Title: The Source of Spiritual Revival
Contents
Text: 2 Kings 23:21-27
It is a source of psychic revival
One day on the 18th year of King Josiah’s accession as mentioned in the text, while repairing the temple, we found the Torah, the Torah, and the Law Books of the Jews, which were stored deep in the temple warehouse. Hilkiah the high priest gave the book of the law to Shaphan the scribe, and Shaphan read it before the king. The king tore his clothes and mourned, and carried out the Reformation. At that time the temple was in a state of spiritual ruin.
In verses 21-23, “The king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant.” This Passover had never been kept like this in the days of King Josiah, and in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, it was kept before the LORD in Jerusalem.” There has never been a time when the Passover was kept as well as in the days of King Josiah.
However, despite the seemingly great reforms taking place, in the end, they could not change the minds of the older generation and the reforms ended in failure. God saw Josiah as a faithful king and was pleased with his reformation, but the reform did not change the hearts of the people and ultimately did not turn God's wrath against Judah. We learn a valuable lesson here. Reform is not just a slogan, but something that changes people's hearts is required. So, in order for spiritual revival to change people's hearts, to once again revive our Seongsan Church, and to revive the nation and nation, we need factors that will bring about great awakening and great change.
I. A word is needed.
To revive and transform the church, we need the Word of God above all else. At that time, the Israelites worshiped foreign gods and turned away from the Bible, and even religious leaders turned away from the Bible, so their Bibles were piled up in the depths of the warehouse and fell asleep. Then, while repairing the temple, he discovered the Bible and the reformation of King Josiah began. In this way, spiritual revival occurs when we receive the Word anew again.
The biggest problem with the faith of modern believers today is that they do not have access to the Bible. Even without reading or studying the Bible, they fall into the illusion that they are well aware of the principles and truths of correct faith. So, instead of trying to know the truth, I just try to live a life of faith according to my thoughts, life experiences, and feelings. This is the problem. Spiritual revival can never occur under these circumstances, and it is obvious that all communities will suffer. I pray in the name of the Lord that you will recognize the necessity of the Word for spiritual revival, focus on the Word and obey the Word completely.
II. I need repentance.
As important as realizing the truth of the Word in your life of faith, admitting your sins and repenting. Spiritual revival is the same word as being filled with the Holy Spirit. Eventually, when you admit your sins and repent, you will be filled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:38, “Peter said to him, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” When they repented and turned from their sins according to these words, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and a tremendous change took place in their hearts as well as their lives.
What is the biggest problem in today's society? The central problem is the problem of sin. Sin inevitably brings judgment. Therefore, the most urgent thing we need right now is repentance. Other things may be postponed depending on circumstances, but repentance is not something to be delayed. If we procrastinate, death and judgment may come at some point, at some point, without any time to repent. The way to quickly repent and turn away from sin is the way of life. I hope in the name of the Lord that the work of revival will happen through complete repentance in our holy mountain family.
Ⅲ. Need prayer.
Josiah was a great king in the sight of God. Verse 25 says, “There was no king like Josiah before or after Josiah, who turned to the Lord according to all the law of Moses with all his heart, soul, and strength like Josiah.” This means that he was more faithful to God than David or any other ten kings. In this way, Josiah lived upright and did many good things. However, the crucial flaw in Josiah is that he does not say that he prays to God, nor does he encourage the people to pray.
That was a major factor in Josiah's failure to reform. Matthew 12:43-45 says, “When an unclean spirit goes out from a person, it goes through waterless places, seeking rest, but finds no resting place. Then he said, “I will return to the house from which I came.” When he came, the house was empty, cleaned, and repaired. But then he went and brought in seven demons more evil than the other, and they went in and dwelled there, and the man's later condition is worse than before. And it will be like this with this evil generation.” A demon went away from a person, but because there was no true repentance, he was cleansed. It is said that seven new, more evil spirits were brought into the place, and the situation became worse than before.
In order for a person to be truly renewed, he must give up bad behavior and at the same time fill his heart with the Holy Spirit. Let us not confuse reform with revival. Reform cannot change people. First, the heart must be changed. When our heart is changed, God's heart is also changed. However, since such a change of heart is limited by human strength, the most necessary thing is prayer. I bless you in the name of the Lord that you will become people of prayer and change in the Seongsan family.
Dear Seongsan Family! I have talked about the source of spiritual revival.