Things still Sacred

Title: Things Still Sacred

Text: “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set” (Prov. 22:28).

Scripture Reading: Genesis 2:21–25; Matthew 16:13–19; 2 Timothy 3:16–17

Introduction

Although we have thrown out many of our sacred things, some are still hallowed even in this superficial age.

The late Clarence W. Cranford, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., once told of a girl visiting a Vienna museum. Upon seeing a priceless piano that once belonged to Beethoven, she asked the guide if she might play it. He reluctantly said yes. As she hammered out a senseless ditty, the guide told the assembled tourists that Paderewski had once traveled to Vienna just to see that piano.

When the girl heard Paderewski’s name mentioned, she stopped playing and asked the guide if Paderewski had played Beethoven’s piano. “No,” the guide replied. “We wanted him to, but he said he wasn’t worthy.”

Is this not a moral tale of our decade? Things long held sacred are profaned and ridiculed. Some things are still sacred. Surely, therefore, we ought to heed the admonition of Solomon: “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set” (Prov. 22:28). As we look at this passage this morning, let it become a mirror in which we see reflected some things that are still sacred.

1. The word of God!

2. The home!

3. The church!

WHEN GOD WAS REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES

A Brief Pulpit Timeline (U.S.)

1600s–1700s | God Assumed

Christianity shapes public life and education

Prayer and Scripture common in schools and government

Key idea: God was assumed, not argued.

1791 | First Amendment

Prevents a national church

Does remove God from public lifenot

Congress and presidents openly pray

Key idea: God was protected, not prohibited.

1802 | “Wall of Separation”

Phrase used in a private Jefferson letter to the Danberry Connecticut Baptist association.

Not law; no immediate public impact

Key idea: Meant to restrain government, not faith.

Late 1800s–Early 1900s | Quiet Shift

Growing religious diversity

Rise of secular education

Faith moves from shared truth to private belief

Key idea: God wasn’t expelled—He was edged out.

1947 | Everson v. Board of Education

First Amendment applied to states

Separation language strengthened

Key idea: Neutrality begins to mean exclusion.

1962 | Engel v. Vitale

Government-led prayer removed from schools

Key idea: Prayer wasn’t wrong—it was public.

1963 | Abington v. Schempp

Bible reading removed from schools

Private prayer still allowed

Key idea: Scripture silenced institutionally, not personally.

1971 | Lemon v. Kurtzman

“Lemon Test” introduced

Leads to removal of religious symbols

Key idea: Faith becomes a legal risk.

1980s–1990s | Widespread Removal

Ten Commandments, nativity scenes challenged

Prayer at school events curtailed

Key idea: God treated as a liability.

2000s–Present | Faith Privatized

Faith allowed personally, discouraged publicly

Some recent legal pushback

Key idea: God removed from agreement, not authority.

The church never needed permission to be faithful. The gospel advances through conviction, not convenience.

I. The Word of God is still sacred.

Ignorance today about the Bible is appalling.

1. Upon being asked about Golgotha, a Yale University student said that was who slew David.

a. Among 18,000 Bible Belt high school students answering a questionnaire on the Bible, 16,000 of them couldn’t name three Old Testament prophets; 12,000 didn’t know the names of the four Gospels; and 10,000 couldn’t name three of the twelve disciples.

One influential modern-day scholar took it upon himself to separate “myth” from “truth” in the Scriptures. In the myth column, he listed the preexistence of Christ; his virgin birth, deity, miracles, death for sinners, resurrection, ascension, and second coming; the last judgment; the personality and power of the Holy Spirit; the doctrine of the Trinity; and the doctrine of original sin.

In spite of this rampant ignorance and skepticism, the Word of God is still sacred. Why?

A. The Word of God is sacred because God authored it (2 Tim. 3:16).

2 Tim 3:16

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

NIV

a. It is not the type of book a man would write if he could or could write if he would.

J. I. Packer, in New Bible Dictionary  writes about “Inspiration,” Biblical inspiration should be defined in the same theological terms as prophetic inspiration: namely, as the whole process (manifold, no doubt, in its psychological forms, as prophetic inspiration was) whereby God moved those men whom he had chosen and prepared (cf. Je. 1:5; Gal. 1:15) to write exactly what he wanted written for the communication of saving knowledge to his people, and through them to the world.

Jer 1:5

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” ESV

Gal 1:15-16

15 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased

16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man,

NIV

Biblical inspiration is thus verbal by its very nature; for it is of God-given words that the God-breathed Scriptures consist.[1] And he says.

Inspiration, therefore, guarantees the truth of all that the Bible asserts, just as the inspiration of the prophets guaranteed the truth of their representation of the mind of God[2]

B. The Word of God is sacred because divinely inspired men wrote it (2 Peter 1:20–21). God “breathed” on those who wrote.

2 Peter 1:20-21

20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.

21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

ESV

a. Common men wrote under divine inspiration.

The Bible isn’t proven the way a math equation is, but there is strong cumulative evidence that Christians point to.

1. Historical Reliability 📜

A. Archaeological Confirmation 🏺

Archaeology has repeatedly confirmed biblical people, places, and events:

King (Tel Dan Inscription)David

(Pilate Stone)Pontius Pilate

Cities like Jericho, Nineveh, Jerusalem

Customs and laws fitting the exact time periods described

Archaeology doesn’t prove miracles—but it shows the Bible is rooted in real history, not legend.

2. Fulfilled Prophecy 🔮

The Bible contains specific prophecies written centuries before fulfillment, especially about Jesus:

Examples:

Born in (Micah 5:2)Bethlehem

Suffered and pierced (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53)

Betrayed for (Zechariah 11:12–13)30 pieces of silver

Crucifixion described (Psalm 22)before crucifixion existed

These prophecies were written hundreds of years before Christ, by different authors, in different places.

3. The Resurrection of Jesus ✝️

Christianity stands or falls on this claim.

Facts widely accepted by historians (including non-Christians):

Jesus was crucified and buried.

The tomb was later found empty.

The disciples believed they saw the risen Jesus.

Many disciples .died for this testimony

The early church exploded in growth despite persecution.

No alternative explanation (hallucination, conspiracy, wrong tomb) accounts for all the data.

4. Unity of the Bible 📖

Written over 1,500 years

By 40+ authors

On 3 continents

In 3 languages

Yet tells : creation, fall, redemption, restorationone unified story

No other book in history shows this level of coherence across such diversity.

5. Internal Honesty & Embarrassment 🧾

The Bible records:

Failures of its heroes (David, Peter, Moses)

Doubt, fear, and sin among leaders

Women discovering the resurrection (unlikely inventors in that culture)

This is not how legends are written.

6. Transformational Power 🔥

Millions testify that the Bible:

Changes lives

Convicts consciences

Produces moral transformation

Has endured persecution, bans, and attempts at destruction

Jesus said: “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63).

7. Jesus’ Claim 🔑

Ultimately, the strongest proof is Jesus Himself:

He affirmed the Old Testament as God’s Word.

He claimed divine authority.

His resurrection validates His claims.

If Jesus rose from the dead, then His view of Scripture matters most.

Summary

The Bible is supported by:

History

Archaeology

Prophecy

Eyewitness testimony

Coherence

Transformation

The resurrection of Christ

Faith is still required—but it is not blind faith.

C. The Word of God is sacred because it is eternal (1 Peter 1:23–25).

1 Peter 1:23-25

23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

24 For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

25 but the word of the Lord stands forever."  And this is the word that was preached to you. NIV

D.  A novel might last for a generation.

a. A poem might last half a millennium.

b. But the Bible will last forever because truth is eternal (Matt. 24:35).

Matt 24:35

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

NIV

II. The home is still sacred.

Regardless of the way modern people may treat the home, it is still sacred.

A. The home is sacred because God created it (Gen. 2:21–25).

a. The home was the first institution created by God.

b. No modern plan designed to bypass or undermine the home will ever succeed.

B. The home is sacred because God blesses it (Gen. 1:28).

a. God blesses only what is good.

b. And all God blesses is sacred.

Gen 1:28

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

ESV

III. The church is still sacred.

William Barclay, in his book A Spiritual Autobiography, says, “Maybe it is fitting that I who have served the Church for more than forty years should end by saying, ‘I believe in the Church’

” ([Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975], 117).

Norman Vincent Peale’s statement about the church has been proved true: “The church is where all our hopes come true!”

A. What a strange, perplexing, but blessed thing is the church.

a. It is still sacred two thousand twenty-six years after it was founded by Jesus.

B. The church is sacred because God conceived it (Eph. 1:4–6).

Eph 1:4-6

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

ESV

C. The church is sacred because Christ founded it (Matt. 16:13–19 Peters confession of Christ).

D. The church is sacred because the Holy Spirit fills it (Acts 2:1–4 The filling of the Holy Spirit).

Conclusion A striking memorial containing two statues sits in front of Boston’s Trinity Church. One is of Phillips Brooks who became pastor of the church in 1869; the other is of Jesus who stands behind Brooks. The Savior’s hands rest on Brooks’s shoulders. There are some things in this pagan world that are still sacred because the hand of the Savior rests on them.

How can one follow Gods will?

By entering into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and worshiping Him in spirit and in truth enables you to walk a new path for the rest of your life. With Christ as your Savior and Friend, you can move forward without fear—whether it relates to your past, your present, or your future.

1. When you truly submit and worship Christ and allow Him to lovingly lead your life, you can reach your highest potential on the road ahead.

a. With Him walking beside you, you can avoid the failures that come from trying to travel alone.

The message of the gospel is simple yet powerful: God loves you.

2. He loves you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for your sins and to rise again so that you might have eternal life.

a. The Bible says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be   saved”(Romans 10:13).

3. Today, you can experience forgiveness, peace, and a brand-new life.

a. Jesus Christ stands ready to receive you—just as you are. You don’t have to clean yourself up first. You don’t have to fix everything on your own.

b. Come to Him in faith, believing that He died for you and rose again, and He will save you.

4. If God is speaking to your heart right now, don’t put it off.

a. Step out in faith.

b. Turn from your sins and turn to Jesus. Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior.

5. If you’re ready to take that step, you might pray something like this:

“Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose again. Today I trust You as my Savior and surrender my life to You as Lord. Thank You for saving me. Help me follow You from this day forward. Amen.”

6. If you prayed that prayer sincerely, based on the promises of God’s Word, you are now a child of God.

a. We invite you to come forward, make your decision public, and allow us to rejoice with you, pray for you, and help you begin your new walk with Christ.

7. Maybe you’re already a believer, but you know in your heart that you haven’t been walking as closely with the Lord as you once did.

a. Perhaps you’ve grown distant, become distracted, or allowed sin, discouragement, or the pressures of life to pull you away from the fellowship you once enjoyed with God.

b. The good news is that your Heavenly Father is not angry or far away.

c. He is lovingly calling you back to Himself.

The Bible says, “Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord” (Malachi 3:7).

d. He is ready to restore your joy, renew your strength, and set your feet back on the path He has for you.

8. Rededication doesn’t mean you’re getting “saved again.” It simply means you’re choosing to come home—choosing to surrender afresh, to lay aside whatever has hindered you, and to follow Jesus with renewed devotion.

a. If God is speaking to your heart today, I invite you to respond.

b. Come and say,

“Lord, I’m coming back. I give myself to You again. Take my life and use it for Your glory.”

c. You might pray something like this:

“Lord Jesus, I belong to You, but I’ve drifted from You. Today I confess my sin and my coldness of heart. I return to You fully. Restore my joy, renew my walk, and help me live faithfully for You from this day forward. Amen.”

4. If you’re ready to rededicate your life, step out and come.

a. I would love to pray with you, encourage you, and walk beside you as you renew your commitment to Christ.

b. He stands ready to restore, strengthen, and lead you.

Will you come?

Today is the day of salvation. Won’t you come?

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, help us release the former things, trust what You have declared, and wait with faith for what You will bring to life. Amen.

[1]J. I. Packer, “Inspiration,” in New Bible Dictionary, ed. D. R. W. Wood et al. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 507.

[2]J. I. Packer, “Inspiration,” in New Bible Dictionary, ed. D. R. W. Wood et al. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 508.