“Have Ye Not Read?”
Text: Matthew 12:1-8
Intro:
The title our message comes from verse 3 of our passage where Jesus says to the Pharisees, “Have Ye Not Read.”
Ten times in the gospel accounts and six times alone in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus uses either the expression “Have Ye Not Read” or “Have Ye Never Read.”
I believe in each instance the point that Jesus was trying to get across to those he was addressing was, “If you had read and studied the scriptures like you should have then you would not raise this particular issue to begin with.”
In other words, the answer to the issue they were raising could be found in the scriptures.
This morning first I want us to look at each of the instances where our Lord uses the expressions “Have Ye Not Read” or “Have Ye Never Read.”
As we do this notice with me the particular issue being debated and importance of it.
Second, I want us to see how all of this applies to us today.
Maybe if Jesus were physically with us today that He would say to some of you “Have Ye Not Read” or “Have Ye Never Read.”
I. “Have Ye Not Read” or “Have Ye Never Read.”
A. Matthew 12:1-8 – Issue – Concerning the Sabbath
v. 3 – “Have ye not read”
v. 5 – “have ye not read”
Account also found in Mark 2:23-28 & Luke 6:1-5
B. Matthew 19:3-9 – Issue – Concerning Marriage
v. 4 – “Have ye not read”
C. Matthew 21:12-17 – Issue – Concerning Praise to God
v. 16 – “have ye never read”
D. Mathew 21:33-46 – Issue – Concerning the Rejection of Christ
v. 42 – “Did ye never read in the scriptures”
Account also found in Mark 12:1-12
E. Matthew 22:23-33 – Issue – Concerning the Resurrection
v. 31 – “have ye not read”
Account also found in Mark 12:18-27
II. Still True Today
I believe the same still holds true today.
The reason trouble arises in are so called Bible Believing Independent Baptist Church is because most members “Have not read” or “Have never read” never mind ever studied the Word of God.
Because if Christians were reading and studying the word of God like they should then most things that become an issue would not be an issue to begin with.
The sad fact in Jesus’ day when he said, “Have Ye Not Read” or “Have Ye Never Read” was that He was addressing the unsaved religious crowd of His day.
However, we have many today that claimed to be saved, love the Lord, have the in dwelling Holy Spirit but still they “Have Not Read” or “Have Never Read.”
The Apostle Paul understood the importance to reading and studying the Word of God because he instructed the young minister, Timothy –
“Till I come, give attendance to reading,…” – 1 Timothy 4:13
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” – 2 Timothy 2:15-16.
Because most members of your so called Bible Believing Independent Baptist Churches “Have Not Read” or “Have Never Read” what we hear going on in most of these churches is nothing more than “profane and vain babblings”
And as result the members act like they do not even know God.
Oh! They may have all the religious buzz words and shout and holler during camp meeting time but just observe how they live their lives away from the church house.
Jesus described this folks when he said “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” – Matthew 15:8
That is why these same folks are always running to the Pastor asking him is alright to do something because they “Have Not Read”
If they had read the Word of God like they suppose to then would not have to ask in the first place.
I am not talking about the meat of the word but the milky things of the Word.
III. Conclusion
My friend do you claim to be a blood bought Child of God?
Saved by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Do you claim to love the Lord?
Then you should love His Word.
Do you have your own copy of the Word of God?
You should and it should be by your side all the time.
You should bring it to church and make notes in it as the Word is taught and preached – Amen!!!
My friends like me ask you this – “Are you a Have Never Read Christian?”
If you are then shame on you!
You were redeemed by the blood of the crucified one and you won’t even read His Book!!!
I believe that is why so many Christians are always arguing with God, Have issues with Him and can’t discern His will for their lives because they “Have Never Read.”
My friend won’t you start today to be faithfully reading and studying the Word of God.
I pray that none of us here today will ever stand before Jesus and hear Him say “You Have Never Read”
My friend if you are here today and never trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour
Jesus said in John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
If you were to search the scriptures they would tell you as Jesus said that you can have eternal life by receiving Him as your personal Saviour.
See John 1:12
See Romans 10:9-10
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 – vs. 2 “By which also ye are saved”
The gospel of the grace of God
Won’t you be saved today?
