Sermon Notes + 1.25.2026
SERMON NOTES
Zeal for the Lord
2 Kings 9-10
Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor
Overview: The life of Jehu can be summed up in his own words: “Come and see my zeal for the Lord.” Though he was not born into a royal family, he becomes king of Israel when Elisha sends a prophet to anoint him in secret and gives him the task of striking down the house of Ahab. Jehu readily assassinates King Joram and orders his servant to dispose of Joram’s body by throwing it on the plot of ground that once belonged to Naboth. Jehu then assassinates King Ahaziah and executes Queen Jezebel without any sense of grief or remorse. His murderous rampage continues as he instructs others to prove their loyalty by slaughtering Ahab’s descendants and by striking down the prophets of Baal. Although Jehu claims that he is doing the will of the Lord, his zeal goes beyond what the Lord commanded and still falls short of what the Lord expected. Like Jehu, we too should be known for our zeal for the Lord, which will require us to carefully distinguish between true zeal and false zeal.
01. True zeal for the Lord comes from the Lord.
02. True zeal for the Lord acts quickly on behalf of the Lord.
03. True zeal for the Lord is zealous for the things of the Lord.
04. True zeal for the Lord acts in accordance with the ways of the Lord.
05. True zeal for the Lord must be maintained by the Lord.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
1. Read the entirety of Jehu’s story in 2 Kings 9-10. How would you assess his character from beginning to end? What clues from the text indicate the Lord is pleased with Jehu? What clues from the text indicate the Lord’s displeasure with Jehu? What conclusions can we draw by reading between the lines?
2. In what ways does Jehu fulfill earlier prophecy with regard to the house of Ahab? What does the delay of God’s judgment (now fulfilled through Jehu) suggest about the certainty of God’s Word coming to pass regardless of the time between prophecy and fulfillment? See 2 Peter 3:8-10 for further insight.
3. Distinguish between zeal for the Lord and zeal for other causes. How can we be zealous for the right things in the right way? Consider how Jehu was zealous for the right things. Did he carry out the mission in the right way?
4. Jehu wastes no time in fulfilling his mission to secure the throne by assassinating King Joram and executing Queen Jezebel. Can you think of situations where Christians should be more zealous and proactive? What problems occur when Christians are too zealous and impatient? What is the proper balance between zeal for the Lord and waiting on the Lord?
5. The Bible has much to say about zeal. Consider the words and actions of Jesus in John 2:13-17 and Paul’s criticism of the zeal of the Jews in Romans 10:1-3. Pray that the Lord will give you a proper measure of zeal for the right things done in the right way, and pray that He will continue to keep your heart aflame for Him.
For Further Reading: J. C. Ryle, “Zeal,” in Practical Religion (first published, 1878; Banner of Truth edition, 2013).