The Holly chieftain., 1924-04-10

'
| two masters Ye cannot serve
God and mammon."-Matt. s:s4.
PRIMARY ToP1C-God Hears ELL
jah's Prayer.
JUNIOR ToPIc-EliJah on Mt. Car
mel.
INTERMEDIARY AND SENIOR TOP
lC-The Conflict between Jezebel and
Elijah.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-How Elijah Won the Victory.
!. ElIJah's Message to Ahab (vv.
1913.
When Jezebel became the wife Of
King Ahab she waged savage war
fare against Gods prophets, killing all.
she could find, thus seeking to abolish
the true religion and set up idolatry
Instead. Elijah suddenly appeared, an
nouncing the suspension of moisture
u Kings l7:D as a judgment upon
the people for their idolat-y. He
sounded three striking notes in his
message:
W "As the Lord God of Israel liv-
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.
(O. ."There shall not be dew nor rain
these years, but according to my word"
drought was the punishment for
idolatry (Deut. 11:16. I'D.
u. A Challenge to Baai Worship
Il Kings 1S:17-46).
AS soon as 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
(vv. II, 1S).
N Ahabs question ". ~. His
sim in this question was no doubt to
intimidate Elijah. to awe him into
submission. The devil goes about as
roaring lion Il Pet. $50.
(2) Elijah's answer ". 1S). He
denied the charge ard boldly declared
that the calamity which had befallen
the nation was caused by the idolatry
of Ahab and his family.
2. The Bold Challenge (vv. 1920.
Q) The people assemble wv. 10,
20). At the urgent request of Elijah
the king convened the people.
(2) The ringing call to decision (vv.
2l-24.
a. The question asked w. 21). Many
Of the people had not wholly forsaken
God They attempted to worship both
God and Baal.
b. 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 religious was
the only thing necessary, Irrespective
Of the being worshiped.
C. The method Of decision wv. %
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.
8. The Test Applied wv. $500.
Q) Offering by the prophets OF
Baal wv. 1920. Elijah gave the
prophets of Baal the first opportunity
to prove to the people as to whether
Baal was real god.
(2) The Offering by Elijah wv. 30
S9).
u. People invited near ". BOY.
There are no secrets in Gods wor-
ship.
b. The altar repaired (vv. 3O-32).
Elijah took twelve stones represent
Ing the united nation.
C. The offering on the altar wv.
33-35). After the bullock was in place
he had four barrels of water three
times emptled upon the sacrifice and
the wood SO as to fill the trench about
the altar.
d. Elijah's prayer wv. SO. 37l.
This was model prayer.
(a) 1t was based upon covenants
". 36). All real prayer rests upon
covenant relationships.
(b) Its object was Gods exaltation
u. 36). Elijah was jealous for God
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 ". 80. His heart yearned
after Israel. He wanted them to come
to know God.
e. The result wv. 3S, 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.
(b) The people fell on their faces
and confessed that the Lord was the
God.
4. The Execution of Baal's Prophets
". 4O). Israel's government was q |
theocracy. God was their King. Idol |
airy was treason against the King.