Exodus 20:1-18
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 6 viewsNotes
Transcript
Exodus 20:1-18
Exodus 20:1-18
Last Week, Bill taught us about the Truth of God and the Lies of the adversary. He gave us some effective tools to use to help us defend against the wiles of the devil. Does anyone remember those words of wisdom?
Tools for Overcoming the Lies
1. Know the Word of God- Matt 4:1-11
2. Guard Your Mind- 2 Cor 10:1-6
3. Put on the Armor of God- Eph 6:10-18
4. Stay in Community and Prayer - James 5:16 Hebrews 10:22-25
He talked about the “Let-us leaves,” remember? Brilliant way of putting it:
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
How do we do that? With fellowship. Fellowship is so important. Do any of you remember covid? Do you remember what we found so vital about that time? Was being separated bad for people? IT’S TERRIBLE FOR US. What is the most important thing for a newborn baby to do? Have that skin to skin connection with the mother (and father). I can tell you, when I hug you, or you me (not in a creepy way) hearts strengthen each other.
The enemy knows if he can separate us, he can have his way, because we’re so week and stupid on our own. We are, we don’t make good decisions when we’re left to ourselves. We’re terribly foolish and selfish. But, good fellowship and friends keep you on the right path. They can see what you can’t see.
Our mission as a church is to strengthen families. Your kids should see you sing, study, submit, and serve. I’m not an alliteration person...but those 4 words can be summarized as worship to a believer. They should see their fathers walk tall and strong, leading. They should see their mothers submit righteously to their husbands. Helping them make the best decisions to their family, and keeping us from making dumb ones. We do brothers...often. We all need raw fellowship
We’ve got some small groups started up...they’re not too small, but those groups will bear fruit. I’m excited to see what happens to your families! If you’re not a part of one, or you feel lead to start one, come see me.
As for today, I know we’re getting close to Christmas, but as we get close to Christmas, that means we’re spending time with people who want to avoid 2 conversations like the plague. Politics and Religion. We’re going to get prepared for the religion conversation today, preparing hearts for the greatest gift of all, from the greatest gift giver of all, amen?
What do we have in Exodus 20, someone shout it out! The 10 Commandments that no man can keep, except one, right? Let’s get started:
1 And God spoke all these words, saying: 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
This is NOT the first commandment...what is God calling the people to here? REMEMBER ME. You should believe because of all I have done for YOU. Why did the Israelites deserve what God did for them? What did they do to deserve it? NOTHING. They were promised by God. Not out of works of any man...purely by God’s Holy Grace.
That should be encouraging to each one of us...that we can’t earn our salvation. Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
God knew we would fall short. He knew you’d lie about the cookies in the cookie jar. But He encourages us, like with the Israelites, remember my promise. Where do we find that promise? John 3:16.
Remember, we talked last week about 2 mountains in the Bible. What are those 2 mountains? Mt Saini, and Mt Zion. One, we don’t know exactly where it is...the other one, we know EXACTLY where that is. Mt Saini is where the Law came down and met the people. What is the purpose of the Law? To prove to each of us that we are in need of a Savior. It doesn’t matter where the Law came down, just that it came. What DOES matter, is where the Grace of God was poured out for all of us.
Who can recite the 10 commandments for us? Any of you kids? Some of you adults can do it, I’m sure of it. What’s the first commandment?
3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.
One God, above all. He wants to know us, and He wants us to know Him. Nothing can take the place of Him in your life. Worship should be the most important thing in your life. If it’s football, you’re wrong. If it’s your girlfriend, your job, whatever you put in the place of the Lord and your time with Him, you’re wrong.
What are we doing when we put other things first? The second commandment deals with that:
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
Commandment 2: No Idols
The Bible talks over and over about this. About wooden things that can’t talk. Poles to Asherah and altars to Baal.
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. 16 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 17 They have ears, but they do not hear; Nor is there any breath in their mouths. 18 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.
What are some idols we make today for ourselves? What do we bow to? Sports teams, they take that place.
I’m an Ohio State fan. I was on my way home last week and missed the beginning of the “big game.” I got a message from a friend that lives down the street in Hermosa from me. Asking what I thought about a few plays. I told him I wasn’t watching it, my daughters had worship practice, so I was missing it until I got home.
I asked him where he was watching it today, and he said “I’m going to miss most of it, my daughter has dance class, and I’m taking her today.” I told him “You’re a good father to put that aside.” This man has a Buckeye tattoo.
His response to me showed me, no idols.
What else do we bow to? The almighty in our hands, don’t we? Our phones are the source of so much darkness and hatred in our lives. The secrets we hold in our hearts are held in that device. Better believe me, because if you’re involved in a crime, they’re going to be found out.
What is an idol? Anything that takes the place of God. Anything that distracts you from Jesus. Track your screentime. Get an app that tracks it...and see how much time it takes up of your day. Then imagine what would happen if you used even half of that time building a relationship OR spending it in the Word. Your life would change.
7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
Commandment 3: Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain.
The word in Hebrew is “shav” and it literally means to make it worthless, futile, inconsequential, false, destructive, or refer to it as magical.
In our household, I’ve encouraged my kids, find creative and funny ways to express yourself instead of the terms the world uses. My youngest son comes up with some humdingers. It changes a mood when you do that.
The Lord’s name. Jesus’ name isn’t a cuss word, it’s not a to be used lightly, we don’t swear to it, or by it...it’s Holy. It’s all that is Holy.
If you wouldn’t use your mom or dad’s name as a cuss word, don’t use the Lord’s. If that’s a part of your vernacular, do something today about it. My father-in-law, when he’s angry...it’s hard not to laugh...he skirts around the harsh words...best of all, when he finds someone laughing at his response, it turns his anger into laughter also. His head wants him to be angry. The Lord wants him to see that there are bigger things in this world than backing into your garage.
Take the Lord’s name seriously. Parents, help your kids. They need to know what it means to you if they’re going to change the way they talk too
8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
Commandment 4: Remember the Sabbath Day
Soon, I’m going to do a teaching on Sabbath rest...then try to take my own advice on it. It’s important to rest properly. Take it from a guy who averages 4 hours of sleep a night. Everything is all the way to the ground. I hate being late...which gives me little grace for those who are. I try really hard to keep that in check.
Rest effects everything in your life. It’s not just rest though, it’s a day to be left Holy to the Lord. My kids ask me when I take a sabbath day: What are we doing today Dad? I always tell them: Nothing...and they don’t get it. They think it’s another day with dad, and it is, but I need to rest, and they need to not only understand why, but see it in action. It will make a difference to them.
Now, the 5th Commandment
12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:
IF you honor your father and mother THEN your days may be long upon the land. If you don’t, well, I’ll let the subtext ring for a bit.
How do we honor our fathers and mothers? Kids, how can you honor your father and mother?
How do you think your parents can show honor to their father and mother?
How do you think your parents can show honor to their Heavenly Father?
It’s important that we see, the same way we show respect and honor to our parents here on earth, is the same way we should show honor to our Heavenly Father. Obedience is important, especially to these commandments.
The 6th Commandment - the Bomb
13 “You shall not murder.
Murder here means to kill, strike down, or slay. Scientifically it means to be the cause of the heartbeat of another person to stop.
Jesus goes a step further Matt 5:21-22
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.
In this passage of scripture, Jesus is telling us, if someone else has a problem with me, I’m to go and reconcile with them. I don’t even have a problem with them...but I’m supposed to go “Honey, what’s wrong?”
The first 4 Commandments deal with our relationship with God. The last 6 are strictly with our relationship with others. These Commands are set in our hearts and have been from the beginning. It’s so every person should be saying: Oh, I get it now! God is just putting into words the heart condition. We continue on with the 7th Commandment:
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
Adultery is inappropriate relations with another person. Your body was made for one other person in the bonds of marriage. Unfortunately, I have to define marriage too, and the only type of marriage is the type between one man and one woman, as God intended it. Anything else is not marriage.
Any relationship outside of one man and one woman is not Biblical, nor is is God honoring. Do not be deceived, the Bible is clear, all the way back to Genesis, to Jesus, to the Epistles, one man, one woman, one flesh.
Boys in this room especially, let me have your ears. Jesus goes a step further in this, and most of you boys know this: Matt 5:27-28
27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
It’s not the first look that gets you. It’s the second one...it’s saving the picture on your phone for later, or in your computer. Job said he made a covenant with his eyes to not look upon another woman. I have made a covenant with my eyes, with my wife, that no woman would hold my gaze.
The act itself is irrelevant to the Lord. The act in your mind is enough to make you unholy. Seek purity over liberty. Take your thoughts captive and learn how to control your urges. Honor other people in your lives. Be honorable, it’s a hard walk to walk, but it’s a good one.
The 8th Commandment
15 “You shall not steal.
Self explanatory: Don’t take things from people. I was always told growing up, it’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is permission. It is easier. What brings more honor, though? Asking permission first.
My kids ask for permission for a lot...some things they know better and shouldn’t be asking permission about. I’m sure some of you parents have noticed that about them...there are still things they take without asking permission first. To ask first, though, is always best. It’s also the hardest.
The hardest thing I’ve ever done is as Hollie’s dad if I could marry her. I made some jerky comments around him before I asked for that. He showed me grace though, and I’m thankful.
Asking permission builds trust, asking forgiveness breaks it. Put that in your mind. Relationship is important to the Lord. Make it a focus in your life, it’ll work out in your Marriage also.
The 9th Commandment
16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Don’t lie to people. Matt 15:11
11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
Jesus drives the nail home...it’s not just lies. James 3 says even ships are driven by a small rudder, like our tongues, they have great influence. Be truthful with people.
The world is full of deceit. Being the light means you walk in truth. Guard what comes out of your mouth. If you’re a habitual liar, change course. Remember last time, the only thing that never changes about people, is that they never change...until they do. Those small changes speak loud. They’ll point people to what’s different about you, then you tell them what’s different and see what happens next!
Finally, the 10th Commandment
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Be content with what you have. The rain falls on the wicked and the righteous. That means that good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to good people. Only God knows what the rain will produce.
I heard someone say recently, you can count how many seeds are in an apple, but you don’t know how many apples are to come from one seed. The seed does nothing on it’s own. It fully relies on something else to grow, or not. To produce fruit, or not. What does God ask of an apple seed? Just be the apple seed.
What does God call of you? Walk the walk I have prepared for you. The enemy will think he will win. Last week, listen to Bill’s message. The enemy lies, The Truth is from the Lord.
Don’t look at what everyone else has. Don’t compare yourself with others. The Lord wants to do mighty things with you. Let Him do it. You might need some surgery. You might need some scoring and molding. That time sucks, but understand it’s preparing you for a greater glory.
God’s timing always takes longer, most times much longer than we want it to or we think we can bear. If you’re there, let the Spirit comfort you with these words: “I’m not finished with you yet, when I am, You will be a testament to ME.” These words aren’t mine, they echo Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
The the word of the Lord’s testimony, but they overcame by the blood of Jesus, and the word of THEIR testimony. Trust God is God, and He knows what He’s doing. Let Him call the shots, and the timing of when you go home. He’s not finished with any of us yet. Our testimony will be powerful, trust in what the Bible says.
I want to end with one more portion of scripture here, and we’ll pick up here next time we’re in Exodus:
18 Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off.
How many of you have seen the movie “The 10 Commandments?” My kids and I watched it recently. It’s the first time they’ve seen it. How many of you see that scene where Moses is on the mountain and God is burning the commandments into the stones? Does it remind you of right now?
Did you know that’s wrong? When the commandments are given, they’re not given just to Moses. All of Israel hears from the Mountain the voice of the Lord giving The Law. He’s saying what Jesus said when he was asked by the Pharisees what the greatest commandment is:
37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
To love the Lord, is to keep the first 4 Commandments. To love your neighbor is the last 6. You can’t love Him, or love them if you aren’t following them. You won’t lust after women, or men, if you look at them as valuable. You won’t want to steal from your neighbor, you won’t want to lie to them, but shower them with the Truth.
You won’t hold onto anger for your friend. We can’t. Do you understand how toxic that is? Let it go. If you don’t have love for one another, you don’t have Jesus in your heart. Jesus IS Love.
Tis the season to railroad every family member. The season to have political fights and distance yourself from everyone you know, in the name of Christmas. Or, is this the year you turn the rudder? Is this the year you choose love over anger? Is this the year you lead your family, making it a time of thanksgiving, instead of thanksgetting?
Next week Andy will be teaching, then we’ll have a Sunday message for Christmas, and we’re trying to see if the Minneluzahan center will allow us to have a Christmas Eve service here. Exodus will be on hold until the new year, but I wanted to end with another foundation.
These are the commands that prove to every person the reason they need a Savoir. If there’s to be anything to squabble about this Christmas, it’s the eternal salvation of those closest to you.
