author: Ryan Hayden Take your Bibles with me and turn to 2 Samuel 6. 2 Samuel 6.

Tonight we are going to look at one of the most startling stories in the whole Bible. It's a story that didn't really sit well with me the first time I heard it - but it teaches us an important lesson: God is wonderful, but God is also dangerous.

You see, the story we are going to look at tonight is all about the presence of God. How do we handle the presence of God.

Someone once said "Christianity isn't about what you do, it's about what you do with God." This story is a great reminder of that.

Here is how I'm going to approach this tonight, I have four points I want to make from this story: 1) God must be worshipped God’s way, (2) His presence is both a blessing and a curse, (3) we can only stand before Him through sacrifices, and (4) how God sees us matters more than how man sees us.

As we talk about each of those principles, we will read that part of the story and eventually read the whole chapter.

Let's pray and we'll get into the message tonight.

author: Ryan Hayden The first point I want us to think about tonight is this:

1. God must be worshipped God's way.

Let's read the first 8 verses of the text:

[!bible] 2 Samuel 6:1-8 - KJV

1. Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2. And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.
3. And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
4. And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
5. And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
6. And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
7. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
8. And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day.

So what happens here? Remember that since 1 Samuel 6, since before Saul became king, the ark of the covenant has been kept in storage. The people foolishly tried to use the ark as kind of a magic token to fight a war God didn't tell them to - and the ark was taken by the Philistines. Then, after the ark plagued the Philistines, they sent it back, pulled by two milking cows and it was kept in the home Abinidab in a place called Kirjath-jearim.

Remember that story? Well, now that David is king He wants to bring the ark out of storage and bring it into the new capitol of Jerusalem. That's about an 11 mile trip. About like going from here to Windsor. And so David plans this huge celebration. There is going to be a parade for the ark and there is going to be music, and he puts Abinidab's' sons - Uzzah and Ahio - in charge of the actual ark transport.

This was a big mistake. So they are traveling. The music is playing. The people are cheering. It was probably like Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade with people in the streets and they make it to a place called Nachon's threshing floor, about half way to Jerusalem, and something terrible happens that stops the whole parade.

You see, Uzzah and Ahio had put the ark of God on a new cart pulled by oxen. I'm sure it was a nice cart. Probably top of the line. But God's word had given specific instructions on how the ark was to be transported and it wasn't on a cart.

So when these oxen shake the cart, one of the sons Uzzah reaches out and touches the ark to steady it, and God immediately strikes him down dead.

I imagine the music went "wump-wump." The buzz was officially killed.

This really upset David, and he named the placed "Perez-Uzzah" which means "a breach against Uzzah."

Now, why would God do that? Well, because God had given specific instructions about the ark and how it was to be handled. Remember, the ark was where God's presence dwelt. It was the most sacred thing in all of Israel.

Listen to this from Exodus 25:

[!bible] Exodus 25:12-15 - KJV 12. And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it. 13. And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. 14. And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them. 15. The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.

That's pretty clear. God said "the ark is to be carried by staves (by poles)."

And that isn't the only direction God gave. Listen to Numbers 4:15

[!bible] Numbers 4:15 - KJV 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.

So God didn't just say "carry it with staves" God said "the only people I want carrying it is the sons of Kohath and even them, if they touch it, they will die."

So here you had Uzzah, who was the wrong person - he wasn't a son of Kohath. Carrying the ark the wrong way - on a new cart instead of staves. And then, on top of that, touching the ark.

God had to teach Israel a lesson and that is that God's instructions matter.

Uzzah made some miscalculations:

• He thought it didn't matter how the ark was carried.
• He thought that God would be impressed with his new cart.
• He thought that he could reach out and touch the ark to keep it from falling over and it would be ok.

But that was too much for God. Here is a thought: Who is to say that the dirt was less holy than Uzzah's hand? The dirt never disobeyed God. The dirt wasn't rebellious. The dirt couldn't pollute the ark, but the touch of a sinful man could. So Uzzah died.

God's instructions matter. So here is the lesson for us: God must be worshipped God's way.. Good intentions aren't good enough. We have to worship God as God has prescribed.

Remember, worship isn't about how we feel - it is about pleasing God. We don't get to worship on our terms - but on His terms.

So before I move onto the next point, are you following God's word in the way you worship Him? Are you guilty of inventing your own carts? You might have good intentions - you might mean well - but worshipping God is about pleasing Him.

So David's little parade came crashing to a stop. Everyone learned the hard way just how dangerous God's presence can be. And that leads me to the second principle we learn in this chapter:

2. God's presence is both a blessing and a curse.

Let's keep reading. We will read verses 9-11

[!bible] 2 Samuel 6:9-12 - KJV 9. And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? 10. So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 11. And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obed-edom, and all his household.

When the parade was over and the party came to a big crashing stop - they stored the ark in the house of a man named Obed-edom.

Obed-edom is called here a Gitite. Which could mean that he was a Philistine (David had 600 of them in his army.) But if you compare this passage and 1 Chronicles 15, it seems much more likely that Obed-edom was a Levite. He is listed with the Levites there.

So the ark goes into storage at Obed-edom's house and do you know what? A curious thing happens. God blesses Obed-edom's house. Good things start happening to Obed-edom. He has the midas touch. Everyone can see it.

And even David can see it. And so, after three months, David determines to try again and to bring the Ark into Jerusalem so that the. whole city can be blessed like Obed-edom is blessed.

And so you have this curious thing - this story is showing us that God's presence (represented by the ark) is dangerous. So dangerous that Uzzah was struck dead for touching it. But then on the flip side, we see God's presence blessing Obed-edom.

So the presence of God is both a blessing and a curse.

Tim Chester said "One of the key truths of the Bible is that you can't live with God, and you can't live without him." God's' presence is dangerous - deadly dangerous - but also a huge blessing.

Up a few miles from us in Arthur there is a business called Das Holz Haus. Brother Rinker took me and an evangelist up there once and we got a tour of this huge cabinet factory. It was really neat.

That place cranks out some of the most beautiful cabinetry you will ever see. They do a great business and provide a livelihood for about a hundred people. In that shop they have all kinds of tools - table saws, industrial shapers, router tables, planers. Its the nicest and most organized workshop I've ever seen.

Do you know those tools have done amazing things - those tools have furnished the kitchens of thousands and thousands of people. Those tools have helped feed hundreds of people. What an amazing blessing.

But there have been a few instances over the years where an employee got too familiar with those tools and has lost some fingers - and it could get a lot worse.

When we take proper care with God - when we follow His instructions and treat Him with the proper respect - God's presence is a huge blessing to us. But if we get too familiar with God, if we get sloppy with God and we ignore God's word and take Him for granted - that is a truly dangerous thing.

God isn't safe. God is dangerous. But God is also good. Do you honor the Lord as you should?

• God must be worshiped God's way.
• God's presence is both a blessing and a curse.

author: Ryan Hayden There is a third lesson for us in this story and it's found in verses 12-15. Let's read that together:

[!bible] 2 Samuel 6:12-15 - KJV 12. And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. 13. And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. 14. And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. 15. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

You see, David tried again. He wanted to bring the ark that he now saw could be a blessing back to Jerusalem. But this time he was much more careful. This time he followed what the Bible said. No more carts.

This time, every six steps they stopped and had a sacrifice.

And that lead me to the third lesson from this text:

3. The only way to stand before a Holy God is through a sacrifice.

You see, God is dangerous. God's presence is holy. Uzzah found that out the hard way. For man to stand before a dangerous, holy God - something had to die.

The first go around that something was Uzzah. Uzzah was too comfortable with the presence of God. And he found out how serious God is about holiness.

But that doesn't mean that no one can be in the presence of God. The second time around, they did sacrifices. Whenever someone came into the Tabernacle or Temple to meet with God, the first thing they would do, right at the door, was sacrifice. An animal had to be killed. Blood had to be shed.

And of course that all points us to Christ. Listen - God isn't any less holy today. God's holiness isn't any less dangerous today. The difference between us and Uzzah's time is that God has sent the perfect Sacrifice.

Listen to what Hebrews 10 says:

[!bible] Hebrews 10:19-22 - KJV 19. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20. By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21. And having an high priest over the house of God; 22. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

We can come to God because of the blood of Jesus. We can come to God with boldness because Jesus made the way. We've been covered in the blood of Jesus.

You know, there is another picture in this story. Uzzah's name means "strength". Uzzah is a picture for us of what happens when we try to approach God in our own strength. It doesn't work out well for us.

The only way we can approach God is through the blood of Christ.

So what have we learned so far?

• God must be worshiped God's way.
• God's presence is both a blessing and a curse.
• The only way to stand before God is through a Sacrifice.

There is one more lesson I want you to see in this story...

4. How God sees us is more imporant than how man sees us

Let's read the end of the story. Unfortunately, it doesn't end on a happy note.

Usually, whenever things are going really well for you - there is a challenge coming. David was on cloud nine here - he was dancing before the Lord. But as soon as the day was over and he went home - he had a challenge.

Spurgeon used to say

"Pirates look out for loaded vessels."

And when we are just loaded with God's goodness, we can expect an attack.

Let's read about David's attack.

[!bible] 2 Samuel 6:16-22 - KJV 16. And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. 17. And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. 18. And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. 19. And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house. 20. Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! 21. And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. 22. And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.

As David is entering the city, his first wife Michal looks out the window and sees him, dressed like a common priest in a linen ephod, and dancing joyously before the Lord. And Michal can't stand it. It disgusts her.

After David gives food and wine to everyone and sends them home - David is going to go home into a buzzsaw.

Again, when we are right with God - there are going to be people who can't stand it. There are going to be people, maybe even people as close to us as our husband or wife, who tries to bring us down. That was Michal here.

As soon as David comes home she says in her most sarcastic voice "Boy, the king looked glorious today, dancing out there like a fool for all the slave girls to see."

You see, she was a critic. She criticized the way David dressed and she criticized the way David worshipped. She didn't think he was being dignified enough. He wasn't "keeping up appearances" as a king should.

And so David responded to her by saying, basically "You know what, I'm not dignified. I was humble before the Lord and I hope to be more humble before Him. What matters isn't what people see, what matters is what God sees."

You see, David teaches us two really important lessons here that are related:

First, it doesn't matter what people see, what matters is what God sees.

David was dancing "before the Lord." It wasn't for people's eyes, it was for God's eyes. He wasn't doing this to put on a show for people, He was doing this as a genuine response to thee goodness of God.

The second related lesson is this: it doesn't matter if we get the glory - what matters is that God get's the glory.

Michal's criticism was really that a king shouldn't be dressing like that and a king shouldn't be dancing like that. In her view, a king was supposed to always look the part and always act dignified. That way, the king would be glorified.

But David wasn't out to get glory for himself - David wanted to glorify the Lord. He didn't want the attention to be on David, He wanted the attention to be on the ark.

Let me ask you this: when you come into church and worship - whose eyes is it for? Who are you hoping will get glory? You, or the Lord?

Conclusion

So let's wrap this up. In this story we learned that God's presence is dangerous. It's like a high powered table saw - if you don't respect the Lord, you can really be destroyed.

We were reminded that God sets the way He wants to be worshipped and approached. And if we don't follow His ways, we'll end up like Uzzah.

We learned that what matters isn't what man sees when we worship - what matters is what God sees and our worship should be about glorifying Him and not us.

Finally, we were reminded that it is only through Jesus - through His sacrifice, that we can have access to a Holy God.

So how are you trying to approach God today? Are you like Uzzah, doing it your way and in your strength? Or are you like David, worshipping God's way, for God's eyes and God's glory and doing it through Christ?

Let's stand for prayer.