A Word from Pastor Powell
“Traditions of MEN”
ST. Matthew 10: 34
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
December is the time the World's Religions and the system of the world preach peace. This scripture spoken by Jesus says something totally different.
Jeremiah 10: 2-5
(2) Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them
(3) For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the foresst, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
(4) They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
(5) They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they not cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
These scriptures were prophesied around 600 B.C. by the Prophet Jeremiah concerning this so called Holy day about the birth of Jesus and the celebration with the tree. Read what the word of God says about it and what God calls these people.
ST. Matthew 2: 7-16
(7) Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
(8) And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
(9) When they had heard the king, they departed; and,lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
(10) When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
(11) *And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh
(12) And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
(13) And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
(14) When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
(15) And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
(16) Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, andsent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
Herod sought this child to kill him, but God always out smarted him. These wise men were summoned by Herod(did it say three). These men had been seeking the child from the time they saw the sign in the Heavens. It had been about 2 yeears( verse 11) when they came to him(verse 14). The key to understanding this is these word's The YOUNG Child.
Verse 16 plainly states Herod had all the children from 2 years old and younger to be slain, still he was outsmarted by God.
ST. Mark 7: 6-9
(6) *He answered and said unto them, Well hath E-sai-as prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
(7) Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
(8) For laying aside the commandment of GOD, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
(9) And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of GOD, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Jesus speaks so plainly here anyone should be able to understand what he is saying.
ST. Mark 7: 13 Making the word of GOD of none effect through your traditions, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Notice what Jesus is saying concerning the so called religious traditions and what they do.
St. John 6: 60, 61, and 66
(60) Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
(61)When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
(66) From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Many of Jesus teachings were so hard that many of his so called followers became offended and walked no more with him. This same thing happens today in God's true ministries where the truth is being taught from the word of God, people leave and run to religion. WHY? Because the Truth scares people.
Can you follow this tradition now knowing that you have found out, or will you follow the words of God . Jesus said you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you Free (ST.John 8:32).
Pastor Powell
A asterisk "*" beside a verse in the Old Testament indicated a Mesianic prophecy. In the New Testament, a asterisk beside a verse indicated a prophecy that has been fulfilled.