1 Kings 16:29-30 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 twenty-two years. Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him. 

Jeroboam Nadab Baasha Elah Zimri Tibni Omri

1 Kings 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. 

1. When sin becomes trivial, the slow fade picks up speed.

1 Kings 16:32-33 He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him.

1. When sin becomes trivial, the slow fade picks up speed. 2. Idolatry and immorality are the twin sins in scripture that always track together.

1 Kings 16:34a In Ahab’s time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho.

2. Idolatry and immorality are the twin sins in scripture that always track together. 3. Everyone needs monuments of grace in their lives. 

1 Kings 16:34b 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.

3. Everyone needs monuments of grace in their lives.  4. When I make up my own rules as I go along, the people I love will suffer.

1 Kings 17:1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”

4. When I make up my own rules as I go along, the people I love will suffer. 5. When I take a stand with my life that says “God is in charge”, life can get very confusing.

James 5:17 Elijah was a human being just like us.

Pray or… a. Whine b. Worry c. Withdraw d. Work e. Wish

5. When I take a stand with my life that says “God is in charge”, life can get very confusing. 6. People who pray with prayer look tougher than they are for a reason. They drop His name.