Our Inheritance & Guarantee Ephesians 1:11-14

 Ephesians 1:7-14 (ESV) "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also,  when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him,  were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

I. In Him We Have it All "In Him"

"In Him" is used 70+ times in the New Testament. "In Christ" is used 76 times and "In Christ Jesus " is used 40 times.

Colossians 1:16-20 (ESV) "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Everything is Jesus! Through him, for him, by him. Without Jesus we are nothing. Even non believers have blessed by Jesus. There are a lot of lost people who have benefited from the work of Christian people.

Romans 8:28 (ESV) "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Don't know how the lost world deals with hard times .

1 John 5:12 (ESV) "Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."

The most important thing you can do in your life is to be in Christ.

II. Fantastic Fellowship

Ephesians 1:11-14 (ESV) "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. in him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

In the beginning Paul is talking about the Jews (we) then the gentiles (you) and then both Jew and gentile (we).

It is believed that in the first 3-6 years after Jesus' crucifixion the gospel was only preached to the Jews. Peter had a vision that it would be taken to the gentiles. Acts 19 describes that it started in the synagogue then move to the Hall of Tyrannus.

Old Testament inheritance- Deuteronomy 32:9, 1 Kings 8:15, Psalms 78: 71-72.

Psalms 2:8 (ESV) "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession."

The inheritance is not just for the Jewish people, but for all people.

John 17:20-21 (ESV) "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."

You can meet anyone from anywhere who are believers. We can fellowship with other true believers no matter what denominations they are a part of. 

III. Incorruptible Inheritance

Inheritance is your portion, your share, allotted to your charge.

God's inheritance is for us!

Proverbs 13:22 (ESV) "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous."

Romans 8:16-17 (ESV) "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

We are children of God, heirs, and co heirs with Christ. Jesus shed his own blood to bring us into the Christian family.

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you,"

God Gives us amazing gifts here, but it will be better in eternity. Even better will be the New Heaven and New Earth. How do we know?  God guarantees it!

IV. Greatest Guarantee

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV) "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

V. Sadly Sealed

Persevere and protect

Ephesians 4:30 (ESV) "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

1 Peter 1:15 (ESV) "but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,"

VI. Celestial Certification

God puts his stamp on us.

John 3:33 (ESV) "Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true."

By God sending the Holy Spirit he has sealed you.

VII. Divine Down Payment

Earnest money is a down payment. It is a sincere and serious promise to purchase. God will not back out of this promise.

VIII. Christian Confession

How do I know if I have the Holy Spirit?

1 Corinthians 12:3 (ESV) "Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says 'Jesus is accursed!' and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except in the Holy Spirit."

If you are a believer you love to confess Jesus is Lord!

Romans 10:9-10 (ESV) "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

IX. Exceptional Evidence of Flourishing Fruit

Galatians 5:16-24 (ESV) "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the tings you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love,  joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

Your life after Jesus should look different than your life before Jesus. God should be working on you. We are saved by grace through faith.

Redemption, Forgiveness, Grace, and a Perfect Ending Ephesians 9:7-10

Paul had a special relationship with the church at Ephesus. He helped start the church and stayed there for a couple of years before sending Timothy to be their pastor.

Ephesians 1:3-10 (ESV)

I. Redemption is only possible through the blood of Jesus.

What is redemption? Preacher story example... A boy and his father build a sailboat and take it to the lake to sail it. While at the lake the boy loses his sailboat. He was very sad. Sometime later the boy and his father were in town and the boy saw his sailboat in a shop window. The boy told the store owner that it was his sailboat in the window. The store owner said sorry but I bought that from a fisherman and if you want it you will have to buy it. The boy was sad, but also was glad that he knew where his sailboat was at. So the boy worked hard and earned the money that he needed to buy the sailboat back. When he finally got his hands on his sailboat he told it how much he loved it and not only did he craft the boat but he gave all that money so that he could buy it back. That is redemption...to be bought pack, to be set free, a price is payed so that you can redeem something.

Did Jesus have to die for our sins? Some people believe that a loving God have to hold sins against people. They don't believe that there was a need to shed blood. But that is not what scripture teaches us...and songs... "There is power in the blood"..."What can wash away my sin"..."The blood that gives me strength".

Scripture says...

Matthew 26:39 (ESV) "And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'"

1John 2:2 (ESV) "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."

Galatians 3:13 (ESV) "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us- for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree'-"

 

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Isaiah 53:3-6 & 10 (ESV) "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgression; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned-every one- to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand."

Jewish people do not like to hear Isaiah 53 read because it describes Jesus and his death.

It seems like there is a "cosmic rule" that sin brings death and it requires blood to cover the sin. Adam & Eve sinned and the first blood shed in the world/garden was to provide "covering" for their "nakedness" their sin. This means that something had to be "sacrificed" for their sin. The Old Testament had a sacrificial system, but it was only a temporary covering of the sin, it was insufficient. Then Jesus arrived and John the Baptist said of him "behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." Jesus took our place and our sin was placed on him. God punished Jesus for our sin.

Colossians 2:13-15 (ESV)

1John 3:8 (ESV)

John 12:31-33 (ESV)

Matthew 28:18-19 (ESV)

Jesus' blood was necessary to pay your ransom

II. How vile and disgusting is your sin.

We often don't see how awful our own sin is, but we notice our neighbors sin. 

Luke 18:11-14 (ESV) "The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Jesus had a problem with the Pharisee. They honored God with their lips, but their heart was far from him. The high priest Annas' family had a hold on the office of the high priest. The lied, cheated and murdered to stay in power. They cheated people in the temple. This family is believed to have had a lot to do with things being sold in the temple. Jesus does not only look at our actions, but also our hearts.

Romans 3:23 (ESV) "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

Your stuff is disgusting too...unforgiveness in your heart, hate, gossip, sowing discord, back biting. These things destroy you, your relationship with God, with your family, the church, your sin will destroy everything. 

1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV) "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost."

You have got so much to be forgiven for.  Jesus shares the parable of the Unforgiving Servant. The unforgiving servant owes his master a HUGE amount and his master forgave him of his debts. The unforgiving servants goes to another servant who owes him money and demands him to pay his debts. When the master finds out what the servant had done he was punished. There is a connection between our forgiving of others and God forgiving us. You can never out forgive God. We have to forgive one another. Nothing will ruin your life more than the bitterness that comes out of unforgiveness. We need to do some self evaluation.

III. Yet how precious you are in the sight of God.

Romans 5:8 (ESV) "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

John 3:16-17 (ESV) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

God, even though we were so reviled, then God you so much that he sacrificed his Son for YOU!

Who killed Jesus? The Jews killed Jesus, but also the Romans killed Jesus, God the Father killed Jesus, Jesus killed Jesus, and YOU killed Jesus. God loved us so much that he sent his Son to die on the cross for YOU.

IV. God dumps grace on his people.

You didn't need a little grace sprinkled on you, you needed to be immersed, to be baptized in grace. God lavishes grace on his people.

John D. Rockefeller one of the richest men of the in the world at his time. He was not well liked, so he thought he needed to help his "image" so he dressed up in a suit and top hat and loaded his pockets down with dimes and nickels. He gave nickels and dimes to poor children and took a photographer along to document. This is nothing like God's grace! He LAVISHES his grace on us, his never ending grace.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV) "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

So what are we doing with God's grace? What good works are flowing out of the grace you've been shown? Are you sharing? Are you caring? Are you forgiving?

V. God will bring about the perfect ending.

Ephesians 1:10 (ESV) "as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him."

Jesus is the answer to every problem. He will right every wrong, heal every hurt. We believe that Jesus is coming back. The most quoted Old Testament verses in the New Testament is Psalms 110.

Are you ready? No time like the present!

Revelation 21:1-5 (ESV) "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.' And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'"

Intro to the Book of Ephesians

 Ephesus was the capital city of the Romans in Asia Minor. It was on the Aegean Coast of present day Turkey. It was a magnificent city.

1. Theater had a 24,000 capacity. It was built in the 4th century B.C. It took 60 years to build.

2. They had 4 aqueducts that brought water into the city. They had public baths and public toilets. They had a sewer system.

3. They had several temples dedicated to Emperor Hadrian. Paul's extensive efforts their led them to transform one of the temple into a church during the 4th century A.D.

4. The Agora was a huge public market, where people came to sell/buy their goods. They also had a State Agora, which was a public location where people came to discuss politics, economics and philosophies. 

5. A valuable port City in 1400 B.C. It was long and deep cove that was well protected landing spot.

6.The temple to Aritmis (the Greek goddess and protector of the city). According to Herodutus it was one of the "7 wonders of the ancient world". It was 418' long X 239' wide with 100 marble pillars 56' high. (The Greek goddess Artimis later became the Roman goddess Diana.)

7. Today Ephesus is visited by 1 million tourist a year. Many of the sites still stand today. You can see a lot of them on the internet.

Now the story of the church at Ephesus. Paul made 3 missionary journeys. On his s2nd missionary journey he visited Ephesus. 

Acts 18:19-21 (ESV) "And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. But on taking leave of them said, 'I will return to you if God wills,' and he set sail from Ephesus."

Later on his 3rd missionary Paul returned to Ephesus.

Acts 19:8-10 (ESV) "And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks."

Ephesus was a hub of activity, but it was surrounded by 230 independent communities. So when revival broke out at Ephesus it spread to the surrounding communities. But where the Holy Spirit moves opposition will arise.

Acts 19: 23- 20:1 (ESV) "About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, 'Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into dispute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.' When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!' So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel. But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!' And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, ' Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?  Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious no blasphemers of our goddess. If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give justify this commotion' And when he said these things, he dismissed the assembly. After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia."

Paul saw the opposition arose and decided to leave, but there were a lot of Christians there and they continued to spread the Word. Paul comes back at the end of his 3rd missionary journey, but does not go to Ephesus, but stopped in Miletus, which was 68 miles by land/38 miles by sea.

Acts 20:19-38 (ESV) "serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " "And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And the accompanied him to the ship."

Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians from prison in Rome (Acts 21-28). Most believe that Ephesians was a circular letter, meant to read in many churches around Ephesus. The church was not a building it was the body of people. In Revelations chapters 2 and 3 the 7 churches mentioned were in the surrounding area around Ephesus. So this letter was circulated in many places. The book of Ephesians does not address problems with the church like you see in Corinthians and Galatians. But the book of Ephesians is not a correction. He is writing to them about the basic doctrines of Christ and here are the applications that goes with it. He was there for 2 years, so these people were not baby Christians. He goes deeper in depth than he does in other letters. He addresses doctrinal issues first and then moves on to application later in the letter.

Ephesians 3:20-21 4:1 (ESV) "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, "

The first 3 chapters are heavy theology and the final 3 chapters are practice, how you put that theology into practice.

Now the intro into the book.

Ephesians 1:1 (ESV) "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus."

An apostle is someone sent forth with a message...from God. Paul did not choose this position. Jesus appeared to him in a vision and told him that he was chosen to follow Jesus. He was chosen by God. Paul said this was written to the saints. Anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ is a saint. You have been set apart. You are holy unto Him.

Ephesians 1:2 (ESV) "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

This was a standard greeting.

Ephesians 1:3 (ESV) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,"

The important word in this verse is "has". It is past tense. Jesus has already blessed you with every spiritual blessing. As we move through the book of Ephesians we will see these spiritual blessings in the first 3 chapters. We will find heavy doctrine and controversial doctrine in these 3 chapters.

Ephesians 1:4-6  (ESV) "even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."

Here is a big question... If you are a Christian

1. Did you freely (of your own will) CHOOSE to accept Christ?

2. Did God PREDESTIN you... without your permission?

Today the majority of Christians hold to free will/personal choice, BUT 200 years ago the predominant view was election...God chose you....predestination.

2 views

1. Free will (libertarianism) Humans have free will to accept or reject Jesus Christ, his sacrifice as Lord and Savior. This emphasizes personal responsibility. God's foreknowledge does not force a person to accept or reject Jesus.

2. Pre-destination (determinism/ Calvinism/Fatalism) God is completely sovereign and He has predetermined the fate of every individual before the foundation of the world. Unconditional election. Free will is limited and salvation is entirely God's choice and not yours.

3. Compatibilism (middle ground) This vies says both concepts can co-exist and that the 2 vies are not mutually exclusive. We do make choices and ultimately God is in charge and He uses our choices to accomplish His will. This view says...

    A. God is absolutely sovereign and can do whatever He wants whenever He wants.

    B. In His sovereignty He has allowed individual to make their own choices (concerning Christ).

So what view does Scripture support? Both!

Ephesians 1:11 (ESV) "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,"

Romans 8:28-30 (ESV) "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified ha also glorified."

I Timothy 2:3-4 (ESV) "This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

Titus 2:11 (ESV) "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,"

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

1 John 2:2 (ESV) "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins cof the whole world."

The Bible teaches election (God's choice), it also teaches human resposibility.

Romans 1:19-20 (ESV) "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."

So how do we harmonize this? We can't! But God can! It seems to be a contradiction in Scripture is an appearance of a contradiction, but it is not a real contradiction. God knows the answer even though it is confusing to us. I lean toward free will personally, but I cannot ignore the verses that talk about predestination. You can get bogged down in this, but Scripture teaches both. Instead of dealing with the universal application of this. Do all people get a calling from God? My suggestion is that you deal with it personally.

John 6:44a (ESV) "No onecan come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him."

So instead of "does God call all men?" Has the Holy Spirit called you, drawn you, invited you?

Basically there are 2 kinds of callings people experienced.

1. An emotional calling- The Holy Spirit gets ahold of your emotions, feelings. You can't prove scientifically that God is calling you, but you KNOW He has spoken and called you.

2. An intellectual calling- You eventually came to the rational conclusion that the Gospel is true. You just know it to be correct. (example C.S. Lewis)

Sometimes it can be both. They both can be valid. Rather than argue the 2 position, the real question is....Has God called you? And if so how what was your response? If you say "Yes" to the Holy Spirit (God the Father/Son) then eventually you need to make your decision public.

When things don't go as planned...Elijah's let down. (1 Kings 19)

 Recap of Elijah:

Israel has divided into two, Judah, the 2 southern tribes, and Israel the 10 northern tribes. Judah had a few good kings after the split, but mostly bad kings. Israel had only bad kings and Ahab was the worst. Ahab's wife was Jezebel. She was the daughter of Tyre & the Sidonian king. Their gods were Baal and Ashtoreth. They were supposed to be the gods of storms, crops, rain and fertility. To punish Ahab and Israel God instructed Elijah to tell the people that there would not be any rain until Elijah said it would rain and then he left. Elijah ended up in Zarephath in Sidon with a widow and her son. God provided for them during this time. The widow's son dies and Elijah raises him from the dead. Elijah then goes back to Israel and has a confrontation with Ahab and 450 prophets of Baal. Elijah challenges the prophets by suggesting they make offerings to Baal and he would make an offering to the one true God. Elijah allows the prophets Baal to choose the first bull and make their offering first. Then Elijah builds an alter out of 12 stones (which represented the 12 tribes of Israel) and then poured a bunch of water on the offering (which demonstrates God's love and forgiveness) and then offered it up to God, who consumed the offering with fire. Nothing happened with the offering to Baal. Elijah proved that the LORD is the one true God and the people believed. Then it began to rain. The story did not end there...

1 Kings 19: 1-2 (ESV) "Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, 'So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow."

Behind every bad king is an evil wife! Who you marry matters! Therefore who you date matters! 

Proverbs 31:30 (ESV) "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

I. Do not harden your heart 

One of the worst things you can do is to harden your heart and stop being sensitive to the things of God. To not hear His voice.  How do you get a hard heart? You sin and you sin and you sin. Then you don't repent and you don't repent and don't repent. You become very arrogant and very proud. You no longer can hear the voice of God. How do you soften your heart? First of all be saved, repent, confess, and humble yourself. You have to understand that God is greater than you and that you are wrong and you need to change.

Proverbs 28:14 (ESV) "Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity."

1 John 1:9 (ESV) "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

1 Kings 19: 3-4 (ESV) "Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, 'It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.'"

II. Life has Mountains & Valleys 

There are good times and bad times. There are times of triumphs and tragedies, times of growth and temptations. Things do not always turn out like we expect them. Elijah's expectations and his reality did not match up. He was discouraged.

III. Even the best get discouraged

Moses, Job, John the Baptist, and Paul all got discouraged because their expectations don't match their realities. So what can you do? 

IV Believe God is near

Joshua 1:9 (ESV) "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

V. Don't Quit! 

Galatians 6:9 (ESV) "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

VI. Lean on the Lord and other people 

Spend time in prayer, spend time in the word and seeking the Lord. Lean on His people.

Hebrews 3:13 (ESV) "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."

1 Kings 19: 5-7 (ESV) "And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, 'Arise and eat.' And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, 'Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.'"

VII. The physical really does affect the spiritual. 

It is important to "Nap and Snack". Your physical needs affect your spiritual well being. In this case God worked through an angel. At this time God works through His people. Be the hands and feet of Jesus. When you don't know what else to do for someone, be the hands and feet of Jesus.

James 2:14-17 (ESV) "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." 

A good faith produces works. The 2 main jobs of a church are to 1. Refreshing the saints and 2. Reaching the lost. How? By meeting physical needs opens doors to a spiritual conversation.

1 Kings 19:8-18 (ESV) "And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God. There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?' He said, 'I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken you covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.' And he said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.' And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind and earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?' He said, 'I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your alters, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.' And the LORD said to him, 'Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.'"

VIII. It's good to seek God out everyday 

Prayer, scripture, fasting. Elijah went to Horeb. The mountain where people went to hear from the Lord. 40 days/nights is important. Noah- 40 days of rain. Moses 40 days on Mt. Sinai to receive the 10 Commandments, Jesus fasted for 40 days before he began his public ministry.

When you are discouraged...Pray, read scripture, fast. Seek God, try to hear from God. God didn't speak to Elijah through the earthquake, the wind, or the fire. God spoke through the whisper...the still small voice. 

Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV) "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

IX. God answers and times are often different than ours

The way God answers the question is not always how we would answer the question. The way He speaks is not always how we wish He would speak. God tells Elijah that He knows that he is not happy and He tells him that He is going to take care of all of it in His time, and Elijah will not see it happen. New political and spiritual leadership will finish the execution of Baal worshipers and Elijah was involved but did not get to see it happen. It would all happen through Elisha.

X. Play your position well and invest in the future.

Elijah's vision was completed in Elisha's day. One of the biggest jobs that we as Christians need to do is to continue pass things on to the next generation, to build things that they can stand on and work on. It is important to invest in the spiritual.

Greek Proverb "A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit."

Proverbs 13:22 (ESV) "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous."

We need each other! Generations are being pitted against each other. God created it this way because we need each other. We need to have someone to look up to and someone to pass it on to. Do the best at what God's given you to do and train up the next generation. 

Everyone needs a Paul and a Timothy in their lives. Everyone should find someone who is older and wiser to learn from, but also someone to pass it on to, to invest into.

Closing Scripture

Psalms 40:1-3 (ESV) "I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD."

How Deuteronomy Shaped our Nation (and how it should continue to shape our nation)

 An article published in American Political Science Review in 1984 titled "The Relative Influence of European writers on late 18th Century American Political Thought" basically looked at what influenced our Founding Fathers and the Constitutional Convention. The authors looked at 15,000 writings of the authors and framers of the US Constitution. This included newspaper articles, pamphlets, books and philosophies. They found that 34% of all direct quotes used by the authors were from the Bible! The Bible was a major contributor to the thought process and eventual framing of the American Constitution. Of all the books of the Bible the most quoted by far was the book of Deuteronomy. Why didn't they use the teachings of Jesus, the writings of Paul? The answer to this question can be found in the story, background and history of Deuteronomy.

The nation of Israel had escaped enslavement in Egypt (the Exodus) and received the Law of Moses on Mt. Sinai then ended up in Kadesh Barnea where the spies were sent out check out the Promise Land. The people refused to go in and posses the land which lead to 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. But Moses instructs the next generation on what will be required of them to become a nation. They went from nomads to a nation. While the book of Joshua is the story of  the conquest and settling of the land, Deuteronomy records the preparation. It records the physical, mental and spiritual preparation. 

1. What is going to be required of them to obtain Divine Assistance in transitioning from a group of wandering former slaves to a powerful and influential nation?

2. To obtain Divine Favor and assistance after the conquest!

Post Revolutionary War, the colonies have gained independence. But they are still not a United Nation. They must try to forge some form of Federal Government or remain 13 independent states. So where to look for advice and wisdom in framing a government? Something that all the states can accept and protect the freedoms fought for and result in stability and prosperity for generations to come and something that will incur Divine Favor? They wanted a country like no other in the world as they knew it. So they searched and cited many sources...But the Bible was a primary source because it was considered God's revealed truth to mankind. And Deuteronomy was especially favored because it was

1. The record of Israel becoming a nation.

2.The record  of Divine Wisdom and assistance (favor) in the process

And the founding fathers wanted the same thing!

Deuteronomy can be confusing if you don't know the historical setting, but 2 things stand out

1. The parallel between Israel then and our Founding Fathers 250 years ago.

2. The repeated use of certain words and phrases in Deuteronomy.

    "Remember" was used 16 times.

    "Don't Forget" was used 9 times.

    "Be Careful" (not to forget) was used 35 times.

The point is these commands and warnings were used 60 times in Deuteronomy. This was God emphasizing what the first generation failed to do!

If Deuteronomy was ever relevant to our nation...Then it is still relevant today! The Divine Wisdom and Guidance still apply!

Let's examine what Deuteronomy said to them then and what it has to say to us now.

1. Remember where you came from. 

Deuteronomy 15:15 (ESV) "You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today."

This applies to 

    A. Us as a nation

    B. You as an individual

Did you get here on your own? Did the Lord help you get to where you are today?

2. Remember who brought you here. 

Deuteronomy 8: 1-3 (ESV) "The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers. And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."

Again this applies to us as a nation and you as an individual. God has blessed you by allowing you to be born in the US in the 20th/21st century.

3. Remember who gives you the resources and abilities. 

Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (ESV) "Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day." 

    A. Some countries don't have resources for the people to get ahead, even if they work hard. God has graced this nation with unlimited resources. (Land/water/wood/soil/corn/wheat/grass)

    B. Personal abilities given by God. You have inherited abilities that you have to work hard to develop, but you are blessed with abilities.

4. Remember to thank and praise Him. 

Deuteronomy 8:10/12-14 (ESV) "And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, "

Blessings can be a curse, example Solomon, but it doesn't need it to be. He blesses us and we should give thanks. 

    A. Verbally

    B. Habitually

    C. Publicly

5. Remember to keep His commands.

Deuteronomy 28:1-2/13 (ESV) "And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD you God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God. And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only go up and not down, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, being careful to do them."

We are not obligated to the Old Testament Jewish law (Mosaic Law). We are obligated to follow the moral law. Obedience results in blessings.

6. Remember to teach your children. 

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV) "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

God's words should be before you and your kids. Your kids will make their own religious choices, but you must give them the material and lifestyle to make a proper choice.

7. Remember to assemble 

Deuteronomy 31:10-13 (ESV) "And Moses commanded them, 'At the end of every seven years, at the set time in the year of release, at the Feast of Booths, when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place that he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.'"

Hebrews 10:23-25 (ESV) "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

The Israelites were supposed to gather together to hear God's word. Christians need to hear God's word. The Holy Spirit will be with you when you gather together in His name. Where does this happen....at church...at a KBA gathering. The Holy Spirit moves when we are gathered together. Why is this important? Because you need...

    A. challenges and teachings of God's word.

    B. the conviction of the Holy Spirit. "Where 2 or 3 are gathered" God moves in a great way.

    C. the presence and corrections of other Christians. "Lone Ranger Christians" almost always develop a weird doctrine, because they don't have other people to challenge them.

If you remember/don't forget/be careful not to forget does that mean the nation will change it's course? No, but it will mean that YOUR course will be correct. And however small...it will make a difference in the nation! And if enough people correct their course it will certainly affect the nation.

Summary Verse: Deuteronomy 29:9 (ESV) "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."

Closing Scripture: Hebrews 2:1 (ESV) "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift from it."

Lessons from Elijah: Judgement, Awakening and Repentance 1 Kings 18

 There is a lot that we can take from the life of Elijah. There is a lot to encourage the believer, to challenge the believer, and a lot for us to think about. Israel was a divided kingdom for about 60 years. The northern kingdom was made up of 10 tribes, Israel. The southern 2 tribes, Judah. The northern kingdom was ruled by kings who did not follow God. The southern kingdom had some good kings but mostly bad. The worst of the northern king was Ahab and his wife Jezebel. Jezebel turned Ahab's heart away from God. She turned them toward the Sidonian gods Baal and Ashtoreth. They were the god and goddess of fertility, crops, and rain. God revealed to the people that the Sidonian gods were helpless by sending a drought to the region. God did this through Elijah. Elijah m1/2 ade an announcement that God was going to "close up the sky" until he returned and then left. The drought began, but God provided for Elijah by sending him food and water by a brook. When it dried up God sent Elijah into Sidonia where Baal and Ashtoreth were the gods of that land. He was sent to live with a widow where God used Elijah to raise the woman's son from the dead. God provided for the widow, Elijah and her son during the drought. The drought lasted for about 3 1/2 years the Elijah returned.

1 Kings 18:1-6 (ESV) "After many days the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, 'Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.' So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria. And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly, and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.) And Ahab said to Obadiah, 'Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals.' So they divided the land between them to pass through it. Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadiah went in another direction by himself."

I. You are never alone. 

If you are in Christ Jesus, you are never alone. Elijah at times believed that he was the only one who was faithful to God, the only one who cared what God thought. But he was not, Obadiah who was working in the kings palace believed in God and was helping and hiding a hundred prophets of God from Ahab and Jezebel. Obadiah risked a lot to serve God. Even if Elijah was alone God never left him alone. 

1 Peter 5:9 (ESV) "Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."

II. God is working. Be patient when you don't see it.

Even when it doesn't seem like it, God is working. For 3 1/2 years Elijah thought what was happening, but God was bringing judgement on Ahab, on Jezebel and the kingdom of Israel through the drought and famine. But God was also going to bring about salvation, God was going to restore and bring back the things that were lost. Obadiah was also doing God's work and there were others that are not mentioned in the Bible.

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

"Many of this earth's little nobodies are going to be somebodies in heaven." Adrian Rogers

God sees your effort and he blesses faithfulness. 

1 Kings 18:17 (ESV) "When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, 'Is it you, you troubler of Israel?'"

Ahab accused Elijah of something he was. Ahab was the "troubler of Israel".

III. The Wicked Hate the Righteous because darkness hates the light

Light exposes darkness for what it is. When you are living a righteous life people will hate you. Why did they hate Jesus? Because he exposed their darkness...their sin.

John 15:18 (ESV) "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you."

If you act like Jesus. there are people in this world who hate you.

Psalms 37:12-13 (ESV) "The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming."

The goal of the Christian faith is not to please the world. We should live in peace, but we don't compromise the truth or our integrity so that the world will be pleased with us. We need to be slow to condemn who the world condemns. The goal of Christianity is not to please the world, but to please God, to fear God. We need to let man's opinion take a backseat.

1 Kings 18:18-26 (ESV) "And he answered, 'I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father's house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals. Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.' So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. And Elijah came near to all the people and said, 'How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.' And the people did not answer him a word. Then Elijah said to the people, 'I even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baal's prophets are 450 men. Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.' And all the people answered, 'It is well spoken.' Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, 'Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.' And they took the bull that was  given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, 'O Baal, answer us!' But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the alter that they had made."

Ahab was looking for Elijah to kill him. When Elijah shows up he says lets have a contest and Ahab goes along, so do the people and the prophets of Baal. Why did Elijah choose a bull to sacrifice? In Leviticus 4 it says that when the entire congregation sins the offering is a bull. The false god Baal is portrayed as a bull head. Why Mount Carmel? There have been several archeological finds on Mount Carmel that show that this was a sacred site for Baal. It was "homefield advantage". The prophets of Baal were at "home", they got to pick the first bull and they got to "go first". The had everything going their way, they have no excuses. Mount Carmel was depicted as a lush place, but after 3 1/2 years of drought it was probably still lush. There were also 450 prophets verses 1. 

Elijah makes a point that they could not serve both God and Baal. God is a jealous god. He knows what best for you. He cuts to the heart of the issue. We have a problem in America...we sprinkle Jesus and "Coexist" with the world. We love our sin and Jesus.

IV. How long will you try to serve 2 masters?

Be the opposite of Ahab

1 Kings 18:27-35 (ESV) "And at noon Elijah mocked them saying, 'Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.' And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances. until the blood gushed out upon them. And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention. Then Elijah said to all the people, 'Come near to me.' And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the alter of the LORD that had been thrown down. Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, 'Israel shall be your name, ' and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs of seed. And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, 'Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.' And he said, 'Do it a second time.' And they did it a second time. And he said, 'Do it a third time.' And they did it a third time. And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water."

V. Remember what God has done

In Exodus 24 after the law was given and agreed to an altar was built with 12 pillars to the Lord, one for each tribe. In Joshua 4 when the people crossed the Jordan river on dry land into the Promised Land they built a memorial to the Lord using 12 stones to remember what God had done for them. It is good for us to remember what God has done for you. How many times have we forgotten and gone after other things. 

1 Kings 18:36-40 (ESV) "And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, 'O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.' Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, 'The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God.' And Elijah said to them, 'Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.' And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there."

VI. God is a merciful and forgiving God 

The bull was a sacrifice for the sins of the people. All that Elijah did made it more difficult (adding 4 jars of water X 3 which equals 12 tribes of Israel) for God. God didn't need help. This showed that God loved them and He is going to forgive you. You didn't earn it.

Isaiah 55:7 (ESV) "let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Rain is going to come, forgiveness is coming, refreshing is going to come. Judgement came too for the prophets of Baal.

VII. At some point your time will run out

Matthew 18:7 (ESV) "Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!"

1 Kings 18:41-46 (ESV) "And Elijah said to Ahab, 'Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.' So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, 'Go up now, look toward the sea.' And he went up and looked and said , 'There is nothing.' And he said, 'Go again,' seven times. And at the seventh time he said, 'Behold a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea.' And he said, 'Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.'' And in a little while the heavens grew lack with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel."

Stand for what is right, repent what is holding you back, remember what God has done.

Closing Scripture:

Psalm 145:8-10 (ESV) "The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!"

The man your kids can be proud of Proverbs 17:6

 There is no greater job than being a father. It is a huge calling. The desire of every father's heart should be that their kids know that they are loved by them and loved by the Lord. Their desire should be that their children follow Jesus and chase after him all the days of their lives. There is a gr eat weight to that and we will all stand before God and have to give account to what we did for the children we have been entrusted with.

National Fatherhood Initiative

Those that end up in juvenile detention centers, a large portion come from fatherless homes. Children that come from fatherless homes have a 2X likelihood to be in jail by 30. They have  a 4X risk of being in poverty. A majority of youth suicide come from children of fatherless homes. There seems to be a link to adult depression and growing up without a father. Little girls without fathers are 7X more likely to become pregnant as teenagers. Fatherless children are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.

It is not enough to just exist in the home. It is important to be loving and stable and spiritual. 

New study from the Institute for Family Studies

-People who had a "very good" relationship with their father have a 73% odds of having a belief in God. -They also found out that when a father monitored their children's tv and internet usage, their children were far more likely to pray daily, identify as a Christian and believe in Jesus as adults.

National Study of Youth and religion (02-03) 3500 people from 4 generations

-Children raised by a loving and close father were 2X more likely to adopt and maintain their parent's religious faith compared to children who said their fathers were cold or distant or authoritarian.

-The emotional quality of a child's relationship with their father had a significantly stronger statistical correlation to long-term faith retention than their relationship with their mother.

1994 Swiss Federal Statistical Office Study on the demographic characteristics of language & religion.

-When only mothers took children to church, children had a 15% chance of continued attendance.

-When only fathers took children to church, children had a 55% chance of continued attendance.

-When both parents took children to church, children had a 72% chance of continued attendance.

1977 Journal for Scientific Study of Religion (Early childhood 4-11 yrs. regardless of race or wealth)

The found a correlation between subjects' images of their fathers and those of God, but no correlation between their image of their mothers and those of God. Those with the most negative image of their father had the most negative image of God.

The way that our children view God is a huge reflection of how as fathers we are raising them.

Raising children is not just women's work. Fathers play a roll too. You are shaping your child's view on who God is. So what do you do about it?

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (ESV) "Now this is the commandment-the statutes and the rules-that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the LORD your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. 'Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.'"

Your faithfulness affects generations...also eternity 

Your faithfulness or lack of faithfulness affects generations. Many are in church because our parents taught us about the Lord, and many of our parents' parents taught them about the Lord. We should pray for our children that they would be saved, that they would grow in faith. We should pray for godly spouses for each of them. We should be praying for their children to also be saved. We should pray for every person in your line to be saved until the Lord returns.

Fathers, you are the shepherd of your family. 

The teaching in Deuteronomy means that you are the chief educator when it comes to teaching your children the faith. You should enlist your wife in this and always be on the same page. You are to pass it on to your family. You are the "pastors" of your family.

Principle Disciplinarian  

"Wait until your father gets home!"

Ephesians 6:4 (ESV) "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Dads you sometimes have to be the bad guy and moms you have to let him lead. Guard you heart, correct them because you love them. Do not provoke them to wrath.

Proverbs 13:24 (ESV) "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him."

If we love our children we can't let them have everything they want all of the time. We have to set up boundaries for them and stick to them. We have to be men of our words and stick to them.

 Be a persuader, an encourager and a motivator! 

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (ESV) "For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory."

Your are persuading them toward the truth, you are encouraging them and motivating them to walk in truth.

Be a provider 

1 Timothy 5:8 (ESV) "But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

It is hard today, but it is something God has called us to provide.

Be a protector 

Nehemiah 4:14 (ESV) "And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and the officials and to the rest of the people, 'Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your homes.'"

Ephesians 5:25 (ESV) "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, "

We as fathers should lay down our own wants and needs for your family. If someone must go without.... it needs to dad. Dad you are the last line of defense for your family. God has called us to protect our families. We are to protect in a physical sense, but also emotionally and spiritually, we are to protect our family in every way.

Be there and be present. 

All the stuff in the world will make up for your presence. You cannot teach, train, discipline, love...if you are not there. Be present. Prioritize them over the game, the fishing, the hobby, time with friends. Family First!

Be Great! 

God has given everyone of us a gift. He has given you a task, a job, be the best you can be at that job. Use your gift! Also as a father set an example and repent of your sins, don't let anything hinder you and sin that entangles you!

Proverbs 17:6 (ESV) "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers."

"The glory of children is their fathers." What does this mean?

"Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a father who is evil, who is notorious for his terrible deeds? You, as the child, would feel the humiliation of it. There would be a residual shame where you, as the man's child, would be embarrassed to be related to him. You'd be tainted by his legacy. You might even consider changing your name so people would stop asking, 'You're not related to that guy, are you?' 

On the other hand, have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a father who is great, who is known for doing very good things? As his child, you would wear his name with pride. As a family member, you'd feel the thrill of being related to him. There would be a residual glory that would extend for many generations. You'd feel good when someone asked., 'Oh, are you related to that guy?' -Tim Challies

Be the man that you kids can be proud of and look up to and say "That's my dad!"

Honor your father 

Honor him with your presence, your words, your gifts, provide for their needs. Have some grace for your dad. Spend time with him. Ask him how you can honor him and love him better. 

Closing Scripture

Proverbs 23:22-25 (ESV) "Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice."

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV) "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."