Setting the Stage for Revival

Introduction

Text

2 Kings 22:1–2 ESV

1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. 2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.

Jesus and Children

Matthew 18:2–6 ESV

2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Transition

Don’t let a bad legacy define you.

Josiah’s father (Amon) and grandfather (Manasseh) had the distinction of the most evil kings in Judah’s history.

So bad was the sin of Manasseh, that even a spiritual revival would not halt the judgment of God on Israel.

So bad was the sin of Amon, that his own servants killed him.

Josiah became king at age 8. Would he carry on the family legacy of doing “what was evil in the sight of the Lord” or would he choose a different direction?

Surround yourself with godly people.

Choose to follow God wholeheartedly.

Conclusion