The Impact of the Word of God.

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2025 - PASTOR HENRY CASKEY

2 KINGS 22 verses 8 to 20

57 or so years had passed by. There was nothing but rebellion in Israel. A turning away from God by the people of Israel. They were in a terrible state. God raised up a young man, at 8 years of age to sit on the throne. Manasseh his grandfather was a wicked king and his son Amon followed in his footsteps. Amon only served for 3 years when he was murdered. Now Josiah his son is on the throne. He is not an adult, just a child but he had great learning and ability. A little boy who God can use mightily. Isn't it wonderful to look at our hands and think what is that I am able to offer God? God doesn't ask much of us but he wants our lives to be handed over to him. He wants to be in control. Remember the story of a miracle when the multitudes gathered around Jesus. The day was far spent. The people were growing weary and hungry. The disciples were concerned at the people making their way home home. Maybe they would falter on the way. They were in need of food and Jesus told them to feed them. The disciples wondered where they would get food from. Then Andrew brings a boy down from the crowd. He tells the Lord there is a lad here who has a few fishes and loaves but what is that among so many? Have we come to the house of God today saying 'Lord I don't have much but whatever I have you can have it?' Have we surrendered it to the Lord? Josiah decided to renovate the house of the Lord. In verse 8 we read "I have found the book of the law." For some 50/60 years the book of the law had been neglected, set aside. Now in this time of renovation they had found the book. They bring it to the king.

The discovery of the book. See the various reforms that this man Josiah brings in. One of the greatest decisions he made was to follow the Lord at 16 years of age. He was being lifted to higher ground every time. His heart was in the work of God. We can bring our offerings and tithes to God's work and walk away but are our hearts in the work of God? Think of Nehemiah. His heart was in God's work. He was living in the palace in Shushan. He had a good job in the King's palace. He was comfortable but he really wanted to be down in Jerusalem, to lead and guide the people of God to build the walls. He lived 1000 miles away but his heart was in the work of God. He wanted to do more for God's honour and glory. Something special happened in this renovation here in 2 Kings 22. Hilkiah the high priest found the book of the law. In Deuteronomy 31 verse 26 we read that the book of the law was to be put to the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord. Their king was to read and study it (Deuteronomy 17 verse 18). It seemed after all this time that this book had been neglected and set aside. It was no longer read. It was set aside. Now the were in a dangerous situation. A great discovery was made. Think again of Nehemiah 8 verse 1 "And all the people gathered themselves together as one man in to the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had commanded to Israel." They were hungering for the book. Isn't it good to be hungry for the book? When the book was brought in Ezra read it to every one present. James Cooke the great adventurer sent his servant one day to bring him the book. When the servant went to his great library he asked 'which book' because he had so many. James Cooke told there was only one book. We need to be sure that from this pulpit the preaching of the word of God is central. Remember how the devil came to Jesus when he was hungry in the wilderness. He reminded him how great and powerful he was. How he was the Son of God. He told God to command the stones to be turned into bread and then he would be satisfied. Jesus replied "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Many are turning from this book today, leaving it aside. Yes they lift it periodically. They will read a bit here and there but overall it is neglected. Today we listen to fairy tales from our pulpits. So may say today 'we don't have to have this word before us, we can do our own thing.' There are so many self help books available to day that we can forget about this book. William Tyndale the publicist wanted to place the bible into the hands of the common people during the time of the reformation. They needed it in their own translation, their own language. Tyndale translated it from Hebrew and Greek into English. His last prayer was for God to open the eyes of the King of England.

The discernment of the book. Things are being tidied up in God's house when all of a sudden Hilkiah discovered the book. Imagine the joy in his heart. "I have found the book of the law." Notice the discernment. He realised the importance of the book he had in his hands. Do we realise the importance of this book today? To spend time in this book? Verses 9 and 10. When the book is discovered the king asks for it to be read aloud. Shaphan did as he was asked. Do we realise when we open this book it is the God of heaven we are reading about. This is his word. He reveals its words to us today. That word is eternally fixed in heaven for us. "My word will never pass away." Remember the Thessalonians believers when Paul came preaching. The people stood listening and as they did so they got saved. They realised this was the word of God. 1 Thessalonians 2 verse 13 " For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." These were not Paul's words but they were from the living God. They received it as the word of God. Do we receive this word as God's? The devil will try to get us to doubt and disbelieve this word. There is a great attack on the word of God even today. Remember when Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden. When the snake came into the garden Eve told of the tree in the centre. The devil picked up on this and asked "hath God said?" In other words 'are you sure God has said this to you?' Don't we hear that today? 'That is your interpretation of it.' It is the inspired word of God. Remember Jonah when he first heard the word of God. He turned his back on God. Eventually he went to Nineveh. Jonah 3 verse 5 "so the people of Nineveh believed God." Not Jonah or his words. They believed the word preached was the word of God. They proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth. They said 'this is God's word'. Remember the people of Berea. They listened to the word of God being preached and searched the scriptures themselves to make sure what they heard was true

The discipline of the book. Notice the response of the king on hearing the word of God - verse 11. Hilkiah had come to Shaphan and told him that the king needed to hear these words. Shaphan goes into the king and reads the word to him. Josiah realises this is the word of God that had been neglected and hidden for so many years - verse 11. He rent his clothes. He applied the word of God to his life. He tore his royal robes. He listened intently to the word of God. He realised how far from God they were. When we come to God's word we realise who we are and where we are. James talking about looking in a glass mirror and the reflection seen. Maybe there are a few adjustments that need to be made. As we read the word of God he shows us what we are and what is expected of us. We must apply it to our lives. That is the discipline required. The king repented of his sins. The discernment had to be turned into discipline. They were worshipping idols and they had to forsake them and put their faith in God. They had to wait on the promise of God. Have we discovered the word of God to our hearts? James Simpson was a scientist who discovered chloroform. He was being interviewed one and the interviewer asked him what was his greatest discovery thinking it would lead to him talking about chloroform. James Simpson replied 'the greatest discovery I made was the day I discovered I was a sinner and that Jesus had suffered and bled and died on the cross for me and I could take him as my own personal Saviour.' Have we discovered that today? Do we know Jesus as our own personal Saviour? He paid the price for you on Calvary that you might be saved, know your sins forgiven and are on your way to heaven and home. He made the discovery of the word of God. He discerned that it was God's word. He had discipline to apply it. Do we have discipline to apply God's word to our lives?

The direction of the book - verse 13. Josiah knew God's wrath was upon this people. He heard the word of God, ripped his royal robes and told Shaphan to go and enquire of the Lord.

The delivery of the book - verse 19. God's wrath remained on the nation. God dealt with this young man. The king would be saved.

As we come to the close of our meeting let us come as channels, listening to the word of God, knowing what God expects of us. Why not come and simply ask the Lord to use us. We may not have much but we can ask God to use us today. Josiah was only 8 when he came to the throne but God used him immediately to bring in many reforms in his day.