Sermon Notes: “Keep your place”

2chron 25:1-21 /

(1)  Extremely popular: vs1,3 / Isa 1:1 / 7:1-7/

Hosea 1:1/ Zech 14:5 / Isa 6:1 ( 52yrs) 792-740bc

 

(2 ) Extremely successful,: Vs 11:15. Time frame,792-742bc

Co-regent: Amaziah/Joash, / VS 6,7: PHILISTINE control!

2Sam 8:12 - Rom 6:6 - old man/destroyed-New cov, established!

 

(3)  The gospel reinforced:  vs. 9,10: / Rev 22:12-14

Built towers ( watch) Gates ( protect/ examine)

“Jesus said, take heed and watch” / Luke 12:37 Blessed!

“ Sound doctrine” 2Tim 4:1-4 /

 

(4) The gospel restored : 2chron 25:21-24. The folly of

Amaziah. Private worship indicative of public rebellion:

 2chron 25;14 / 27:2 /

 

(5) The gospel ( was ) plundered: 2chron 25:16/ 20-24:

Paul warned! Col 2:8/4-7

Politics / Constantine  4th century -

Rationalism/Reformation - 17,th 18th                             

Neo/paganism- evangelical church: 20,21st

 

Application: Look to yourself, your house, your children,

 your brethren, your ways. We are either waking up, or going

 to sleep. Mt 12:24-30/ Mt 25:5/ Ps 13:3 / Isa 29:10

 

 

 

 

I dislike square pews, and bad music
(J. C. Ryle, "The Outlook" 1886)

 

The worst cloud which I see in our Church's outlook, is the widespread disposition to regard religious externalism, as a substitute for vital soul-saving Christianity. 2Tim 3:5-7 

When I speak of externalism, let me explain what I mean. We all know that the external part of religion has received a large amount of new attention during the last forty years. All over the land it has become the fashion to restore churches, to get rid of old square pews, to improve the singing and music, to have a well-adorned choir, to decorate the church-building in a most elaborate style, and, in one word, to adorn, beautify, and improve the whole exterior of Church Christianity. Do I say there is anything sinful in all this? Nothing of the kind! I abhor everything like slovenliness in the ceremonials of worship. I dislike square pews, and bad music, and bad singing as much as anyone! But I do say, that I fear an external improvement often takes place in a church—without the slightest corresponding increase of godliness in the worshipers!

 

No doubt there is a far more show of religion in our Churches—but it is very doubtful whether there is more vital Christianity, more presence of the Holy Spirit, more heart and conscience work, in the private lives and the homes of our people. I fear that in hundreds of cases, men have rested content with having secured a handsome church and a 'bright and hearty service,' and have forgotten that what God looks at—is the hearts of the worshipers, and the quantity of grace to be found among them.

This is a very delicate subject, and I would be sorry to be misunderstood, or to give pain to anyone in handling it. But I am obliged to say plainly, that I fail to see that all the external improvement of the last forty years, is accompanied by any corresponding growth of practical holiness! There is no decrease in the total idolatry of recreations, or the extravagant expenditure of money, or self-indulgence of all kinds. “ Continued”

 

 

 

 

On the contrary, there is far less repentance, faith, holiness, Bible-reading, and family religion! If this state of things is not a most unhealthy symptom in the condition of a Church, I know not what is!

We may depend upon it—that knowledge of Christ, obedience to Christ, and the fruits of the Spirit—are the only tests by which God weighs and measures any Church. If these are absent, He cares nothing for beautiful buildings, fine singing, and a pompous ceremonial. These are 'leaves,' and He desires to see not leaves only, but 'fruit'. The tree of the Church of England perhaps never had so many leaves on it, as it has just now. I wish there was a corresponding quantity of fruit!

 

We must never forget that the Temple service at Jerusalem in the day of our Lord's crucifixion was the most perfect ceremonial that ever was—whether for singing, order, vestments, or general magnificence and beauty. Yet we all know that at this very time, the Jewish Church was thoroughly rotten at heart, and after forty years was swept away! Who can doubt that the little upper chamber, where the apostles met on the day of our Lord's ascension, was far more beautiful in God's sight, than the beautiful temple which our Master Himself called 'a den of thieves'? I heartily wish that we would remember this, more than we appear to do. The disposition to make an idol of externals, and to sacrifice the inside of religion to the outside, is, in my judgment, the darkest cloud on our ecclesiastical horizon! Of this we may be quite certain—that God will never bless a Church which is content with such a low standard of practical piety.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence! Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like white-washed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness!" Matthew 23:25-28

 

 

 

      PASTOR’S COMMENTARY AND OUTLINE    

                  Streams & Fountain
          (Gleanings from the Inner Life of Ruth Bryan)

November 21st, 1830. While thinking this afternoon of  some friends who have been running eagerly from one place to another after a celebrated, and, I suppose ,a most  interesting preacher; this idea forcibly struck me--why
manifest such undue concern after streams, when we have the Fountain always accessible? I can, in my  humble cottage, approach the footstool of the Father  of mercies, and enjoy the manifestation of His love! John 14:21

 

“ This is the warning our Savior gave, about those busy without outward exploits in Mt 7:21-23. Certainly we all will have to account for our duties to the King. However,  I agree with Mrs. Bryan; first things first. Find the fountain, which is the grace of God in Christ, from whom all blessings flow. Mark your place by it, and frequent His eternal draft, for your souls security through the gospel of our blessed Redeemer and His blood and merits, and then, enjoy the streams He gives, through His servants, and their efforts to nourish your souls by the power of God. Rom 14:17

 

As you do this, you will never idolatries the second cause, to the neglect of the primary cause of all your salvation , our Heavenly Father. 1cor 3:5,6

 

RMEMBER, conference time, in 4 weeks. We all must pray for this time, and seek to avail ourselves to adorn the gospel , for others, to our Fathers glory !

       “ HIS BANNER OF US IS LOVE”  OCT 10,11,12   2008 here!     

 

MEETING FOR SISTERS:  NEXT SUNDAY AFTER SERVICE!

 

DISCUSS FOOD PREPARATION, SET-UP, CLEAN UP, ETC.

 

NURSERY DUTIES  / CHILDREN SERVICES.

 

See Barbara Gistand.