Topical Sermon Index

ANCIENT LANDMARKS

Proverbs 22:28

Intro.

1.    "Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set."

    a.    Ancient landmark: "the ancient border" or "boundary" {n}; by which lands, estates, and inheritances, were marked, bounded, and distinguished;" (Gill, Online Bible). - Deut. 19:14; 27:17; Prov. 23:10.

    b.    Ancient landmarks served to preserve integrity, honesty, equity and truthfulness within Israel. (cf. Property Deeds today)

2.    Christ has built His kingdom (inheritance), and marked out its boundaries for His heirs - Matt. 16:18; Heb. 8:8-12.

3.    The landmarks of truth, righteousness & divine authority establish the boundaries in which we must live and work - Rom. 1:16-17; Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:17.

4.    These ancient landmarks for the church must not be removed if we are to continue to inhabit God’s kingdom & receive His inheritance.

 

I.    DISTINCTIVE BIBLE PREACHING (cf. Ezra, Neh. 8:8).

 

* The ancient landmark of distinctive preaching is being removed! *

  1. Positive thinking philosophy: Some want to eliminate doctrine / references to denom. from the pulpit (testimonials, inspirational talks, etc.)

        a.     Some get tired of the old, old story! - "Biblical psycholgy," etc.

        b.     We cannot sneak up on the sinner and convert him without him knowing it! Must be taught his sin, to repent & obey God’s ways.

        c.     Unless we confront sin & error, never saved (Eph. 4:15).

 

II.    AUTHORITATIVE PRACTICE - Col. 3:17.

 

* The ancient landmark of N. T. authority is being removed! *

  1. "We don’t need authority for all we do." (Col. 3:17) / Human wisdom.
  2. The New Hermeneutic has trashed the scriptural approach to understanding & applying the authority of truth in our lives.
  3. Subjective approaches to scripture more prevalent.
  4. The O. T. is being applied as a basis of authority to follow by some.
  5. We must do more than say we respect authority - Our teachings and lives must show that respect! (Col. 3:16-17)

 

III.    MILITANT PROMOTION OF TRUTH & RIGHTEOUSNESS - cf. Matt. 23:23.

* The ancient landmark of Christian militancy is being removed! *

  1. Bible knowledge has drastically declined in the past 50 years.
  2. Moral sin and doctrinal error is minimized / rationalized.
  3. More & more are becoming concerned w/ "fitting in" in the community rather than "standing out!" - cf. Isa. 30:8-10

 

Conclusion

1.   Deut. 27:17 - An Israelite who removed his neighbor’s landmark was cursed.

2.    We shall not escape if we remove God’s landmarks!