Ripe for Harvest

S ESSION 2: P REPARE • 127

Matt. 15.1-9 (ESV) – Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Who ever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is given to God, he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” 2. The point: Obedience to tradition is an act of devotion and gratitude; tradition alone can never make one righteous before God. 2 Thess. 2.15 (ESV) – So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 2 Thess. 3.6 (ESV) – Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. Hold to the Apostles’ Tradition.

Stand fast in Christ’s liberty.

Gal. 5.1 (ESV) – For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

2 Cor. 3.17 (ESV) – Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

1 Pet. 2.16 (ESV) – Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

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