Sermon Central
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The Witness Of Scriptures Series
Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jun 9, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: Openness to God precedes the reception of Scripture truth. We are not to guide Scriptures, they are to guide us...to God. We are not to make Scriptures say what we think or want them to say, but let them say what God desires to reveal.
Moses was their constant reference and study. If these men did not really believe the things that Moses had written, then how could they have a frame of reference to believe the words of Jesus. Since Moses’ revelation was rejected (Luke 16:29-31), Jesus’ words were also rejected (Mt. 5:17).
The fault of not discerning the drift of Bible teaching is not confined to the Jews. The Bible often arouses little honest heart-searching in us. We want to apply its rebukes and warning to others and not ourselves.
Deny or not heed the Sacred Writings and all is lost. Like Jesus story of the Rich Man and Lazarus ends, "He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead’" (Luke 16: 19-31).
CONCLUSION / RESPONSE
The testimony of this supreme Witness is the Father’s Word, that is the Old Testament Scriptures by which God long ago uttered His testimony regarding the Son He would send. Then He sent us Jesus. Those of us who have felt the sting of the law we have broken will flee to the grace and peace Jesus’ offers.
Empty religion would turn the word of God into a religion that seeks man’s own glory. In the end, it is religion that would condemn and crucify Jesus as a religious duty. May we not seek what pleases men, even religious men, but what pleases God.
To please God we need to fix our attention on Jesus. If we do not fix our attention on Jesus our emphases will be on self seeking and human praise. When we are self seeking and looking to man for our support and approval we will miss the support and leadership that comes from God.
