Burnt Offering and Song 2nd Chronicles 29:27

November 2012

An email newsletter ministry of Richard D. Swift, publishing the sermons of Rev. Reed A. Swift (1899-1973), a holiness preacher

The following sermon was preached in the Free Methodist Churches of W. Hollywood, California; Holum, Louisiana; Miami, Florida; Jena, Martha's Chapel, Winnsboro, Chickasaw, Liddieville, and Summerville, Louisiana; Pomona, and Mira Loma, California; and in the Bible Missionary Church of Cucamonga, California ('59). It is handwritten on two pages. The first page is on the back of an ad which reads the following: Tabernacle Meeting Orange County Holiness Association July 15-26, 1936 On lot adjoining Walnut Grove Auto Park 2703 N. Main St, Santa Anna, California. I won't write the rest of the details from the ad except to say services were held each week day at 7:30p.m. with two on Sunday 2:30 and 6:30.

Burnt Offering and Song

2nd Chronicles 29:27

"And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also"

For sixteen years there had been no song in the Temple of Israel. But, one day something very wonderful took place. King Hezekiah, rulers, Levites with harps, priests and a great chorus of trained singers [were there]. And suddenly, "When the burnt offering began", there was music as the sound of many waters.

The Israelites were lovers of song- battle or in victory. It had been a long sixteen years. "These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you and and that your joy might be full." [John15:11]

A Christian has a reason for song. It is as natural as bloom on the cheeks of healthy youth. A happy old man on his way to church was once asked why he was so cheerful. He straightened himself and said, "Listen, the devil has no happy old men!'

How Israel lost her song- Chapter 28: By neglecting the house of God and allowing her doors to be closed. Wicked King Ahaz. God's judgements have always been visited upon nations who despised Him and lived in luxury and self indulgence: Babylon, Nineveh, Rome, Greece, etc. Bankers and business men of this country paid Roger Babson a million dollars per year to tell them what is best for business. He is worth it. But take advice. He said, "Real-estate would be nearly valueless if churches closed. For the sake of business, for our own sake, for our children's sake, for our nation's sake, let us business men get behind the churches and their preachers. The safety of all we have is due to the churches. By all that we hold dear, let us from this very day give more time, more money, and thought to the churches of our cities, for upon these the value of all we own depends."

But about the only time you can get some men in a church is to their own funeral, and that is hardly fair to them or the church. Wicked King Ahaz closed the doors to God's House. Judgement came. Godly King Hezekiah opened them and God's blessings came.

Has the song gone out of your life? Neglect Bible? Neglect secret prayer? Neglect the House of God? Pleasures, where? How do you pray for your children and unsaved companions? Why don't we see revival? Why is the church on crutches?

Many people are sick physically because of warped appetites. Many are sick spiritually for the same reason. (Too many are a law unto themselves.) Physical warped appetites: eating and drinking and sleeping. I know I can't tell you what to eat and drink. Spiritual warped appetites: Sunday desecration, language, slang, pride, etc. How can we go forth as fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners if in bondage to the world, the flesh, and the devil? One out of four keep sanctified, and one out of forty even get sanctified once. How do people expect to get to heaven? Can you tell me? Some depend on their justification, but Without Holiness there is no way in!

The Temple was opened and purged. If no song of the victor, then you must do likewise. "Ye are the temple of the Holy Ghost." Did you ever have more joy in salvation [than you do now]? Then it is back there right where you left it. Admit your lack. Ask God if you are justified in staying away from the menas of grace. Think of the cobwebs and musty rooms of your soul, and open up and clean house.

We must have enough power with God to kill self and keep self dead to have any power with men. "Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all." On a mission field, a devotee of Buddha came to the altar put on it much gold and silver and jewelry. Then the [Buddhist] priest said, "Now I have nothing more to give but myself and dagger", and fell upon the altar. A spirit like this, giving all intelligently, brings the song. "Oh love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee. I give Thee back the life I owe, that in Thine ocean depths its flow, may richer, fuller be."

"And when the Burnt Offering began, the Song began also." 2nd Chronicles 29:27

This concludes my grandfather's sermon.

Yours for Radical Holiness,

Richard D. Swift

505 Hickory Hills dr

Dexter, MO 63841

573-625-9535

swiftyone2002@yahoo.com

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