The Mount Carmel Experience
By Assistant Pastor Dr. Jaden Fitzpatrick | May 25, 2025
Turn to 1 Kings 18:36-39. And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel…Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice…And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God. Let’s pray: Father, thank You for this place of worship, a house of prayer. Touch those traveling or ill, and send a fresh move of Your Spirit. Help me preach with unction, bind distractions, and let us leave saying it was good to be in Your house. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In a favorite Old Testament story, Elijah confronts idolatry on Mount Carmel. Under King Ahab and Jezebel, Israel worshipped Baal, a false god of storms and fertility, requiring vile rituals. God sent Elijah to declare a three-and-a-half-year drought, then sustained him through ravens, a brook, and a widow’s miraculous provision. When Elijah challenged 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, he proposed a test: the God who answers by fire is the true God. Baal’s prophets failed, but Elijah’s prayer brought fire from heaven, consuming a soaked sacrifice and turning hearts to Jehovah. Pastor Fitzpatrick urges a modern Mount Carmel experience—revival through God’s fire—by repairing the altar, preparing the sacrifice, and declaring God the winner.
Repair the Altar
Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down (1 Kings 18:30). Altars, where God meets man, are vital for revival. Today’s churches often abandon altars, but they’re places of surrender, marriage, and dedication. Families crumble because we only pray at church, neglecting spiritual nurturing at home. Ask: Do you discuss Sunday school with your kids or help them memorize verses? Restore family altars. Restore purity—saving intimacy for marriage and guarding what we watch or say. Pastor Fitzpatrick shares waiting until marriage enriched his eight-year union, proving purity’s reward. Restore humility; God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Moses and Paul were humbled before God used them. Restore sanctity—living holy, as Be ye holy; for I am holy (1 Peter 1:16). Sin remains sin, unchanged by culture. Gossip and complacency don’t glorify God. Repair your altar for God’s fire to fall.
Prepare the Sacrifice
Elijah prepared the sacrifice, soaking it to ensure only God could ignite it (1 Kings 18:32-35). Unpreparedness hinders blessings. Pastor Fitzpatrick recalls a church praying for kids but lacking Sunday school space, asking, “If you pray for rain, put on boots!” Romans 12:1 urges, I beseech you…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Living holy isn’t optional; our bodies are God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:6-19-20). We prioritize work—arriving early, staying late—but rush church or skip practice. Prepare your heart and life as a sacrifice. If you seek God’s move, be ready: “Lord, my house is in order, my altar’s built; send the fire.” Don’t live carelessly, expecting blessings; align with God to receive His power.
Declare God the Winner
Elijah prayed, Let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel (1 Kings 18:36), seeking God’s victory, not his own. Pastors must focus on leading souls to heaven, not social media clout. Pastor Fitzpatrick shares a story of a stranger recognizing him as a pastor, leading to a conversion, showing our lives testify—positively or negatively. Declare God’s power by praying in faith, believing He rewards seekers (Hebrews 11:6). Don’t doubt after “amen.” Revival begins personally, as Gypsy Smith prayed in a chalk circle for God to revive him first. Draw your circle, kneel, and beg God to ignite your heart. When we’ve repaired, prepared, and declared, step back—let God work. “I’ve done my part; it’s Your turn.” Trust Him for a Mount Carmel experience, where His fire transforms lives.