DEUTERONOMY 13
"If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder......."
In chapter 12, Moses tells the people to go in and clean house. They must tear down all the altars and to remove all idols. He told the people that their worship of the true living God was essential for their survival and that any false God, teaching, or misplaced passion would prevent that. He exhorted the people to "clean house" before they could truly worship in His church.
This week, Moses continues to clean house this in chapter 13 as he tells the Israelites that people who distract us from worship have to go as well! Chapter 13 is a hard chapter for many people to tackle. Don't get me wrong, it's hard to remove idols and burn down altars to false gods in our life, but to remove people feels much harder.
Much like last week's text, Moses doesn't hold back on just how serious this issue is and the lengths we are supposed to go to ensure that our life is ready to worship God. Moses tells the people that if anyone, and he means anyone, stands in your way or distracts you from worship, remove them! If someone who carries the title of "prophet" or teacher and teaches in a way that points towards other gods, remove them! If a person from your own home entices you to worship other gods, remove them! If a friend tempts you in sin that hinders your worship, remove them! Moses even goes so far to tell them that if they hear rumors that strangers in other communities are leading people astray, remove them as well!
Chapter 13 gives us an even clearer picture of just how important it is to worship God. The Scripture is very clear about man's desperate need of praise and worship towards the True and Living God. Moses tells the people this week that if anything stands in their way, "it has to go." Understand though, he is not calling us to divorce or to not show kindness/grace to others, but a more serious pursuit of worship by the removal of stumbling blocks that hinder us.
This is hard for us today in so many ways. Many of the people who distract our worship are close to our heart. The ones that lead us astray are often family and friends that say they love us and people who we have walked with for years. To remove such people from our lives is such a hard thing to do. We see this all throughout the Scripture, that a believer in God and follower of Christ can be a lonely walk. As one gets older in faith, their island often becomes smaller and smaller.
Once again, this is just another reason for the church! Paul would speak about this call and truth throughout his letters in the New Testament. As he grew in obedience and faith, he lost so many past relationships. However, he gained new ones. Even stronger ones! As we follow Jesus, our circle should get smaller, but stronger. Moses knows this. He is speaking to the people about having quality, faith-founded, and strong relationships that spur us on to greater obedience and worship. Chapter 13 is not just simply about shedding weight of "bad friends". It's the gift of new ones!
In the new life that God gives us in salvation, we need worship (chapter 12) and we need faithful people to worship with (chapter 13). This has always been God's plan for the church.
Much like the Bible and His Spirit, God's church is a blessing to His people that was meant to feed and strengthen His people.
Thank God for faithful churches!
Stay faithful church,
Pastor Hunter
This week, Moses continues to clean house this in chapter 13 as he tells the Israelites that people who distract us from worship have to go as well! Chapter 13 is a hard chapter for many people to tackle. Don't get me wrong, it's hard to remove idols and burn down altars to false gods in our life, but to remove people feels much harder.
Much like last week's text, Moses doesn't hold back on just how serious this issue is and the lengths we are supposed to go to ensure that our life is ready to worship God. Moses tells the people that if anyone, and he means anyone, stands in your way or distracts you from worship, remove them! If someone who carries the title of "prophet" or teacher and teaches in a way that points towards other gods, remove them! If a person from your own home entices you to worship other gods, remove them! If a friend tempts you in sin that hinders your worship, remove them! Moses even goes so far to tell them that if they hear rumors that strangers in other communities are leading people astray, remove them as well!
Chapter 13 gives us an even clearer picture of just how important it is to worship God. The Scripture is very clear about man's desperate need of praise and worship towards the True and Living God. Moses tells the people this week that if anything stands in their way, "it has to go." Understand though, he is not calling us to divorce or to not show kindness/grace to others, but a more serious pursuit of worship by the removal of stumbling blocks that hinder us.
This is hard for us today in so many ways. Many of the people who distract our worship are close to our heart. The ones that lead us astray are often family and friends that say they love us and people who we have walked with for years. To remove such people from our lives is such a hard thing to do. We see this all throughout the Scripture, that a believer in God and follower of Christ can be a lonely walk. As one gets older in faith, their island often becomes smaller and smaller.
Once again, this is just another reason for the church! Paul would speak about this call and truth throughout his letters in the New Testament. As he grew in obedience and faith, he lost so many past relationships. However, he gained new ones. Even stronger ones! As we follow Jesus, our circle should get smaller, but stronger. Moses knows this. He is speaking to the people about having quality, faith-founded, and strong relationships that spur us on to greater obedience and worship. Chapter 13 is not just simply about shedding weight of "bad friends". It's the gift of new ones!
In the new life that God gives us in salvation, we need worship (chapter 12) and we need faithful people to worship with (chapter 13). This has always been God's plan for the church.
Much like the Bible and His Spirit, God's church is a blessing to His people that was meant to feed and strengthen His people.
Thank God for faithful churches!
Stay faithful church,
Pastor Hunter
SCRIPTURE TO GO WITH THE MESSAGE
Read chapter 12 of Matthew as Jesus speaks about the "new family" salvation brings.
Posted in Deuteronomy