Three Uses of the Law

Americans don’t know the 10 Commandments.

The church doesn’t know the 10 Commandments.

Jesus said they’re important

Without getting into all the detail today, I want to help us understand how we should make use of all the OT laws.

The Law is a Chain.

. The law is for the lawless.

This use protects the righteous & the oppressed.

The Law cannot change the heart, but it can encourage good behavior.

Example: If people obeyed the Bible, there would be no crime.

Principle: As our society gets further from the Bible, lawlessness increases.

Digging Deeper: If people obeyed the Bible, there would be peace and harmony.

Principle: As the church forgets the Law, the church looks more like the world.

This use will never be fully realized until Christ returns.

The Law is a Mirror.

The Law Reflects the holiness of God.

, “For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”

The Law reflects God’s character in different ways.

Direct: e.g. “you shall not kill” because God created life and values it.

Indirect: e.g., Hebrews were not to eat many things just to show them they aren’t like everyone else (cf ).

Sacrificial laws: sin requires death, a blood sacrifice.

This mirror demands we meet God’s standards.

Illustration: A mirror that tells you what you need to fix before you leave the house.

The Law Reveals the sinfulness of man.

Paul realized this ().

Knowing God’s law reveals the depth of our depravity.

Don’t step on the grass.

75 mph

“Don’t come in my room!”

4. E.g., the 10 Commandments.

The Law is a Compass.

God created us for good works (). What are good works?

“Do all to the glory of God” (). But how?

The Bible tells us how to live.

The law guides us through direct commands which reveal the will of God.

Don’t sleep with your neighbor’s wife.

Don’t cheat people when you do business with them.

Don’t talk about people behind their backs.

Don’t slander people you don’t like.

The law guides us through indirect commands which reveal the heart of God.

Should believers smoke marijuana? “Don’t get drunk with wine” ().

Should Christians tithe? Yes, even out of poverty ().

What should be our response?

What should be our response?

Believer

Allow the chain to bind you. Don’t do evil.

Look in the mirror daily. Be reminded of your own sin by looking at God’s holiness.

Follow the Compass. Glorify God by doing the good works found in the Bible.

Unbeliever

Look into the mirror and see your need for the Savior.