I AM…The Standard
Notes
Transcript
Worship:
Praise You Anywhere
2. Graves Into Gardens
3. Holy Forever
4. We Fall Down
Announcements:
Wednesday from 6:30PM-8PM we will be doing our first community project right here at Abide Coffee Shop. We will be doing a deep clean for them.
2. Sunday, June 23rd we have a busy day. There will be no AM service as we will be have a day of celebration! We will be at the Chatuge Nursing Home from 3PM-4PM and then we will be meeting at Hiawassee Beach from 5:30PM-7PM for a time of worship, devotion, water baptism and hangin out with food! The church will be providing chicken and we are working on a sign up sheet so we know who is bringing what and we don’t have too much of one side, etc
3. Special prayer
Introduction:
Illustration:
In Words We Live By, Brian Burrell tells of an armed robber named Dennis Lee Curtis who was arrested in 1992 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Curtis apparently had scruples about his thievery.
In his wallet the police found a sheet of paper on which was written the following code:
I will not kill anyone unless I have to.
I will take cash and food stamps—no checks.
I will rob only at night.
I will not wear a mask.
I will not rob mini-marts or 7-Eleven stores.
If I get chased by cops on foot, I will get away. If chased by vehicle, I will not put the lives of innocent civilians on the line.
I will rob only seven months out of the year.
I will enjoy robbing from the rich to give to the poor.
This thief had a sense of morality, but it was flawed. When he stood before the court, he was not judged by the standards he had set for himself but by the higher law of the state.
Likewise when we stand before God, we will not be judged by the code of morality we have written for ourselves but by God’s perfect law.
Taken from Craig Brian Larson, Choice Contemporary Stories and Illustrations (Baker, 1998), p.181.
There is a lack of a moral standard in our society today.
In every area of our life there are countless examples of issues and actions that prove how challenging it is to maintain a consistent moral standard in our society. One may even go as far as to say we are more focused on our personal definition of a moral standard than anything or anyone else’s.
How did we get here? What happened? How can we go back? Can we EVEN go back and if so, where do we go back to?
It reminds me of how the Israelites might have felt after being freed from Egypt and not knowing how to act or behave as a free people. What do they do? How do they treat each other? Do they follow the example of the Egyptians?
They had been told what to do and how to do things for so long, how do they choose what to do now?
Pastor Jordan talked about the importance of character and integrity last week not only in leadership but also as a Christian. In order to have character and integrity, there needs to be a standard to live by and that is where we find ourselves this morning in Exodus 20:1.
The title of my message this today is “I AM…The Standard”. As we read our passage this morning, I would like to point out some observations that maybe we have forgotten or may not have been aware of which I think are very important to our text.
Let’s read our passage this morning starting in Exodus 20:1-17:
1 Then God spoke all these words:
2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.
3 Do not have other gods besides me.
4 Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth.
5 Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me,
6 but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands.
7 Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.
8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy:
9 You are to labor six days and do all your work,
10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. You must not do any work—you, your son or daughter, your male or female servant, your livestock, or the resident alien who is within your city gates.
11 For the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them in six days; then he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and declared it holy.
12 Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
13 Do not murder.
14 Do not commit adultery.
15 Do not steal.
16 Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Transition: My first observation this morning is:
Body:
I. God reminds the Israelites who He is (vv. 1-2)
1 Then God spoke all these words:
2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.
It is interesting to note God not only reminded them He was was their God but also delivering them out of Egypt became part of God’s identity as others would know God by what He did for the Israelites. (“The God who delivered them.”)
It is also important to know that God revealing Himself at the beginning of this covenant also tells the people that breaking the law is an offense to God Himself who made the Law first and foremost.
This is the only time in civilization where a deity would give man laws to follow. Everywhere else, rulers would present laws to their deities for approval only.
Question:
Do we understand the Ten Commandments came from God Himself and therefore, when we break only one of them, we are offending God Himself?
Transition: So, recognizing (or reminding ourselves) that the Law came from God Himself and therefore breaking the Law is an offense to God Himself, we move on to our next observation:
II. Our priority is our relationship with God (vv. 3-11)
3 Do not have other gods besides me.
4 Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth.
5 Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me,
6 but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands.
7 Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.
8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy:
9 You are to labor six days and do all your work,
10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. You must not do any work—you, your son or daughter, your male or female servant, your livestock, or the resident alien who is within your city gates.
11 For the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them in six days; then he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and declared it holy.
Question to think about:
Is my priority my relationship with God or am I more focused on pleasing others or having others please me (meeting my standard)?
Illustration:
Imagine you have an invisible recorder around your neck that, for all your life, records every time you say to somebody else, “You ought.” It only turns on when you tell somebody else how to live. In other words, it only records your own moral standards as you seek to impose them on other people. It records nothing except what you believe is right or wrong.
And what if God, on judgment day, stands in front of people and says, “You never heard about Jesus Christ and you never read the Bible, but I’m a fair-minded God. Let me show you what I’m going to use to judge you.” Then he takes that invisible recorder from around your neck and says, “I’m going to judge you by your own moral standards.”
And God plays the recording. There’s not a person on the face of the earth who will be able to pass that test. I’ve used that illustration for years now and nobody ever wants to challenge it. Nobody ever says, “I live according to my standards!” This is the biggest problem of the human race. We don’t need more books telling people how to live; people need the power to do what they don’t have the power to do.
Taken from Timothy Keller in Coming Home edited by D.A. Carson, © 2017, p. 22. Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org.
Transition: It is important to make sure our priority is our relationship with God because:
III. Our relationship with others reflects our relationship with God (vv. 12-17)
12 Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
13 Do not murder.
14 Do not commit adultery.
15 Do not steal.
16 Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Note: honoring “father” is not just about your biological father but can be anyone who is of age/wisdom and authority.
A Christian who is not submitting to their authority or treating others as they should are not in right alignment with their relationship with God.
Transition: It is not hard to view the ten commandments as a list of do’s and don’ts. If we read through them again that is exactly how we see them. But to the Jewish mind, there is more to it than that.
IV. New perspective: “I AM…Your Husband”
The Israelites would have recognized at the time, and still do, the event at Mount Sinai as a Jewish wedding.
5 Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine,
6 and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”
7 I will take you as my people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from the forced labor of the Egyptians.
The same expression, “took . . . to be his wife”, “take you” is used throughout scripture to describe a marriage and the attendant ceremony and taking of vows. A few samples are listed below:
Genesis 11:29 – Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. Abram’s wife was Sarah, and Nahor’s wife Milcah.
Genesis 21:21 – Ishmael took a woman from Egypt to be his wife.
Genesis 24:67 – Isaac took Rebekah as his wife, and he loved her.
Genesis 26:34 and 28:9 – Esau took women as wives from the Hittites and from the Ishmaelites.
Genesis 29:21-28 – Jacob took both Leah and Rachel to be his wives.
2 Samuel 11:27 – David took Bathsheba to be his wife.
If it is a wedding, then let’s see if all the requirements for a Jewish wedding are there:
A. The courtship: (40 days or longer because of the plagues)
God destroys the Egyptian gods with the plagues (Exodus 7-12)
1. Exodus 7:14-24 – HAPI, the god of the Nile. The Nile turns to blood.
2. Exodus 8:1-5 – HEQIT, Frog-headed bringer of fertility and goddess of fruitfulness. Frogs everywhere.
3. Exodus 8:16-19 – LEL, god of the Earth. Gnats everywhere.
4. Exodus 8:20-32 – KHEPERA, Beetle god in the form of a beetle. Flies everywhere.
5. Exodus 9:1-7 – APIS/HATHOR Apis was the god of cattle, and Hathor a cow-headed goddess. The cattle die.
6. Exodus 9:8-12 – NUT - goddess of Heaven. Boils appear on the Egyptians.
7. Exodus 9:18-35 – IRIS - god of Water. Hail covers the land, kills many people, plants, and livestock.
8. Exodus 10:12-20 – SERAPIA/SEBEK – Serapia, the protector from Locusts; Sebek the god of Insects. The locusts eat everything in sight.
9. Exodus 10:21-29 – RA or RE, The Sun god. Darkness covers all of Egypt except Goshen, the residence of the Hebrews.
10. Exodus 12:1-36 – PHARAOH, Considered to be a son of the gods. Death of all of the firstborn sons.
God performs miracles:
1. Exodus 14 – The Hebrews walk through the Red Sea on dry land, but the Pharaoh and his army drowns.
2. Exodus 15 – The bitter water at the well of Marah is turned into sweet water.
3. Exodus 16 – Manna and quail are provided for the grumblers to eat.
4. Exodus 17 – Water from the rock is provided for the grumblers.
B. The Wedding (Four Necessary Items):
At every Jewish wedding there are several items that are part of that ceremony: a mikvah (or mikveh), a chuppah (hoopah), a ketubah (Ka tu bah), and a sign. We find these four items at Mount Sinai:
1. A Mikvah, a place of ceremonial cleansing for the bride – Yahweh commands the people to cleanse themselves and make themselves ready for the marriage :
10 and the Lord told Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes
11 and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
12 Put boundaries for the people all around the mountain and say: Be careful that you don’t go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain must be put to death.
13 No hand may touch him; instead he will be stoned or shot with arrows and not live, whether animal or human. When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they may go up the mountain.”
14 Then Moses came down from the mountain to the people and consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.
2. A Chuppah (Hoopah), a place of covering, a canopy – not only does Yahweh cover the entire mountain with a cloud, but the Hebrew scripture can literally be translated “they stood under the mountain” (Exodus 19:17).
(not on slide)
17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
3. A Ketubah (Ka tu bah), a written contract or marriage agreement presented by the groom on the wedding day and is intended to protect the woman, primarily by establishing the man's financial obligations to her in case of divorce or widowhood. – the two copies of the Ten Commandments; one copy for the husband, one for the wife. Yahweh trusted his bride so fully both copies were given for her to hold and to keep (Exodus 20:1-17).
4. A Sign, a visible, tangible expression of the love – Yahweh institutes the Sabbath as a weekly sign that he and his bride belong to each other and enjoy each other’s presence (Exodus 20:1-17, Exodus 31:16-17). We use rings today
16 The Israelites must observe the Sabbath, celebrating it throughout their generations as a permanent covenant.
17 It is a sign forever between me and the Israelites, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.”
He loved His bride in spite of their unwilling and stubborn attitude
Quote:
A Jewish saying goes like this: “A relationship without the 10 commandments is like a marriage without vows.”
Without vows you don’t know what you are committing to!
C. The Wedding Vows (this is why Jewish people dance when the 10 commandments are read)
The first seventeen verses of Exodus Chapter 20 give us the Ketubah – the marriage contract. Each commandment is more than just a rule, it is an expectation of the behavior that describes a person’s behavior once they are married.
Here is an interpretation of these “commands” as wedding vows: I love you! Out of all the nations of the world! You are my segula “my treasured possession”.
Listen to the prophet Isaiah as Yahweh is clearly described as the Hebrew’s true husband. In the same way, Jesus is the true husband of the Bride of Christ.
5 Indeed, your husband is your Maker— his name is the Lord of Armies— and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of the whole earth.
The prophet Jeremiah declares the Hebrews are clearly described as taking Yahweh as her husband at Mount Sinai.
2 “Go and announce directly to Jerusalem that this is what the Lord says: I remember the loyalty of your youth, your love as a bride— how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.
The prophet Hosea has an unhappy comment on the Hebrew’s harlotry at Mount Sinai and afterward:
5 Yes, their mother is promiscuous; she conceived them and acted shamefully. For she thought, “I will follow my lovers, the men who give me my food and water, my wool and flax, my oil and drink.”
but it is only Yahweh who really gives her the bread and water.
Commandment One (do not have other gods before me): Yahweh has just vanquished all of the Egyptian gods, whom he calls “other lovers”, then brings the Hebrews out to Mount Sinai, and says in effect: “Remember what I’ve done for you. Put me first. Have no other lovers (gods) before me, for I have taken you to be my bride.”
Commandment Two (do not make an idol for yourself): Yahweh then says in effect: “Now that I’m your number one lover, don’t dwell on your former lovers. In fact, don’t make statues of them, don’t keep paintings of them on your walls, don’t listen to them, don’t even talk about them!”
Commandment Three (do not misuse my name): Yahweh then says in effect: “When you take my name as your name, don’t do it lightly or in vain.”
“When you take my name as your name, don’t do it lightly or in vain.” In a Jewish wedding ceremony, once the groom had established and paid the purchase price for the bride he would then offer the Cup Of Covenant to his prospective bride, thereby pledging his life to and for his bride. If the bride accepted this promise, she would then drink of the cup confirming that she, too, would pledge her life to and for her betrothed. From this point on the bridegroom and bride-to-be were considered married, and all the covenants, privileges, and duties of a fully married couple applied – this was never done lightly or frivolously.
Commandment Four remember the Sabbath): Yahweh then says in effect: “Spend quality time with me. Let’s meet together every Sabbath and get to know each other more intimately.”
And Bride, get along:
Commandment Five (honor your father and mother): Yahweh then says in effect: “Have respect your parents and each other.”
Commandment Six (do not murder): Yahweh then says in effect: “Don’t murder each other. Life is precious and is not to be taken.”
Commandment Seven (do not commit adultery): Yahweh then says in effect: “Don’t commit adultery or take other lovers. I am your true husband.”
In Matthew Chapter 22, Mark Chapter 12, and Luke Chapter 20, Jesus is questioned about a woman who had had seven husbands, all of whom had died. The question is asked, “In the resurrection, who's wife will she be?” To which Jesus replies, “She will be the wife of no one, but will be like the angels in Heaven who are neither given nor taken in marriage.” The angels have only one “husband”, Yahweh Elohim, Adonai, God Almighty.
When we are resurrected, we will have only one “husband” as well. It is only in this physical life that Yahweh allows a man to have a wife and a woman to have a husband. In essence, the seventh commandment states: “I, Yahweh allow each man to have only one woman as his lover until your physical body becomes a spiritual body. Likewise, women, I allow each woman to have only one man as her lover until your physical body becomes a spiritual body.” Once we are resurrected, and are given our spiritual, immortal, incorruptible bodies, we are no longer given nor taken in marriage.
Commandment Eight (do not steal): Yahweh then says in effect: “Don’t take each other’s belongings. I will supply all your needs.”
Commandment Nine (do not give false testimony): Yahweh then says in effect: “Don’t lie or tell each other tall tales. Speak only the truth.”
Commandment Ten (do not covet): Yahweh then says in effect: “Don’t crave another’s spouse, possessions or servants. I will supply all your needs.”
Conclusion:
A relationship without the 10 commandments is like a marriage with vows! What/whom are you committed to?
What we say is legalism; God calls love.
Tell God you love Him but He also wants to see it by obeying Him. Just like your spouse want to see how much you love them as well!
It’s not just in the OT either!
NT reference:
Jesus says in the NT:
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands.
23 Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
3 For this is what love for God is: to keep his commands. And his commands are not a burden,
This is where they came to learn to love God; not to be saved as they were saved by grace as we are. They were already saved from Egypt. God’s love language is obedience!
In Jesus, we are are grafted into God’s Olive tree.
They heard God’s vows and they said “we do” three times and we only say it once at our weddings today.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can obey Him and show Him how much we love Him.
We need to change our perspective:
The 10 Commandments are Law and the standard for us to live by but they are also wedding vows.
Instead of the mentality that a lot of men have re: their spouse/significant other as “Old lady” Ball and Chain”, etc., we have the same with the ten commandments (our wedding vows) by saying they are “just a list of rules” or “just do’s and don’ts” or “just moral suggestions”.
How to do see the Ten Commandments? God’s Standard (that is true) or Wedding Vows?
How we view the ten commandments will dictate how we follow them: begrudgingly and out of duty or wanting to please our husband.
Play Price Check Video
If we are obedient to our wedding vows/the Ten Commandments, we will also see others differently and remember we are all the same! But it will only help us if we see the Ten Commandments as not just God’s Standard (which it is) but also God’s wedding vows since He is Our Husband and we want to make Him happy!
Jesus summed them up for us in:
He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”