Bible Message/Preaching : The Ancient Landmark
Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set. Prov 22:28
What is this ancient landmark?
Two types of ancient landmark: 1. Physical landmark 2. Spiritual landmark!
What is the physical/material meaning of this? We’ll imply this to the spiritual side also. Prov 23:10 -11 Do not remove the ancient landmark, Nor enter the fields of the fatherless; For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you. Moving a boundary stone was is a major problem. The boundaries that were established by the forefathers were to be preserved, but no law would stop such violations if people lacked integrity (e.g., Deut 19:14; 27:17; 1 Kgs 21:16-19). Boundaries in Israel were sacred because God owned the land and he apportioned the property to the tribes. To extend one’s property illegally by moving a neighbour’s boundary marker was a violation of covenant and oath. disputes could arise when both sides claim their ancestors established a boundary.
Let’s look at the spiritual side of this in more detail: Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. background – answer to men & brethren what shall we do??Why is this a landmark? We enter into His kingdom by this landmark – bearing His Name! Col 1:13 -14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Lets read about our most important landmark – Jesus Christ:
Eph 2: 19 - 22 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
To speak, once we enter into this kingdom, we are to be in agreement with the Scriptures! We read-Word became flesh! 2 Tim 3:16 -17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. –LandMark.
Lets not deviate from the scriptures but rather submit to Him! It’s probably easier to go away from the message by telling different things! But, God resists the proud & gives grace to the humble: 1PET 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Jesus has shown us the example! – to be obedient!! – Do not displace this ancient landmark! Gal 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. -> Deu 27:17 Cursed is the one who moves his neighbour's landmark.' "And all the people shall say, "Amen!'
What if we’ve done some mistakes? If we’re not so strong in our walk/faith as before/ deviated?
Rev 2:4 - 5 "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place - unless you repent. We need to keep the passion that we’d in the beginning! Lord is asking us to be restored back to Him. If we call upon Him He’ll help us- there is nothing too hard for Him!
What kinds of works are we ought to do?
Isa 58:6 – 9 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, Here I am.'
Are there consequences for disobedience? – a lot…we may not want to go there...let’s look at an example where it turned out good.
2 Kin 5:9 -14 Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha's house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean." But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, "Indeed, I said to myself, He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.' "Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, Wash, and be clean'?" So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. Explain the illustration – not to do our own way, but His way!! Let’s examine!!
To conclude: Let’s keep close guard of our ancient landmark - this chief cornerstone – He is called the Ancient of Days! Let’s keep in mind that whatever we do is for His glory & only for Him alone! Ask Him to reveal things to us. May the Lord bless us in our walk with Him!
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