01/07/2020
Today's Study:
*The Under-fire*
(Kindly read through and leave your contributions and/or questions)
*Text:* 1 Kings 18:20-25:
_So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel._
_And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word._
_Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men._
_Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and *put no fire under*: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and *put no fire under*:_
_And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God._ _And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken._
_And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put *no fire under*._
*INTRODUCTION*
Whenever God initiates a covenant, with someone, He establishes an Altar, which symbolises a covenant place (Berith in Greek). To affirm that this altar of covenant and the sacrifice thereof is acceptable to God, He attests it by pouring out divine fire, right from heaven.
*Yours is to provide the sacrifice, His is to bring the Fire* 🔥
*2 Chronicles 7:1*
_Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house._
Today, technology has provided us with matches and lighters, and we do not expect God to do for us what we can do by ourselves.
Like Phineas, we have pirated the divine fire, unfortunately, we didn't copy-it-right.
I pray that someone will seek the consuming fire, and do away with the destructive, man-made Under-fire, and call upon God like Elijah; and the God that answers by fire will respond with that incorruptible flames of fire.
*Outline 1:* THE ALTAR
- An Altar is a meeting point between the physical and the spiritual.
- It's a place of interaction between the terrestrial and the celestial.
- A deliberation place for a man and his spiritual Ally.
- It is a spiritual embassy, where you are licensed to connect the spirit realm.
- Altars attract spirits, even God is the Spirit - 2Cor.3:17.
For an Altar to attract God, it will depend on the person who raised the Altar. David wanted to build God a house, but God said "David, I am sorry, I can't live in the house built with your hands" (2Chr.6:7-9), because of the wars and the blood in his hands(1Chro.28:3; 2Sam.7:1-13; 1Kgs.18:26&30)
Today, there are many altars, like the temple David would have built and God would not dwell there.
*Outline 2:* GOD ORDAINED VS. MAN ARRANGED
Altars ordained of God do not need human fire, do not accommodate strange fire.
*Leviticus 10:1-3:*
_And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not._
_And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD._
_Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace._
So, Elijah told them, *"put no fire under"* your altar, let us see wether it is God ordained, or man arranged?; Man made or God made.
If God has called you hold unto Him, do not try any *Under-fire*, it does not matter how long before you start to see result. Don't put any (strange) fire under your altar, stop jumping from one Prophet or Apostle etc, to the other. Let the fresh fire from above come and take over the altar.
Elijah said "for you are many" (1Kgs.18:25)
There are many Prophets and Pastors of Baal today, who use:
- Metaphysical power instead of supernatural power (Exo.7:10-13)
- Cunning enticement.
- Allurement through lust and vulgarity (2Pet.2:18)
- Stylish denial of the Lordship of Jesus, by liberalism and accepting that Jesus is one of the ways.
*Conclusion:*
*If we tarry we will carry*, if we wait He will rain; fan to flame the smouldering fire you have in you now.
Shalom!