Review – Finding Our Starting Point

• Two components of finding our starting point?– Self-examination– Humility

• When we humble ourselves, God will make us what we ought to be (Jas. 4:6-10; 1 Pet. 5:5-7).

• Keys to finding proper humility:– 1 Cor. 6:9-11– Lk. 17:7-10

Purifying Our Environment

The Example of Josiah (2 Kings 23:4-25)• Get rid of the physical objects (v.

4)– Are we willing to pay the price to

live righteously?– “The spiritual price to be paid when

[we] hold onto these stumbling blocks is far greater!” (p. 26)

Purifying Our Environment

The Example of Josiah (2 Kings 23:4-25)• Get rid of people who promote sin

(v. 5)–How can we prevent these

relationships from dragging us down while still looking for an “open door”?

–What is these people only want a relationship on “their terms”?

Purifying Our Environment

The Example of Josiah (2 Kings 23:4-25)• Get rid of the places where we sin (vv.

7-10)– Jn. 17:15– We must avoid those places where we

KNOW we will be tempted with impurity.• Get rid of the passing benefits (v. 11)– Heb. 11:24-26– Passing benefits vs. reward in Christ (Mk.

10:29-30)

Purifying Our Environment

The Example of Josiah (2 Kings 23:4-25)• Get rid of the pieces forever (vv. 4, 6,

12, 15)– Burn it to ashes, grind it to powder,

scatter it to the wind– Rom. 12:9

• Abhor – apostugeo• The idea that something is so repulsive that

we want to completely separate ourselves from it/cease doing it.

Purifying Our Environment

The Example of Josiah (2 Kings 23:4-25)• Replace them with proper practices

(vv. 21-23)– “Such a Passover surely had never

been held since the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah.” (v. 22)

– Gal. 5:19-23

Purifying Our Environment

The GOAL: Removing all obstacles• No zeal – fire will never be ignited• Smoldering zeal – fire can never be

stoked• Moderate zeal – fire can never grow

In all cases, failure to purify our environment will ultimately result

in a dead, cold fire.