Our series this month is entitled ALSO KNOWN AS or A.K.A.
This abbreviation is meant to indicate an alternative name, nickname, alias, or stage name for a person, place, or thing.
Our series takes a look at five Old Testament characters. As the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:11, we aren't just learning information, but God's warnings and encouragement for our transformation.

This week we are going to learn about one of the kings of the Kingdom of Israel - Jehu.
Jehu was given the nickname "Jehu the Madman" based on the reckless style of driving his chariot.
2 Kings 9:20
Being a madman wasn't limited to the way Jehu drove his chariot...Jehu was a madman period!

Movie characters that are madmen in their own regard.

Jehu was much like these modern movie characters except he was a real person. It's a reminder that the stories of the Bible are real and are relevant to us today.

Background of Jehu's life:

Ahab's wickedness was extreme (1 Kings 16:30-33, 1 Kings 21:25-26)
Ahab's level of depravity followed the sinful example of Jeroboam.
Jeroboam made the decision to turn away from the one true God and begin to worship other gods. The gods they worshipped were gods of their own making such as golden calves (1 Kings 14:9).

When Ahab married the daughter of Sidon, she brought along with her a foreign god named Baal. The Northern tribes then changed from sacrificing animals to golden calves, to sacrificing their children to Baal.
From here, Ahab's wife, set out to kill all of the followers of God.
This all brings a curse on Ahab and his family. God promises all of his male descendants will be killed and that Ahab's wife, Jezebel, will die a horrible death. (1 Kings 21:20-24) God makes good on this curse and Ahab is killed in battle. But everything continues as if Ahab were still around.

At this point Jehu is anointed as king. He's dropped right into a huge mess.
2 Kings 9:4-10
Have you ever been dropped right into a mess that someone else left?
We can either choose to roll up our sleeves and start working or turn around and walk away.
Jehu chooses to roll up his sleeves. What he has to do is nothing short of treason. If he fails he'll be killed, but if he succeeds the Kingdom of Israel has a chance to return to God.
Jehu does exactly as God had asked him to and he rules the Kingdom of Israel for 28 years. He is considered one of the best kings in the history of the Northern Kingdom.

There's four truths we can learn from the life of Jehu:

1. God frequently provides in ways we don't and would never expect.

God chose to use Jehu even though he wasn't anything special. The only thing he brought to the table was driving like a madman and having a passion for completing the task God put in front of him. What is God calling you to do? Don't wait. Do it!

2. Bold actions inspire others to take bold actions.
2 Kings 9:32-33

Jehu's bold moves inspired Jezebel's attendants.
There is always people in our life that have no qualms about trying anything and they dive in head first. Before we know it, they have us going right along.
Do something bold! Grace Church is doing Wednesday night activities in our communities to help people and let them know they are loved. You can do something bold by taking part in these activities.

3. It's easier to crusade against someone else's sin than to deal with our own.
2 Kings 10:29, 31; Matthew 7:1-5

Jehu did a lot of right things. He did what he was asked, but in 2 Kings 10 we see that he didn't go far enough. He didn't eliminate the golden calves.
We do the same thing today. We choose things to campaign against while there is sin in our lives that need to be eradicated.
Jesus understood this and that's why he encouraged us in Matthew 7:3-5.
He doesn't discourage us from trying to help others. His point is that we have to make sure that we are right before we try to help others.

4. God continues to pursue people.

During this time, the vast majority of kings were evil and didn't honor God. In spite of that, God continued to pursue them and sent them prophets to try to communicate His will for them and to warn them that they were heading for disaster.
Today, God is still pursuing lost and wayward people. He wants more than anything to have a relationship with them. He invites us to join in that pursuit. We are all the unexpected choice for that task.
As you go this week, examine your life to make sure you are honoring Him. Then go out and do something bold to inspire someone else!