Relationship with God

"Knowing God Through the Commandments"

Big Idea: The Ten Commandments are not simply laws to keep but windows through which we learn God's heart and character. God's commands flow from God's nature.

Main Series Passage: Exodus 20:1-21

Exodus 20:1–12 NKJV

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. 3 “You shall have no other gods before Me. 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. 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. 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. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

Key Series Theme: God is relational. He redeemed Israel before He commanded Israel. Obedience is not the path to salvation; it is the response to salvation.

Supporting Text:

Exodus 20:2

Deuteronomy 5:6

John 14:15

1 John 4:19

Our Relationship With God

Primary Text: Exodus 20:1-11

Introduction

Before giving commandments, God reminds Israel:

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt..." (Exodus 20:2)

The commands begin with grace. God rescues first and instructs second. Relationship precedes responsibility.

1. God Alone Is Worthy of Our Worship

Commandment #1

"You shall have no other gods before Me." (Exodus 20:3)

Exodus 20:3 NKJV

3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.

What This Reveals About God

God is exclusive because He is unmatched.

He is not competing with other gods. He is revealing that there are no rivals to His authority, power, love, and glory.

Supporting Scriptures

Isaiah 45:5

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Matthew 22:37-38

John 14:6

Application

God wants first place, not merely a place.

Illustration

Imagine a husband telling his wife, "You're my favorite wife." That is not a compliment. Marriage requires exclusive devotion.

Likewise, God isn't asking to be one of many priorities. He calls us into a covenant relationship where He alone holds first place.

2. God Wants Genuine Worship, Not Religious Substitutes

Commandment #2

"You shall not make for yourself an idol..." (Exodus 20:4-6)

Exodus 20:4–6 NKJV

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.

What This Reveals About God

God cannot be reduced to something we control.

Idols are attempts to remake God in our image instead of allowing Him to shape us into His image.

Supporting Scriptures

Isaiah 40:18-25

Romans 1:21-25

John 4:23-24

Colossians 1:15

Application

Anything we trust more than God becomes an idol.

Illustration

A child may carry around a photograph of his father. The picture is helpful, but if the father walks into the room, the child should embrace the father, not just stare at the picture.

Many people cling to religious symbols, traditions, or preferences while missing a relationship with the living God.

3. God Is Holy and Deserves Reverence

Commandment #3

"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God." (Exodus 20:7)

Exodus 20:7 NKJV

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.

What This Reveals About God

God's name represents His character, authority, and reputation.

God desires that His people honor Him both with their words and their lives.

Supporting Scriptures

Psalm 111:9

Matthew 6:9

Philippians 2:9-11

Colossians 3:17

Application

We carry God's name everywhere we go.

Illustration

When someone wears a team jersey, they represent that team.

Likewise, Christians carry the name of Christ. The command is not only about what we say but how we live.

4. God Desires Restful Relationship, Not Endless Striving

Commandment #4

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." (Exodus 20:8-11)

Exodus 20:8–11 NKJV

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.

What This Reveals About God

God is not a taskmaster. He is a Father who invites His people into trust and rest.

The Sabbath teaches dependence rather than self-sufficiency.

Supporting Scriptures

Genesis 2:2-3

Mark 2:27

Matthew 11:28-30

Hebrews 4:9-11

Application

Rest is a declaration of trust in God.

Illustration

Think of a phone that never gets charged. Eventually it runs out of power.

God created us to regularly reconnect with Him because spiritual strength comes from His presence, not merely our effort.

Week 1 Conclusion

The first four commandments reveal:

God is worthy of our devotion.

God desires authentic worship.

God deserves reverence.

God invites us into rest.

Key Statement: "The first four commandments teach us how to love God rightly because they reveal who God truly is."

They are revelations of God's character.

Before God tells His people how to live, He shows them who He is.

The commandments reveal a God who desires relationship, holiness, trust, honor, truth, faithfulness, and love.

God is relational.

He redeemed Israel before He commanded Israel.

Obedience is not the path to salvation; it is the response to salvation.

Do you have a relationship with God?

Are you saved? Obedience is the response to salvation.