Chapel and Conference
Messages

Dr. Dan Brown speaks to the students about how fear causes us to miss out on ministry. He tells the story of the 100 prophets of God that lived in fear and Elijah’s courage to stand up against 450 prophets of Baal. Dr. Dan shows how fear can make someone miss out on many opportunities to see how God works. Elijah worked in defiance against the prophets of Baal, but 100 prophets who were hiding in fear missed out.

Scripture Text

1 Kings 18-19

Main Points or Ideas

1. A Dark Day (1 Kings 16:29-33)

• Ahab did more evil than all kings before him, marrying Jezebel and building a temple to Baal in Samaria
• Apostasy was abounding everywhere with hard times for everyone
• Jezebel was on a rampage killing the prophets of the Lord

2. A Daring Prophet (1 Kings 18:1-2)

• God sent Elijah to confront Ahab after three years of drought and judgment
• Elijah was larger than life, a tremendous man of God who didn't even experience death but was taken to heaven
• He had courage to stand against the wicked, apostate king

3. A Delinquent Steward (1 Kings 18:3-13)

• Obadiah was a high-ranking government official who feared the Lord greatly and had hidden one hundred prophets in caves
• He was a ”stealth believer” hiding in plain sight, afraid to reveal his faith to Ahab and Jezebel
• Though he had not bent his knee to Baal, he lived in fear of man, which paralyzed his ministry
• His fear was contagious and kept one hundred prophets safe but ineffective in caves

4. A Damp Cave – Six Ministry Opportunities the Prophets Missed

• They missed the confrontation with Ahab (18:17-18) where Elijah boldly accused the king
• They missed the opportunity to stand with Elijah before all Israel when he challenged the people to choose between God and Baal (18:19-21)
• They missed witnessing the contest with the idolaters and seeing fire come down from heaven (18:22-39)
• They missed participating in executing the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and rescuing Israel from apostasy (18:40)
• They missed the chance to encourage God's prophet when Elijah said three times ”I alone am left” (18:22; 19:10, 14)
• They missed the opportunity to potentially succeed Elijah when God had him select Elisha (19:19-21)

Conclusion

Ministry requires putting yourself at risk and stepping into uncomfortable situations where you may be outnumbered. Don't wait in the safety and comfort of training for some future time when ministry will be easier. Get out and serve the Lord today, finding ministry opportunities and putting yourself at risk for the sake of the gospel.