A Path to Remain Wholly Devoted Regardless
Key Points
This sermon explores the meaning of being "wholly devoted" to God, using the biblical example of King Josiah to illustrate that devotion is a choice that can be made regardless of one's circumstances.
Understanding Christian Devotion
The sermon begins by defining devotion, not just as a feeling, but as a conscious, deliberate choice and lifestyle. The theme verse for the year, 1 Kings 2:4, serves as the foundation: "Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes and to keep his commandments as at this day." What Christian devotion is NOT:- Just a feeling or once-a-week activity.
- A routine or a checklist of actions.
- Dependent on perfect circumstances.
- About external actions or pleasing people.
- Only for pastors or spiritual leaders.
- A daily decision to deny oneself and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23).
- A commitment to a deliberate lifestyle, not a temporary excitement.
- A wholehearted love for God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
- A consistent pursuit of a relationship with God.
- Being faithful in the small things.
The Story of King Josiah
The sermon highlights the life of King Josiah as a powerful example of a wholly devoted life.- A contrast to his ancestors: Josiah was the grandson of Manasseh, a wicked king who led the people of Judah into severe idolatry, and the son of Ammon, who continued his father's evil ways. Despite this background, Josiah chose a different path.
- Early devotion: At just eight years old, Josiah became king. At sixteen, he began to actively seek God. At twenty, he started to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan idols and shrines.
- The discovery of God's Word: During the temple's repair, the "Book of the Covenant" (likely the book of Deuteronomy) was discovered. Upon hearing its words, Josiah humbled himself, tore his robes in repentance, and made a personal covenant with God to obey everything written in the book.
- Impactful leadership: Josiah's personal devotion led to national revival. He led his people to renew their covenant with God, celebrated the Passover, and restored true worship. His actions demonstrate the power of one person's devotion to change an entire nation.
A Path to a Wholly Devoted Life
The sermon presents five actionable steps we can learn from Josiah's life to be wholly devoted:- Destroy your idols: An idol is anything that takes God's place in your heart, such as money, relationships, social media, or personal pride. Identify and remove these from your life (1 John 5:21).
- Repair the temple: Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Care for your spiritual life by spending time in prayer, reading the Bible, and fellowshipping with other believers.
- Humble yourself: Like Josiah, be humble and repentant when confronted with God's word. Let scripture convict you and respond with obedience (James 4:10).
- Renew your covenant: Our God is gracious and always provides a way back. You can make a fresh commitment to Him at any time.
- Remember and celebrate Jesus: Regularly partaking in Holy Communion is a way to remember and celebrate the new covenant established through Jesus's blood on the cross (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).