AN IMPORTANT CASE HISTORY
May 26, 2002 AM
Sermon Outline
Deut 4:1-4
INTRO: As most of you know, I love history. I suppose that I am a true believer in the saying, If you dont learn from history, youre doomed to repeat its mistakes. So, in the course of my years of study, I have spent considerable time in the history of Gods ancient people. Over and again the New Testament sends us back to the Old Testament for its lessons. This morning I want to look for a while at what Ill call an important case history. Deut 4:1-4. The points?
I. LISTEN (HEARKEN)
A. Listen to what God says!
1. so much information is available on so many topics
2. some is useful, some is interesting, some is relevant
3. by contrast, all that God has said is important
B. But folks do not always listen to God
1. Mt 13:15
2. 2 Tim 4:3,4
3. are you listening? are you hearing?
II. LEARN (WHICH I TEACH YOU)
A. Learn what God says!
1. how much information really sticks? not much
2. the information here is statutes ... and judgments
3. now, note Deut 6:24 and 32:46,47 it is your life
B. Do we learn? Or do we just have exposure?
1. do we learn what we want, and dispose of the rest?
2. do we learn with reservation - complying until it is not convenient to do so?
3. were dealing with life issues here - Jno 6:63!
III. DO
A. Do what God says!
1. well, here has always been the problem area
2. note Judg 2:13 not all that many years later!
3. is humanity just not given to following God on Gods terms?
B. Phil 4:9 The situation has not changed
1. what we hear, learn we must do
2. I do like to add Rom 6:17 ... from the heart
3. our doing must be from the heart - there is a heart connection which involves our passion for the Lord
IV. BLESSING (LIVE ... GO IN ... POSSESS THE LAND)
A. Gods blessing is always contingent on obedience!
1. here is one of the great truths of Bible history
2. and its a truth which seems difficult to convey
3. it seems so many want the blessing without the doing
B. Lets go back to Rom 6:17,18
1. when did the blessing (v.18) become theirs?
2. after they obeyed from the heart Gods will!
3. the promised blessings of Gods grace are inseparably connected to our response of faith in obedience
V. CAUTION (YE SHALL NOT ADD ... DIMINISH)
A. Do only what God says!
1. God has never given innovation permission when He gives direction
2. yes, there are many daily life things left to us
3. but when God reveals His pattern, dont deviate
B. What God says is very exclusive
1. here, again, is a Biblical truth not fully appreciated
2. we often hear, but He did not say not to ....
3. if He has given a specific direction, by its very nature the thou shalt nots are necessarily implied
IV. EXAMPLE
A. Remember those who did not obey?
1. they were slain; their bodies impaled and left for all to see, etc.
2. Num 25:4 the fierce anger of the Lord
B. On the other hand, the obedient are alive ... this day
1. should we recall Heb 10:26-30
2. yes, this is an important case history with vital lessons to learn
CLOSE: Deut 4:9 ... Remember the lesson of history. Listen, learn and do diligently that which God has instructed. Its the only way to the blessing.
Cecil A. Hutson
26 May 2002