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).

• 2 Timothy 4:2-5: Preach The Word.
  • Clearly, thoughtfully, directly, unceasingly, balanced, without compromise.
• Acts 20:20, 27: All That Is Spiritually Profitable.
  • Preaching must be filled with the urgency & conviction of profiting the souls of men -- Which is found in the "whole counsel of God."
• 1 Cor. 14:7-9: Clarity Of Speech.
  • Would our life be in danger from the clarity of our speech with which we preach the gospel? (Stephen, Acts 7:51-53)

* 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.

• Acts 15: Establishing & Applying Bible Authority.
  • v. 7-11 - Necessary implication (Gentiles saved like Jews).
  • v. 12 - Apostolic examples.
  • v. 15 - Direct statement/precept.
• 2 John 4-6: Walk In God’s Commandments.
  • Love (1 Jno. 5:3); Morality (Gal. 5:19-21); Doctrine (2 Jno. 9).

* 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.

• 2 Cor. 4:13: The Spirit Of Faith In Our Lives (cf. 1 Jno. 5:4).
  • Aggressive in serving Christ & saving souls - Acts 8:4.
  • Assertive in evangelism - Acts 17:6.
  • Combative against Satan - Eph. 6:11-13.
  • Abhor evil & cleave to good - Rom. 12:9.
• Acts 5:28-29: Obey God First!

* 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!