DEUTERONOMY 4:1-14
“Listen to the statutes and the judgements which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you."
Chapter 4 is Moses's transition from the past to the present moment with the children of Israel. Remember, the first three chapters of Deuteronomy consist of Moses using the past to pave a more faithful road to the future. He used stories of the past so that the people of the present had a greater understanding of God as well as their own responsibilities in following Him. Starting in chapter 4, Moses preaches to the people about the character of God in the present age so that they can be more faithful than their parents were. Moses begins the chapter by explaining that obedience to God's way is the key to life. Moses explains that obedience to God and His way is not just knowing the law but acting faithfully in it! Following it through our actions!
This message would be echoed all throughout the Bible, most notably when James tells us, "Do not be just hearers of the Word, but doers." The young people on the outskirts of the land of milk and honey are told that without acting on the desires of God, blessings will never come.
Moses tells the people that the formula of life is to learn God's perfect Word and obey what it says and, as a result, God will bless. Moses goes as far as to say that the reason the people are there with him and alive is only because of their obedience and God's goodness to those who are faithful. He tells them, "But all of you who held fast to the Lord your God are still alive today."
Starting in chapter 4, Moses is relaying the message that faith and obedience does not just honor God but blesses their walk with Him! Obedience was directly connected to even the air they breathed!
Today, the world needs the same sermon! God nor His Scriptures have changed from the days of Moses and the Promised Land; obedience blesses and disobedience doesn't. It's a very simple and straightforward sermon that we all need to live by! We need to hear and say these words daily to ourselves and others.
However, this foundational aspect of faith has always caused problems for man. Since the beginning of time, professing believers have picked and chosen what to follow while adding and taking away from God's Word to best fit their lifestyle. This has caused humans to excuse sin so that they can continue acting in their own selfish desires. This type of disobedience has plagued not only the lost, but also believers.
From a man who is a living example of the consequences of disobedience, Moses tells the people that their disobedience will kill them if they choose to not listen! He reminds them that they will waste the promised land blessings and never truly experience all that God has instore for them if they don't hold tight to the commands of God.
If you know the scriptures, you know how the story goes and you are aware that the people fall later down the road, much like their parents. No matter how beautiful the promise is, mankind seems to keep choosing disobedience.
Much like the people of this time, I pray that we are listening. I pray that we don't have to keep choosing pain and death in our disobedience to God's way. I pray that in our struggle and war against sin; we cling to Jesus and hold tight to His word. I pray that we fall on the church and lean close to other brothers and sisters that are fighting the same fight.
If you chose to obey God, it will be a hard and challenging road, but a road that is well worth it. It will be a road filled with a closeness to God and blessings that will be experienced in this life and the life to come.
Stay faithful church,
Pastor Hunter
This message would be echoed all throughout the Bible, most notably when James tells us, "Do not be just hearers of the Word, but doers." The young people on the outskirts of the land of milk and honey are told that without acting on the desires of God, blessings will never come.
Moses tells the people that the formula of life is to learn God's perfect Word and obey what it says and, as a result, God will bless. Moses goes as far as to say that the reason the people are there with him and alive is only because of their obedience and God's goodness to those who are faithful. He tells them, "But all of you who held fast to the Lord your God are still alive today."
Starting in chapter 4, Moses is relaying the message that faith and obedience does not just honor God but blesses their walk with Him! Obedience was directly connected to even the air they breathed!
Today, the world needs the same sermon! God nor His Scriptures have changed from the days of Moses and the Promised Land; obedience blesses and disobedience doesn't. It's a very simple and straightforward sermon that we all need to live by! We need to hear and say these words daily to ourselves and others.
However, this foundational aspect of faith has always caused problems for man. Since the beginning of time, professing believers have picked and chosen what to follow while adding and taking away from God's Word to best fit their lifestyle. This has caused humans to excuse sin so that they can continue acting in their own selfish desires. This type of disobedience has plagued not only the lost, but also believers.
From a man who is a living example of the consequences of disobedience, Moses tells the people that their disobedience will kill them if they choose to not listen! He reminds them that they will waste the promised land blessings and never truly experience all that God has instore for them if they don't hold tight to the commands of God.
If you know the scriptures, you know how the story goes and you are aware that the people fall later down the road, much like their parents. No matter how beautiful the promise is, mankind seems to keep choosing disobedience.
Much like the people of this time, I pray that we are listening. I pray that we don't have to keep choosing pain and death in our disobedience to God's way. I pray that in our struggle and war against sin; we cling to Jesus and hold tight to His word. I pray that we fall on the church and lean close to other brothers and sisters that are fighting the same fight.
If you chose to obey God, it will be a hard and challenging road, but a road that is well worth it. It will be a road filled with a closeness to God and blessings that will be experienced in this life and the life to come.
Stay faithful church,
Pastor Hunter
SCRIPTURE TO GO WITH THE MESSAGE
Read John 14:19-24 as this text will be referenced in the message this and goes along with this week's scripture.
Posted in Deuteronomy