Biblical Relevancy (Deut. 26:16-19; 27:1)

Wayne Galloway
05/01/12 - N/A

Series: Additional Studies

Introduction:

1.  One of the major problems among the people of God is a failure to make meaningful connections between what the Bible says on the one hand and our real-life problems on the other hand. 2.  You have heard me say, “We must bring our behavior into harmony with our theology.” 3.  But there is often a disconnect between our understanding of God, the Bible and worship and real life.  When we do not see the connection the Bible becomes irrelevant, out dated and impractical and so we turn to something else. 4.  When we make this move we doom ourselves to the problems and suffering that we would like to avoid. 5.  One of the things that impressed me most about our recent trip to Washington, D.C. was the interest in Scripture that the founding fathers had.  They were not only familiar with it but saw the Bible as particularly relevant.  I am not saying that they all believed it to be a revelation from God.  They did not, but even the skeptics saw it as containing principles of morality and ethics unsurpassed anywhere else in the writings of the world.

Discussion:

I.  Israel was given direction by God for their benefit, but failed to make meaningful connections with their real life circumstances.  It resulted in tragedy for them.

A.  In the texts that we have just read Moses reminded them of God’s commandments, statutes and ordinances.

1.  He said, “Be careful to do them with all your heart and soul.”

2.  “Listen to His voice, and He will set you high above all nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor.”

3.   “Blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God.”

4.  “But, if you do not obey the Lord your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes… curses will come upon you and overtake you.”

B.  Like a father giving instruction to his children God was trying to give them the principles that would be a blessing to their lives (Deut. 6:24).  He warned them of the consequences if they chose to go a different direction.  His commandments are not arbitrary tests.  They are not commandments imposed from without, but should rise up from within us because we have willingly given our hearts to Him in recognition of His concern for us.

1.  But children have problems understanding the wisdom of a parent’s instruction.

2.  And Israel had problems understanding the wisdom of God’s instruction.

C.  We have problems in understanding the wisdom of God’s instruction.

1.  Some see God as unfairly restricting them.

2.  They think that He is acting to benefit Himself in some way.

3.  Children do this same sort of thing.  They question the motives of their parents.  They question their understanding.  When given instruction may be heard to say, “You don’t understand.”  Fact is the parent understands more than the child realizes and gives instruction for the benefit of the child.  There are things that parents do not understand, but not so with God.  Any lack of understanding is a failure on our part.

D.   Not comprehending God’s unconditional devotion to us we often rebel against what He is teaching us.  But this is inconsistent with what God has done.  Note again Deut. 6:24.

1.  He delivered Israel from Egypt (Deut. 6:20-25).

2.  He blessed them with the land of Canaan (Deut. 7:17-24).

3.  He has blessed you; therefore you ought to serve the Lord your God with joy and a glad heart (Deut. 28:47).  This is the message of “Give Me Thy Heart” no. 270.  Review.

4.  He loves us therefore we love Him (1 Jn. 4:16-21).  His love in sending His Son causes us to love Him (1 Jn. 4:7-14).  It is because of our confidence (faith) in Him that we keep His commandments (1 Jn. 5:1-4).  I love my children.  Because of that I want what is best for them.  If they love me, the best way they can express that love is to acknowledge my love by following my instruction.  Instruction, that always has their best interest at heart. That expresses their trust in me.  So it is with us as God’s children.  He has our best interest at heart because He loves us.  Love for Him is best expressed by trust and submission to His will because He wants what is best for us.

E.   The consequence for Israel was tragic (Deut. 28:49ff).  2 Kings 6:24ff describes such events in Samaria.  Their response—They blamed God.  Jehoram the king of Israel condemned Elisha, the prophet of God.

II.  Our problem begins with a lack of familiarity with the revelation of God.  Ignorance.

A.  We cannot make application of Scripture to our lives if we are unfamiliar with its teaching.

B.  A fundamental emphasis in Deuteronomy is the need for teaching the commandments of God to sons and grandsons (Deut. 6:2, 4-9).

C.   God identifies Israel’s problem in Hosea 4:1-6.

1.  The people were responsible for “contending with the priest.”

2.  The priests and the prophets were responsible to teach the people, but there was failure.

3.  Teacher and student are both responsible for learning.

III.  We must work to understand the message of Scripture.

A.  We are to give diligence to present ourselves approved to God as workmen that do not need to be ashamed as we handle accurately the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).

B.  But we are too… too lazy, too undisciplined, too distracted, too oblivious to the wealth of information and blessing from the word of God.

C.  We approach it with a “get rich quick” philosophy.  We want the wisdom of God quick and without effort.

1.  “Just pray for wisdom.”

2.  Are we expecting some infusion of wisdom?

3.  God has given us a level of intelligence that makes us capable of learning.

4.  His information is accessible to us.  The Lord gives understanding but discipline and hard work is part of the process (2 Tim. 2:1-7).

IV.  God’s revelation defines who we are, where we are going and how to get there from here.  It gives us hope, direction and even anticipates a joyful future, if we hold on to God’s instruction.

Conclusion:

1.  You see the relevancy of Scripture because it is evident in your lives. 2.  And yet we continue to be children in our understanding when we compare it with the Lord’s. 3.  But we have given ourselves to learning Him. 4.  For those who do not yet set the relevancy of Scripture, I ask that you investigate it.  That you devote time to learning.   You are going to find things there that will change your life. 5.  And if you have investigated it and know the truth, but have not given yourself to the Lord, do that today.