This is Message 203 in the Restoration Series.
Introduction: Restoration: Our objective in these messages is to restore the power and authority the church has lost. If we want to continue in this last great move of God, we must rely totally on God's Word, not the traditions of men.
I. These passages are very critical for the destiny of both man and religion.
A. Why? Because neither man nor religion can survive being institutionalized.
1. That is focused on tradition, ritual, ceremony and works.
2. Survival depends upon the hearts of men and true religion.
3. Our hearts are to be focused on God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
B. We must all accept each other.
1. Be reconciled to God
2. Approve each other and redeemed
3. Live in peace, love and joy
4. Experience the joy and hope of Christ
5. Walk humbly and live a life of service
C. Six things in these verses to consider.
1. The religionist found fault with Jesus' disciples
2. Tradition can be hypocritical honor
3. Tradition can be empty, worthless worship
4. Tradition can be man made commandments
5. Tradition can be kept before the commandments of God
6. Tradition can make the Word of God ineffective
II. Number one: The religionists found fault with Jesus' disciples. Vs 1-5.
A. The religionists were a fact-finding commission from Jerusalem.
1. They came to investigate Jesus, to see what was going on.
2. News had spread of His meetings and miracles.
3. Reports were continually coming into Jerusalem of His activities.
4. None of these reports were good.
5. Jesus was accused of healing the sick, casting out devils by Beelzebub
6. He was accuse of breaking the Sabbath law
B. There had been a fact-finding commission sent to John the Baptist also.
1. John was the forerunner to Jesus
2. He was preaching "repent and be baptized". Matthew 3:1-12
C. Think about what was happening round about the country.
1. From rulers in the synagogues too most unclean were being ministered too.
2. All were being stirred up, good and bad.
D. When the "commission" arrived, they saw the disciple breaking one of their traditions.
1. The disciples were eating with unwashed hands.
2. According to tradition they were "unclean in God's sight".
3. The washing of hands was a sign of "thanksgiving to God".
4. So the disciples were "ceremonial unclean".
E. The Law of Moses prescribed washing before handling some items
1. This was to instill holiness of God and His temple.
2. To show one was "spiritually clean" as we approach Him.
3. What happened was that thousands of rules and regulations were added.
4. There were so many no one could even think about keeping them all.
5. Instead of pointing one to God, it was pointing them to rituals.
F. Because the disciples ate with unwashed hands, they had embarrassed the religious faithful.
1. So they were unclean in the sight of God and the "religionists".
2. A "real Rabbi" would be teaching his disciples the 'true' traditions of the elders.
III. Number two; tradition can be hypocritical honor. Vs 6.
A. Jesus turned their accusations against them.
1. Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13 to them.
2. He called them hypocrites.
3. They honored God with their lips, not with their hearts.
4. Titus 1:16, 2Peter 2:18-19
IV. Number three; tradition can be empty, worthless worship. Vs 7.
A. Jesus told them they were worshipping in vain.
1. Worshipping with an empty heart.
2. Jesus taught: John 4:24
3. When one denies the Word, his worship is empty, worthless and unacceptable.
4. Professing with their lips, but denying Christ, God's Son. James 1:22
V. Number four; traditions can be man-made commandments. Vs 8.
A. Religionist teaches tradition as God's commandment.
1. Man's ideas of what is right or wrong
2. Some are good, but should never taught as God's Word.
VI. Number five, Traditions can be kept before the Word of God. Vs 9-12.
A. Jesus charged them that they broke God's law in order to keep religious traditions.
1. Vs 10 "Honor thy father and mother".
2 If you were to make a vow to the temple, you can never back out.
3. Even if it means to neglect your parents
B. Jesus was saying you are the hypocrites, not me.
1. You are breaking one of God's laws.
2. You are placing your 'law' over God's law.
3. Note: The duty of the Scribe, to study, writes and teaches the law.
4. They wrote the "Oral and Scribal Law".
5. It was the law of rules and regulations
6. When finally written, there were over fifty large volumes.
7. The tragedy was the Jew began to place the Oral Law over the written Word of God.
C. Corban: A gift dedicated to God Vs 11
1. When a person gave a gift or estate to God, he pronounced the words "My goods are corban"
2. This statement was binding and official.
3. When this statement was made, the goods belonged to the temple.
4. This went to far when they tried to secure the gifts when the people needed them.
VII. Number six, tradition can make the Word of God ineffective. Vs 13.
A. Jesus charged the religionist with setting aside God's word for tradition.
1. Religious traditions can be described as institutional or personal.
2. Institutional are things as rituals, rules, regulations, schedules, forms, service, procedures, organizations and such like.
3. Personal traditions, church attendance, prayers, habits, ceremonies, objects that a person uses superstituously to keep him religiously secure.
4. Jesus was saying, "You must not put to much ahead of Me and my Word."
5. Hebrews 9:10-15
Conclusion: Restoration!: Not the traditions of men, but the restoring the Word of God back in the church. See His authority and His power manifested in the lives of every believer.
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