The Traditions Of The Elders Matthew 15:1-20

The Traditions Of The Elders The Jewish Traditions The Traditions Of The Elders

“Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 ‘Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.’” Matthew 15:1-2

“For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.” Mark 7:3-4

“And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.” Galatians 1:14

The Talmud is the “oral traditions” or “commentary” on the Old Testament. It started during the Babylonian Captivity with the desire to not “transgress God’s Law” ever again. In c. 200 A.D. it was officially written down and called the “Mishnah.” As you can see the “traditions” were not some small little collection of idea but rather a lengthy commentary on the O.T. The Talmud is considered more valuable than the Word of God. One Jewish man from Temple University expressed the views of Jewish views of the Talmud when he stated…(SLIDE)

“The Talmud is the Word of God, not the Bible, at least not in the same way.”

The Traditions Of The Elders Of Today Man’s traditions can easily make void the Word of God!!! (SLIDE) The Traditions Of The Elders

“He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 5 But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” 6 he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God.” The Talmud taught that if a man gave to the temple that which was for his parents then he was free from helping his parents out financially. Jesus clearly taught this tradition actually made void the commandment. Today we see many people do the same thing. In the denominational world we see people sprinkling for baptism making void the commandment to immerse. In the church we find, sometimes, traditions making commandments void. We are to have nothing to do with “foolish, ignorant controversies” that divide the church and yet some will do just that for tradition such as when the “Lord’s Supper should be given” or “how many songs we should have.” All because it isn’t like we have always done it. When we keep tradition over the Word we actually reject it. (SLIDE) Matthew 15:3-6

“You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men “You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” 9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!” We also find that the Talmud actually made their worship vain. (SLIDE) Mark 7:8-9

“in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” When the traditions of men are taught as though they are on the same level as God’s Word it will always lead to vain worship. This is worship that “appears” to be impressive but in reality it is empty and worthless because it lacks God’s guidance. Have you ever head someone say “your worship service was boring?” This is because they have found tradition that we are to be entertained as doctrine rather than God’s Word. These traditions, though maybe with the right motives, never accomplish their goals. (SLIDE) Matthew 15:9

“If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.” Not only did the Talmud lead to vain worship but it led to hypocritical worship. (SLIDE) Colossians 2:20-23

“You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: 8 “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” Traditions of men usually lean towards ritualism and repetitiveness. When people do things over and over based on tradition rather than authority from God our lips will move but our heart will faulter. Worship without the heard/mind is hypocritical worship. Matthew 15:7-8

The Traditions Of The Elders The Lord’s church today may not have creed books or the like but we have, from time to time, got caught up in traditions of men rather than commandments of God. Let us make certain each of us are not following man’s word but God’s Word!!! Matthew 15:1-20

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Romans 10:17

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3

“No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5

“in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” 2 Thessalonians 1:8

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6:3-5

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7