose and forgiveness 160 00:09:36,979 –> 00:09:40,479 and joy are to be found in him 161 00:09:40,479 –> 00:09:44,140 And you see that that is exactly where Elijah is 162 00:09:44,140 –> 00:09:47,239 what is the reason for this great life decision he says 163 00:09:47,239 –> 00:09:50,099 If the Lord is God follow him 164 00:09:50,099 –> 00:09:52,440 not tradition, not morality 165 00:09:52,440 –> 00:09:55,380 not even because Elijah says so, not dogma 166 00:09:55,380 –> 00:09:58,039 no threats of future consequences that are 167 00:09:58,039 –> 00:10:00,320 kind of put in there at the foundation 168 00:10:00,320 –> 00:10:01,659 But this is the question 169 00:10:01,659 –> 00:10:04,659 If the Lord is God follow him 170 00:10:04,659 –> 00:10:07,580 So the challenge that is before the people is not 171 00:10:07,580 –> 00:10:09,919 look choose the way of life that is right for you 172 00:10:09,919 –> 00:10:10,979 the challenge is this 173 00:10:11,099 –> 00:10:16,059 Who is God, who is God, to put it in New Testament terms 174 00:10:16,059 –> 00:10:21,460 this question, what do you think of Jesus Christ 175 00:10:21,460 –> 00:10:23,599 what is your conclusion about him 176 00:10:23,599 –> 00:10:26,479 what then is your response to him 177 00:10:26,479 –> 00:10:30,419 what then is your position before Jesus Christ 178 00:10:30,419 –> 00:10:33,020 So there is a decision to be made 179 00:10:33,020 –> 00:10:36,780 and there is a reason to grasp 180 00:10:36,780 –> 00:10:40,659 Third, there is an urgency to consider 181 00:10:40,659 –> 00:10:44,099 you notice this question here 182 00:10:44,099 –> 00:10:54,539 How long, how long will you go on limping 183 00:10:54,539 –> 00:10:56,979 between two oppinions 184 00:10:56,979 –> 00:10:59,940 different opinions 185 00:10:59,940 –> 00:11:03,340 years had passed and these people who knew about the Lord 186 00:11:03,400 –> 00:11:07,539 had not come to a place of clear-cut commitment 187 00:11:07,539 –> 00:11:10,020 It may be true of you today 188 00:11:10,020 –> 00:11:11,979 How many years have you been in any way 189 00:11:11,979 –> 00:11:13,859 associated with a Christian church 190 00:11:13,859 –> 00:11:16,700 How long has that been 191 00:11:16,700 –> 00:11:19,619 You’ve been taught about God 192 00:11:19,619 –> 00:11:22,780 You have some kind of a faith 193 00:11:22,780 –> 00:11:25,820 but it is not clear-cut 194 00:11:25,820 –> 00:11:28,020 and you’re limping 195 00:11:28,020 –> 00:11:30,419 as in some sense, you’re attempting 196 00:11:30,419 –> 00:11:32,059 to embrace at the same time 197 00:11:32,059 –> 00:11:34,619 faith in Christ and love for the world 198 00:11:34,619 –> 00:11:35,919 and as long as you’re limping 199 00:11:35,919 –> 00:11:40,080 you’re not making much progress 200 00:11:40,080 –> 00:11:41,419 some of you have just graduated 201 00:11:41,419 –> 00:11:42,760 high school this month 202 00:11:42,760 –> 00:11:44,020 some of you have just graduated 203 00:11:44,020 –> 00:11:45,260 college this month 204 00:11:45,260 –> 00:11:48,099 and you’re still limping 205 00:11:48,099 –> 00:11:49,140 You have said you’re gonna come 206 00:11:49,140 –> 00:11:50,280 to clear-cut decision 207 00:11:50,280 –> 00:11:51,640 but you haven’t got there yet 208 00:11:51,640 –> 00:11:52,760 Here’s the question 209 00:11:52,760 –> 00:11:55,059 You’re limping between two opinions 210 00:11:55,059 –> 00:11:56,260 Which way are you gonna go 211 00:11:56,260 –> 00:11:59,099 What are you going to do 212 00:11:59,239 –> 00:12:03,520 Are you going to throw yourself into sin 213 00:12:03,520 –> 00:12:05,320 Or are you going to then throw yourself 214 00:12:05,320 –> 00:12:07,559 Into being a servant of Jesus Christ 215 00:12:07,559 –> 00:12:09,299 Some of you have not yet made up your mind 216 00:12:09,299 –> 00:12:11,020 And this question comes to you 217 00:12:11,020 –> 00:12:12,599 Now how long are you going to stand 218 00:12:12,599 –> 00:12:14,599 In this in between position 219 00:12:14,599 –> 00:12:16,559 In which you’re really not moving forward 220 00:12:16,559 –> 00:12:18,239 In any significant way 221 00:12:18,239 –> 00:12:19,979 You have a foot in both camps 222 00:12:19,979 –> 00:12:24,260 Others are years from graduation 223 00:12:24,260 –> 00:12:25,700 Years 224 00:12:25,700 –> 00:12:27,219 Hair’s changing colour 225 00:12:27,219 –> 00:12:29,020 if it’s still there 226 00:12:29,020 –> 00:12:33,419 And you are limping as much now 227 00:12:33,419 –> 00:12:35,780 As you were at that time in your life 228 00:12:35,799 –> 00:12:38,380 You’re still trying to love Christ 229 00:12:38,380 –> 00:12:40,179 You’re still trying to love the world 230 00:12:40,179 –> 00:12:42,059 And you’re still trying to do it at the same time 231 00:12:42,059 –> 00:12:44,940 You’re still toying with the same sins 232 00:12:44,940 –> 00:12:48,080 That you were toying with 30 years ago or more 233 00:12:48,080 –> 00:12:51,280 You are never giving yourself to them completely 234 00:12:51,280 –> 00:12:53,440 But nor are you abandoning yourself 235 00:12:53,440 –> 00:12:56,679 To Christ completely either 236 00:12:56,679 –> 00:12:57,919 And the question comes to you 237 00:12:57,919 –> 00:13:00,260 How long are you going to go on 238 00:13:00,260 –> 00:13:02,739 Limping between these two opinions? 239 00:13:02,739 –> 00:13:04,700 There’s an urgency 240 00:13:04,700 –> 00:13:07,359 How long? 241 00:13:07,359 –> 00:13:08,559 Then there’s an outcome to pursue 242 00:13:08,559 –> 00:13:10,559 Notice that here 243 00:13:10,559 –> 00:13:14,200 If the Lord is God 244 00:13:14,200 –> 00:13:15,599 Follow Him 245 00:13:15,599 –> 00:13:18,919 Do you see what we’re learning here 246 00:13:18,919 –> 00:13:23,179 Christian faith can never be purely a notion in the mind 247 00:13:23,179 –> 00:13:24,559 It can never be simply something 248 00:13:24,559 –> 00:13:27,479 Oh yes I believe that stuff 249 00:13:27,479 –> 00:13:31,299 So the gospel never allows you to go limping through your life 250 00:13:31,299 –> 00:13:33,500 Saying well Jesus is my Savior 251 00:13:33,500 –> 00:13:35,640 Even if he’s not yet completely my Lord 252 00:13:35,640 –> 00:13:37,940 Where did you get that from? 253 00:13:37,940 –> 00:13:41,039 How long will you go on limping 254 00:13:41,039 –> 00:13:42,900 Between two opinions? 255 00:13:42,900 –> 00:13:44,599 If the Lord is God 256 00:13:44,599 –> 00:13:47,419 Follow Him 257 00:13:47,419 –> 00:13:49,440 So here is this decisive moment now 258 00:13:49,440 –> 00:13:53,359 For thousands of people 259 00:13:53,359 –> 00:13:55,239 And Elijah is bringing the Word of God 260 00:13:55,400 –> 00:13:58,479 To bear in a community of people 261 00:13:58,479 –> 00:14:00,559 In which there is some knowledge of God 262 00:14:00,559 –> 00:14:02,919 But it’s got mixed up with so much of the world 263 00:14:02,919 –> 00:14:03,760 That it is no longer 264 00:14:03,760 –> 00:14:07,719 Recognizably biblical faith 265 00:14:07,719 –> 00:14:08,760 And he says you gotta a decision 266 00:14:08,760 –> 00:14:11,239 And there’s some urgency 267 00:14:11,239 –> 00:14:14,479 Gotta choose 268 00:14:14,479 –> 00:14:17,440 Now, the key question is 269 00:14:17,440 –> 00:14:19,799 Who is God? 270 00:14:19,799 –> 00:14:22,039 And as the story unfolds 271 00:14:22,039 –> 00:14:23,640 We’ve read it together 272 00:14:23,679 –> 00:14:27,000 Elijah invites the prophets of Baal 273 00:14:27,000 –> 00:14:29,760 To do what they can to present the case 274 00:14:29,760 –> 00:14:34,880 For the idol that has got to the very centre 275 00:14:34,880 –> 00:14:37,760 Of the culture 276 00:14:37,760 –> 00:14:40,559 And let’s just follow the story for a few moments 277 00:14:40,559 –> 00:14:44,119 In the first part here with the prophets of Baal 278 00:14:44,119 –> 00:14:47,719 I want just to make three observations here for you 279 00:14:47,719 –> 00:14:49,640 First, I want you to notice 280 00:14:49,640 –> 00:14:53,799 The early confidence of these prophets of Baal 281 00:14:53,799 –> 00:14:54,640 Verse twenty six 282 00:14:54,640 –> 00:14:57,440 They took the bull that was given them 283 00:14:57,440 –> 00:14:59,400 And they prepared it 284 00:14:59,400 –> 00:15:00,960 And they called on the name of Baal 285 00:15:00,960 –> 00:15:03,479 From morning till noon 286 00:15:03,479 –> 00:15:04,559 Saying 287 00:15:04,559 –> 00:15:06,200 O Baal 288 00:15:06,200 –> 00:15:07,960 Answer 289 00:15:07,960 –> 00:15:08,960 Us 290 00:15:10,400 –> 00:15:14,280 Now the efforts of these prophets of Baal 291 00:15:14,280 –> 00:15:17,919 I’m sure would have been very impressive 292 00:15:18,000 –> 00:15:20,919 Anyone who’s traveled widely and seen at all 293 00:15:20,919 –> 00:15:23,559 Some of the great festivals of religion 294 00:15:23,559 –> 00:15:25,520 In different cultures of our world 295 00:15:25,520 –> 00:15:29,080 Will know how colourful and how noisy 296 00:15:29,080 –> 00:15:29,919 They can be 297 00:15:29,919 –> 00:15:34,159 I expect this to be of the same variety 298 00:15:34,159 –> 00:15:38,200 Try and picture 450 prophets 299 00:15:38,200 –> 00:15:41,400 All calling out in prayer 300 00:15:41,400 –> 00:15:43,359 And the drums are beating 301 00:15:43,359 –> 00:15:45,159 There are formations of prophets 302 00:15:45,400 –> 00:15:48,760 And they’re circling in and out around this bull 303 00:15:48,760 –> 00:15:51,039 They’re dancing, they’re singing 304 00:15:51,039 –> 00:15:53,919 They’re getting into all the trappings of all the rituals 305 00:15:53,919 –> 00:15:57,200 That have proved so attractive in that time 306 00:15:57,200 –> 00:16:00,799 I tell you, History Channel would just love this 307 00:16:00,799 –> 00:16:05,280 National Geographic Magazine, if they could have been there with the cameras 308 00:16:05,280 –> 00:16:07,960 Would just love to have run a feature on 309 00:16:07,960 –> 00:16:13,239 The dance culture of the prophets of Baal 310 00:16:13,359 –> 00:16:17,200 I tell you, this was one impressive prayer meeting, if I can put it that way 311 00:16:17,200 –> 00:16:19,799 Hundreds of people, hours in length 312 00:16:19,799 –> 00:16:22,520 And everybody actively participating 313 00:16:23,239 –> 00:16:25,080 This is very striking 314 00:16:26,080 –> 00:16:29,320 And I want you to notice that when Elijah 315 00:16:29,320 –> 00:16:33,039 Asked these prophets to call on Baal and to send down the 316 00:16:33,039 –> 00:16:35,239 For Him to send down fire on the sacrifice 317 00:16:35,239 –> 00:16:37,640 They accept the challenge 318 00:16:38,320 –> 00:16:41,880 They must have felt that there was a chance of it happening 319 00:16:42,280 –> 00:16:45,520 Satan of course is able to do false signs and wonders 320 00:16:46,559 –> 00:16:49,919 And these false prophets feel that their gods can deliver 321 00:16:49,919 –> 00:16:51,799 They are supremely confident 322 00:16:51,799 –> 00:16:57,440 You listen to those who are purveyors of self-centred spirituality 323 00:16:57,440 –> 00:16:59,520 The power of positive thinking 324 00:16:59,520 –> 00:17:01,400 You can be anything that you want to be 325 00:17:01,400 –> 00:17:03,960 You know, the God in you and all this kind of stuff 326 00:17:03,960 –> 00:17:06,400 They are always supremely confident 327 00:17:06,400 –> 00:17:07,880 Nothing that we can’t deliver 328 00:17:08,839 –> 00:17:10,199 And you find that exactly here 329 00:17:10,199 –> 00:17:15,000 And of course with 450 and all of the impressiveness of what’s going on 330 00:17:15,000 –> 00:17:18,599 Hour after hour after hour in these invocations 331 00:17:18,599 –> 00:17:21,479 Surely there must be many among Israel 332 00:17:21,479 –> 00:17:23,000 Who were looking at this and saying 333 00:17:23,000 –> 00:17:25,239 Well look at them all and how impressive this is 334 00:17:25,239 –> 00:17:27,400 Can all these people really be wrong 335 00:17:28,199 –> 00:17:29,400 That’s always the question 336 00:17:31,319 –> 00:17:33,000 But after the early confidence 337 00:17:33,000 –> 00:17:35,560 I want you to notice how the story makes it very clear 338 00:17:35,560 –> 00:17:38,040 That there comes some growing distress 339 00:17:38,680 –> 00:17:39,479 Verse 28 340 00:18:01,560 –> 00:18:03,160 What had started so bright 341 00:18:04,119 –> 00:18:05,239 So optimistic 342 00:18:06,359 –> 00:18:07,319 So colourful 343 00:18:07,319 –> 00:18:09,160 So lively 344 00:18:10,280 –> 00:18:13,160 Now beginning to turn dark 345 00:18:13,160 –> 00:18:17,640 There’s a more sinister note that’s beginning to show itself 346 00:18:17,640 –> 00:18:21,800 And as they begin to cut themselves 347 00:18:21,800 –> 00:18:25,160 it must have been increasingly painful to watch 348 00:18:27,319 –> 00:18:30,599 These men went through self-inflicted agonies 349 00:18:32,839 –> 00:18:35,319 And maybe you’re in a place in your life right now 350 00:18:35,319 –> 00:18:36,439 where you’re going through 351 00:18:36,439 –> 00:18:39,160 self-inflicted agonies 352 00:18:39,160 –> 00:18:41,079 because you will not admit 353 00:18:41,079 –> 00:18:45,239 that the path that you have chosen is just not working 354 00:18:47,479 –> 00:18:50,280 And Elijah does not cut the process short 355 00:18:52,359 –> 00:18:55,079 He must have in some way have had an impulse 356 00:18:55,079 –> 00:18:57,479 to want to intervene to cut this thing short 357 00:18:57,479 –> 00:19:00,920 But before these folks can be convinced that the Lord is God 358 00:19:00,920 –> 00:19:03,959 They have to come to the conclusion that there is no other 359 00:19:05,000 –> 00:19:05,719 That’s huge 360 00:19:06,760 –> 00:19:09,479 It’s huge for every person struggling with an addiction here 361 00:19:11,079 –> 00:19:13,000 Before you can come to the place 362 00:19:13,719 –> 00:19:15,959 of being convinced that the Lord is God 363 00:19:15,959 –> 00:19:17,400 You have to come to the place 364 00:19:17,400 –> 00:19:19,560 where you’re convinced that there is no other 365 00:19:19,560 –> 00:19:21,079 This cannot go on 366 00:19:21,079 –> 00:19:22,439 This is not working 367 00:19:23,400 –> 00:19:24,119 and never will 368 00:19:25,160 –> 00:19:25,880 It never will 369 00:19:26,839 –> 00:19:27,959 And here’s the tragedy 370 00:19:29,000 –> 00:19:30,680 They’ve set their hope on Baal 371 00:19:30,680 –> 00:19:32,599 but there was no one there 372 00:19:33,400 –> 00:19:34,599 Verse 26 373 00:19:34,599 –> 00:19:37,000 As they’re crying out, there was no voice 374 00:19:37,800 –> 00:19:38,920 And no one answered 375 00:19:40,199 –> 00:19:41,319 Verse 29 376 00:19:41,319 –> 00:19:42,839 Again, there was no voice 377 00:19:42,839 –> 00:19:43,880 No one answered 378 00:19:44,599 –> 00:19:45,880 No one paid 379 00:19:47,000 –> 00:19:47,640 attention 380 00:19:50,520 –> 00:19:53,640 See, that’s the problem with every form of spirituality 381 00:19:53,640 –> 00:19:57,959 that replaces the God of the universe 382 00:19:57,959 –> 00:19:59,239 at the center 383 00:19:59,239 –> 00:20:01,000 You take away the living God 384 00:20:01,160 –> 00:20:03,319 who is the Creator of heaven and earth 385 00:20:03,319 –> 00:20:05,959 And what you’ve got is an empty shell 386 00:20:07,160 –> 00:20:08,199 You have a black hole 387 00:20:09,959 –> 00:20:12,520 And these people in their agony 388 00:20:12,520 –> 00:20:15,959 are shouting into the sounds of silence 389 00:20:18,040 –> 00:20:19,880 There’s no one there to answer 390 00:20:22,839 –> 00:20:24,040 Let me ask you this question 391 00:20:26,760 –> 00:20:28,359 It’s a question for every person 392 00:20:28,359 –> 00:20:32,520 Who has not yet laid their life at the foot of Jesus Christ today 393 00:20:35,719 –> 00:20:39,239 Can what you are living for answer your prayers? 394 00:20:40,359 –> 00:20:41,239 That’s a question 395 00:20:43,079 –> 00:20:44,920 Can what you are living for 396 00:20:44,920 –> 00:20:46,760 answer your prayers? 397 00:20:48,280 –> 00:20:49,400 Maybe you live for sport 398 00:20:51,160 –> 00:20:54,680 Maybe the center of your affection is all family or career 399 00:20:54,680 –> 00:20:57,239 Maybe you live for the good that you can do in the world 400 00:20:57,239 –> 00:20:58,280 That’s what you’ve said 401 00:20:58,359 –> 00:20:59,319 and that’s marvellous 402 00:20:59,319 –> 00:21:01,319 But I’m asking you this question 403 00:21:01,319 –> 00:21:04,439 Can that answer your prayers? 404 00:21:06,839 –> 00:21:09,479 Philip Reichen again has this very helpful comment 405 00:21:09,479 –> 00:21:11,959 He says some people worship success 406 00:21:12,680 –> 00:21:15,319 selling their souls to climb the corporate ladder 407 00:21:15,319 –> 00:21:17,800 but there is one thing your career cannot do 408 00:21:17,800 –> 00:21:20,040 It cannot answer your prayers 409 00:21:21,719 –> 00:21:23,719 Some people he says worship pleasure 410 00:21:23,719 –> 00:21:25,640 Pampering themselves with rich food 411 00:21:25,640 –> 00:21:27,640 Exciting sporting events 412 00:21:27,719 –> 00:21:28,599 The latest music 413 00:21:28,599 –> 00:21:31,239 They live with as much luxury as they can afford 414 00:21:31,239 –> 00:21:33,959 And as much sensuality as they can get away with 415 00:21:33,959 –> 00:21:35,319 But there is one thing that 416 00:21:35,319 –> 00:21:38,439 food and concerts and travel and pornography cannot do 417 00:21:38,439 –> 00:21:41,239 They cannot answer your prayers 418 00:21:44,280 –> 00:21:47,880 Some people he says thirdly worship personal beauty 419 00:21:48,920 –> 00:21:51,719 Giving priority to their outward appearances 420 00:21:51,719 –> 00:21:55,239 he says as churches empty health clubs flourish 421 00:21:55,800 –> 00:21:57,560 But there is one thing that 422 00:21:57,560 –> 00:22:00,599 cosmetics and fitness cannot accomplish 423 00:22:01,560 –> 00:22:05,719 they cannot answer your prayers 424 00:22:07,079 –> 00:22:08,839 So i’m asking you this question 425 00:22:09,719 –> 00:22:11,239 As you think about your life 426 00:22:11,239 –> 00:22:12,680 what’s at the center of your life 427 00:22:13,239 –> 00:22:16,359 Can what you live for answer your prayers 428 00:22:16,359 –> 00:22:18,119 because you don’t want to be in the position 429 00:22:18,119 –> 00:22:20,040 where you find yourself crying out 430 00:22:20,040 –> 00:22:22,839 into the black hole of silence 431 00:22:23,160 –> 00:22:24,599 Early confidence 432 00:22:27,000 –> 00:22:31,319 growing distress 433 00:22:32,280 –> 00:22:33,640 And I want you to notice this 434 00:22:33,640 –> 00:22:34,920 as we just follow the path 435 00:22:34,920 –> 00:22:36,199 of these prophets of Baal 436 00:22:36,199 –> 00:22:37,880 Ultimate disaster 437 00:22:37,880 –> 00:22:38,760 Notice verse 40 438 00:22:38,760 –> 00:22:40,359 just jumping down to the end there 439 00:22:40,359 –> 00:22:41,319 Elijah brought them 440 00:22:41,319 –> 00:22:42,520 that is the prophets 441 00:22:43,160 –> 00:22:44,040 down to the brook 442 00:22:44,040 –> 00:22:47,479 Chisholm and slaughtered them there 443 00:22:48,680 –> 00:22:49,959 Now hear me carefully 444 00:22:50,199 –> 00:22:51,160 Hear me carefully 445 00:22:52,599 –> 00:22:54,439 Elijah was in a very 446 00:22:54,439 –> 00:22:56,760 different position from ours today 447 00:22:57,719 –> 00:22:58,680 He was a prophet 448 00:22:59,719 –> 00:23:01,160 That meant he acted under 449 00:23:01,160 –> 00:23:03,479 direct revelation from God 450 00:23:04,760 –> 00:23:07,160 He also acted to bring in 451 00:23:07,160 –> 00:23:09,160 what was specifically commanded 452 00:23:09,160 –> 00:23:10,920 in Israel by God 453 00:23:10,920 –> 00:23:12,599 in relation to false prophets 454 00:23:12,599 –> 00:23:13,400 You can check it out in 455 00:23:13,400 –> 00:23:15,079 Deuteronomy chapter 13 456 00:23:16,439 –> 00:23:18,119 The special role of prophets 457 00:23:18,119 –> 00:23:19,319 was so important 458 00:23:20,199 –> 00:23:22,599 that God said that the death penalty 459 00:23:23,319 –> 00:23:25,079 would apply specifically 460 00:23:25,079 –> 00:23:27,239 to anyone who was a false prophet 461 00:23:27,239 –> 00:23:28,680 That is anyone who used 462 00:23:28,680 –> 00:23:30,280 the platform of speaking 463 00:23:30,280 –> 00:23:32,439 with authority to the people of God 464 00:23:32,439 –> 00:23:35,880 in such a way that he took them away 465 00:23:35,880 –> 00:23:37,479 from the living God Himself 466 00:23:37,479 –> 00:23:39,160 That was specifically given 467 00:23:39,160 –> 00:23:40,680 in the Old Testament 468 00:23:40,680 –> 00:23:42,680 to God’s covenant people 469 00:23:42,680 –> 00:23:43,959 Israel, you can check it out 470 00:23:43,959 –> 00:23:46,199 in Deuteronomy and chapter 13 471 00:23:46,199 –> 00:23:48,359 There were actually relatively few 472 00:23:49,319 –> 00:23:53,079 crimes for which the death penalty 473 00:23:53,079 –> 00:23:54,839 applied in the Old Testament 474 00:23:54,839 –> 00:23:56,119 Surprisingly few 475 00:23:56,119 –> 00:23:57,400 But this was one of them 476 00:23:57,400 –> 00:23:59,880 because it was a strategic importance 477 00:23:59,880 –> 00:24:02,040 the weight that God placed 478 00:24:02,040 –> 00:24:03,880 on those who were given 479 00:24:03,880 –> 00:24:05,880 the privilege of publicly 480 00:24:06,599 –> 00:24:08,280 speaking in the name of God 481 00:24:08,280 –> 00:24:10,439 and someone who did that falsely 482 00:24:10,760 –> 00:24:12,359 Deuteronomy chapter 13 483 00:24:13,000 –> 00:24:15,319 God makes the severity of that 484 00:24:15,319 –> 00:24:16,520 very, very plain indeed 485 00:24:16,520 –> 00:24:17,959 Well, now we have seen 486 00:24:18,040 –> 00:24:19,640 that Elijah functions 487 00:24:19,640 –> 00:24:21,000 as a Christ figure 488 00:24:21,560 –> 00:24:22,920 in this story many times 489 00:24:22,920 –> 00:24:23,640 We picked this up 490 00:24:23,640 –> 00:24:25,160 You know, he brings the promise 491 00:24:25,160 –> 00:24:27,640 He asks for great sacrifice of the widow 492 00:24:27,640 –> 00:24:29,079 He raises the widow’s son 493 00:24:29,640 –> 00:24:31,959 He points to the great day of resurrection 494 00:24:31,959 –> 00:24:33,959 Here he points to the great day of judgement 495 00:24:35,479 –> 00:24:38,280 And the awful end of these prophets 496 00:24:38,280 –> 00:24:40,280 down at that kishun bruich 497 00:24:41,479 –> 00:24:43,800 It makes me think of the words of Jesus 498 00:24:43,800 –> 00:24:45,000 This is New Testament 499 00:24:45,640 –> 00:24:47,719 Matthew chapter 9 and verse 42 500 00:24:48,920 –> 00:24:52,199 Whoever causes one of these little ones 501 00:24:52,199 –> 00:24:53,160 who believe in me 502 00:24:54,280 –> 00:24:55,079 to stumble 503 00:24:56,199 –> 00:24:56,680 To sin 504 00:24:58,439 –> 00:25:01,160 Jesus says it would be better 505 00:25:01,160 –> 00:25:02,040 for that person 506 00:25:03,400 –> 00:25:06,199 That a millstone be hung around their neck 507 00:25:07,640 –> 00:25:11,160 And that they be thrown into the sea 508 00:25:11,560 –> 00:25:16,280 There is a day of judgment that is clearly pointed to here 509 00:25:17,800 –> 00:25:20,199 And what a clarity of warning 510 00:25:20,199 –> 00:25:21,800 for any person who 511 00:25:22,839 –> 00:25:23,400 teaches 512 00:25:25,000 –> 00:25:26,199 the people of God 513 00:25:27,719 –> 00:25:29,959 to abandon the God who has called them 514 00:25:31,959 –> 00:25:35,479 Well here is really the broad road that leads to destruction 515 00:25:35,479 –> 00:25:36,359 and it’s very clear 516 00:25:37,479 –> 00:25:39,719 it starts out with early confidence 517 00:25:39,719 –> 00:25:42,599 False religion always is full of early confidence 518 00:25:43,640 –> 00:25:45,319 But get down the path a little bit 519 00:25:45,319 –> 00:25:46,920 and you will find growing distress 520 00:25:46,920 –> 00:25:48,760 the darker side will begin to appear 521 00:25:50,439 –> 00:25:51,400 and ultimately 522 00:25:53,319 –> 00:25:55,640 at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 523 00:25:57,560 –> 00:25:58,760 ultimate disaster 524 00:26:01,880 –> 00:26:04,119 Now let’s shift the focus now 525 00:26:04,119 –> 00:26:06,040 from these prophets of Baal 526 00:26:06,040 –> 00:26:08,599 and that tragic and dark story 527 00:26:09,400 –> 00:26:11,640 and and let’s now look at Elijah 528 00:26:11,640 –> 00:26:14,359 and I want you just to pick up here some contrasts 529 00:26:14,359 –> 00:26:17,160 that are very, very striking as we follow the story 530 00:26:17,160 –> 00:26:19,239 I’m taking it up now in verse 30 531 00:26:19,239 –> 00:26:22,119 Notice the contrast between the power of God 532 00:26:22,119 –> 00:26:23,560 and the force of numbers 533 00:26:23,560 –> 00:26:26,199 There’s been all these prophets who’ve been there 534 00:26:26,199 –> 00:26:27,880 But the power of God has been absent 535 00:26:28,839 –> 00:26:30,839 Now notice how things change 536 00:26:30,839 –> 00:26:31,560 Verse 30 537 00:26:31,560 –> 00:26:34,839 Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord 538 00:26:34,839 –> 00:26:36,439 which had been torn down 539 00:26:37,400 –> 00:26:40,920 Try and imagine now this one man stepping forward 540 00:26:40,920 –> 00:26:44,280 after all this noise and all this energy 541 00:26:44,280 –> 00:26:46,119 that’s eventually drained itself out 542 00:26:47,479 –> 00:26:49,479 One man opposed by so many 543 00:26:49,479 –> 00:26:52,359 and and he repairs the altar of God 544 00:26:53,160 –> 00:26:55,880 That doesn’t indicate that a single person helped him 545 00:26:55,880 –> 00:26:57,239 He seems to have lifted 546 00:26:57,239 –> 00:27:02,040 every one of these twelve stones into place himself 547 00:27:02,040 –> 00:27:03,560 Now everyone else just watching 548 00:27:04,439 –> 00:27:06,839 It’s very significant it was 12 stones 549 00:27:06,839 –> 00:27:09,719 We’re told here, according to the number of the tribes of Israel 550 00:27:09,719 –> 00:27:12,280 Remember in the north, where Elijah was 551 00:27:12,280 –> 00:27:16,280 the ten tribes had separated themselves from the promise 552 00:27:16,280 –> 00:27:19,079 that had been given to the line of the descendants of David 553 00:27:19,079 –> 00:27:20,599 The promise of a Messiah 554 00:27:20,599 –> 00:27:23,719 And so by putting up 12 stones rather than 10 555 00:27:23,719 –> 00:27:26,680 Elijah was making a very, very strong statement 556 00:27:27,719 –> 00:27:32,520 And then he pours all this water over the sacrifice 557 00:27:32,520 –> 00:27:33,880 You say, where did the water come out? 558 00:27:33,880 –> 00:27:35,079 It hadn’t rained for three years 559 00:27:35,079 –> 00:27:36,520 Carmel is very near to the sea 560 00:27:36,520 –> 00:27:37,800 It’s right by the coast 561 00:27:37,800 –> 00:27:40,119 They would have brought up all this seawater 562 00:27:40,119 –> 00:27:43,400 no use for drinking, but perfectly good for drenching 563 00:27:44,040 –> 00:27:48,040 And three times, we have these large amounts of water 564 00:27:48,040 –> 00:27:52,199 being poured over this sacrifice 565 00:27:52,199 –> 00:27:53,800 Several commentators pick up 566 00:27:53,800 –> 00:27:55,160 how wonderful this is 567 00:27:55,160 –> 00:27:58,199 because it really restrains those who otherwise 568 00:27:58,199 –> 00:28:01,479 would have suspected some kind of trickery 569 00:28:01,479 –> 00:28:04,599 There are always so many who want to doubt 570 00:28:05,160 –> 00:28:07,560 And the water is poured on 571 00:28:08,199 –> 00:28:12,359 And then Elijah, he seems so alone just reading this story 572 00:28:12,359 –> 00:28:15,560 In fact verse 22 you’ll notice he says, there his line 573 00:28:15,560 –> 00:28:18,119 I even I only am left a prophet of the Lord 574 00:28:18,119 –> 00:28:21,400 but Baal’s prophets are four-hundred-and-fifty 575 00:28:21,400 –> 00:28:23,800 But think of it this way 576 00:28:24,760 –> 00:28:27,239 450 prophets of Baal 577 00:28:27,239 –> 00:28:28,199 Baal is zero 578 00:28:29,239 –> 00:28:30,199 There’s no one there 579 00:28:31,719 –> 00:28:34,280 450 times zero is? 580 00:28:35,160 –> 00:28:35,640 Zero 581 00:28:36,839 –> 00:28:39,160 One man plus the living God 582 00:28:39,160 –> 00:28:41,479 More than all that stand against Him 583 00:28:41,479 –> 00:28:45,239 if God be for us, who can be against us 584 00:28:46,040 –> 00:28:49,000 So there’s this great contrast between the power of numbers 585 00:28:49,000 –> 00:28:52,439 And and here now we’re about to see the power of God 586 00:28:52,439 –> 00:28:55,560 The altar of God’s being rebuilt 587 00:28:55,560 –> 00:28:56,040 Twelve stones 588 00:28:56,040 –> 00:28:59,640 Second contrast, notice confident faith 589 00:28:59,640 –> 00:29:01,000 This is so helpful 590 00:29:01,640 –> 00:29:03,079 Confident faith 591 00:29:03,079 –> 00:29:06,680 Contrasted with relentless activity 592 00:29:07,400 –> 00:29:08,599 That had been going on 593 00:29:08,599 –> 00:29:13,079 All this frenzied activity of the prophets of Baal 594 00:29:13,079 –> 00:29:14,760 exhausting themselves 595 00:29:14,760 –> 00:29:16,359 Lacerating themselves 596 00:29:18,280 –> 00:29:22,359 And Elijah’s prayer is just so remarkably simple 597 00:29:23,479 –> 00:29:25,079 The contrast is so striking 598 00:29:25,079 –> 00:29:28,119 They had prayed for hours and hours and hours 599 00:29:28,119 –> 00:29:30,359 working themselves into an awful state 600 00:29:30,599 –> 00:29:34,680 And Elijah’s prayer, you read it out there 601 00:29:34,680 –> 00:29:37,239 It couldn’t have taken as much as a minute 602 00:29:39,640 –> 00:29:40,920 Notice two things about it 603 00:29:40,920 –> 00:29:42,199 Verse 36 604 00:29:42,199 –> 00:29:45,479 He knows very clearly who he is praying to 605 00:29:45,479 –> 00:29:48,520 It is the God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Israel 606 00:29:49,400 –> 00:29:51,719 The God of the Old Testament scriptures 607 00:29:52,680 –> 00:29:55,880 The God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ 608 00:29:56,359 –> 00:29:57,479 The God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ 609 00:29:57,479 –> 00:29:59,239 Not God as I would like him to be 610 00:29:59,239 –> 00:30:02,119 Not God as I imagine or like to picture him 611 00:30:03,479 –> 00:30:05,319 Not God out of some storybook 612 00:30:05,319 –> 00:30:07,079 The God of the scriptures 613 00:30:08,680 –> 00:30:10,040 He knows who he is speaking to 614 00:30:11,239 –> 00:30:12,280 And what he asked for 615 00:30:12,280 –> 00:30:13,880 Is very plain and straightforward 616 00:30:13,880 –> 00:30:14,839 Verse 37 617 00:30:14,839 –> 00:30:16,439 Answer me, O Lord. Answer me 618 00:30:17,560 –> 00:30:18,760 That this people may know 619 00:30:18,760 –> 00:30:20,119 That You, O Lord, are God 620 00:30:21,239 –> 00:30:24,520 And that You have turned their hearts back 621 00:30:26,359 –> 00:30:29,319 Do you know I wonder how many Christians 622 00:30:29,319 –> 00:30:31,160 are really hooked on the idea 623 00:30:32,359 –> 00:30:35,640 That more activity is the path to more blessing 624 00:30:35,640 –> 00:30:37,800 You ever felt that treadmill running in your life? 625 00:30:41,000 –> 00:30:42,680 Trying to have more faith 626 00:30:45,239 –> 00:30:46,839 Trying to have more feelings 627 00:30:46,839 –> 00:30:49,400 More intensity 628 00:30:50,280 –> 00:30:51,800 Remember how Jesus said that 629 00:30:51,800 –> 00:30:52,839 It is pagans 630 00:30:53,959 –> 00:30:55,239 Who think that they 631 00:30:55,239 –> 00:30:56,680 Are going to be heard 632 00:30:57,479 –> 00:30:59,800 Because of their many words 633 00:31:02,359 –> 00:31:04,439 And then how Jesus so beautifully said 634 00:31:04,439 –> 00:31:05,319 Well when you pray 635 00:31:05,319 –> 00:31:06,359 Just pray like this 636 00:31:06,359 –> 00:31:07,479 And was there ever 637 00:31:07,479 –> 00:31:09,400 A simpler prayer than 638 00:31:09,400 –> 00:31:11,400 The prayer that Jesus taught us to pray 639 00:31:13,400 –> 00:31:15,800 After all this self-flagellation 640 00:31:15,800 –> 00:31:17,079 And self-mutilation 641 00:31:17,079 –> 00:31:19,160 Of the prophets of Baal 642 00:31:19,160 –> 00:31:20,280 What a relief 643 00:31:21,880 –> 00:31:23,719 To see a man who knows God 644 00:31:23,880 –> 00:31:25,880 And trusts God 645 00:31:28,040 –> 00:31:29,479 Which would be nearer the picture 646 00:31:29,479 –> 00:31:30,599 Of your Christian life 647 00:31:32,439 –> 00:31:33,479 You’re trying to live a form 648 00:31:33,479 –> 00:31:34,520 Of the Christian life 649 00:31:34,520 –> 00:31:36,439 That’s a sort of evangelical Baalism 650 00:31:38,359 –> 00:31:39,560 But would you be marked 651 00:31:39,560 –> 00:31:41,319 By a confidence 652 00:31:41,319 –> 00:31:42,920 That comes to a person 653 00:31:42,920 –> 00:31:44,040 Who knows God 654 00:31:45,959 –> 00:31:46,839 And trusts God 655 00:31:48,920 –> 00:31:50,520 Boy that comes to my own soul 656 00:31:50,520 –> 00:31:52,119 Like a huge relief 657 00:31:52,439 –> 00:31:56,359 Huge relief 658 00:31:56,359 –> 00:31:57,719 Notice the contrast thirdly 659 00:31:57,719 –> 00:31:59,000 Between answered prayer 660 00:31:59,000 –> 00:31:59,880 And the silence 661 00:31:59,880 –> 00:32:01,319 That had gone before 662 00:32:01,319 –> 00:32:03,160 verse 38 663 00:32:03,160 –> 00:32:04,680 the fire of the Lord fell 664 00:32:04,680 –> 00:32:06,680 And consumed the burnt offering 665 00:32:06,680 –> 00:32:08,439 And the wood and the stones 666 00:32:08,439 –> 00:32:09,880 And the dust 667 00:32:09,880 –> 00:32:11,560 And licked up the water 668 00:32:11,560 –> 00:32:13,079 That was in the trench 669 00:32:13,880 –> 00:32:15,000 Friends, think about this 670 00:32:16,439 –> 00:32:18,839 Can you imagine the intensity 671 00:32:20,040 –> 00:32:21,000 Of a fire 672 00:32:21,959 –> 00:32:23,479 That not only licks up the water 673 00:32:23,479 –> 00:32:24,839 And evaporates it 674 00:32:24,839 –> 00:32:27,959 Not only burns the drenched wood 675 00:32:27,959 –> 00:32:30,439 And this soaked sacrifice 676 00:32:31,239 –> 00:32:34,439 But even burns the stones 677 00:32:34,439 –> 00:32:35,239 And the dust 678 00:32:37,079 –> 00:32:40,439 Incredible, divine conflagration 679 00:32:42,359 –> 00:32:44,119 And think about this wonderful truth 680 00:32:46,040 –> 00:32:47,719 This fire of God 681 00:32:48,839 –> 00:32:50,920 Falls on the sacrifice 682 00:32:50,920 –> 00:32:51,880 Not on the people 683 00:32:53,160 –> 00:32:54,199 Not on the people 684 00:32:54,199 –> 00:32:56,359 That always makes me think about Calvary 685 00:32:56,359 –> 00:32:57,640 And it is so wonderful 686 00:32:57,640 –> 00:32:59,959 Where the judgment of God is being poured out 687 00:32:59,959 –> 00:33:02,520 And there are all these people around another hill 688 00:33:04,839 –> 00:33:07,959 And the judgment of God 689 00:33:07,959 –> 00:33:10,680 That falls does not fall on these soldies 690 00:33:10,680 –> 00:33:12,599 Who have nailed Jesus to the cross 691 00:33:12,599 –> 00:33:14,280 Nor does it fall on these people 692 00:33:14,280 –> 00:33:16,599 Who have been mocking and taunting 693 00:33:16,599 –> 00:33:19,000 And calling for Him to come down from the cross 694 00:33:19,000 –> 00:33:20,199 The judgment of God 695 00:33:20,199 –> 00:33:21,239 falls at Calvary 696 00:33:21,239 –> 00:33:21,640 What? 697 00:33:21,640 –> 00:33:23,400 On the sacrifice 698 00:33:23,400 –> 00:33:24,760 Not on the people 699 00:33:24,760 –> 00:33:27,239 So that there may be room for the people to be saved 700 00:33:29,719 –> 00:33:31,719 One more thing I want you to see from this story 701 00:33:31,719 –> 00:33:33,000 And then we’re through 702 00:33:33,000 –> 00:33:33,959 And it’s simply this 703 00:33:33,959 –> 00:33:36,199 And I hope it will be an encouragement to you today 704 00:33:36,199 –> 00:33:38,520 The response of the people 705 00:33:38,520 –> 00:33:40,439 I want you to notice verse 39 706 00:33:41,079 –> 00:33:43,160 When all the people saw it 707 00:33:44,040 –> 00:33:45,239 That’s the fire from heaven 708 00:33:46,199 –> 00:33:47,719 They fell on their faces 709 00:33:48,439 –> 00:33:49,239 And they said 710 00:33:50,040 –> 00:33:52,599 The Lord, He is God 711 00:33:53,160 –> 00:33:56,359 The Lord, He is God 712 00:33:58,040 –> 00:34:00,199 Now, I want to pose for you this question 713 00:34:01,319 –> 00:34:03,479 And I want you to think about it with me 714 00:34:04,920 –> 00:34:07,479 Think about an unbelieving person 715 00:34:07,479 –> 00:34:10,360 who you would love to see come to Jesus Christ 716 00:34:11,639 –> 00:34:12,760 And I want to ask you this 717 00:34:13,959 –> 00:34:16,120 If you could do one of two things 718 00:34:16,120 –> 00:34:20,439 Call down fire from heaven 719 00:34:22,360 –> 00:34:26,199 or share the gospel with them 720 00:34:27,879 –> 00:34:29,320 Which would you choose to do? 721 00:34:30,600 –> 00:34:36,199 And which do you think has within it the greater power? 722 00:34:36,199 –> 00:34:37,080 That’s my question 723 00:34:38,040 –> 00:34:40,679 Now, I know, of course, the natural response 724 00:34:40,679 –> 00:34:41,719 is to say 725 00:34:41,719 –> 00:34:44,840 Well, of course, I would want to call down fire from heaven 726 00:34:44,840 –> 00:34:47,719 Because if I could do that, I could call down fire from heaven 727 00:34:47,719 –> 00:34:50,120 and here’s this unconverted person I’ve been praying from 728 00:34:50,120 –> 00:34:52,280 and they saw that, they would have to say 729 00:34:52,280 –> 00:34:54,919 Well, no, the Lord is God, the Lord is God 730 00:34:54,919 –> 00:34:56,760 and so forth and so on 731 00:34:58,439 –> 00:34:59,159 And you may be saying 732 00:34:59,159 –> 00:35:01,080 Well, how isn’t that what we need today? 733 00:35:01,080 –> 00:35:06,120 Nothing is more powerful, you may say, than miraculous answers to prayer, right? 734 00:35:07,639 –> 00:35:08,439 Not so fast 735 00:35:08,439 –> 00:35:10,679 Here’s the thing 736 00:35:12,199 –> 00:35:15,000 The people fell on their faces and said 737 00:35:15,000 –> 00:35:16,919 The Lord, He is God, the Lord, He is God 738 00:35:18,600 –> 00:35:20,199 But in the very next chapter 739 00:35:20,199 –> 00:35:22,760 what we’re going to find is Elijah saying 740 00:35:23,560 –> 00:35:26,760 I, even I only, am left 741 00:35:28,040 –> 00:35:31,879 indicating that the fire at Mount Carmel 742 00:35:32,840 –> 00:35:38,360 did not lead to any lasting change in the lives of the people 743 00:35:39,320 –> 00:35:41,399 Matthew Henry makes this comment and 744 00:35:41,399 –> 00:35:42,840 it is very important 745 00:35:42,840 –> 00:35:47,320 he says some, we hope, had their hearts turned back 746 00:35:47,320 –> 00:35:52,679 but the generality of them were convinced only 747 00:35:53,560 –> 00:35:55,000 not converted 748 00:35:55,719 –> 00:35:58,439 convinced, not converted 749 00:35:58,439 –> 00:35:59,719 they said the Lord is God 750 00:35:59,719 –> 00:36:00,439 you see that now 751 00:36:00,439 –> 00:36:01,239 they’re convinced 752 00:36:02,360 –> 00:36:03,560 but they were not converted 753 00:36:03,560 –> 00:36:05,399 and the evidence that they were not converted 754 00:36:05,399 –> 00:36:06,679 was that there was no change 755 00:36:06,760 –> 00:36:09,479 that significantly followed in the nation 756 00:36:09,479 –> 00:36:11,560 from these events at Mount Carmel 757 00:36:11,560 –> 00:36:12,840 That’s the striking thing 758 00:36:14,840 –> 00:36:18,120 Nobody is saved by miraculous signs 759 00:36:20,199 –> 00:36:24,040 An amazing answer to prayer may convince a person that God exists 760 00:36:24,600 –> 00:36:26,760 but it will never in and of itself 761 00:36:26,760 –> 00:36:30,600 incline the heart of that person to come to him 762 00:36:30,600 –> 00:36:33,239 That is why Paul says in 1 Corinthians in chapter 1 763 00:36:33,239 –> 00:36:34,520 you remember this 764 00:36:34,600 –> 00:36:37,479 Some seek miraculous signs 765 00:36:38,520 –> 00:36:41,479 But we preach what? 766 00:36:41,479 –> 00:36:43,639 Christ crucified 767 00:36:43,639 –> 00:36:44,280 Why? 768 00:36:44,280 –> 00:36:47,800 Because only the gospel of Jesus Christ and him crucified 769 00:36:47,800 –> 00:36:51,000 has the power to change a person’s heart 770 00:36:51,000 –> 00:36:52,600 Only the gospel can do this 771 00:36:54,360 –> 00:36:55,399 So think about this 772 00:36:57,000 –> 00:36:59,959 Because our danger is to constantly underestimate 773 00:36:59,959 –> 00:37:02,439 the power of the gospel that has been trusted to the Church 774 00:37:02,840 –> 00:37:05,239 So the gospel that we want to run 775 00:37:06,679 –> 00:37:08,120 More powerful than anything 776 00:37:09,800 –> 00:37:12,280 Three years of judgment on the entire nation 777 00:37:12,280 –> 00:37:13,800 didn’t change the hearts of the people 778 00:37:14,919 –> 00:37:17,399 The miraculous demonstration of God’s mighty power 779 00:37:17,399 –> 00:37:19,879 in fire from heaven didn’t change their hearts either 780 00:37:21,320 –> 00:37:22,840 Understand and learn this then 781 00:37:22,840 –> 00:37:26,840 That the human heart is not changed by judgment or by power 782 00:37:26,840 –> 00:37:29,639 but only by the redeeming love of God 783 00:37:29,639 –> 00:37:31,719 poured out through the dying and rising 784 00:37:32,520 –> 00:37:37,479 applied into the human heart by the power of the Holy Spirit 785 00:37:38,520 –> 00:37:40,199 Let’s get this fixed in our minds 786 00:37:41,239 –> 00:37:43,800 What brings people back to God? 787 00:37:44,919 –> 00:37:46,760 The passage of time won’t do it 788 00:37:47,560 –> 00:37:50,679 Judgment poured out on a nation will not do it 789 00:37:51,719 –> 00:37:53,159 You say, we pray for the nation 790 00:37:53,159 –> 00:37:55,560 What’s going to bring the nation back to God? 791 00:37:55,560 –> 00:37:58,679 As we pray for our nation, will it be God’s judgment? 792 00:37:58,679 –> 00:37:59,080 No 793 00:37:59,080 –> 00:38:01,399 Will it be some miraculous signs and wonders? 794 00:38:01,399 –> 00:38:01,879 No 795 00:38:01,879 –> 00:38:02,760 What will it be? 796 00:38:02,760 –> 00:38:05,320 It will be the gospel running in this nation 797 00:38:05,320 –> 00:38:06,760 That’s why we’re committed to this 798 00:38:07,399 –> 00:38:08,760 It’s of huge importance 799 00:38:08,760 –> 00:38:11,560 That’s why Paul says I am not ashamed of the gospel 800 00:38:11,560 –> 00:38:17,239 because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes 801 00:38:20,280 –> 00:38:24,040 So let me end by giving you, again, this gospel today 802 00:38:25,800 –> 00:38:28,120 Jesus Christ gave his life for you 803 00:38:28,679 –> 00:38:33,479 And on the third day He rose again in triumphant power 804 00:38:34,840 –> 00:38:36,520 He gave his life for sinners 805 00:38:37,479 –> 00:38:41,719 And he reaches out to all of us today ready to forgive 806 00:38:42,679 –> 00:38:46,840 The Holy Spirit, who he gives to all who come to him 807 00:38:47,479 –> 00:38:52,439 is ready to change your mind and your heart 808 00:38:52,439 –> 00:38:54,760 and implant new desires within you 809 00:38:54,760 –> 00:38:57,159 and to make you a new person 810 00:38:57,159 –> 00:39:01,560 You can be today more than a person who believes in God 811 00:39:02,679 –> 00:39:06,199 You can be a person who has the life of God within you 812 00:39:07,399 –> 00:39:10,919 That life is offered to you by Jesus who laid down His life 813 00:39:10,919 –> 00:39:14,919 and then took it up again and is able to give this life to you 814 00:39:14,919 –> 00:39:19,239 until the day when you will share His life forever in glory 815 00:39:20,199 –> 00:39:22,439 And the gospel brings you to a point of decision 816 00:39:23,399 –> 00:39:25,959 This risen Lord Jesus Christ builds you 817 00:39:26,040 –> 00:39:27,639 come and follow Him 818 00:39:29,080 –> 00:39:33,560 To yield your life to Him as your Lord and your Master 819 00:39:35,320 –> 00:39:41,239 And then to receive this new life from Him as your Savior and as your Friend 820 00:39:41,239 –> 00:39:46,439 Don’t leave this church today limping between two opinions 821 00:39:46,439 –> 00:39:47,239 I plead with you 822 00:39:48,439 –> 00:39:52,360 You may say, Well, I don’t know, what would that mean for me? 823 00:39:52,360 –> 00:39:53,239 What’s that going to cost? 824 00:39:53,239 –> 00:39:53,959 I don’t know 825 00:39:55,959 –> 00:40:00,120 The great English sportsman by the name of C.T. Stud 826 00:40:00,120 –> 00:40:01,320 Who was a wonderful Christian 827 00:40:01,320 –> 00:40:02,040 Put it this way 828 00:40:03,800 –> 00:40:04,360 He said 829 00:40:04,360 –> 00:40:09,000 If Jesus Christ be God and died for me 830 00:40:11,080 –> 00:40:18,360 No sacrifice is too great for me to make for Him 831 00:40:19,560 –> 00:40:20,520 Let’s pray together 832 00:40:23,000 –> 00:40:25,159 I want you to think about this for a moment 833 00:40:25,239 –> 00:40:29,800 As you ponder your response to Jesus Christ 834 00:40:29,800 –> 00:40:32,439 If you’re limping between two opinions 835 00:40:32,439 –> 00:40:36,760 Will you today bow before the Saviour who calls you 836 00:40:38,439 –> 00:40:40,360 And yield yourself wholly to Him 837 00:40:43,320 –> 00:40:45,000 If you are Christ today 838 00:40:45,000 –> 00:40:48,520 I want you to take this home and to think about it deeply 839 00:40:48,780 –> 00:40:50,899 I want you to ponder your response today 840 00:40:50,899 –> 00:40:54,500 You can do more good this week 841 00:40:55,739 –> 00:40:57,179 By sharing the Gospel 842 00:40:58,540 –> 00:41:02,620 Than you could if you could call down fire from heaven 843 00:41:05,340 –> 00:41:06,540 Father hear our prayers 844 00:41:07,820 –> 00:41:11,260 Make those who are not your people to be your people today 845 00:41:12,459 –> 00:41:16,780 And for all of us who gladly embrace Christ as Saviour and Lord 846 00:41:17,739 –> 00:41:21,500 Grant that placing our lives again into his hands you will use us 847 00:41:22,780 –> 00:41:25,899 That your life-changing Gospel of which we are not ashamed 848 00:41:26,780 –> 00:41:28,699 May touch the lives of many others 849 00:41:29,419 –> 00:41:31,179 To the glory of the Saviour 850 00:41:31,899 –> 00:41:33,100 In whose name we pray 851 00:41:34,060 –> 00:41:36,139 Amen