When All Else Fails…
Deut 6:1-9
 Dr Larry Halsey

One of the ways mountaineers combat negative stereotypes is through story telling; stories that cast the northern “know it alls” in an uncomplimentary light.A mountaineer was sitting on his front porch with a clear view of a washed-out bridge down in the holler. He watched as an unfamiliar car snaked its way down the dirt road, into the hollow, and plunged into the creek.

He moseyed down, seeing that the flatlanders were alright, he said,

“Didn’t you see the sign?”
“Yes, I did,” said the shaken, indignant tourist.
It said, “Narrow Bridge.”
“No! No!” said the mountain man, it said, ‘Nary a Bridge.”

For the uninitiated, “nary” is a classic mountain term meaning, “None, not any.”The tourist learned an important lesson: Misunderstanding or not following directions can be hazardous.

We would concur with that; in fact, we have an axiom that says, “When all else fails…read the directions.”

The corollary says: If you have the good sense to follow directions, you need not fall.

Interestingly, Winston Churchill said the same thing: “In critical and baffling situations, it is always best to return to the first principle.”I think he was saying, in situations where you don’t know; it’s makes sense to return to what you do know…to go back to the basics.

I think he was saying, in situations where you ; it’s makes sense to return to what you …to go back to the basics.For me, 2007 has been a year of going back to first principles.

…In my personal reading and study
…In my preaching

…a basics-focus led us to the book of Nehemiah, then the epistle to Titus.

After Missions Conference, we will study the Model Prayer; the basics of prayer.

In recent days I have been meditating upon another “basic” of the faith that touches everything.

If you had mentioned “the basics” or “first principles” to an OT Jew, his face would have lighted up; and he would have turned reverently in the sacred scroll to one passage of Scripture: Deuteronomy chapter 6.The title “Deuteronomy” comes from the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint.

The title “Deuteronomy” comes from the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint.“Deutro” means “second”
“onomy” is from “nomos” meaning, “law”

The generation that wandered through the wilderness for 40 years is now gone. The little children who marched with their families through the Red Sea are now adults;

And like their parents a generation ago, they find themselves on the cusp of a horrendous challenge—The Crossing of Jordan River and the conquest of the Promised Land.

It would have been interesting if Mr. Gallup or George Barna had stepped out of the crowd at this moment and taken a survey. There is one question I would have most been interested in:

“What Is The Number One Thing You Need To Be Successful In The
Conquest Of And A New Life In Canaan?”I’m confident someone would have yelled:

I’m confident someone would have yelled:“Money—What we need is a strong economy” (Someone else…)
“Guns—A strong military” (Someone else…)
“Education” (Schools and teachers is always paramount.)

I imagine an old boy who would later settle in the mountains yelling
“NASCAR.” The guy next to him says, “Are there any deer over there?” “Oh, there is? Well, let’s get’er done!”

Some lady says, “QVC—The shopping channel”—that’s what we need!

How would Moses have answered the survey? He tells us. Canaan has been occupied for generations by hostile, pagan nations: Hittites, the Amorites, Job-sites and termites. The most formidable of all were the Canaanites. Steve Farrar notes:

“They murdered their children in ‘sacrifices,’ they were shot through with
venereal disease because of their immorality, and they pierced their body
parts, as symbols of their freedom and independence.”

(Body piercing isn’t new.)It is believed that pornography finds it roots with the Canaanites.

But most importantly, they used poly-theists…the worshipped a bag full of pagan deities.

What Moses feared most was not the Canaanite military; what he feared most was Canaanite culture.What could be said about our times and culture? Philip Yancey makes this observation:

What could be said about times and culture? Philip Yancey makes this observation: “No society in history has attempted to live without a belief in the sacred,
not until the modern West. Such a leap has consequences that we are
only beginning to recognize. We now live in a state of confusion about the
big questions that have always engaged the human race, questions of
meaning, purpose, and morality. A skeptical friend of mine used to ask
himself the question, ‘What would an atheist do” in deliberate mockery of
the What Would Jesus Do [WWJD)” slogan.” (Rumors, 19)

By the way, what is culture? Culture may be defined as…

“…the effort to provide a coherent set of answers to the existential
(present) situations that confront all human beings in the passage of their
lives.” (Grand Weaver, 137)The key word is “answers.” Culture attempts to answer life’s big questions. Where does we as Christians look for answers to life and life’s problems? (From whom is our Worldview derived?)

Do you notice the upfront reference to children and grandchildren, in verse 2? God’s first concern was that the faith, the worship of the true God be passed on to the next generation. That’s always a vital concern and priority.

In the pagan temples of the east, archeologists are finding that in structure, they bore a striking resemblance to OT Tabernacle, and to Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem—Outer Court, Holy Place, Holy of Holies. In the most holy place, there was a golden statue of a prominent god or goddess.

But in Israel’s religion—There was no golden god, but a golden box— And in that box is a scroll on what which is written the moral law of God—The Ten Commandments.What does this statistic portend for our people? Lee Strobel says,

“…only 13 percent of Americans says they still believe in all of them [10
commandments].Moses most feared that the culture would charm God’s people; and in being attracted to it, would be snared by it.

Moses most feared that the culture would charm God’s people; and in being attracted to it, would be snared by it.This passage answers to the question: How can I be a Christian in a pagan culture? And “How Can I Rear A Christian in This culture?”Verse 4 introduces the “Shema,” from a Hebrew term meaning “to hear.” “Hear, O Israel…” …The orthodox Jews around the world today see this passage as the most
monumental of all their covenants and relationships. The orthodox service
begins with the reading of this passage.

…When the orthodox child is old enough to memorize Scripture—
The Shema is first!

Steve Farrar calls it “The Great Commission of the Old Testament.” It centers in the home.

Be careful to catch a sense of urgency: “Hear, O, Israel!” It has the punch of when Jesus said at crucial junctures of teaching, “He who has ears to hear let him hear!”“Pay attention!”
“Let this sink it!”
“Don’t miss this!”

Back to the basics…when all else fails…First, Be careful to nurture….

A Life style of Hearing The Truth.Psychology’s first question is: Who is man? The Shema’s first question is: Who is God? Frederick Nietzsche, an avowed atheist, said:

“We build our kingdoms according to our concept of God.”

…Our priorities too.“The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

The word translated “one” (ehad) is used of Adam and Eve in Gen 2:24, “And they shall become one flesh…” Two persons, in unity.It’s used in the OT of a cluster of grapes.

It implies the Trinity—The Tri-unity of the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Co-equal; co-existent; co-eternal.

“Try to understand the Trinity,” someone said, “and you will lose your mind. Refuse to believe it, and you will lose your soul.”But it’s much more than assenting, “I believe in the Trinity.” It’s the implications of that in the daily trenches.

But it’s much more than assenting, “I believe in the Trinity.” It’s the implications of that in the daily trenches.Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” “Spirituality” is a buss word; it allows people to talk about spiritual things while avoid truth or offending anyone.

Ravi Zacharias sounds a warning that must be heard:

“In no segment of society can we survive without truth. Whether the
setting is in the courts or in the marriage bond, we simply cannot live
without truth. Truth will sooner or later catch up with us, and we will have
to pay its dues.”

You can not love purity and not hate impurity.
You can not love health and not hate disease.
You can’t love truth and not hate lies.

Who wrote this (in the Psalms):

“I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who
fall away; it shall not cling to me.”

Who said that? David. It did cling to him…Where did compromise lead him?Basic number 1— Hear the Truth! Don’t miss any opportunity to hear and learn the truth!

Back-To-The-Basics Living means…(Second)…

A Fervent Love For The Lord—V5 (Read)Love, like hearing, is never passive! When truth invades the mind, it lodges in the heart….the place from which your values, convictions, passions spring.Underscore the repetition of “all” in verse 5…

…with all your heart
…all your soul
…all your strength.

Jesus said this is the greatest commandment.

Writer Calvin Miller said something striking here:

“One of the reasons Christians remain unhappy in the church and in
Christ is that they never make a decision about how much they love
Jesus.”We must confront the question: Do I really love Him? How is it evident by my family, my best friends?

When the heart is on autopilot, what is passed on is a plastic, fake Christianity…Motion without Passion; duty without joy. You know the answers, but they don’t really matter.

You may remember the story Chuck Swindoll told about a pastor friend who spoke at a summer camp. On the first night he said to the kids..

“Hey, let’s loosen up and get acquainted, okay? I’ll ask you some
questions and your answer them. Ready?”

Nobody responded…dead panned! “Okay. What’s small and gray,” He asked, ‘has four legs, climbs trees,
has a big bushy tall and hides nuts in the winter?”Nobody said a word…a few forward…just looked at each other.

Nobody said a word…a few forward…just looked at each other.The speaker repeated the question.

Finally, a brave girl raised her hand reluctantly and said,

“I think it’s a squirrel but I’ll go ahead and say Jesus Christ.”One writer nails it:

One writer nails it: “The exhortation to love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with
all your strength is not a study in faculty psychology; it is rather a gathering
of terms to indicate the totality of a person’s commitment of self in the
purest and noblest intentions of trust and obedience toward God.”Hear the truth continually!
Love God Fervently! (One more…)

Hear the truth continually!Love God Fervently! (One more…)Living above the culture…Back-to-the basics means…

(Third) Teaching The Young Diligently—V7 (Read)

Pay close attention…There is no automatic transfer of truth…God has no grandchildren. A family may be lost in one generation.The Hebrew word translated “diligently” means “to sharpen.” The Amplified Bible picks up the sense:

“You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and
teach and impress them diligently upon the minds and hearts of your
children.”

Parents can be intimidated by this command “to teach.” They have visions of Martin Luther lining up his six children on Sunday afternoon preaching to them.Some of you have times of instruction; teaching. I affirm you in that! A family devotional time is good, but that’s not the command here.

There are two dynamic principles:1. What You Are Speaks So Loudly That It Eclipses What You Say—V6.

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.’

A mountain preacher said it this way: “What’s in the well will come up in bucket.”

You can’t hide what you are. You are passing on what you are; what you’re passionate about; what matters most.…Remember Evil Keivel. That crazy, stunt rider! Guess what his son
became, a crazy stunt rider! Someone told me that he was saved recently.
(Now he’s a crazy Christian stunt rider!)

…Dale Earnhart loved fast race cars; guess what his boy became.

I visited in a home some time ago. There was a four or five year old boy running around. As we were getting acquainted, I saw something on the wall in a very attractive frame. It looked like a decorative piece of paper. At one point, I asked, “What in the beautiful frame?”

Dad took it off the wall, and with glee, he said, “That’s my son’s first stock dividend.”

Chances are, what do you think that little guy will be passionate about?We are all passing what we are? Good, bad or indifferent. And the option to be must feared is “indifferent.”

The Christian school is only as effective as the homes from which students come. And it’s impossible for the school or the church to resurrect what the home puts to death.

Let’s talk: Two questions: What is the culture passionate about? What does it worship—place first? (Let’s list a few things.)

1. Materialism.
2. Hedonism—pleasure
3. “Success”
4. Self

9 out of 10 times, when you find a kid who is interested in ministry or serving, if you look carefully, you will finds a mom and dad (or a mom or a dad) who is passionate about ministry.

5. Sports (Athletics)

One university president said tongue in cheek, “What we need is a university the football team can be proud of.”Okay, 2nd question: What are you most passionate about? List your top three? Are they kingdom-oriented? Are they rooted in time or in eternity?

Okay, 2 question: What are most passionate about? List your top three? Are they kingdom-oriented? Are they rooted in time or in eternity?What You Are Speaks So Loudly That It Eclipses What You Say.

Second principle:

The Command To Teach Is Informal, In the Flow (Course) of Daily Living—Verse 7 (Read)Underscore the verbs: “talk,” “sit” “walk” “lie down,” “rise up.” He’s talking about teachable moments.I heard about a dad who got up in the morning, and was having a bowl of cereal with his son. As they crunched down; dad said, “Son, do you realize God has just the woman for you when you grow up?”

The boy—8 or 9 years old—just kept his face in the bowl…never looked up…”Pass the toast, pass the jelly.” After a few minutes, between bites, he said,

“Wonder what my wife’s doing right now dad?” Got it!

It’s what they observe in the crises; in financial decisions; in choices that have “values, priorities” written all over them?

One of the best books I have read on marriage and family in 35 years is not a Christian book. It’s about a 25 year, landmark study involving 131 children and their families. These families had one thread in common, they had all gone through a divorce. It’s titled, “The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce: A 25 Year Study.”

I want you to relax; this illustration is not a guilt trip; you know me better than that.Listen…No Christian writer I know of has said it better:

“Children learn all kinds of lessons at their parents’ knees, from the time
they are born until the time they leave home. There is no landscape more
fascinating to the baby than the mother’s face. There is no more exciting
image to the child than the frame that includes mom and dad kissing,
fighting, conferring, frowning, crying, yelling, or hugging in the adjoining
room. These thousand and one images are internalized and they form the
template for the child’s view of how men and women treat each other, how
parents and children communicate, how brothers and sisters get along.

From day one, children watch their parents and absorb the minutiae of
human interaction. They observe their parents as private persons (when
the adult things no one is paying attention) and as public persons onstage
outside the home…no scientiets ever looked through a microscrope more
intently than the average child who observes herr family day in and day
out. And they make judgments form early on. Children as young as four
years old tell me, ‘I want to be a daddy like my dad,’ or ‘I won’t be a
mommy like my mommy.’ They have powerful feelings of love, envy,
admiration, pity, respect, and distain. This is the theater of our lives—Our
first and most important school for learning about ourselves and about
others.”

And most importantly, it is the school where they learn about God and about spiritual things, and servant hood.

Know what I’m learning at this stage of my life mid-aged and others mom, dads and grandparents? The kids graduate and move you, but you and I never graduate… Modeling doesn’t become less important when they’ve left the nest, it’s more important.

The challenge is simple… How are you doing with the basics?

Here’s the assignment: Before you lie down tonight, take a piece of paper and write down:

Three things your must do in passing along a spiritual legacy.
(and) Three things you would like to do?

Pray over the first list, and put it somewhere where you can see it.