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“From Ruin to Revival”
Text: 2 Chr.29: 1-36 (Read vs.1-11, 15-17, 36 also 2 Chr.28: 23, “They were the ruin of him . . . ”) Intro.: We find in this chapter that Hezekiah seeks the Lord and brings the people back from ruin to revival! His father, king Ahaz had led the people down the path of ruin (2Chr.28: 23). He forsook the Lord, abandoned His house, put out the lamps, neglected to burn incense or offer up sacrifices and as a result he faced great judgment from God (2 Chr.28: 6-9). But his son Hezekiah ascends to the throne and immediately sets out to reverse the downward plunge and get back on the right path. This goes to show us that it’s when we’ve fallen the farthest, and when we’ve declined the deepest that we can expect to be blessed the best and can still hope to be restored. In other words there’s hope for revival even though we are in ruins! AMEN! Let’s see what king Hezekiah did to bring about revival and follow his example that we might enjoy a revival as well.
A) The Decision (vs.1-3) 1) In spite of the wickedness of his father Hezekiah did right and served God - NO EXCUSE for us! If we have a bad home, we can still serve God! Can’t blame our parents. We must make our own decisions! 2) He set out to restore worship immediately(v.3) - “first year,” “first month,” (v.17) - “first day,” “first month,” “first month.” 3) God blessed by preparing the people (v.36). 4) He put God FIRST! Before he did anything else, he sought the Lord! Did not worry about the economy, military, tax cuts, balanced budgets, campaign contributions etc. He sought the Lord!! 5) He opened the doors of the house (v.3) and repaired them. 6) Maybe you need to make the same decision - You need to open the doors of your heart and allow Jesus Christ to enjoy fellowship with you again or you need to receive Him as your Saviour! 7) Note: It took just one man to make up his mind that he was going to seek the Lord and a great revival followed! 8) Note: The situation seemed hopeless! But that’s when the light can shine the brightest!
B) The Declension (vs.6-10 cf. 2 Chr.28: 1-4, 22-25) 1) Surely it seemed hopeless and dark - But where sin abounds grace does much more abound! PTL! And so Hezekiah exercised faith and God honored his faith! 2) Note: * The people had done evil and had forsaken the Lord (v.6) * They had forsaken the house of the Lord (v.6c - 7a) * They had neglected the Word (v.7, “put out the lamps”) * They had neglected prayer (v.7, “not burned incense”) * They had neglected worship (v.7, “nor offered burnt offerings”) 3) Do not think situation so bad you cannot have Revival! Did not the Lord promise to send “Floods” upon the dry ground? (Is.44: 3) 4) Let’s get burdened about the dryness and make the dryness an argument at the Throne of God for Him to bless us with Floods! (1)
5) Is.59:19, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood . . . ” All of this trouble led Hezekiah to . . .
C) The Demand (v.5 & 11) 1) “Be not now negligent” 2) “Sanctify yourselves and sanctify the house of God and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.” 3) We too must cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (2 Cor.7: 1) Flesh - Smoking, drinking, fornication, drugs, pornography, filthy communication, off color jokes, etc. Spirit - bitterness, envy, unforgiving spirit, malice, hatred. 4) Do you lose your temper? If not, do you still have inner irritation and resentment? If someone says something unkind to you do you snap back? If not, are you angry within and desire to give them a piece of your mind? Someone wrongs you - You do not revenge, but do you secretly hope for misfortune to come their way?
D) The Diligence (v.15-19) 1) Note their obedience - They begin immediately to do as they are told! (v.17) No substitute for obedience! 2) They do not stop till they are finished! We must do a thorough job of cleaning house! Don’t stop till you’re finished! Note also the number of times “all” appears (v.16, 18, 19) 5 X’s! 3) They were more upright than the priests! (v.34) Some will not obey and seek God’s face but it does not mean we cannot have revival! 4) ILL.: Clogged Channels - Hyman Appelman said, “It is my firm conviction, as deep seated as my faith in God, that there is one reason why we are not having great victories and that is because the channels of our life are clogged. My bible stills says the effectual, fervent prayers of righteous man availeth much. I do not care what the circumstances are. If the evangelist, if the pastor, if half a dozen people in the church are right with God, you will have some kind of victory . . . I used to think that in order to have revival we had to have every person in the church right. I used to scold, nag, and drive and criticize Christians, just beat them over the head. But I have found out that not even God can revive everybody in a church. Some of them have never been “vived” and then cannot be “revived.” They have nothing to revive!” 5) As a result of obeying the demand and doing it with diligence they now enjoy renewed devotion!
E) The Devotion 1) v.20-24 - Offerings are made! 2) v.25-27 - Singing and Praises follow! 3) v.28-30 - Worship is restored! 4) v.36 - Great rejoicing took place! 5) Though it had taken years to bring about the “ruin” it only took a short time to bring about “revival.” “For the thing was done suddenly.” We too can see things happen today! From ruin to revival!
Conclusion What has brought “ruin” to your life? Filthiness of the flesh or spirit? Envy, pride, strife, gossip, hatred, malice, evil thoughts, fornication, covetousness, bitterness, unforgiving spirit, grudgitis, lust?? Repent and confess them today! Do it now! Be not negligent! Do a thorough job! Are you “dry” or “barren?” Is your channel clogged?
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