Sermon Central
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The Failure Of A Borrowed Faith Series
Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 9, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: King Joash had signs of faith in his life - but did they really belong to him or his uncle?
“RAISED IN CHURCH”: Joash had a faith-filled upbringing.
- 2 Chronicles 23:18-21; 24:4-14.
- Other passages that we aren’t going to look up:
a. Rescued at age one when his wicked grandmother slew all his brothers.
b. Raised secretly around the temple by his uncle Jehoiada and his aunt Jehoshabeath.
c. Made king at age 7.
- People who grow up in church.
- What he did right: reforms (23:18-21; 24:4-14).
JOASH'S FAITH? Did his faith belong to him or his uncle?
- 2 Chronicles 24:2, 17.
- These two statements, although not explicit, give a strong indication that Jehoiada, the priest and his uncle, was the backbone of Joash’s faith.
- I want to acknowledge that the passage gives strong inference of this, but doesn’t say it. Still, this is a truth that we often see in people’s lives, even lives where there is (as here) significant outward evidence of faith.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF JOASH'S BORROWED FAITH:
1. WHEN IT WAS TIME TO STAND ON HIS OWN, HE DID NOT OBEY THE LORD.
- Membership vs. obedience.
- No one gets grandfathered in.
2. HIS SPIRITUAL FAILING HURT THE FAITHFUL.
3. HIS LONG RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE APPARENTLY LEFT HIM CALLOUS TO GOD'S HOUSE.
- 2 Chronicles 23:14; 2 Chronicles 24:21.
- Being willing to kill in the temple.
CONCLUSION: Beyond making sure our own faith is legitimate, maybe the most important application here is making sure we provide a good handoff to our kids and grandkids.
- Making sure it’s inside and real and not just a form and routine.
- Example: those who haven’t come back from COVID; was church a conviction or a habit?
