Jehoshaphat’s Example of an Unshakable Life - Brother Suresh

Jehoshaphat’s Example of an Unshakable Life  

- Brother Suresh

Introduction: The Unshakable Life

• The sermon reflects on the previous week’s message about living an unshakable, steadfast life, as exemplified by Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
• The morning’s worship included the song, “Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us, fall afresh on me.”
• I pray that this cry remains in our hearts as we listen, acknowledging the risk of singing and talking about following Jesus without truly following Him.

The Danger of a Form of Godliness

• Some exhibit a form of godliness but deny its power, appearing godly externally while being defeated by sin internally (2 Timothy 3:5).
• This occurs due to failing to give the Holy Spirit His proper place, not acknowledging His lordship, and not submitting to His voice.
• Claiming to be a Christian requires walking as Jesus walked, as stated in Psalm 16: “I have set the Lord continually before me because He is at my right hand. I will not be shaken.”

Jesus as the Model of an Unshakable Life

• Jesus lived an unshakable life by choosing to set the Lord continually before Him, a choice available to all believers.
• Hebrews 2:17 confirms that Jesus was made like His brothers in all things, facing the same worldly influences and voices as we do.
• Jesus chose to focus on the Lord in every situation, making it a natural response, though it involved a struggle, (because Jesus was made like us and He was tempted like us. He has to resist the temptation).
• Hebrews 5:15 describes Jesus offering prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, heard because of His godly fear.
• This image of Jesus crying out may not seem unshakable, but it represents preparation for battle, not the battle itself.
• Proverbs 24:10 states, “If you faint in the day of battle or in the day of adversary, your strength is limited or small.”
• Jesus remained strong in every trial, such as storms or threats of stoning, relying fully on God’s power.
• I envision Jesus crying out in private, saying, “Help me, Daddy. I’m weak. Be with me. I need you.”
• 2 Corinthians 13:4 notes that Jesus was crucified because of weakness but lives by the power of God.
• Jesus declared in John 18:36, “if my kingdom was of this world, my disciples would be fighting. But my kingdom is not of this world.”
• I urge reflection on whether we are fighting for our own kingdoms and to take seriously the confession that our kingdom is not of this world.

The Good Confession

• Paul reminds Timothy of the good confession, referencing Jesus’ testimony before Pontius Pilate (1 Timothy 6:12-13).
• What is the confession of Jesus: Jesus said, "My Kingdom is not of this world".
• Confessing that our kingdom is not of this world requires taking it to heart and fighting the fight of faith.
• Exodus 14:14 states, “The Lord will fight for you if you keep silent,” emphasizing reliance on God’s strength.
• I believe keeping silent reflects the understanding that my kingdom is not of this world, trusting that the Lord fights for me.

Learning from Weakness

• Paul’s life illustrates dependence on God’s grace, as he heard the Lord say, “My grace is sufficient for you,” enabling an unshakable life despite sickness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• Paul boasted in his weakness, stating, “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
• Timothy, despite frequent ailments and timidity, was exhorted to rely on the Spirit’s power, love, and discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).
• Paul testified to Timothy’s proven worth, noting his commitment to Christ’s interests over his own (Philippians 2:20-22).

Discerning True Teaching

• Evil men and impostors will grow worse, deceiving and being deceived, even within the Christian world (2 Timothy 3:13).
• Believers must continue in what they have learned, knowing from whom they learned it (2 Timothy 3:14). Believes should see the life of preachers, whom they are listening to.
• Paul emphasized his teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, perseverance, love, and persecutions as evidence of his authenticity (2 Timothy 3:10-11). 
• A time will come when people reject sound doctrine, seeking teachers who align with their desires and turning to myths (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
• I challenge us to examine whether we seek truth or desire ear-tickling teachings, humbling ourselves to obey God’s word.

Jehoshaphat’s Example of an Unshakable Life

• In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat faced a great multitude but turned to seek the Lord in his fear, calling for fasting and prayer (2 Chronicles 20:3).
• He prayed, “You are God, O Lord, in the heavens. Power and might are in Your hand. We are powerless before this great multitude. We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You” (2 Chronicles 20:6, 12).
• This cry of weakness is the foundation for an unshakable life, as lived by Jesus and Paul.
• The Spirit spoke through a young brother, saying, “Do not be feared or dismayed because of this great multitude because the battle is not yours but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).
• Jehoshaphat trusted God, leading with singers praising, “Give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness endures forever,” resulting in victory (2 Chronicles 20:21-22).
• I believe we must cherish moments of helplessness, standing before God and trusting His power.

Learning from Failure

• Jehoshaphat’s earlier failure in 2 Chronicles 18, allying with Ahab, shows how God uses mistakes to teach reliance on Him.
• Despite his riches and honor from serving God, Jehoshaphat foolishly allied with Ahab, who had a form of godliness but denied its power (2 Chronicles 18:1-2).
• Ahab gathered 400 prophets who tickled his ears, urging war, but Jehoshaphat sought the Lord’s voice (2 Chronicles 18:4-5).
• These prophets, not of false gods but professional influencers, fed Ahab’s desires, illustrating the danger of accumulated voices (2 Timothy 4:3).
• I reflect on the multitude of voices today—Christian or otherwise—that can crowd out the Holy Spirit’s voice, feeding pride.
• Jesus warns that many will come in His name, claiming He is Lord, yet deceive (Matthew 24:5).

The Voice of Truth

• In Song of Solomon 4:7-8, Jesus calls His bride, saying, “You are altogether beautiful, my darling. Come with me from the summit of Amana, from the dens of lions.”
• This call urges humility, leaving high places of pride and danger to follow Jesus.
• Jehoshaphat discerned the false prophets and sought Micaiah, a true prophet who spoke God’s word despite Ahab’s resistance (2 Chronicles 18:6, 13).
• I encourage examining whether we resist godly voices, thinking they are biased, and seeking those who speak truth.
• Micaiah revealed Ahab’s deception by evil spirits, but Ahab rejected him, facing judgment (2 Chronicles 18:16-22).
• Jehoshaphat failed to act on Micaiah’s word, nearly losing his life, but God’s mercy spared him (2 Chronicles 18:31).
• A prophet later confronted Jehoshaphat, noting his error but affirming his heart to seek God, leading to repentance (2 Chronicles 19:2-3).
• I believe God’s mercy in my failures leads me to repentance, teaching me to shut out false influences and seek Christ’s interests.

Bible References

• 2 Timothy 3:5
• Psalm 16
• Hebrews 2:17
• Hebrews 5:15
• Proverbs 24:10
• 2 Corinthians 13:4
• John 18:36
• 1 Timothy 6:12-13
• Exodus 14:14
• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
• 2 Timothy 1:7
• Philippians 2:20-22
• 2 Timothy 3:13-14
• 2 Timothy 3:10-11
• 2 Timothy 4:3-4
• 2 Chronicles 20:3, 6, 12, 15, 21-22
• 2 Chronicles 18:1-2, 4-6, 13, 16-22, 31
• 2 Chronicles 19:2-3
• Matthew 24:5
• Song of Solomon 4:7-8

Description: The following notes are derived from the sermon delivered by Brother Suresh during the Christian Fellowship Church (CFC) Bangalore Sunday Church Service on April 27, 2025. The content is organized to preserve the original words, include all points, generalize non-personal statements, and reflect personal references as stated by the speaker. The notes are structured for clarity and publication quality, with accurate Bible references and life examples included. For More Information: Please visit https://www.cfcindia.com/