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Lesson 11 AND THE FALSE

Scriptures to Study  I John 4:4  I Kings 18:17-40  Colossians 1:9-17; 2:9-15

Central Truth The believer has a Greater One inside him than the evil forces that dwell in the world.

The Spoken Word “Ye are of , little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” I John 4:4

To the Teacher The world is very often intimidating to young believers. Hardened sinners and evil people sometimes seem to be stronger in presence that the believer. Yet, no matter how forceful an ungodly person may be, he is no match for the power of the in the believer who knows the truth of God’s Word.

Sometimes are portrayed as weak and inferior to those who are strong in occult powers. Movies and television programs often portray the - believing Christian as helpless when confronted with witches, sorcerers, or -empowered people.

The truth is, and all his legions are no match for the Christ who lives in us. He may growl and boast of great things, but still reigns supreme over the powers of darkness that He humiliated 2,000 years ago in His crucifixion and .

ILLUSTRATED SERMON Elijah and the False Prophets

Scriptures to Study: I John 4:4 . I Kings 18:17-40

Objects Needed: A small table or metal stand, a metal tray (cookie sheet tray), a calf made of plastic or from brown paper or newspaper and painted, rubbing alcohol, twelve small cups, a metal pan or trash can that will cover the bull on the tray, a fire extinguisher and a lighter or matches.

How to Prepare:

Please use extreme caution with this illustrated sermon because it involves the use of fire. Rehearse this object lesson in a safe area before you use it in front of the children.

With the bull on our metal tray, pour the twelve small cups of rubbing alcohol over the bull. Before you light it on fire, make sure that there is not a smoke detector that will go off, and/or a sprinkler that will off in your room. Double check that your pan or metal trash can that will extinguish the fire will indeed fit over the bull on the tray. Light the bull on fire and watch to see that the fire does not get out of control. Extinguish the fire and let the pans cool down before you touch them again.

Please be careful when you use this illustrated sermon so that the children will never get close to the fire, and/or the hot pans and trays after the fire is completely out.

Message: I. Elijah was raised up by God to turn away from false religions.

A. There are many religions in the world. 1. False religions do not set people free from their sins. 2. False religions lead people into greater bondage, since they think that they are all right with God because of their religion.

B. The children of Israel turned away from God and began to worship Baal. 1. Baal was worshiped through idols. 2. God will not be worshiped through idols or images (Exodus 20:4).

C. The children of Israel forgot all of the good things God had done for them. 1. God, not Baal, gave his son , making possible Israel’s very existence. 2. God, not Baal, delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian slavery. 3. God, not Baal, fed the children of Israel with manna in the wilderness for 40 years. 4. God, not Baal, helped and the children of Israel to conquer the giants of the Land of . 5. God, not Baal, helped to beat and set Israel free from their Philistine masters.

II. The children of Israel worshiped Baal because of the influence of the wicked King and Queen, and .

A. Jezebel was the daughter of a pagan king who married Ahab, the Israelite King. 1. She brought her false religion with her. 2. This is what happens when God’s people violate the scriptures (II Corinthians 6:14).

B. Ahab and Jezebel led the majority of the into this false religion. 1. The majority is not always right. 2. Don’t let a crowd pressure you to do wrong.

C. Elijah the preached against Baal worship and made Jezebel angry. 1. She wanted to kill Elijah, but God protected him. 2. Elijah had power from God to stop the for three years to punish Israel for its sins.

D. The lack of rain brought a terrible famine to Israel, but the people still did not repent.

III. Elijah humiliated the prophets of Baal in a bizarre contest.

A. Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest on . (Bring out the table and the metal tray with the bull on it.) 1. More than 800 false prophets came. 2. Many of the people of Israel came to watch. 3. The contest was to see which prophets – the prophets of God or the prophets of Baal – could call down fire from Heaven.

B. The prophets of Baal took the first turn, but could not succeed in calling fire from Heaven. 1. They prayed most of the day. 2. They cut themselves with stones. 3. Elijah made fun of them.

C. When Elijah’s turn came, he poured twelve barrels of water on his . (Pour twelve small cups of rubbing alcohol onto the bull. Use the smallest cups available, and do not fill them up all the way.) 1. The sacrificial calf was soaked with water. 2. There was even water in the trench around the .

D. Elijah prayed, and fire came down form heaven, consuming the sacrifice. (Pray as Elijah prayed, and with a lighter, light the bull on fire. Please be careful around the fire and do not let it burn too long. Extinguish the fire.) 1. All Israel knew that God was real and that Baal was powerless against Him (I John 4:4). 2. Elijah challenged the Israelites to execute the evil who had lied to them.

Closing: Our God is a God of power and demonstration. He shows us that He can save, heal, and deliver like no other god.