The Choice to Go all Out
If you could choose to live at any time in history, which age would you choose?
Right now we live in a magical age filled with exciting technological breakthroughs. God calls his people to be optimistic filled with hope (I Corinthians 13:13) and praise as the kingdom of God grows (Matthew 13:31-32).
Three Movements Converge During the Reign of King Josiah:
– God Is On the Move!
“Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” —II Chronicles 34:1-2.
Josiah, like most kids, was filled with optimism. He truly believed that
“Nothing is impossible with God!” —Luke 1:37
God raised up Billy Graham at the close of World War II to lead a revival across our nations that began with the youth. At 16, Josiah chose to follow the Lord. At 20, he purged his kingdom of evil. At 26, he began to repair the temple when the workers found a Bible. Josiah ordered the Word of God to be read and followed.
“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth.” —John Wesley.
Will you go all out for God?
– Storms Were On the Horizon!
“I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people…Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and provoked me to anger by all that their hands have made, my anger will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched.” —II Chronicles 34:24-25
Just as King Manasseh sacrificed his children to the pagan god Molech, so have Americans sacrificed 62 million children via abortion since 1973.
“They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughter…and the land was desecrated by their blood.” —Psalm 106:38
God wants us to love and cherish children, our greatest treasure! Our Awana staff at Heartland recently watched a video by Valerie Bell who challenged us to train resilient and fearless kids with both spine and heart. American kids are being hit with three unprecedented challenges:
Technology – the temptation to choose screens over relationships.
Family Breakup – 20 million kids are without a father right now.
Declining Church Impact – even those who go average 1.7 times/mo.
“The men of Issachar understood the times and knew what Israel should do.” —I Chronicles 12:32
God’s judgment is inevitable, but revival can bring delays, as it did with King Josiah.
– A Climax in History Is Approaching!
“Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before god…I will gather you to your fathers and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here.” —II Chronicles 34:27-28
Josiah’s reign brought a time of reprieve (delayed judgment).
Unfortunately the obedience of the people was based more on respect for the king than a heart change (II Chronicles 34:32-33). Rebellion against God filled their hearts, just like today. In the midst of revival movements all around the world, hostility to God grows daily.
“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any ways, for [the day of the Lord] will not come until the rebellion occurs.” —II Thessalonians 2:3
Before Jesus returns, there will be a great apostasy, a falling away from the faith.
41% of Americans believe Jesus will return before 2050 (Pew Research Poll). We don’t know when Jesus will return, but we do know it will bring both reward and judgment. To the sheep, Christ’s followers, he will say,
“Come you, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” —Matthew 25:34
To the goats (those who didn’t follow Christ), he will say, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41. The stakes could not be higher! This is why Jesus commanded us to reach others while there is still time. Will you go all out and do that?