Judah’s Last Revival
2 Chr 34:1-3
1. It was Youth Lead. {Child = 2,037 times / Youth = 422 times}
A. Josiah could have chosen to be a Rebellious Youth.
· Both his grandfather, Manasseh, and his father, Amon, were wicked.
· Manasseh began to reign at age 12, reigned 52 years, and was the most wicked of all Judah’s kings.
· Amon was 22 when he began to reign, reigned 2 years and was also wicked.
· Isaiah prophesied about Manasseh:
n (Isa 30:1) - Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
n (Jer 32:30) - For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their YOUTH:
B. Josiah was a Recollecting Youth.
· He no doubt remembered Joseph; committed to purity.
· He no doubt remembered Samuel; called to serve.
· He no doubt remembered David; a man after God’s own heart.
· He no doubt remembered Solomon; asked for wisdom.
· He remembered God.
n (Eccl 12:1) Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy YOUTH, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
C. Josiah was a Repenting Youth.
· (Psa 25:7) Remember not the sins of my YOUTH, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.
· (Eccl 11:10) Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and YOUTH are vanity.
D. Josiah was a Redeemed Youth.
· 80% of all Christians were saved before age 25.
· (2 Tim 3:15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
· (1 Ki 18:12) … but I thy servant fear the LORD from my YOUTH.
E. Josiah was a Radical Youth.
· (Psa 71:17) O God, thou hast taught me from my YOUTH: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
· (1 Tim 4:12) Let no man despise thy YOUTH; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
2. It was Word Fed.
A. They Found the Word.
· (2 Chr 34:14) And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses.
· (Jer 15:16) Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
B. They Fed on the Word.
· (Jer 15:16) Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
· (Job 23:12) Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
· (1 Pet 2:2) As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
· (Acts 17:11) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
C. They Followed the Word.
· (John 14:15) If ye love me, keep my commandments.
· (Psa 119:9) Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
· (1 Tim 4:12-13) Let no man despise thy YOUTH; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
· (2 Tim 3:15) And that from a CHILD thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
3. It was Wide Spread.
A. The nation was awakened. (2 Chr 34:4; 35:17-18)
· (Psa 85:6) Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
B. Idols were abandoned. (2 Chr 34:3-4)
· (Exo 20:3-4) Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, …
C. The Temple was attended. (2 Chr34:8)
· (Psa 122:1) I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
D. Sin was acknowledged. (2 Chr 34:19, 27)
· (Prov 28:13) He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
E. Lives were altered.
· (2 Cor 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
4. It was Soon Dead.
A. Revival fires begin to die because of the attacks of the devil.
· (1 Pet 5:8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
B. Revival fires begin to die because of the allures of the world.
· (1 John 2:15-16) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
C. Revival fires begin to die because of the appetites of the flesh.
· (James 1:13-15) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
D. Revival fires begin to die because of the attitudes of the heart.
· (Jer 17:9) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
· (Eph 4:30-31) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
· (Mat 15:18-19) But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
