It was in the spirit of King Josiah that Martin Luther was confronted by the powerful Word of God- when his life changed and uncommon clarity left him unable to be the man he was before. The Word of God is God’s witness of himself as well as the mirror through which we are to understand ourselves. When Josiah heard the Word that had been lost for 57 years his life changed.
Our texts this week were 2 Kings 22:1-13 (the discovery) and 2 Kings 23:1-3, 21-25 (the implementation). Josiah is confronted by the weight of the “Book of the Covenant” read to him by Shaphan. Of the scholars I read most concluded that based on the reforms Josiah made it was a section from the book of Deuteronomy that had been discovered that day in the temple (perhaps Deut. 28:15- 29:28 and surrounding). On the hearing of the Word Josiah tore his robes. Shame for how despicable the people of God were living as compared to the holiness spelled out and fear for the wrath of a holy God gripped Josiah’s heart at once. He and the people re-covenanted with God according to the words of the scroll that was found. Josiah had become a man of God through the Word of God.
There were three points of application I came to in this text founded upon this basic principle: Before we can be the people of God we must be a people of the Word of God.
First, to be a people of the Word we must hear the Word. Josiah didn’t know what faithfulness was without the Word defining it. Neither can we. For us, to hear the Word might just mean reading your Bible. Or it might mean getting involved in a Bible study with a small group. For some it might mean showing up to church more where the Word will be read. But one thing is for sure, navigating life without the Word will result in faithlessness and idolatry.
Second, to be a people of the Word we must listen to the Word. This kind of listening involves understanding that it is God’s Word and therefore has authority over us! Josiah knew that he and the people had to change the way they lived because of the Word. For us that simply means that we need to submit to the authority of the Word in our lives. The Word gets to define how we view money, people, war, poverty, sexuality, and the character of God.
Lastly, to be a people of the Word we must teach the Word. Josiah included everyone in on what God had begun to do in his life through the Word. He read it to them. He committed to it publicly and invited them to do the same. We need to share how God is shaping us through his Word. For some that might mean teaching 3rd grade Sunday school. For some that might mean talking with a co-worker about how God has been working in you on a common struggle.
At the close of our services on Sunday, those there covenanted with me that we would hear, listen, and teach the Word of God that we might be the people of God. May it be!
Pastor Scott
Our texts this week were 2 Kings 22:1-13 (the discovery) and 2 Kings 23:1-3, 21-25 (the implementation). Josiah is confronted by the weight of the “Book of the Covenant” read to him by Shaphan. Of the scholars I read most concluded that based on the reforms Josiah made it was a section from the book of Deuteronomy that had been discovered that day in the temple (perhaps Deut. 28:15- 29:28 and surrounding). On the hearing of the Word Josiah tore his robes. Shame for how despicable the people of God were living as compared to the holiness spelled out and fear for the wrath of a holy God gripped Josiah’s heart at once. He and the people re-covenanted with God according to the words of the scroll that was found. Josiah had become a man of God through the Word of God.
There were three points of application I came to in this text founded upon this basic principle: Before we can be the people of God we must be a people of the Word of God.
First, to be a people of the Word we must hear the Word. Josiah didn’t know what faithfulness was without the Word defining it. Neither can we. For us, to hear the Word might just mean reading your Bible. Or it might mean getting involved in a Bible study with a small group. For some it might mean showing up to church more where the Word will be read. But one thing is for sure, navigating life without the Word will result in faithlessness and idolatry.
Second, to be a people of the Word we must listen to the Word. This kind of listening involves understanding that it is God’s Word and therefore has authority over us! Josiah knew that he and the people had to change the way they lived because of the Word. For us that simply means that we need to submit to the authority of the Word in our lives. The Word gets to define how we view money, people, war, poverty, sexuality, and the character of God.
Lastly, to be a people of the Word we must teach the Word. Josiah included everyone in on what God had begun to do in his life through the Word. He read it to them. He committed to it publicly and invited them to do the same. We need to share how God is shaping us through his Word. For some that might mean teaching 3rd grade Sunday school. For some that might mean talking with a co-worker about how God has been working in you on a common struggle.
At the close of our services on Sunday, those there covenanted with me that we would hear, listen, and teach the Word of God that we might be the people of God. May it be!
Pastor Scott
Scott, your willingness to share your challenges and God’s overcoming power in your life encourages us that by God’s grace we can be obedient overcomers too.
ReplyDeleteTo be a people of the Word we have to be Word fed and Word led!
It has encouraged me a great deal to hear people this week talk about where they are in this "hear, listen, teach" formula. One man knew he needed to start reading the scriptures more. One woman knew where she needed to let the Word have authority over her life. One man taught me what God was telling him. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteWe discussed the sermon in our 4th day prayer group today. We can pick up a book and read for hours, but not even read the Bible for a few minutes. Ouch!
ReplyDelete