GOD’S ADVANCING KINGDOM – III
· Matthew 4:17 “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.”
· “Kingdom” = dominion or reign of a king.
· “Kingdom” = realm where a king rules and his word and values are obeyed.
· Kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom manifest in and through people.
· Whatever you yield to and obey will rule in your life and manifest through you.
· At the core of kingdom mentality is embracing God’s will and purpose (Matthew 7:22).
· Matthew 11:12 “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence”
· “Violence” (971 Strongs) = to press in strongly, force ones way into, make forceful effort.
· “Take by force” (973 Strongs) = to make an effort to enter in, in spite of violent opposition.
· Every advance of God’s Word and rule in your life is strongly opposed.
(i) Demonic spirits - 1 Peter 5:8-9
(ii) Culture - Ephesians 2:2-3
(iii) Religious people - Matthew 23:13
· Background:
· Josiah’s grandfather, Manasseh, filled the land with corruption and sin.
· 2 Chronicles 33:4-7 Revival of evil in the land.
· Josiah’s father, Amon, did even worse evil (2 Chronicles 33:21-23).
· Legacy of 57 years of corruption, idolatry – no spiritual patterns.
· Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah, Lord God … nothing is too hard for You.”
· No matter what a nation’s condition, God is able and willing to change it.
Key One Josiah embraced his prophetic destiny
· “Josiah” (2977 Strongs) = founded by God; foundation of God (cf Jesus, Matthew 16:18).
· God foretold reformation under a king called Josiah (1 Kings 13:2).
· Prophecy still requires human cooperation – must make a choice!
· “Right” (3477 Strongs) = straight upright, level it to bring into order, make right.
· Josiah chose to embrace Godly destiny to make life count.
· Inner life not crooked or bent – chose high personal standards.
· “Sight of God” = measuring standard = what pleases God not people’s opinions.
· Focused life on pleasing God in spite of corrupt family background.
· “Ways of David – Father”.
· “Ways” (1870 Strongs) = course of life, trodden path.
· Father Þ looked to King David as a model, example, pattern to live.
· “David” = Man after God’s heart – served his generation (Acts 13:22/36).
· Cannot use family background, lack of models as an excuse!
· Example: Luke 2:49 Jesus – embraced his prophetic destiny.
· Example: Personal! – What are you embracing? What models do you look to?
Key Two Josiah pursued God’s presence and favour
· vs3 “While still young began to seek the God of his father.”
· Made hunger for God a priority – spent four years seeking God.
· “Seek” (1875 Strongs) = to frequent, diligently enquire, pursue or search for.
· Focused effort on discovering God’s presence and purpose.
· Psalm 63:1 “Oh God, You are my God – early will I seek You.”
· He copied David’s pattern of diligently seeking God’s direction.
· Example: Luke 4:14 Jesus
· Example: Personal! What effort are you making to discover God’s purpose?
· Hebrews 11:6 “Rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
Key Three Josiah contended with (religious) compromises
· vs 3-6 Broke down the altars of Baal.
· “Purge” (2891 Strongs) = to make pure, clean.
· “Break down” (5422 Strongs) = tear down, destroy, aggressive, oppose.
· Idol = substitutes for God, ways thinking that dominate people’s lifestyle.
· Idol = own ideas about serving God; empty, powerless forms of service.
· vs6 With mattock = axe, sword Þ word of God striking down idolatry.
· Demon powers seek to bind people with empty religious forms.
· Example: John 2:14-16 Jesus – cleansed temple.
· Example: Mark 3:1-5 Jesus – confronted religion that had no care for people.
· Example: Personal! What mindsets, idols dominate lifestyle?
· Example: Personal! What concern for lost broken people?
Key Four Josiah committed to build the house
· vs8 Began to repair the house of the Lord.
· vs8 “Repair” (2388 Strongs) = to fasten on, sieze, strengthen, make strong or able to withstand.
· vs10 “Repair” (918 Strongs) = to mend a breach or gap.
· “House of the Lord” = people; the church.
· “Breach” = gaps in wall caused by enemy assault, attack.
· Need to restore damage done by sin, neglect, ignorance.
· Need to restore to God’s original purpose.
· Þ Apostolic shaping and preparation for fulfilling purpose.
· Þ Discipleship (Matthew 28:18-19) – great commission.
· “Discipleship” = process of shaping people by personal example. Teaching and involving in ministry experience, so become obedient to Christ and productive in serving Him.
· Example: Mark 3:13-15 Jesus
· Example: Personal! Are you being discipled? Discipling others?