Preserving God's Promises: The Power of Gratitude
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound narrative found in 2 Chronicles, focusing on the lineage of King David and the spiritual battles that ensued to preserve it. This story is not just about the historical events of murder, betrayal, and idolatry, but it is a vivid illustration of the spiritual warfare that seeks to destroy God's promises. We delved into the lives of key figures like King Jehoshaphat, a righteous leader, and contrasted them with the wickedness of Ahab and Jezebel, and their daughter Athaliah, who sought to annihilate the Davidic line.
The narrative highlights the importance of godly influence and the dangers of forgetting the kindness and faithfulness of those who have nurtured and guided us. Joash, who was saved and raised by Jehoiada and Jehoshabath, eventually turned away from their teachings after their deaths, leading to his downfall. This serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of ingratitude and the importance of remembering and honoring the kindnesses shown to us.
We also discussed the spiritual principle that God's kindness is meant to lead us to repentance, not to be taken for granted. The story of Joash is a reminder that when we forget the kindness and sacrifices of others, we risk hardening our hearts and falling into sin. This is a call to cultivate gratitude, recognizing the blessings and guidance we have received, and allowing that gratitude to draw us closer to God.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Godly Influence: The story of Joash illustrates the critical role of godly mentors in shaping our spiritual journey. Jehoiada and Jehoshabath's influence kept Joash on a righteous path, but once they were gone, he faltered. This reminds us to cherish and heed the wisdom of those who guide us in faith. [34:20]
2. The Dangers of Ingratitude: Joash's downfall began with his ingratitude towards the kindness and sacrifices of Jehoiada and Jehoshabath. Ingratitude can lead to a hardened heart, making us susceptible to sin and poor decisions. We must actively remember and appreciate the kindnesses shown to us. [57:34]
3. God's Kindness Leads to Repentance: God's kindness is not a license to sin but an invitation to repentance. It is meant to draw us closer to Him, prompting us to turn away from sin and towards a life of righteousness. Recognizing this can transform our relationship with God. [01:07:00]
4. The Consequences of Forgetting God's Promises: The narrative underscores the spiritual battle to preserve God's promises. Joash's story is a reminder that forgetting God's promises and the spiritual heritage we inherit can lead to spiritual decay and destruction. [01:09:24]
5. Gratitude as a Spiritual Practice: Practicing gratitude can change our lives and relationships. It opens our hearts to God's presence and aligns us with His will. By focusing on gratitude, we can overcome negativity and foster a deeper connection with God and others. [01:11:14]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[34:20] - Introduction to the Kingdoms
[36:36] - The Wickedness of Jehoram
[38:15] - Athaliah's Influence
[40:25] - The Rise of Ahaziah
[42:43] - The Wicked Counsel
[44:24] - Athaliah's Rampage
[46:13] - The Rescue of Joash
[48:56] - The Conspiracy Against Athaliah
[53:09] - Joash's Downfall
[54:42] - The Influence of Ungodly Counsel
[57:34] - The Martyrdom of Zechariah
[01:00:53] - The Monstrous Ingratitude
[01:07:00] - God's Kindness and Repentance
[01:09:24] - Sinning Against Love
[01:11:14] - Practicing Gratitude
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Chronicles 21:1-20
2. 2 Chronicles 24:17-22
3. Romans 2:4
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Observation Questions:
1. What role did Jehoiada and Jehoshabath play in Joash's early life, and how did their influence shape his initial reign as king? [46:13]
2. How did Athaliah's actions threaten the Davidic line, and what was her ultimate fate? [48:56]
3. What was the reaction of the people when Joash was crowned king, and how did this event unfold? [48:56]
4. How did Joash's behavior change after the death of Jehoiada, and what were the consequences of these changes? [54:42]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Joash illustrate the importance of godly mentorship and influence in one's spiritual journey? [53:09]
2. In what ways does the narrative of Joash's ingratitude serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of forgetting the kindness and sacrifices of others? [57:34]
3. How does Romans 2:4 relate to the idea that God's kindness is meant to lead us to repentance, and how is this principle demonstrated in Joash's story? [01:07:00]
4. What does the story of Joash teach us about the consequences of ignoring God's promises and the spiritual heritage we inherit? [01:09:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you were influenced by a godly mentor. How did their guidance impact your spiritual journey, and how can you continue to honor their influence in your life? [53:09]
2. Consider the role of gratitude in your life. Are there people whose kindness and sacrifices you have taken for granted? How can you express your appreciation to them this week? [57:34]
3. How can you ensure that God's kindness leads you to repentance rather than complacency? What steps can you take to cultivate a heart that is responsive to His grace? [01:07:00]
4. In what ways can you actively remember and honor the spiritual heritage you have received? How can this practice strengthen your faith and commitment to God's promises? [01:09:24]
5. Identify an area in your life where you may have forgotten God's promises. How can you realign your focus to trust in His faithfulness and avoid spiritual decay? [01:09:24]
6. How can practicing gratitude transform your relationship with God and others? What specific actions can you take to foster a spirit of thankfulness in your daily life? [01:11:14]
7. Reflect on the influence of your current friendships and associations. Are they drawing you closer to God or pulling you away? What changes might you need to make to ensure your relationships support your spiritual growth? [54:42]
Devotional
Day 1: The Influence of Godly Mentors
The story of Joash in 2 Chronicles highlights the profound impact that godly mentors can have on an individual's spiritual journey. Joash was saved and raised by Jehoiada and Jehoshabath, who guided him on a righteous path. Their influence was pivotal in shaping his early years as a king. However, after their deaths, Joash strayed from their teachings, leading to his downfall. This narrative serves as a reminder of the importance of cherishing and heeding the wisdom of those who guide us in faith. It underscores the need to remain steadfast in the teachings and values imparted by godly mentors, even when they are no longer present. [34:20]
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." (Hebrews 13:7, ESV)
Reflection: Who are the godly mentors in your life, and how can you actively honor their influence by living out the values they have instilled in you today?
Day 2: The Perils of Ingratitude
Joash's downfall began with his ingratitude towards the kindness and sacrifices of Jehoiada and Jehoshabath. This ingratitude led to a hardened heart, making him susceptible to sin and poor decisions. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of forgetting the kindness and faithfulness of those who have nurtured and guided us. It emphasizes the importance of actively remembering and appreciating the kindnesses shown to us, as ingratitude can lead to spiritual decay. By cultivating gratitude, we can guard our hearts against the negative consequences of ingratitude and remain aligned with God's will. [57:34]
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a specific act of kindness you have received recently. How can you express your gratitude to that person today in a meaningful way?
Day 3: God's Kindness as an Invitation to Repentance
The story of Joash reminds us that God's kindness is not a license to sin but an invitation to repentance. God's kindness is meant to draw us closer to Him, prompting us to turn away from sin and towards a life of righteousness. When we forget the kindness and sacrifices of others, we risk hardening our hearts and falling into sin. Recognizing God's kindness can transform our relationship with Him, leading us to repentance and a deeper connection with His will. This principle encourages us to view God's kindness as an opportunity to realign our lives with His purposes. [01:07:00]
"Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life have you been taking God's kindness for granted? How can you respond to His kindness with genuine repentance today?
Day 4: Remembering God's Promises
The narrative of Joash underscores the spiritual battle to preserve God's promises. Joash's story serves as a reminder that forgetting God's promises and the spiritual heritage we inherit can lead to spiritual decay and destruction. It highlights the importance of remaining vigilant in our faith and actively remembering the promises God has made to us. By keeping God's promises at the forefront of our minds, we can guard against spiritual decay and remain steadfast in our faith journey. This principle encourages us to actively engage with God's promises and allow them to guide our lives. [01:09:24]
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you need to hold onto more tightly today? How can you remind yourself of this promise throughout your day?
Day 5: Gratitude as a Spiritual Practice
Practicing gratitude can change our lives and relationships. It opens our hearts to God's presence and aligns us with His will. By focusing on gratitude, we can overcome negativity and foster a deeper connection with God and others. The story of Joash serves as a reminder of the transformative power of gratitude. When we actively practice gratitude, we cultivate a heart that is open to God's presence and aligned with His purposes. This principle encourages us to make gratitude a daily practice, allowing it to shape our lives and relationships in profound ways. [01:11:14]
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)
Reflection: What are three specific things you are grateful for today? How can you express your gratitude to God and others in a tangible way?
Quotes
1. "The worst thing that could be said about you that'll be said about Jehoram is, that you walked in the ways of Ahab. That's the worst thing you could say. That's like shorthand for you're a creepy, idol-worshiping, demonic guy. But he didn't walk in the ways of his father, King Jehoshaphat, who was a good king. He had his weaknesses, but he was a really good king." [36:36] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Think of how sad, how, what kind of, what kind of life do you have to live that when you die, nobody, his dog didn't even miss him. Nobody missed him." [40:25] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You want to know what your destiny is? See who your friends are. You want to know what your destiny is going to be? Who do you hang around? What are you going to be like?" [54:42] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Anything that pulls you away from Jesus is not good. I don't care who they are or what they can give you. If they're pulling you away from Jesus, if they're putting your fire out for Jesus, if they're drawing you away from worshiping God, not a good thing." [57:34] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The moral of the story is that none of us, even he had benefits. He was raised with good people. He was raised literally for six years in the temple hidden. He was raised by the priest that was this rock-solid godly man in Jehoshabeth that was a rock-solid, a godly woman that risked her very life for her stepmother." [01:00:53] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Gratitude will change your life if you start practicing it'll change your relationship with God at the end of the message in a moment here we're going to sing a song about gratitude and maybe forget the song and just lose yourself and thanking Jesus for his goodness to you thanking for just you you can't you could start now and you can't just think through all the things that Joe Ash forgot and then apply that to you think of the things that God's done to rescue you." [01:16:00] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "It's your kindness, O Lord, that leads us to repentance. Knowing that you love us, no matter what we do, makes us want to love you more. Now, if you take his kindness and think it doesn't matter how I live, then you're showing God that you're sinning against his love. And that breaks his heart." [01:11:14] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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