Ex. 20 Intro to the Law –

Intro: Tonight we are going to begin a somewhat in-depth look at the Ten Commandments –

  1. Now there is a LOT OF CONFUSION TODAY concerning the Law

B) Are we supposed to give heed to the law ? Aren’t we FREED from the

law ?

    1. Now that we are saved aren’t we under Grace ? Are we still supposed to keep the Law ? / Bring us into Legalism
  1. When talking about the Law is first of all important to realize that the Law is divided into two Components / Law of God & Law of Moses

First of all, there is THE LAW OF GOD

  1. It is ETERNAL.. It is UNCHANGING.... and it is BINDING upon ALL

MEN / at ALL TIMES .

    1. It APPLIES to all mankind throughout ALL of history / We find

THE LAW OF GOD here in Exodus 20:3-17

B) THEN There is also what is called the LAW OF MOSES

    1. It deals with the CEREMONIAL and CIVIL aspects of the national

life of Israel / Found in Ex. 21-23 & Leviticus

C) It is APPLICABLE to and BINDING to the Israelites

  1. So You MUST make this distinction between THE LAW OF GOD.....

The 10 Commandments... and the LAW OF MOSES

1) Does the Word of God make that distinction? YES

 

In Romans 7 Paul is speaking specifically about the LAW OF GOD

How he wrestled w/ the Commandments

  1. But in John 7 JESUS – makes ref. To the Law of Moses –

    2. Circumcision being a component of the Law of Moses

  2. Acts 15 Dispute over Circumcision – Part of the Law of Moses

    3. 5But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, & to command them to keep the law of Moses."
  3. CONCLUSION WAS MADE – Don’t worry about Circumcision – saved the same way we were – By Grace through Faith
  1. Here are some guidelines – Practically - abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality

D) If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

 

So the Scriptures make a Distinction

  1. And IF you don't get this distinction down, THEN you will read the Old Testament & become completely CONFUSED about what is applicable to each of us today, and that which is NOT

    2.  

    NOTE ALSO the differences between the LAW OF GOD and the LAW OF MOSES

    1.) The LAW OF GOD was given AUDIBLY / FROM MT.

    Everyone heard it is God proclaimed it from Mt. Sinai

  2. The LAW OF MOSES was given PRIVATELY -only to Moses who

communicated to the people what was said

1) Inspired by the Lord – but given Privately

2.) The LAW OF GOD was written DIRECTLY with the finger of God upon the tables of stone

A) The LAW OF MOSES was dictated from God to Moses and he himself committed it to writing

 

 

3.) The LAW OF GOD was miraculously PRESERVED UNIQUELY in the Ark of the Covenant

  1. While the LAW OF MOSES was NOT to be kept in the Ark of the

Covenant

  1. So the law of God is ETERNAL.. It is UNCHANGING.... and it is BINDING upon ALL MEN / at ALL TIMES .

    2. 1)The Law of Moses is the CEREMONIAL and CIVIL aspects of the

    national life of Israel

  2. Why study the Law of Moses - if for Israel – what matter to us ?
  1. Provide some neat – Insight & Application for our lives / and it provides in the Festivals & Ordinances – Wonderful Pictures JESUS
  1. Plus When Jesus returns and establishes His millennial rule upon the earth

from Jerusalem, we are told that Jesus will re-enforce the Law of Moses

1) Isa. 2:3

So the Law of God is applicable to us even as Believers – in what Way?

1st Socially

  1. It is the Measure of God’s Righteousness – it is the Ruler
  2. The Law was never given as a way of salvation for either Jews or Gentiles because

    3. By the works of the Law no flesh shall be JUSTIFIED Gal. 2:16

  3. But the Law reveals the Righteousness of God !!! – This is what Righteousness looks like –
  1. So the Law is like a Mirror that reveals where you are dirty / Think about how dirty we have become as a NATION
  1. Now here is what is interesting : In 1980 – Law out of the Schools –
  1. We don’t want to look at this - You can get real dirty if never look in the Mirror

Jesus said in the last days 2And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold

  1. We are living in those times – all the Problems that we see in our Country – forsaken the Law of God .
  2. READING IN ISA. – sounds a lot like our country !!!!!
  3. The Law of God is the Measuring Stick – God’s Righteousness
  1. Reveals for us the Sanctity of Worship- One God / We said – many gods now we are gods
  1. NO IMAGES / IDOLS – we have plenty

LAW Reveals the Sanctity of Marriage – No Adultery

  1. Major problem - in & out of the Church – the Moral compass has been taken away – that is not important TED TURNER / JANE FONDA
  2. The Law reveals the Sanctity of Life – Murder
  1. Most violent nation on the face of the Planet
  1. The LAW of God reveals Sanctity of Friendship - No Coveting or stealing
  1. People today – total disregard for other Human beings / I am the only one who matters

D) The LAW Sanctity of TRUTH – not bear false Witness

  1. Nation that ignores truth – ( What is a Lie )

No Absolutes -

  1. Law of God Reveals the SANCTITY OF FAMILY - Honor your father & Mother
  1. Witnessed the Break down of the American Family

 

So the Law of God has Huge implications for us Socially / but Also Spiritually

  1. Paul declared that the Purpose of the Law was to Drive us to Christ
  2. School master – show us our need of a Savior – a MIRROR to show us how dirty we are & that we needed washing
  1. Law of the Lord is perfect converting …….. / The law is perfect but we are not !!!! – Can’t keep it – NEED A SAVIOR
  1. Now does that mean that the once we get saved the law is no longer Necessary ?
  1. Once we come to Christ the law no longer serves as a means for seeking to achieve Positional righteousness before God
  1. See Paul declared in Rom. 3:21 now there is available a Righteousness of God that is apart from the Law – THRU FAITH IN CHRIST
  1. IMPUTED RIGTHEOUSNESS / - His righteousness put to my Account – the Moment I believe - JUSTIFIED

 

So the Purpose of the Law is to DRIVE US to Christ -

  1. But once we are saved the Purpose of the Law is to DIRECT US IN CHRIST –
  2. We are Positionally righteous through our Faith in the work of Christ on the Cross
  1. But the Lord is seeking to make us Righteous through the work of His Spirit w/ in !!!!!

C) Matt. 5: Jesus said

17"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
  1. He fulfilled the law completely – Perfect man
  1. But He is still desiring to fulfill the Law – How in us / Lives in our Hearts & through our Lives
  1. That is why we are commanded to be Holy – The Lord wants us to walk in righteousness –
  1. that is the very work He is committed to doing in our lives through His Spirit – NEW COV

Jer. 31:31 / Ezk .36 :26

 

So when we read the 10 Commandments we get some insight into what the H.S. is seeking to do in our lives

  1. To make us people who only Worship – One thing – The Lord the true & living God
  2. In other words He wants our Passion & affection to be singular
  1. we can enjoy other things / beach / nature / food/ hobbies
  1. But our Passion / Pursuit / Affection/ Adoration is to be singled out for the Lord alone !!!!

 

He wants us to be people who are not into images / Idols

  1. But who are storing up treasure in heaven
  2. He wants us to be people who honor the name of the Lord / who revere it
  3. He wants us to be people who keep a Sabbath day – ( day set aside for the Lord – contemplate – Worship
  4. He wants us to be people who respect family -

    5. 1) respect & honor Marriage / Life & others

  5. He wants us to be People of Integrity – speak & walk the truth
  1. People who’s word can be trusted

 

So the 10 commandments can really be a Barometer for how we are growing in the Lord

  1. Jesus summed up – all in these two statements

    2. "‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
  2. We Love the Lord - God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
  3. Worship Him / Serve Him / everything else is the response to that
  4. I treat others right in love – because of the love that he has shown to me