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I KINGS 18:21

Intro: Ahab's evil reign, Elijah's appearance & prophesy. Elijah's flight
       & second  meeting with Ahab. The challenge.

I. THE CROWDS AT MT. CARMEL.
        A. God's lone prophet.
        B. 450 priests of Baal 400 Asereth.
        C. The halting multitude ("between two opinions, undecided").
        D. Times & customs have changed but essentials remain. Three
           crowds today.
        1. The servants of God.
        2. Those dedicated to sin.
        3. The halting multitude.
                a. Seeking to curry the favor of the court.
                b. Far more damaging to community.

II. PROPHETS OF BAAL OFFER POINTS FOR ADMIRATION, SARCASM, ANGER,  PITY.
        A. Admiration.

1 Courage.. accepted challenge...all day they cried "O BaaI hear  us!"
zeal, earnestness, determination.
                2. Sarcasm . "Cry louder."

a. Where is your god in time of crisis?
b. You who make pleasure your God.
                                1. In hour of bereavement.
                                2. You who scorn Jesus Christ & sin
                                   against Him,  when your child dies why
                                   do you want His words  about
                                   resurrection to be uttered?
                3. Anger "willfulness of their folly".
                        a. God had revealed Himself amply.
                        b. They had known God, but turned to Baal.
                4. Pity... End of day exhausted, fainting, lost. I feel
                   great pity for sinner  today.
                        a. They put the passion of their lives to that
                           which destroys  them.
                        b. To serve sin so unrewarding, so empty, so
                           damning.

III. THE PROPHET OF GOD.
        A. Boldness.
                1. If we speak of daring of prophets of Baal.
                2. Put water over sacrifice.
        B. Calmness & strength.
                1. "I have done all these things at thy Word."
        C. Results of following God's Word.
                1. "The fire of the Lord fell."

IV. HALTING MULTITUDE "HOW LONG HALT YE?"
        A. "If the Lord be God, follow Him."
                1. These people intellectually accepted existence of God.

a. Yet they failed to follow or submit.
b. Such opposition totally inconsistent "When they knew God  they
   glorified Him not as God."
c. They say that God is all powerful, yet will not trust Him.
d. They say that God's presence everywhere, yet do things  that if even
   the minister were they would ask an apology.
e. They say that God is all knowing yet they refuse to follow.
        How long halt ye?