The Raiders of the Lost Ark

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6: 1 - 23
Title: “The Raiders of the Lost Ark”

Introduction: For 100 long years the Ark of the Covenant had been separated from the tabernacle and other places of worship. After its capture by the Philistines at Aphek (1 Sam. 4:11) it remained in Philistia for seven months, then briefly at Beth Shemesh, and the rest of the time at Kiriath Jearim. Now David had taken Jerusalem, a neutral place, and made it the political capital of the kingdom. All that remained was to retrieve the ark, place it in the tabernacle he would erect on Mount Zion, and declare Jerusalem the religious center of the nation as well.

I. THE ARK and ITS SIGNIFICANCE.

a. The Ark was the first thing that God had told Moses to build.
b. The ARK was a SMALL BOX 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 feet deep made of shittim wood (incorruptible), overlaid with Pure Gold. (Only room for ONE person at a TIME).
c. The CONTENTS of the ARK consisted of:
 A GOLDEN POT of MANNA (Daily Bread).
 The TEN COMMANDMENTS on tablets of Stone (The Law was CONTAINED in Jesus).
 Aaron’s Rod that BUDDED (Once DEAD and ALIVE again!).
d. The PURPOSE of the Ark.
 To give POWER to those who POSSESSED it.
 The Ark was a MEETING PLACE for God and His people.
 The Ark was God’s SANCTUARY.
e. The people that CARRIED the Ark were Levites.
f. The DESIGN of the Ark was given by God Himself to Moses.
g. The ARK was REPRESENTIVE of the Lord Jesus Christ.
h. The ARK was ANOINTED with oil. (Ex. 30:25 – 26)

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 Over the years there was a sad decline in Israel’s spiritual life. Religion became more of a form than a reality, but the nation hung on to its traditions believing that its outward ceremonies would take the place of a meaningful relationship with God. Of course God, although long-suffering, would have none of it, and allowed the nation’s enemies, the Philistines, to punish them in battle.
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II. THE LOSS OF THE ARK (Power & Presence of God)

a. During a BATTLE Israel was soundly defeated and lost 4,000 men; therefore, some clever general thought he had the answer. “Let’s go get the Ark and take it with us into battle.”
b. The losing of the Ark of the Covenant was one of the SOREST BLOWS that had ever fallen upon the nation of Israel.
c. The CORRUPT state of the PRIESTHOOD was to BLAME for this National Failure & Disgrace.
d. The “Loss of Power” is one of the worst things that can happen to a – PERSON, a CHURCH, a DENOMINAITON, and a NATION.
 They wanted the POWER of the ARK but weren’t interested in the God of the Ark.
 “God will be FORCED to fight on our side.” – You can’t MANIPULATE God.
 Their SCHEME of USING the ARK as a kind of LUCKY CHARM didn’t work and the Ark was captured. (Can you imagine the Power of God being CAPTURED by the Enemy of God?)
e. Can you IMAGINE God’s people being without His power for 100 years?
f. I believe a large portion of the Church world has lost the POWER & PRESENCE of God from their lives.
 People have learned how to have CHURCH without POWER.
 Christians have learned how to LIVE without the POWER of God.
 Preachers have learned how to PREACH without the POWER of God. (Some