Searching Lesson 4 Series

A. INTRODUCTION: 1 KINGS 18:1-21

1. Today’s lesson:

a. Ahab and Obadiah searching for food.

b. Obadiah searching for Elijah (v. 7).

c. Ahab searching for Elijah. “Is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel” (v. 17).

d. Elijah wants to be found. “Go … tell ... Elijah is here” (v. 8).

2. Obadiah compromiser. He worked for Ahab:

a. In charge of palace (v. 3), yet hid 100 prophets from Ahab (v. 4).

b. He is scared to be identified with Elijah. “He (Ahab) will kill me” (v. 14).

3. Common knowledge. “As soon ... the Spirit of the Lord will carry you away” (v. 12).

4. Searching over “Obadiah went to … Ahab” (v. 16). “Ahab went to Elijah” (v. 16).

5. Nickname. “You troublemaker of Israel” (v. 17). Do you have a nickname?

6. Bold Elijah. “You and your family are the troublemakers … refuse to obey the commands of the Lord” (v. 18).

7. Challenge:

a. “All Israel … to Mount Carmel” (v. 19).

b. “Along with 450 prophets of Baal … 400 prophets of Asherah” (v. 19).

8. Decision. “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him” (v. 21, KJV).

9. Results. “The God that answereth by fire, let him be God” (v. 24, KJV).

B. TEN APPLICATION FOR YOUR LIFE

1. There comes a time when you must step out for God. “In the third year … go … present yourself to king Ahab” (17:1).

2. Like Elijah, obey the Lord’s direction even when dangerous. “The LORD said to Elijah, ‘Go and present yourself to King Ahab. Tell him that I will soon send rain!’” (v. 1).

3. There will always be compromisers who serve both God and the world. Obadiah.

4. Compromisers are more concerned about self protection than anything else. “He will kill me” (v. 12).

5. Compromisers will point out the good things they do.

6. There is a time when God tells you to hide (17:2), and a time to confront. “Go ... to king Ahab” (18:1).

7. You must reveal yourself to both saved (Obadiah) and unsaved (Ahab). “Go … to king Ahab” (18:1).

8. When you think no one stands with you, God has His faithful. “7,000 others … never bowed down to Baal” (19:18).

9. Always “count the cost” but do what God tells you to do. “Jezebel had tried to kill all the Lord’s prophets” (v. 4).

10. How to separate from evil. Someone asked a preacher, “How much of the world must I give up?” Answer, “Follow God completely and it will give you up.”

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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