1. Chiseled Stones Exodus 20:25

2. Chiseled Stones The law in Exodus 20:25 forbade any chiseled (man-made) stones to be used for an altar? Does this law seem a little strange? What important lessons are taught here?

3. Underlying Issues Artificial vs. natural: chiseled stones are artificial, a pile of rocks is natural and focuses on what God made Manufactured vs. God-given: chiseled stones focus on the achievements / artistry of man (like an idol), a pile of rocks keeps the worship focused on God

4. Underlying Issues Complex vs. simple: chiseled stones require skilled artisans, a piles of rocks can be put together by anyone and everyone Man’s blueprint vs. God’s blueprint: this is the real issue – will the altar be of man’s design (chiseled) or will the altar be of God’s design (a pile of rocks)?

5. Modern Examples Entertainment in worship –A stage up front for the professional musicians, choirs, play actors, comedians, etc. –Worship should be joyful (Psa. 100), but it is not about entertainment (Ezek. 33:30-33) –Worship is about God, not us (Jn. 4:24)

6. Modern Examples Instrumental music –Instrumental music focuses the attention on the performer –Singing is natural, God-given, simple, and according to God’s blueprint (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)

7. Modern Examples Full-service churches –Many modern churches are like one-stop, shopping malls (day-care, coffee bar, gift store, gymnasium, food court, etc.) –The Lord’s church was design to meet the spiritual needs of man (1 Tim. 3:15)

8. Potential Objections “Chiseled stones are more pleasing to the senses” – maybe so, but who are we trying to please (Gal. 1:10; Col. 2:23; 2 Tim. 4:3)? “Chiseled stones will draw a bigger crowd” – maybe so, but religion is not about what the people want (Num. 14; 1 Sam. 8)

9. Potential Objections “Chiseled stones will allow us to show off our God-given talents” – maybe so, but your God-given talents must be controlled by the God-given pattern (Ex. 25-31) “Those who oppose chiseled stones are out of step with mainstream culture” – maybe so, but who do we need to be “in step” with (Jas. 4:4)

10. Potential Objections “I like chiseled stones” – maybe so, but it is not about what I like, but about what God wants (Col. 3:17)

11. Lessons for Today We are not just talking about rocks; we are talking about “the work of men’s hands” (Deut. 4:28; 2 K. 19:18; 2 Chron. 32:19; Psa. 115:4; 135:15; Isa. 37:19) Follow God’s blueprint (2 Tim. 1:13) Focus on what pleases God, not man (Rom. 14:18; 2 Cor. 5:9-10; Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 4:1)