Fireworks on Mt. Carmel
**We apologize, but there was a problem with the digital recording of the sermon so it cannot be posted. We do still have it on tape, but the conversion process from tape to MP3 may take some time.
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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