Beware Lest Thou Forget the
Lord.
Matthew
H. Allen
text: Deut.
6:1-12
FILING INFORMATION:
96019
3/17/96 - Brownsburg, IN
I. Introduction
A. The book of deutermony is made up like an ancient contract. God is
making a covenant with the ancient people of Israel
a. Making covenants with His people characterized God and distinguished Him
from the other gods of the nations. quoting
1 Kings 8:23, Israel's
God was the one "who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that
walk before thee with all their heart" (1 Kings 8:23)
b. LET’S READ DEUT. 6:1-12
B. The children of Israel were about to be led into the promised land. Obeying the commandments, statutes, and
judgements of the Lord are emphasized by Moses as being instrumental in their
recieving the promised inheritance.
C. The very security and
prosperity of the Jews in that land depended on complying with God's law.
1. In
Deut. 11:26-29 God promised to bless them when
they obeyed and curse them when they disobeyed.
2. Everything depended on their hearing
Moses's law and observing it. (Lev. 26:9)
C. The land is described to them as wonderful.
1. It is called the land "flowing
with milk & honey." These
are emblems of sweetness and fruitfulness.
2. In Deut. 11:9-15 we read....
D. The gift of the land included goodly cities which they had not built,
houses full of things they had not put there, wells they had not dug, and
vineyards and olive trees they did not plant.
1. Thus they were not only warned once, but several times not to forget the Lord.
a. 6:12
b. 11:16-17
c. 4:26
F. In this lesson, We are going to examine some reasons why Israel forgot
the Lord despite the nunerous warnings throughout the Old Testament.
1. We will see how there is danger in Complacent Security.
2. God has given us memorials today, so we will not follow in the footsteps
of the Israelites.
3. Idols will replace the Love of God when we forget him.
4. We will hopefully be able to see where we need to make
corections in our lives and in our congregation.
II. Danger Always Runs with Complacent
Security.
A. The Israelites are a chief example.
1. They had been a nomadic band of
wandering Jews. When they became
settled in the land they grew and flourished.
2. Relatively, they had nothing to do but
obey God.
a. When they were obedienct to God, they prospered, when disobedient, they
were harassed by their enemies.
3. Later they came to think of the source
of their strength as residing in Israel.
a. By the time of Amos, they were putting
their trust in Jerusalem rather than Jehovah. - Amos 6:1
b. They deemed the city impregnable, and were able to keep the Asyrians out
for 3 years. - 2 Kings 18:9-10
B. Consider the implication of being "at ease in Zion."
1. They became indifferent to
dangers. Refer to Amos 6:4-6 Their made their religion convenient
for themselves and ignored the day of doom. They had become as stagnant water with their apathetic
worship.
2. The day of doom, Amos refers to in 6:3
would be the day God would render the punishment due them.
C. It is true for the New Testament Church.
1. Read Acts 5:42; 6:1,7
a. The church began enthusiastically and
because of the dedication,
growth
multiplied.
b. But by the time letters were penned to
the seven churches of Asia,
complacency
and lethargy had set in like rigormortis.
1. Note the "dead" church at
Sardis. (Rev. 3:1-6)
2. The lukewarm Laodiceans made Jesus sick. (3:14-18)
D. It happens today.
1. When the church as a whole, was small,
there was unity, dedication, fighting
the fight
of faith, but look carefully at the church now.
a. Happens to many congregations. When small - work hard. When they reach a certain goal, they quit. personal
examples...
b. Or perhaps goal is not reached quick enough.
c. Have seen some congregations so overwhelmed by problems, they feel there
is nothing they can do. They get
so down they forget to be thankful for what they do have.
2. Some forget about the Lord who has
helped us this far. We must never
forsake
those
things the Lord requires for they are our only real power.
3. Real vital power cannot be found in
promotions, programs, and etc.
III. Memorials Have Been Given by God to
Help us Avoid Such.
A. So the Israelites would not for Him, God gave the Jews the Passover. (Lev. 23:42-44)
B. He also gave them the stones at Jordan. (Josh 4:2-7)
C. To christians is given the Lord's Supper. (1 Cor. 11:23-29)
D. All such are to keep us with our mind on God - not to forget him.
1. Thus we are to let the "mind"
of Christ be in us in all our understandings. (Phil. 2:5)
2. We are to "mind" those things
that are above.
a. Col. 3:1-5 - Have you put the things of
the world out of your life?
E. We must keep the purpose of a memorial in our mind lest we forget the
proper way to keep a memorial.
1. Illustration: We can keep the form of the Lords Supper and condemn
ourselves
by not discerning the Lord's Body.
2. Worship becomes a routine, boring, and
just a matter of form to us.
a. In Malachi 1:13, worship of the Lord had become a worrisome, dreaded
affair for the Israelites.
3. Never forget God in the memorials he
has given.
IV. Idols Will Replace the Love of God When
we Forget.
A. Notice the pattern set by the Jews. (Jer. 2:26-28)
1. Note the expression, for they have turned their back to Me.
a. What a sad expression for the Creator to have to say. What a terrifying though if He were to
say that about you or me!
2. This is apostasy into idolatry.
a. 2:28 - For according to the number
of your cities Are your gods, O Judah.
B. Dangers are expressed in the New
Testament.
1. 1 John 5:21 - John said - Little Children, keep yourselves from idols. Paul said in 1 Cor. 10:14, to flee from
idolatry.
2. Many set their minds on earthly
things. Paul said in Phil. 3:18-19
that they are
enemies
of the cross of Christ.
a. When we forget about God, the devil attacks. He is not a procrastinator when it comes to getting someone
involved in sin.
3. Matt. 6:24 - Jesus said that no one can
serve two masters. Are you trying
this?
C. The ancients worshipped Bacchus, the god of intoxicating drink. Many worship that shrine now. They have forgotten the Lord.
D. The ancients worshipped Venus - the goddess of lasciviousness. Many worship at that shrine now. They have forgotten God.
E. Plutus was the god of plenty and money. When men forget God they find their way into the temple of
Plutus. Money becomes their god.
V. Conclusion
A. The way back to remembrance is in repentance - deep contrition.
1. Isa. 66:2
2. Matt. 5:3
B. It is time for us to "take the more earnest heed" - lest we
let the knowledge and love we have of God slip from us.
1. The Hebrew writer urged them brethren not to drift. Hebrews 2:1-2 We need to examine ourselves to ensure we are not drifting.
C. Do not forget God in your obedience to the gospel. Now is the time to "remember thy
creator."
D. Why not take this opportunity now?
1. We have seen where apathy and complaency did not pay off with the
Israelites. It will not pay off in
your life either.
E. If you are subject to this invitation, please come while we stand and
sing...