Hated For Telling It Like It Is

Hated For Telling It Like It Is

I Kings 22:1

We have seen many changes in the way that the Bible believing Christians are perceived by our communities. Some perceive us as being radical cultists, while others consider us poor ignorant fools for believing the Word of God. For the most part we are considered to be out of touch with reality, because we believe that the message of God's Word is relevant for today. This isn't really all that new.

The world doesn't like our message any more than it did the message of the prophets of old. Turn with me to our text where we are introduced to a man who was hated for telling it like it is!

I. The Circumstance

A. Jehoshaphat paid a royal visit to Ahab. v1-2

1. He was godly - Ahab was wicked, sinful, ungodly.

2. He went down (Geographically, Politically, Spiritually).

3. The reformer of Judah visited the corrupter of Israel.

B. Jehoshaphat yielded to pressure. v3-4

1. Ahab said, "You know Ramoth-gilead really sins."

2. Will you go with me to war against Syria?

3. Jehoshaphat compromised - He almost had to.

a. He had accepted Ahab's favors.

b. He had dined at his table.

4. He said, "I am as thou are, my people as thy people. "

a. I wish he had not said that.

b. How can a godly man be as an ungodly.

c. God said that Christians should be different.

(2 Cor 6:14b) "…for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"

C. Jehoshaphat was convicted. (Let's inquire of the Lord). v5-6

1. Ahab called 400 prophets.

2. Ahab said, "Shall we go up or shall we forbear?"

3. They replied, V. 6b.

D. Jehoshaphat got suspicious. v7-8

1. He knew that 400 men could never agree on anything.

2. He wasn't used to that kind of preaching.

3. The voice of majority is not always voice of God.

4. He asked for a true Prophet. v7

5. Ahab said, "Yes, One, Micaiah, but I hate him. v8 'He tells it like it is'

E. Jehoshaphat wanted to hear Micaiah. v9-14

1. Ahab sent an officer to try to persuade Micaiah. v13

2. Let thy word be as the 400 (Tune your fiddle to the orchestra.).

3. Micaiah said, "…What the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak.

a. There will be no alterations or additions.

b. He would not compromise the message.

c. He would deliver God's message as it was regardless of the consequences.

(Prov 29:25) "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."

5. Micaiah arrived at the gate of the city.

a. The two kings - 400 preachers awaiting.

b. The 400 were looking at the king, but Micaiah is looking toward the King of Kings.

6. Ahab asks, "Shall we go up or forbear?" v15-17 [5]

a. Micaiah stung him with sarcasm. (Sure, go up)…Ahab knew he wasn't serious.

b. So Micaiah spoke seriously and predicted Ahab's defeat.

c. Ahab becomes angry. v18

d. Micaiah explains his prophecy, and is thrown in jail for it. v19-28

II. The Criticism

A. Hated for telling it like it is about sin.

1. Man hates to be called a sinner.

a. I'm not too bad, (Don't drink, run around, etc.).

b. I was born in a Christian home, fine parents.

c. I don't really see any need of a Savior.

d. Example of the fellow who got upset over the biblical term drunkard…he had a disease.

2. What is the truth about man?

a. Born in sin.

b. Corrupt in his ways.

c. Evil in his. heart.

d. Man is totally depraved

B. Hated for telling, it like it is about salvation.

1. Because man is a sinner, he wants to help with salvation.

a. He tries by joining church, baptism, good works.

b. He tries by being moral and sincere.

2. The Bible teaches that salvation is by grace.

a. It is the unmerited favor of God-(No one deserves it).

b. It is not of ourselves. (we cannot contribute to it).

c. It is not of works. (It is the gift of God.)

(Titus 3:5) "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"

3. Salvation is through Jesus Christ.

(Acts 4:12) "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

a. Chaplain said to a wounded soldier, "You lost your arm for a great cause."

b. "No sir, I didn't lose it, I gave it!"

c. Jesus did not lose his life but He gave it that you and I might have life