Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other. God’s Word heals and brings life. As we study the Elijah ministry, we see God calls us out of comfort and to bold faith, even when facing resistance. Elijah, John the Baptist, and Jesus all demonstrated courage to serve God alone. Their stories urge us to reject false masters and let God’s Spirit lead us, so our lives and praise point entirely to Him.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
Audio
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Scriptures used in this lesson:
Psalm 107:20 KJV, 1 John 4:4 KJV, Matthew 17:10-13 KJV, Luke 1:17 KJV, 1 Kings 17:1 KJV, 1 Kings 17:6-7 KJV, 1 Kings 18:19 KJV, 1 Kings 18:17 KJV, 1 Kings 18:7-8 KJV, Psalm 47:1 KJV, Psalm 33:1-3 KJV, Psalm 63:4 KJV, Psalm 149:3 KJV, Psalm 150:1-6 KJV, Matthew 6:10 KJV, Revelation 4:11 KJV, Revelation 13:8 KJV, 1 Corinthians 14:15 KJV, Matthew 6:24 KJV, Revelation 4:1 KJV, Psalm 22:3 KJV, Hebrews 12:6 KJV, Romans 11:22 KJV, Matthew 7:11 KJV, Proverbs 9:10 KJV, Romans 8:9 KJV, Hebrews 13:8 KJV, Ephesians 5:19 KJV, 1 Kings 18:21 KJV, Matthew 3:7 KJV, Matthew 23:13 KJV, Matthew 22:37-40 KJV, Psalm 24:1 KJV, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV,
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
The Power and Purpose of God’s Word
We’ll minister the Word, and the Word heals.
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. (Psalm 107:20 KJV)
So we’re gonna send the Word. Is that alright?
The Elijah Ministry—A Foundation
Let’s open our Bibles to Matthew chapter 17. I want to talk about the Elijah ministry. We’ve already shared one message on this, but today I feel led to bring a second word.
Yesterday, God began to deal with me about this passage. Early this morning, around four o’clock, I woke up. I started praying and seeking what the Lord wanted to say. It’s not exactly what I had planned, but I know it’s what He wants us to hear.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
I really sense that the enemy has been battling us. Just as we were about to enter a new spiritual place, we faced resistance. But remember—greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. We are still going forward.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4 KJV)
Jesus and the Coming of Elijah
We’ve been discussing the Elijah ministry. A few weeks ago, we explored it together. Today, I want to speak on it again. There is something in Elijah’s story that we need to understand.
Let’s read from Matthew 17:10-13. This passage follows Jesus’s transfiguration. As Jesus and his disciples came down from the mountain, the disciples asked why the scribes said Elijah must come first.
Jesus answered, “Elijah is coming.” But He also said, “Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him. They did whatever they wished to him. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer.” Then the disciples realized He was talking about John the Baptist.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. (Matthew 17:10-13 KJV)
Elijah’s coming was both past and future. There’s more here for us to see.
John the Baptist’s ministry was like Elijah’s. Some people wondered if John was actually Elijah. They asked him, “Are you Elijah?” John replied, “No.” He wasn’t Elijah himself, but he carried the spirit of Elijah.
Scripture makes this clear. In Luke chapter 1, verse 17, we read that John would be born and would have Elijah’s spirit. John came in that same spirit to prepare God’s people.
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (Luke 1:17 KJV)
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
The Church and the Spirit of Elijah
The Pharisees and scribes questioned John the Baptist. They asked whether he was the one they were expecting or Elijah himself. Elijah said no.
But Jesus said that John the Baptist was the Elijah to come. This means John carried the spirit of Elijah. John’s ministry fulfilled that prophecy.
Today, the spirit of Elijah will be poured out on the church. This is primarily for the last days. The church will carry out that Elijah ministry in these end times.
Lessons from Elijah’s Journey
Let’s look further at Elijah himself. In 1 Kings chapter 17, Elijah spoke to King Ahab. Ahab represented the government. Elijah declared it would not rain until he said so.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. (1 Kings 17:1 KJV)
After Elijah gave the word to Ahab, he left and was gone for three years. During that time, God sent him to a place called Cherith. This was Elijah’s first stop after leaving.
At Cherith, the ravens brought Elijah food every day. There was a brook nearby that provided water. In that place, God supplied everything Elijah needed. All his needs were taken care of while he was there.
And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening, and he drank of the brook. And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. (1 Kings 17:6-7 KJV)
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
When Comfort Dries Up
But then the ravens stopped coming, and the brook dried up. In life, we all face times like Cherith. There are seasons when everything is provided and life feels comfortable. God blesses us and meets our needs. But sometimes the blessings start to dry up, and things change.
When that happens, we might wonder why. God did not want Elijah to stay at Cherith forever. There was a widow and her son who needed Elijah more. If Elijah had remained at Cherith, they would have died. God doesn’t want us to get stuck in our comfort zones when someone else needs us.
Eventually, Elijah had to leave Cherith. He went to a place called Zarephath, in the region of Sidon. That area was also where Jezebel lived. Jezebel worshiped Baal and Astarte. She even supported hundreds of false prophets, feeding them at her table. In 1 Kings 18:19, Ahab brought all the prophets of Baal and Asherah together at Mount Carmel for a confrontation—450 prophets of Baal and 400 of Asherah, all supported by Jezebel.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table. (1 Kings 18:19 KJV)
False Systems and the Spirit of the Age
Jezebel’s prophets ate at her table. Their support came straight from the government, which made this a false system.
Let me explain what Baal, Astarte, and Molech stand for. Baal was the god of the earth and prosperity. In today’s terms, he is like mammon. Some people in the church still worship things and money, just like people did with Baal.
Astarte was the goddess of sex. Some in the church chase after sexual pleasure, just as people worshiped Astarte. Molech was the god to whom people sacrificed their children. The worship of Astarte led to unwanted pregnancies, and Molech represented abortion and irresponsible living. There are still those who sacrifice their values today.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
I want to point out something in 1 Kings 18:17. When Ahab saw Elijah, he asked, “Are you the one troubling Israel?”
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? (1 Kings 18:17 KJV)
Is it you, you troubler of Israel?
Standing for Truth and the Cost of Obedience
Elijah spoke the word of the Lord and stopped the rain for more than three years. Ahab accused Elijah of troubling Israel. People do the same today. When Charlie stands against abortion, some blame him for causing trouble. But he’s not the one causing problems. If there were no abortions, there would be no issue.
When you stand for the truth, you often have to defend yourself. It’s the same pattern. Elijah then visited the widow in Zarephath. He told her, “If you give me your last meal and oil, God will supply for you.” She trusted and obeyed, and her needs were met, even in the famine.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
The principle is simple. When you give to what God blesses, you will be blessed. That’s the promise of God’s Word. But supporting things tied to Baal, Astarte, or Molech will never bring God’s blessing.
Let’s connect this with Elijah’s time and our own. Elijah was sent during a generation that no longer believed in God’s power. Israel once saw miracles, but now they only remember old stories. Since they stopped believing, they turned instead to worship Baal, Astarte, and Molech.
Parallels in Our Day
I see a strong parallel between Elijah’s time and our own. Today, many people in the church do not believe in a God who still works in power. They talk about what God used to do—how He used to heal, provide, and baptize in the Holy Spirit. That’s what they are being taught now, just as it was in Israel during Elijah’s day.
Worship became only lip service. People went to the temple, praised God, then left and served idols like Baal, Astarte, and Molech. Sadly, we see the same thing among believers today. Some worship God with words but serve other things, like money and pleasure, or even ignore the fight for life.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
Jesus said, “He that is not with me is against me.” If you’re not standing for what God values, you’re on the wrong side.
Elijah’s ministry fits the days we are in. Like in his time, people do not expect God’s power. Instead, they get deception and spiritual dryness. In Jezebel’s land, they worshiped every false thing.
God is still the true master. He owns the earth and everything in it. The devil may run the world’s systems, but the earth belongs to the Lord.
In Elijah’s day, a drought lasted for years. There was no water, no dew, and nowhere for animals to graze. The people suffered because they had forgotten who their master was.
The Account of Obadiah
And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah? And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. (1 Kings 18:7-8 KJV)
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
Ahab gave Obadiah, his chief servant, instructions to look for water and grass for the animals. Obadiah feared the Lord and tried to live right. In many ways, he was like a present-day believer.
But fearing the Lord on the outside is not enough. Many today confess God, but do not really know who their master is. That was Obadiah’s problem, too.
While searching, Obadiah met Elijah. He bowed down, recognizing Elijah as a prophet. But Elijah told him, “Go tell your master Ahab that Elijah is here.” Obadiah said the words, but his actions showed he was still serving Ahab.
The truth is, many Christians say they belong to Jesus, but their lives don’t prove it. They confess faith, but go on living for money, comfort, or other things. If you serve things of the world, Jesus is not truly your Lord.
God is raising up people with the spirit of Elijah. They will confront the idols and false masters of this world and declare, “Elijah is here.” God wants us to know and serve Him for real—not just with words, but with our lives.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
A Divided Support
Obadiah claimed Elijah as his master, but his life proved he still served Ahab. He supported good things by hiding God’s prophets from Jezebel, but his loyalty was divided. Many Christians do the same—they help ministries, yet still serve something or someone else in their hearts.
In Israel’s past, people worshiped a God who “used to” do mighty things. He healed, worked miracles, judged nations, and sent angels. But over time, they traded that living faith for idols like Baal, Astarte, and Molech. Today, spiritual Israel falls into the same trap. We send our children to church, but often fail to teach them to worship, pray, and deeply know God.
Much of the church settles for routine praise. For many, worship is two hymns and a choir special, not the joyful, expressive praise God desires.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
The Bible says, “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.” (Psalm 47:1 KJV) This is true worship. If you clap your hands or praise God boldly in public, you’ll find most aren’t serving the same God you are. The scripture says, “Rejoice in the LORD… sing unto him a new song.” (Psalm 33:1-3 KJV) We are called to praise God with all our hearts, singing new songs from our spirit. That is true praise.
True Praise in the Church
Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. (Psalm 63:4 KJV)
The Bible says, “Let them praise his name in the dance; let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.” (Psalm 149:3 KJV) It also calls us to praise God in his sanctuary with every kind of instrument and with everything that has breath. (Psalm 150:1-6 KJV) This is the true picture of praise from scripture.
But too often, people settle for tradition in worship. They come to church, give an offering, sing two hymns, listen to a choir special, and then go through the motions. They do not teach their children to fear or praise God, to pray, or to study God’s word. Because of this, another generation is slipping away.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
We are at risk of losing this next generation. Many young people think it’s wrong to pray—even in public or at school—because of what they are told. They start to believe the church is just another rule or burden, not a place of joy.
Church as Celebration
Church should be the most exciting part of our week. Sunday should be something we look forward to the whole time. We should want to get up early because being together in God’s house is meant to be fun. We gather, praise, dance, and celebrate with each other and before the Lord. That’s what church is supposed to be—a real celebration.
He says thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10 KJV)
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
What are they doing in heaven? Are they celebrating in heaven? Worthy are you Lord.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11 KJV)
You were slain from the foundations of the world.
The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8 KJV)
Praising God With All We Are
God is worthy of all our praise and honor. He deserves all the glory we can give Him. We need to remind ourselves of that again and again.
Praising God is the most important thing we can do. As believers, we should show our whole community how joyful it is to serve Jesus. I want our children to enjoy church so much that they run and celebrate with tambourines, banners, and streamers, shouting, “Great is God!” That kind of joy should be typical for us.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
Recently, we were driving home from Griffin after hearing Pastor Randy Edler. He had spoken a word to Karen about her frustration and fear. On the way back, as we discussed her worries, she admitted she was frustrated that God had promised she would sing for Him, but she hadn’t done it yet.
Karen thought she needed to wait for God to move her at church before she could sing. I asked her, “Are you singing God’s songs at home?” She said no. I told her that if she started at home, it wouldn’t feel strange at church.
Our fellowship struggles to sing and rejoice freely in the Spirit because we don’t practice it in our homes. The Bible says,
I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. (1 Corinthians 14:15 KJV)
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
Singing in the Spirit is biblical. The more we worship and praise at home, the more natural it will be to do the same when we gather together. That’s how praise on earth can match the kind of praise happening in heaven.
Taking Praise Home
Why don’t we dance in church? The answer is simple—we don’t dance at home. We need to start practicing genuine praise in our homes. Then, when we come together, sharing joy and worship will feel natural.
We shouldn’t have to force ourselves to worship. We should look forward to sharing the good things God has done. This morning, the praise reports overflowed because people couldn’t wait to tell how good God was.
Church Should Be Joyful
When others see believers having real fun serving Jesus, it makes a powerful witness. Sadly, many people today think pleasure and fun are found outside the church. Some choose money or pleasure over God. The Bible says, “No man can serve two masters… Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24 KJV) Many think it’s better to chase sex and experiences, but they’re missing real joy.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
This shouldn’t be. Church should be the most joyful place on earth. Scripture says, “Come up hither,” calling us into heavenly praise. (Revelation 4:1 KJV) God wants us to taste that heavenly celebration.
He is still the God who inhabits the praises of His people. (Psalm 22:3 KJV) If we focus our minds on Him in worship, nothing else can distract us. Even spiritual darkness must leave when we truly praise Him.
When we truly praise the Lord, our minds are filled with Him. We can’t focus on temptation or negative things. When we worship, we rise above our struggles and move into the presence of God. That’s why praise is so critical. There’s power in worship. God still inhabits the praises of His people.
God’s Discipline—Love and Judgment
Our culture has taught children that God only forgives and never disciplines. But that’s not true according to the Word. The Bible says,
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Hebrews 12:6 KJV)
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
God’s love includes correction.
We often forget that God still judges both nations and individuals. Sometimes we act as if judgment was only for another time or another age. But Romans 11:22 reminds us,“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” (Romans 11:22 KJV) These warnings were written to God’s people.
I’m not trying to scare you—I want to be faithful to the Bible. If I step out of line, I believe God will correct me. I even ask Him to. A healthy fear of God is good for us.
Many modern churches avoid talking about judgment. They teach that God no longer deals firmly with His people. That’s not the message the Bible gives, and it’s not the truth our young people need. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He still loves, and He still corrects.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
Accountability, Covenant, and Praise
Young people, listen to me—God will hold you accountable. If I discipline my own children when they are wrong, how much more will our perfect Father correct us? The Bible says, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:11 KJV) That means He cares too much to let us get away with things forever.
You can’t get away with sin. You can’t hide in impurity or give God empty words. He will deal with you. Scripture reminds us, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10 KJV) Healthy respect for God is needed. We can’t keep crossing the line and expect no consequences. God still judges people and nations.
The Everlasting Covenant and Spirit
Let me step ahead to something meaningful. Are we still under the same covenant as the New Testament apostles and writers? Yes, we are. Do we have the same Spirit working among us? The Bible says, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV) So God’s power is still available.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
Is Jesus still the same Lord as before? “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8 KJV) That means if God healed, filled, and worked miracles in the past, He can do it now. He still wants us to have the same kind of praise as the early church—singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs from our hearts. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19 KJV)
God hasn’t changed. The Psalms are still valid for worship. So is every way He told us to praise—clapping, shouting, dancing, singing, speaking in tongues, and moving in the gifts of the Spirit. All these things remain authentic and alive for God’s people today.
Serving Two Masters—The Modern Struggle
Everything God commanded—praise, worship, spiritual gifts, all of it—remains valid today. Sadly, we’re seeing many people taught about a God who only worked in the past. Some think God is no longer active. That’s not true. God is alive and moving now.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
People have lost a sense of who their true master is. They go to church, sing a couple of hymns, hear the choir, listen to a short sermon, give an offering, and then leave to serve other gods. The same story played out in Elijah’s time. In 1 Kings 18:21, Elijah challenged the people:
How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. (1Kings 18:21 KJV)
They had no answer, because they had divided loyalties. That’s what’s happening today. People can’t choose between God and the world. Sometimes they want Jesus, sometimes mammon. Scripture says you can’t serve both. No man can serve two masters. (Matthew 6:24 KJV)
Today, spiritual Israel faces the same confusion and divided hearts. It’s time to decide who we are truly serving.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
A Word for Now—Prophetic Challenge
Let me share a personal story. When Steve and Karen were with me in Griffin, Steve received a prophetic word. Part of that word was about me being hard and demanding. At first, that was difficult for me to hear. But God uses all of us in different ways, and sometimes the truth is hard. God wants us to fulfill our calling, even if it stretches us or challenges others.
Commitment—Choosing Your God
After the prophecy, Steve’s word for me was repeated—I was called hard and demanding. That made me think. When we prayed this morning, I asked Ted, “Am I hard and demanding?” He said yes. I don’t want to be harsh, but sometimes the truth must be spoken clearly, as it was to me.
If Baal is your god, serve him. If sex is your god, then give yourself to it. But don’t stay stuck between two choices. If God is your God, then give Him everything. Let’s stop wavering and start living with real commitment.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
Elijah was hard and demanding. Are we returning to that kind of ministry? I’ve tried to soften this message. I’ve wanted to make it easy to accept, but I couldn’t. When I tried to preach what was not truly in me, I felt miserable.
John the Baptist wasn’t soft either. He rebuked the religious leaders, calling them a generation of vipers. (Matthew 3:7 KJV) Jesus was bold with truth. He called out hypocrisy, saying, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (Matthew 23:13 KJV)
Jesus summed up all of God’s commandments in two things: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV) When you truly know who your Master is, every part of your life falls into place. If God is your focus, everything else in life is ordered around Him.
The Influence of Your True God
If sex is your god, your life will revolve around it, and it will lead to destruction. The same is true for anything you put ahead of Jesus Christ. Once you identify your true master, your life will follow that path. But if God is your God, everything else in your life will find its proper place. That’s what I want you to understand today. I believe it’s time for us to celebrate who He is truly.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
This is a season to really know God as He is—not just as a God of the past, but as the living God today. If He truly is God to us, then we need to serve Him fully.
Let me speak frankly about what I see in our city. The real spirit holding people back here is not greed—it’s apathy. People don’t care deeply about the things of God. Many give Him only lip service. They waver between God and their own desires, whether it’s money or pleasure. We need to confront this apathy and grow in steadfast commitment to God and to each other.
Elijah was bold and direct in his day. Sometimes a word from God comes suddenly and powerfully, like Elijah jumping out from hiding. Today, I’m delivering a straightforward word, just as he did. The question is simple: If God is really God, then serve Him completely. If something else is your god, serve it—but recognize the consequences. Only serving the true God brings life.
All-In Commitment—A Call to Celebrate
This is just how I am—when I do something, I give it my all. When I went deer hunting, I gave myself completely. The same was true when I started fishing. When I became a Christian, I didn’t hold anything back. I gave myself totally to God, to Lafayette, and to this church. I’m all in for this.
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
I believe we are facing a moment that requires a true, personal decision. We need to realize God is not just a God of the past. He is the living God today. As Hebrews says,
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8 KJV)
God is calling us to a new level of commitment, beyond anything we’ve experienced. To reach this city, we have to go further than ever before. We’ve done well so far, but God isn’t finished. God owns the earth and everyone in it. (Psalm 24:1 KJV) He desires to reach the whole area through us.
He wants us to approach everything with thanksgiving, praise, and worship. This is His will for us: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV) If we worship fully, God will give us the land. Let’s celebrate what He’s doing—now is the time!
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
Who is Your Master? How to Serve God and No Other
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