KNOWING THE WRITTEN WORD
BUT NOT KNOWING THE LIVING
Deuteronomy 11:18-25
Text - 1 John 2:3-6
Introduction: In the Old Testament there was great emphasis on
learning the Scriptures (Deu. 6:4-9). The people were to learn God's word for a
purpose. Psalm 119:11 tells us that learning the Scriptures would help them to
keep from sinning (comp. with Luke 4:1-13). Also, in Psalm 119:130 the people
would obtain understanding (concerning God's will, life, themselves, etc. -
compare with 2 Tim.
A.
According to Deuteronomy 5:1,
not only were the Israelites to learn the word of God, they were to obey it
1.
During those periods of
national apostasy the prophets would exhort the people to "know the Lord" (Isa. 1:3, Hos.
2.
There was a direct
correlation between knowing the Lord and doing his will.
3.
It was not enough to know
the written word, but they had to be intimately associated with the Lord
B.
1.
Put their trust in the
temple's presence (v. 4)
2.
God wanted their obedience
not their rituals (vv. 21-26)
3. The Lord expects obedience from the heart today (Rom.
I.
Religious but not right with
God
A.
1st century Judaism put much
emphasis on knowing the written word
1.
5-7 Familiar with TORAH
2.
10-12 Had to memorize the
Pentateuch
3.
12-13 Became a BAR MITZVAH
passed into manhood
4.
Feast days were supposed to
be used to impress the significance of events upon the minds of the people
B.
More concerned with
symbolism over substance - Kept the letter of the law, yet never considered the
spirit of the law (Matt.
1.
Gave way to Mishna - Oral arguments regarding things not covered in the
Torah
2.
Gave way to Talmud -
Rabbinical writings, which included the Mishna, and Gemara, which was commentary on the Mishna.
(These were referred to by Christ as traditions of men - Mark 7:8-9)
3.
They put their traditions on
par with and sometimes above the Law. The hedge became more important than that
it was supposed to protect Need more people to worship in the morning – won’t
serve the Lord’s supper at night)
4.
They became the people of
the book in the sense that they simply imitated what God expected (Gave the
external appearance). They were not
motivated from the heart
II.
Making gods out of our religion
(
A.
B.
The 1st century Jews became
so pious in their zeal that they gave more homage to written words than they
did to the living.
1.
We see the tension mounting
between Jesus and the religious leaders of His day with "It was said but I
say (Matt.
2.
Murder, Adultery, Marriage,
Oaths, Civil Disputes, Enemies
C.
They failed to realize that
ritualism was going to be abolished
1. Daniel said it (
3.
Jesus said it (Matt.
D.
When their religion was no
more, what would they do then?
III.
Words without meaning
A.
Rituals were empty and vain
yet the Jews relied on them for their salvation
1.
Why do you go to church?
2.
Why do you take the Lord's supper?
3.
What is the purpose for
which you sing spiritual songs and hymns?
4.
Are you really looking for
an answer to your prayers or is prayer something you do because of habit?
5.
Are you trying to fit the
part or get close to God? (Window Dressing)
B. Consider modem traditions of men
1. Choirs, Auxiliaries and fund-raisers
2. Christmas and Easter services
4.
Orphans homes, old folk’s
homes, and benevolence to sinners out of a congregation’s treasury
Conclusion: Yes, there are many that know the written word. The
Religious leaders of Jesus' day knew it well. However, they did not know the
living word (John