Sunday Morning ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ March 23, 2014

AT THE THRESHING FLOOR Introduction: Read Luke 22:31-34. Many sermons are preached in regard to Jesus’ prediction that Peter would deny him. Other lessons are to be learned. Not long ago I preached on Satan’s asking to sift Peter as wheat and pointed out that Satan desires to sift every Christian as wheat. What do we know about the sifting of wheat? The sifting of wheat involves delivering the sheaves to the threshing floor, crushing its husks and separating the chaff and straw from the grain. The grain is then collected. Threshing floors have symbolic significance in both New & Old Testaments . WHAT HAPPENS ON A THRESHING FLOOR? Important Old Testament events happened on threshing floors. a. David purchased the threshing floor of Araunah (2 Sam. 24:18-25). 1) On that threshing floor he built an altar to the Lord (2 Sam. 24:25). 2) The “land of Moriah” (Gen. 22:3) is future Jerusalem and the threshing floor of Araunah became Mount Moriah (2 Chron. 3:1). 3) Mount Moriah was the very site where God commanded Abraham to offer up his son Isaac, a type of Christ (Gen. 22:1-2; Heb. 11:17-18). 4) Ruth met Boaz on a threshing floor (Ruth 3:1-3; 4:13-17). On threshing floors workers prepares grain for consumption. a. Stalks of wheat (sheaves for example) were scattered over a hard floor. b. A heavy sledge which was pulled by animals, passed over the sheaves, breaking the chaff or husks away from the grain. c. With a winnowing fork or shovel, the floor’s contents were then thrown into the air, blowing away the chaff and the heavier grain fell to the floor. The chaff was burned but the precious grain was stored (see Luke 3:15-17). . THE THRESHING FLOOR IS AN IMPORTANT METAPHOR. Threshing and winnowing picture judgment (Dan. 2:31-35; Jer. 51:33). The threshing floor calls for separation (Mic. 4:11-12). To the faithful the threshing floor represents blessing, for afterwards they receive their reward – the wheat is gathered into barns (cf. Num. 18:26-32). Thus the threshing floor is linked to our worship. Araunah’s threshing floor became the site of Solomon’s temple. Ruth prepared herself before going to the threshing floor of Boaz with the best she had (Ruth 3:2, 3). . EVERY CHRISTIAN COMES TO THE THRESHING FLOOR. When Jesus warned Peter, “Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat,” was Satan looking for wheat or chaff? He is looking for chaff. Why? Because he receives the part that will be consumed in fire! Luke 22:31 - 31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.” “You “ is plural – all ten apostles! Conclusion: When you are put to the threshing floor, what will be left—chaff or wheat? “We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves!” Luke 22:31-34 [Scripture Reading] 31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! In-deed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." 33 But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." 34 Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me." 2 Samuel 24:25 25 And David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD heeded the prayers for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel. 2 Chronicles 3:1 Now Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. Genesis 22:1-2 1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." 2 Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." Hebrews 11:17-18 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," Ruth 4:13-17 13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him." 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, "There is a son born to Naomi." And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Luke 3:15-17 15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire." Micah 4:11-12 11 Now also many nations have gathered against you, Who say, "Let her be defiled, And let our eye look upon Zion." 12 But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD, Nor do they understand His counsel; For He will gather them like sheaves to the threshing floor. Ruth 3:2-3 2 Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. of Boaz with the best she had (Ruth 3:2, 3). . EVERY CHRISTIAN COMES TO THE THRESHING FLOOR. When Jesus warned Peter, “Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat,” was Satan looking for wheat or chaff? He is looking for chaff. Why? Because he receives the part that will be consumed in fire! Luke 22:31 - 31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.” “You “ is plural – all ten apostles! Conclusion: When you are put to the threshing floor, what will be left—chaff or wheat? “We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves!” Luke 22:31-34 [Scripture Reading] 31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! In-deed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." 33 But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." 34 Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me." 2 Samuel 24:25 25 And David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD heeded the prayers for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel. 2 Chronicles 3:1 Now Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. Genesis 22:1-2 1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." 2 Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." Hebrews 11:17-18 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," Ruth 4:13-17 13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him." 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, "There is a son born to Naomi." And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Luke 3:15-17 15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire." Micah 4:11-12 11 Now also many nations have gathered against you, Who say, "Let her be defiled, And let our eye look upon Zion." 12 But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD, Nor do they understand His counsel; For He will gather them like sheaves to the threshing floor. Ruth 3:2-3 2 Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.