Text: I Kings 18:21
 
Introduction.
 
- I Kings 18:18. “followers of Baals” It was the God of the Canaanites.
- Baal in Hebrew means “owner,” “Lord,” “Husband”
- Considered the “god of rain” and “god of fire”
- Elijah prayed to the true God who sent rain.
-Elijah prayed to the true God who sent fire.Ball was announced too much that he became known as “big”
- It was considered the “god of fertility” and the “god of agriculture”
- In his services there were sexual abuses and sacrifices of children.
- The king of Israel married Jezebel, who worshiped Baal.
- Jezebel announced Baal so much that Elijah needed to challenge the people to go back to the true God.
- So in this text, Elijah refers to 3 groups.
 

01. The faithful worshipers of the Lord.

- I Kings 19:18. 7 thousand in Israel remained faithful.
- Genesis 7:13. Only Noah, his wife, sons and daughters-in-law, 8 faithful.
- Genesis 18:32. There were 10 faithful in Sodom.
- Luke 18:8. Jesus asks. There will be faith on earth when I come back?

02. The idolaters. Prophets of Baal.
 
- I Kings 18:19. 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah.
- They all met on Mont Carmel.
- What is idolatry in the Bible?
- Everything that we put in God’s place.
- Illustration:

• In the life of Abraham, it was the son ( Genesis 22)
• In the life of the rich young man, the money (Matthew 19)
  

03. The undecided

- The people were undecided between Baal and God.
- The people of Israel were easily influenced by other people.
- Why God’s order to kill and not take anything from the other people?
- It was to protect his people.
- Matthew 5:13-14 the question of be an influence, not be influenced.
- Illustration: The daughters of Lot in the city of Sodom.

Conclusion

- There are three groups today: One of the faithful ones, the idolaters and the undecided.
- The people were silent before the word of Elijah. Wish to continue serving Baal and the true God.
- Matthew 6:24. No one can serve two Lords.
- Which one is your group?