The Holly chieftain., 1922-01-12

faith.-I John Sc.
REFERENCE MATERIAL,-Josh. "a
1923: Eph. 6:10-2D.
PRIMARY TOPIC-God Answers, ELI
| 1ah's prayer.
| JUNIOR TOPIC-One Man Against Foul
Hundred and Fifty.
INTERMEDIARY AND SENIOR TOPIC
l-Jehovah's Victorious Champion.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Modern Evils: How to Fight Them.
I. Elijah Meets Ahab (vv. 17-19).
At the Lords command, Elijah
shows himself to Ahab. When Elijah
was last seen by Ahab, he announced
that rain would only be given by his
word (17:1). In connection with the
Prophets appearing before the king.
rain was promised.
1. Ahab's question-"Art thou he
that troubleth IsraelY ". I'D. Ahab's
aim was to intimidate Elijah-t0 awe
him into submission.
2. Elijah's answer ". 49,. 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.
u. EIIJah's chaiisnoe wv. 1924.
l. The people assembled (yv. 10,
2O). The king convened the people at
the urgent request Of Elijah.
2 Elijah's ringing call to decision
(yv. 21-24). az The question asked
Who is your God, Baal or the Lord1
". 21). 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 halting between self
and God-sin and hollness-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 ". Ply.
This may have been because Of fear
Of the king or Ignorance. for many
were Of the opinion that to be re-
ligtous was the only thing necessary,
irrespective Of the being worshiped.
(3) The method Of decision (vv. 22-24).
Two sacrifices were to be provided.
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 fair test.
III. The Test Applied wv. 25-39).
l. The offering by the prophets of
.Baal wv. 25-29). Elijah gave fair
test. even placed the advantage on
the other side. He gave the prophets
Of Baal the first opportunity to prove
to the people as to whether Baal was
real god. Elijah taunted them, and
they more earnestly cried to Baal,
but no answer came
2. The offering by Elijah (vv. 3O-39).
~ The people invited near ". BOY.
His object was for them to see the
entire proceedings In order to fully
grasp the genuineness Of the test. (2)
The altar repaired ivy. 30-32). Be-
fore there can be the power of God
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 the
bullock was In place, he had four bar
rels Of water three times emptied
upon the sacrifices and the wood so as
to fill the trench about the altar. SO
sure was Elijah that Gods power was
sufficient. that he heaped difficulty
upon difficulty. ~ Elijah's prayer
(vv. S6-37). (a) It was based upon
covenants ". 36). The foundation upon
which all real prayer rests is covenant
relationship. (b) Its object was
Gods exaltation ". 38). Elijah was
Jealous for Gods glory-his supreme
desire was to honor and magnify the
Lord. The only thing that he asked
for himself was to be known as Gods
servant. (c) 1t was for the salvation
Of the people ". 80. His heart
yearned after Israel. He was most
desirous that they should come to
know God. (5) The result wv. 3s,
39). Gay The fire of the Lord fell and
consumed not only the sacrifice, but
the wood, stones and dust, even lick
Ing up the water in the trench. (b)
The people fell on their faces and con-
fessed that the Lord was the God.
w. The Execution Of 1aals
Prophets ". 40).
The reason for this drastic action
was that Israel's government was
theocracy-God was their King. Idola-
try was treason against the King.
These false prophets we're traitors to
God and therefore should die.
v. Code Prophets vindieated (vv.
41-4e).
The proof that Elijah was Gods
prophet was Incomplete till rain came.
Israel under his ministry had now
turned back to God, and God made
known to them His graciousness.