The Law, Part 1

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Psalm 119:1–8 NIV

1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— 3 they do no wrong but follow his ways. 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! 6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. 8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.

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Worship Through the Word:

I. God’s Ten Words, Part 1

Have you ever given a gift to someone and found that what you gifted them they already had? It kind of makes the gift obsolete. We do no favors if we give what is not needed or wanted. In fact, I was trying to find a fun story I could use about unwanted gifts and what I found were a lot of Internet lists of how to politely refuse or dispose of unwanted gifts.

In one story I found, a mother decided not to give her adult children any more gifts as they really did not need anything. However, what to do about Christmas day when they were all exchanging gifts? She then came up with a plan. Throughout the year, any items her adult children left at her house, she set aside and these are what she wrapped for the Christmas day exchange. Two of her daughters opened the items they had left at mom’s house and declared that the items they received were unwanted the first time around. Now they had made their way back into their possessions, though her son declared he had wondered where he had left that hat.

Well, God has a gift to give. It is the gift of salvation. However, for it to be received, people needed to understand that they needed it. Even more, we need to understand not only do we need it, but we are desperate for it. Our very life depends on this gift! So, God had to provide a way for us to see our need for this gift.

The answer? “The Ten Commandments!” These Ten Commands describe what are righteous actions. These commands cannot save us, but they can reveal to us where we fall short and how we need help to be righteous.

The last couple weeks, we saw how God extended the call to the Children of Israel to be His people. They accepted. Then God had them consecrated as they were to be sanctified, or in other words, set apart from all other nations as His nation. They are to be a Holy Nation as an example to all other nations.

Now, God provides the Ten Commandments so they can see just what is expected to be Holy.

Today we will talk about the purpose of the Law and look at the first four commands which will be foundational to all the rest.

Exodus 20:1–11 NIV

1 And God spoke all these words: 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

The Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God!

Diets are a big thing in our nation. Have you ever looked up diets on the Internet? It makes your head spin trying to decide which one is the “right” one. Is there a right one? I always wonder...

Years ago, I heard someone say that if you find a picture of yourself at your goal weight, or a picture of someone else at the weight you wish to be, you should hang that up by your mirror. When you are needing motivated to stick with your diet, you go stand and look at yourself in the mirror and look at the picture. That is to motivate you to continue. Personally, I suspect it is more depressing and demotivates you. You just end up choosing to give up as it feels impossible. Here is where we see...

A. The Purpose of “The Law”

God provided “The Moral Law,” or what we know as the Ten Commandments to do the same thing for us. Actually, the Hebrew literally means, “God’s Ten Words.”

Like a picture taped by your mirror, the Ten Commandments help us realize how far short of righteousness we are. It feels impossible. It is impossible! Once we realize it, God extends the gift. The gift is salvation paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ. It includes forgiveness for all the times we have failed or fallen short, and an infilling of His personal Spirit within us to give us the strength to do better.

Let me repeat, the law cannot save us. It is acknowledging our lack of ability to maintain the law and our believing in the person and actions of Jesus Christ, that saves us. We on our own, have no ability to save ourselves. It is only through God’s grace that we are saved.

God grace begins by making us aware of our dilemma. On our own, even though we were created with a conscience, we will not see it. Our self-righteous pride rationalizes away our true condition of sin.

Psalm 53:2–3 NIV

2 God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. 3 Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Isaiah refers to our own acts of righteousness as filthy rags.

Isaiah 64:6 NIV

6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

Remember the rich young ruler? Look with me at it again.

Mark 10:17–22 NIV

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

We may shake our heads at him, but he is a true picture of all of us. Often I have heard people say they have obeyed the Ten Commandments, but upon deeper investigation we find that we have all failed all of them at some time or another. Remember, Jesus said, it is not only in action but even through thought that we commit these sins. We will talk more on that next week as this was not just Jesus’ teaching, but this idea is in the 10th commandment, it was just never taught or focused on like the others. We tend to grab onto what we feel we can control and ignore those things we feel we are unable to control. That is self-righteousness at work.

So, how does the Law work? If we think closely on it, we find 5 purposes in the Law.

The Purpose of the Law

To declare the character of God

The law is not some arbitrary rules for us to follow. They are actually a description of God and His character, for which we are to be an image of.

To define the nature of sin

i.e. Anything that is a deviant from God’s nature. In other words, anything incompatible with God. God cannot sin, nor can God associate with sin. To do so is against His character.

To declare human sinfulness

i.e. Any human response or action that is contrary to God’s nature and character.

To destroy our spiritual pride

i.e. To reveal our true nature, not just our deluded view.

To awaken us to be seekers of God

We need to accept our need so that God can save us.

We may desire to do right, but no matter how hard we try, we still fail. Paul understood this perfectly and put it in words that people say they relate to all the time.

Romans 7:19–20 NIV

19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Romans 5:20–21 NIV

20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 7:9 NIV

9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died.

Now, that we understand the purpose of the law, let us look at the subjects of this moral law.

B. The Subjects of the Law

We find two subjects addressed through the Law.

1. Laws regarding our behavior toward God

2. Laws regarding our behavior toward others.

If you think about it, these make a perfect cross. The vertical extends between us and God. The horizontal flows from us out to the people of this world.

For today, we will look at the first four commandments which deal with our relationship with God. Next week, we will look at the others.

C. The Commands Regarding Our Behavior Toward God

God is to be first in our life, and our attitude toward God directly affects our response toward others.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me. vv 1-3

Exodus 20:1–3 NIV

1 And God spoke all these words: 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

The phrase “The Lord your God” is repeated 5 times between verses 2-12. This was important for them to understand and it gives authority to what God has to say.

Not only did He speak these commands, but He wrote them upon stone with His own finger.

Exodus 31:18 NIV

18 When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.

These were to be remembered and to be taught from generation to generation as well as displayed for all to see.

The phrase “before Me” actually means, “in opposition to Me.” If someone worshiped another god, it was actually considered an act of war against God in heaven. No other god was able to deliver them. Only the God of Israel had the power to act in freeing them. Now, they were to model how obedience to God brings God’s protection and blessing for the other nations to see.

2. You shall not make for yourself an idol, vv 4-6

Exodus 20:4–6 NASB95

4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

The Israelites lived in a day when there were many carved idols. Have you ever wondered why in such a day, there are no images of Jesus? This law is why. In fact, until Jesus day, God never presented Himself in any form so they would not create an idol of Him. Idols are for useless gods, but God is revealed through His workings. He needs no idols for people to know He is real.

Deuteronomy 4:15 NIV

15 You saw no form of any kind the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully,

The Christian church knew and understood this and so no carvings were ever made of Jesus.

God elaborates on this subject in vv 22-26

Exodus 20:22–26 NIV

22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: 23 Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold. 24 “ ‘Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. 25 If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it. 26 And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts may be exposed.’

God was so adamant about nothing becoming an idol that they were not even to cut stone for an altar, as to do so, they may begin to worship the beauty of what they have carved. So, the altars were of stones that were only of natural formation by God.

The word altar literally means, “to slaughter.” An altar was a meeting place between God and humans. God would “cause His name to dwell there” so that humans may call upon His name there.

It is important to understand what God meant in verse 5 when He uses the word “jealous.” God is not jealous of us but for us. Just like a husband expects faithfulness from his wife and vice-versa, God expects faithfulness from those He loves. Not because we will hurt or damage Him, but because it will bring destruction to us.

Likewise, the damage or blessing to future generations is not from God but due to our responses. The influence to those around us is great. The true blessing is that God cuts the harm to future generations and blesses to far greater proportions for those generations that serve Him. But God cuts the harmful to the 3rd or 4th generation while he blesses to the thousands. We see demonstrated here God’s desire to love and bless, not destroy.

In verse 5, some translations use the word “punish” while others use the word “visiting.” In Hebrew, the word used here actually means “visit with some intent.” The visit can be friendly or hostile. It can mean to bring punishment or to bring help.

Too many people live for other things they “think” will bring them peace and happiness; money, sexual partners, success, etc… When we look to those things to bless us, we only bring harm to ourselves. At best, any of these only bring us temporary satisfaction.

I used to tell the children in children’s church that an idol is not just things we make with our hands, but it is anything we love more than God. The next week, a parent told me that on the way home from church, their young first grader told them this. He then said he had realized he had made an idol of his allowance because he didn’t like to put any in the offering at church. He was too busy thinking of how he wanted to spend it. He told his parents that he realized he had made an idol of his allowance and would stop complaining when his parents encouraged him to put some in the offering. This little guy got it! Can we say the same?

The Bible always equates unfaithfulness to God with adultery. That is because God is always to be our first love, even before our spouse. When we make that priority, all the other priorities naturally fall into place.

3. Do not take the name of the Lord in vain, v 7

Exodus 20:7 NIV

7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

God’s name represents his character and reputation. Jesus directs us to pray, “Hallowed by thy name.” God’s name is holy and should not be cheapened. To say “Oh my God” is actually to blaspheme, yet it is amazing how many people do not seem to understand this. I do not even like the “OMG” on things as it is the same thing.

However, we also dishonor God’s name when we take an oath or make a promise in His name and then do not fulfill it.

Leviticus 19:12 NIV

12 “ ‘Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.

Jesus taught saying,

Matthew 5:33–37 NIV

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Not only should we not do so, but it should offend us when we hear others do it. It is like spitting on God and God’s reputation.

4. Keep the Sabbath as a Holy Day, vv 8-11

Exodus 20:8–11 NIV

8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

The seventh day is associated with creation. It was a tradition for Israel and with the Mosaic law, it became a law. However, there is nothing that indicates it was meant for all nations.

That does not mean we do not do it. Christians are commanded to not give up meeting together. Science has proven that to take one in seven off is healthy. This is not just as associated with humans, but animals and land as well.

For this reason, denominational struggles over the day (i.e. Saturday or Sunday) is really needless. The designation of one day is important for people to be able to get off work. I know there are jobs where this is difficult, but for the most part, our nation has acknowledged Sunday as a day of worship and many jobs employ folks for only 5 days a week, leaving them with the weekend to do work around the home ad exercise worship if they so wish.

Next week, we will look at the last 6 commands, but for now, I want us to look at...

D. The Covenant Relationship of the law

It is important that we understand that the law is covenantal in nature. I have taught this a few times in the past, but I am thinking we need a refresher on this subject as it is so key to everything in scripture. So, I plan to show a video in a couple weeks that helps bring clearer understanding of this covenant that effects us even today. For now, this is what I want you to understand.

Marriage is a covenant agreement. In covenant, all that is mine is yours and all that is yours is mine. When I am struggling, you will help me and vice-versa.

In the Hebrew marriage alliance, an agreement is read of the expectations of the husband and the expectations of the wife. When they make the agreement, they are agreeing to all those expectations that are read.

When Israel accepts these commands, they are accepting the covenant agreement. They understand this, because unlike our culture, covenant relationships were a part of their culture that they all understood. You could literally be given a death sentence for not fulfilling your part of a covenant agreement.

In the Abrahamic covenant, God gave Israel the deed to the land. However, their ability to possess and enjoy the land was dependent on their obeying the Mosaic covenant. We will see more on this later.

Conclusion

It is really important that we understand that there is no salvation that can be achieved through the law. The law only brings condemnation as Paul said. For salvation, the Israelites had to look to the future. You see, the law prepared the way for the birth of Christ. And here is where we find our fulfillment.

Galatians 4:1–7 NIV

1 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

We have been born under the accomplishment of the law. We need not suffer the law, but instead rejoice in our freedom through Jesus Christ. What was once written in stone condemning us is now written on our hearts freeing us.

Now, before I close this sermon, it is important to disclose one more thing about “The Law.”

In an immoral world, there will always be those who will bring perversion to the law. These perversions were the mistakes the Pharisees and scribes made and we still see them today.

E. Perversions of the Law

1. Making the Law an approach to God.

This was the mistake the rich young ruler made. He was convinced he was righteous enough. He was actually “brown nosing” if you will. Can I use that term in church? ;-) He expected Jesus to praise him for his wonderful works. However, our works are never enough to procure our salvation. This is the same mistake the Pharisees made and many today that believe they will be accepted into heaven because they are “good people.” They will admit they are not perfect, but they are sure they are “good enough.” Once again, we recall Isaiah saying our righteous acts are like filthy rags.

2. Denying the Law exists or is even necessary.

The priests of Jesus day probably fit in here, but so do so many in our world today. Many in leadership are becoming very bold in declaring there is nothing sinful these days. Turn boys into girls and girls into boys. What does it matter?

You are welcome to love anyone or anything you wish. There is no set rule, many will say (like the days of the judges when all did right according to their own eye). Things have not really changed that much. Sodom and Gomorrah are alive and well in our current culture.

However, there is a Law. It is based upon the righteousness of God and we fall very short, even the best of us. Thanks be to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are free from this law. We no longer have it hanging over our heads because it is made perfect through the love in our hearts which continues to grow through the work of Jesus Christ’s Spirit within us. We are no longer slaves, but sons and daughters of a living God.

If you have not yet understood this and you wish to be a son or daughter of God, with the Spirit of Christ writing on your heart the peace of God, take a moment to pray this prayer with me.

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