1Kings Overview Part 6 - Be Not Like Ahab, But Be Living and Active

Last week we talked about one that has root and foundation. Using that to see everything, there is nothing that is impossible. Judah had such qualities. Judah looked as if it is smaller and less mighty. However, the temple and everything that was fixed up was from God. Everything that she had was for glorifying God. There is a purpose in us, and this is to go towards God’s purpose. Judah was 10 times smaller than Israel. Israel had priests, temple likeness, but God abandoned her. Israel had motives from men (not God). Therefore, no matter how zealous she was, it was walking the road of Jeroboam. If we look at the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, they were very weak as compared to the temple people of that age. Any slight incident would move their decisions. However, Jesus Christ trusted such people who had life, even if it is the smallest to start with. The greatest thing will come out from here. Our ideology must come out from God’s perspective. If we can make a judgment of what is God and His walk, we will have assurance. With assurance, we can then have joy. It does not mean that if you are successful or do great in studies, you will be happy. Successful people cannot afford to lose their success and are hence bound by it. Those with assurance have thoughts in their hearts knowing that God guarantees their steps. There are a lot of things that deceive us. We must be careful when those without foundation are living well, and those who have foundation are not that well. We must not be deceived that holding on to the 4 gospelizations to pray has no use. We must start with life. A robot can be built in 1 hour and everyone may love it. However, when it needs to add natural faith and expand from there, it is completely handicapped. This is the beauty of starting from life. If our thoughts and judgments have God’s foundation, this is called handsome and beautiful.

If our Christian living today does not have God’s revelation / word as the foundation such that we can go through His word at least once to format, how will we know that we are walking correctly and that God is pleased with us? Then we will be living and judging on feelings! This is the way of Jeroboam. Where there are times that there is an atmosphere of faith, they can speak about great faith. Where there are conflicts, they will just quarrel mightily. They change here and there. Have we restored the perspective that God never changes, such that as God’s beloved ones, what we have and met, are part of God’s plan? When we test and approve, we shall see that God will be pleased that we discover the things which we need to renew. Immediately we receive joy and power, and we can testify God. If we walk the way of Jeroboam, we will immediately be deceived whatever circumstances come in our way. I am deceived a lot of times in the past, and I research into these always. I want to fix up what is founded and not be changed. Whatever I read 1Kings, I conclude what will be successful and not successful. With the foundation of what David had grasped hold, I shall just grasp hold.

If we do not have foundation, we cannot be together. Man will have conflicts. How can man submit to each other? However, if we submit to God, it is easy. It is easy to manage the feelings and emotions on what to accept and reject if we submit to God.

1. Success

Tonight we can surely be successful. The only condition is that we grab hold of the foundation. God tells us what is absolutely successful. Finding one who can predict the future will only be on short term and we will need to find him again. Do we have such an assurance?

2. Failure

If we have no foundation, we can try and wait. Surely things that are no good will come along. Do we admire people because of their beautiful life or their sturdy career? In my eyes, such people are pitiful and have lost the meaning of life.

3. Two Kingdoms: Judah vs Israel

God used 2 kingdoms to emphasize success and failure. Judah inherited what came from Abraham, David, and Jesus Christ. Israel was like a model, copy or duplication. They had the likeness of worship, prayer, etc, but the likeness is empty inside and has no life. In BC 722, Israel was exterminated. In BC 586, Judah was exiled but not destroyed. God never predestined people to fail. Understand this correctly, or your understanding of predestination is wrong. God is a merciful God. He is righteous and of love. God was always warning but waiting. However, when the time is ripe, extermination must come.

4. Ahab: Jeroboam (path, purpose, method, plan)

The most evil king was Ahab. He was brave and fought battles well. He also sacrificed offerings. Why is it that God labeled him as the most evil king? This is because he walked the ways of Jeroboam. Without foundation, he could not do any good deeds. His serving was against God. If we live not being sure of today and tomorrow, our days are tiring and burdensome. Jesus Christ has supremacy in all things. The things I think of when I wake up, the topics I talk with my wife, and the things that happened in the day, and all my past all have God’s plan and use. Think now, or it will be gone with the wind. All of the following must be founded and built up from the foundation: how does God tell me to type emails, talk to people, teach my children, etc? We must think about this. If we must be experts in acquiring the perfect will of God of this age, we must dwell on this. Who is God? We must know that God Himself is perfect will. If God tells me to lose now, the perfect will is to lose. We must search for God’s perfect will to do things. If we do not live by the perfect will, we will want the best, the most ideal, the most beautiful, etc. No one has understood the perfect will of God because all have fallen. We do not be anxious or go busy into the servings and ministries in the church. The perfect will must be acquired first.

Passage Reading: 1Kings 16:29-34

1Kg. 16:29 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel for twenty-two years.

Asa was a good king.

1Kg. 16:30 Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him.

1Kg. 16:31 He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and

worship him.

Jezebel was the most vicious woman in the history of mankind. She was even worse than Express Wu Zetian and Empress Dowager Cixi.

1Kg. 16:32 He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria.

1Kg. 16:33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him.

1Kg. 16:34 In Ahab’s time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, in

accordance with the word of the LORD spoken by Joshua son of Nun.

Have we read the proclamation of Joshua because of the evil of Jericho? This is a representation of the era in Ahab’s days, where Israelites, including Ahab, were very ignorant on the prophecies of God’s word.

* Ahab’s hardness <Jeroboam: no root and no foundation>

1) Drought (Did not know reason) <=> Did not know God

Elijah foretold that there would be a drought. However, Ahab did not know and yet continue to find Elijah his whole life! He thought that Elijah caused the drought. Ahab should know that it came from God, and he should immediately come before God. If we encounter problems, we shall immediately find God, right? Many Christians nowadays continue to seek after pastors. This is the hardness of the heart.

Why is this so? The reason is that Ahab did not know God. Ahab was one who continually sought God, but never knew Him.

2) The Battle at Mount Carmel (Did not repent because he listened to Jezebel) <=> Did not know men

In this battle, 850 false prophets (the side where all Israelites stood with) fought against one prophet Elijah. When it was revealed who the true God was, Israel repented. However, the king did not repent but listened to Jezebel and wanted to kill Elijah. He should be clear straightaway and go back to God.

The reason is that Ahab did not know men. Ahab did not act like a man, too. If there are things that are wrong, we just renew. What we should do, we just do. Why did Ahab listen to Man and be pulled along by their opinions? Who is Man? Men are all weak! Ahab was continually being deceived by Man’s thoughts and intentions.

3) Let go of Ben-Hadad <=> Did not know the world

Ahab was so afraid when he had to go to war that he sent all his family members away. A prophet told him not to be afraid. He went to war and was victorious, but he let go of Ben-Hadad because of face issue. He continued to accumulate the wrath of God against him.

The reason for this is that Ahab did not know the world. When the world gave Ahab a little goodness, he immediately compromised God for the world.

4) Vineyard of “Naboth” <=> Did not know himself

Ahab was so greedy, and was frustrated because he could not get the vineyard. His wife killed Naboth for him.

Actually Ahab was so inferior at heart and he did not know himself. When he wanted the vineyard so much, he went out and cried. When he received what he wanted, he became happy.

5) Listened to false prophets <=> Religion vs Gospel

Ahab listened to false prophets and persecuted true prophets. Why do people choose the way of religion? This is because the word taught by religions is “nice and pleasing to the ears” and the numbers of their followers are bigger. Ahab said that prophet Micaiah never spoke any good things and therefore locked him up.

Chapter 22 talks a bit of heavenly kingdom mystery. Micaiah said that he saw the Lord and many angels coming to him. The Lord asked, “who will entice Ahab into war?” Why did God want to deceive people? The Lord will put a spirit to deceive people if they continue to harden. This is the total contrast of religion and gospel. How people know religion versus the gospel? People will determine whether they receive blessings or fall.

1) The life of Ahab

Do not know God = Do not know Jesus Christ

(1) Do not know: fundamental problem - deny self

If you do not know the fundamental problem, you will not know the state of your wife and your family, and you will continue to judge all things with only the mind and thoughts relating to the flesh. With such judgments, how will they come to believe or follow Jesus Christ? If you understand this, your prayers will get through. Why do you have problems today? If it is because of career or family problems, then you have not known the fundamental problem. If you know the fundamental problem, you will exclaim at the moment of discovery that your career or family problem is just a small problem, but the greatest problem is not being able to see God. Then you will be set free.

(2) Need Only Jesus Christ

We do not let Jesus Christ take hold of some things, but we will let Jesus Christ take supremacy of all things.

(3) The Start of New Creation

Do we judge things by our own old self?

Identity (Child of God)

Our identity is the child of God, therefore, all our perspectives (starting from who we are today: being the most honoured, etc) have all been transformed.

Purpose

With the newly created identity, we will have a newly created purpose.

Heart: Love people, love God

Many times, our heart’s first desire is to solve problems. If we have such a heart to shepherd those in church, we will immediately have problems. The first heart should be to love people. By loving people, we love God.

Perfect will

Method

In all things, we hear God’s word to do and speak.

Therefore, as Christians, we cannot be inflexible. The above brings out living, active and effective living for saints <Heb 4:12>. In the church, the movement that is based on this foundation will be living and effective. In our family, the eyes that we have in the family have love and concern because of seeing God’s purpose on each member. Slowly, we give to the family little by little because of the kind intentions of our hearts. There is definitely a purpose of God in the family. If we continue to see that God leads the family, we will not talk too much on rules and regulations in the family.

A few days ago, it was my wife’s birthday and our wedding anniversary. I planned some things for the day. That day, my auntie came to my place for bible study in the morning. My wife came back after half a day of work. However, my heart already had a slight feeling of no peace to continue with my plans. (You will grasp this when you want to follow God and be assured in all things.) Man plans everything and will want to follow everything through, but what are our plans before God? We went to the hospital to see Ruoqian, who just had an operation. That day, God allowed me to see that if man has some problems, they will fall and be required to lie on the bed in hospital. If man has no problems, he will plan his life and indulge in the world. This picture and message came to me from God. A while later, my mother called me and complained that we had to go back immediately because of our daughter’s cries arising from her sickness. When we went back, my mother’s face turned to become like the face of an angel, especially when she found out that she felt a bit sorry after having called me back so quickly without knowing that we actually went to buy some gifts for the child. At evening time, pastor Xueling called. After a whole day’s of tiredness, we slept without concluding or celebrating. The next day, when I woke up, I quickly concluded in prayer and discovered that God had given the best. It is not about celebrating or not, but when we have received the highest purpose, every day is a wedding anniversary! My wife has overcome this too. Having the highest purpose and the peace, joy and assurance in my heart to live each day, such a life and family becomes and is the most living and effective! We must grasp this and not be like youths, who take note of small little things or dates of remembrance, and be frustrated at not having satisfied their expectations on their loved ones. Therefore, in my family, there are no small things that we will be quarreling on.

How do we lead small groups? We must use living and effective ways to lead. If we cannot even do it, do not request members to submit. This is very important. If we know that given a situation whereby we definitely cannot fulfill, do not request our members to do so. Put their concerns in our hearts. Why is it that we lead without effect? If we do not think about their situations, our message will pressurize them and put them down. In the past, my wife led her small group but many did not come because of their weaknesses. Therefore, she became very discouraged. I called her over and told her to manage herself first and not be affected by surroundings. We just continue to love them and pray to God as our faithfulness in small things. As I lead the church, I discovered a secret not to fall into discouragement. There is no pastoring that is as difficult as Jesus’ pastoring. After going to the mountains and pray, Jesus went down and saw disciples quarreling among themselves on the issue on who the greatest was. I thought to myself why Jesus would not be discouraged, and I thought why He would not choose others, like Mary the Magdalene as his disciple. I discovered that it is because Jesus Christ has a foundation and wants to build this foundation in disciples. Therefore, one day, Peter, even though he fell, came up and preached, and 3000 were saved in that day. I see you all like this even when you cannot see now. I tell this to you so that you shall treat your small group members in the same way! Sometimes, when I tell you to go and pastor someone, I actually already know that you will fail. Sometimes, when one of our brothers or sisters has found a great new job, I will encouraged him/her. However, I already know that he will fail. However, the failures, the testing and approving amidst the setbacks will be an experience. One day, you will open your eyes and meet the true God. Therefore, I tell you, do not be dejected because of your family or job. If there is no foundation, people will be dejected. Those who belong to God will surely in all things wait, expect and hope!

I speak to you who are deacons of the church. Deacons are the disciples of the church. And I mean all who are officially anointed and the sisters who are coworkers with us are of deacons’ position. The greatest man is one who knows nothing but Jesus Christ. However, he has the wisdom in all things. He must go through the foundation above. Whatever message he speaks, it will be practical so that man will understand. The message is not talking about the greatness of Abraham, Moses or David, but God Himself.

2) Ahab’s method

Those who have foundation in life will follow the method mentioned above. Those who do not know God, himself, and the world, will depend on democracy and the crowd. However, because man is fallen, all interpersonal relationships are all comparisons and competition. Everything in the world is about votes. How can the pastor, who has touched life for 10 years, has one vote and the new believer, who does not know anything yet, has one vote? Some people say that the Holy Spirit will lead. I wonder where their Mathematics comes from. Sometimes the pastor shall have 100 votes. Sometimes, if there is no one who is Holy Spirit filled, the deacons will decide. From administration to the use of finance, it is wise to have accountability.

*Humanism

However, the method of the world like that of Ahab is not one that is God-driven, but humanism. It talks about charitable works and taking care of the society. If there is no foundation but is the church continues to talk about charity and respecting each other, slowly, the church will even invite a motivational speaker for interview in the Sunday worship. After this, slowly, Buddhists, Catholics, and all religions will come together to try to save the world together. Yet again after some time, Catholics, Buddhists, etc will say that man can also be saved. And theology will change so that they will say that Muslims can also be saved if Allah can be linked to Jehovah. This is the culture of “we are the world”, where the children and women represent the world. Christians who hold on to the bible then will be considered as very narrow-minded. Some people will think that we cannot go into China because our minds with our messages are too narrow-minded. However, my answer is, “if the people we speak to are Christians, they will surely love this message.” The very difficult struggles and conflicts are what we must go through. This is because Satan is very deceptive. If we are to battle against him, we must be bold and decide to battle. Why does Paul continue to pray and preach day and night? This is the very reason. Many times, it is difficult to differentiate between church and society. Have you heard of “Universal Salvation”/ “Universal Reconciliation”/ “Universalism”? There is no hell. Since God is love, how can God want us to go to hell? Every sin has been atoned by Jesus Christ and the consequences of sin in the life of the person. If this is so, we have no need to preach the gospel. The unity of religions is that the thoughts, methods, and principles are the same as that of the society. This is the greatest adultery! This is the road of Jeroboam and the faith of Jeroboam.

*Mysticism

“Lord, give me a sign! If I can receive $2000 in a month, I will serve the Lord fulltime!” “Lord, if the boss gives me permission to take annual leave to go for the camp, I will go!” This is the lowest grade of belief. Actually, everything has been spoken in the bible. In the first year, when “Standing firm on the promised ground” is the theme of the church, we built up the mainstream of the church. Everything from the Lord has ground. Sometimes, when our faith is small, God may let us pray and receive such answers. If we continue to pray like that after 20 to 30 years, we are drinking milk. But many preachers pray and speak like this, “Lord, give me a sign!” However, there will be no sign but the sign of Jonah.

We must be practical

Can anyone who comes into the church be a leader of 10? The life and commitment to the message can be seen clearly in our deacons, for that is how deacons are chosen. I am not agreeing with our Senior Minister’s ideas, but I agree with his words on the following because this comes from God. He says that educating women is very important, too. Brothers are important because they have to lead the families. They have to be decisive in spiritual matters, of course, with a measure of gentleness. For women, they are equally important. If they know their children are not taking the right path, they must be decisive, “No, this is the time to go to church for Sunday school.” We must be decisive and not look at other people and be easily influenced by other trends or opinions. What is the greatest fear of preachers? They fear that their church will be divided and many people will leave. Look at what happened to our previous church, and how this news spread to the whole of Singapore because of the fear of the church pastor and leaders. Of course, normal preachers should be concerned. However, if you are really chosen as God’s preacher who has life before God, if it is clear that when the church has to be divided, it should divide. There will be another ministry that God wants you to take care, which he must discover immediately. Moreover, preachers must pray in front of God why divisions occur. Preachers must have the depth of this vessel.

Deacons and coworkers, when you need to take care of the things of the church, you must consider with the whole group in your thoughts. Once when we were in our previous church premise, my wife told me that the cry room was really small and many mothers could not listen to the message. She therefore concluded that it was time for the church to move to a new premise. However, I asked her whether that was really the case because before the sermon ended, the mothers had already left the room to give food to children and a lot of other concerns seemed to have taken place instead of only just being chaotic in the room. “Is there no other wisdom where we can search for this?” Yes, we must find another premise quickly as the time will come. Yet another time, mothers gave some idea not to let a child be in the cry room after a certain age. However, I think about a lot of things, on how and when it can or cannot naturally take place. There is a reason if I do not immediately answer you when you give suggestions. If we do not consider well, feelings of unfairness, hurts, etc will come into the church because the church is in the spiritual realms of influence. Deacons must be like this, where their suggestions must have gone through careful thoughts, giving priority to the multitude. Deacon Stephen in the bible is like this, who considered all things. We do not want to solve matters first, but we shall think of things first.

We are to glorify the Lord, benefit people and build the kingdom. We are talking about methods here. For example, once, some cars at our shared car park downstairs blocked my car. In the beginning, I thanked the Lord because I got to know a lot of people in this building after searching the entire building to find out who the culprit was. However, I find that I cannot continue with this as time goes by. I must be stern on this matter. I also thought that if we are stern on the issue, would people not believe in Christ if they discover that this stern warning is from a pastor from the second floor? But I continued to be stern on this and not be in struggle because when I thought again, I know that people will not believe Christ even if we are not stern. Moreover, if people come and find us, we can tell them our principle.

In the company, we must do work. It is not correct that we use the time in the company to talk about even the things of the kingdom. For the employee of the middle management who knows this, he will acquire the respect from the people below and above. We have to have practical principle with foundation.

3) The purpose of Ahab

Our purpose is to leave everything (teachings and method) to our disciples. Consider here. We are to leave behind living teaching materials to them. These teaching materials are not about how to prepare messages to go and share to our group members, but the teaching materials that we bring to our members are live testimonies and messages that we experience that very recent week. Every opportunity is a good one. When problems or conflicts come, think of how to leave behind such living teaching materials to others. It is not a problem that things do not turn out well. However, if you are interested to leave behind such materials every time, you have done well.

Next week, we will look at the life of Elijah, which is very beautiful.

Taken from Discipleship Training on 18th May 2007, 1Kings Overview Part 6.