The Ark of the Covenant

1. The Ark of the Covenant And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel (Ex. 25:22).

2. The Glory of the Lord Has Departed Duty of the Priests: • Minister to God; Offer Sacrifices (Deut. 10:8; Lev.1) • Bless People in the Name of the Lord (Deut. 10:8; 21:5) • Settle Controversy Among God’s People (Deut. 21:5) • Teach God’s Law (Deut. 33:8-11) 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 to Him and to bless in His name, to this day (Dt. 10:8). And of Levi he said… They shall teach Jacob Your judgments, And Israel Your law. They shall put incense before You, And a whole burnt sacrifice on Your altar (Dt. 33.:8-11). Then the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come near, for the LORD your God has chosen them to minister to Him and to bless in the name of the LORD; by their word every controversy and every assault shall be settled (Dt. 21:5).

3. Wickedness of the Priests - 1 Sam. 2 12 Now the sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the LORD 13 and the custom of the priests with the people. When any man was offering a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand. 14 Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. Thus they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. 15 Also, before they burned the fat, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest meat for roasting, as he will not take boiled meat from you, only raw.” 16 If the man said to him, “They must surely burn the fat first, and then take as much as you desire,” then he would say, “No, but you shall give it to me now; and if not, I will take it by force.” 17 Thus the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for the men despised the offering of the LORD. 22 Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting.

4. The Glory of the Lord Has Departed When the Eldership is Perverted When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed (Acts 14:23). Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account (Heb. 13:17).

5. The Glory Has Departed Then she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured” (1 Sam. 4:21-22). • The Ark - Good Luck Charm • The Brazen Serpent - Nehushtan (2 Kgs. 18:4) • The Temple - House of Merchandise (Jn. 2:16)

6. Bigger Local Church Elders Deacons Members Local Church Elders Deacons Members Local Church Elders Deacons Members The Glory of the Lord Has Departed When the Organization of the Church is Perverted Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons (Phil. 1:1). Local Church Elders Deacons Members Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily….nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock (1 Pet. 5:2-3).

7. The Glory of the Lord Has Departed When the Work of the Church is Perverted For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12). But in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). • Sponsoring Church • Support Relief Institutions • Support Schools, Colleges • Provide Food, Fun, & Games • Entertainment • Preach Gospel • Aid Needy Saints • Edify the Church

8. The Glory of the Lord Has Departed When the Worship of the Church is Perverted God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:24). And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42). • Preach Gospel • Sing • Pray • Give • Eat Lord’s Supper • Entertainment: Dramas, Plays • Instrumental Music • Burn Incense • Xmas, Easter Services • Root Favorite Team On

9. This Week at MCC This week at MCC we will be cheering on the home team so be sure to wear your Packer Gear when you come to church. The service will begin at 4:00pm and end at 5:15. Make sure you come early so you can enjoy some fellowship before the service. I have a feeling we may feel a breeze after the service ends caused by a rush of people to their cars. Kirk Stevens, our campus minister, will be preaching this week as Jeff goes to Ukraine to encourage and teach. Please pray for Jeff & Lewis as they travel. If the service runs long please send your comments to kirkstevens@madisonchurch.net Love God - Love Others - Build Together

10. The Glory of the Lord Has Departed When the Plan of Salvation is Perverted So then faith comes by hearing… (Rom. 10:17). For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Rom. 10:10). Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38). • Infant Baptism • Predestination • Faith Only • Sprinkling for Baptism • Feeling in the Heart • One Church as good as Another • Hear the Gospel • Believe • Repent • Confess • Be Baptized

11. The Glory of the Lord Has Departed When God’s Plan for Faithfulness is Erased But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked (1 Jn. 2:5-6). …Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). • Once Saved Always Saved • Good Moral People Okay • All Eventually Saved • Mortal or Venial Sin • Purgatory

12. The Glory of the Lord Has Departed When Fellowship of God’s People Is Perverted Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds (2 Jn. 9-11). And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them (Eph. 5:11). • Unity in Diversity

13. The Glory of the Lord Has Departed When the Church Loses Faith In God’s Word For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Rom. 1:16). For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12). Instrumental Music • Unity in Diversity Divorce & Remarriage

14. The Glory of the Lord Has Departed When Individual Christians Disobey God’s • Forsake the Assembly (Heb. 10:25; Matt. 6:33). • Commit Fornication (1 Cor. 6:18; Heb. 13:4). • Engage in the Works of the Flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). • Uncontrolled Tongue (Mt. 12:36-37; Jas. 3:1-2; Col. 4:6). • Home Life Not What It Should Be (Eph. 5:22-6:4). • Sin Against Employer or Employee (Col. 3:22-4:1). • Cheat and Steal (Eph. 4:28; Rom. 13:7). • Fail to Treat Others Properly (Matt. 7:12).