Divine Plans and Obedience
The sermon emphasizes the necessity of adhering to divine commandments as outlined in Scripture, drawing parallels from biblical examples of obedience.
F.B. Hole emphasizes the importance of upholding divine order in the Church, even when faced with low spiritual power and worldly influences. He warns against the temptation to view Scripture as optional and highlights that God's commandments are not subject to personal preferences. Drawing parallels to the meticulous instructions given for the tabernacle and temple, he underscores the need to follow God's divine order for His spiritual house in the New Testament without alteration.
Text
When spiritual power is low and worldly principles come into the Church, the tendency is to find the divine order irksome because it makes certain demands on a good spiritual condition--a condition not present. It also exposes the worldly weakness which is present. So, the strong temptation is to be careless as to the instructions of Scripture which are thought to be useful on many occasions, interesting, instructive but optional--something that may be obeyed, not something that must be obeyed.
All this, however, is entirely swept away by the fact that these instructions are "the commandments of the Lord." We thus are not at liberty to alter them according to our tastes and feelings.
As an analogy, think of what was instituted in connection with the Law of Moses which only gave "the example and shadow of heavenly things" (Heb. 8:5). When Moses was about to make the tabernacle, God told him to "make all things according to the pattern shown to you in the mount" (Heb. 8:5) Moses strictly followed God's pattern.
Later, when the permanent house was to be built in Jerusalem, "David gave to Solomon, his son,...the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit...all this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing" (1 Chron. 28:11-19). Again, every detail was divinely ordered in writing. In the New Testament we have in writing the divine instructions as to the order of God's spiritual house. Are we given any more liberty to tamper with these instructions than was allowed as to the instructions for the material, earthly house? Certainly not!
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The Importance of Divine Order - '{''A'': ''Understanding spiritual power and worldly principles'', ''B'': ''The tendency to find divine order irksome'', ''C'': ''The consequences of ignoring divine commandments''}'
- II points: - The Commandments of the Lord - '{''A'': ''Distinction between optional and mandatory instructions'', ''B'': ''The authority of Scripture in our lives'', ''C'': ''The necessity of obedience to divine commandments''}'
- III points: - Biblical Examples of Obedience - '{''A'': ''Moses and the Tabernacle'', ''B'': ''David''s instructions to Solomon'', ''C'': ''The significance of following divine patterns''}'
- IV points: - The New Testament Instructions - '{''A'': ''Divine instructions for God''s spiritual house'', ''B'': ''The unchanging nature of God''s commandments'', ''C'': ''Our responsibility to adhere to these instructions''}'
Key Quotes
“These instructions are 'the commandments of the Lord.'” — F.B. Hole
“Moses strictly followed God's pattern.” — F.B. Hole
“Are we given any more liberty to tamper with these instructions than was allowed as to the instructions for the material, earthly house?” — F.B. Hole
Application Points
- Recognize the authority of Scripture in your life and commit to following its teachings.
- Reflect on the examples of Moses and David to inspire your obedience to God's instructions.
- Understand that divine commandments are not optional but essential for spiritual health.