Personal Holiness Amidst Perverted Worldliness, Part 4b

Turn with me in your Bible to 2 King chapter 22. Remember King Josiah? Hukiah, the high priest, when they were rebuilding the temple, according to Second Chronicles 34, discovers the Pentateuch, the Torah, the law, the law of Moses, written some 1,000 years before the time of Josiah.

They come and they read the book of the law to Josiah. And the Bible says, in verse 11, and it came about when the king heard the words of the book of the law that he tore his clothes.

Now here's a king who hears the word of the Lord, a word that was written 1,000 years earlier. But yet when he hears it, it's as if it was written for him on that very day. He tears his clothes. He repents of his sin. By the way, Josiah's 26 years of age when this happens. God's voice thundered out of heaven as he read the law of God. In 2 Kings 23, verse number one, it says, And the king said, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.

And the king went up to the house of the Lord and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him. And the priests and the prophets and all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant. which was found in the house of the Lord. And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord to walk out to the Lord and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book and all the people entered into the covenant.

Some book written a thousand years earlier made an impact because of its freshness. Now listen to this Because of that major revival in Judah Because somebody read a book that was a thousand years old And it made an impact on their lives It says this in verse 24 of 2nd Kings 23 Josiah removed the mediums in the spiritist and the tariffin And the idols and all the abominations that were seen In the land of Judah and in Jerusalem that he might confirm the words of the law which were written in the book that Hulchaya the priest found in the house of the Lord.

And before him there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his might, according to the law, all the law of Moses. Nor did any like him arise after him. This man, 26 years of age, 20 years younger than me, when he read the book of the law, tore his robes, repented of his sins, gathered his people together, read the same words that he read, they made the same covenant he made, and God says there was never another king like him.

God's word is alive and fresh. God's word is powerful. Psalm 11989 says that, forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. God's word is indestructible. Listen, because God's word is fresh, it will sustain you every single day of your life. It'll never be stale. God's word is not stale. God's word is not boring. God's word is not old. God's word is fresh. It's living. It's abiding. It remains forever. Let me give you a couple of reasons that will help you understand the supremacy of God's word, help you understand exactly the significance of why you are to cause yourself to feed on God's word.

Remember what the Bible says over in Proverbs 29, verse number 15, excuse me, verse number 18. When it says, where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained. Literally, where there is no revelation, the people go unrestrained. Where there is no revelation of God, people are out of control. Verse number 19 says, or excuse me, the second part of verse number 18 says, but happy is he who keeps the law.

The happy man is the one who keeps the law. the law of God is a revelation of God without the revelation of God there are no parameters there are no guidelines and people are out of control and so we need to understand that number one why we are to cause ourselves defeat in the word of God is number one because of redemption it's God's word that redeems us we are we are as the Bible says in 1 Peter 1 verse number 23 it says you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable that is through the living and abiding word of God man is redeemed because of God's living abiding word James chapter one verse number 18 says something similar when it says this it says in the exercise of his will he brought us forth by the word of truth How were we brought forth by the word of truth?

It's God's word that redeems us. It says over in Ephesians chapter 5, verse number 26. These words. It says, he sanctified the church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. It's God's word that. redeems us. That's why faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So we understand the reason we feed on the word of God is because, number one, redemption.

Number two, transformation. Transformation. Over in 2nd Corinthians chapter 3, verse number 18, it says this, but we all with unveil of face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory just as from the the Lord the Spirit. The Word of God is like a mirror and that mirror reveals to us Christ and reflects to us Christ. It helps us understand who he is and what he did and why he did it. As the Word of God reveals Christ to us, then the Spirit of God reproduces Christ in us.

That's why we feed on the Word of God. It transforms us from one level of glory to the next level of glory to the next level of glory. How? By the Spirit of God. As we look into the perfect law of liberty, the mirror of God, which shows us exactly who he is, it changes us. It transforms us. Jose Ols-Wold Sanders who said that God's purpose for his children is not external imitation, but internal transformation. That's true. He doesn't want us to just externally imitate him. he wants us to be internally transformed, that is, metamorphosized from the inside out.

So God's word is not only there for redemptive purposes, but transformational purposes as well, as we feed day by day on the Word of God. First Thessalonians chapter 2 says this way, verse number 13.

It says, and for this reason, we also constantly thank God that when you receive from us the Word of God's message, You accepted it not as the word of men, but what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. You see, God's word performs the work in those who believe. God's word works. God's word is effective. It works in those who believe. You see, as a Christian, we are being transformed from glory to glory, from one level of glory to the next. We are growing in our walk with God because we are in the word of God because God's word does that.

That's what God's word does. And so therefore, we feed on it because it changes us. It transforms us. So redemption, transformation. And number three, maturation.

Maturation. Acts 20, verse number 32, Paul says to the Ephesian elders, I commend you to God and His word, which is able to build you up. It's God's word that builds you. You know, when you lift weights, you get bigger, right? You get stronger and bigger. When you feed on the Word of God, you get stronger and bigger spiritually. It builds you up. That's why Peter said, grow in the grace and knowledge. 2. Peter 318 of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2ndivity 3 verses 14 to 17. Speak about how the Word of God is sufficient for all things, how it makes the man of God thoroughly complete, thoroughly equipped.

God's word does that. In John 15, when it speaks about pruning the vine, and pruning is a very painful process. But the child of God is closest to his father when he takes the vine and he begins to prune the vine. Redemption, transformation, maturation. Number three or four, illumination.

Illumination. Over in Psalm 119, it says this, in verse number 99. I have more insight than all my teachers for thy testimonies are my meditation. Psalm 119, verse number 104, says this, from thy precepts, I get understanding. Psalm 119, verse number 133, says, establish my footsteps in thy words. and do not let any inequity have dominion over me. Psalm 32.8 says, I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go. Psalm 43 says, oh, send out your light and your truth. Let them lead me.

Psalm 119105, thy word is the lamp into my feet and the light into my path. God's word illuminates my mind. God's word illuminates my path. God's word gives me direction in life. It shows me where to go. It shows me what to say. it shows me how to say it because that's what God's word does. It illuminates my life. That should cause me to feed on it. I want to have understanding. I want to know what God's doing. I want to know how God's operating. I want to know what God has for me. I want to know what God has for you.

I want to know the will of God for my life. And so God illuminates my mind. It was Darling Blackman who said, So many times I cry, Lord, let me hear from you.

If I could only hear your voice, I know just what to do. If you would only speak to me through a soft and gentle hush. Or like Moses, let me hear your voice through an endless burning bush.

So softly comes the answer back. I've spoken, but you've not heard. For all you need to hear from me I've written in my word. Isn't that true? I'm sure it is. God gives us direction. Number five, purification. Purification. Redemption, transformation, maturation, direction, illumination, purification. Psalm 119, verse number nine. You know the verse, how can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to the word of God. This word is fresh. This word is alive. This word is what I need.

I need to feed on it. Why? It changes my life. It saves my soul. It shows me where to go. It shows me how to live. It grows me spiritually. And it cleanses me from all my sin. John 15, verse number three says, You have been made clean through the word.

God's word is like comet. When I was growing up, it was called babbo. I don't know if they still had that or not. I use babbo when I clean the toilets all the time and get all the scunge and junk off that thing and make it sparkly and make it shiny. That's what God's word does. It cleanses you up. It's like babbo. It takes away all the impurities. It makes you sparkle. It causes you to shine. How many times have we said that dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives, right? Absolutely. First Peter 1.22, Peter already said it once.

He said, since you have an obedience to the truth, purified your soul. for a sincere love for the brethren. Purity comes to obeying the Word of God. Next, number six, communication. Communication. Do you know God's Word allows me to be able to communicate properly? And that's why I need to feed on the Word of God. Listen to what Peter says in verse number 15 of chapter 3. He says this, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. always being ready to make a defense to everyone who ask you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.

In other words, Peter says, in your hearts, give Christ a separate place, a unique place, a distinct place. Set Christ apart in his rightful place. so that when the time comes, you are ready to give an answer to anybody who ask you of the hope that is within. Remember what God told Moses, Exodus chapter 4, verses 15 and 16? I will teach you what to say. I'm going to give you the words to say, Moses. I don't know what to say. God says, it's okay.

I'm going to give you the words. I got the words already, Moses. I've already got him. All you got to do is listen to them. All we got to do is read them. Right? And so God wants us to be able to communicate. That's why he says in Colossians chapter 4 that we need to have a gracious speech so that we might know how to answer any people. That only happens when our hearts and minds are focused on God and His Word. Colossians 3 versus... Colossus 4 versus 2 to 6. Speak of that power. to communicate.

When we share Christ with people, we share with them the Word of God. If you're ever looking for a word to say, you know, I do a lot of counseling. I have nothing to say to anybody. Absolutely zero. So when someone comes to me for counseling, you know what I do? I just read the Bible. I'll quote them a verse. I'll share with them in the illustration of the Bible. Why? Because that's the only thing I can communicate. That's all I got. I don't have anything in myself. And yet God's word is powerful.

And so help them understand what God's word says on the issue because it's God's word that transforms the life. And so God's word allows you to communicate biblical truth. We're to speak the truth in love, right? Absolutely. Another one. Satisfaction. Why should I feed on the Word of God? Satisfaction. God's Word does that. Psalm 119, verse number 103, says this. How sweet are thy words to my taste, yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth. You know, those who only sample the Word of God, never acquire much of a taste for the Word of God.

You know, you need to acquire a taste for it. When I was growing up, I never liked liver. But the more I ate liver, the more I acquired a taste for liver. I like liver now.

You say, you've got to be kidding me. No, I like liver. And see, you know, if we're not into the Word of God acquiring a taste for the Word of God, then we're not going to want to feed on the Word of God. But there's something about the Word of God that satisfies my soul. Luke 1128, blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it. Those are the blessed people. Over in Psalm 119, verse number 14, the Psalmist said these, I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies as much as in. in all riches.

When I read about your testimonies, that I read about your word, that gives me as much satisfaction as all the riches I could ever obtain. Wow. Psalm 119. Verse number 24. Thy testimonies also are my delight. They are my counselors. Verse number 35. Make me walk in the path of thy commandments, for I delight in it. Verse number 47. and I should delight in thy commandments, which I love, and I shall lift up my hands to thy commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on thy statutes. Verse number 72, the law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Verse number 127 says, therefore I love thy commandments above gold, yes, above fine gold. Verse number 162 says, I hate and despise falsehood. Oh, but I love thy law. The Psalm must acquired a great taste for the law of God. So much so that it would sustain him day to day because of its freshness. He had loved it. That's what he wanted. One more. condemnation. Say, ooh, what are you throwing that in there for? Well, simply this. John 1248 says, he who rejects me and does not receive my sayings as one who judges him.

The word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. They're raising my feet on the word of God because it's the word of God that's going to condemn man one day. because it's the Word of God when Revelation 19 verse number 17 or excuse me verse number 15 when Christ returns that out of his mouth comes that great sword which is the Word of God that's why I feed on the Word of God one more thing Peter says as newborn babes long for the pure milk of the Word you know you know, babes are undistracted.

They have one thing in mind. That's it. All they know is to feed on that milk. That's all they know. And they are set on accomplishing that one objective. And nothing's going to distract them for it. In fact, if you try to console them to distract them, they cry louder. right because they they know what they need and they know where to get it and God forbid that we should do anything to keep, put anything between them and their mother's breast. They go bonkers. And that's the way it should be for us.

God forbid that anybody should keep me from going to church. Undistracted. There should be nothing that should keep me in the house of God to hear the Word of God. There should be nothing that would keep me from feeding them the Word of God every day. I should dive into the Word of God as a newborn babe dives after its mother's breast. Because that's his source of life. It's the bread of life. I've used this illustration before, but I think it's appropriate. If you came to see me, you're looking rather gaunt.

rather pale, weak. You came to me and said, man, I'm just not going to make it. I said, what's wrong? I'm just so weak. I'm losing weight. And I said to you, when was the last time you had a good meal? You said, well, about two weeks ago. My words to you would be, how about you get something to eat? How about you feed on something? How about you eat a good meal that will take care of the weaknesses, the gaunt look, the pale look? People all the time, they come to me and they say, you know, I're just not making it.

I can't handle it. Life is falling apart. And I say to them, well, when was the last time you had a good meal in the Word of God? Oh, a week ago. Well, you see, you just can't make it from Sunday to Sunday. You wouldn't just eat on Sunday and not eat the rest of the week, would you? And I'll eat the following Sunday. Would you? No, you've got to feed throughout the week. And God's word, because of its freshness, is able to give you the source and able to replenish your soul every single day. And so we need to be able to understand that God's word is so important that there should be nothing that distracts me.

You see, Satan's going to bring every distraction he can to keep you out of the Word of God and out of the Church of God so you can't hear the Word of God. And he's going to bring him in all kinds of ways. And I'm almost embarrassed to even give you some of those illustrations on how he brings them because we'd be too convicted. But he brings him, doesn't he? And we think, you know, it's okay, I'll go next week. I'll go in two weeks. They won't miss me. It's not about us missing you. It's about you being fed.

It's about you being motivated and challenged to be in the Word of God every single day. To read it, to memorize it, to meditate upon it, to study it, to learn. learn it so that you might be able to grow by it, so you might be able to mature in your walk with the Lord, so you might be illuminated as to where you should go and what you should be doing. All those things are extremely important. And so Peter says, you know what? It's the pure milk with the word. There's no deceit in it. There's no trickery in it.

It never misleads. It never deceives. It's completely safe to drink. and as newborn babes don't ever get distracted. Be focused. Cause yourself to feed in the Word of God. Since, first number three, you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

Have you tasted the kindness of the Lord? The graciousness of the Lord? The goodness of the Lord? If you have. Peter says, that's the motivation. Has he redeemed you? Yes. Has he illuminated your life? Yes. Has he transformed your life? Yes. Does he cause you to grow and you walk with him? Yes. Has he purified your life? Yes. If you taste the goodness of the Lord, just keep going back to the word of the Lord. Feed on the word of the Lord day in, day out. And Peter says, that will cause you to be holy as God himself is holy.

That's pray. Father, we thank you for tonight. a chance to look into your word and pray, Lord, that our hearts would be challenged to follow in obedience those things you have for us in Jesus' name. Amen. in.