2. The Story Finding Your Story in God’s Story “God’s Messengers”
Series 2 - God Pursues His People

3. Review Chapter 14 “The Kingdom Torn in Two”
Series 2 - God Pursues His People

5. I. Showdown at Mt. Carmel – 1 Kings 18
Start with 1 Kings 16:29-33

6. King Ahab rules Israel

7. Married Jezebel

8. Built a temple and worshipped Baal
Did more to provoke the anger of the Lord than any kings before him

9. Elijah declares no rain – 17:1

10. James 5:17-18 (NLT) 17  Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18  Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

11. Elijah is directed by God to live by a brook – raven bring food

12. Elijah is directed by God to go and be fed by a widow

13. Who is the True God? – 1 Kings 18:17-40
The God who answers by setting fire to the wood of the sacrifice is the True God

15. O Lord prove that you are God and that I am your servant
So these people will know that you are God

16. The fire of the Lord burned up the offering
The people cried out – the Lord, He is God

17. Elijah prays for rain
Elijah meets with God on Mt Sinai 1 Kings 19
Anoint kings
Anoint Elisha your replacement
Elisha serves as Elijah’s assistant

18. Elijah is Raptured – 2 Kings 2

19. Elijah – what can I do for you
Elisha – a double share of your spirit

20. II. God’s Love for Unfaithful Israel
Hosea 1
Marry a prostitute
Illustrate how Israel has acted turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods

21. Hosea married Gomer
Children – named by God
Gomer goes back into prostitution

22. Hosea 3 – Redeem your unfaithful wife

23. The people will go into exile
They will return and devote themselves to God
They will tremble in awe of God and his goodness

24. III. Are You Listening? God speaks By his Word and by his Spirit
Instruction, direction, correction
Ears to hear

25. Matthew 11:15 (NLT) 15  Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
Matthew 13:15 (NLT) 15  For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’

26. 2 Timothy 4:3 (NLT) 3  For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

27. Application - God is still speaking today
Application - God is still speaking today. Will we listen, or will we ignore his