Did you know the creator of Dungeons & Dragons, Gary Gygax, wrote about finding Jesus Christ just one month before he passed away? In this opening message of our October series, Pastor Cyle kicks things off with that surprising story before diving into a lesser-known — but gripping — passage from 1 Kings 22.

Set in 853 BC, Israel is split into two kingdoms. King Ahab wants to reclaim the city of Ramoth-Gilead from Syria, and he's got 400 prophets telling him exactly what he wants to hear: "Go for it. God's with you." But there's one prophet — Micaiah — who dares to tell the truth. The one guy Ahab can't stand, because he never says what Ahab wants him to say.

This message unpacks what happens when we surround ourselves with yes-men instead of truth-tellers, when we try to disguise our disobedience as following God, and why obedience — even when it's hard — is always the right answer.

Key scripture: 1 Kings 22 

Themes: Obedience, truth-tellers vs. yes-men, hiding from God, living a life of integrity

Whether you grew up in a church that banned card games or you've never heard of Micaiah, this message is a challenge: stop asking God to approve the life you've already decided to live, and start living the life He's calling you to.