One Man's Influence

Text: 2 Chron. 34:1-2

INTRODUCTION:

A.      DO YOU FEEL OUTNUMBERED?

B.      ONE MAN OR WOMAN CAN PROFOUNDLY EFFECT A WAYWARD NATION.

C.      JOSIAH WAS SUCH A MAN.

I.      THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED.

A.      MANASSEH'S INFLUENCE( 2 Chron. 33:2-9 ).

          1.       Baalim - Baal = "lord"; the supreme male divinity of the Phoenicians or Canaanites.

          2.       Asherim, groves(KJV) = sexually explicit idols of Canaanite fertility cult;

                    associated with Baal cult prostitutes (2 Kings 23:7) "groves (for idol

                   worship)" sacred trees (poles) set up near an altar;  Canaanite goddess (of

                    fortune and happiness)the supposed consort of Baal.

          3.       Profaned the temple in mockery to Jehovah.

          4.       Human sacrifice and Hell( vs. 6 ).

          5.       "Abominations" ( vs. 2 ) -  something disgusting (morally).

B.      AMON'S INFLUENCE( 2 Chron. 33:21-24 ).

II.     THE BASIS OF HIS APPROACH.

A.      DOING GOD'S WILL( 2 Chron. 34:1-2 ).

B.      POSSIBLE PARENTAL INFLUENCE OF HIS MOTHER.

          1.       Jedidah ( 2 Kings. 22:1 ) of Adaiah her father(pleasing to Jehovah).

          2.       Lois & Eunice so influenced Timothy( 2 Tim. 1:5 ).

C.      THE HAND THE ROCKS THE CRADLE...( Titus 2:4-5;  1 Tim. 4:14 ).

          1.       Rule the house, oikodespoteo - to rule a household, manage family affairs.

          2.       In subjection( Eph. 5:23 ).  He needs to let her have her domain.

III.    THE COURSE HE FOLLOWED.

A.      SOUGHT GOD AT AN EARLY AGE - 16( vs. 3; Ecc. 11:9-12:1 ).

B.      WAS FAITHFUL ALL HIS DAYS( vs. 2;  Heb. 3:14;  10:23 ).

IV.   MAN ENOUGH TO DO WHAT WAS NECESSARY AND RIGHT

        - AGE 20.  ( vs. 3-7;  1 Cor. 16:13-14 ).

A.      TORE DOWN THE IDOLS( vs. 3-7 ).

          1.       The Lord's work is not always easy or pleasant( Matt. 10:34-39 ).

          2.       Constant struggle and opposition( Luke 13:24;  1 Pet. 5:8 ).

          3.       But God is faithful( Gal. 6:7-9 ).

B.      HE REFURBISHED THE TEMPLE( vs. 8-13 ).

          1.       There was a whole lot to do.

          2.       There is work for us, too( Matt. 9:36-38 ).

          3.       There is much work on the church that needs doing( Eph. 4:15-16 ).

C.      John 9:4.

V.    A RECEPTIVE HEART.

A.      A STARTLING DISCOVERY( vs. 14 ).

          1.       Do not have to lose your copy to neglect it( Matt. 22:29 ).

          2.       The source of any spiritual awakening - imperishable word.

                   a.       The truth is in God's word( Psa. 119:160;  John 1:17 ).

                   b.       True freedom is in the truth, the word of God( John 8:32 ).

                   c.       Place a proper value on truth( Prov. 23:23 ).

          3.       We need to come back( Jer. 6:16;  1 Cor. 4:6 ).

B.      A PENITENT RESPONSE( vs. 18-19 ).

          1.       Maybe king's responsibility( Deut. 17:18-20 ).

          2.       Godly sorrow important( Neh. 8:9;  Psa. 51:16-17;  2 Cor. 7:10 ).

C.      A DESIRE TO KNOW AND DO ALL GOD'S WILL( vs. 21-22 ).

D.      HUMILITY ESSENTIAL( vs. 27;  James 4:6-10 ).

VI.   EAGERNESS TO HELP ALL MEN.

A.      CALLED THE LEADERS TO SHARE TRUTH WITH THEM( vs. 29-30 ).

B.      HE RENEWED THE COVENANT WITH GOD( vs. 31-32 ).

          1.       His personal commitment to follow God & perform!( James 1:21 ).

          2.       We must let our light shine( Matt. 5:16 ).

D.      BLESSED IN HIS EFFORTS( vs. 33;  1 Cor. 15:58 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      ONE MAN MADE A DIFFERENCE.

B.      YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.