Josiah, Hilkiah and The Revival of The Bible
Lead Pastor Will Ford
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2 Kings 22:1-2
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1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath.
2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
BSB
Josiah received the unfinished business of righteous king, and you can receive the unfinished business of our righteous king Jesus, who said, “Greater works than these are you going to do, because I go to the Father.”.
There can be no true revival without the Bible.
2 Kings 22:8-11
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8 Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan, who read it.
9 And Shaphan the scribe went to the king and reported, “Your servants have paid out the money that was found in the temple and have put it into the hands of the workers and supervisors of the house of the LORD.”
10 Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.
11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes
9 And Shaphan the scribe went to the king and reported, “Your servants have paid out the money that was found in the temple and have put it into the hands of the workers and supervisors of the house of the LORD.”
10 Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.
11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes
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Hilkiah means “God is my share, portion or inheritance”
The greatest inheritance we can receive, is the word of God!
The greatest inheritance we can receive, is the word of God!
Scholars say “The Book of the Law” was first 5 books of the Bible, (Pentateuch) or the book of Deuteronomy.
1. After Josiah read a portion of Bible we have today, he brought revival and reformation to an entire nation.
2. The word of God not only changes you but can change an entire nation
1. After Josiah read a portion of Bible we have today, he brought revival and reformation to an entire nation.
2. The word of God not only changes you but can change an entire nation
Christianity is not the white man’s religion, nor the black man’s religion, it belongs to Christ alone! It’s not about white power or black power but God’s power!
Close to 80% of inner city youth grow up in a fatherless home.
1. The answer for a fatherless generation is the word of God
2. Through the Word of God, God is releasing the spirit of adoption over this generation
1. The answer for a fatherless generation is the word of God
2. Through the Word of God, God is releasing the spirit of adoption over this generation
Like in Josiah’s times, this generation even our community, is surrounded by false religions focusing on ethnic identity, because a post modern generation without morals and absolutes will lose their identity.
A generation without absolutes is asking, “Someone tell me who I am! Please define me!”
This has created not only a gender identity crisis, but an ethnic identity crisis!
A generation without absolutes is asking, “Someone tell me who I am! Please define me!”
This has created not only a gender identity crisis, but an ethnic identity crisis!
Current ethnic cults and religious movements targeting East Fort Worth ⚠️
1. Hebrew Israelites believe there’s salvation through ethnic identity, and that black people are the true Israelites.
2. KMT believes that Egyptian religions are the true religion, and Black people should leave Christianity, which they say is a copy of KMT, and go back to their African ancestral roots and worship the gods of KMT or Egypt, (Horus, Set, Osiris, Ra, Isis, etc).
3. Nation of Islam believes that Allah is God, and that Jesus is not the son of God, and that white people are blue eyed devils.
4. Five Percenters believe the black man is god, and the black woman is mother earth, and the gods and earths must come together to repopulate
5. The Moors are a Islamic religious black ethnic cult, that follows teachings of their leader and prophet the honorable noble Drew Ali.
6. New Heaven and New Earth is south Korean cult targeting inner city youth in America especially Hispanics,
Asians and African Americans. They teach that their leader Lee Man-hee is the Messiah.
1. Hebrew Israelites believe there’s salvation through ethnic identity, and that black people are the true Israelites.
2. KMT believes that Egyptian religions are the true religion, and Black people should leave Christianity, which they say is a copy of KMT, and go back to their African ancestral roots and worship the gods of KMT or Egypt, (Horus, Set, Osiris, Ra, Isis, etc).
3. Nation of Islam believes that Allah is God, and that Jesus is not the son of God, and that white people are blue eyed devils.
4. Five Percenters believe the black man is god, and the black woman is mother earth, and the gods and earths must come together to repopulate
5. The Moors are a Islamic religious black ethnic cult, that follows teachings of their leader and prophet the honorable noble Drew Ali.
6. New Heaven and New Earth is south Korean cult targeting inner city youth in America especially Hispanics,
Asians and African Americans. They teach that their leader Lee Man-hee is the Messiah.
Christianity belongs to Christ alone! It’s not about white power or black power but God’s power! Quick history:
1. Much like Josiah, King Ezana (330-356 AD) of Axum accepted Christ as a young king without a father. Under his rule Axum became a powerful Christian nation, and is now Ethiopia. 1900 years later modern Ethiopia is still a Christian nation.
2. Egypt was Christian nation for over 600 years, and Alexandria Egypt was an apostolic hub along with Jerusalem, Antioch and Rome
3. Christianity was in West African nations like the Congo in 1491
4. Of the over 2000 slave narratives on record with the library of Congress, I’ve never found a time where one enslaved African Americans were beaten into Christianity. Rather, they were beaten, persecuted and even martyred because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
1. Much like Josiah, King Ezana (330-356 AD) of Axum accepted Christ as a young king without a father. Under his rule Axum became a powerful Christian nation, and is now Ethiopia. 1900 years later modern Ethiopia is still a Christian nation.
2. Egypt was Christian nation for over 600 years, and Alexandria Egypt was an apostolic hub along with Jerusalem, Antioch and Rome
3. Christianity was in West African nations like the Congo in 1491
4. Of the over 2000 slave narratives on record with the library of Congress, I’ve never found a time where one enslaved African Americans were beaten into Christianity. Rather, they were beaten, persecuted and even martyred because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
QUESTION | How were the books in the Bible selected?
Short Answer… “By God!”
Short Answer… “By God!”
Main Criteria For Canonizing Scripture…
In The Old Testament
1. Conformity to Torah!
In The New Testament
1. Apostolicity (written by Apostles)
2. Trusted History
3. Relevance To Israel & The Church
4. Longstanding Usage/Application over time
SIMPLIFIED… God Reveled Himself To Abraham and the other text continued to support that story.
“God in his providence chose what would have been preserved!”
In The Old Testament
1. Conformity to Torah!
In The New Testament
1. Apostolicity (written by Apostles)
2. Trusted History
3. Relevance To Israel & The Church
4. Longstanding Usage/Application over time
SIMPLIFIED… God Reveled Himself To Abraham and the other text continued to support that story.
“God in his providence chose what would have been preserved!”
CAUTION | There will always be critics who will challenge the Bible.
Upon further study you will find the answers to the critics.
Upon further study you will find the answers to the critics.
There is not another book in the history of the world that has withstood more attacks, scrutiny and demonic resistance than the Bible!
PRACTICAL ADVICE | Don’t waste time arguing with people over
the Bible
the Bible
QUESTION | How do we know we can trust the accuracy of the
Bible?
Think for a minute…. “What Other Historical Text Do You Question The Reliability Of?
“If the critics want to disregard the New Testament, then they must also
disregard ALL other ancient writings by Plato, Aristotle, and Homer.”
Bible?
Think for a minute…. “What Other Historical Text Do You Question The Reliability Of?
“If the critics want to disregard the New Testament, then they must also
disregard ALL other ancient writings by Plato, Aristotle, and Homer.”
QUESTION | What is the 2nd most historically accurate ancient
text?
“If You Can’t Answer That We Have Discovered You Don’t Have A Mind Problem With The Bible, You Have A Heart Problem!”
“History Trusts The Bible!”
text?
“If You Can’t Answer That We Have Discovered You Don’t Have A Mind Problem With The Bible, You Have A Heart Problem!”
“History Trusts The Bible!”
Standards For Historical Reliability
The Bible is 98% textually pure. Through all the copying of the Biblical
manuscripts of the entire Bible, only 2% has any question about it.
Nothing in all of the ancient writings of the entire world approaches the
accuracy of the biblical documents.
The 2 percent that is in question does not affect doctrine. The areas of interest are called variants and they consist mainly in variations of wording and spelling.
The Bible is 98% textually pure. Through all the copying of the Biblical
manuscripts of the entire Bible, only 2% has any question about it.
Nothing in all of the ancient writings of the entire world approaches the
accuracy of the biblical documents.
The 2 percent that is in question does not affect doctrine. The areas of interest are called variants and they consist mainly in variations of wording and spelling.
The Bible is the most historically accurate and preserved document in the history of the world!
The Bible is…
1. Unparalleled in its accuracy
2. Unequalled in its reliability
3. Unsurpassed in its relevance
The Bible is…
1. Unparalleled in its accuracy
2. Unequalled in its reliability
3. Unsurpassed in its relevance
“Science Trusts The Bible!”
Dr. Peter Stoner “Chairman of Mathematics and science at Pasadena
City College and West College… was a EXPERT In Probability.
PROBABILITY = the extent to which something is probable; the likelihood of something happening or being the case
In The 1950’s Dr. Peter Stoner Did A research project on the “probability” of the 300 predictions (Prophecies) of the OT coming true 400 years later in the NT.
- He Recruits 600 science students from 12 classes to research the
probability of the 300 predictions from the OT actually happening.
- The national American scientific council said it was accurate and
conservative.
They chose 8 of the 300 predictions “prophecies”
1. Christ To Be Born In Bethlehem Ephratah (Micah 5:2)
2. Christ To be preceded by a Messenger (Isaiah 40:3 & Malachi 3:1)
3. Christ To Enter Jerusalem on a Donkey (Zechariah 9:9)
4. Christ to be betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9; 55:12-14)
5. Christ to be sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12)
6. The Money Christ Was Sold For Be Thrown To “The Potter” In Gods House (Zechariah 11:13)
7. Christ Was Silent Before His Accusers. (Isaiah 53:7)
8. Christ To Be Executed By Crucifixion As A Thief! (Psalm 22:16) (Zechariah 12:10) (Isaiah 53:5)
Here’s What They Found
The probability of these 8 prophecies being fulfilled was 1 to the 17th Power… 1 in 10’17 [17 Zero’s after That Number]
Dr. Peter Stoner “Chairman of Mathematics and science at Pasadena
City College and West College… was a EXPERT In Probability.
PROBABILITY = the extent to which something is probable; the likelihood of something happening or being the case
In The 1950’s Dr. Peter Stoner Did A research project on the “probability” of the 300 predictions (Prophecies) of the OT coming true 400 years later in the NT.
- He Recruits 600 science students from 12 classes to research the
probability of the 300 predictions from the OT actually happening.
- The national American scientific council said it was accurate and
conservative.
They chose 8 of the 300 predictions “prophecies”
1. Christ To Be Born In Bethlehem Ephratah (Micah 5:2)
2. Christ To be preceded by a Messenger (Isaiah 40:3 & Malachi 3:1)
3. Christ To Enter Jerusalem on a Donkey (Zechariah 9:9)
4. Christ to be betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9; 55:12-14)
5. Christ to be sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12)
6. The Money Christ Was Sold For Be Thrown To “The Potter” In Gods House (Zechariah 11:13)
7. Christ Was Silent Before His Accusers. (Isaiah 53:7)
8. Christ To Be Executed By Crucifixion As A Thief! (Psalm 22:16) (Zechariah 12:10) (Isaiah 53:5)
Here’s What They Found
The probability of these 8 prophecies being fulfilled was 1 to the 17th Power… 1 in 10’17 [17 Zero’s after That Number]
John 5:39
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39 You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,
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We can trust that the Bible is the word of God because only God
could orchestrate 66 books from over 40 authors spanning 1500
years from 3 continents in 3 languages all pointing to one man
on one cross!
could orchestrate 66 books from over 40 authors spanning 1500
years from 3 continents in 3 languages all pointing to one man
on one cross!
Loving The Bible!
“My Favorite Thing About The Bible Is… ITS ALIVE!”
“My Favorite Thing About The Bible Is… ITS ALIVE!”
Hebrews 4:12
BSB
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
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The Bible is alive so it brings life!
WARNING Religious people love to use that sword to hurt people!
Using the Bible to hurt people is witchcraft!
WARNING Religious people love to use that sword to hurt people!
Using the Bible to hurt people is witchcraft!
Luke 22:47-51
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47 While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him.
48 But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49 Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?”
50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.
48 But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49 Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?”
50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.
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The Bible Is A Weapon Made For The Enemy Not People!
If I’m Hilkiah today, I’m giving a Josiah generation the Bible because Jesus is the Word of God!
Jesus is the word who became flesh, and dwelt among us!
If you want to spend time with Jesus, encounter Him by reading your Bible!!!
Jesus is the word who became flesh, and dwelt among us!
If you want to spend time with Jesus, encounter Him by reading your Bible!!!
John 1:1
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1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
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The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and now He wants to dwell with you!
