Introduction

Elijah stood alone to confront false gods in Israel and forced Israel to make a choice between Baal and Asherah. He called on God to demonstrate His power and presence, and put the false gods to the test. God showed up to authenticate His prophet and to turn the hearts of His people back to Him.

I. A look at the historical account

1 Kings 18:16-19 NIV So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah. When he saw Elijah, he said to him, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?" 17 I have not made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the Lord's commands and have followed the Baals. Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."

A. Elijah confronts indecision

1 Kings 18:21 NIV Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him, but if Baal is God, follow him."

B. Elijah calls for a demonstration of God's power

1 Kings 18:24 NIV Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire -- he is God.

C Baal's prophets work themselves into a frenzy to make Baal show up

D. God shows up by fire

E. Elijah kills the false prophets

II. Principles learned from this account

A. We can examine the validity of God's claim to be God and expect him to demonstrate his divinity

B. We can witness the reality of God's revelation

C. We must choose between God and our gods

D. We must destroy the false gods and deal with those who influence us to serve them

III. How to discover God's reality in your life

1 Kings 18:36-38 NIV At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."

Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil and also licked up the water in the trench.

A. Give God an opportunity to demonstrate his reality

1. Set a measurable event

2. Approach God with simplicity and faith

3. Expect God to be glorified

B. Commit to serve Him with your life

C. Destroy the false gods

D. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to overcome

Conclusion

In America, we seldom worship literal idols; however, we have many forms of idolatry. We worship the gods of drugs, alcohol, nicotine, pornography, perversion, sexual lust, adultery, fornication, illicit relationships, family enmeshment, materialism every day. God is saying today, "Make a decision. Who will you serve?"