Lesson 1: "Idolatry Comes in All Shapes and Sizes" I Sam. 8, I Kings 16:29-17:1
"As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve…" I Kings 17:1
A man who suddenly appeared
We know nothing about Elijah before I Kings 17:1
"Greatness by association" (Deut. 34:10, Mark 9:2-12)
Both had unusual communication with God, both were uniquely used by God to demonstrate his power with signs and miracles, both played a key role in Israel’s spiritual direction
Israel’s persistent failures
Saul, David, Solomon had their failures, then the kingdom was divided
Ahab and his flagrant idolatry (I Kings 16:30)
The "sins of Jeroboam" (I Kings 16:31)
He served in Solomon’s court (I Kings 11:28), but he was afraid if Hebrews kept going to Jerusalem to worship, they would eventually give their allegiance to Rehoboam (12:27). So, he developed his own religion to keep from losing power (12:28,31,32)
Ahab tried to replace God with Baal worship, and more (16:33)
Elijah’s Awesome Task
A powerful one-line, what an entrance! (17:1a)
Was this a specific message from God, or a step of strong faith? (nothing said about the word of the Lord, and see Deut. 28:23-24, James 5:17)
Elijah believed God, and served Him (17:1b)
Man-made gods are no gods at all
Paul had much to say about idolatry (Acts 19:26, Eph. 5:5)
Humanistic gods (Romans 1:23-25)
Celebrity worship
Cult leaders
Materialism
Sexual immorality
Work, family, pastor worship
What replaces God in our lives??
2 Principles
#1) We must make right choices (Joshua 24:14-15)
#2)
We must look carefully at how we live our lives (Gen. 28:10-23, 35:2)
For next week, read Daniel 3 & 6, and I Kings 17:4-6
