Good morning, what a great day to serve Jesus.
Today’s Fire-starter comes from 1 Chronicles 13. Our Fire-starter
thought is: three thing concerning the The return of the ark!!!

Here in 1 Chronicles 13 you will find they are bringing the ark of God
back. If you go back to 2 Samuel 6 you can read the same story and see
the same things we are going to look at this morning.

The ark of God represented God himself. This was an important piece of
Israel  and I believe there are three things to see here.
1. The saints rejoicing verse 8
2. The sin and God’s response verse 9-10
3. The supply that the ark brings to those that it’s around  verse 14.

Let’s look at these three points a little closer this morning.
1. The saints rejoicing
    Their cause of rejoicing was they were bringing the ark back
     Their coming with rejoicing was they had instruments

They had instruments of music to play as they were bringing the ark of
God back this was a welcoming home celebration if you will but even
during the welcome home celebration sin happened and that brings us to
number 2.
2. The sin and God’s response

Where did Uzza mess up? How did he sin? We would have done the same
thing wouldn’t we? What was his punishment?

These questions are answered from this passage.

There were many different things that were done wrong when bringing the
ark of God back home.  First of all the ark never was intended to ride
in a new cart
Secondly, just because something looks to be good to do doesn’t mean
it’s the right thing to do. Then thirdly there is always a punishment
for sin.

Did Uzza do wrong? Absolutely! He should have never touched the ark and
I understand completely why he touched the ark but just because it looks
good to do doesn’t make it the right thing to do.  They should of had
the levites carry the ark then the oxen would not have stumbled and Uzza
would have never been killed. Just because  it sounds good to do doesn’t
mean it’s the right thing to do.
Sin is still sin no matter what it is. If God says there is a certain
way of doing something that’s the way he wants it done. See if you
notice it was during the celebration that Uzza put forth his hand to the
ark. Sometimes we get so caught up in the celebration we forget the
commands God gives and yes it is good to celebrate but its also good to
follow the commandment of God. Due to Uzza’s sin God killed him. The
price for sin is death!! Romans 6:23 states this for us.

3. The supply that the ark brings to those that it’s around

I believe Obededom was blessed beyond measure the three months that the
ark was there. There was also a great concern I believe of doing what
was right while it was there.

Why do I say that? Because when you have the presence of God around you
are always making sure you do not sin against him. Always keep Christ on
your heart and mind and you will not want to sin!!!

Yes the house of Obededom was blessed but I also believe they were
careful at what they did.

1 Chronicles 13:1-14 KJV
And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and
with every leader. [2] And David said unto all the congregation of
Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the Lord our God,
let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all
the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which
are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto
us: [3] And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired
not at it in the days of Saul. [4] And all the congregation said that
they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
[5] So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even
unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from
Kirjath-jearim. [6] And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that
is, to Kirjath-jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the
ark of God the Lord, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is
called on it. [7] And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of
the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. [8] And David
and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing,
and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with
cymbals, and with trumpets. [9] And when they came unto the
threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for
the oxen stumbled. [10] And the anger of the Lord was kindled against
Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he
died before God. [11] And David was displeased, because the Lord had
made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perez-uzza to
this day. [12] And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I
bring the ark of God home to me? [13] So David brought not the ark home
to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of
Obed-edom the Gittite. [14] And the ark of God remained with the family
of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the house
of Obed-edom, and all that he had.