LANDMARKS
JER. 6:17
Pro 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
E. We live in a day when churches has entered into programs which I truly wonder if God ever had any intention for the church to get involved in.
People want to know what you have to offer them. Life centers - single groups - concealing ministries. Sports - swimming – Bowling Alleys, etc.
The modern pastor feels that he must be a business administrator - a psychologist - a referee (not talking about sports) – a diplomat - and somewhere down the line a preacher and teacher of the Word of God. When I pastored in Pensacola, I had one young couple who left our church and joined a large Baptist Church that said to me, "Bro. Jacobs, we have learned more about the Word of God from you than any other person but . . . . . as if they are saying "the learning of God’s Word is a secondary thing. To bad you only excel in that).
Caution note: I am not talking about being unwilling to change. Any church that is living in the 1800 will never make any kind of impact on the world of the lost. They are Quakers, Mennonites, Amish, etc. However, any church that is stuck in the 1940 – 50 will not make any impact on the lost world of sinners and take my word when I say that there are many, many church that are still stuck in the 1940-50.
We must change with out methods not our message. To be sure, we must use extreme caution to use methods that are honorable and does not bring a reproach or degrade the great gospel message of life – but our main tasks is to convey the MESSAGE OF LIFE.
Paul said to the church at Philippi:
Phi 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Phi 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Phi 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
WE MUST NEVER LOSE THE OLD LANDMARKS: Pro 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
I. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE NEVER REMOVE THE BUSH.
A. Text in Exodus [TELL OF MOSES AND THE BURNING B USH]
We need to see the bush burn - We need to see the holiness of God. We need to be aware of the burning presence of a living God when we come together in our worship.
1. We will never be able to see sin in a proper prospective until we see it in the light of the burning glory and holiness of God.
2. We will never be able to judge out actions - our speech - our conduct until we realize we are walking in the presence of a holy God.
WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE BUSH.
II. WE MUST MAKE SURE WE NEVER REMOVE THE BREATH.
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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Tim. 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
A. Quote: God’s Word will keep you from Sin or Sin will keep you from God’s Word.
III. WE MUST MAKE SURE WE NEVER REMOVE THE BLOOD.
A. Paul said, I am determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
B. People say, "We need this program and that program and we need to do this and do that but we need to have the blood of Jesus Christ applied to every facet of our lives.
C. Andrei Crouch wrote:
The blood that Jesus shed for me - way back on Calvary
The blood that gives me strength from day to day
It will never lose its power
It soothes my doubts and calms my fears - and dries all my tears
The blood that gives me strength from day to day
It will never lose its power.
It flows to the highest mountain
It flows to the lowest valley
the blood that give me strength from day to day
It will never lose its power.
POWER IN THE BLOOD
What can wash away my sins - Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again - Nothing but the blood of Jesus
for my pardon this I see - Nothing . . . .
For my cleansing this my plea - Nothing . . . . . .
Nothing can for sin atone - Nothing . . . .
Naught of good that I have done - Nothing . .
This is all my hope and peace - Nothing . . . .
This is all my righteousness . . . . .
Oh, Precious is the flow that makes me white as snow.
No other fount I know, Nothing . . . . . . . . .
III. WE MUST MAKE SURE WE NEVER REMOVE BETHEL.
Gen 35:3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
1. BETHEL - THE HOUSE OF GOD (not a church building).
2. BETHEL - Where Jacobs wrestled with the Lord and lost.
3. BETHEL - The place of the alter (My house - house of prayer)
CONCLUSION:
WE WILL NEVER LIVE A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE WITHOUT MARKING THE LANDMARKS AND KNOWING THEY ARE THE GUIDING FORCE IN OUR LIFE.
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CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH
PASTOR: Larry Jacobs
email: LarryJ713@aol.com
Web Site: cbcbedford.com
