1 Kings 18:21-40

The God that answereth by fire.

I. ISRAEL 'S SIN ( 1 Kings 18:21 ).

1 . Its nature : indecision, a want of whole-hearted devotion; "How long halt ye?" etc. They tried to combine both worships, bowing before Jehovah in secret, and publicly before Baal in the assemblies commanded by the court. There are two who contend today for our devotion and service—the world and God ( 1 John 2:15 ). The world has its rewards and demands; God has His.

2 . Its folly . Both cannot be served. What we build in obedience to one we cast down in obedience to the other. "If the Lord be God, follow him," etc.

3 . The necessity for its abandonment . The messenger sent to announce blessing ( 1 Kings 18:1 ) must first convince of sin and secure its removal. The blessings of God stand at the door, but they can enter only as our sins are cast out.

II. THE CHALLENGE ( 1 Kings 18:22-24 ).

1 . A false test rejected . Baal seemed triumphant. Elijah stood alone, the prophets of Baal were many, and yet the cause had still to be decided. The pretensions of a faith are not established by numbering its adherents and weighing their influence. Truth has often stood alone, and may stand alone again.

2 . The true test proposed . Baal's claims and Jehovah's are put to the proof. There is wrath against the land; which will remove the cause of it? By which will the sin offering laid upon the altar be accepted and the iniquity be removed? That test which alone met Israel's need could alone prove Israel's God.

3 . The true test accepted . "And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken." Israel's answer will yet be the cry of all nations. The heart of the world will yet acknowledge the true God's work.

III. THE DECISION ( 1 Kings 18:25-39 ).

1 . Baal tried and found wanting .

2 . God tried and proved .

IV. THE JUDGMENT OF THE FALSE PROPHETS . The manifestation of God's glory is the hour of sin's overthrow.—J.U.