The Model Christian
II Thessalonians 2:15 – Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
Proverbs 22:28 – Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
Remember the message a long time ago, preached at Bible Baptist in Clarksville as the final message of the conference? I think it was called “Don’t Drop Your Bucket!” I don’t remember who preached it, but he preached about losing your revival on the way home. He preached about not fussing at your wife/husband/children, and being happy in the things of God, and not letting Satan steal your joy in the Lord. So I say this to you at the close of this meeting – don’t drop your bucket! 1
What is the model Christian? How do you picture the model Christian? What does the model Christian do or not do? What do you think? How do you measure up?
A person who prays for others.
A person who is compassionate to others.
A person who is pure – not cursing, drinking, running around.
Attends church regularly.
Active in church services and in daily witnessing.
A person who has no fun at all: a person who reads their Bible all the time, and always talks about Bible doctrine, never smiles, never tells a joke and makes everybody miserable with their “Christianity”.
Are you a model Christian? A Christian? What evidence do others have on you? It is not what you think of you, it is what others think of you.
2 Corinthians 10:12 – For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
What is a tradition? A giving up or a giving over that which is done by word of mouth or in writing.
It is important to understand the foundation of that which is given. If the foundation is not the Word of God, it is nothing.
Difference in a republic (a government build on a written document) and a democracy (a rule by the desire of the people).
The foundation of a republic does not change, but the foundation of a democracy changes according to the will of the people.
The danger of traditions is the acceptance of “creeping error”, instead of constantly relying on the beginning written word.
ERROR: Tradition is the passing of the body of precepts, esp. ritual, which in the opinion of the later Jews were orally delivered by Moses and orally transmitted in unbroken succession to subsequent generations, which precepts, both illustrating and expanding the written law (WWR emphasis), as they did were to be obeyed with equal reverence.
Anytime anything replaces the Word of God, it is error.
There is a danger of being in ignorance of the truth, but not know we are in ignorance.
Things Israel did in ignorance that caused the judgment of God to come upon them.
Malachi 1:6 - Israel failed to realize they despised the name of God.
Malachi 1:7 - They offered polluted sacrifices to God, yet failed to recognize anything was wrong with what they were doing. God demanded they offer that same sacrifice to their governor.
Malachi 1:10 - Israelites would only work in the temple if they were paid for what they did. How many preachers would preach the gospel if they didn't get paid? Churches ought to pay their pastor, because they that preach the gospel should live of the gospel, but how many pastors would still pastor if they weren't paid?
Malachi 1:13 - Israel felt the worship of God was a weariness. That is why some church members only come to Sunday School. Some only come to Sunday morning worship. Some believe they have done their service to God when they show up at church one Sunday a month, or maybe just Christmas or Easter.
Malachi 2:17 - Israel has wearied the Lord by declaring those that do evil are beloved of the Lord, or where is the judgment of the Lord?
Malachi 3:8-12 - Israel was ignorant of their robbing God by refusing to give tithes and offerings. Many today are ignorant of the fact that God requires the giving of tithes and offerings. They consider they have given their best when they give their old worn out shoes to be auctioned off by the church!
False traditions lead to destruction.
Isaiah 29:13 – Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept (commandment or code of wisdom) of men:
This chapter explains what has happened to Israel – why they are blinded to seeing Jesus Christ as the Messiah. They have retained “worship”, but not spiritual worship. Their fear toward God is taught by the precept of men, not by the word of God.
This has also happened in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many do not follow the precepts of God, rather they follow the precepts (traditions) of men.
Matthew 15:3 – But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Matthew 15:9 – But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mark 7:8 – For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Colossians 2:8 – Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:22 – Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Titus 1:14 – Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
1 Peter 1:18 – Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;