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

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

2 Kings 22:3-7

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.”

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 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.”

WE MUST LEARN HOW TO LAMENT OVER OUR SIN: 2 KINGS 22:11

November 21, 2021 • Brett Baggett • 2 Kings 22:11

BIG IDEA: If you and I want reformation, we must learn how to lament over our sin (2 Kings 22:11). 2 Kings 22:11 “When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.” What does lamenting over sin look like? Six examples: I) Job the great sufferer despised himself and repented in dust and ashes (after he had questioned the LORD because the LORD responded by challenging him to His face and revealing His glory)—this is true lament for sin! Job 42:5-6 “5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” II) King David wrote Psalm 51, pouring himself out in confession in response to his sin against Uriah, Bathsheba, and ultimately against the LORD—this is true grief for sin! Psalm 51:3-4, 17 “3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. . . . 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” III) Isaiah the prophet pronounced a curse upon himself and confessed his lostness when He beheld the glory of the Lord—this is true grief for sin! Isaiah 6:5 “[Isaiah] said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” IV) Peter the apostle wept bitterly after he denied Christ—this is true mourning for sin! Matthew 26:75 “And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.’” V) The Tax Collector in Jesus’ parable beat his chest and would not even look up to heaven—this is true sorrow for sin! Luke 18:9-13 “9 [Christ] told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” VI) The unnamed sinful women at the Pharisees house wept and kissed Jesus’ feet, even anointing Him with expensive perfume—this is true weeping for sin! Luke 7:37-38 “37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.” But why exactly should you and I want to learn to lament, mourn, have sorrow over, grieve, or weep for our sin? I) You and I must learn to mourn over our sin because SIN IS FIGHTING AGAINST GOD (selected) (I) Sin is FIGHTING God! In Acts 5:39 Paul’s former instructor says the religious leaders should be careful because if they persecute the preachers of the Gospel they “Might even be found [fighting God]!” (II) Sin is HOSTILE to God Romans 8:7 “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God” (III) Sin is CONTRARY to God Leviticus 26:21 “If you walk contrary to me and will not listen to me, I will continue striking you, sevenfold for your sins.” (IV) Sin is RESISTING God Acts 7:51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.” (V) Sin is STRIVING (QUARRELLING) with God Isaiah 45:9 “Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?” (VI) Sin is RISING UP AGAINST God Micah 2:8 “But lately my people have risen up as an enemy; you strip the rich robe from those who pass by trustingly with no thought of war.” II) You and I must learn to have sorrow over our sin because SIN NOT ONLY BREAKS GOD’S LAW; SIN BREAKS GOD’S HEART (Genesis 6:6) Genesis 6:6 “The LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.” III) You and I must learn to grieve over our sin because SIN MAKES A SEPARATION BETWEEN US AND OUR GOD (Isaiah 59:2-3) Isaiah 59:2-3 “2 Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies; your tongue mutters wickedness.” IV) You and I must learn to weep over our sin because IT WAS FOR YOUR SINS AND MINE THAT CHRIST WAS CRUSHED ON THE CROSS (Zechariah 12:10) Zechariah 12:10 “When they look. . .on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn.”