Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1924-04-10

LESSON TEXT Kings ss:i7-<S.
GOLDEN TExT--ssNo man can serve
two masters re cannot serve
Sod and mammon Matt. s;s4.
PRIMARY rorIc--0od Hears mi
5ah's Prayer.
JUNIOR roPrc- Eli,.A On M car
NAL.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR roP-
IC-Ths Conflict between Je,s1ysi ana
Nlitah.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
Hollow Elijah Won The viotsry.
!. ElIIah's Message 70 Ahab wv.
17-Is).
When Jezebel became the wife Of
King Ahab, she waged a savage war
rare against Gods prophets. killing al
she could find, thus seeking to abolish
the true religion and set up idolatry
instead. Elijah suddenly appeared. an
nouncing the suspension Of moisture
Il Kings 17:1) a. judgment upon
the people for their idolatry. He
sounded three striking notes in his
message:
~ AS the Lord God of Isreel Nv
eth"--He knew that he represented
the living God. therefore did not fear.
(2) Before whom I stand"--Be
cause Elijah stood before God. he
could stand before Ahab.
co. "There shall not be dew nor rain
these years. but according to my word
Drought was the punishment TO-
idolatry (Dsut. IL: 10. III.
u. A Challenge 10 BsSs Wershlp
Il Kings 18:17-A6).
AS soon a. Elijah had delivered his
message concerning the drought he
retired from the kings sight. while
the penalty Of the kings sins should
BE- visited upon the land.
!. Elijah Shows Himself to Ahab
wv. II, 49,.
(1) Ahab's question ". I'D. His
aim in this question was no doubt to
intimidate Elijah, to awe him into
submission. The devil goes about as
a roaring lion Il Pet. $50.
(2) Elijahs answer ". JS). lie
denied the charge and boldly declared
that the calamity which had befallen
the nation was caused by the idolatry
OF Ahab and his family.
2. The Bold Challenge wv. 1929.
(1) The people assemble wv. 10,
20). At the urgent request Of Elijah
the king convened the people.
t2) The ringing call to decision tvv.
21-24).
a. The question asked ". 21). Many
Of the people had not wholly forsaken
God. They attempted to. worship both
God and Baal.
b. The silence of the people ". 21).
This may have been because Of fear OF
the king or Ignorance, for many were
Of the opinion that to be religious was
the only thing necessary, irrespective
of the being worshiped.
{. The method of decision (vv. %
24). Two sacrifices were to be pro
vided, one to be offered to Baal, the
other to God. The one who answered
by fire was to be the God. V
8. The Test Applied wv. $500.
ID Offering by the prophets Of
Baal wv. 25-20). Elijan gave the
prophets Of Baal the first opportunity
to prove to the people as to whether
-Baal was a real god.
(2) The Offering by Elijah wv. 30
8e). 3aa
a. People invited near ". 3O).
There are no secrets In Gods wor-
ship.
b. The altar repaired wv. 30-32).
Elijah took twelve stones represent
ing the united nation.
c. The offering on the altar (vv.
1885. After the bullock was In place
he had four barrels Of water three
times emptied upon the sacrifice and
the wood so as to fill the trench about
the altar.
d. Elijah's prayer wv. SO. 3D.
This was a model prayer.
(a) 1t was based upon covenants
". 8o). All real prayer rests upon
covenant relationships.
(b) Its object was Gods exaltation
w. 36). Elijah was jealous for Gods
glory, but the only thing that he asked
for himself was to be Known as Gods
servant.
(c) 1t was for the salvation OF the
people w.. 30. His heart yearned
after Israel. He wanted them to come
to know God
e. The result (vv 38, 39).
(a) 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 trenches.
Oh The people fell on their faces
and confessed that the Lord was the
God.
2 4. The Execution Of Baais Prophets
". 4O) Israel's government was
theocracy. God was their King. Idol
airy was treason against the King.
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