11.09.2022 | SHOWDOWN AT MOUNT CARMEL
SHOWDOWN AT MOUNT CARMEL
1 Kings 18:19
Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.
Elijah is calling for a showdown at Mt. Carmel.
Mount Carmel is a picture of the holiness of God.
In the time of Elijah, it was also the site of pagan sanctuaries.
I Kings 18 describes a power encounter between the power of the Living God and the powers of darkness.
“A power encounter is a visible, practical demonstration that Jesus Christ is more powerful than the spirits, powers, or false gods worshipped or feared by the members of a given people group.” – Peter Wagner
1 Samuel 5:3
And when the people of Ashdod arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set in its place again.
1 Samuel 5:4
And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon’s torso was left of it.
How do we walk in victory in the midst of spiritual warfare?
1. Repent of Any Doublemindedness and Shut Every Open Door
1 Kings 18:21
And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.
The people of Israel were trying to follow the Lord and follow Baal.
Elijah declares that they must make a choice.
James 1:8
He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Repent of any disobedience and idolatry.
1 Kings 18:18
And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals.
2. Lay Everything on the Altar to God
1 Kings 18:23
Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it.
1 Kings 18:24
Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” So all the people answered and said, “It is well spoken.”
Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
3. Declare the Defeat of Every Evil Power Through the Cross of Jesus Christ
1 Kings 18:28
So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.
1 Kings 18:29
And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.
Colossians 2:15
Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
We are not fighting for a victory. We fight from the place of victory already won.
4. Receive the Fire of God for this Generation
1 Kings 18:36
And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.”
1 Kings 18:37
Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that you are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.
1 Kings 18:38
Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.
Acts 2:3-4
Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5. Publicly Declare, “The Lord, He is God!”
1 Kings 18:39
Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!”
We declare over the United States of America, “The Lord, He is God!”
Romans 10:9 (ESV)
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.