Choosing Faith: The Power of God's Supremacy

Devotional

Day 1: Choose Faith with Conviction

In the face of a society that often promotes indecision and half-hearted commitments, the call to choose faith with conviction is paramount. The story of Elijah on Mount Carmel is a stark reminder that faith is not a matter of convenience but a deliberate choice to follow the one true God. This choice requires rejecting the lure of spiritual indecision and embracing a wholehearted commitment to the path of faith. [12:40]

Joshua 24:15 - "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Reflection: What are the areas of your life where you find yourself vacillating between God and worldly distractions? How can you make a more deliberate choice for God in these areas?

Day 2: The Evidence of Inner Fire

The inner fire ignited by the Holy Spirit is not meant to be hidden but to shine forth as evidence of God's transformative power. Just as the fire from heaven was a public testament to God's sovereignty during Elijah's time, so should the spiritual fire within believers be visible in their daily lives. This fire is a beacon, guiding others to the truth of God's lordship and the reality of His active presence in the world. [31:33]

Daniel 3:25 - "He said, 'Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.'"
Reflection: How can you more actively display the inner fire of the Holy Spirit in your interactions and decisions today?

Day 3: Trusting in God's Faithfulness

Choosing to follow God is grounded in the historical evidence of His faithfulness, as seen in the powerful interventions like the one on Mount Carmel. These moments in history are not just stories but the foundation for trusting in God's ability to act in the present and future. Believers are called to remember and rely on these testimonies of God's unwavering faithfulness as they navigate their own life's challenges. [24:17]

Psalm 77:11-12 - "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you witnessed God's faithfulness in your life? How does this memory influence your trust in Him for current situations?

Day 4: Rejecting the Worship of False Idols

The narrative of Mount Carmel underscores the emptiness of idolatry, whether it be the worship of ancient deities or the pursuit of modern-day idols like materialism or sensuality. These false gods inevitably lead to disappointment, as they cannot respond in times of need. The one true God, however, has proven His ability to answer and provide, inviting believers to place their hope and trust solely in Him. [20:31]

Isaiah 44:9-10 - "All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit nothing?"
Reflection: What modern-day idols are you tempted to put your trust in, and how can you actively turn away from them to trust in God's sufficiency?

Day 5: Embracing Community in Faith

The decision to join a community of faith is a significant step in the spiritual journey. It is not only a personal commitment but also a collective witness. Standing with others who have chosen to serve the Lord reinforces the conviction that faith is lived out in community, offering support, accountability, and a shared testimony to the world of God's goodness and sovereignty. [33:09]

Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the spiritual growth of your faith community, and in what ways can you allow them to support your walk with God?

Sermon Summary

In a detailed exploration of a pivotal biblical narrative, the focus is on the extraordinary event that transpired on Mount Carmel, as recounted in the First Book of Kings, chapter 18. This historical moment is presented as a decisive intervention by God, which serves as a call for people to make a definitive choice regarding their faith and allegiance.

The narrative centers around a confrontation between Elijah, a prophet of the Lord, and the prophets of Baal, a deity worshiped by some in Israel. The backdrop of this confrontation is a society teetering on the brink of spiritual collapse, with King Ahab and his wife Jezebel leading the nation into idolatry. Elijah, standing firm in his faith, challenges the prophets of Baal to a test to prove the supremacy of the Lord.

The contest is simple yet profound: two altars are built, one for Baal and one for the Lord. The prophets of Baal call upon their god to ignite their offering with fire, but despite their fervent prayers and self-inflicted wounds, there is no response. Elijah, in a display of confidence in the Lord's power, drenches his altar with water before calling on God. In a dramatic and unequivocal response, fire from heaven consumes not only the sacrifice but the altar itself, the water, and even the stones.

This miraculous event leads to a confirmation of faith among the witnesses. The people of Israel, who had been wavering between two opinions, are compelled to acknowledge the Lord as the one true God. The narrative emphasizes the importance of choosing to serve the Lord based on His proven faithfulness and ability to intervene decisively in human history.

The account also draws a parallel between the fire that fell on Elijah's altar and the inner fire that believers are to demonstrate in their lives. This inner fire, kindled by the Holy Spirit, is meant to be a living testimony to the world of God's sovereignty and lordship. It is a call to live with conviction and to stand firm in faith, even when faced with intimidation or opposition.

The narrative further encourages individuals to consider their own spiritual state, challenging them to stop wavering between worldly desires and devotion to God. It presents a choice: to serve the Lord wholeheartedly or to continue in a state of spiritual indecision, which ultimately leads to dissatisfaction and instability.

In conclusion, the historical event of Mount Carmel serves as a powerful reminder of God's supremacy and the necessity of choosing Him above all else. It is a call to faithfulness, to stand with God's people, and to live out one's faith with a conviction that is visible to the world.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the challenge that Elijah presented to the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel? ([03:05])
How did the prophets of Baal attempt to get their god to respond, and what was the outcome? ([03:48])
Describe the steps Elijah took to prepare his altar before calling on the Lord. ([05:13])
What was the reaction of the people of Israel after witnessing the fire from heaven consume Elijah's sacrifice? ([05:57])

Interpretation Questions

Why did Elijah drench his altar with water before calling on God, and what does this signify about his faith? ([05:13])
How does the narrative of Elijah on Mount Carmel challenge individuals to make a definitive choice in their faith? ([12:40])
What does the story suggest about the futility of worshiping false gods, both ancient and modern? ([20:31])
How does the concept of the "inner fire" ignited by the Holy Spirit relate to the fire that fell on Elijah's altar? ([31:33])

Application Questions

Elijah stood firm in his faith despite being outnumbered and facing opposition. Reflect on a time when you had to stand firm in your faith. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? ([14:42])
The people of Israel were wavering between two opinions. Are there areas in your life where you feel torn between worldly desires and devotion to God? How can you address this wavering? ([12:40])
The prophets of Baal were fervent in their worship, yet their god did not respond. Are there "false gods" in your life (e.g., materialism, sensuality) that you rely on? How have they failed to satisfy you? ([20:31])
Elijah's prayer was simple and direct, yet powerful. How can you incorporate more sincere and faith-filled prayers into your daily life? ([24:17])
The fire from heaven was a public demonstration of God's power. How can you let the "inner fire" of the Holy Spirit be evident in your daily actions and decisions? ([31:33])
The decision to follow God is based on historical evidence of His interventions. How has God intervened in your life in the past, and how does this strengthen your faith for the future? ([24:17])
Joining a community of faith is portrayed as significant. How can you actively participate in and support your faith community? ([33:09])

Sermon Clips

1) "The fire that burns in us by the Holy Spirit of God convinces us and compels us to confess that the Lord He is God and Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." [31:33]

2) "Elijah would say take a stand. Stand with the people of God though the world may seek to intimidate you to turn you away. Don't waver between two opinions; there is one God, and that is our God." [32:18]

3) "Perhaps you would say today I'm not going to let those godly people stand alone. I've been wavering about whether or not to become a part of this Fellowship of Faith. Perhaps today is the day to make your decision to say I'm going to stand with them for the Lord who is God." [33:09]

4) "If the Lord is God then serve him. This was the challenge that Elijah put before the people of Israel. But the people said nothing; they didn't know which to choose." [14:42]

5) "Elijah plus God is a majority. The numbers favored Baal, the government favored Baal... but Elijah was taken care of by the Lord who could feed him with ravens if necessary." [15:27]

6) "It is the trustworthiness of God in the past that reassures us that God will be trustworthy in the present and that God will be trustworthy in the future." [24:17]

7) "God doesn't try to trick us or deceive us. God doesn't play parlor games. Elijah wanted the people to see that he had nothing to hide; he wasn't playing tricks." [21:16]

8) "If we believe that the cold dead body of Jesus stood up and walked out of an empty tomb on the third day, then believing that God can send fire on an altar is Child's Play." [27:54]

9) "God acts when it is clear that God Alone is the one who is acting. So Elijah prays, 'Answer me, God, answer,' is the theme of the passage. The one who answered would be God." [25:48]

10) "We don't look back to Mount Carmel as the source of our faith... we have Mount Calvary, that mountain on which God sent His Son to live and die among us for our sins." [30:52]

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