The Need for Genuine Revival
Introduction:
A history of God’s people reveals that their love for Him is high for a while and then it slacks off. They will repent, seek the Lord, and then experience a revival.
The passage for this lesson describes one of the greatest revivals recorded. Israel had drifted far away from God and was worshipping pagan idols. They were living in spiritual darkness and needed genuine revival. This revival was led by a king named Josiah.
Text: II Kings 22-23
Body:
I. Revival Involves Rededication (II Kings 22:8-13)
· The temple had been neglected and was greatly in need of repair. (II Kings 22:4-6) Also, the Word of God had been neglected for a long time and was eventually lost due to lack of use. After the book of the Law was discovered and read, Josiah realized that they had not obeyed God’s Word and that God was angry with them. So he rededicated himself to keeping the commands of God.
· Any genuine revival of God’s people must begin with a rededication to following the Word of God. The Bible is the final authority for God’s people and must be honored as such. (Psalm 119:161) (Isaiah 66:2) “trembles at My Word”
· God’s Word is the standard against which all that we believe and practice must be compared. (Amos 7:7-9)
· God’s Word is the source book for everything we need for this life. (II Timothy 3:16-17)
II. Revival Involves Repentance (II Kings 23:1-3)
· The king and the people made a covenant before the Lord with all their heart and soul.
· Repentance is an ugly word for many today, both inside and outside the church. The Greek word means “to change one’s mind.” Josiah realized they had done something wrong and they felt sorrow and grief because of it. (II Corinthians 7:9-10) These Israelites “changed their mind” and decided to follow the ways of God.
· Repentance involves being ‘convicted’ of sin as those on Pentecost were. (Acts 2:37-38)
· When we compare our lives with God’s Word and find a discrepancy, we need to change our minds because God is not going to change His Word! (Psalm 119:89)
III. Revival Involves Reformation (II Kings 23:4-20,24)
· After the people repented, many changes took place. (II Kings 23:4-7) They cleaned out the temple and surrounding area because it had become a place of pagan idol worship. They removed everything that wasn’t supposed to be there. (II Kings 23:8-20) They destroyed all the pagan altars and places of worship. (II Kings 23:224) Those who practiced the occult were put away.
· From this example, when there is genuine revival, there is a clear move toward holiness and godly living. A reformation will take place. (Luke 3:3,7-14)
Conclusion:
There was a church in the 1st Century that needed a revival. Ephesus (Revelation 2:4-5) Remember, repent, and do!
Bobby Stafford January 12, 2014