Deuteronomy 27:17

1. Intro.
1. "landmark" means a boundary
1. a stone or pile of stones that marked the four corners of a persons property
2. these landmarks could be moved
1. in the stillness and darkness of the night
2. by doing so a person could enlarge his own property
3. this had to be done gradually over a period of time
2. God hated this act so much that He pronounce a curse on those that did it
3. let us consider several Christian landmarks and see if they have been moved
2. landmark of the Lord’s Day
1. Christians are not to observe the OT Sabbath
1. the Sabbath was for Israel - Exodus 31:12-17
1. it was a sign of a special covenant between God and Israel
2. its observance was not commanded prior to the law
3. its observance was never required of the Gentiles
4. no evidence that the OT patriarchs observed them (Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph)
2. it was a new teaching and it was only for Israel
2. the Bible makes a clear distinction between the OT Sabbath and the NT Lord’s Day
1. it was the day Jesus rose from the dead
2. it is a day of fellowship - Revelation 1:10
3. it is the day that we are to bring our tithes and offerings unto the Lord - I Cor. 16:2
4. it is a holy day set forth by God as a day of worship - Acts 20:7
3. what the Lord’s Day has become
1. a holiday instead of a holy day
2. a work day instead of a day of worship and fellowship
3. many people keep the Lord’s Day only if they have nothing else to do
4. people that do not keep the Lord’s Day have moved an ancient landmark (traded a curse for a blessing)
5. keeping the Lord’s day will determine the extent of God’s blessings in our life
6. this landmark will determine the destiny of our children
1. if children are not taught to attend worship services faithfully, they will get away from it
2. children can be the greatest source of blessing or sorrow
7. God has set this day aside for Christians; it is a landmark, don’t move it
3. landmark of the home
1. this is a very important landmark
1. God established it before He established the church
2. God ordained it and put His stamp of approval on it, in the very beginning - Genesis 2:21-25
1. by this act God established marriage and the home - 23-24
2. then they began to have children
3. this is God’s design for man (the Christian home)
2. God’s purpose for the home
1. to teach the Word of God - Deuteronomy 6:6-7
1. many view the Christian school as a way to avoid this responsibility (the church also)
2. it is the responsibility of parents to teach their children spiritual truth
2. to correct the disobedient child
1. discipline is lacking in many home today
1. the reasons our jails are running over
2. the home life in this country has changed
2. dad and mom must serve God together
1. the home is the place where a good example is set
2. in the Bible we often read of how the character of the father is imitated by the children
3. parents need to show their faith to their children
3. love is an essential part of the home
4. discipline is one important way of showing love
1. some people say it is brutality
2. a child that does not receive discipline will grow up and rebel against all authority
3. young people will accept discipline where there is love
5. God has a promise for those that will raise their children according to His plan - Proverbs 22:6
3. the home is a landmark, don’t move it or you will be cursed
4. landmark of Christian living
1. personal devotion
1. old fashion, Bible Christian had a personal devotion for God that was even practice in private
2. early Christians had private prayer
3. early Christians lived in the Word of God
4. this is something God will honor
2. living our faith is a landmark, don’t move it or be cursed