Sermon Tone Analysis

RE-ESTABLISHING THE WORSHIP OF JEHOVAH 2 Samuel 6

INTRODUCTION

June 3, 2006 Michael Emmanuel Jr. celeb 6th birth with friends, family-Chuck E. Cheese-Boca Raton, FL.

Party itself went fine.

Problem came when over.

All kids, adults climb into 3 different vehicles-head home.

Everyone, that is, except Michael.

Apparently, 6-year-old returnd to play area, & when party-goers depart, he=left behind.

Employees found Michael wander around restaurant at 10 pm & called police.

Michael's mom assumed son staying with grandmom, & didn't even realize missing until next morn.

Lesson learned is that it is possible have joyful celebration & still forget guest of honor.

Same-worship.

Can fill auditorium, great music, great speakers-still forget guest of honor, God of universe.

PROPOSITION: Establishing the worship of Jehovah is crucial in a Christian’s life.

ORGANIZATIONAL SENTENCE: Establishing the worship of Jehovah is crucial in a Christian’s life and requires obedience to God’s word and dealing with opposition.

I. THE HISTORY AND PURPOSE OF THE ARK.

A. It was built in the wilderness.

*Ark-a.k.a.** Ark** of the Covenant (Testimony), first refer to-/Ex25:9/ where God gave Moses-construction info.

Chest, box & made of acacia wood.

Rectangular, 3¾ ft long & 2¼ ft wide, high.

Gold plated inside & out, with gold molding, was supported by 4 feet, each with golden ring, into which carrying poles of gold plated acacia wood were permanently inserted.

Ark had covering plate of pure gold-corresponded to dimensions of Ark. Known as mercy seat.

At its 2 ends & facing each other-2 hammered gold cherubim with wings overshadowing the plate & with faces toward it.

Cherubim (angels) were presumably human in appearance.

Conveyed idea of heavenly majesty*.

B. Contents of the Ark.

Ex25:16: Then put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.

The Testimony means stone tables of the covenant of the Lord (1 Kings 8:21).

Later Moses’ full book of the law placed by the side of the ark of the covenant (Du31:26).

Placing Law beside ark acted as witness against any break of covenant-treaty by Israel.

Accord-Heb9:4 this later place inside Ark.

--Heb9:4-gold jar of manna & Aaron’s staff that had budded also found way into Ark, altho both origin placed beside, before Ark.

C. God’s presence in the Ark.

Ex25:22 There, above the cover between the 2 cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you & give you all my commands for the Israelites.

*The glory cloud in which he had wrought deliverance at the Exodus would regularly appear between the wings of the cherubim over mercy seat of Ark. *Nu7:89When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the 2 cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the Testimony.

God acted thru Ark to guide, protect his people.

Also symbol of invisible throne of God high, lifted up-Is6:1.

For Israelites=center of faith.

NT-Jesus = Presence!

II.

DAVID MOVED THE ARK THE WRONG WAY.

A. The Ark is prepared.

During years Eli the priest, ark locate at Shiloh, then place of worship.

Israelites held to opinion-magical presence of God in Ark so took into battle against Philis.

God not kept in box & Philis defeat Israel-capture ark.

However, brot great deal trouble so ship back to Israel. 1 Sa7 Ark as far as Kiriath-jearim (Baalah of Judah here).

By time David became king, many years passed with ark forgotten by majority of people.

David wanted to restore Ark to rightful place at center worship.

Chuck Swindoll: *Our worship today is open & realistic, but before Calvary it was symbolic & related to types & pictures.

The people saw the images, but not the details.

When the people looked upon the ark they viewed a piece of furniture (image) upon which the very glory of God rested above the golden grate…thus the piece of furniture was actually holy*.

30,000 men chosen-move Ark. Placed on new cart-move in style.

Unfortunately, violation God’s instruction for moving Ark. Disregard of holiness of ark.

God instructed-ark made with rings thru which poles placed so ark carried on shoulders of Kohathites-Nu7:9.

No hand ever to touch ark! Plenty-sing, dancing.

Celebrating=*to laugh, context determin positive or negative: here-force of unrestrain celebr in worship!* 2 stringed instruments, rest were percussion.

B. The mission is aborted v6-11.

1. Uzziah died when he touched ark v6-7.

When oxen stumbled & ark threatened to fall off cart, Uzzah had normal reaction & reached out to steady it.

Contact with God’s holiness brought instant death!

Holy things not to be touched, except by special appointment.

People had fresh recognition of power of God.

While ark could be pushed around, the God who it symboliz not be taken lightly!

Familiar tends breed contempt, carelessness.

Some think-God at our beck & call.

Uzzah learned instant lesson-God’s anger quickly aroused when we sin!

2.  David reacted with anger and fear v8-11.

Anger at Lord’s intervention, punitive activity.

Reaction toward God-thot be unfair-innocent man died doing God’s work.

David possibly angry at self for not making sure ark transported as God commanded.

Had overstepped authority-presumed upon relation with God.

When occurs-become complacent & fail to observe regulations God set down to safe guard respect for his holiness.

Privilege can’t become presumption.

Uzzah death cuz disregard direct instruction Law-Num4:15 After Aaron & his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings & all the holy articles, & when the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites are to come to do the carrying.

But they must not touch the holy things or they will die.

Likely his eternal standing with God not affected cuz not set out to sin against God.

Not only David anger but also fearful.

First thot-would never see ark in rightful place-Jerusalm.

C. Ark blessed home of Obed-Edom v10-11.

When became clear couldn’t continue moving ark-new cart, took to nearest house-Obed-Edom.

*The good news is that there was nothing special about him.

The very thing he probably hated –the nasty bumpy road he lived on was going to change his life*.

For 3 months-home blessed by presence Ark. Wonder what Obed-Edom reaction when heard ark leaving?

Same God whose anger burned against Uzzah now bless home-Obed-Edom.

No details given but-1 Chr26:5-cuz God blessed him-had 8 sons with 62 descendants in all.

Kind of bless Dave desire entire nation.

III.DAVID MOVED ARK THE RIGHT WAY 12-23.

A. David had done his homework v13.

No details here but 1 Chr15-prep right way.

Paid attent to ritual requirements God’s law.

As much enthusiasm as before but now realize-sincerity, enthusiasm not enough obey-God.

After first 6 steps-procession stop offer sacrifice.

B. David rejoiced as ark is moved v14-19.

No one ever played baseball harder than Kansas City Royals star George Brett.

Once, when a reporter asked the three-time batting champ and future Hall-of-Famer what he wanted to do in his last at-bat before retiring, he gave the following response: I want to hit a routine grounder to second and run all out to first base, then get thrown out by a half step.

I want to leave an example to the young guys that that’s how you play the game: all out.

1.

David led the procession v14-15.

David replaced royal robe for priestly robe of linen.

Combined  work as king with that of priest.

Dancing only here=*whirling*.