Session 2 Sermon 11

Keeping the Battle on the Proper Field

Text: 1 Kings 18:17-26

The Spirit of Elijah—understanding the operation of this spirit as we prepare for the coming of the Lord.

It is not personal—earthly—but spiritual; that is, heavenly. Elijah wasn't out to prove to Ahab or to the people who were the "troublers" of Israel; rather, he was out to prove that Jehovah, not Baal, was God.

Not Elijah versus Ahab

It was not Ahab versus Elijah, or the king's words against the prophet's, because ultimately it will not be a battle of words but of power.

1. 1 Corinthians 4:20, "For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power."
   
   1. Real religion, does not consist in words, but in the power of God ruling the heart—Wesley
      
      1. "The people did not answer him a word" (1 Kings 18:21)
         
      2. "But when they heard it, they went away one by one…" (John 8:9).
         
      3. Luke 24:32—hearts burned as He opened up the Scripture
         
         1. Words—Elijah began the "proof" with a question whose principle was in Scripture (1 Kings 18:21 compared to Exodus 20:3)
            
         2. Deeds—Continued with the practice of the Scripture as he rebuilt the altar, time of sacrifice
            

Not a Personal Vindication

"Vindication or defense or whatever reaction there may be should come from God, not from man" (Watchman Nee) (1 Kings 18:36).

1. No self-justification
   
   1. Personal—Luke 10:29
      
      1. Overcoming the need to justify ourselves by our own works
         
         1. Luke 7:4, 5
            
         2. Luke 18:10-14
            
      2. Embracing the fact that only by faith can we be justified; and through His mercy and grace can we do His works—for without Him we can do nothing
         
         1. Typified by Baal's prophets (1 Kings 18:21, 26)
            
         2. God is found not in outward expressions but in the secret place
            
   2. Corporate—Luke 16:15
      
      1. No desire for Elijah to exalt himself before the people
         

It was Proper Fear

The courage of the Lord's messenger is founded on the conviction that, whatever happens, he cannot drift beyond the love of God. He knows that his times are forever in God's hands; that God will not leave him or forsake him; that he is surrounded forever by God's care. If that is so—of whom then shall we be afraid?

1. No fear of man, but God
   
   1. 1 Kings 18:22
      
      1. Standing alone
         
         1. Moses, Exodus 6:9—God is looking for those who will be obedient to His Word regardless of what others will say
            
   2. Matthew 10:26-31
      
      1. Verses 26, 27—double fearlessness
         
         1. Truth will triumph
            
         2. Speak with boldness that which was received
            
            1. He who would teach and preach must first in the secret place listen and learns.
               
      2. Courage of the "Right"
         
         1. No punishment of man can compare to the ultimate punishment prepared for the unbeliever
            
            1. 1 John 4:18
               
      3. God "Cares"
         
         1. Much more than the sparrow
            

Close

Time of prayer

 

Session 2 Sermon 10

This message was based on a direct word from the Holy Spirit in a Monday night prayer meeting. An outline of the interpretation is below.

Interpretation

JULY 6, 2009, MONDAY -

-My people, I say to you tonight, do not be afraid. Do not be afraid to call Me; do not be afraid to hold me to My promises.

- I am a promise keeper

- I have set the date, do not refute that. Hold me, challenge Me, believe Me.

- I am sending the help you need

- You have been faithful in many things

- The time is short

- Look around you. Are your needs not met?

- (I have beckoned you in the night)

- Do not ignore me when I call you

- I beckon you

- Because of your faithfulness and prayers I am answering your needs

- You are faithful

- I will bless you

- I am breathing on you

- But heed to my warning. Satan is like a roaring lion. He will not give up easily. You must stay on your face before me. I am the victory giver.

- (I will lead you from victory to victory)

- Stay on your face before me. I have instructed you, do not stray from that. Keep my word. Keep my word. Keep my instructions before you. I will be faithful to bless you when the need is there. Remember my warning. Beware of those that profess Me but are not of Me.

Message Text

The Holy Spirit's admonition for continued prayer by staying on our faces before was the message's focus with the Scripture text found in 1 Chronicles 7:1, 2.

Important Requisites

1. Preparation
   
   1. Camp
      
   2. Standard
      
2. Battle
   
   1. Rampart
      
   2. Pickets
      
   3. Garrisons
      

Names

1. Shimron
   
   1. Guardianship
      
2. Jashub
   
   1. He will return
      
3. Puah
   
   1. A blast
      
4. Tola
   
   1. Worm
      

Worm

1. Job 25:6
   
   1. Rimmah—maggot
      
   2. Tola—crimson grub
      

Whether men like it or not, man by his depraved sin nature is symbolized in God's Word as a "rimmah;" a maggot. But the Lord Himself is symbolized as a "tola;" a crimson grub. In ancient times the crimson grub, a very rare worm, was actually kept, bred, and cultivated by the Jews as well as some other nations. When several thousand of these crimson grubs were mature; fully grown, then they were crushed to death. Out of the crushed bodies of those crimson grubs would flow a deep red blood, which was used for a dye. When cloth or clothes were washed in this dye, they would be dyed a beautiful crimson red. This lovely color never faded, and could never be washed out or removed.

In Job 25:6 both words are used, "How much less man, that is a worm [rimmah; maggot]? and the Son of man, which is a worm [tola; crimson grub]? Then in Psalm 22:6, the Lord declared of Himself, "But I am a worm [tola; crimson grub], and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people."

While men by their very depraved sin nature are symbolized as "maggots" in the Scriptures, the Lord Jesus Christ is symbolized as the rare "crimson grub" whose body was crushed for us on Calvary's cross, Genesis 3:15. When we then receive Him as our Savior, we are washed from our sin in the precious blood that flowed from His body. His blood dyes our very soul a beautiful red that never fades and can never be removed.

Application

2 Corinthians 10: 3, 4