Elijah’s Sermon on the Mount

Bible Text: I Kings 18:17-21 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 1 Kings, 2006

Northwest Bible Church – July 9, 2006 – Worship Service – 1&2 Kings Series – Alan Conner

1 Kings 18:17-21

Elijah’s Sermon on the Mount

 

Intro

 

AHAB MEETS ELIJAH (vv. 17-20).

 

 

Ahab’s wicked words reflect his heart (v. 17).

 

 

“Troubler” = the one causing calamity = famine, drought.

 

 

The world always despises the messengers of God’s truth.

 

 

Elijah corrects the king (v. 18).

 

1) The trouble is due to Ahab.

 

 

2) Ahab’s response.

 

 

Elijah commands the king (vv. 19-20).

 

 

 

Mt. Carmel. A place known for the worship of Baal.

 

 

 

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (v. 21).

 

The stage is now set. All the key players are in their place.

 

 

Elijah addresses the people.

 

 

The challenge to make a decision.

 

 

1) HOW LONG? Indicates that time has run out on their sinful apathy.

 

2) INDECISION – Lit. “limp or be lame”, to totter or stagger.

 

 

Character of the people: divided heart. Let’s examine their fickleness.

 

Pro – Baal.

1) sanctioned by the king and queen

2) appeal of tradition

3) Baal promised to scratch where they itched.

 

Pro – Yahweh.   Brought them out of Egypt, carried them through the wilderness wanderings and gave them the land of Canaan.

 

                                                      They were guilty of Is. 29:13 Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote.

 

 

3) CHOOSE WHOM YOU WILL FOLLOW.

 

a) The “If” does not imply any doubt that Yahweh is the only true God.

 

 

b) A demand for a definite decision.

 

 

c) Salvation requires a decision.

 

Cf. Ex. 32:26; Josh. 24:14-15 and Mt. 6:24.

 

 

DECISIONAL BLUNDERS.

 

 

d) Saving faith is a following faith.

 

 

The people are dumb.

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

Unbelievers –

 

Believers –