Traditions
Traditions
"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."1
I have read how, as a boy in the Midwest, Dale Carnegie used to amuse himself by holding a stick across a gateway that the sheep had to pass through.
After the first few sheep jumped over the stick, Dale would take it away. Oddly enough, all of the remaining sheep would also leap through the gateway over the imaginary barrier. The only reason for their jumping was that those in front of them had jumped.
Sheep are not the only ones with this tendency. Many of us are prone to do what we have seen others do, believe what others believe, and often accept without question what our leaders teach.
Traditions can be a blessing or a bane. Some religious traditions are good and help keep healthy ties to the past. Other traditions, especially man-made religious traditions, can keep people in bondage and stop them from seeing the truth. For one example … take the music in today's Christian churches. It is one of the biggest areas of conflict. Some want to cling only to the old hymns; others want to do away with much of the past and sing only "praise choruses." The interesting thing about the latter, I have recently read how some of the younger generation are now wanting to go back to the old hymns and/or some type of hip-hop as they already see "praise choruses" as being traditional and don't want to be singing the same music in church that they hear in the secular world every day!
I know of one church where some members rebelled not against singing praise choruses in their Sunday morning worship service, but against having a screen on which to view the words. They said they couldn't worship God with a screen in the front of the church sanctuary! That church clung so tightly to tradition that it was unable to move from the old ways to any of the new, and died. It no longer exists.
There's much truth in what Gloria Steinem is credited as having said: "The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn."
Saddest thing of all was that the religious people of Jesus day, while they were waiting for the promised Messiah, didn't recognize or accept him when he came. Tradition blinded them to reality.
But there are also good traditions that we need to keep. Accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord is a 2,000–year–old tradition. It has never changed. It never will. Jesus is still the only way to God. As Jesus himself said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father [God] except through me."2
As today's Bible verse points out, the early Christians in Berea constantly examined the Scriptures to make sure that Paul's teachings were in harmony with the Word of God. We need to do the same—and cling to that which is true and discard that which is untrue or no longer relevant. As the Apostle himself taught, "Test everything. Hold on to the good."3 Besides, have you ever noticed how silent the New Testament is on methodology? I think God had a good reason for that.
Suggested prayer:
"Dear God,
Please help me to keep a healthy balance between the old and the new, to discern the difference between traditions that are in harmony with your Word and those which are man–made irrelevant traditions. Please give me the wisdom to know the difference between the two, the courage to cling to that which is true, and the willingness to discard that which is not of you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
In Jesus' name,
Deacon (Servant Leader)
Don C. Edwards, Jr.
"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."1
I have read how, as a boy in the Midwest, Dale Carnegie used to amuse himself by holding a stick across a gateway that the sheep had to pass through.
After the first few sheep jumped over the stick, Dale would take it away. Oddly enough, all of the remaining sheep would also leap through the gateway over the imaginary barrier. The only reason for their jumping was that those in front of them had jumped.
Sheep are not the only ones with this tendency. Many of us are prone to do what we have seen others do, believe what others believe, and often accept without question what our leaders teach.
Traditions can be a blessing or a bane. Some religious traditions are good and help keep healthy ties to the past. Other traditions, especially man-made religious traditions, can keep people in bondage and stop them from seeing the truth. For one example … take the music in today's Christian churches. It is one of the biggest areas of conflict. Some want to cling only to the old hymns; others want to do away with much of the past and sing only "praise choruses." The interesting thing about the latter, I have recently read how some of the younger generation are now wanting to go back to the old hymns and/or some type of hip-hop as they already see "praise choruses" as being traditional and don't want to be singing the same music in church that they hear in the secular world every day!
I know of one church where some members rebelled not against singing praise choruses in their Sunday morning worship service, but against having a screen on which to view the words. They said they couldn't worship God with a screen in the front of the church sanctuary! That church clung so tightly to tradition that it was unable to move from the old ways to any of the new, and died. It no longer exists.
There's much truth in what Gloria Steinem is credited as having said: "The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn."
Saddest thing of all was that the religious people of Jesus day, while they were waiting for the promised Messiah, didn't recognize or accept him when he came. Tradition blinded them to reality.
But there are also good traditions that we need to keep. Accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord is a 2,000–year–old tradition. It has never changed. It never will. Jesus is still the only way to God. As Jesus himself said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father [God] except through me."2
As today's Bible verse points out, the early Christians in Berea constantly examined the Scriptures to make sure that Paul's teachings were in harmony with the Word of God. We need to do the same—and cling to that which is true and discard that which is untrue or no longer relevant. As the Apostle himself taught, "Test everything. Hold on to the good."3 Besides, have you ever noticed how silent the New Testament is on methodology? I think God had a good reason for that.
Suggested prayer:
"Dear God,
Please help me to keep a healthy balance between the old and the new, to discern the difference between traditions that are in harmony with your Word and those which are man–made irrelevant traditions. Please give me the wisdom to know the difference between the two, the courage to cling to that which is true, and the willingness to discard that which is not of you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
In Jesus' name,
Deacon (Servant Leader)
Don C. Edwards, Jr.
Comment
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Comment by Don C. Edwards, Jr. on January 22, 2009 at 2:27pm
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Hello Don,
This is so very true in how we hold to traditions of which many are not Scriptural based. We try to encourage members to search the Scriptures for themselves; in fact at Bible Study we ask various members to read as we expound on God's Word.
I have found myself to be more comfortable giving expository sermons rather than topical sermons. While in some circle this might be considered traditional & out of touch with the younger generation; I find it very relevant to today's topics and needs. I also notice that members are more prone to keep their Bibles open as I walk in the Scriptures.
As for music today... we tend to sing Songs of Praise as well as Gospel. We still continue to sing a hymn of preparation prior to the message on 90% of the Sundays. Some of which has nothing specifically to do with the song; but rather to get audience participation in worshiping God corporately. On the other hand, I don't want to discard the hymns; there's so much meaning and power in them. Can we ever really put "Amazing Grace" on the shelf? Maybe I'm old fashion but "Father I Stretch My Hands to Thee" still echos in my spirit as a prayerful desire to God.
This is definitely food for thought. May the Lord continue to bless those who are true to his Holy Word.
Solomon Fields
Utility Billing & CIS Manager
1301 Broadway Avenue
P O Box 10541
Lubbock TX 79408-3541
806-775-3426 Office
806-775-3797 Fax
sfields@lpandl.com
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Thanks, Don.
This is a very insightful and enlightening word. I'd like for you to accept my invitation to share this bold word with South Fort Worth Baptist Fellowship at your earliest opportunity. Happy New Years and I hope all is well with you and yours. Please give me a call when you're able (817-294-4839), and we're looking forward to your visit at SFWBF. Please consult our website for directions and times at www.southfortworthbaptistfellowship.org. By the way, I have wonderful praise reports to share. Our fellowship has grown significantly since its inception. Moreover, Sunday, I was invited to lunch by Milton Erthelt, Director of Missions of the Southwest Metroplex Baptist Association and David (whose last name I can't recall at the moment) of Burleson First Baptist Church, who leads the association's church planting ministry and land acquisition endowment for the association. These brothers visited with us Sunday morning and came to let us know that they are committed to helping us purchase land for building a permanent worship site. They, too, believe that our church plant is the will of God and is destined for a great work for Christ. Please continue in prayer for us and I hope to hear from you soon.
Your friend and brother,
Joseph
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