At a time when the church has strategically stretched out its lines on structures of the flesh and it is exposed to tremendous harm what is it to do- We have made our allies with the stratagems of this world and now we are without the vital power we need and suffering loss. What do we need to do-

Elisha is arriving in Bethel after God had elevated him as head of His prophets in Israel. Elisha's first public act is to bring a blessing to the city of Jericho. He has healed the waters of that once cursed city and restoring a fruitful spring for the people and their crops. Now in Bethel he is greeted by a band of mocking, deriding young children. Following him along the way with a chant which includes an unflattering reference to Elisha's premature baldness. Elisha responds with a curse in the name of the Lord. The curse is answered immediately by two female bears who come out of the woods to maul 42 of these young lads. To understand this horrific event you must appreciate the moment in time that it happened- what preceded it and what will fall in after. You must also appreciate the overall ministry and message of Elisha to Israel. God is gracious but His grace is not weakness, nor a failure to judge.

A Religion of protest has broken open in America. We must see it for what it is. Recognize what lies at its root and answer it with an un-compromised gospel. This is our opportunity-

Consider where grace ends and judgment falls. Fire falls on the soldiers dispatched to bring Elijah to the King. But before that judgment falls there was grace. Then there was judgment and in the judgment there was grace and mercy still.

Here are the mistaken notions I think lie behind Elijah's complaint- -1st Elijah has over-estimated what God would do through his ministry. And then- 2nd Elijah has under-estimated what God has done through his ministry. Regardless we learn the way God with us in the way that God brings correction to Elijah.

Consider what brought defeat upon Elijah and then consider what God first did in dealing with Elijah's discouragement. We will see that we fail from our own weakness... but God is gentle and kind to us in our failures and his first concern is to minister to the weary and defeated.

Last week we learned we should pray from the foundation of Christ sacrifice, from the foundation of God's promises, with a passion for God's glory. Now Elijah prays and it is how he prays which will take note of today. That we should pray is with out question. What we have are lessons given to us so that we might learn the manner in which we should pray.

Taking a closer look at the prayer of Elijah. God could have simply told us that Elijah prayed, and God responded. Instead we have the prayer of Elijah recounted. The prayer is recounted here for our instruction. The fact is that we learn to pray as we listen to the prayers of others. Today we learn from the prayer of Elijah that drew down fire. And here we learn of the necessary foundation of prayer and the proper passions we must bring to this foundation.

What is the message God is revealing in sending fire from heaven to receive Elijah's offering- And when what the people needed so badly was rain, why send fire first-

The world is full of gods but there is only one true God. How shall be identify Him- is there a test by which we might know the true God- There is. It is a test of prayer, of sacrifice and of fire.