Baal

Intro. How many of you have ever thought much about Baal. Lot about him in the Old Testament. We’re going to find out some interesting thing.
A. The name means "master" or "owner" "possessor"
1. Sometimes used in reference to local gods _ Baal Hermon (Judges 3:3), Baal Tyre, etc.
2. Multiplicity of gods – "Baalim" plural
3. The word is even used in reference to Jehovah God as the "Master."
a. Gideon also called – Jerubaal (Judges 7:1)
b. Names found in geneologies of Jews (Eshbaal, MeribBaal 1 Chron. 8:33,34)
c. probably not meant to refer to Idols but to Jehovah as Lord.
d. later the name came to refer almost exclusively to the prominent idol.

B. Most important usage is in reference to the Caananite God that supposedly controlled the rain and fertility.
1. Worship of this specific god was especially promoted by Jezabel and Ahab.

C. Other Caananite gods were "El," the original head of the pantheon (group of gods) and his companion Ashtera (Judges 3:7)

D. At the time of the judges 1200 years before Christ, Baal was replacing ‘El" as the principal god.

E. Baal was son of Dagon, prominent god of the Philistines, perhaps god of vegetation and grain.

F. Worship of Baal became so depraved that it included
1. Prostitution – Jeremiah 7:9
2. Burning of children as a sacrifice to Baal – Jeremiah 19:5

G. Want to divide lesson into two parts:
1. Why such a danger to Jews? And, how can similar concepts affect us ?
2. How cam we combat it?

I. Why was Baal such a danger to the Isrealites? (1) they didn’t eradicate it, (2) mixed it in with their religion (3) They felt Jehovah to be irrelevant in their new land, and (4) The carnal seduction of Baal overpowered some.
A. Failure to erradicate the influence of Baal and other foreign gods, (Deut. 7:1-6)
1. The Israelites didn’t do this. Didn’t defeat them, tear down altars, smash sacred pillars
2. They felt comfortable in their own land in the midst of the idolaters,
a. When comfortable, why rock the boat?
b. God gave them the power to overcome the evil. Asked them to use that power
c. However, it's often easier to be comfortable. Why be concerned?
d. Results? the evil they left in their midst slowly began to influence them, control them, take them away from God.
2. God gives us the power to overcome and defeat evil today.
a. Often we’re like Israelites: Why concern ourselves? We feel comfortable in the midst of "idolatry."
b. The evil affects us, control us, takes us away from Godl

B. Compromise – Intermarriage, physical and spiritual
1. Possible excuses: Caananite women were "pretty," some had "money," maybe said, "we love each other."
a. Same excuses heard today.
2 . Many didn’t give themselves over to Baal worship, but allowed it to influence them in unhealthy ways
a. Elijan pointed this out in 1 Kings 18. –
3. 1 Kings 18:21 "How long will you falter between two opinions." NIV "indecisive."
a. language interesting
b. what was problem? Not.
i. giving themselves over to Baal
ii. completely forgetting Jehovah
c. But
i. compromising
ii. mixing two religions
iii. Favorite elements of both

C. Applications from above two points:
1. What are Baals of the 21st century?
a. materialism – making money, lottery, etc.
b. flesh and carnal attractions
i. questionable movies
ii. TV programs that promote fornication
iii. indecent dancing
iiii. revealing clothing
iiiii. Obsession with pop culture

2. Today spiritual Jews, Christians allow themselves to be contaminated in same way as their spiritual ancestors, the physical Jews.
a. We don’t eradicate such influences from our lives – movies, bad programs, worldly entertainment
i. tough, since all around us. I will not go to this type movie. Will not on TV.
b. instead, we compromise with it.
i. entertainment – I watch things I probably wouldn’t have watched 15-20 years ago.
ii. way some dress (Brittany Speers look) 4

3. They know Christ has a better way. However, modern Baal’s of carnality and materialism seduces them.
a. way they dress (Brittany Spears look)
b speech

4. worship styles
a In religious world see all around us compromise with entertainment – shows on stage,
i. rock music from world – emphasize beat, repetition
ii. compromise – Christian rock
iii "Christian" entertainment
iii. Everything must entertain or it's "Booooring!"
b. Don’t doubt sincerity of many, but in mixing God’s pure religion and worship with shallow,
entertainment culture of today, we’re compromising with Baal, just like ancient Israelites.

LOOK AT TWO MORE REASONS BAAL WORSHIP AND WORSHIP OF CAANANITE GODS SO DANGEROUS

D. Some Jews felt that Jehovah was God of the desert. In new land, needed God of that land.
1. Hear same type of thing today. "Christ’s teaching not relevant today."
a. "Bible is not relevant in 21st Century." Book is 2000 years old
b. Bishop Spong – teaching about women, that’s for 2000 years ago. Sexual purity, not to be
expected

E. Fleshly seductions of Baal evidently attracted Jews with little self control.
1. Fornication, illicit sex a big part of worship to Caananite idols.
2. They might have said, "This is fun." "Jehovah just gives us prohibitions. Don’t do this, don’t do that"

E. Summary
1. In the time of the kings, only 7000 (probably symbolic) formed the remnant that hadn’t yet bowed to Baal.
2. Prophets tried to beg people not to be seduced by Baal, to cleanse themselves from it’s influence.
a. They had some success. There were a few religious revivals
b. But gradually things went downhill. Jews weren’t cured of this type of idolatry till the 70 years of the Babylonian captivity.

II. How can we fight influence of Baal? Turn to 1 Kings 18, well known story. Elijah fought it in three ways (1) Competition (2) confession (3) expulsion
A. Competition – Good to compare what Jehovah’s true religion produces, and Baal (both ancient and modern) produces. Elijah was one true prophet of Jehovah. Against him 450 prophets of Baal. Same numerical disadvantage today.
1. The place - photo
2. The challenge – 1 Kings 18:23,24 Always good to compare before buying or judging
3. The style of the carnal competitors–
a. The prophets of Baal made a big scene, lot of noise 1 Kings 18:28, 29
b. today, worldly people make lots of noise – Have you seen MTV? Magazines at supermarket?
d. Elijah – filled his altar with water, the result?
-4. The results Verse 38
3. We can have competition today
a. Today – God won’t send literal fire, but he will change lives, give happiness, purpose, hope
b. Need to compare those who live for world, modern Baals, What kind of life produced? Happy,
orderly full of hope?
c. What kind of life does Jehovah God give today in comparison?
4. Look at the results! Galatians 5:19-21 vs. Galatians 5:22,23 (put in pwr point)
a. On one hand, confusion, emptiness, hell
b. On the other, peace, acceptance, eternal life.
NO CONTEST

B. Confession and Praise– Verse 39
1. Imagine the emotion and fear – If you had been there...
2. We need to do the same thing
a. When we see the great difference between serving modern Baals and God, we need to confess what is obvious – Jehovah is God!!!!
b. In our singing – O Lord my God....
c. Prayers – Often lists of wishes and complaints
3. The more we confess the obvious, the more we realize how great God is, and how empty and meaningless is Baal, our modern Baal’s.
4. We sing a song... "When the people praise God, things happen!"
a. happiness, growth, joy
b. When we’re a little bit too reserved, things tend to dry up.

C. Expulsion (verse 40)
1. There are some things that we need to cut off if we want to live
a. Illustration of man in Colorado, (Cut off his leg that was trapped under a boulder to save his life and get back to his truck before a snowstorm.) - Bill Jerackie
2. Today
a. Internet – can’t control – cut if off
b. cable TV
c. Brittany spears tops, throw ‘em out.
d. Anything that distracts you.

Concl.

A. Look at the image of Baal (powerpoint). How shallow! How could it have caused so much grief to God and His people?

B. 100 years from now, we’ll all be in the afterlife, with God or in punishement
1. We will analyze our lives.
2. We’ll ask, Why were those shallow things so attractive to me?

C. Oh that we’ll say that in heaven. If so, it will mean we didn’t allow Baal to overcome us.

D. Let’s stop now compromising with shallow Baal’s. Control TV better, make decisions not to see movies,
1. Repeat – Jehovah is God
2. Dedicate our lives to him.

E. Gospel is preached today in a shallow world of idolatry. Many have left shallow world to walk in newness of life. You can. Rom. 6:3,4

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					Back to home Back to sermon outlines Baal Intro. How many of you have ever thought much about Baal. Lot about him in the Old Testament. We’re going to find out some interesting thing. A. The name means "master" or "owner" "possessor" 1. Sometimes used in reference to local gods _ Baal Hermon (Judges 3:3), Baal Tyre, etc. 2. Multiplicity of gods – "Baalim" plural 3. The word is even used in reference to Jehovah God as the "Master." a. Gideon also called – Jerubaal (Judges 7:1) b. Names found in geneologies of Jews (Eshbaal, MeribBaal 1 Chron. 8:33,34) c. probably not meant to refer to Idols but to Jehovah as Lord. d. later the name came to refer almost exclusively to the prominent idol. B. Most important usage is in reference to the Caananite God that supposedly controlled the rain and fertility. 1. Worship of this specific god was especially promoted by Jezabel and Ahab. C. Other Caananite gods were "El," the original head of the pantheon (group of gods) and his companion Ashtera (Judges 3:7) D. At the time of the judges 1200 years before Christ, Baal was replacing ‘El" as the principal god. E. Baal was son of Dagon, prominent god of the Philistines, perhaps god of vegetation and grain. F. Worship of Baal became so depraved that it included 1. Prostitution – Jeremiah 7:9 2. Burning of children as a sacrifice to Baal – Jeremiah 19:5 G. Want to divide lesson into two parts: 1. Why such a danger to Jews? And, how can similar concepts affect us ? 2. How cam we combat it? I. Why was Baal such a danger to the Isrealites? (1) they didn’t eradicate it, (2) mixed it in with their religion (3) They felt Jehovah to be irrelevant in their new land, and (4) The carnal seduction of Baal overpowered some. A. Failure to erradicate the influence of Baal and other foreign gods, (Deut. 7:1-6) 1. The Israelites didn’t do this. Didn’t defeat them, tear down altars, smash sacred pillars 2. They felt comfortable in their own land in the midst of the idolaters, a. When comfortable, why rock the boat? b. God gave them the power to overcome the evil. Asked them to use that power c. However, it's often easier to be comfortable. Why be concerned? d. Results? the evil they left in their midst slowly began to influence them, control them, take them away from God. 2. God gives us the power to overcome and defeat evil today. a. Often we’re like Israelites: Why concern ourselves? We feel comfortable in the midst of "idolatry." b. The evil affects us, control us, takes us away from Godl B. Compromise – Intermarriage, physical and spiritual 1. Possible excuses: Caananite women were "pretty," some had "money," maybe said, "we love each other." a. Same excuses heard today. 2 . Many didn’t give themselves over to Baal worship, but allowed it to influence them in unhealthy ways a. Elijan pointed this out in 1 Kings 18. – 3. 1 Kings 18:21 "How long will you falter between two opinions." NIV "indecisive." a. language interesting b. what was problem? Not. i. giving themselves over to Baal ii. completely forgetting Jehovah c. But i. compromising ii. mixing two religions iii. Favorite elements of both C. Applications from above two points: 1. What are Baals of the 21st century? a. materialism – making money, lottery, etc. b. flesh and carnal attractions i. questionable movies ii. TV programs that promote fornication iii. indecent dancing iiii. revealing clothing iiiii. Obsession with pop culture 2. Today spiritual Jews, Christians allow themselves to be contaminated in same way as their spiritual ancestors, the physical Jews. a. We don’t eradicate such influences from our lives – movies, bad programs, worldly entertainment i. tough, since all around us. I will not go to this type movie. Will not on TV. b. instead, we compromise with it. i. entertainment – I watch things I probably wouldn’t have watched 15-20 years ago. ii. way some dress (Brittany Speers look) 4 3. They know Christ has a better way. However, modern Baal’s of carnality and materialism seduces them. a. way they dress (Brittany Spears look) b speech 4. worship styles a In religious world see all around us compromise with entertainment – shows on stage, i. rock music from world – emphasize beat, repetition ii. compromise – Christian rock iii "Christian" entertainment iii. Everything must entertain or it's "Booooring!" b. Don’t doubt sincerity of many, but in mixing God’s pure religion and worship with shallow, entertainment culture of today, we’re compromising with Baal, just like ancient Israelites. LOOK AT TWO MORE REASONS BAAL WORSHIP AND WORSHIP OF CAANANITE GODS SO DANGEROUS D. Some Jews felt that Jehovah was God of the desert. In new land, needed God of that land. 1. Hear same type of thing today. "Christ’s teaching not relevant today." a. "Bible is not relevant in 21st Century." Book is 2000 years old b. Bishop Spong – teaching about women, that’s for 2000 years ago. Sexual purity, not to be expected E. Fleshly seductions of Baal evidently attracted Jews with little self control. 1. Fornication, illicit sex a big part of worship to Caananite idols. 2. They might have said, "This is fun." "Jehovah just gives us prohibitions. Don’t do this, don’t do that" E. Summary 1. In the time of the kings, only 7000 (probably symbolic) formed the remnant that hadn’t yet bowed to Baal. 2. Prophets tried to beg people not to be seduced by Baal, to cleanse themselves from it’s influence. a. They had some success. There were a few religious revivals b. But gradually things went downhill. Jews weren’t cured of this type of idolatry till the 70 years of the Babylonian captivity. II. How can we fight influence of Baal? Turn to 1 Kings 18, well known story. Elijah fought it in three ways (1) Competition (2) confession (3) expulsion A. Competition – Good to compare what Jehovah’s true religion produces, and Baal (both ancient and modern) produces. Elijah was one true prophet of Jehovah. Against him 450 prophets of Baal. Same numerical disadvantage today. 1. The place - photo 2. The challenge – 1 Kings 18:23,24 Always good to compare before buying or judging 3. The style of the carnal competitors– a. The prophets of Baal made a big scene, lot of noise 1 Kings 18:28, 29 b. today, worldly people make lots of noise – Have you seen MTV? Magazines at supermarket? d. Elijah – filled his altar with water, the result? -4. The results Verse 38 3. We can have competition today a. Today – God won’t send literal fire, but he will change lives, give happiness, purpose, hope b. Need to compare those who live for world, modern Baals, What kind of life produced? Happy, orderly full of hope? c. What kind of life does Jehovah God give today in comparison? 4. Look at the results! Galatians 5:19-21 vs. Galatians 5:22,23 (put in pwr point) a. On one hand, confusion, emptiness, hell b. On the other, peace, acceptance, eternal life. NO CONTEST B. Confession and Praise– Verse 39 1. Imagine the emotion and fear – If you had been there... 2. We need to do the same thing a. When we see the great difference between serving modern Baals and God, we need to confess what is obvious – Jehovah is God!!!! b. In our singing – O Lord my God.... c. Prayers – Often lists of wishes and complaints 3. The more we confess the obvious, the more we realize how great God is, and how empty and meaningless is Baal, our modern Baal’s. 4. We sing a song... "When the people praise God, things happen!" a. happiness, growth, joy b. When we’re a little bit too reserved, things tend to dry up. C. Expulsion (verse 40) 1. There are some things that we need to cut off if we want to live a. Illustration of man in Colorado, (Cut off his leg that was trapped under a boulder to save his life and get back to his truck before a snowstorm.) - Bill Jerackie 2. Today a. Internet – can’t control – cut if off b. cable TV c. Brittany spears tops, throw ‘em out. d. Anything that distracts you. Concl. A. Look at the image of Baal (powerpoint). How shallow! How could it have caused so much grief to God and His people? B. 100 years from now, we’ll all be in the afterlife, with God or in punishement 1. We will analyze our lives. 2. We’ll ask, Why were those shallow things so attractive to me? C. Oh that we’ll say that in heaven. If so, it will mean we didn’t allow Baal to overcome us. D. Let’s stop now compromising with shallow Baal’s. Control TV better, make decisions not to see movies, 1. Repeat – Jehovah is God 2. Dedicate our lives to him. E. Gospel is preached today in a shallow world of idolatry. Many have left shallow world to walk in newness of life. You can. Rom. 6:3,4 Back to home Back to sermon outlines