1 Kings 18:25-40 REVIVAL – WOW v.38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. Grave Digression led to Godless Diversion which led to Great Depression I. THE MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE FIRE Then the fire of the LORD fell John 3 v 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 1. SOME SEE FIRE AS UNNECESSARY FOR THEIR DAY 2. SOME SEE FIRE AS UNNERVING TO THEIR DIGNITY 3. SOME SEE FIRE AS UNNATURAL TO THEIR DUTY II. THE MERCY IN THE FIRE 1. THE FIRE SPARED THEM (PAST SIN) Headed For Judgement 2. THE FIRE SAVED THEM (PRESENT SIN) 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. 3. THE FIRE SUSTAINED THEM (FUTURE SIN) 40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. III. THE MALIGNITY TOWARD THE FIRE 1. SOME ATTEMPT TO IGNORE THE FIRE Acts 8 v14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 2. SOME ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE THE FIRE Ac 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 3. SOME ATTEMPT TO CONTROL THE FIRE Acts 8 v 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 4. SOME ATTEMPT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE Acts 9 v1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. IV. THE MANIFESTATION OF THE FIRE 1. IT WAS VERTICAL It fell Heaven was its Absolute Source. It did not come as the efforts of men. It Did not come from within the altar or beneath. 2. IT WAS VISIBLE "they saw it" 3. IT WAS VERIFIABLE "the evidence it left behind" Acts 2 v 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? V. THE MEANING CONCERNING THE FIRE 1. IT DECLARED THE PREROGATIVE OF GOD 2. IT DISTINGUISHED THE PRESENCE OF GOD Ex 3:3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 3. IT DISPLAYED THE POWER OF GOD 4. IT DEFINED THE PATH OF GOD VI. THE MESSAGE FROM THE FIRE 1. THE HELPLESSNESS OF MAN Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; 2. THE HOPELESSNESS OF RELIGION and that not of yourselves 3. THE HOLINESS OF GOD it is the gift of God: Mt 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. VII. THE MINISTRY THROUGH THE FIRE 1. THE FIRE CONSUMED SOME THINGS 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 2. THE FIRE CONFIRMED SOME THINGS 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 3. THE FIRE CONDEMNED SOME THINGS 40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. 4. THE FIRE CHANGED SOME THINGS 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.
