[ ] 3/21/1999 #226

HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD

2 Kings 22:16-20

INTRODUCTION: Judah was in a terrible condition spiritually. The nation was overtaken with idols. They worshipped the Canaanite god Baal, the god of fertility. The Baal shrines were staffed with men and women who performed sexual acts. They also worshipped Ashtaroth, the goddess of love or Venus. (v.13) They worship the sun, moon, and stars. (v.6) They were deeply into astrology. . The sodomites had their houses next to the house of the Lord. (v.7) They offered their children to their false god Milcom or Molech. (v.10 & 13) They worshipped the gods of the nations, having turned from the true God. (v.13) They had their mediums and spiritists. As we read chapter 23 it sounds a lot like the conditions modern day America. Josiah began to rule when he was eight years old and reign for 31 years. At the age of 16, "while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David." (2 Chron. 34:3) In the eighteenth year of his reign, he instructed for the house of the LORD to be repaired. It was then that Hilkiah "found the book of the law in the house of the LORD."

I. WORD OF GOD

A. CONVICTION OF THE WORD. (22:11)

B. CHANGED BY THE WORD. (22:19-20)

II. WALK BEFORE GOD

A. PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD. (23:2)

B. PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO THE WORD. (23:3b)

C. PERFORMANCE OF THE WORD. (23:3b & 25)

III. WORSHIP OF GOD

A. PERSON OF OUR REDEMPTION.

Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

B. PRICE OF OUR REDEMPTION.

For even Christ, our passover, is sacrificed for us. (1 Cor. 5:7)

Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from alliniquity. (Titus 2:14)

C. PRIZE OF OUR REDEMPTION.

Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col. 1:27)

And thus shall ye eat it: with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat itin haste: it is the LORD'S passover.

(Ex. 12:11)

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (1 Cor. 11:26)

Surely, I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus. (Rev. 22:20)

LESSON FOR LIFE:

1. There can be no genuine revival apart from the Word of God.

2. Genuine revival is the work of God in a person's heart that leads them to walk with God and obey His Word.

3.The evidence of revival will be manifested through repentance and change.

4. Reformation without transformation does not constitute a revival. (23:26-27)

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