IT'S TIME TO RING THE BELLS  Exodus 28:30-35

Introduction: When the high priest in the Old Testament went into minister, a rope was tied around the ankles of the high priest. If the bells stopped ringing, they pulled the priest out of the holies of holies. They wanted to hear the bells keep ringing.

I.          RING THE BELLS OF HOLINESS

A-Zechariah 14:20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.

B-Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

II.                RING THE BELLS OF OUR HEARTS

A.     BELLS OF RENEWAL--Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

B.      BELLS OF LOVE--I Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren  see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: I John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

C.      BELLS OF DESIRE—Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

III.             RING THE BELLS OF OUR HOMES

A.     BELL OF RESPONSIBILITY

1-Husband

a-Love wife--I Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them

according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the

weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that

your prayers be not hindered.

b-Provide for family--I Tim. 5:8 But if any provide not for his own,

and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and

is worse than an infidel.

2-Wife

      a-Submit to husband--Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves

unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the

head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the

saviour of the body.

      b-Subjection to husbands--I Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in

subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also

may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While

they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

3-Children

a-Hearken to the Lord’s Voice-Proverbs 8:32 Now therefore

hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

b-Honor Father and Mother-Ephesians 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

B.     BELL OF DISCIPLINE—No Discipline in the home means there is no discipline in the church, school, or society as a whole.

Job 36:10-He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

IV. RING THE BELLS AT THE HOUSE OF GOD

A.     BELL OF WORSHIP AND PRAISE

1-Worship

a-First mentioned by Abraham when preparing to go up

             the mountain to offer Isaac(Genesis 22:5)

b-A lengthy description of  Worship is given in John 4:19-34

2-Praise

a-First mentioned by Leah when God gave her a son named

Judah. Genesis 29:32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she

called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked

upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. 33 And

she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD

hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also:

and she called his name Simeon. 34 And she conceived again, and

bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto

me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name

called Levi. 35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she

said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name

Judah; and left bearing.

b-A lengthy description of Praise is given in the Last 5 of the

Psalms of David.  (Psalms 146-150)

B.     BELL OF RESPECT

1-Matthew 21:13 His House is a House of Prayer

2-Psalms 122:1 Glad When said Let us Go Into the House of the Lord

3-Genesis 35:1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother. 2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

C.     BELL OF LOYALTY

1-Not Forsaking the Assembling of yourselves--Hebrews 10:25

2-Faithfulness will help you to abound--Proverbs 28:20

3-Faithful over few things/ Ruler over many--Matthew 25:21

4-Required in Stewards that a man be faithful--I Corinthians 4:2

5-Faithful ambassador is Health--Proverbs 13:17

Conclusion—Let’s get the bells a ringing at Calvary Baptist Church in our lives, and do that which is pleasing unto God.