Choosing the Living God: Igniting Authentic Faith

Jul 22, 2020

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing Whom You Will Serve

Every day, we are faced with choices that reveal where our true allegiance lies. Just as Elijah challenged the people of Israel to stop wavering between two opinions and to choose whether they would follow the Lord or Baal, we too must decide if we will wholeheartedly follow God or be swayed by the idols and distractions of our age. The world offers many alternatives that seem appealing, but only the living God answers by fire—demonstrating His reality and power in our lives. Today, consider what it means to choose God above all else, and let your life reflect that decision. [03:07]

1 Kings 18:21-24 (ESV)
And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are wavering between following God and following something else? What would it look like to choose God fully in that area today?

Day 2: The Fire of God as a Symbol of Confidence

The fire that fell from heaven on Mount Carmel was not just a miraculous event; it was a symbol of confidence in the living God. When God answers by fire in your life—whether through answered prayer, deliverance, or His unmistakable presence—it builds a deep assurance that He is real and active. This confidence is not based on our own efforts or pretending, but on the reality of God’s work within us. Let your faith be genuine, rooted in the God who reveals Himself powerfully to those who trust Him. [15:22]

1 Kings 18:38-39 (ESV)
Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.”

Reflection: Recall a time when God answered you in a powerful way. How did that experience strengthen your confidence in Him, and how can you share that testimony with someone today?

Day 3: Surrendering Control to God

God’s fire is not only a sign of His presence but also a statement of His control over our lives. When we allow God to be Lord—not just in name, but in every decision and direction—we acknowledge His sovereignty and guidance. Many want God’s blessings without submitting to His leadership, but true discipleship means following Him wherever He leads. Trusting God’s control brings peace and direction, even when the path is uncertain. [16:50]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Reflection: Is there a decision or area of your life where you are struggling to let God have control? What step can you take today to surrender that to Him and trust His guidance?

Day 4: The Fire of God Brings Real Change

No one encounters the living God and remains unchanged. The fire of God transforms us from the inside out, making us new creations and setting us apart for His purposes. This change is not about outward appearances or religious performance, but about a genuine transformation that others can see in our actions, words, and relationships. Let the evidence of God’s fire in your life be the newness and authenticity of your walk with Him. [20:01]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Reflection: In what specific way has God changed you since you began following Him? How can you let that change be more visible to those around you today?

Day 5: Faithfulness in the Fire

Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we are sometimes called to stand firm in our faith even when the heat is turned up. Their unwavering trust in God—even in the face of the fiery furnace—demonstrated that God is able to deliver, but also that their faith was not dependent on the outcome. God’s presence in the fire is our assurance that we are never alone, and our faithfulness can be a powerful witness to others. [21:40]

Daniel 3:16-18, 24-25 (ESV)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” ... Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

Reflection: When you face trials or opposition for your faith, how can you remain faithful and trust God’s presence with you, regardless of the outcome?

Sermon Summary

In the midst of a world filled with uncertainty, confusion, and spiritual pretense, the call is to choose the living God with wholehearted conviction. Drawing from the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel, the challenge is clear: stop wavering between two opinions and let the God who answers by fire be God in your life. Just as Elijah confronted the people of Israel with a choice between the living God and the idols of their day, so too must we confront the idols—whether they be materialism, self-reliance, or cultural trends—that vie for our devotion. The fire of God is not merely a spectacle; it is the unmistakable evidence of His presence, power, and reality in the life of every believer.

Many today claim to have faith, but the true test is not in words or outward appearance, but in the genuine fire of God burning within. This fire cannot be manufactured or faked; it is the result of yielding to God’s glory and allowing Him to work in and through us. The world is full of imitation, but only the authentic presence of God can transform lives, provide confidence, and bring about real change. The statistics may show a majority claiming Christianity, but the deeper question is whether there is a true conviction about right and wrong, and a willingness to follow God regardless of circumstance.

God’s fire in our lives serves as a symbol of confidence, a statement of His control, and a sign of transformation. When God answers by fire, He not only proves Himself to us, but also calls us to be “fire starters”—those who carry His light into a confused and dark world. This means not just believing in God for blessings, but submitting to His lordship and allowing Him to guide every step. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we are called to stand firm in the fire, trusting that God is able to deliver, but also knowing that even if deliverance looks different than we expect, His presence is our ultimate assurance.

The invitation is to let the fire of God burn so brightly within that it cannot be hidden. This fire is not just for personal assurance, but for the sake of others—to convince a watching world that God is real, alive, and able to save. The choice is ours: to settle for imitation, or to seek the genuine, consuming fire of the living God.

Key Takeaways

1. Authenticity Over Appearance: It is easy to mimic faith and go through the motions, but only the genuine fire of God within can produce a life that truly reflects His glory. Pretending may fool others, but it cannot substitute for the real presence and power of God, which transforms us from the inside out. The world needs to see believers who are authentic, not just in word, but in the reality of their walk with God. [03:07]
2. God’s Truth Is Absolute, Not Circumstantial: In a culture where right and wrong are often seen as relative, God’s Word stands as the unchanging standard. The temptation to adjust our convictions based on circumstances is strong, but God calls us to unwavering allegiance to His truth. The fire of God in our lives is both a test and a testimony that His ways are not subject to the shifting opinions of society. [08:08]
3. The Fire of God Is a Symbol of Confidence: When God answers by fire, it instills a deep confidence in His reality and faithfulness. This confidence is not self-generated, but comes from witnessing God’s undeniable work in our lives. It emboldens us to stand firm, even when others are uncertain or wavering, because we know whom we have believed. [13:10]
4. Surrender to God’s Control Leads to True Freedom: Allowing God to be not just Savior, but Lord, means surrendering control and trusting His guidance. Idols—whether obvious or subtle—promise control but ultimately enslave. True freedom is found in yielding to God’s sovereignty, letting His fire consume all that would separate us from Him, and following wherever He leads. [16:50]
5. Transformation Is the Mark of God’s Fire: No one encounters the living God and remains unchanged. The fire of God brings about a radical transformation, making us new creations and equipping us to be lights in a dark world. This change is not just for our benefit, but so that others may see and be drawn to the reality of God through us. [20:01]
** [20:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Opening Prayer and Blessing
[02:10] - Setting the Scene: Elijah and the Divided Kingdom
[03:07] - The Challenge: Choices in the Fire
[04:30] - The Danger of Pretending Faith
[05:51] - Faith in America: Statistics and Realities
[08:08] - The Relativity of Right and Wrong
[09:22] - The God Who Answers by Fire
[10:58] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[13:10] - Becoming Fire Starters
[15:22] - Fire as Confidence and Control
[16:50] - The Lordship of God
[18:46] - The Fire as a Sign of Change
[20:01] - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: Faith in the Furnace
[21:40] - The Call to Share the Fire
[22:30] - Invitation to Receive Christ and Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: The God Who Answers by Fire

Bible Reading

1 Kings 18:21-24 (Main Text)
> 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.” But the people said nothing. Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. Get two bulls for us. Let Baal’s prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 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.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

Daniel 3:16-18 (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego)
> Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

2 Corinthians 5:17
> Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Observation Questions

In 1 Kings 18:21-24, what challenge does Elijah give to the people of Israel, and how do they respond?
According to the sermon, what was the significance of God answering by fire on Mount Carmel? [09:22]
What choice did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego make when faced with the fiery furnace in Daniel 3? How did they express their faith? [20:01]
In the sermon, what are some examples of “idols” that people today might be tempted to follow instead of God? [08:08]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the people of Israel were silent when Elijah asked them to choose between the Lord and Baal? What does this reveal about their spiritual condition? (1 Kings 18:21)
The sermon says, “The fire of God is not merely a spectacle; it is the unmistakable evidence of His presence, power, and reality in the life of every believer.” What does it mean for God’s fire to be present in someone’s life? [09:22]
The pastor mentioned that pretending to have faith is different from having the real fire of God inside. Why is authenticity so important in our walk with God? [03:07]
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said, “But if not, we will not bow.” What does their attitude teach us about trusting God even when the outcome is uncertain? [20:01]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to stop wavering between two opinions and choose God wholeheartedly. Is there an area in your life where you feel torn between following God and following something else? What would it look like to make a clear choice this week? [03:07]
The pastor talked about “idols” like materialism, self-reliance, or cultural trends. Are there any “idols” in your life that compete for your devotion to God? How can you begin to surrender these to Him? [08:08]
The fire of God is described as a symbol of confidence and transformation. Can you share a time when you experienced God’s presence in a way that gave you confidence or changed you? How did it affect your faith? [13:10]
The sermon says that God’s truth is absolute, not circumstantial. Have you ever felt pressure to compromise your beliefs because of your circumstances or what others think? How did you respond, and what would you do differently now? [08:08]
The pastor said, “Pretending may fool others, but it cannot substitute for the real presence and power of God.” Are there ways you have been “going through the motions” in your faith? What steps can you take to pursue a more authentic relationship with God? [03:07]
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted God even if deliverance didn’t come the way they hoped. Is there a situation in your life where you need to trust God regardless of the outcome? What would it look like to stand firm in faith? [20:01]
The sermon calls us to be “fire starters”—to carry God’s light into a confused and dark world. Who is someone in your life who needs to see the reality of God through you? What is one practical way you can share God’s love or truth with them this week? [13:10]

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for God’s fire to burn brightly in their lives, for courage to choose Him wholeheartedly, and for opportunities to be a light to others.

Sermon Clips

“I find that also in the Christian faith there are many that claim that they've got a fiery testimony but you can't see it demonstrated in their walk. These people appear to be genuine but upon investigation in their lives we find that the fire is not real.”

“What troubles me is that many, I would say, have gotten into the good act of pretending. They're good at pretending to be a child of God rather than to be one that without an effort of our own, we demonstrate God's glory in our walk, in our conversation, and in our relationships. See, if the fire is in you, it's going to be real.”

“If God's fire is in your life, if it's operating in you and me, we're going to be genuine. We're going to be genuine.”

“There are people who are saying that they're a child of God, but really deep down on the inside, they don't really know him. And the reason why I'm bringing this out, ladies and gentlemen, is because the Lord is coming back real soon.”

“We must prepare ourselves. We must demonstrate that Christ is alive in us. Notice I'm not saying that we have to make the fire. God will stir the fire in us if we would simply yield to his glory.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, you and I that have studied the Bible, it is our absolute definition of right and wrong. God says this is right. God says this is wrong.”

“You have a lot of people believing in idols. And one of those idols is humanism or believing in the ability of man. And ladies and gentlemen, you and I know that the only true God, he is the only God. There is no other.”

“Do you know who the real God is? And it comes down to this, the one who answers by fire. It may not be that physical fire of Elijah's day on Mount Carmel, but it will definitely be a fire in your soul that you will know and you will recognize that he is the living God.”

“We can't continue to halt ourselves between two opinions. We can't fall back on the fact that says, well, it depends on the situation. God said in his word, thou shalt not kill. He said, thou shalt not steal. And Jesus even expanded on it in the New Testament where he says, if you even think about it, then you're sinning.”

“Those of us who have received Christ as Lord into our lives, those of us who believe on his name, it doesn't mean that we're perfect. It doesn't mean that we never make a mistake. Ladies and gentlemen, we're not saying that. What we are saying is this: as a matter of fact the bible says that elijah was a man of like passions just like you and i in other words he was human but he knew that god was real that's the point that's the point.”

“God's going to move us into position and then light up our lives so in other words you and I are really fire starters. It's not a thing where we just sit on a hill and we just shine or we just say, oh, isn't it nice that I'm a Christian? No, God is going to use us to light up someone else's life.”

“The world is so confused now that we need people with the true light of God. And you can't back off and say, well, it depends on the circumstance. No, God works in mysterious ways. Circumstance and no circumstance, God establishes his truth and his truth prevails forever.”

“You can be a fire starter. You can take it because when that light is in your life, then you become that symbol of confidence, one that really knows God. You're also saying God has control of my life, so you're making a statement of God's control.”

“There's no one, absolutely no one, who's ever met God and remained the same. You cannot remain as you were. You have to be changed. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away and behold, all things are become new.”

“But my point is this. Do you have the fire of God in you? Not just the fire that you say, I possess, but do you have enough firepower in you to share with someone else and to convince them that God is real?”

“God will walk with you. He will talk with you. God will fellowship with you so that the world will know that you have his fire on the inside of you.”

“Now you can be a light to this world or you can cover that light and pretend I'm just going along to get along. But let that fire of God burn within you. Let it consume you to the point where you can't help but tell people, my God is real.”

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