THE LADNMARKS OF GOD
DEUTROMENY 19:14
Landmarks are any fixed object used to mark the boundary of a piece of land, or an event, discovery, etc, considered as a high point or turning point in the history or development of something.
Webster’s New World Collage Dictionary 4th Edition
1. THE LANDMARK OF THE CHURCH;
The most important factor of the church is Christ died for it.
People will tell you there is no importance to it. (I DON’T NEED TO GO)
My friends, if Christ gave His life for it, then it’s time we realize there is something important about it.
Sounds like enough a reason that we should NEVER move this landmark
Christ said to Peter in Mt 16:18
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
The Rock is the foundation of what the church is today.
We the church, believe like Peter did, “thou art the Chris”.
In the Letter to Timothy we find the church being outlined as the
Pillar and Ground of Truth
The Church of the Living God
The House of God 1Tim 3:15
The church is called “The House of God” 35x
The church is called: CONGREGATION, ASSEMBLY, and THE BODY OF CHRIST:
12x it is called the Tabernacle
It has 55 other names
It is called the House of the Lord 70x
Morrison writes:
The Christian church is a society of sinners. It is the only society in the world, membership in which is based upon the single qualification that the candidate shall be unworthy of membership.
Christ gave Himself for the Church, to me that in and of itself makes it a Landmark that should never be moved.
Christ is returning for the church:
John 14:1-3 says…
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Ephesians 5:25-27 says…
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
^^^Do you remember the old hymn: I shall not be, I shall not be moved, I shall not be, I shall not be
moved, just like a tree planted by the waters, I shall not be moved.
^^^As this old hymn states, the Landmark of the Church should never be moved.
2. THE LANDMARK OF THE BLOOD:
There may be some sins of which a man cannot speak, but there is no sin which the blood of Christ cannot wash away. –Spurgeon
What a wonderful quote, what a great statement. The blood covers every sin!
The Blood is the Life source of the body, without it we cannot live.
I do not care how well you take care of your body, nor do I care how many vitamins you take, if you do not have the blood you are NOT going to make it.
Hebrews 10:4 says…
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
***We need to be real clear that it is ONLY the Blood of Christ that will take away the sins of mankind.
It was and is the ONLY Blood that the Father accepted for the atonement of sin forever.
The animal sacrifices of the OT were temporal, year to year, Christ and His Blood was sufficient for all eternity.
Hebrews 9:12 says…
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
The real question here today is not about eternity, but is if you have it applied or not, that will determine your eternity.
The Blood of Christ…
A. Was Shed for the forgiveness of sins
B. Washes our sins away
C. Makes us over comers
D. Accomplishes an Eternal Redemption for us
The blood of bulls and goats could never r do any of that.
It’s only the Blood of Christ…….repeat 3x
Some churches have chosen to not take this foundational truth to ministry. Without it, you have no ministry and their labor is in vain
This is a Landmark that we cannot move
3. THE LANDMARK OF THE WORD OF GOD:
Titus 1:1-3 says…
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
The preaching of the Word saves, heals, delivers, provides, keeps, enables, empowers, and equips one for service.
WORD OF GOD IS CALLED
•GOOD WORD OF GOD Heb 6:5 •HOLY SCRIPTURES Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15
•SCRIPTURES OF TRUTH Da 10:21 •SWORD OF THE SPIRIT Eph 6:17
•THE WORD Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2 •WORD OF GOD Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12
•WORD OF CHRIST Col 3:16 •WORD OF LIFE Php 2:16
•WORD OF TRUTH 2Ti 2:15; Jas 1:18
WRITTEN WITH A PURPOSE
To give Hope to Men Ro 15:4
To give Knowledge of Eternal Life 1Jo 5:13
A Blessing to Those Who Reverence it Jos 1:8 Ps 19:11 Mt 7:24 Lu 11:28 Joh 5:24, 8:31 Re 1:3
Purifies the Life Ps 119:9 Joh 15:3 Joh 17:17 Eph 5:26 1Pe 1:22
A Life-giving Force Eze 37:7 Ac 19:20
A Saving Power Ro 1:16
With The Wonder Working Power of the Word how can we ever allow anyone to move us from this LANDMARK?
The Bible --- the Word of God is still the most Interesting, Intriguing, and Inspiring book ever read by human eyes.
It is that Book that helps unfold the Divine plan of God.
It can Encourage you when you are down
It will Convict you when sin is prevalent in your life
It gives you Hope when everything else seems hopeless
It will Challenge you to make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you.
It is filled with the most important Truth anyone could ever know.
We should feel privileged and honored that God has shared His Word with us.
Warren Curry (sermoncentral.com)
For the Cause
Rev. Stepp
8/16/09
