JOSIAH, AN EXAMPLE FOR
YOUTH
II Chronicles
34:1-8
"And he
did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of
David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, not to the left."
INTRODUCTION:
1.
Background of Josiah.
2. II
Chronicles 34:1-8. Consider the example of Josiah, particular for those in
their youth.
DISCUSSION:
I. Josiah’s
chosen path (II Chronicles 34:1-3a).
A. Josiah’s
actions serve as an example for youth today in that Josiah decided, at an
early age, to devote himself to God.
1.
Solomon wrote: "Remember now thy creator in the days of thy
youth" (Ecclesiastes 12:1).
2. Paul
encouraged Timothy, "Let no man despise thy youth" (I Timothy
4:12).
B. In the
eighth year of his reign, Josiah began to seek after the God of David his
father.
1. Josiah
realized the importance of using God’s Word as his standard for right
and wrong (II Chronicles 34:2 – "Josiah did that which was right in
the sight of the Lord").
2. Josiah
declined neither to the right hand nor to the left.
II. Josiah’s
purging (II Chronicles 34:3b-7).
A. Josiah
knew Judah could not prosper if he allowed evil to exist alongside the good.
1. Josiah
purged Judah from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images,
and the molten images (II Chronicles 34:3).
2. In
doing so, Josiah was going against the religion of his father and
grandfather.
B. Young
people today can imitate Josiah by purging their lives of evil.
1. It is
not possible to "build up" without first "tearing
down." Example: painted automobile.
2.
Consider Colossians 3:8-9: "Put off all these".
III. Josiah’s
participation in repairing the temple (II Chronicles 34:8ff).
A. Once we
rid our lives of evil, we must fill the void with that which is righteous.
1. If the
void is left unfilled, the evil will eventually return.
2. Josiah
realized the importance of keeping God’s Word (II Chronicles 34:21).
B. A
parallel can be drawn between Josiah’s participation in repairing the
temple and young people’s participation in the work of the church.
1. Young
people have responsibilities to the church.
2. Young
people can make contributions to the church (I Timothy 4:13-16).
CONCLUSION:
1.
Josiah’s life serves as an example for us all, particularly those who are in
their youth.
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