I Kings

a man subject to like passions as we are (Jas 5:17) Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

I.The preemptive DECISIONS to be made.

A.It starts with a closeness

(1Ki 18:30) And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.

(Jas 4:7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (Jas 4:8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

(Heb 10:22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

A.It starts with a closeness B.It starts with a conversation

And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down (1Ki 18:30) And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.

(1Th 5:17) Pray without ceasing. Col 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (Eph 6:18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

A.It starts with a closeness B.It starts with a conversation C.It starts with a concord

(1Ki 18:31) And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

(Php 2:2) Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (Php 1:27) Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

I.The preemptive DECISIONS to be made. II. The DESIGN to achieve the goal

A.Look at what determines our actions

(1Ki 18:32) And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.

whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (Col 3:17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (1Co 10:31) Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

A.Look at what determines our actions B.Our actions should be done in detail

(1Ki 18:33) And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.

Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully (Jer 48:10) Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood. (1Co 14:40) Let all things be done decently and in order.

A.Look at what determines our actions B.Our actions should be done in detail C.Attention show be given to doctrine

(1Ki 18:33-34) And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.

that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you (1Co 1:10) Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine (Rom 16:17) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

A.Look at what determines our actions B.Our actions should be done in detail C.Attention show be given to doctrine D.Stand on the declarations

LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel (1Ki 18:36) And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

I.The preemptive DECISIONS to be made. II. The DESIGN to achieve the goal III. The DRIVE behind your aspiration

And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. (1Ki 18:36-39) And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

I.The preemptive DECISIONS to be made. II. The DESIGN to achieve the goal III. The DRIVE behind your aspiration IV.The DISCARDING of the impurities

(1Ki 18:40) And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

(Gal 5:24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, (Heb 12:1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,