Only God’s Word Can Give More

Text: Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-9 Speaker: Pastor Matthew Ude Passages: Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-9

Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-9

Why go to a Christian school? Why spend our time and money supporting a Christian school? Why strive for this goal? What is it that get from the school after all that time and money?

Some will certainly say, you have the church for religion and the public school for learning math and language, why do you need a Christian school?

Paul reminds us in:

1 Timothy 4:8 NKJ  For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

Yes, the main purpose and focus of God’s word is the salvation which is to come. But it is not without its benefits for this life as well. God’s word is profitable for that which now is and that which is to come.

In particular God promises in our text three things through His word which the world cannot give us. Any school can teach but only the Word of God can give more.

Wisdom

What is wisdom?

I think in general we recognize those people as wise who are able to understand what the right thing is and do it. Wisdom is the ability to make smart choices before something bad happens. Someone who invests in a long-term and stable way invests wisely. Getting your brakes replaced before you ruin your rotors is wise. Wisdom you might say is the ability to look ahead and make good choices.

The world seeks wisdom in many different ways. Some seek it through knowledge. Some seek it by trusting what this man or that man says. Some hide out on the top of mountains. The best way would be if we could jump back in time whenever we make a mistake and choose a different path. Although you might say that’s cheating, there is no doubt such a person would appear very wise.

Of course, we can’t do that, but the next best thing is this that we have the word of God which knows which paths are safe to walk and which are dangerous.

Pro 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 

God promises in our text that “this will be your wisdom . . . in the sight of the peoples.” Whether you are wise yourself or not, you will certainly appear wise when you listen to God and follow his paths. In so doing you will avoid so many of the pitfalls that cause all kinds of problems in the lives of unbelievers.

Pro 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 

What does this mean other than to listen to the Word and trust the Lord knows better than I do. Not to follow the path that I think is the right one but which the Lord points out.

Any school can teach our kids to read and write and do math. Any school can give them the fundamental skills to live and work in our society, but it is only the word of God that can give true wisdom teaching them step here and don’t step there.

Strength – God is near

Of course, this requires that we actually listen to what God says and then do it. Neither one of which we are very good at.  Because we don’t always listen, we often end up in trouble. Even when we do, we can still end up in a bad place.

At such times God promises to be near to give us strength.

⁷ “For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?

The first time I went skydiving. I had to take a four hour class. I was very attentive to what the instructors were saying and tried hard to remember everything. After all I was about to jump out of a plane. But in the moment when you jump it is hard to remember everything you are supposed to be doing. Which is why your first jumps are tethered and they make sure you can’t mess anything up and the instructor is right there with you.

We don’t always remember everything we are supposed to do but God promises to always be near to keep us from harm.

Psa 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 

Anything school can teach kids health and PE, how to walk and run and live healthy, but it is only God’s word which can give the promises that God is always by our side to give aid and strength in all difficulty.

Righteousness

Finally, the Lord gives righteousness

The justice of this world says he who does what is right and never messes up, he is righteous. The one who is without sin is righteous. But the justice of God is so much greater that it is able to say even to those who have sinned you are righteous for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Num 23:21 “He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, Nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. The LORD his God is with him, And the shout of a King is among them. 

This verse from a human point of view is so ridiculous. This was spoken when the children of Israel had been wandering in the wilderness. They were constantly fighting and sinning against God. At one time God told Moses I will destroy them and make of you a great nation. And yet through Jesus Christ God is able to look at these people and say there is no sin there.

This is the power of the forgiveness that is ours in Christ Jesus. So great that even when his wrath burns against us so that we ought to be destroyed, nevertheless to those who repent and receive the forgiveness of Christ, that forgiveness is so complete that God says I have not observed iniquity. There is no sin or blemish in them.

Any school can teach that Hitler was evil and Mother Teresa was good, that those who generally do good are good and those who do evil are evil,  but it is only the word of God who can give to those who have sinned righteousness and purity.

An author once described a Christian school as a school just like any other, but which also teaches bible stories. I hope such a definition is never true of our school. Rather a Christian school is one in which every subject every word is taken captive to the word of God

2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJ   ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Therefore, be diligent says the Lord, having received such great things, be diligent you teachers, and you parents, to give to your children those things which the world cannot give.

The law which is a guide of wisdom, which gives to those who listen wisdom.

The promises by which God walks by our side each and every day.

The Christ through whom the righteousness of God given to sinners.

Any school can teach the empty philosophies of men, only the Word of God can give Christ.

Amen