We Are: Transformed by Truth
A Walk Through 2 Kings 21-23 October 11, 2026
"So the king sent messengers, and they gathered all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem to him. Then the king went to the LORD's temple with all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the prophets - all the people from the youngest to the oldest. He read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the LORD's temple. Next, the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant in the LORD's presence to follow the LORD and to keep his commands, his decrees, and his statutes with all his heart and with all his soul in order to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book; all the people agreed to the covenant." 2 Kings 23:1-3 (CSB)
Transformation is possible, it is beneficial, and it will align you in the will of God.
BREAK THE PATTERN
"He did what was right in the LORD's sight and walked in the ways of his ancestor David; he did not turn aside to the right or the left." 2 Kings 22:2 (CSB)
Josiah inherited a pattern, but he did not have to perpetuate it.
Your history might explain you, but it can't determine you.
FACE THE TRUTH
"The high priest Hilkiah told the court secretary Shaphan, 'I have found the book of the law in the LORD's temple,' and he gave the book to Shaphan, who read it." 2 Kings 22:8 (CSB)
When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. 2 Kings 22:11 (CSB)
- You can be surrounded by religious activity and still not be transformed by the truth.
If we're going to be people of God, we must be people of the Word.
RECEIVE THE MERCY
"Therefore, I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster that I am bringing on this place." 2 Kings 22:20 (CSB)
- Grace from God is God giving you something that you don't deserve. Mercy from God is God withholding the things that you do deserve.
"He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities." Psalm 103:10 (CSB)
- Mercy does not mean there was no judgment. Mercy means God did not treat Josiah according to the judgment he deserved.
What Jesus did on the cross was mercy that cleared the way for God to give you grace.
TURN AND REPENT
"Next, the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant in the LORD's presence to follow the LORD and to keep his commands, his decrees, and his statutes with all his heart and with all his soul in order to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book; all the people agreed to the covenant." 2 Kings 23:3 (CSB)
- God's kindness leads to repentance.
Josiah stood by a pillar, but Jesus took up a cross.
The pillar shows us Josiah is taking a stand. The cross shows us that Jesus is taking our place.