Spiritually, Elijah lived Spiritually, Elijah lived during one of the worst during one of the worst times in Israel’s history.times in Israel’s history.

He believed that revival He believed that revival would turn the nation would turn the nation back toward God.back toward God.

Elijah had a signs Elijah had a signs and wonders ministry.and wonders ministry.

In response to Elijah’s In response to Elijah’s faith, God sent a famine.faith, God sent a famine.

Jezebel’s reaction – kill Jezebel’s reaction – kill the prophets of the Lord.the prophets of the Lord.

Ahab’s reaction – find Ahab’s reaction – find grass to save the animals.grass to save the animals.

Ahab’s reaction – blame Ahab’s reaction – blame Elijah for the famine.Elijah for the famine.

Courage comes Courage comes from convictions.from convictions.

We have nothing big We have nothing big enough to live for until enough to live for until we have something we have something big enough to die for.big enough to die for.

But Obadiah worked for Ahab.But Obadiah worked for Ahab.

He was a secret believer.He was a secret believer.

He had previously supported He had previously supported the ministry of Elijah.the ministry of Elijah.

Obadiah is a good place to Obadiah is a good place to start in transforming society.start in transforming society.

Obadiah means Obadiah means “the servant of Jehovah”“the servant of Jehovah”

Obadiah may have Obadiah may have fooled Ahab, but he fooled Ahab, but he didn’t fool Elijah.didn’t fool Elijah.Obadiah feared the Obadiah feared the Lord but loved his life.Lord but loved his life.Elijah challenged him Elijah challenged him to take a step of faith.to take a step of faith.

These peopleThese people

have the earhave the ear

of those inof those in

authority.authority.

Ahab blamed Elijah Ahab blamed Elijah for Israel’s problem.for Israel’s problem.Elijah had the courage Elijah had the courage to tell Ahab the truth.to tell Ahab the truth.Elijah needed Ahab to Elijah needed Ahab to gather all Israel together.gather all Israel together.Ahab may never be a true Ahab may never be a true believer but Elijah need his believer but Elijah need his help to transform society.help to transform society.

There’s no way we canThere’s no way we can

experience community experience community transformationtransformation

without thewithout the

cooperationcooperation

of those in authority.of those in authority.

Elijah knew the prophets of Elijah knew the prophets of Baal wouldn’t become true Baal wouldn’t become true worshippers of Jehovah.worshippers of Jehovah.

But since the worship of Baal But since the worship of Baal was Israel’s official religion, was Israel’s official religion, he couldn’t ignore them.he couldn’t ignore them.

They were given the chance They were given the chance to prove their religion.to prove their religion.

SometimesSometimes

the best waythe best way

to reveal truthto reveal truth

is to allow liesis to allow lies

to be exposedto be exposed

for what they are.for what they are.

Their god was the sun god.Their god was the sun god.If Baal was the sun god, he If Baal was the sun god, he should have some fire.should have some fire.They called on Baal by:They called on Baal by:–leaping around the altarleaping around the altar–crying louder and loudercrying louder and louder–cutting themselvescutting themselves–prophesyingprophesying

But there was no voice,But there was no voice,

No one answered,No one answered,

No one paid attention.No one paid attention.

Elijah couldn’t resist the Elijah couldn’t resist the irony of the “god of fire” irony of the “god of fire” not having any fire and not having any fire and began teasing them.began teasing them.

–At this point, these people At this point, these people were simply observers.were simply observers.–They’re watching to see They’re watching to see

what’s going to happen.what’s going to happen.–The false prophets were The false prophets were

embarrassed by Baal’s failure.embarrassed by Baal’s failure.–Elijah patiently and Elijah patiently and

methodically showed them methodically showed them the reality of God’s power. the reality of God’s power.