PUTTING CHRIST IN HIS PROPER PLACE


Text: 1 Chr 15:13 For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.


1 Chr 15:14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.


1 Chr 15:15 And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.


Intro: The Ark had not been stolen as it had at other times. It had simply been neglected. They had prepared a place for it where it would be out of the way and then simply left it there. ('religion is alright in its place---' Where IS it's place?)


I. This had caused sadness in all Israel.
1 Sam 7:1 And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.


1 Chr 13:3 And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we inquired not at it in the days of Saul.


1 Sam 7:2 And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.


II. They recognized their need.
1 Chr 13:4 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.


III. They had been away from God so long they didn't know how to go about correcting the matter!
1 Chr 13:7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.


Num 4:15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.


Deu 10:8 At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.


A. Note the responsibilities of the proper Ark Bearers.

They tried to copy the Philistines’ methods and it didn't work.


IV. Their rejoicing was real but short lived..
1 Chr 13:8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.


1 Chr 13:9 And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.


1 Chr 13:10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.


1 Chr 13:11 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day.


1 Chr 13:12 And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?


Trying to HELP God always ends in tragedy.
THEY HAD TO REASSESS THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.



Three months later: Chapter 15--
V. They got the responsibility right.

1 Chr 15:2 Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.


VI. Proper arrangements were made and followed.
A. The sounds were the same.;
1 Chr 13:8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.


1 Chr 15:28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.


B. The difference was that when they did it right, God helped them!.

1 Chr 15:26 And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.


VII. The daughter of the deposed king despised the king who had the humility to rejoice!.
1 Chr 15:29 And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.


Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.


A. It happened on Pentecost and is still happening today. Get happy in the Lord and people will scoff.