Middletown transcript., 1922-01-14

LESSON TEXT Kings 1S:l-4S.
GOLDEN TEXT-This is the victory
that overcometh the world. even our
faith.-I John SEA
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Josh. "a:
1923; Eph. 6:10-0
PRIMARY TOPIC-God Answers ELL
jah's prayer
JUNIOR TOPIC-One Man Against Four
Hundred and Fifty.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
--Jehovah's Victorious Champion.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Modern Evils: How to Fight Them.
l. Elijah Meets Ahab wv. 17-19).
At the Lords command, Elijah
shows himself to Ahab. When Elijah
was last seen by Ahab, HI announced
that rain would only be given by his
word (17:D. In connection with the
Prophets appearing before the king.
rain was promised.
/. Ahabs question-"Art thou he
that troubleth IsraelT ". ~. Ahab's
ann was to intimidate Elijah-to awe
him into submission. The devil goes
about like roaring lion, seeking
whom he may devour Il Pet. 5:S).
.. Elijahs answer ". 1S). He de-
MED the charge and boldly declared
that the calamity which had befallen
the nation was caused by the idolatry
of Ahab and his family. Many are
the calnmities which befall men and
nations because they have forsaken
Gods commands and are worshiping
other gods.
u. EIljah's Challenge (vv. 1924.
1. The people assembled wv. 10,
2O). The king convened the people at
the urgent request of Elijah. 1t Is
strange that he should do this at
Eijah's command. Evidently Gods
hand overruled.
2. Elijah's ringing call to decision
(vv. 21-2D. G) The question asked
Who is your God, Baal or the Lord
". 2D. Many Of the people had not
wholly forsaken God. They attempted
to worship both God and Baal. Many
today are halting between two opin-
ions; they are hating between self
and God-sin and holiness-mammon
and God. But the question must be
settled sooner or later. In fact the
decision is being made every day. (2)
The silence of the people ". 2D.
This may have been because Of fear
Of the king or ignorance, for many
were of the opinion that to be re-
| lgious was the only thing necessary,
irrespective Of the being worshlped.
| (3) The method of decision wv. 22-24)
conrifnnn n ha nrnyidnl
one to be offered to Baal, the other to
God. The god who answered by fire
was to be the God. The people con.
| sented that this was a fair test. Ac
cepted sacrifice is the grand and su
| preme test by which God Is calling
upon men everywhere to make the de
cision between Christ and heather
gods (Rom. :25).
III. The Test Applied wv. 25-39).
| 1. The offering by the prophets OF
Baal (vv. $500. Elijah gave fat
test even placed the advantage or
the other side. He gave the prophet!
Of Baal the first opportunity to prove
to the people as to whether Baal wa!
real god. To deal unfairly in an!
test betrays weakness in the part!
and the positions taken. Elijah taunt
ed them, and they more earnestly
cried to Baal, but no answer came.
2. The Offering by Elijah wv. 30-39)
(1) The people invited near ". 30)
His object was for them to see tn
entire proceedings in order to full.
grasp the genuineness Of the test. e
The altar repaired wv. 3032). Be
fore there can be the power Of Co
manifested, the altar must be repaired
Elijah took twelve stones, represent
ing the united nation. God Is one
and His people Is one. (3) The Offer
Ing on the altar wv. 33-35). After tn
bullock was In place. he had four bal
rels of water three times emptie'
upon the sacrifices and the wood so q
to fill the trench about the altar.
sure was Elijah that Gods power wa
sufficient. that he heaped difficult
upon difficulty. (4) Elijah's praye
wv. 38-3T. (a) 1t was based upo
covenants ". 36). The foundation upo
which all real prayer rests is covenar
relationship. CO. Its object wa
Gods exaltation ". 36). Elijah wa
Jealous for Gods glory-his suprem
desire was to honor and magnify tn
Lord. The only thing that he aske
for himself was to be known as God
servant. (c) 1t was for the salvatio
Of the people ". 3D. His hear
yearned after Israel. He was mo.
desirous that they should come
know God. (5) The result (vv. 8
39). (a) The fire Of the Lord fell an
, consumed not only the sacrifice, bl
the wood, stones and dust, even licl
ing up the water in the trench. It
The people fell on their faces and col
fessed that the Lord was the God.
w. The Execution Of Baal
, Prophets ". 4O).
The reason for this drastic actic
was that Israel's government was
theocracy-God was their King. Idol
try was treason against the Kin
These false prophets were traitors
God and therefore should die.
v. Gods Prophets INDICATED "
, 41-46).
The proof that Elijah was God
prophet was incomplete till rain cam
Israel under his ministry had no
turned back to God, and God mat
known to them His gracionsness.