Centennial Park Baptist Church – Sunday August 16th, 2009 – 10:30 am

 

EXPERIENCING GOD’S PRESENCE IN AN AGE OF UNCERTAINTY

 

I Kings 18

 

I           Signs of Uncertainty

 

            Today ………

            In Ancient Israel ……….

 

II          Showdown on Mount Carmel

 

            * A double showdown:

 

                        - With the prophets of Baal

                        - With the people of Israel, who were divided and indecisive

 

I Kings 18: 21 - Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people did not answer him a word

 

III        Settled and Certain

 

            * DESPERATION of Baal’s prophets

 

I Kings 18:29 - When midday was past, they raved until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice; but there was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention.

 

* DECISIVENESS of Elijah

 

I Kings 18: 33-34 -  Then he arranged the wood and cut the ox in pieces and laid it on the wood. 34And he said, "Fill four pitchers with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood." And he said, "Do it a second time," and they did it a second time. And he said, "Do it a third time," and they did it a third time.

 

* DIRECTNESS of Elijah’s prayer

 

I Kings 18: 36-37 -At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet came near and said, "O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word.  37"Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again."

 

* DRAMATIC result

 

I Kings 18: 38 - 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.

 

IV        Security Today

 

1.         When we are sure that we are in the WILL of God, we are invincible.

 

2.         Our most effective tool is the PRAYER of faith

 

3.         SOURCE of certainty = God

 

            There is 1 main reason for certainty:  God Himself.  There are an infinite number of reasons for uncertainty in our world.  But to have certainty, only 1 factor must be embraced:  the whole world belongs to God and is subject to His good and loving plans and purposes. 

 

What is it about God that makes Him the source of our certainty?

 

            God is ETERNAL - Psalm 90:2

 

            God is UNCHANGING - Hebrews 13:8

 

            God is LOVE - I John 4: 8, 16

 

            God is PERFECT - Matthew 5: 48

 

            God is RIGHTEOUS - Psalm 145: 17

 

            God is ALL-POWERFUL - Psalm 33: 6-9

 

            God is ALL-KNOWING - Hebrews 14:13

 

We are not at the mercy of an uncertain world.  Instead, by the certain mercies of our loving God, we can live a life of security – surrounded and protected by the peace of God in Christ – Philippians 4: 6-7

 

4. Never underestimate the power of one totally dedicated life.

 

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