The Book that transforms lives and nations. 2 Chronicles 34

The guerilla leader, Mono Jojoy, had declared pastors to be military targets and the Bible to be the most lethal weapon against his interests.

Pablo: “The simple act of having a Bible in your hands causes miracles to happen.”

2 Chronicles 34 “ 1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left. …

14 While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the temple of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord that had been given through Moses. 15 Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan.

18 Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. 19 When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes.

20 He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 21 “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found.

Great is the Lord’s anger that is poured out on us because those who have gone before us have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.” …

29 Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 30 He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites — all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord.

31 The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord — to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book.

32 Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge themselves to it; the people of Jerusalem did this in accordance with the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors.” – 2 Chronicles 34

14 While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the temple of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord that had been given through Moses. 15 Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan.

What happens when God’s people loses the Word of God?

They will not know God’s will They will not know how to distinguish between sin and holiness.  Leading to devastating consequences.

Kings of Judah. Hezekiah | Manasseh | Amon | Josiah. good | evil | evil | good

2 Chronicles 31 – “ 20 This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. 21 In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered. ”

2 Chronicles 33 – “Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. 2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites.”

God’s Word – without it, people are lost, or worst, they (we) might indulge in greater and greater sin. Without God’s Word  wRetchedness

“Single-parent households in America are much more likely to live in poverty than two-parent households. …

Single mothers work longer hours than their counterparts in other industrialised nations – in part due to a lack of subsidised day-care and other government assistance. …

40.7% of all births in USA in 2010 were to unmarried women.

“Single-parent households in America are much more likely to live in poverty than two-parent households. … Single mothers work longer hours than their counterparts in other industrialised nations – in part due to a lack of subsidised day-care and other government assistance. … Approximately one-quarter of American children are raised by single parents. …

God’s Word – without it, people are lost, or worst, they (we) might indulge in greater and greater sin. Without God’s Word  wRetchedness

God’s Word – without it, people are lost, or worst, they (we) might indulge in greater and greater sin. Without God’s Word  wRetchedness 2 Chronicles 34:3 “In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David.”

“18 Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. 19 When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes.” - 2 Chronicles 34

31 The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord — to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book. 32 Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge themselves to it; the people of Jerusalem did this in accordance with the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors.”

2 Chronicles 34:27-28 “Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before Me and tore your robes and wept in My presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. Now I will gather you to your ancestors, 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.’”

God’s Word – without it, people are lost, or worst, they (we) might indulge in greater and greater sin. Without God’s Word  wRetchedness God’s Word – causes us to see who we really are (ugliness of sin) and make us realize we must repent. Encountering God’s Word  Repentance

God’s Word – without it, people are lost, or worst, they (we) might indulge in greater and greater sin. Without God’s Word  wRetchedness God’s Word – causes us to see who we really are (ugliness of sin) and make us realize we must repent. Encountering God’s Word  Repentance God’s Word – guides us to Righteous Actions Embracing God’s Word  Righteous actions  God’s favor (mercy) & blessings

1 Peter 5:5b-7 “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “ God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. ”

Hebrews 12:14 “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and be holy ; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

Would we allow God’s Word to shine in every area of our lives, and if there be sin, would we repent? Truly repent – not just say sorry God but follow up our repentance with righteous actions.

As a church, we want to focus on God’s Word this year, to pay more attention to it, to have more activities on it, so as to encourage more of us to encounter and embrace the Word of life.

The purpose of the church is to glorify God. How? Deep and wide.

The purpose of the church is to glorify God. … deep & wide Deep We are to grow deep in the Lord – to know Him, to love Him.

The purpose of the church is to glorify God. … deep & wide Deep We are to grow deep in the Lord – to know Him, to love Him. Personally Pastoral Care Groups People of God.

The purpose of the church is to glorify God. … deep & wide Wide Wide in outreach – bearing witness for Christ, doing good works on behalf of God, so that His name will be applauded even by non- Christians.

The purpose of the church is to glorify God. … deep & wide Wide Wide in outreach – bearing witness for Christ, doing good works on behalf of God, so that His name will be applauded even by non- Christians. Personally Pastoral Care Groups (PCG) People of God.

At the centre of Growing Deep and Wide, we must know who our God is, we must know what are the promises He has for us, and who He wants us to become. For all that, we look to God’s Word.