WHY HALT YE BETWEEN TWO DECISIONS?

1KINGS 18:20-40 [read]

We need to decide whether we are on the Lord's side..... Or on the side of baal! Do we want to be a part of the masses who are undecided?
OR, ARE WE WITH THOSE WHO SAY "I AM ON THE LORD'S SIDE??

PRINCIPLE CHARACTERS OF THE STORY

800 B.C. was a time when God's People were sliding back into IDOLATRY...

Have you noticed?

People promote false religions with the same fervor they promote God's true religion! They are dedicated & enthusiastic!

Many Cults grow faster than the Lords Church!!

Matt 28:18-20 There are an estimated 2,000 cults in the world2,000 Jezebels!

JEZEBEL PROMOTED HER IDOL WORSHIP THROUGHOUT ALL ISRAEL...

She built a temple to baal all Israel engaged in orgies & fell to worship her idol god!! It looked like everyone was going after Baal... everyone left the church (so to speak)!
ENTER>>> the Prophet Elijah.....

Picture Old Elijah standing alone against all those IDOL WORSHIPERS....1KI 18:17-18 [read]

God always raises up His Faithful People in times when EVIL gets too strong! THIS OLD PROPHET WAS NOT AFRAID TO "SPEAK OUT AGAINST EVIL." He was not afraid of Ahab....nor Jezebel! Nor was he afraid of the 450 Prophets of Baal

Now, LOOK WHAT HAPPENED....

Elijah took a stand FOR GOD & AGAINST EVIL --- He spoke the Truth even though it got him the reputation of "a trouble maker." You cannot be pleasing to everyone and at the same time serve the Lord! There is no middle ground in this battle between good & evil! Matt 6:24

 Jesus defended His Deity before Pilate and he sent Him off to be crucified (John 18) I am reminded of John, the Baptist...who "came in the spirit of Elijah." He bravely said to Herod, It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife. Mark 6:18 Someone said: "he must be out of his mind to talk to the king like that. No...he just lost his head!!
NO CHRISTIAN CAN AFFORD NOT TO TAKE A STAND FOR GOD'S WAY!

ELIJAH ON THE SIDE OF TRUTH (WITH GOD) VS. THE 450 PROPHETS OF BAAL
IT WASN'T EVEN....ELIJAH HAD GOD ON HIS SIDE! God raised up Old Elijah to combat SIN in Israel... and gave him the POWER TO DO THE JOB! (SAME WITH US) HE REBUILT THE ALTAR.... HE PLACED HIS SACRIFICE ON IT.... AND HE CALLED DOWN THE FIRE..... THEN GOD TOOK OVER!

WHEN WE DO OUR PART GOD TAKES OVER

1COR 3:6 LUKE 8:11

THIS IS THE PATTERN WE NEED TO BE FOLLOWING!

It can work for us just as it did for Elijah! We are fighting "principalities and powers in high places." Our's is a spiritual conflict! We win only when we call down fire from God! We've got to put an acceptable sacrifice on the altar!! Our own lives!! (Rom 12:1-2) We've got to rebuilt the altar....The church!! (1Cor 3:16)

IF THERE IS GOING TO BE ANY FIRE IN OUR CHURCHES... IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO START IN US!

THEN...WHEN GOD SEES THE ALTAR REBUILT....AND THE OFFERING OF OUR OWN LIVES UPON THAT ALTAR.... HE WILL SEND DOWN THE FIRE! HE'LL USE US LIKE HE DID ELIJAH! HE'LL WORK THROUGH US FOR GOOD IN THIS WORLD!

ARE WE HALTING BETWEEN TWO DECISIONS?

Until we put our lives on the altar of sacrifice....How can God send down the fire? There's just too much neutrality out there when it comes to matters effecting the church... Definition of "NEUTRAL":
A gear arrangement which disconnects the drive shaft from the engine. A nation which takes no part in a conflict. A color which will "go with anything." [white is a neutral color...SO IS YELLOW)

LAODICEANS --- NEITHER HOT NOR COLD! (Rev 3:16)

CONCLUSION:
Listen...this is a Spiritual Warfare we are involved in.... If we sacrificially work & pray God will send down the fire!!!!