1. 1 Kings 18 Contest at Mount Carmel (Elijah & Prophets of Baal)
During the reign of wicked Ahab (25 yrs in Israel)
Lead people of God into idolatry (16:30-33)
God instructed Elijah to go to Ahab (18:1-19)
Elijah issued a challenge (18:19)
Gathered at Mount Carmel (18:20-40)

2. 1 Kings 18 Contest at Mount Carmel (Elijah & Prophets of Baal)
Elijah asked a question (18:21)
Question: “How long will you falter between two opinions?”
Directed it to the people of Israel (18:20-21)

3. 1 Kings 18 Contest at Mount Carmel (Elijah & Prophets of Baal)
Elijah asked a question (18:21)
Notice three things
The question (v. 21a)
The solution (v. 21b)
The evidence (vv )
The people were stuck between two alters – couldn’t decide

4. (Limping Between Two Opinions)
Stuck Between
Two Altars
(Limping Between Two Opinions)
1 Kings 18:21

5. Stuck Between Two Altars (Limping Between Two Opinions)
Mind that is Indecisive

7. Mind that is Indecisive
Indecision avoids the hard choice
Decisions mean – choose one over another
Indecision means – want both (don’t want to choose)
Israel: had not made the hard choice to give up all idolatry
When we can’t decide about following Lord – we are avoiding hard choice:
Turning our back on the family religion
Giving up some practice I enjoy
Cutting loose from close associations I have
Becoming serious about spiritual matters

8. Mind that is Indecisive
Indecision avoids the hard choice
Indecision fails to view the Lord is God
If Lord is God – follow him (1 Kings 18:21)
Decision should be made upon basis that Lord is God
If he is God – serve him
If he is God – all decisions made to meet that goal
Evidence is given (vv )
If you can’t decide about following the Lord – having trouble viewing him as God!

9. Mind that is Indecisive
Indecision avoids the hard choice
Indecision fails to view the Lord is God
Indecision is unstable
Double minded man is unstable (Jas. 1:8)
Double minded = “a person with two minds” (Williams)
Unstable = “unreliable in every step he takes” (Williams)
Phillips: “…a man of divided loyalty will reveal instability at every turn”

10. Mind that is Indecisive
Indecision avoids the hard choice
Indecision fails to view the Lord is God
Indecision is unstable
Indecision must end
That was Elijah’s point – choose one or the other!
Joshua said “chose for yourselves this day…” (24:15)
The time is late – decisions are demanded (Rom. 13:11-ff)

11. Mind that is Indecisive
Indecision avoids the hard choice
Indecision fails to view the Lord is God
Indecision is unstable
Indecision must end
Indecision is a decision
If not with Lord – against the Lord (Matt. 12:30)
Failure to decide to do right – is a decision to do wrong!

12. Can’t Decide? To be baptized? What to with rest your life?
To make a commitment?
To renounce a false religion?
To stand up for truth and right?
To use the abilities / opportunities have?

13. Stuck Between Two Altars (Limping Between Two Opinions)
Mind that is Indecisive
Task that is Impossible

14. Task that is Impossible
The Task
Attempt to go in both directions
Translations:
“limping between two” (ESV)
“limping over two” (Lexham)
“Waver between two” (NIV)
“Till when are you leaping on the two branches” (YLT)
Means: “waver between two choices, conceived as leaping” (Logos Sense)
Same word as “leaping” (v. 26)
Point: trying to serve God & Baal at same time (favor one then another)

15. Task that is Impossible
The Task
The Impossibility
Can’t serve both (Matt. 6:24)
Can’t please men and God (Gal. 1:10)
Like being lukewarm (Rev. 3:16)
Can’t go and stay at same time!

16. Task that is Impossible
The Task
The Impossibility
The Application
Want to go to heaven – but don’t want to obey gospel
Want to be a Christian – but want to enjoy the world
Want to be faithful – but don’t want to come all time
Want to have a family – but want a girlfriend on the side
Want to be in submission – but not going to follow his lead
Want to be pure – but still run with worldly crowd
Want my kid to know God – but don’t want to bring them…
Want to be a good mate – but fuss and complain when want

17. Stuck Between Two Altars (Limping Between Two Opinions)
Mind that is Indecisive
Task that is Impossible
Result that is Inescapable

18. Result that is Inescapable
1 Kings 18:21
“And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.”
More Indecision (v. 21)
Rebellion (22:51-53)
Know They Are Doomed (v. 40)

19. Stuck Between Two Altars (Limping Between Two Opinions)
Mind that is Indecisive
Task that is Impossible
Result that is Inescapable