2. of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
1 Kings 18: 18-19
18 “I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you and your father’s family have.
You have abandoned the Lord’s commands and have followed the Baals. 19 Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on
Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets
of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

3. But the people said nothing.
1 Kings 18:21
Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”
But the people said nothing.

4. Elijah issues a challenge: 2 altars with a bull as a sacrifice
* 1 for Elijah (and the One True God)
* 1 for the prophets of Baal
The God who answers by fire is to be served.

5. 1 Kings 18: 26-29 The 450 prophets of Baal call out to their god
from morning until night;
first with chants & dances, but then with frantic blood sacrifices from themselves.
“There was no response.
No one answered.
No one paid attention.”

6. This answers the question for all time:
“What if people are very sincere and are just worshiping a different ‘god’?”
Sincerity of faith only matters when it is placed in someone who is FAITHFUL.

7. 1 Kings 18: 30-32
In his first act of symbolism for the sacrifice, Elijah rebuilds the broken down altar of
the Lord; identifying each of 12 stones for the 12 tribes of Israel that God is building back…and bringing back to Himself.

8. The second act of symbolism that Elijah used for the sacrifice was the 12 pitchers of water being poured on the bull…
demonstrating the diluted faith and helpless state that their nation was in.

9. 1 Kings 18: 36-37
36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. 37 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that You, Lord, are God, and that You are turning their hearts back again.”

10. “The Lord—He is God! The Lord—He is God!”
1 Kings 18: 38-39
Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.
When all the people saw this,
they fell prostrate and cried,
“The Lord—He is God! The Lord—He is God!”

11. Then Elijah commanded them,
1 Kings 18:40
Then Elijah commanded them,
“Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.

12. Truths to Remember: 1.) False gods promise what only
the True God can provide.
2.) It is time to “quit wavering”.
3.) Only sincere faith in a True God saves