The Danger of Sitting on the Fence (1 Kings 18:17-24)

 

  1. Worldly trouble doesn’t mean God’s absence vv17-20
    • Who has caused Israel’s trouble? Who is Achan? Josh 6-7
    • ‘He controls His foes as truly as He does His friends.’ – A.W. Pink. Gen 50.20; Rom 8.28. God is good and in control.
  2. It is still a choice to say nothing at all v21
    • 2 Kings 6.16-17.
    • ‘It was as if they had a racing sandal on one foot and a ski boot on the other.’ – P.G. Ryken. Ex 32.26; Josh 24.14-15.
    • ‘Everywhere men are trying to win both the smile of the world and the “well done” of Christ.’ – F.B. Meyer
    • ‘God will not accept a divided heart: He will have all or none.’ – A.W. Pink
    • Matt 12.30; Rev 3.15; Mark 3.1-6
  3. The LORD always has the advantage vv22-24
    • 450 times 0 is still 0.” – P.G. Ryken
    • 2 Kings 16.3; 21.6 ‘passed through fire’
    • Lev 1.3; Ps 40.6; Hos 6.6; Heb 10.5-6
    • ‘The fire of God’s wrath must fall either on the guilty people or on a sacrificial substitute.’ – A.W. Pink