Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Kings 22:1-14

1 Kings 22 tells the story of a prophet with an unchanging message to a changing world. After receiving counsel from 400 pandering prophets, King Ahab and Jehoshaphat hear from Micaiah, a true prophet of God. And rather than saying what they wanted to hear, Micaiah proclaims, “...As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak” (v. 14).

There are five things we can learn from Micaiah’s bold response.

1. It is better to be divided by truth than to be united in error.
Devoted believer Jehoshaphat had made an unholy, political alliance with the wicked King Ahab. Unity is a wonderful thing; the Church is called to do everything we can to preserve unity. But it must only be unity in Christ, and Christ alone.
2. It is better to speak the truth that hurts and then heals than to tell a lie that comforts and then kills.
The 400 prophets before Micaiah lied to please the king, but Micaiah refused to be bought or intimidated. Adrian Rogers says, “Rough truth is better than polished falsehood.”
3. It is better to be hated for telling the truth than to be loved for telling a lie.
Sometimes, we assume those who tell us the truth are our enemies. King Ahab hated Micaiah; prophets and disciples all throughout Scripture faced persecution, including Jesus Himself. People of God will not be loved by this world.
4. It is better to stand alone with the truth than to be wrong with a multitude.
The King’s Council tried to soften Micaiah, begging him to agree with the other prophets. But he stood by his conviction from God. The majority is almost always wrong; men and women of God have always stood alone.
5. It is better to ultimately succeed with the truth than to temporarily succeed with a lie.
Eventually, Ahab’s rejection of the truth cost him his life. Micaiah’s dedication to the truth brought him to power. This world is in desperate need of the truth; we cannot be intimidated by momentary threats of failure. The truth of Jesus Christ will outlast every lie this world could tell.

Apply it to your life
Are you sharing the unchanging message of the Gospel in this changing world? Remember the words of Micaiah: “As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak."

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Ephesians 5:14

If we’re not careful, we may spend the prime time of our lives chasing the wrong goals. This is why we have to learn how to use and maximize our time for God’s glory. Ephesians 5:14-16 says, “Therefore He says: 'Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.' See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

We must begin to see time as an incredible opportunity, so we may know how to live wisely in evil days. Time is a provided and present opportunity; it is a gift from God that we dare not let pass by. Adrian Rogers says, “There are two days that can steal the joy from today: one is yesterday and the other is tomorrow.”

In Philippians 3:13-14, the Apostle Paul said, "...but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” We must forget the guilt, glory, grief, and grudges of the past.

Time is a precious opportunity; the art of living is spending time wisely. Psalm 90:12 says, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

We can organize our days according to four principles:

Prayer: it is the key that unlocks the door of the morning. Begin every day with prayer.

Priority: understanding the difference between urgent and important, we must prioritize accordingly.

Promptness: procrastination is a sin. We must cultivate the habit of instant obedience.

Power: this means we do God’s will in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, time is a passing opportunity. Adrian Rogers says, “Time is such a strange commodity; all you can do is use it or lose it.”

We will give an account for every passing day. Knowing this, we must cut ourselves loose from yesterday’s heartaches and failures and strain toward what’s ahead.

Apply it to your life

What do you intend to do with your day? Will you be a good steward of the time God has given you?

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 1:16-22

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Therefore, we know God is righteous, and there is no other way to Heaven except through Jesus. Romans 1:16-22 offers four factors to help us better understand this truth.

The Revelation Factor: all men have some light.

God created us to serve and know Him. There are two witnesses all people have; one is the outward, objective witness called creation. The other is the inward, subjective witness called conscience.

The Refusal Factor: light refused increases darkness.

Adrian Rogers says, “The opposite of truth is not error; it is sin.” When creation and conscience speak to us, and we continue to refuse God, we regress. We lose even the little light we have; our foolish hearts are darkened. Romans 1:18 says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." In this context, the word "suppress" means to resist the truth; not in error, but in unrighteousness. Because belief in God leads to an entire life change, unbelief is the baggage that comes with disobedience.

The Reception Factor: light obeyed increases light.

Romans 1:16-17 says, “...for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.” The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. When we receive and believe the truth, we will be given more truth. When we surrender our will, God will speak to us; we can begin by obeying Scripture we understand.

The Reckoning Factor: God will judge us by the light we’ve rejected.

Many of us are fortunate to have immediate, easy access to the Bible. God will hold us accountable for this, more so than the person who’s never heard. This should encourage us to take advantage of the light we’ve been given, lest we lose it.

Apply it to your life

All men have some light; light refused increases darkness, and light obeyed increases light. Men are judged according to the light that they have. Knowing what you know, take advantage of the Scriptures available to you, and share it with others.