One Person's Faith: Standing Firm in God

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of One—God Can Use You to Make a Difference

Even when the world seems dark and overwhelming, God delights in using one person who is willing to stand for Him. Elijah stood alone against a nation that had turned away from God, yet his faith and obedience brought about a miraculous demonstration of God's power. You may feel insignificant or outnumbered, but God is looking for those who will say, "I'll be the one." When you trust Him and step out in faith, your life can impact others in ways you may never fully see. God doesn't need a crowd—He needs a willing heart. [38:34]

1 Kings 18:21-22 (NLT)
Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent. Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets.”

Reflection: Where do you feel outnumbered or alone in your faith, and how might God be calling you to stand for Him in that place today?

Day 2: God’s Power Is Revealed When We Step Out in Faith

Elijah made the impossible even more impossible by soaking the altar with water before calling on God, ensuring that only God could receive the glory for what was about to happen. When you obey God and step out in faith, even when it seems foolish or risky, you create space for God to show Himself strong. God honors bold faith that points all attention to Him, not to ourselves. Are you willing to trust God enough to do what seems impossible, so that He alone gets the credit? [01:02:36]

1 Kings 18:33-39 (NLT)
He piled wood on the altar, cut the bull into pieces, and laid the pieces on the wood. Then he said, “Fill four large jars with water, and pour the water over the offering and the wood.” After they had done this, he said, “Do the same thing again!” And when they were finished, he said, “Now do it a third time!” So they did as he said, and the water ran around the altar and even filled the trench. At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. O Lord, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.” Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord—he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!”

Reflection: What is one area where God is asking you to take a bold step of faith, even if it seems impossible or risky?

Day 3: Knowing Jesus Personally Fuels Unshakable Faith

Elijah’s courage came from knowing God intimately, not just knowing about Him. When you have a real relationship with Jesus, your faith becomes unshakable, even when you stand alone. Personal experience with God’s faithfulness and power gives you confidence to trust Him in every circumstance. It’s not enough to rely on secondhand faith or tradition—God wants you to know Him for yourself, to walk with Him daily, and to be persuaded that He is able to keep what you entrust to Him. [01:08:00]

2 Timothy 1:12 (ESV)
…But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

Reflection: How can you intentionally deepen your personal relationship with Jesus this week, moving from knowing about Him to truly knowing Him?

Day 4: God Moves When We Offer Ourselves as Living Sacrifices

Elijah rebuilt the altar and offered a costly sacrifice, even in a time of drought. In the same way, God calls us to lay down our lives, our comfort, and our preferences as living sacrifices. When we surrender ourselves fully to God, He brings the fire—His presence, power, and transformation. True revival and change begin when we say, “God, you can have all of me.” Are you willing to put everything on the altar and let God use you for His glory? [01:13:00]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Reflection: What is one area of your life you need to surrender to God today, placing it on the altar as a living sacrifice?

Day 5: One Person’s Faith Can Spark Miracles and Transformation

God delights in using ordinary people to do extraordinary things. The testimony of Elijah, and the modern stories of answered prayer and miracles, remind us that God still moves powerfully through those who trust Him. Your prayers, your obedience, and your willingness to be “the one” can change lives, families, and even nations. Don’t underestimate the impact of your faith—God is looking for someone who will say yes to Him. [01:10:00]

James 5:16-18 (ESV)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

Reflection: Who is one person God is putting on your heart to pray for or reach out to this week, believing that your faith can make a difference in their life?

Sermon Summary

In a time when the world feels divided and darkness seems overwhelming, it’s easy to wonder if one person can truly make a difference. Yet, history and Scripture show that God delights in using individuals who are willing to stand for Him, even when it’s unpopular or dangerous. The story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18 is a powerful reminder of this truth. Elijah stood alone against King Ahab, Queen Jezebel, and hundreds of false prophets, in a nation that had turned its back on God. Despite the odds, Elijah’s faith and obedience allowed God to reveal His power in a way that no one could deny.

Elijah’s confrontation on Mount Carmel wasn’t just about proving a point; it was about calling a nation back to the living God. He challenged the prevailing paradigm, refusing to bow to the culture or the pressure of the majority. Instead, he rebuilt the altar, made a sacrifice, and prayed a simple, faith-filled prayer. God responded with fire from heaven, consuming the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and even the water, leaving no doubt about who the true God is.

This account isn’t just ancient history—it’s a call to each of us today. When we feel alone in our faith, whether at work, in our families, or in society, we are reminded that one person with God is a majority. The power isn’t in our ability, but in our willingness to trust God, to know Him deeply, and to give Him room to move through us. It’s not about winning arguments or seeking credit, but about making ourselves available for God’s glory to be revealed.

The challenge is simple but profound: Will you be the one? Will you stand for Christ, even when it’s hard? Will you let God use your life as a living sacrifice, so that others might see and know Him? When we know Jesus personally and allow Him to work through us, miracles happen, lives are changed, and God’s presence is made known in the world.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of One: God often chooses to work through a single individual who is willing to stand in faith, even when surrounded by opposition. Elijah’s story shows that one person, fully surrendered to God, can shift the spiritual atmosphere of an entire nation. Our impact is not measured by numbers, but by our obedience and trust in God’s power. [37:26]
2. Challenging the Paradigm: To bring real change, we must be willing to challenge the prevailing mindset of our culture. This means standing firm on the truth of God’s Word, even when it’s unpopular or misunderstood. True transformation happens when we refuse to compromise and allow God’s truth to confront the lies of our age. [54:29]
3. Faith That Acts: Elijah didn’t just believe; he acted on God’s word, even when it seemed impossible. He soaked the altar with water during a drought, making it clear that only God could bring the fire. Faith is not passive; it steps out, takes risks, and trusts God to do what only He can do. [62:36]
4. Simple, Sincere Prayer: Elijah’s prayer was not elaborate or showy, but heartfelt and focused on God’s glory. God responds to genuine faith and humility, not to performance or religious theatrics. When we pray with sincerity and align our hearts with God’s purposes, we invite His power into impossible situations. [63:45]
5. Knowing Jesus Personally: The foundation for being used by God is a personal, experiential relationship with Jesus. It’s not enough to know about Him; we must know Him, trust Him, and be persuaded of His faithfulness. Our testimony and authority come from what we have experienced with God, not just what we have heard. [66:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[32:11] - Introduction and Call to Rise Up
[33:12] - Responding to a Troubled World
[35:01] - The Starfish Story: The Power of One
[37:26] - Above Politics: God’s Call to Stand
[38:34] - Elijah and the Crisis in Israel
[40:14] - The Rise of Baal Worship
[42:32] - God’s Challenge to Baal
[45:26] - The Mount Carmel Showdown
[46:47] - Testimony: God Proves Himself
[49:08] - One Person’s Faith Changes Everything
[53:44] - Standing Alone in Faith
[54:29] - Challenging the Cultural Paradigm
[55:31] - The Truth of God’s Word
[56:54] - The Contest of Sacrifices
[62:36] - Making the Impossible Possible
[63:45] - Elijah’s Simple Prayer
[65:05] - God Answers by Fire
[66:42] - The Call to Be the One
[76:36] - Invitation to Know Jesus and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Kings 18:17-39 (ESV) — (You may want to read the whole chapter for context, but focus on verses 17-39 for the main story.)

Observation Questions

According to 1 Kings 18, what was the spiritual condition of Israel at the time of Elijah’s confrontation with Ahab and the prophets of Baal?
What specific actions did Elijah take to set up the showdown on Mount Carmel?
How did Elijah make it clear that only God could answer by fire, and why was this significant? [01:02:36]
What was the content and tone of Elijah’s prayer before God sent fire from heaven? [01:03:45]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose to use one person, Elijah, to confront an entire nation and its leaders? What does this say about how God works? [37:26]
The sermon says, “One person with God is a majority.” What does this mean in the context of Elijah’s story, and how might it challenge our usual way of thinking about influence and impact? [49:08]
Elijah didn’t just believe God could act—he took risky, public steps of faith (like soaking the altar with water). What does this teach us about the relationship between faith and action? [01:02:36]
The people were silent when Elijah challenged them to choose between God and Baal. Why do you think they hesitated, and what does this reveal about the power of cultural pressure? [49:08]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us: “Will you be the one?” Is there a situation in your life right now—at work, in your family, or among friends—where you feel alone in your faith? What would it look like to stand for Christ in that place? [37:26]
Elijah rebuilt the altar and made a sacrifice before God moved. Are there “altars” in your life that need to be rebuilt—places where you need to return to God or make space for Him to work? What practical step could you take this week? [01:06:42]
The story highlights the importance of simple, sincere prayer. When was the last time you prayed honestly and simply for God’s glory to be revealed in a tough situation? What keeps you from praying this way more often? [01:03:45]
The sermon says, “Our impact is not measured by numbers, but by our obedience and trust in God’s power.” Are there areas where you’ve been discouraged because you don’t see big results? How might God be calling you to focus on obedience instead of outcomes? [49:08]
Elijah challenged the cultural paradigm and stood on God’s truth, even when it was unpopular. Is there a belief or value from God’s Word that you feel pressured to compromise on? How can you stand firm with humility and love? [54:29]
The foundation for being used by God is knowing Jesus personally, not just knowing about Him. How would you describe your relationship with Jesus right now? What’s one way you could deepen that relationship this week? [01:06:42]
The sermon included stories of God working through ordinary people’s faith and prayers. Can you share a time when you saw God move in response to your faith or someone else’s? How did that experience shape your trust in Him? [49:08]

Sermon Clips

There has never been a time for the church of God to rise up and be what they're called to be, like there is right now. Not in hatred, not in violence, not in anger, but the true love of God working through a group of people so that the world can truly see and know who he is. [00:33:02]

This isn't patty cake. This isn't games. This is the real thing. This is what God has called us to do as the people of God, is to stand up, well, pastor, I'm just one person. How could I ever make a difference? Well, guess what? I've come today with my flannel board to show you just how to do that, and I plan on doing it, okay? But here's what I'm going to ask you to do. Lean in hard, okay? Because there's something that I want to give you this morning that I believe is going to change the course of not only your life and the lives of your family, but I believe it will change every place that you're connected to if you're willing to grab onto it and apply it. [00:34:18]

Even though we're surrounded by darkness, even though there are things that appear to be insurmountable in our society and the things that are going on, there's one thing that becomes ever clear in moments like this. What can one person do in a situation like this? Let me tell you, you can reach one and I can reach one and you can reach one and you can reach one. And the impact that comes is not in looking at who's still lost, but in looking at the difference you've made in every life you come in contact with. That's the power of God working in and through his church. [00:36:52]

Forgive me if I don't stand up here and pick a side of the aisle or wear a certain color tie today. I'm not bowing down to politics. I've come to look you in the eye and say, get above it and get in the Holy Ghost because that's what it's going to take to see real change. [00:37:31]

But we also have to understand he will visit a nation or a generation of people in order to allow them to experience his presence for themselves and even give them a chance to repent and make him their God from a place of realized experience, not the philosophy of religion. [00:46:47]

When we look at it from that perspective, if we could just see it for what it is God is calling the attention of all his people and his enemies to this one moment and this one man with a challenge just like we just talked about God wants to prove that he's real he wants to move through his people. [00:50:54]

One person with God is a majority over the entire kingdom of hell. John Knox said it this way one man with God is always the majority one man named Moses let a million people out of Egypt one boy named David was the only one willing to fight Goliath and he single handedly defeated the giant and that an entire army refused to fight one the one and only son of God named Jesus went to the cross alone to save mankind from their sin. [00:52:40]

You may be praying for your loved ones right now to be saved and telling them about Jesus, but you're the only one praying for them. You may ask at this point, what's the difference? Is my prayer even making a difference? Yes. Yes, it is. Why? Why? Because there is power in the one when you trust in the one who is God. [00:53:57]

If you're going to shift a paradigm, you've got to stand on two feet firmly planted and be immovable in the truth of God's word. That's the only truth. You don't get to have a truth. Did you know that? That's the biggest lie of our society. Well, it's my truth. No, it's you. It's your flesh. It's your desires. It's your want. [00:54:50]

That book sitting on your lap this morning is the only truth that the world has to offer. Why don't you open it up? Why don't you start reading what it says about everything that's going on in the world right now? Why don't you start declaring it out of your mouth and see what power it really has? Because I could tell you this. One person with the word of God so deep on the inside of them that when the enemy starts lying, they can tell the truth. It's the person that God can use in any situation. [00:56:09]

When you're completely sold out to God, you're willing to do things that are seemingly impossible just because God told you to. When you step out in faith in this way, you don't have to perform. You don't have to shout. You don't have to get angry. You don't have to show your flesh. You can simply obey God and speak and refuse to bend and look what happens. [01:03:32]

God not only hears Elijah, but does what no idol could ever do. The so -called God of weather. The so -called God of lightning. The God who destroys his rivals with fire and fire. lightning had nothing to say when challenged by the real true God and on that sacrifice God sent fire a fire so hot it couldn't be denied a fire so hot nothing else could stand where he introduced it and he reduces everything to a smoldering pile of ash he's the God of all creation you have to understand he's the God who hears us he's the God who moves on our faith he's the God who is omnipotent and and and he's the God who's omniscient and he's the God who's omnipresent he is God and God alone he's the ever -present help in time of need and all of this comes down to one thing alone Elijah chose to be the one he answered the call. [01:06:33]

How do you represent Christ to a world that seemingly wants nothing to do with him the only way you change a nation the only way you challenge a paradigm and give God an opportunity to move mightily through you is to choose to be the one God can use that's it. [01:07:48]

You have to know Jesus you have to know Jesus Elijah had an unshakable faith in a God the entire nation forsook because he knew God when you know God you can be bold in your faith because you don't just know about Jesus you know Jesus. [01:08:26]

A person with an experience is never at the mercy of a person with an argument the reason I believe that God still performs miracles today is because one the Bible teaches it but two I have an experience with it. [01:09:12]

Yes it does when the Word of God is applied when we step into it but all it takes is one person one one one are you the one are you the one are you the one are you the one come on are you the one that's gonna stand up and say the name of Jesus loud are you the one that's gonna make him known in the earth today it's all about the one. [01:12:35]

You know what's gonna change the world you got to know Jesus and you got to give him an opportunity to move through you Elijah rebuilt the altar he rebuilt the altar he put a sacrifice on it God brings fire when we bring the sacrifice what's that look like you got to get out of your own way you got to push everything else aside you got to be willing to say what God says even when it's not popular even when you were scared to do it because why God is on the throne God is mighty and I'd rather spend one more day with him than a thousand more on this earth I'm gonna stand for the glory of God until the last breath I take and I'll tell you this I might be the next one or I might never be the one but he's got my life in his hand and in his hand alone praise God. [01:13:10]

You want to see God move you want to see your family get saved you want to see your workplace changed guess what it starts with this God I'll be the one God I'll be the one if that's you today and you're willing to make that commitment to God and say use me I just want you to raise your hands all over this room and just tell him you can have me you can use me I'll be the one I'll be the one to stand for you I'll be the one to love the unlovely I'll be the one God that'll worship you even when I don't feel like it I'll be the one to bring a sacrifice a sacrifice. [01:14:08]

God, I won't take the credit. God, I won't take the purpose of it. I'll just take you to the world in front of me. God, I give you my life in Jesus' name, in Jesus' name, in Jesus' name. [01:15:21]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the significance of being the one to make a difference?

How does knowing Jesus empower believers to stand firm?

In what ways can faith turn seemingly impossible situations around?