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Deuteronomy & Christ Introduction: Growing up I heard my Dad and Mom talk about the "Great Depression" many times. They both grew up in large poor families. Dad spoke of being in a house where the snow came in between the cracks in the wall. Mom talked about not having meals because they did not have any food in the house. At times their stories were comical and at times very sad. Those stories gave me a sense of perspective. I knew how my parents grew up and where they came from. It gave me a sense of belonging in this world. Repetition is one way of instruction used in the Bible. Romans 15.4, "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning." 2 Peter 3.1-2 "that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets." Apparently Paul had written an earlier letter to the church at Corinth addressing some of the same issues as in 1 Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 5.9. It is not surprising Moses would call together the nation of Israel before his death to remind them of God’s Law and previous events. Deuteronomy means the second telling or repetition. We want to examine the importance of this book in three areas. First, its instruction about teaching the next generation, 2nd Jesus’ use of Deuteronomy in the New Testament, and 3rd Deuteronomy pointing toward Christ. I) The Importance of Teaching, Deut. 6.6-9A) Every parent has the responsibility to teach their children 1. One problem Israel would face in the next generation was their children not knowing the word of God, Judges 2.10 2. Each generation must be taught in order to know. Example: what is a fitted sheet? Who is God? What does God want me to do? How to worship God? Etc 3. One problem our nation is facing is the lack of knowledge of God’s word. A problem many congregations is facing is children growing up not knowing God’s word. 4. One problem our families are facing is again a lack of knowledge of God’s word. What is marriage? What are Mom’s and Dad’s supposed to be doing? How to deal with problems in our homes? Etc B) Teaching must be done on a continuous basis 1. When they get up and when they go to bed; we may say in the car, out in the yard, when going to the ballgame, etc. 2. A generation that does not teach its children is creating a disaster. 3. Preachers are told to preach the word, 2 Timothy 4.2; elders are told to feed the flock, Ephesians 4.11; parents are told to bring up their children in the instruction of the Lord, Ephesians 6.4 4. Ignorance is a hard cycle to break, once a generation fails to teach its children the next generation will not know or care about God’s word. II) Jesus’ Use Of Deuteronomy A) The temptation in the wilderness 1. Jesus did not use his miraculous abilities but His knowledge of God’s word. 2. Satan tempted Jesus with food, challenging God, and materialism, 1 John 2.16-17 3. Do we face these temptations today? Of course we do. We are told to gratify ourselves and don’t worry about the consequences. Sexual temptations are all around us, pride, and materialism exist today. B) Jesus used God’s word, He quoted from Deuteronomy 1. Matthew 4.4 is Deuteronomy 8.3 "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" a. What is the lesson? Man needs food but God’s word is more important. b. Do we think of what God wants or what we want? 2. Matthew 4.7 is Deuteronomy 6.16 "You shall not tempt the Lord your God" a. It is not up to us to say to God, you must do this for me. 3. Matthew 4.10 is Deuteronomy 6.13;10.20 "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve." 4. When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus quoted Deut. 6.5 III) Christ In Deuteronomy A) Deuteronomy 18.15-19 1. A prophet was an inspired person, one who speaks for another; to spring forth or bubble forth like water from a spring. a. Duel role of a prophet – to reveal the will of God; to speak of the future. b. The test of a prophet is given in Deut. 18.20-22 c. If they spoke of that which contradiction what had already been revealed they were a false prophet. d. If they prophesied of a future event and it did not come to pass, they were a false prophet. 2. Moses was a prophet, lawgiver, deliverer, and intercessor. Jesus was this and more; Hebrews 3.5-6 B) Jesus is: 1. The Prophet of God – the Jews recognized John 1.24; 6.14;7.40-41 a. He spoke forth the word of God, John 12.49-50 b. He spoke of the future—His death, resurrection, ascension, the coming of the Holy Spirit, establishment of this church. 2. The Lawgiver – Romans 8.2 a. We under a New Covenant not like the Law of Moses b. The Law was first preached at Jerusalem in Acts 2. 3. The deliverer –Galatians 1.4 a. He gave Himself to deliver us from the penalty of sin b. We are free from spiritual bondage, John 8.32 4. The intercessor – Hebrews 7.25 a. At the right hand of God to make intercession for us. Conclusion: The last chapters of Deuteronomy cover the blessings of God to the faithful and the curses upon the unfaithful. God rewards the faithful and punishes the rebellious. In order to be faithful today we must submit to the Law of Christ. It is a law of love, grace, forgiveness, and hope. We have the power to choose and must do so each day we live. If you choose to serve God you must obey the Gospel of Christ. D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 10.22.06
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