Don't Be Negligent Now (Pt.2) Series

Don’t Be Negligent Now (pt.2)

“The Temple Worship Restored – Steps to spiritual restoration”

2Chronicles 29:1-11 & Selected Passages

1 Hezekiah became king when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah. 2And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done. 3 In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the LORD and repaired them. 4Then he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them in the East Square, 5and said to them: "Hear me, Levites! Now sanctify yourselves, sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry out the rubbish from the holy place. 6For our fathers have trespassed and done evil in the eyes of the LORD our God; they have forsaken Him, have turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the LORD, and turned their backs on Him. 7They have also shut up the doors of the vestibule, put out the lamps, and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel. 8Therefore the wrath of the LORD fell upon Judah and Jerusalem, and He has given them up to trouble, to desolation, and to jeering, as you see with your eyes. 9For indeed, because of this our fathers have fallen by the sword; and our sons, our daughters, and our wives are in captivity. 10"Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that His fierce wrath may turn away from us. 11My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that you should minister to Him and burn incense."

LETS TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW THIS PASSAGE IN

2 CHRON. APPLIES TO US.

1) Hez. Opened the doors of the temple and repaired them.

In the O.T. the presence of God dwelt in the temple…but the doors of that temple were locked and its furnishings were used to make idols.

Now that Christ has come we are the temple of the Lord.

2Cor. 6:16 tells us,

“What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

Perhaps, the doors of your heart are closed to the Lord…

-You may have accepted Christ once – but areas of your life are being sharedwith

-idols.

-drugs

-alcohol

-adultery

-hatred for others

It doesn’t matter if it is because of your own negligence or the negligence of others… If you will open the doors of your heart to the Lord – He will repair them… So the Holy Ghost can freely fill your life!!!!

Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me.” Rev.3:20

Hez didn’t only open the doors and repair them he also…

2) Brought in the Priest and the Levites, and told them… Sanctify yourselves, and sanctify the house of the Lord God… Carry out the rubbish from the Holy place.

In Hez.’s day only a select group of people known as the Priest and the Levites could enter the holiest places of the temple.

-It was their job to keep the temple pure.

-Their Job to offer animal sacrifices to God.

a) Before the temple could be cleaned – the priest and the Levites had to be cleaned.

-Hez. Said,

“sanctify yourselves…sanctify the house of the Lord.”

Before the temple could be sanctified and returned to a proper place of worship – the Leadership had to be sanctified.

Perhaps, you look at Calvary Chapel and say… we could use a cleansing… we could improve in a lot of areas…

- we have neglected some areas…

Hez. Cleansing started with the priest but it also included the Levites!

-As we pastors fall on our faces before the Lord and seek cleansing it must spill over to the other leadership as well!!!

Are you a Board Member?

Are you an Elder in the Church?

Are you a Children’s worker?

Are you a Royal Ranger worker?

Are you a Soup Kitchen worker?

Are you a Wm.’s worker?

Are you a Missionetts worker?

Are you a Sunday School teacher?

Are you a leader in any ministry?

***Then you have an obligation to Confess you iniquities before the Lord! – withyour Pastors!***

– Because You’re a leader and the ministry has been entrusted to you!