Series: “When There Is a Stirring” Part One - Pastor Brent Cantelon - Oct, 5, 2008

We live in a time of uncertainty. Some people feel we are in a crisis financially, politically, and in relationships. There is a spiritual stirring as well. People are asking spiritual questions. There is an increased desire in authentic worship of God.
The devil realizes there is this stirring and thus he stirs up wickedness. Jesus told us to be in a state of watchfulness. We must be ready because we don’t know when He will return as He promised.
We grow through cycles of spirituality. But when the spiritual embers start to burn brighter what should we do? God is calling us to a deeper, more intimate place of faith where we have a hunger for God, for His Word, and for His presence.
King Josiah’s story is one of spiritual stirring
He became king at 8 years of age. He surrounded himself with wise counsel.
At 16 years old he commissioned the restoration of the Temple. One of the priests found the Book of the Law. He read it and then took it to the King and read it to him.
The result was revival in Israel. Josiah is identified as the one king in Israel who completed the call to revival.Text: 2 Kings 23 Five steps that brought revival in King Josiah’s day that we can follow:
1. He removed from the house of God anything that did not belong – impurity, false worship, pride, and unforgiveness. When we come to the house of God we come to honor God and bring our lives as a sacrifice.
2. He removed idolatrous priests – the voice of the godless in our lives; those who mock God and blaspheme His Name. Whose voices are we listening to in the media, etc.?
3. He removed the high places – secret places that we indulge in our lives like the rich young ruler who wanted to hold onto his money. What is the one thing that keeps us from following Jesus? An ungodly relationship? A hurt? A 'harmless' sin?
4. He restored worship of God in a passionate, historic way – doing the things we once did in our hunger for God. “There was never a Passover like this before or since.”
5. He gave whole-hearted, total worship to God – worshipping God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:29 – 31)

Discussion Questions
Do I love the Lord?
Have I covenanted to be faithful to Him as my one and only?
Are we willing to follow King Josiah’s example?
Are you willing to come back to the Word and obey it like Josiah?