King Sized Lessons

Profile of A Weak King

Message Notes

Intro.
1. “Out of weakness were made strong” (Heb. 11:34, NKJV)
  1. We all have weaknesses. This verse talks about coming “out of weakness.” God can bring you out of any infirmity and weakness in your character. It also says, “were MADE strong.” When the Holy Spirit takes over your life, you are “made” strong, completely “re-made” by the power of God.
  2. This week, we will study “King Ahab.” He was a weak king and it made him a wicked king. His arch-nemesis was the prophet Elijah, who was the strongest, greatest prophet of the Old Testament. Their conflict on the battleground of history is EPIC. IT WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO BECOME A STRONG BELIEVER.
Text: 1 Kings 16: 30-33
1. A. “And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.”
2. “Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” (1 Kings 17:1).
3. Here, the conflict begins. Elijah is “strong in spirit.” He challenges Ahab and his god, Baal. Baal was the “god of rain.” Elijah said it would not rain or dew until he personally gave the word! Ahab gave no response.
4. Elijah hid in the desert and God fed him with ravens and a brook. Then, he moved to Sidon and God fed him with a widow whose oil and meal never dried up for 3 and 1/2 years.
5. We see the five WEAKNESSES of Ahab and the five strengths of Elijah, the prophet of the most High God.
The five weaknesses of Ahab
1. Weak in his DECISIONS:
  1. Ahab made decisions with his emotions—He married Jezebel! She was the high priestess of Baal worship in Sidon where her father was king.
    1. “He took for his wife Jezebel…” (1 Kings 16: 31)
  2. Strong leaders make their decisions with their convictions, not with their emotions. You should not marry an unbeliever even if they are handsome or she is gorgeous. You may be marrying an Ahab or a Jezebel!
  3. Ahab’s whole life was a failure as a king because of the partner he chose.
  4. Elijah did not follow his emotions in his decisions, he followed his spirit. God sent him to the king to announce the judgment on Baal, (the rain God) and he did not hesitate because of fear.
2. Weak in his PRINCIPLES
  1. The second weakness of king Ahab was that he was not able to follow his own principles (right and wrong). Jezebel was a strong person and she controlled her with her own agenda. Weak people are bullied into terrible mistakes by strong personalities.
  2. He tried to buy his next door neighbor (Naboth) vineyard or garden. He approached him about it and Naboth refused, saying that it would be against the law to sell his inheritance.\
  3. Jezebel saw he was depressed looking and said, “Are you not the king? I will take care of Naboth and get that vineyard for you.” He SHOULD HAVE SAID, “That’s just wrong. I would never sacrifice my integrity to get a few grapes!” She had Naboth killed in a mock trial.
  4. “There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited” (1 Kings 21:25).
    1. Drugs and alcohol are usually the result of a strong leader inciting you to “I dare you to try it…”).
    2. Sexual temptation usually comes from someone alluring tempting you into an affair. (The eye gate and the ear gate).
    3. People commit crimes over someone telling them they can “get rich” or “you will never get caught.”
  5. After he killed Naboth, Elijah confronted him in the same vineyard he had stolen. Strong leaders have PRINCIPLES they would never violate for a few dollars or vegetables or a few minutes of pleasure with someone’s spouse.
3. Weak in his RESPONSIBILITY:
  1. Another sign of his weakness was that Ahab blamed Elijah for all his bad choices instead of changing his behavior.
  2. Elijah rebuked Ahab for his Baal worship and declared that it would not rain until he gave the word. After 3.5 years, it had not rained! Then, Elijah went back to the palace and walked right in. Ahab said,
    1. “When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals” (1 Kings 18: 17-18).
  3. When Ahab had Naboth killed so he could buy his vineyard, God sent Elijah to meet him in the vineyard:
    1. “Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord.” (1 Kings 21;20). He did not admit his sin in murdering an innocent man but only blamed Elijah for being his enemy!
  4. We all make mistakes. Strong leaders also repent. If you make a mistake, take responsibility for it and make the changes necessary to correct it. Don’t blame others (Adam: “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” (Gen. 3: 12). God forgives failures the moment you own it and repent of it.
4. Weak in his EMOTIONS:
  1. Weak Christians internalize their anger— Pouting, moody, angry, spoiled, immature. Always have an “inner storm” on their face. When Naboth refused to let Ahab buy his vineyard, he displayed his emotional weakness in full effect!
  2. “But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food.” (1 Kings 21:3). He got his “binky” and pulled it over his head!
  3. Strong leaders control their anger and don’t have to get their own way to be happy in life. They are not “sullen and vexed” (like a two-year old) all the time.
5. Weak in his CONVICTIONS:
  1. He was “double-minded, double-hearted.” He tried to serve God and Baal at the same time. You can’t be married to two people at the same time! He jumped between two opinions, couldn’t make up his mind about his commitments. One day he was in and another day he was “out.” Elijah brought him and the 450 prophets of Baal to the top of Mt. Carmel:
  2. “And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21)
  3. “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.” (1 Cor. 10:21)
  4. Strong leaders choose who they will serve and do it with all their heart. They follow their convictions. Elijah challenged all 450 prophets of Baal to call down fire and then destroyed all of them.
  5. Joshua told Israel: “Choose this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Josh. 24: 15). LEAVE VERSE UP DURING INVITATION…
Invitation:
1. “Who will YOU serve?” Will you be an Ahab or an Elijah? How long will you limp between two opinions?
2. Will you make a solid, unemotional decision that you want to give your life, your heart, your decisions, your choices, your failures, your mistakes, give them ALL to Jesus?
3. Ahab blamed everyone else. God loves a sinner who genuinely repents and commits his life to Him.

King Sized Lessons

The ancient kings of the Old Testament can each teach us meaningful lessons and Biblical truths on topics like wisdom, faithfulness, repentance, and worship. Join us as we explore the life of one of these kings in our series King Sized Lessons.

12 Part Series

All the files in the included packages below have been stripped of dates and church branding. Feel free to adjust, change, or tweak as needed. Include your own church logo or swap out the photos.

Full package also available on Dropbox.

Assets & Files

Part 1: Insecurities Ruin Destinies

A study of the deep-seated insecurities that plagued King Saul, a man chosen by God to lead His people and how through his insecurities, we uncover timeless truths about the human condition for validation and significance, and why we need to find confidence in Christ alone.

Part 2: Have A Heart

Will you go against the grain of culture and step into what God has for you?

Part 3: Wisdom is the Way

In a world overflowing with information yet often starved of true wisdom, we find ourselves in dire need of guidance that cuts through the noise of confusion. Today's message focuses in on the importance of wisdom in our lives and takes a profound look at how King Solomon, one of the wisest figures in the Bible, sought and received wisdom from the Lord and how we can apply that same wisdom to our lives.

Part 4: Trust in the Lord

Our King Sized lesson today comes from “Hezekiah.” His name means to “become strong" or "trust in the Lord.” Hezekiah was a man who overcame his fears and learned to “jump” to the arms of the Lord. In today's message, let's learn to do the same!

Part 5: Beware of Division

Division has been a tool of the enemy since the early days of the church, seeking to weaken our collective witness and disrupt the work of God's Kingdom. Join us as we explore biblical insights from Rehoboam and Jeroboam on why we must guard ourselves against any form of division and embrace unity.

Part 6: The Perils of Pride

In this sermon titled "Perils of Pride," we explore the spiritual and practical dangers of pride and how it can destroy our lives and ultimately prevent us from hearing from God… we’ll also discover how to embrace humility and develop a heart aligned with God's will and discuss practical steps to overcome prideful tendencies.

Part 7: Strategies for Battle

In this powerful sermon, "Strategies for Battle," Pastor Wayne Brown dives deep into the reality of spiritual warfare and equips us with biblical strategies to stand firm against the forces of darkness.

Part 8: Profile of A Weak King

In this sermon, we will study "King Ahab." He was a weak king and it made him a wicked king. We also have weaknesses but if we allow the Holy Spirit to take over our lives, we can be made strong, completely "re-made" by the power of God to conquer any battle thrown our way!

Part 9: Successfully Breaking Free

This week we will take a look at King Josiah, who's father and grandfather did evil by erecting idol altars and worshipping Baal. But Josiah broke free from the paths of previous generations, and managed to turn himself and the entire nation around to the glory of God. Join us as we explore King Josiah's story and how it's the perfect manual to break free from the past.

Part 10: Zeal - The X-Factor

What does it mean to have ZEAL and why is it important in helping us move on from our past? Find out in this last installment of "King Sized Lessons"!