Sermon Central
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Altar Of Stones
Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jun 7, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: To show that we worship GOD in JESUS's name and no man-made, self-effort worship will be accepted. Our worship is accepted by GOD because of JESUS.
I. EXORDIUM:
Are you a worshipper?
Yes. Hebrews 12:28
Let us therefore, receiving a kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship, with modesty and pious care and godly fear and awe;
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To show that we worship GOD in JESUS's name and no man-made, self-effort worship will be accepted. Our worship is accepted by GOD because of JESUS.
IV. TEXT:
And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones; you shall not lift up any iron tool upon them.
V. THESIS:
Praise, worship and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You are the Reason why our worship is accepted by GOD.
I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
VI. TITLE:
Altar of stones
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Name derived from: 2 Greek words: "deuteros" meaning second and "nomos" meaning law.
B. Author: Moses (commonly accepted)
C. Date written: 1407 - 1406 B.C.
D. Purpose: The former generation of Israel had died in the wilderness; hence it was important that the law should be repeated and expounded to the new generation before they entered the Promised Land.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines
E. To whom written: The children of Israel, the generation which would enter and conquer the Promised Land.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines
F. Main Theme: A rehearsal of the laws proclaimed at Sinai, with a call to obedience, interspersed with a review of the experiences of the old generation.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines
G. Key word: Remember
H. Key verses:
Deuteronomy 6:1-4 (Amplified Bible)
6:1 NOW THIS is the instruction, the laws, and the precepts which the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land to which you go to possess it,
6:2 That you may [reverently] fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, and keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.
6:3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and be watchful to do them, that it may be well with you and that you may increase exceedingly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.
6:4 Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord [the only Lord].
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. Our worship is GOD-made - JESUS CHRIST
"And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones;"
This is the Stone that Jacob had made us a pillow. The LORD JESUS CHRIST is our monument.
And Jacob rose early in the morning and took the stone he had put under his head, and he set it up for a pillar (a monument to the vision in his dream), and he poured oil on its top [in dedication].
And this stone which I have set up as a pillar (monument) shall be God’s house [a sacred place to me], and of all [the increase of possessions] that You give me I will give the tenth to You.
The Stone of Israel or Rock of Israel is the LORD JESUS. That Great Stumbling Stone.
But his bow remained strong and steady and rested in the Strength that does not fail him, for the arms of his hands were made strong and active by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob, by the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
To you then who believe (who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him) is the preciousness; but for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone,
And, A Stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense; they stumble because they disobey and disbelieve [God’s] Word, as those [who reject Him] were destined (appointed) to do.
For what reason? Because [they pursued it] not through faith, relying [instead] on the merit of their works [they did not depend on faith but on what they could do]. They have stumbled over the Stumbling Stone.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
This is from the Lord and is His doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros—a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra—a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it].
