Fireworks on Mt. Carmel
Bible Text: I Kings 18:22-40 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 1 Kings, 2006
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Northwest Bible Church – July 16, 2006 – 1&2 Kings Series – Worship Service – Alan Conner
1 Kings 18:22-40
Fireworks on Mt. Carmel
Intro
THE SHOWDOWN AT CARMEL
The enormous challenge (vv. 22-24).
“Put no fire under it.”
“The God who answers by fire, He is God.”
The empty ceremony of the prophets of Baal (vv. 25-29).
1) The rules of the contest (v. 25).
2) The ridiculous behavior (vv. 26-29).
– called from morning until noon
– leaped (limped, staggered)
-Elijah’s taunt
– cried
– cut
– raved from midday until the evening sacrifice, around 3 PM –
3) Elijah’s ridicule of Baal (v. 27).
– call with a loud voice, for he is a god –
– occupied or gone aside?
– on a journey? asleep?
4) The silence from Baal’s corner (vv. 26, 29).
– no voice (2)
– no answer (2)
– no attention ——— I WONDER WHY?
How humiliating. BAAL FAILED! NO FIRE, HE IS NO GOD.
The effectual conquest (vv. 30-40).
Notice he calls all the people to come near.
1) The rebuilding of the altar to the Lord (v. 30-32).
12 stones –
2) The ox is slain and severed and laid on the altar (v. 33).
3) Four pitchers (buckets) of water poured on altar three times (vv. 33-35).
Where get the water?
Why the water?
ALL THESE PREPARATIONS WERE GOD’S BIDDING, v. 36c.
4) Elijah’s prayer (vv. 36-37).
a) Request #1: God’s glory revealed –
b) Request #2: Israel’s faith restored –
5) The fire and the faith (vv. 38-39).
a) God’s response (v. 38) – FIRE.
What did this prove? YAHWEH is God, not Baal.
b) The people’s response (v. 39) – FAITH.
6) The slaughter of the prophets of Baal (v. 40).
CONCLUSION
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