2019-0528 ICOC Cebu Teens Camp - “Kingdom Legends”

Intro:
1. How do you define someone legendary? 2008 Top 10 Greatest Sports Figures of All Time. I
will only mention the Top 4. Babe Ruth, Ali, Tiger and Jordan.
2. What is common with them? They have exceptional skills and abilities. They were the best
among the best in their time. They were the first to do something. They have notable career
achievements. They have impact to others, they inspire us!
3. Can I be as legendary as they are?
4. Title:”I Am Legend”
5. Let us look at the life of one kingdom legend. He was a king in the period where they were “A
Kingdom Divided Against Itself"
1. At the death of Solomon in about 930 B.C., the nation of Israel was divided into two rival
kingdoms. The northern kingdom was called Israel or Samaria (made up of 10 tribes) while
the southern kingdom was called Judah (made up of 2 tribes, Judah and Benjamin.)
2. At this time different kings rise into power to rule the kingdom. It is interesting to note that
the kings of Judah ranged from terrible to excellent. Terrible because they led God’s people
astray but also excellent, such as Hezekiah and Josiah.
3. Josiah was a great king stood out among other kings! He was legendary, inspiring not
because of his skills and talents but because of his heart for God!
6. Watch video
2. God’s comment in Josiah’s timeline:
3. 2 Kings 23:24-25 NIV - This he did to fulfill the requirements of the law written in the book
that Hilkiah the priest had discovered in the temple of the LORD. [25] Neither before nor after
Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and
with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.
4. He was a rare diamond! What was in his heart that made him legendary?
5. Let us see God’s comments on the past kings before him. Grandpa and father…Most of them,
almost all of them, “did evil in the eyes of the Lord”.
6. 2 Kings 22:2 NIV - He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the
ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.
7. If you want to be legendary…
Body:
I. RIGHT in the EYES of GOD
A. AGE is not a HINDRANCE, he did right in the eyes of God.
1. He was just 8 yrs old and he was concerned with God and the spirituality of his people.
He already loved God enough striving to please Him.
2. In school, who among us here tried to be assigned to write those who are misbehaving in
the class while teacher is out? Was it easy? We call them “teachers pet.”
3. Imagine Josiah, 8 yrs. old taking a big responsibility. Imagine the insecurity. The peer
pressure from his older advisers. Oh Josiah, you are too serious. Chill and relax. A king
has the right to do what he wants.
B. BAD FAMILY Background is not a HINDRANCE
1. In the long line of Kings of Judah (south), bad wicked kings, from one gen of bad
example another - from his Lolo Manasseh, his father Amnon…
2. Ah my parents don’t have good examples, they are hypocrites…that is why I am like this
today. I am discouraged to be a disciple because of their bad example.
 3. But for Josiah, even if they are bad examples, I will still choose to follow God.
C. Prevailing BAD ENVIRONMENT is not a HINDRANCE
1. Imagine all the idolatry accumulated through the years. It was so established that it
became the “normal”! Why change it?
2. Cheating and corruption. Normal to cheat? Corruption is unavoidable?
3. Technology & social media is redefining the new normal if we are not careful…normal
to digital addicts - dine, anti-social, no fellowship, sleep with you tube. Normal to
express what you want in social media and disrespect. Normal to be served and not take
responsibilities.
4. Alcohol and drugs is redefining the new normal. It is ok to drink and party with drugs.
5. If Josiah lived in this age, he will not cheat and be corrupted. Just because you are young
or have a bad family tree or living in a bad environment doesn’t mean you cannot please
God and make a difference. He will socialise with people above his age, respect them,
serve them and fellowship.
6. Because he wanted to be right not in his friends eyes, not in society’s eyes, not in social
media, but in God’s eyes.
7. Josiah did not allow these things to hinder him and so can you!
II. RIGHT INFLUENCE
A. You FILTER who you follow
1. Prior to finding the book, it was said that “he completely followed the ways of David.”
Remember, his father was not David. At the age of 8 he chose his influences already. He
did not idolised his dad, he did not idolised his grandfather, he idolised the man after
God’s own heart.
2. He just did not accept every influence that comes his way, he FILTERED IT. Do you
have a “criteria” for the person you look up to? for the music you listen to? The people
you listen to? What sites do we go to? What games do we play? We cannot just swallow
everything what the world is offering, we have to spit out the bones.
3. Josiah looked up to David and what was the result? God said, [25] Neither before nor
after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his
heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of
Moses.
B. You BECOME who you follow
1. Influence is really powerful! Who you follow will BECOME you! He looked like
spiderman, think and behaved like spiderman, courage of spiderman. Embrace their
teachings. That is why we have to filter WHO we are following?
2. If you don’t believe me…look at this. You will be 100% influenced by them. Your
behavior, your way of thinking, your moves. Filter for the Right Influence!
3. Imagine if you FOLLOW Jesus…we will BECOME like Him.
4. 2 Kings 22:18-20 - Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, ‘This is
what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: 19 Because your
heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I
have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse[b] and be
laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard
you, declares the Lord. 20 Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be
buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’”
III. RIGHT RESPONSE to the Word
 C. Right Not About Himself
1. He got convicted when confronted with the word of God. It made him evaluate how
much they have drifted from the standard of God. He could be defensive, self righteous,
made excuses and pass the blame to his predecessors but no instead he was honest
enough to see his own heart. He took responsibility!
D. Right Standard
1. When it was found when he was 28 years old. He could have said to God, I am already
pleasing you, because I have been repairing your temple. He could have said, it is an old
book, we can just ignore it. “If we haven’t found it” argument. He dared to make the
WORD HIS STANDARD even if he was already doing good.
E. Right the Wrongs
1. He read it, fufilled & obeyed what was written and lived it out. More than what he
thinks, more than what is popular in those days.
2. Not only repaired the temple of God but destroy the idols. Because of this he destroyed
so many things, idols. He removed many bad influences.
3. What are your idols that needs to be torn down? Fake gods? Friends. Popularity.
Barkada. Godgets. Comfort. Pleasure.
A. The bible will confront you, how do you respond? In humility or in pride?
B. Oh I am already in the kingdom, I’m doing fine, I attend church, no need for the bible to be
my standard. What you are actually saying is God I am the standard & not you. I go with
what I feel.
C. Parents, the church and godly friends can influence you but they are not your standard! It is
the WORD of God that you need to embrace for yourself in your life!
D. It is only through our truly legendary Savior Jesus and his Word that makes all great and
legendary kings! Without Josiah responding to the word, we will not read his legend!
Challenge: Study his word. Continue to study his word and let it move you to love God and
make right the wrongs.
Closing:
1. This generation needs Josiah’s! Rare to find in their generation so as ours!
8. You are all in a better situation than Josiah! You are blessed to have parents who are Christians.
Don’ t waste this kingdom privilege and opportunity. Do what is right in the eyes of God.
Choose the Right Influence. Have the Right Response to the Word!
9. Let Jesus and his Word influence you to be the Legendary Teen you were meant to be!
10. I love you legendary teens, to God be all the glory!