Remove Not The Ancient Landmark

 Remove Not The Ancient Landmark

Proverbs 22:28

     Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

Proverbs 23:10

     Remove not the old landmark….

A landmark was a boundary, a border, a territory inclosed; 

     it represented a limit as to how far one could go. 

     (see Strong’s #H1366)

Solomon issued a warning twice concerning not removing the Old or Ancient landmark (boundary).  

The words old and ancient are interchangeable.  They are the same word in the Hebrew language. (See Strong’s #H5769)

These landmarks, these boundaries of holiness were established by God, taught by the Apostles, and handed down through the ages by Holy men of Old as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.  

Just because you don’t understand them doesn’t mean they’re not important.

Just because you don’t believe it doesn’t mean it’s not true.

Just because you think it’s outdated and old fashioned doesn’t mean it’s not still relevant to our times.

We need to hold to and not remove the old landmarks more than ever before!

They were placed there for a reason.  

They are not man-made, 

they are God ordained for our protection.

The Word of God has some things written within its pages that we may not like and is hard to swallow, but don’t shoot the messenger just  because you don’t like the Message.  It’s still God’s Word.  

Many today have the misconception that preaching is supposed to mainly be motivational speaking, leaving the listener feeling good every time they leave a Church service. 

But Paul wrote to Timothy in II Timothy 3:16…

     All Scripture is given by inspiration of God

     and is profitable (G5624 = helpful, serviceable, advantageous)

     for doctrine (G1319 = instruction, learning, teaching of the 

          law/God’s instructions)

     for reproof (G1650 = proof, conviction, evidence)

          **God’s Word is to bring conviction so we’ll turn from sin.

     for correction (G1882 = a straightening up again, reformation)

          **just like discipline when we were a child caused us to 

          change our behavior and attitude, in the same way, God’s Word 

          corrects us and causes us to ‘straighten up’)

     for instruction in righteousness (G3809 = tutorage, education, 

          training, disciplinary correction, chastening, chastisement)

The Word of God is there to teach us God’s ways.

God’s Word is there to convict us when we do wrong and are sinning.

It’s there to give us correction so that we’ll straighten up and reform to God’s ways, not our own.

It’s there to instruct us in the way we are to live, act, speak, in every area of our life.

So that as children of God we may be perfected, throughly furnished (meaning fully equipped as a teacher - G1822), unto ALL GOOD WORKS.

Some will try to excuse away things when approached with Scripture saying “that’s man’s words”, but the Bible says ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God.

Inspiration means “divinely breathed in” (See Strong’s #G2315)

     So all Scripture is divinely breathed by God.

II Peter 1:21 reads “holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

It’s not man’s words we’re reading in the Bible but God’s words.

A pastor has a heavy load and responsibility that he carries…. 

Ezek 3:17-21

     ….I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; 

     therefore, hear the Word at My mouth, 

     and give them warning from Me.

     When I say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die; 

     and thou givest him not warning, 

     nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, 

     to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; 

     but his blood will I require at thine hand. 

     Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his 

     wickedness,nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity;

     but thou hast delivered thy soul.

     Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his 

     righteousness and commit iniquity, 

     and I lay a stumblingblock before him, 

     he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, 

     he shall die in his sin, 

     and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be 

     remembered, but his blood will I require at thine hand. 

     Nevertheless, if thou warn the righteous man, that the 

     righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, 

     because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul. 

If a pastor doesn’t preach the Word and warn us when we’re doing wrong, our blood will be on his hands when he stands before God.

But if he warns us and we choose to willfully sin regardless of what the pastor says, then God will not hold him responsible.

He has obeyed God in what He preaches.  It is then up to us to heed.

We must all (each individually) appear before the Judgment seat of Christ (II Cor 5:10) but the Pastor must give an account for you and is watching out for your soul (Heb 13:17)

Ecc 12:9-11

     And moreover, because the preacher was wise, 

     he still taught the people knowledge; 

     yea, he gave good heed, (pondered, to weigh – Strong’s H239)

     and sought out, (examined, searched out – Strong’s H2713) 

     and set in order (to straighten, make straight – Strong’s H8626)

     many proverbs.  

    (**in other words, he studied into the Word)

     The preacher sought to find out acceptable words:

     and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

     The words of the wise are as goads,   

     and as nails fasted by the masters of assemblies, 

     which are given from one shepherd. 

A wise preacher will teach the people knowledge concerning God’s Word and ways.

Sometimes those words will be acceptable words…

     words we want to hear, pleasing to the ears.

Sometimes those words will prick like goads.

     Goads were a spiked stick used for driving cattle.

Those spiked sticks would provoke or annoy so as to stimulate some action or reaction.

Sometimes the preacher’s words will annoy or provoke the listener.

That’s not his intention….he’s just delivering the Word of God.

God’s Word is not just to make us feel good; it’s purpose is also to stimulate some action or reaction so that we will reform and conform to God’s ways. 

God is a holy God and He requires for us to be holy just as He is holy. (I Peter 1:15)

Without holiness, no man shall see God (Heb 12:14)

God wants us to be blameless, without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation.  He wants us to be holy so we will shine as lights in the world.  (Phil 2:15)

We are to be spotless and blameless (II Pet 3:14)

We are to be holy in every way.

He instructs us to be holy in our conversation…

     the words that proceed out of our mouth.  (I Peter 1:16)

He instructs us to be holy and blameless in our whole spirit, soul, and body (I Thess 5:23-24)  

Paul instructed that his letter, the words of instruction that he penned as he was moved on by the Holy Ghost be read to all the holy brethren (1 Thess 5:27)

What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is IN you?

You are not your own.

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body 

     and in your spirit which are God’s.

**Note: Not just your spirit but also in your body   (I Cor 6:19-20)

God not only created us, but He also purchased us with the Blood He 

     shed on that cruel cross on Calvary. 

Because He redeemed us with His own Blood, He has a right to require us to be holy.  

Our body does not belong to us - it belongs to Jesus Christ. 

Therefore, if God’s Word says we should do or not do something, we need to obey.  

If God’s Word says something is an abomination (something He absolutely detests and loathes), we need to avoid those things at all costs.

The things God asks us to abstain from pale in comparison to the price of Calvary. 

Those landmarks (boundaries) are not there to keep us from enjoying life or having fun.  A boundary is set there for a reason.  

They are there to protect us.  They are there to keep us from falling into sin. 

God set a boundary in the garden of Eden – 

    They could eat of every tree in the garden except one.

    They were not to eat of the fruit of the tree of life.

That boundary seemed harmless, almost ridiculous.  

It looked like God was trying to keep them from becoming wiser, 

     more like Him. 

But God had a reason and we can still see the effects of Adam and Eve’s disobedience today. 

There are “No Swimming” signs posted in a certain area around a body of water in Louisiana called Toledo Bend. The waters from all appearance seem so inviting. People have disobeyed those signs, thinking the same and lost their lives. To them, it seemed the signs were ridiculous and just trying to keep them from having fun, but those signs were not posted to spoil anyone’s fun.  Instead, they were posted with the intent to save lives.

What some did not realize is that there are dangers within those waters….alligators lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce on any unsuspecting person who would enter. 

If the Watchman for your soul, your pastor, issues warnings against certain things, we do well to listen.  He’s not trying to put shackles on you.  He’s trying to keep shackles from being put on you through sin. 

Holiness – What does this mean?

Warren Wersbe writes in his book titled “Be Holy” (pg 11) ….

“Contrary to what you may hear in today’s sermons and popular religious songs, there is more emphasis in the Bible on the holiness of God than there is on the love of God.”

God’s holiness is mentioned in the Bible more than any other attribute, even more than it mentions the love of God.   Yet the word ‘holiness’ is not popular and the topic is avoided among most Christians today.

Many want to hear about the love of God, the mercies of God, and what all God will do FOR them.  Some may not mind hearing messages about sanctification and separation from the world....as long as sins are not named and details explained. As long as the message is vague, the hearer feels safe and will amen the preacher.

It makes a person wonder how the word ‘holiness’ become such a disdained and avoided topic to so many?  If it’s in the Bible, it is not to be ignored or glossed over.  

It is God saying it, not man.  Holiness is God’s #1 attribute.

1 Peter 1:15-16

     But as He which hath called you is holy, 

     so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. 

     Because it is written, Be ye holy for I am holy.

Hebrews 12:14

     Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man 

     shall see the Lord.

It is God who is requiring us to be holy.  It is God who says that without holiness we will not be able to see Him. We are to be holy because He is holy.  God will never ask us to do anything that He does not think we are able to do.  He would never instruct us to be holy if we are not capable of being  holy.

I have been walking this Apostolic Truth for over 40 years and have found this to be true: Most often the questions of “why?” or “why not?” comes from a heart problem before it ever becomes a head question. 

Loving God means loving and keeping His commandments.

1 John 5:3

     For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and 

     His commandments are not grievous. 

“Not grievous” means “not burdensome of oppressive.” 

Everything God asks us to do, not do, or to give up is for our good.  It’s not to oppress us, burden us, or harm us.  It is to protect us.

I love Jesus too much to displease Him.  He’s been so good to me, done so much for me…anything He asks of me is incomparable to all He’s done for me and the price He paid on Calvary.  I want to obey Him in everything because I am bought with a price.

Contrary to what society teaches and believes, we do not own ourselves. Some will say, “It’s my body, it’s my life, I’ll do what I want!”   WRONG!  

Paul wrote in 1 Cor 6:20

     For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, 

     and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Cor 7:23

     Ye are bought with a price….

Both of these verses remind us that we belong to God. God formed us, He created us, and then He redeemed us with His Precious Blood at Calvary.  Whoever buys something owns it!  Jesus bought us! Jesus owns us!  We are not our own.  We belong to God!

Because He owns us:

     We can no longer go wherever we please.

     We can no longer say and do whatever we want.

     We can no longer dress and act in whatever way we decide.

Because He owns us, we are commanded to glorify God not just in our spirit but also IN OUR BODIES.

I Cor 3:16-17

     Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, 

     and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

     If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; 

     for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 

That Scripture shows us we can not live just any way we want to live. We are the Temple of the holy God, therefore we are to be holy. If we defile our temple (our body), God said He’ll destroy that person.  Very serious to think about. 

Since Jesus possesses ownership of us, we are naturally required and expected to comply with His wishes and wants for our lives.  It’s our “reasonable service”.  

Romans 12:1

     I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,

     that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, 

     acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

Notice Paul said to present your bodies.  We are to present our bodies to God.  

Paul continued in Romans 12:2:

     And be not conformed to this world:

     but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, 

     that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,

     and perfect will of God.

Conformed means “to fashion alike”.  (see Strong’s G4964) In other words, don’t try to conform to the same pattern and fashions of this world.  We should not try to look, act, think, or be like the world.  We are called to be different, set apart because we are the Temple of the Living God.

II Cor 6:16-18

     And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? 

     For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, 

     I will dwell in them, and walk in them; 

     and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

     Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, 

     saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; 

     and I will receive you.    

     And will be a Father unto you, 

     and ye shall be my sons and daughters, 

     saith the Lord Almighty. 

How awesome to think about what these Scriptures are saying…

God is not just dwelling in us, but He is also walking inside of us (when we receive the Holy Ghost).  Because of this, God said to be separate from the world.

And because of these Promises, we are to cleanse ourselves…

2 Cor 7:1

     Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse 

     ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting 

     holiness in the fear of the Lord. 

Notice, Paul didn’t say to let God cleanse us…he instructed that we are to cleanse ourselves.  Yes, God does some things in us but there are other things that God requires for us to do.

Again, going back to Romans 12:1

     I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye 

     present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, 

     which is your reasonable service. 

We are to present ourselves as a living SACRIFICE.   A sacrifice will cost us something.  Our sacrifice is to be found holy and acceptable unto God.  God is not asking something from us that is unreasonable. Paul wrote to the Church in Rome that it is our REASONABLE service. 

II Timothy 2:19-21

     Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, 

     having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are His. 

     And, let every one that nameth 

     the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 

     But in a great house there are not only vessels of god and of silver, 

     but also of wood and of earth; 

     and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

     If a man therefore purge himself from these, 

     he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet 

     for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

Again, these Scriptures show there are certain things God requires for us to do.

If we profess to be a Christian, we are to stop sinning.  We are to purge ourself from anything that defiles us…then we will be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and ready for the Master’s use.  I want to be a vessel of honor that Jesus can use. 

Holiness will be reflected not only inwardly 

but also outwardly. 

Some think holiness is only referring to what is on the inside.  They will quote 1 Samuel 16:7 in an effort to back up what they think with Scripture….

…for man looketh on the outward appearance,

but the LORD looketh on the heart.

That Scripture is not condoning living, dressing, talking, or acting anyway a person chooses.  That Scripture is revealing that while man make a judgment about a person depending upon their outward appearance, God sees what is truly in a person’s heart. 

The heart may be full of evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness (lewd, lustful desires and behavior), an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness, and such like. (Mk 7:21-23)

So, does that mean God is not concerned with the outward appearance? No, it does not.

If God was not concerned with the outward appearance: 

He would not have made COATS of skins to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness – their fig leaf aprons would have been sufficient…if God didn’t care.

There are many more Scriptures I could point out - those will be addressed in a future lesson.  

I will conclude with this example:  If you were served food in a bowl that was dirty inside but clean on the outside, it is a given that you would not eat out of that bowl until the inside was washed and made clean.  

What would you do if you picked up a bowl that was clean inside but the outside was dirty?  Would you feel comfortable eating out of it?  Or would you wash it inside and out to make sure there are no contaminants that will get in your food to possibly make you sick…from the inside or the outside? 

The majority of us would want the bowl we are going to eat out of to be clean inside and out.  In the same way, God wants us to be clean inside and out.  We are the Temple (the dwelling place) of the Living God.  He does not want to dwell in an unclean temple.  God wants the place where He resides to be clean inside and out…a place that brings glory and honor to Him.  

Being holy inside is important - a person can dress and appear to be holy and modest externally, but if the heart is full of pride, rebellion, gossip, bitterness, etc. that person is not holy inside. That’s what that Scripture means when it says man looks on the outside but God looks at the heart.  God sees what others may not see. We must make sure our heart, our emotions, our thoughts are clean and holy.

Being holy outside is as important as being holy inside – just as you wouldn’t want to eat out of a dish that is dirty on the outside.  Many like to argue that it is not and God doesn’t care. However, we can find several Scriptural examples revealing the opposite.  

God loved us when we were unlovable 

BUT He does not leave us that way.

Every person Jesus touched left changed…not just internally but also externally.  The man of Gadarenes was found CLOTHED and in his right mind once he met Jesus. (Luke 8:26-38) 

Holiness when reflected inside and out reveals that the god of this world no longer has a hold of us.  It reveals that we are no longer bound nor are we serving self or pride.  Living a holy life reveals to others who is influencing our thoughts and actions. Each of us is going to serve something – either the One True Living God or the god of this world.  How we dress, act, talk, the things we do and the places we go reveal which god we are truly serving.