Remember Me - Restoring True Worship

Josiah

8 years old when he became king ()

16 years old when he began seeking God ()

20 years old when he started purging Judah and Jerusalem of the high places and all the images ()

26 years old when he organised the repair of the House of the Lord his God and ensuring the workers got paid ()

The Book of the Law

While bringing the money to the workers, the book of the law is found by Hilkiah (), and told to ().

On hearing the contents of the Book of the Law, Josiah realises how far from God’s plan they really are and tears his clothes ()

On hearing the law, people can react in one of two ways:

One group, seeing their sins in the light of God’s character as expressed in the law, turn away feeling unworthy, sorrow and shame. It is too difficult to make huge changes. The Rich Young Ruler is one example ()

The other, like Josiah, are grieved that God has been done wrong. He is grieved that the fathers have done wrong and that this generation don’t know any better; they continue to do what is contrary to God’s character. But in his grief, he has the presence of mind to turn to God, “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for those who are left in Israel and Judah” ()

- “Concerning the words which you have heard - because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord.

Restoring True Worship

As a love response to God’s faithfulness to Josiah, he immediately steps into action:

The law is read to everyone ()

Josiah makes a covenant before God to follow the Lord, to keep His commandments and His testimonies with all his heart and all his soul ()

He asked the congregation to make a stand ( )

Josiah purged the abominations from all the country ()

Josiah Keeps the Passover

Once all is done, Josiah organises for the country to observe the Passover ()

Puts the ark of the covenant in its rightful place - at the centre of worship ()

Gives of his own supply to the people for an offering () - 30, 000 lambs & 3, 000 cattle

His Leaders follow his example and give: 2, 600 lamb & 300 cattle; another 5, 000 lambs and 500 cattle

2 Chronicles 35:18 NKJV

18 There had been no Passover kept in Israel like that since the days of Samuel the prophet; and none of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as Josiah kept, with the priests and the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Remember Me as I Restore True Worship

2 Kings 23:23–25 NKJV

23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was held before the Lord in Jerusalem. 24 Moreover Josiah put away those who consulted mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord. 25 Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NKJV

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Jesus Restored True Worship by his life, death and resurrection.

In instituting the Lord’s Supper, Jesus gave us a regular way to remember that.

It is easier to remove the idols four times a year, than it is to wait for four generations.

Illustration of Sugar

It is interesting that in both Matthew and Mark, that the institution of the Lord’s Supper is immediately followed by Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denial

In Luke, it is immediately followed by Jesus’ prediction of Judas’ betrayal.

Too often, the Kings of Israel forgot Jesus and the Law

This Lord’s Supper, let us make remember God’s Law, let the leaders of this church and each family represented here today make a covenant with Lord to keep His commandments, lets encourage others to make a stand for the same, and let us remove the idols and high places in our lives - in Rememberence of Him.

- “Concerning the words which you have heard - because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord.