TRADITIONS OF GOD AND MEN
-Introduction
-In the sermon last Sunday evening, we addressed the topic of fasting.
-We noticed that there was only one fast specifically prescribed in the Law - the Day of
Atonement (Lev 23).
-However, we noted that the Jew’s tradition was to observe several additional, periodic fasts -
referenced in the book of Zechariah.
-Also, we noted that, through the traditions that had developed, the Pharisees commonly fasted
twice a week (see Luke 18:9-14).
-It is important to realize that tradition was very, very important to the Jews.
-Mishnah and the Talmud
-But, before we begin to develop an “us” and “them” approach, we need to ask ourselves how
important tradition is to us.
-The Dangers of Tradition
-Col 2:8
-Beware - (Vines) - blepo - “to see”, sometimes used by way of warning - “to take heed”
-“see to it that” - NAS, NIV; ”take heed” - ASV
-This reminds me of our phrase, “Watch/look out.”
-The idea is that we need to be watchful - watch out - for certain things one of which is the
traditions of men.
-spoil - (Vines) - sulagogeo - “to carry off as a spoil, lead captive”
-The traditions of men can carry us away from the truth and into the bondage of sin.
-tradition - (Coll Dict) - the handing down of
statements, beliefs, legends, customs, etc from
generation to generation
especially by word of mouth or by practice
-Is All Tradition Bad?
-There are things that we do by way of tradition that are just fine. Examples:
-Order of the worship service
-Time of the worship service
-Wednesday evening as the evening for our bible study
-When these items are determined by the elders, it is binding upon us.
-But there is an aspect of tradition that goes beyond this that we need to consider.
-God’s Traditions
-Deut 6: 6-7
- Thess 2:15
-traditions - (Vines) -paradosis - a handing down or on
-Was Paul doing anything wrong when he told the Thessalonians to follow traditions?
-Of course not. He was an apostle, an inspired writer.
-But what had Paul “handed down or on” to the Thessalonians “by word or ...epistle”?
-The truth of God’s word - I Thess 2:13.
-So here we find the truth of God’s word being referred to as “tradition”.
-It’s not the passing down of information that is wrong. But, passing wrong information is.
-Back to 2 Thess 2:15, notice this verse begins with “therefore”.
-By looking at the context we find that there had been those teaching that the day of the
Lord was at hand - 2 Thess 2:1-2
-2 Thess 3
-It seems that because of these false teachings (traditions of men), there were those in
Thessalonica who were just sitting back and doing nothing.
-Their attitude was, “Why bother? Jesus is going to return any moment.”
-Notice what Paul wrote in 2 Thess 3:11-14
-vs 14 - “obeyeth not our word by epistle” - described as “tradition” in 2 Thess 2:15
-Also, notice what he wrote earlier in vs 6.
-The tradition which is received from God is to be obeyed and enforced.
-1 Cor 11:2
-The word translated as “ordinances” here in the KJV is the same Greek word translated
“traditions” in 2 Thess 2:15
-NAS, NKJ, ASV - traditions; NIV - teachings
-With the word “ordinances” in mind, let’s consider Lev 18:3-4.
-Notice the contrast between “their ordinances” and “mine ordinances.”
-Traditions that Transgress
-Unfortunately, mankind has had a history of coming up with traditions that transgress the
commandments of God.
-Matt 5:20-22, 27-28, 31-32, 33,37, 38-39, 43-44
-We see here that the teachings/traditions of men that had developed did not coincide with
God’s teachings/traditions.
-Mark 7:1-3, 9
-We’re not talking about washing for sanitation. We’re talking about ceremonial washing.
-vs 5-7, 9
-Matt 15:3
-Many of the teachings that have been handed down by men are not in unity with God’s word.
-When the teachings of men do not match God’s word, we should not throw out God’s word.
-But, even though you can sit down with a person and show them the scriptures on a
particular topic - clearly showing what the bible teaches - oftentimes the person will have a
very hard time of letting go of the “traditions of men”.
-Summary and Invitation
-So we see that there are traditions from God - information handed down by God.
-We have God’s “tradition” recorded for us in His word.
-There are also traditions that originate from mankind which are not violations of the word.
-Times of services, designated place of meeting, order of services
-But, unfortunately, many of the “traditions of men” - information passed down by men -
is not in accordance with God’s word.
-It is these “traditions” that we must “beware”.
-Again, it is God’s tradition that is to be obeyed, enforced and defended.
-II Thess 2:15 - “hold”
-Rev 2:13, 25, 3:11
-Col 2:19
-When we fail to remember Jesus as the authority, we then start to give heed to the
traditions of men.
-Have you obeyed the proper tradition, the tradition from
God? Or, have you been misled by
false traditions from mankind?
-Won’t you do what God wants you to? Obey Him.
-Believe (John 3:16, 8:24), Confess (Matt 10:32, Rom
10:9-10), Repent (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30)
Be Bapized (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38), Walk in Newness of Life (Rom 6:4, Eph 4:22-24)
-If you have previously obeyed the Gospel but have strayed away, confess your shortcomings,
repent of them and pray for God's forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24).