April 9, 2011
Kevin Miller
“The Truth Hurts”
1 Kings 22:1-40
(This story is repeated almost word for word in 2 Chronicles 18) Jehoshaphat wanted to know God’s will before he went to war. We need to inquire for God’s will for our lives. The prophets that Ahab and Jehoshaphat inquired with were Ahab’s “yes men” so of course they told him to go to war. But Jehoshaphat wasn’t fooled; he wanted a real prophet of the Lord. So they call on Micaiah who Ahab isn’t fond of.
1. The Temptation To Blend In VS 13-15
We’re called to be in the world but not of the world. Micaiah was being pressured to do what all the fake prophet were doing but Micaiah doesn’t give in; he stand for his faith, his God. The truth may not be pretty but it needs to be preached. How loving is it to know where someone’s going (to hell) but no say anything to correct them or help them.
2. The Rejection For Standing Up (or out) VS 8, 16-27
VS 8 – Although Micaiah is being bashed on, that says something for Micaiah. Ahab knew he was of the Lord, and he didn’t like the messages the Lord gave to Micaiah to give to the king. The whole purpose of the lying spirit that God allowed was so that Ahab would go out to battle and be killed (remember what God told him, through Elijah, a few chapters back).
Don’t take rejection personally; when people reject you, when you’re telling them about the Lord, they are really rejecting God. So the problem is between them and God.
3. The Reason For Speaking Truth VS 25, 28-40
The benefits outweigh the side effects. The benefits: taking a step of faith, letting God take care of it, God’s word never fails, etc. Micaiah tells Ahab that if they’d see each other again then he would be a liar. We need to speak the truth even when people don’t listen. –Mark 16:50- You can’t respond for them.
VS 34 shows how precise God is. This guy shot and arrow at random and it struck Ahab between his armor and killed him later that day. I don’t believe in coincidence. If our God wasn’t real many other things could have happened when they guy, for whatever reason shot his arrow. It might have bounced off his armor, it could have only hit him where his wound could have been treated, etc. But no God is in control and he always keeps his promises. He told Ahab he was going to die for his disobedience and He kept His word.
Like Micaiah, when spreading God’s word we need to think of it as an amazing opportunity instead of homework or letting the consequences of such hold us back. It’s not that He needs up around (screwing everything up anyway), He wants us there. Just like a little kid wanting to help, they don’t know what they are doing, but it’s enjoyable having them there and showing them something new. You can give them the littlest (and maybe a seemed worthless) job, but they love it and have so much joy because they were included.
Kevin’s story: He was putting together some chairs for their new dining room set and his little girl Emery, who I believe is 4, wanted to help him. He knew he could get it done much faster and easier on his own but he wanted her there. So he gave her the job of testing the chairs; sitting in them and making sure they were stable so that no one would fall out of them. He said that she loved helping him and was excited to help him test all the chairs. J
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