The Triumph of God’s Power

1 Kings 18:20-40

The Triumph of God’s Power 

Introduction: 

Today we are going to talk about one of the biggest BBQ’s ever recorded in the Bible! 

The northern kingdom of Israel had strayed away from the one true God and had started worshipping a false god by the name of Baal. But there were still true worshippers of God in Israel and one of them was the prophet Elijah.

The passage we read today recounts the epic confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. It is a story of faith, courage, and the undeniable power of the one true God.

So, we are going to explore the lessons this passage holds for us, focusing on three main points: the challenge of faith, the demonstration of God’s power, and the call to decisive commitment. 

First Point – The Challenge of Faith: 

The story begins with the wicked King Ahab summoning all the Israelites and the prophets of Baal to Mount Carmel. Elijah, standing alone against 450 prophets of Baal, issues a bold challenge to the people of Israel: "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him" (1 Kings 18:21). Elijah's challenge is timeless. We live in a world filled with competing voices and ideologies. Like the Israelites, we often find ourselves torn between faith in God and the temptation to compromise…to believe things or do things that go against God’s will as expressed in his Word. Elijah calls us to make a decisive choice. Faith cannot be divided; it demands wholehearted commitment. So, we need to ask ourselves: Are we truly devoted to God, or are we wavering, trying to serve both God and the world? This passage urges us to examine our hearts and reaffirm our commitment to the Lord. 

Second Point – The Demonstration of God’s Power: 

Elijah proposes a test to demonstrate who the true God is. Two sacrifices are prepared, but the fire to burn them must come from God. Whichever God answers with fire is the one true God. The prophets of Baal prepare a bull for sacrifice and call on their god from morning till noon, but there is no response. Elijah mocks their futile efforts, highlighting the impotence of false gods. 

Then, Elijah prepares his sacrifice, building an altar, laying the wood, and digging a trench all around it. Then he douses it all with water three times to make it humanly impossible to ignite, and prays to the Lord. “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”

The fire of the Lord falls from heaven, consuming the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the soil, and even the water in the trench. This dramatic display of divine power reaffirms the truth that our God is alive and active. 

Now, in our own lives, we may face situations that seem impossible, where the odds are overwhelmingly against us. Yet, this story reminds us that nothing is too difficult for God. When we trust Him, He will reveal His power in ways that leave no room for doubt. God’s ability to intervene and transform our circumstances is as real today as it was on Mount Carmel. 

Third Point – The Call to Decisive Commitment:

When the people see the fire of the Lord, they fall on their faces and cry, "The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!" (1 Kings 18:39). Elijah then commands the people to seize the prophets of Baal, and they are put to death. This decisive action symbolizes the rejection of any form of idolatry and the reaffirmation of Israel’s covenant with the Lord. 

Herein lies a powerful message for us today: recognizing God’s power demands a response. It is not enough to acknowledge God intellectually; we must also reject all forms of falsehood and live in the truth. True faith is demonstrated through obedience to God and the renunciation of anything that stands in opposition to God. Elijah’s actions call us to examine our own lives and to remove the idols that hinder our relationship with God. Whether it is a false religion or ideology, materialism, pride, or any form of sin, we are called to turn away from these and renew our dedication to the Lord. 

Conclusion: 

In conclusion, the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel challenges us to choose whom we will serve, it demonstrates the unmatched power of our God, and it calls us to a decisive commitment. As we reflect on this passage, let us be inspired to stand firm in our faith, trust in God’s mighty power, and rid our lives of anything that competes with our devotion to Him. May we echo the cry of the Israelites, "The Lord—he is God!" in our hearts and actions. 

Shall we pray?

© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2024