September 21, 2025

Calling Out the Called

Week 5: The Call to Confront

Pastor Trevor Sudheimer | In Calling Out the Called

The Call to Confront

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.

Acts 4 8-13 NLT

We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

Acts 4:20 NLT

The Called Must Stand When Others Sit

  • Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him. Then Ahab went to meet Elijah. When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, the one ruining Israel?”  He replied, “I have not ruined Israel, but you and your father’s family have, because you have abandoned the Lord’s commands and followed the Baals. 1 Kings 18:16–18

  •  For am I now trying to persuade people, or God?  Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

The Called Call Others to Decide

  • Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions?  If the Lord is God, follow him. But if Baal, follow him.”  But the people didn’t answer him a word. 1 Kings 18:21

  • Do not be conformed to this age,  but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,  so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

The Called Put God on Display

  • Let two bulls be given to us. They are to choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord.  The God who answers with fire, he is God.” All the people answered, “That’s fine.” 1 Kings 18:23–24

  • Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.  Put on  the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10–11

The Called Endure Opposition and Ridicule

  • Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god but don’t light the fire.” So they took the bull that he gave them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “Baal, answer us! ” But there was no sound;  no one answered. Then they danced  around the altar they had made. At noon Elijah mocked them. He said, “Shout loudly, for he’s a god! Maybe he’s thinking it over; maybe he has wandered away;  or maybe he’s on the road. Perhaps he’s sleeping and will wake up! ”  They shouted loudly, and cut themselves  with knives and spears, according to their custom, until blood gushed over them. All afternoon they kept on raving until the offering of the evening sacrifice,  but there was no sound; no one answered, no one paid attention.  1 Kings 18:25–29

  • The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them,  but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1

The Called Pray Bold Prayers

  • At the time for offering the evening sacrifice, the prophet Elijah approached the altar and said, “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known  that you are God in Israel and I am your servant, and that at your word I have done all these things. Answer me, Lord! Answer me so that this people will know that you, the Lord, are God  and that you have turned their hearts back.” 1 Kings 18:36–37

  • For God has not given us a spirit of fear,  but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 2 Timothy 1:7

The Called Bring a Clarifying Result

  • Then the Lord’s fire fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell facedown  and said, “The Lord, he is God! The Lord, he is God!”  1 Kings 18:38–39