WE NEED TO REDISCOVER GOD'S LAW: 2 KINGS 22:11-13

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WE NEED TO REDISCOVER GOD'S LAW: 2 KINGS 22:11-13

2 KINGS 22:11-13

November 28, 2021 • Brett Baggett • 2 Kings 22:11–13

If we want reformation, we must rediscover the Law of God.

2 Kings 22:11 “When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.”

I) We need to read or “hear” the Law of God. It is not enough to know that there is a divine Law, we need to constantly read or hear the Law taught and applied. II) We need to read or hear the “the words” of the Law of God. We need specifics, not generalities. We need the exact words, not just the ideas. III) We need to read or hear the words of “the Book” of the Law of God. In the Scriptures alone is the Law of God sufficiently revealed. The Law of God is written on our hearts, but our hearts are deceitful because of sin, therefore we cannot sufficiently trust them.

I. WE MUST REDISCOVER THE LAW OF GOD BECAUSE THE LAW OF GOD REVEALS GOD’S PERFECTIONS AND PERFECT ACTIONS

Consider with me The Ten Commandments and how they reveal God’s perfections and perfect actions:

I) You shall have no other gods besides (other than) me. The First Commandment reveals the perfect preeminence of God.

II) You shall not make for yourself a carved image. The Second Commandment reveals the perfect essence of God.

III) You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. The Third Commandments reveals the perfect holiness of God.

IV) Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. The Fourth Commandment reveals God’s perfect actions in creating and redeeming.

V) Honor your father and your mother. The Fifth Commandment reveals God’s perfect actions in ordering the world.

VI) You shall not murder. The Sixth Commandment reveals God’s perfect actions in creating man in His own image.

VII) You shall not commit adultery. The Seventh Commandment reveals God’s perfect actions in faithfulness.

VIII) You shall not steal. The Eight Commandment reveals God’s perfect actions in generosity.

IX) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. The Ninth Commandment reveals God’s perfect actions in truthfulness.

X) You shall not covet. The Tenth Commandment reveals God’s perfect actions in providence.

II. WE MUST REDISCOVER THE LAW OF GOD BECAUSE THE LAW OF GOD REVEALS OUR DAMNATION—IT REVEALS OUR SIN AND MISERY AND DRIVES US TO CHRIST FOR DELIVERANCE

I) The Law of God makes known our sin to us, revealing our miserable state outside of Christ. (Romans 7:7; Romans 3:20)

II) The Law of God sufficiently reveals our inability to be saved by obedience to it, showing that we are all under a curse if we have not obeyed it perfectly. (Galatians 3:10)

III) The Law of God then, after revealing our sin and misery, as well as our inability in any way to be saved by our works, drives us to Christ. (Galatians 3:24; 2 Kings 22:12-13)

III. WE MUST REDISCOVER THE LAW OF GOD REVEALS OUR DESIGN AND DUTY

I) The Law of God reveals the design and duty of civil government—there will not be justice unless our laws are in line with God’s Laws.

II) The Law of God reveals the design and duty of we who are in Christ.

(I) The Law of God is a guide to how you best glorify and enjoy God.

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

(II) The Law of God reveals how to love your neighbor.

Romans 13:8-10 “8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

(III) The Law of God is the delight of those who are justified.

Psalm 119:97 “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Romans 7:22 “I delight in the law of God, in my inner being…”

(IV) The Law of God is not burdensome if you have been saved from its curse and condemnation.

1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”

(V) Keeping the Law of God is one of the ways we show our love for Christ.

John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

BLUEPRINTS FOR REFORMATION: 2 Kings 22-23

October 31, 2021 • Brett Baggett • 2 Kings 22—23

In 2020, Ligonier Ministries conducted a survey in conjunction with LifeWay research to see what The State of Theology is in the United States of America. I) WHAT DO AMERICAN’S BELIEVE ABOUT CHRIST? When hearing the statement, “Jesus was a great teacher, but he was not God,” 52% of adults in the United States agreed, and 30% of professing Evangelical Christians agreed. II) WHAT DO AMERICAN’S BELIEVE ABOUT HOW GOD SAVES SINNERS? When hearing the statement, “God chose the people he would save before he created the world,” 50% of professing Evangelical Christians in the U.S. disagreed. III) WHAT DO AMERICAN’S BELIEVE ABOUT THE SINFULNESS OF MAN? When hearing the statement, “Everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature,” 48% of professing Evangelical Christians in the U.S. agreed. IV) WHAT DO AMERICAN’S BELIEVE ABOUT WORSHIP AND CHRIST AS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD? When hearing the statement, “God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam,” 42% of professing Evangelical Christians in the U.S. agreed. V) WHAT DO AMERICAN’S BELIEVE ABOUT GENDER IDENTITY? When hearing the statement, “Gender identity is a matter of choice,” 22% of professing Evangelical Christians in the U.S. agreed. I. If we want reformation, WE MUST TRULY CARE ABOUT THE LORD’S GLORY SHINING THROUGH HIS CHURCH (22:3-7) II. If we want reformation, WE MUST REDISCOVER THE SCRIPTURES, WHICH ARE GOD’S VERY WORDS (22:8-10) III. If we want reformation, WE MUST LEARN HOW TO LAMENT AND REPENT (22:11-13) IV. If we want reformation, WE MUST REDISCOVER THE TERROR AND JUSTICE OF THE WRATH OF GOD THAT BURNS AGAINST SINNERS (22:14-17) V. If we want reformation, WE MUST HAVE A TENDER HEART AND HUMBLE ACTIONS (22:18-20) VI. If we want reformation, WE MUST RENEW YOUR COVENANTAL OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD (23:1-3) VII. If we want reformation, WE MUST SET ABOUT TEARING DOWN IDOLS (23:4-20) VIII. If we want reformation, WE MUST REDISCOVER THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLE OF WORSHIP (23:21-25) IX. If we want reformation, WE NEED A PRIEST WHO CAN TAKE OUR SIN AWAY (23:26-27) X. If we want reformation, WE NEED A KING WHO CAN NEVER DIE (23:28-30)

WE MUST SEEK THE HEALTH OF THE CHURCH: 2 Kings 22:3-7 & 1 Peter 2:5

November 7, 2021 • Brett Baggett • 2 Kings 22:3–7, 1 Peter 2:5

BIG IDEA: If you and I want Reformation in our day, we must be concerned with the health of the church because God’s glory shines through the church. The ascribed glory that is due to God is at stake. If the church us going to be healthy, we must know who we are and act accordingly (1 Peter 2:5). I. THE CHURCH IS A COLLECTION OF INDIVIDUAL LIVING STONES (1 Peter 2:5a) I) The church is made up of living stones, not dead stones or idle stones. II) Each individual member of Christ’s Church is important. II. THE CHURCH IS A COLLECTION OF INDIVIDUAL LIVING STONES WHICH MAKE UP A SPIRITUAL HOUSE (1 Peter 2:5b) I) If you are not united in worship, fellowship, and mission with other saints, then you are robbing the church of its living stones, therefore leaving the temple unhealthy, and consequently robbing God of glory. III. THE CHURCH IS TO BE A HOLY PRIESTHOOD (1 Peter 2:5c) I) If we are going to be a holy priesthood, you and I must be holy in our souls, freed from the penalty, power, and pollution of sin by Christ’s blood (Revelation 1:5-6). Revelation 1:5-6 “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” II) If we are going to be a holy priesthood, you and I must be holy in our epistemology (Colossians 2:8). Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” III) If we are going to be a holy priesthood, you and I must be holy in our doctrine (Ephesians 4:11-12, 14). Ephesians 4:11-12, 14 “11 [Christ gave the church]. . .shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. . . 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” IV) If we are going to be a holy priesthood, you and I must be holy in our sexuality (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 “18 Flee from sexual immorality. . .19 You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” V) If we are going to be a holy priesthood, you and I must be holy in our worship (Leviticus 10:3). Leviticus 10:3 “Then Moses said to Aaron [right after Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu were killed by the LORD for worshipping Him in a way that He had not prescribed], ‘This is what the Lord has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” VI) If we are going to be a holy priesthood, you and I must aim to be holy in all our conduct (1 Peter 1:14-16). 1 Peter 1:14-16 “14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions (lusts) of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” THE CHURCH IS TO BE A HOLY PRIESTHOOD WHO OFFERS ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICES TO GOD THROUGH CHRIST (1 Peter 2:5d) I) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, through trust in Jesus, do what is righteous and trust in the Lord (Psalm 4:5). Psalm 4:5 “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the Lord.” (NASB 1995) II) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, resting your soul in the finished work of Christ, have a broken spirit and a contrite heart over your sin (Psalm 51:17). Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite (remorseful) heart, O God, you will not despise.” III) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, trusting in Christ’s merits alone, pour yourself out for the eternal good of others (Philippians 2:17). Philippians 2:17 “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.” IV) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, through faith in Jesus, give offerings, according to your means, in order to further the mission of Christ in the world (Philippians 4:18). Philippians 4:18 “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” V) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, relying on Christ’s righteousness alone, pray to God (Psalm 141:2). Psalm 141:2 “Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!” Psalm 50:14 “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High.” VI) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, resting in the blood-bought promises of God, sing His praises (Psalm 27:6). Psalm 27:6 “And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.” VII) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, through faith in Christ, worship God with your family (Genesis 35:1-3) Like Jacob in Genesis 35:1-3 who set up a family altar to worship God at his home with his whole house. VIII) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, relying on Jesus’ work alone, worship God privately (Matthew 6:6). Like Christ tells you to in Matthew 6:6, “Go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” IX) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, trusting in Christ’ merits alone, worship God publicly in the assembly of the saints (Psalm 149:1). Psalm 149:1, “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!” X) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, through faith in Christ, present your very body as a living sacrifice in your everyday life (Romans 12:1). Romans 12:1 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

WE MUST REDISCOVER THE SCRIPTURES AND APPLY THEM: 2 KINGS 22:8-11

November 14, 2021 • Brett Baggett • 2 Kings 22:8–11

THE REDISCOVERY OF THE SCRIPTURES IS WHAT IS MOST NEEDED FOR REFORMATION (2 Kings 22:8-11) I. If we want reformation, we must rediscover the Scriptures as they apply to each of us, PERSONALLY AND INDIVIDUALLY We must first look at ourselves and the ways we need to personally reform to the Word of God, taking the log out of our own eye, and only then can we take the speck out of our brothers. Matthew 7:3-5 “3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” II. If we want reformation, we must rediscover the Scriptures as they apply to THE CHURCH The Church must preach, sing, pray, baptize, feast, fellowship, practice discipline, and equip all according to the Word. (I) The Church must PREACH the Word. Like Paul commands Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the Word.” Like Paul’s example in Acts 20:27, “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” (II) The Church must must SING the Word. Ephesians 5:19-20 “19 [Address] one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (III) The Church must PRAY the Word. Matthew 6:9-13 “9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (IV) The Church must BAPTIZE according to the Word. Acts 8:12 “When they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (V) The Church must FEAST according to the Word. 1 Corinthians 11:26 “As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” (VI) The Church must FELLOWSHIP around the Word. Acts 2:42 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (VII) The Church must PRACTICE CHURCH DISCIPLINE according to the Word. Matthew 18:15-17 “15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” (VIII) The Church must EQUIP THE SAINTS with the Word. Concerning the WHOLE CHURCH, Paul tells the Church at Ephesus in Ephesians 4:11-12 “11 [Christ] gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry.” Concerning the MEN Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2 “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” Concerning the WOMEN specifically Paul tells Titus in Titus 2:4-5 “[The older women are to] train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” III. If we want reformation, we must rediscover the Scriptures as they apply to OUR FAMILIES I) We must have our homes structured like the Scriptures say, with the husband functioning as the head, the wife as his helpmate, and their children as those being trained to be godly. (I) HUSBANDS AND FUTURE HUSBANDS: Ephesians 5:22-24 “22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” (II) WIVES AND FUTURE WIVES: Genesis 2:20-22 “For Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.” (III) CHILDREN: Ephesians 6:1-4 “1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” … 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” II) We must recover family worship in our homes. Like Joshua in Joshua 24:15, we must resolve, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” And fearing to be named among those who act like they do not know God, we should be terrified of Jeremiah 10:25 “Pour out your wrath on the nations that know you not, and on the [families] that call not on your name.” IV. If we want reformation, we must rediscover the Scriptures as they apply to OUR VOCATIONS I) There is no sacred or secular distinction; all lawful work is serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 “23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” II) The primary work for a man is outside the home, providing food, shelter, and other necessities for his wife, children, and even relatives who need it. Genesis 2:15 “The Lord God took the man (Adam) and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Genesis 3:19 “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread,” 1 Timothy 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” III) The primary work for a wife is at home, being a helpmate, loving her husband and children and relatives. Titus 2:3-5 “3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” V. If we want reformation, we must rediscover the Scriptures as they apply to THE PUBLIC SQUARE I) You and I need to be like Paul who boldly, yet with trembling, went into the public square proclaiming the Kingdom of Christ, even calling for repentance. Acts 17:29-30 “30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” II) You and I need to proclaim the gospel in the public square, compelling people to come to Christ in faith for salvation, and to come into the covenant family of the Church for holiness. In the Parable of the Wedding Feast, Christ says in Luke 14:23, “The master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.’” VI. If we want reformation, we must rediscover the Scriptures as they apply to THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT You and I need to make certain our understanding of the role of civil government is what God says it should be. Romans 13:3-4 “3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.” VII. If we want reformation, we must rediscover the Scriptures as they apply to COMBATTING GREAT EVILS IN OUR CULTURE We must work to abolish evils by seeking justice and correcting oppression, not by seeking compromises or regulating oppression. Isaiah 1:16-17 “16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.” VIII. If we want reformation, we must rediscover the Scriptures as they apply to HOW GOD SAVES SINNERS We must all rediscover that God says He saves sinners by His sovereign grace alone, from beginning to end. Romans 8:29-30 “29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”