TITLE: The Lost Bible
TEXT: 2 Chronicles 34:14-16; 29-33
PROPOSITION: The plea to restore New Testament Christianity is valid.
QUESTION: How?
KEY WORD: Applications
SCRIPTURE READING: 2 Chronicles 34:29-33

1. INTRODUCTION: Churches of Christ exist because of a plea to restore the church as it existed in the New Testament.
2. Is this a valid idea? Does God want us to try to restore the NT Church?
3. There are some lessons to learn from this event in the OT.

1. Moses commanded that the law be read to the people. Deuteronomy 31:24-26
2. Parents were commanded to teach the law to their children. Deuteronomy 6:6-9
3. During the period of the kings (evil kings) idols were worshipped – God forgotten.
4. There was a long period of evil kings in a row. God’s law ignored.

1. Bibles are available – 30 million printed each year.
2. Still may be lost. How?
3. Have it but do not read it, study it, obey it.
4. Read it but only for history, literature.
5. Read it to pick flaws, prove it false.
6. Read it to prove their theory right.
7. Isn’t it strange that it was lost in the House of God?
8. Copy in homes – but not in hearts of parents.
9. Copy in churches – but not obeyed, followed.
10. Copy in preachers hand – but not taught.

1. Hilkiah had it read to Josiah (the king).
2. Josiah gathered the people to hear the word of God.
3. Challenged the people to make a covenant with God.
4. Purge land of idolatry, evil practices – Return to doing right.

When Jehovah’s people push aside the Bible to serve their own interest – apostasy results.

Don’t lose the book. If lost – find it, read it, study it, obey it.