God’s Instrument (Jehoiada)
Text: II Chronicles 23, 24 (key verse: 24:2; also 23:1-3, 16) (NASB)
Intro: à This was where the idea for this sermon series began for me (as I read through II Chron. last year).
à Now entering unfamiliar territory for many people. Even though they may be “forgotten” in some ways, Enoch, Caleb, Phinehas, and Asa are more well-known that today’s subject.
à Today we’ll learn who Jehoiada was and that he has a lot to teach us about being God’s servants.
Thesis: Jehoiada
serves us as a model of someone used of God.
A. Quick background: from after King Asa to Queen Athaliah (II Chronicles 17-22)
B. A retelling of Jehoiada’s life (and the post-script, Joash’s downfall) (II Chronicles 22:11 – 24: 27)
II. We can glean several lessons about being God’s instruments
from the life of Jehoiada.
A.
The 1st lesson is Jehoiada’s worldview
(ch. 23)
1. Jehoiada = God knows
2. Jehoiada took seriously God’s promise that David would have an heir on the throne.
3. He made God’s agenda his agenda (as opposed to working against God or trying to convince God to see things his way).
4. Application: Do we adopt God’s plan; is our worldview firmly rooted in the knowledge of God’s wisdom and sovereignty?
B.
The 2nd lesson is Jehoiada’s bravery in
hiding Joash (22:11-23:3)
1. He was risking his life to harbor Athaliah’s enemy
2. Since the earliest times (Abel), it has been a dangerous business to follow God in face of the opposition. Through the ages, many of God’s people have demonstrated bravery in following Him. (ex.: Brother Andrew)
3. Application: Are we willing to face danger in service of God?
C.
The 3rd lesson is Jehoiada’s stand against
evil (23:1-15)
1. He organized Joash’s coronation and led the overthrow of Athaliah.
2. God’s people have also been called on to confront evil.
3. Examples Zechariah, son of Jehoiada; St. Patrick
4. Application: Will we stand against evil, or are we content to sit back and watch?
D.
The 4th lesson is Jehoiada’s priorities
(23:16-21)
1. His first task under Joash’s reign was to reform the land.
2. We don’t find his prayers or godly statements in the Bible, but we do see that his top priorities were the king’s and the nation’s holiness and a right relationship with God.
3. The first thing to go was the temple of Baal (along with killing the priest of Baal).
4. Example of priorities: Eric Liddell (Scottish athlete & missionary)—people said he was wasting his “God-given talent” of running by being a missionary. But his priorities were different from theirs.
5. Application: we’re taught that we should get a good job, a comfortable home, and a good living situation, and then we can serve God or give to Him out of our excess. But will we line our priorities up with God’s?
E.
The 5th lesson is Jehoiada’s powerful positive
influence. (24:2; also 24:3-8, 15-19)
1. He was extremely influential to the king (a role model). “And Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest,” (24:2).
2. Evidently Joash had some right motive of heart beyond just making Jehoiada happy; he called him on the carpet when the priests were failing their duty (v. 6).
3. Joash demonstrates the need to surround oneself w/ positive influences. “Bad company corrupts good morals”—an adage that held true in his life (after Jehoiada’s death, he caved in to wicked advisors).
4. Jehoiada powerfully influenced the king in a positive way. Daniel positively influenced several emperors. Early Hawaiian missionaries positively influenced the kings and people when other Westerners were urging wild extravagance, waste, and other things detrimental to the kingdom.
5. Ex.- Finding God in the Lord of the Rings, by Kurt Bruner—Frodo surrounded himself with wise counselors who positively influenced Him. We ought to do the same.
6. Geoff Moore song “Go to the Moon”—so many Christians hide from the world, “afraid the world is rubbing off on us, when all this time I thought we should be rubbing off on them.”
7.
“At
this time of national crisis, there is nothing our nation needs more than the
positive influence of God's people. Ask God today to show you how your life can
be a positive influence for Christ. Ask Him to enable you to reach out to those
around you who are in need of love, compassion, and Spirit-filled hope.
Determine today to make a difference for Christ in someone's life.” –“Influencing Others,” Dale
Holloway (http://www.qsl.net/k4eq/influ.html)
8. Application: We must seek godly counsel for ourselves and be a positive influence on others.
F. The 6th lesson is the reward Jehoiada received at the end of his life. (24:15-16)
1. Jehoiada died and was buried with the kings. It was a great honor and tribute to all he had done for the nation.
2. Joash, on the other hand, was a king—and one who for so long was good—but he wasn’t buried among the kings, because he ended so badly.
3. Application: “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,” (Heb. 9:27). We may not get special recognition on earth after our deaths, but all of us will face the final reckoning of God. And there will be rewards and punishments. Christianity is much more than the promise of future reward, but that is certainly an important aspect.
Conclusion: Every Christian can and should be a willing
instrument of God.
What is your attitude toward God? What is your attitude toward the world around us? What is your response to the work God has placed before you? Are you allowing yourself to be used mightily of God, as Jehoiada did?
© 2003 by Jeffrey Westbrook
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