“Living in the world, not of the world” - 1 Kings 18:1-18

1. Three ways of living in the world

   1. Ahab (Unfaithful Compromise)

      1. “There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. He acted very abominably in going after idols…” (1 Kings 21:25-26)

      2. “And Ahab said to Obadiah, ‘Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals.’” (1 Kings 18:5)

   2. Elijah (Uncompromising Faith)

      1. Elijah said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left…” (1 Kings 19:10)

   3. Obadiah (Faithful Presence)

      1. “And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly, and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.)” (1 Kings 18:3-4)

2. How can we live “in the world, but not of the world”?

   1. Integrity

      1. “Obadiah feared God greatly” (1 Kings 18:3)

      2. “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.” (1 Kings 18:15)

   2. Community

      1. “Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.” (1 Kings 18:3-4)

   3. Courage

      1. 17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” 18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father's house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals.” (1 Kings 18:17-18) 

      2. Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD” (1 Kings 18:22).