Commandment #6: Sanctity of Life
Exodus 20:13
I. Introduction
-We come to the sixth commandment today.
-One of the more memorable standard commands.
-One that we often relegate to the very worst sinners.
1. But this command is frequently broken.
2. Especially from the heart's perspective.
-Let's read the commandment
II. Scripture
III. Murder
-Ill. A SS teacher was discussing the 10 commandments w/ her kindergarten class
1. After ‘honor dad & mom' she asked if there was any command that dealt with siblings.
2. One of the children blurted out: "Thou shall not kill."
-KJV says ‘kill'
1. Most modern translations say murder.
2. B/c there is a difference.
-Nearly every form of civilization in history has had some kind of prohibition against murder.
-Here we have one.
-But an important distinction is that this command is more than a "no-no" rule.
1. God is trying to instill a way of thinking.
2. Talking about a heart condition.
-To the Israelites, life was a gift from God.
1. Life was given and ultimately taken by God.
2. From creation when God breathed into the soil that created Adam to the present, God is the giver of life.
-Ill. Scientists cannot create life even on a simple level.
1. Frankenstein
2. God is the giver of life.
-God created life in his image.
1. Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."
2. He is the not only the author and giver of life, but the human life He gives is in his image.
-The Point: For a human to take life, would be to presume upon the role of God.
1. To seek to displace God.
2. To break the first commandment.
-"Sanctity of Life"
1. More than a cliche.
2. It is the foundation this command builds upon.
IV. Life is Not Mine
-But it goes deeper.
-This command seeks to show us that life is not ours.
1. Not even our own.
2. We are stewards of our life.
-Suicide
1. If your last act is murdering yourself, you will go to hell.
2. You are not to decide when your life is over.
3. 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
4. Never allow yourself to be deceived into believing that suicide makes things better... it doesn't.
-Life is not our own, we are stewards.
V. Murder, Killing, Etc.
-This Hebrew word for murder is used only 40 times in the OT.
1. The usage of the word does not include just war or capitol punishment.
2. It does include what we would call manslaughter.
3. Negligent behavior leading to someone's death.
4. Drunk driver kills someone, going 105 mph in a 25 school zone, etc.
5. Ill. TDOT company that put in sub-quality guard rails.
-It can also include negligent behavior on leading to your own death.
1. Unhealthy habits & behaviors.
2. Be a good steward of life.
-Abortion
1. Babies are not just a mass of tissue that a woman can get rid of.
2. They have life.
3. I'm pro-choice, I believe your choice is at the point of sexual intercourse.
-Euthanasia
1. We want to play God with others lives.
2. Nazi's felt they could decide who was worthy to live or die.
3. Our culture is close to that.
4. We claim it in the name of mercy.
5. Dr. Kevorkian is no social hero, he is a murderer.
-What about capitol punishment & just war?
-Let's redefine the real issue.
1. The real issue is not whether they are permissible, that is obvious in Scripture.
2. Real issue is whether or not our government has a right to do them.
3. In other words, do we have Biblical right to do wage war or have capitol punishment when our government participates in things like abortion?
-Abortion Clinic bombers?
1. God is not an anarchist.
2. In the OT the government, not individuals, were to institute the death penalty.
3. God does not approve of vigilantes.
VI. Murder & the NT
-God is trying to deal w/ issues of the heart.
-Unfortunately ppl took this command and made is the bare minimum.
1. It became: You shall not murder, but you can treat them like a dog.
2. So while they may not have ‘pulled the trigger' their hearts were murderous.
-Jesus clarifies in the NT:
-Matthew 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' [22] But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. [23] So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, [24] leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
-Jesus was concerned about the condition of your heart!
1. Murder occurs in the heart before a physical act occurs.
2. Murder sprouts from the heart.
-A murderous heart...
1. ...is full of hate and anger.
2. ...it hurts others but ultimately is self-destructive.
3. It will destroy you!
-Love sprouts from the heart.
-A heart of reconciliation...
1. ...if full of love.
2. ...is not a natural thing.
3. ...is from a divine work of God.
-Ill. A class on loving others won't give you a heart of love
1. A heart of love is not a learned behavior.
2. A heart of love is a work of God.
3. Yes, love is a decision, but a decision you cannot make until God has done a work in your heart!
4. All else is artificial love.
VII. Conclusion
-What are you trying to say?
-In a world of murder, violence, hate, & the wrong kind of anger we are called to be a ppl of love.
-Ill. 1st of Dec. 1997 in Paducah KY
1. HS student, Michael Carneal walked into Heath HS and began shooting teens who assembled every day for prayer.
2. Benjamin Strong, from the prayer group walked toward Michael as he was shooting and said: "Mike, what are you doing?"
3. After firing his 22 ten times he dropped his gun and Benjamin hugged him while urging him to calm down.
4. Three died and 5 were wounded that day.
5. Usually the group has no more than 25 students. The next day there were over 250 students.
6. Melissa "Missy" Jenkins was wounded in the shooting. She was paralyzed for life.
7. She was the first victim of the shooting to get a message to the shooter.
8. She said: "Tell Michael, I forgive him."
-That's not natural!
1. That's the power of God.
2. That's the power of His love born in our hearts.
-The world wants you to believe that a heart of hate & murder is okay.
1. The Bible says in 1 John 3:15 "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."
2. Contradictory
-You can move from a murderous heart to a heart of reconciliation.
-I'm not giving an altar call today.
1. Reconciliation does not begin at the altar.
2. Remember Jesus' words?
3. Matt. 5:24 "Leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, an then come and offer your gift."
-Maybe there is someone...
1. ...you need to go talk to.
2. ...in another church you need to talk to.
3. ...in a place you left or someone that is left here.
4. ...you work with/ a neighbor/ etc.
-God wants to give you a heart of reconciliation instead of hate & murder!
Response
Monday, May 25, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Commandment #5
Commandment #5: Honoring Parents
Exodus 20:12
I. Introduction
-The first four commandments deal directly w/ our relationship w/ God.
1. No other gods before Him.
2. No carved image or idols.
3. Don't take His name in vain
4. Keep the Sabbath Holy.
-But a relationship w/ God has affect on all other relationships.
-Christianity is not something that works half-way.
1. You can't partially obey God & expect everything to work out.
2. You can't sometimes honor God and be okay w/ that.
-You can't live in sin, but go to church and think you are okay!
-That's why there is no aspect of your life that God does not deal with.
-Let's look at the fifth commandment...
II. Scripture
III. Background
-This is an odd commandment.
1. Children were property.
2. They were not considered people until they came of age (Bar Mitzvah/Mitzah)
3. So why would God speak to someone considered sub-human?
4. B/c they are not.
-But this commandment has to do w/ more than traditional interpretation...
1. It is about more than: Obey your mommy & daddy!
2. It's about honoring them.
-It speaks to more than just children.
1. Teens, young adult, middle aged, & even senior adults.
2. It crosses generations and age groups.
IV. More than Obey
-It has to do with more than obedience.
-You should obey your parents.
-Ephesians 6:1-4 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.' Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
-What about sinful parents?
1. You must obey them unless they tell you to do something wrong.
2. Ill. Nashville Dillards family: Father using child to shoplift.
-The emphasis is on honoring your parents.
1. Not respect, that is earned.
2. Honor comes out of your role or title.
3. It is not earned & it cannot be forced.
-Mark Twain said: "It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them."
-Parents, be worthy of the honor you receive.
1. Just b/c you have the title of mother or father doesn't make you one.
2. I'm tired of hearing about dead-beat dads & messed up moms.
3. Being a parent requires a lot of work and the grace of God.
V. To Teens
-Teens must honor their parents.
-There is something about this age that makes it difficult to honor parents.
1. You're getting closer to the age of independence.
2. You're wanting to try out your wings.
-But you must still honor your parents.
-Sinful: a teenager that treats their parents disrespectful and rude.
1. Disobeys this command.
2. Or a child or a young adult or a middle aged adult that does the same.
3. The older you get the more you ought to honor your parents!
-I know teenagers think they know everything.
1. You don't.
2. Neither do your parents.
3. But they know a whole lot more than you!
4. [Parents will be quoting this sermon for some time to come.]
-You don't pay the bills, have a job that pays the bills, or pay taxes...
1. This world is a whole lot bigger than you think it is.
2. And parents have your best interest in mind.
-Ill. Mark Twain said the older he got the more surprised he was at all his Dad knew.
VI. Aging Parents
-Honoring your parents also has to do with taking care of them when they get old.
-In Biblical times there was no Social Security.
1. No retirement benefits.
2. You only had your children.
-Today we live in an age that is getting closer & closer to euthanasia.
1. The idea that we kill off the elderly is sinful.
2. There is no honor in that!
-The ppl that raised you and provided for you when you were defenseless children are to be honored and not scorned.
-We are called to take care of our parents in their sickness or old age.
VII. Honor Parents in Life
-Honor your parents in the life you live.
-Some Jews had an idea of eternal life being through your children.
1. So if you had no children, it was considered a curse.
2. You lived on through your children.
-Your children would honor you by living for God.
-"He's a good man, but his kids are wicked."
1. Ever heard that?
2. Ever heard of Eli's (Samuel's mentor) sons Hophni & Phineas?
3. They were wicked priests that God killed.
4. Eli was shamed, b/c his sons did not honor him in the way they lived their lives.
-Note: you should live for the Lord, b/c that's the right thing to do.
1. Not to just "honor your parents."
2. Parents, don't just bring your kids to church b/c you know you should.
3. The life has to come along!
VIII. Honor In Spite of Them
-Maybe you have parents that aren't worthy of honor.
-It's a reality today.
-God says to honor them in spite of themselves.
1. It doesn't mean they were good parents, or even tried to be.
2. It doesn't mean that you have to approve of the things they did.
-But God says you must honor them if only out of their biological tie to you.
-Why? B/c you might win them to the Lord.
IX. To Parents
-A good parent desires their children to be more than they are.
1. Go farther, deeper spiritual life, accomplish more, etc.
2. We're too busy making the perfect lives for ourselves when we should be investing in our kids.
-Parenthood is self-sacrifice.
1. It's expensive.
2. It takes up time.
3. It requires emotional energy
4. You'll lose some sleep.
5. You'll miss your favorite TV show.
6. You won't be able to run around & do the things you use to.
-Self-sacrificing parents are ones that are easy to honor.
-Parents, children learn from your example.
1. Not only what you say, but what you do.
2. Actions speak louder than words?
3. Actions mute your words.
-Ill. Warren Mueller conducted a study
1. Results: if both Mom & Dad attend church regularly, 72% of their children remain faithful.
2. If only Dad, 55% remain
3. If only Mom, 15%.
4. If neither attended regularly, only 6% remain faithful.
-The deciding factor in the spiritual life of your children is not going to be...
1. ...the preacher
2. ...the SS teacher.
3. ...the youth leader.
4. It is the parent's example!
-Ill. Farmer lost his crop of grain to a hail storm just before harvest.
1.The entire crop was demolished.
2. After the storm, the farmer, with his son went out on the porch to see the crop.
3. The little boy looked at the destroyed field and began to cry while looking to his father.
4. He expected his father to give words of despair.
5. Instead he began to sing softly: "Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee."
6. That little boy went on to be a great preacher and was quoted as saying: "That was the greatest sermon I ever heard."
7. The father lost a grain crop, but gained an eternal inheritance.
-It doesn't matter if your child is...
1. ...the smartest in their class.
2. ...the best ball player.
3. ...the most talented.
4. ...a college graduate.
5. ...making a lot of money.
6. ...in a good job.
7. ...successful by the world's standards.
-What matters is where they will spend eternity.
X. Conclusion
-Maybe you want to be a better parent...
-Maybe you need help honoring your parents...
-Come receive a touch from God this morning...
-This is the only commandment with an explicit promise.
-...that you may live long[er] in the land the Lord your God gives you."
Response
Exodus 20:12
I. Introduction
-The first four commandments deal directly w/ our relationship w/ God.
1. No other gods before Him.
2. No carved image or idols.
3. Don't take His name in vain
4. Keep the Sabbath Holy.
-But a relationship w/ God has affect on all other relationships.
-Christianity is not something that works half-way.
1. You can't partially obey God & expect everything to work out.
2. You can't sometimes honor God and be okay w/ that.
-You can't live in sin, but go to church and think you are okay!
-That's why there is no aspect of your life that God does not deal with.
-Let's look at the fifth commandment...
II. Scripture
III. Background
-This is an odd commandment.
1. Children were property.
2. They were not considered people until they came of age (Bar Mitzvah/Mitzah)
3. So why would God speak to someone considered sub-human?
4. B/c they are not.
-But this commandment has to do w/ more than traditional interpretation...
1. It is about more than: Obey your mommy & daddy!
2. It's about honoring them.
-It speaks to more than just children.
1. Teens, young adult, middle aged, & even senior adults.
2. It crosses generations and age groups.
IV. More than Obey
-It has to do with more than obedience.
-You should obey your parents.
-Ephesians 6:1-4 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.' Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
-What about sinful parents?
1. You must obey them unless they tell you to do something wrong.
2. Ill. Nashville Dillards family: Father using child to shoplift.
-The emphasis is on honoring your parents.
1. Not respect, that is earned.
2. Honor comes out of your role or title.
3. It is not earned & it cannot be forced.
-Mark Twain said: "It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them."
-Parents, be worthy of the honor you receive.
1. Just b/c you have the title of mother or father doesn't make you one.
2. I'm tired of hearing about dead-beat dads & messed up moms.
3. Being a parent requires a lot of work and the grace of God.
V. To Teens
-Teens must honor their parents.
-There is something about this age that makes it difficult to honor parents.
1. You're getting closer to the age of independence.
2. You're wanting to try out your wings.
-But you must still honor your parents.
-Sinful: a teenager that treats their parents disrespectful and rude.
1. Disobeys this command.
2. Or a child or a young adult or a middle aged adult that does the same.
3. The older you get the more you ought to honor your parents!
-I know teenagers think they know everything.
1. You don't.
2. Neither do your parents.
3. But they know a whole lot more than you!
4. [Parents will be quoting this sermon for some time to come.]
-You don't pay the bills, have a job that pays the bills, or pay taxes...
1. This world is a whole lot bigger than you think it is.
2. And parents have your best interest in mind.
-Ill. Mark Twain said the older he got the more surprised he was at all his Dad knew.
VI. Aging Parents
-Honoring your parents also has to do with taking care of them when they get old.
-In Biblical times there was no Social Security.
1. No retirement benefits.
2. You only had your children.
-Today we live in an age that is getting closer & closer to euthanasia.
1. The idea that we kill off the elderly is sinful.
2. There is no honor in that!
-The ppl that raised you and provided for you when you were defenseless children are to be honored and not scorned.
-We are called to take care of our parents in their sickness or old age.
VII. Honor Parents in Life
-Honor your parents in the life you live.
-Some Jews had an idea of eternal life being through your children.
1. So if you had no children, it was considered a curse.
2. You lived on through your children.
-Your children would honor you by living for God.
-"He's a good man, but his kids are wicked."
1. Ever heard that?
2. Ever heard of Eli's (Samuel's mentor) sons Hophni & Phineas?
3. They were wicked priests that God killed.
4. Eli was shamed, b/c his sons did not honor him in the way they lived their lives.
-Note: you should live for the Lord, b/c that's the right thing to do.
1. Not to just "honor your parents."
2. Parents, don't just bring your kids to church b/c you know you should.
3. The life has to come along!
VIII. Honor In Spite of Them
-Maybe you have parents that aren't worthy of honor.
-It's a reality today.
-God says to honor them in spite of themselves.
1. It doesn't mean they were good parents, or even tried to be.
2. It doesn't mean that you have to approve of the things they did.
-But God says you must honor them if only out of their biological tie to you.
-Why? B/c you might win them to the Lord.
IX. To Parents
-A good parent desires their children to be more than they are.
1. Go farther, deeper spiritual life, accomplish more, etc.
2. We're too busy making the perfect lives for ourselves when we should be investing in our kids.
-Parenthood is self-sacrifice.
1. It's expensive.
2. It takes up time.
3. It requires emotional energy
4. You'll lose some sleep.
5. You'll miss your favorite TV show.
6. You won't be able to run around & do the things you use to.
-Self-sacrificing parents are ones that are easy to honor.
-Parents, children learn from your example.
1. Not only what you say, but what you do.
2. Actions speak louder than words?
3. Actions mute your words.
-Ill. Warren Mueller conducted a study
1. Results: if both Mom & Dad attend church regularly, 72% of their children remain faithful.
2. If only Dad, 55% remain
3. If only Mom, 15%.
4. If neither attended regularly, only 6% remain faithful.
-The deciding factor in the spiritual life of your children is not going to be...
1. ...the preacher
2. ...the SS teacher.
3. ...the youth leader.
4. It is the parent's example!
-Ill. Farmer lost his crop of grain to a hail storm just before harvest.
1.The entire crop was demolished.
2. After the storm, the farmer, with his son went out on the porch to see the crop.
3. The little boy looked at the destroyed field and began to cry while looking to his father.
4. He expected his father to give words of despair.
5. Instead he began to sing softly: "Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee."
6. That little boy went on to be a great preacher and was quoted as saying: "That was the greatest sermon I ever heard."
7. The father lost a grain crop, but gained an eternal inheritance.
-It doesn't matter if your child is...
1. ...the smartest in their class.
2. ...the best ball player.
3. ...the most talented.
4. ...a college graduate.
5. ...making a lot of money.
6. ...in a good job.
7. ...successful by the world's standards.
-What matters is where they will spend eternity.
X. Conclusion
-Maybe you want to be a better parent...
-Maybe you need help honoring your parents...
-Come receive a touch from God this morning...
-This is the only commandment with an explicit promise.
-...that you may live long[er] in the land the Lord your God gives you."
Response
Monday, May 11, 2009
Commandment #4
Commandment #4: A Holy Day
Exodus 20:8-11
I. Introduction
-Part of the hallmark of a civilization is a way to measure time.
1. We measure it in minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, etc.
2. Week = 7 days
3. Universal agreement
4. Basis is creation = Genesis
-Not only our calendar was affected though.
-Ill. Blue Laws
1. Originated in New Have, Connecticut in the mid-17th century.
2. Called so b/c they were written on blue paper.
-Blue Laws have a residual effect today...
1. That's why many businesses were closed.
2. That's why alcohol is not allowed to be sold in some places on Sun (or before noon).
-Let's look at the 4th commandment...
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Time is such an important thing to us today.
1. We live by the clock, calendar, & schedule.
2. We cook, sleep, and work by it.
3. We measure our life by it.
4. Time brings down governments, it cut the Grand Canyon, it builds up mountains, it deposes dictators, and more.
-In the midst of all that, God wants to sanctify time.
-In this 4th commandment it says that God created everything in six days and then blessed the 7th.
1. Notice we are not to make it holy (it already is!)
2. We are to keep it holy!
3. How? By remembering it.
-We characterize days...
1. Monday is the first day of the week (dread)
2. Wednesday is the mid-way mark
3. Friday soon-to-be-over (anticipation)
4. Weekend.
-And in all that we have to do we lay claim to all 7days.
-But God says: "I want 1 day."
IV. Is It Holy?
-Let me ask you: Is the Sabbath a holy day to us?
-Is it just another day?
-Sure we might go to church in the morning, but we can go to church on Wednesday (or any other day).
-The commandment doesn't say He wants one hour on one particular day.
1. It's bigger than a one or two hour commitment.
2. He wants us to keep the whole day holy!
3. There should be something different about this day.
V. What Happened to the Sabbath?
-It's become another work day.
1. We are busy with the wrong things on this day.
2. Our homework, our chores, our projects, our jobs, etc.
3. These things dictate everything we do all week and now we have allow them to take over the Sabbath.
4. We have more leisure time today than we ever have.
5. But we give less and less to God. (post-industrialized)
6. He wants this day to be a holy one.
7. It's just another day to get some work done.
-v. 10 "On it [the Sabbath] you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates."
1. Don't you work or cause anyone else to work!
2. There would be very few businesses open today if all Christians refused to cause anyone else to work.
-I know some have to work out of necessity.
1. I'm glad our military doesn't clock out on Sun.
2. I'm glad the hospital doesn't shut down.
3. Police officers don't quit.
4. These are out of necessity.
-It's become a holiday.
1. Some may not work, but they still don't keep it holy.
2. For them, Sabbath is a holiday.
3. Sabbath is more than not working, it is a holy day.
4. It's more than a family day, a day off, a vacation day.
5. We work six days, and on this day we just want to have fun.
6. Then the Sabbath is no more than an extra day on the weekend.
7. Do you keep the Sabbath holy when you are on vacation?
8. Is it more than a day in the weekend?
9. Is it more than just free time?
VI. How Do We Keep it Holy?
-What do you do on the Sabbath to keep it's sanctity?
-Let me propose a few things...
-(#1) Stop doing all the unnecessary stuff of this world.
1. Sabbath literally = stop.
2. Profit & pleasure have taken away from the holiness of this day.
3. Keeping it holy may be an inconvenience.
4. In six days you have plenty of time to get done everything you need to.
5. Do your homework on Saturday. Get the chores done on Friday night. (TV average= 4 hours/day)
6. Ill. "My ox fell in the well."
a. Luke14:5
b. Has become an all encompassing excuse for any work done on Sunday.
c. Kill the ox or fill in the well.
7. Ill. My family sat around & watched TV... is that keeping it holy?
8. We could do that any day of the week.
9. Plan ahead so you don't run out of milk on the Sabbath.
10. Plan ahead so the laundry is already clean!
-(#2) Keep the Sabbath holy.
1. It isn't so much about not working as it is about worshiping!
2. Make it the day of worship!
3. Go to church, as much as possible.
4. Have family devotions.
5. Pray together.
6. Sabbath isn't just one day in the weekend, it's a holy day we are to maintain!
-(#3) Live out holiness.
1. Jesus always worshiped on the Sabbath.
2. But he also taught, healed, and ministered on this day.
3. Jews had used the excuse of not working to prevent them from doing good.
4. That's why they were upset when Jesus healed on the Sabbath!?
5. Ministry isn't the work we're to rest from.
6. For those that think I only work 1 day a week; I don't even work on that one day.
7. Ministry is the one thing we never rest from, even when we're resting!
VII. Conclusion
-This commandment is about how you worship, love, serve God with your time!
-God created you & I in need of a Sabbath.
-In the NT Jesus & disciples are picking grain as they pass through a field to eat (not harvest for sale).
1. Pharisees accuse them of breaking the harvest.
2. Other laws: No moving a chair on dirt floor.
3. So many steps, no turning on lights.
4. A conservative orthodox Jew who owns a building w/ a elevator...
5. Jesus response in Mark 2:27 "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."
-Don't view it as a hurdle you have to jump through, but something to benefit you.
-We need a holy day, a day of rest from all the stuff we go through.
-You cannot control whether others keep it holy.
1. Don't waste your time trying.
2. But you can control whether you keep it holy.
-"Preacher, that's old fashion!"
1. Maybe, but that's the way it's been since the beginning of time.
2. Since God blessed the Sabbath.
-My prayer is that you would keep this day holy, so that it might be a blessing for you.
Response
Exodus 20:8-11
I. Introduction
-Part of the hallmark of a civilization is a way to measure time.
1. We measure it in minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, etc.
2. Week = 7 days
3. Universal agreement
4. Basis is creation = Genesis
-Not only our calendar was affected though.
-Ill. Blue Laws
1. Originated in New Have, Connecticut in the mid-17th century.
2. Called so b/c they were written on blue paper.
-Blue Laws have a residual effect today...
1. That's why many businesses were closed.
2. That's why alcohol is not allowed to be sold in some places on Sun (or before noon).
-Let's look at the 4th commandment...
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Time is such an important thing to us today.
1. We live by the clock, calendar, & schedule.
2. We cook, sleep, and work by it.
3. We measure our life by it.
4. Time brings down governments, it cut the Grand Canyon, it builds up mountains, it deposes dictators, and more.
-In the midst of all that, God wants to sanctify time.
-In this 4th commandment it says that God created everything in six days and then blessed the 7th.
1. Notice we are not to make it holy (it already is!)
2. We are to keep it holy!
3. How? By remembering it.
-We characterize days...
1. Monday is the first day of the week (dread)
2. Wednesday is the mid-way mark
3. Friday soon-to-be-over (anticipation)
4. Weekend.
-And in all that we have to do we lay claim to all 7days.
-But God says: "I want 1 day."
IV. Is It Holy?
-Let me ask you: Is the Sabbath a holy day to us?
-Is it just another day?
-Sure we might go to church in the morning, but we can go to church on Wednesday (or any other day).
-The commandment doesn't say He wants one hour on one particular day.
1. It's bigger than a one or two hour commitment.
2. He wants us to keep the whole day holy!
3. There should be something different about this day.
V. What Happened to the Sabbath?
-It's become another work day.
1. We are busy with the wrong things on this day.
2. Our homework, our chores, our projects, our jobs, etc.
3. These things dictate everything we do all week and now we have allow them to take over the Sabbath.
4. We have more leisure time today than we ever have.
5. But we give less and less to God. (post-industrialized)
6. He wants this day to be a holy one.
7. It's just another day to get some work done.
-v. 10 "On it [the Sabbath] you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates."
1. Don't you work or cause anyone else to work!
2. There would be very few businesses open today if all Christians refused to cause anyone else to work.
-I know some have to work out of necessity.
1. I'm glad our military doesn't clock out on Sun.
2. I'm glad the hospital doesn't shut down.
3. Police officers don't quit.
4. These are out of necessity.
-It's become a holiday.
1. Some may not work, but they still don't keep it holy.
2. For them, Sabbath is a holiday.
3. Sabbath is more than not working, it is a holy day.
4. It's more than a family day, a day off, a vacation day.
5. We work six days, and on this day we just want to have fun.
6. Then the Sabbath is no more than an extra day on the weekend.
7. Do you keep the Sabbath holy when you are on vacation?
8. Is it more than a day in the weekend?
9. Is it more than just free time?
VI. How Do We Keep it Holy?
-What do you do on the Sabbath to keep it's sanctity?
-Let me propose a few things...
-(#1) Stop doing all the unnecessary stuff of this world.
1. Sabbath literally = stop.
2. Profit & pleasure have taken away from the holiness of this day.
3. Keeping it holy may be an inconvenience.
4. In six days you have plenty of time to get done everything you need to.
5. Do your homework on Saturday. Get the chores done on Friday night. (TV average= 4 hours/day)
6. Ill. "My ox fell in the well."
a. Luke14:5
b. Has become an all encompassing excuse for any work done on Sunday.
c. Kill the ox or fill in the well.
7. Ill. My family sat around & watched TV... is that keeping it holy?
8. We could do that any day of the week.
9. Plan ahead so you don't run out of milk on the Sabbath.
10. Plan ahead so the laundry is already clean!
-(#2) Keep the Sabbath holy.
1. It isn't so much about not working as it is about worshiping!
2. Make it the day of worship!
3. Go to church, as much as possible.
4. Have family devotions.
5. Pray together.
6. Sabbath isn't just one day in the weekend, it's a holy day we are to maintain!
-(#3) Live out holiness.
1. Jesus always worshiped on the Sabbath.
2. But he also taught, healed, and ministered on this day.
3. Jews had used the excuse of not working to prevent them from doing good.
4. That's why they were upset when Jesus healed on the Sabbath!?
5. Ministry isn't the work we're to rest from.
6. For those that think I only work 1 day a week; I don't even work on that one day.
7. Ministry is the one thing we never rest from, even when we're resting!
VII. Conclusion
-This commandment is about how you worship, love, serve God with your time!
-God created you & I in need of a Sabbath.
-In the NT Jesus & disciples are picking grain as they pass through a field to eat (not harvest for sale).
1. Pharisees accuse them of breaking the harvest.
2. Other laws: No moving a chair on dirt floor.
3. So many steps, no turning on lights.
4. A conservative orthodox Jew who owns a building w/ a elevator...
5. Jesus response in Mark 2:27 "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."
-Don't view it as a hurdle you have to jump through, but something to benefit you.
-We need a holy day, a day of rest from all the stuff we go through.
-You cannot control whether others keep it holy.
1. Don't waste your time trying.
2. But you can control whether you keep it holy.
-"Preacher, that's old fashion!"
1. Maybe, but that's the way it's been since the beginning of time.
2. Since God blessed the Sabbath.
-My prayer is that you would keep this day holy, so that it might be a blessing for you.
Response
Monday, May 4, 2009
Commandment #3
Commandment #3: Making the Holy Vain
Exodus 20:7
I. Introduction
-Why preach from the ten commandments?
1. So we will know what God wants from us.
2. When you are born-again, you do not automatically know everything about what God wants.
3. That's why it is so important to study His Word.
4. So important to be in church (SS plug, Sun. PM, & Wed.)
5. Some say, "Get them saved, and the Spirit will tell them everything."
6. That's right, through His Word, through the preaching, & teaching!
-I preach assuming that you are hungry for God's truth.
1. ...that you want to learn.
2. ...that your desire is to be more like Christ.
3. ...that you want to increase your intimacy w/ God.
4. ...that you want to grow!
5. ...that you want to continue to be molded by the Master.
-My preaching (or any preaching) is ineffective if you are no more than a hearer. (vs. doer)
-Time of response (altar) is for Christians (sinners just have the opportunity to begin their journey, Christians have an obligation to continue!
-Otherwise this hour is wasted
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Of all the commandments, it can be argued that this one is viewed as the most frivolous.
1. If God says it, why do we try to change it?
2. Unashamedly proclaim truth.
-Israelites were very serious about this!
-For example:
1. Saying YHWH was punishable by death (even in the temple in a ‘reverent' way)
2. Scribes copying the Bible would have to go through a ritual bathing to be worthy to write the name of God.
3. They would never stop/pause in the middle of writing the name of God.
4. They were to break their writing utensils after writing YHWH.
3. When they wrote YHWH they left out the vowels.
4. If you wanted to talk about God you would say in Greek: Adonai (Lord) or in Hebrew: El, God.
-‘El' or God was used in names:
1. Genesis 32:28 "Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed."" (Strives with God)
2. Genesis 33:20 "There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel." (God, the God of Israel)
3. Elijah, Samuel, Ezekiel, etc.
-Have we lost that respect/ reverence for the name of God?
1. It doesn't matter what about everyone else?
2. Have you lost it?
IV. In Vain
-Most translations will say: "You shall not take the name of the Lord [YHWH] your God in vain."
1. NIV waters it down to ‘misuse.'
2. The problem is far deeper than just misuse.
-Vain means void of meaning, or pointless or empty.
-In other words, do not use the name of the Lord in a way that would seek to make it meaningless.
-Note: You cannot make the name of the Lord vain, only use it in a vain way.
-We live in a time of Shakespeare who said: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
1. That may be true about some things, but not God.
2. He is holy and we are to reverence Him.
-Why is one's name important?
1. You ever had a deep, close, intimate relationship with someone who's name you didn't know?
2. Ever been in the awkward position of forgetting someone's name?
-A name is important!
V. Using His Name in Vain
-How do we take God's name in vain?
-Using it as an exclamation mark!
1. Shock, fright, amazement, excitement, etc. are no reason to blurt out His name.
2. God's last name is not damn.
-Misusing or abusing his name:
1. "I swear to God."
2. Jesus said not to in Matt. 5.
3. God's name is not to be taken in vain by being used as a validation to your claims.
-Christian Hypocrisy
1. Claiming to be a Christian, but not living it is taking His name in vain.
2. Don't use his name for something so vain as trying to make yourself look good!
-Doing our Will in His name!
1. ‘Christian Crusades' and the claims of the popes.
2. Be careful when you begin a sentence with ‘God told me...'
3. Mormons; Jehovah Witnesses claim they are of God.
4. Ill. "God wants me to marry you."
5. Note: God will never contradict His written word!!
6. Everyone wants to use God to bring validity to their actions.
-Preaching (in God's name)
1. False prophets were not dealt w/ lightly.
2. I take preaching seriously (not editorial or soap box).
3. "Thus saith the Lord..."
-Using the name of the Lord for our own gain!
1. Profiting off the name of the Lord.
2. False miracles in the name of the Lord.
3. Acts 19; seven sons of Sceva; v.13b "I adjure by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." v.15 "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?"
4. The evil spirits beat them up and sent them off naked and wounded.
-We must not take the name of the Lord in vain...but why?
VI. A Name to be Hallowed
-His name is to be praised!
-Psalm 135:1 "Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord, give praise, O servants of the Lord"
-His name is not to be used for vain purposes by us, it is to be praised!
1. In reverence we should worship Him!
2. In awe and wonder we should glorify His name!
-Matthew 6:9 "Pray then like this: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.'"
1. Not hollowed!
2. Hallowed!
3. Literally the same root word for ‘to sanctify.'
4. "Sanctified be your name."
-Leviticus 22:32 "And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you."
-The God we serve is holy, so much so that even his name is holy and worthy to be praised!
VII. Power in His Name
-It is so holy that there is power in His name!
-We pray in the name of Jesus
1. You can pray in no other name!
2. No other name has the power to reach heaven!
-We are baptized in the name of Jesus!
-We are healed in the name of Jesus!
-James 5:14-15 "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. [15] And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."
-(Acts 3) Peter heals "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"
-There is power in the name of the Lord!
-Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe."
-There is power in the name of the Lord!
VIII. Conclusion
-Because there is power even in His name we need to be reverent in it's use.
-"God d*mn it!" what a dangerous curse uttered by a Christian.
-2 Kings 2:23-24 "He [Elisha] went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying ‘Go up, you baldhead. God up, you baldhead!' And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys."
-There is power in the holy name of Jesus.
-May we never take that in vain.
-Would you like to call on the name of the Lord today?
-That is the privilege we have.
Response
Exodus 20:7
I. Introduction
-Why preach from the ten commandments?
1. So we will know what God wants from us.
2. When you are born-again, you do not automatically know everything about what God wants.
3. That's why it is so important to study His Word.
4. So important to be in church (SS plug, Sun. PM, & Wed.)
5. Some say, "Get them saved, and the Spirit will tell them everything."
6. That's right, through His Word, through the preaching, & teaching!
-I preach assuming that you are hungry for God's truth.
1. ...that you want to learn.
2. ...that your desire is to be more like Christ.
3. ...that you want to increase your intimacy w/ God.
4. ...that you want to grow!
5. ...that you want to continue to be molded by the Master.
-My preaching (or any preaching) is ineffective if you are no more than a hearer. (vs. doer)
-Time of response (altar) is for Christians (sinners just have the opportunity to begin their journey, Christians have an obligation to continue!
-Otherwise this hour is wasted
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Of all the commandments, it can be argued that this one is viewed as the most frivolous.
1. If God says it, why do we try to change it?
2. Unashamedly proclaim truth.
-Israelites were very serious about this!
-For example:
1. Saying YHWH was punishable by death (even in the temple in a ‘reverent' way)
2. Scribes copying the Bible would have to go through a ritual bathing to be worthy to write the name of God.
3. They would never stop/pause in the middle of writing the name of God.
4. They were to break their writing utensils after writing YHWH.
3. When they wrote YHWH they left out the vowels.
4. If you wanted to talk about God you would say in Greek: Adonai (Lord) or in Hebrew: El, God.
-‘El' or God was used in names:
1. Genesis 32:28 "Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed."" (Strives with God)
2. Genesis 33:20 "There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel." (God, the God of Israel)
3. Elijah, Samuel, Ezekiel, etc.
-Have we lost that respect/ reverence for the name of God?
1. It doesn't matter what about everyone else?
2. Have you lost it?
IV. In Vain
-Most translations will say: "You shall not take the name of the Lord [YHWH] your God in vain."
1. NIV waters it down to ‘misuse.'
2. The problem is far deeper than just misuse.
-Vain means void of meaning, or pointless or empty.
-In other words, do not use the name of the Lord in a way that would seek to make it meaningless.
-Note: You cannot make the name of the Lord vain, only use it in a vain way.
-We live in a time of Shakespeare who said: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
1. That may be true about some things, but not God.
2. He is holy and we are to reverence Him.
-Why is one's name important?
1. You ever had a deep, close, intimate relationship with someone who's name you didn't know?
2. Ever been in the awkward position of forgetting someone's name?
-A name is important!
V. Using His Name in Vain
-How do we take God's name in vain?
-Using it as an exclamation mark!
1. Shock, fright, amazement, excitement, etc. are no reason to blurt out His name.
2. God's last name is not damn.
-Misusing or abusing his name:
1. "I swear to God."
2. Jesus said not to in Matt. 5.
3. God's name is not to be taken in vain by being used as a validation to your claims.
-Christian Hypocrisy
1. Claiming to be a Christian, but not living it is taking His name in vain.
2. Don't use his name for something so vain as trying to make yourself look good!
-Doing our Will in His name!
1. ‘Christian Crusades' and the claims of the popes.
2. Be careful when you begin a sentence with ‘God told me...'
3. Mormons; Jehovah Witnesses claim they are of God.
4. Ill. "God wants me to marry you."
5. Note: God will never contradict His written word!!
6. Everyone wants to use God to bring validity to their actions.
-Preaching (in God's name)
1. False prophets were not dealt w/ lightly.
2. I take preaching seriously (not editorial or soap box).
3. "Thus saith the Lord..."
-Using the name of the Lord for our own gain!
1. Profiting off the name of the Lord.
2. False miracles in the name of the Lord.
3. Acts 19; seven sons of Sceva; v.13b "I adjure by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." v.15 "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?"
4. The evil spirits beat them up and sent them off naked and wounded.
-We must not take the name of the Lord in vain...but why?
VI. A Name to be Hallowed
-His name is to be praised!
-Psalm 135:1 "Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord, give praise, O servants of the Lord"
-His name is not to be used for vain purposes by us, it is to be praised!
1. In reverence we should worship Him!
2. In awe and wonder we should glorify His name!
-Matthew 6:9 "Pray then like this: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.'"
1. Not hollowed!
2. Hallowed!
3. Literally the same root word for ‘to sanctify.'
4. "Sanctified be your name."
-Leviticus 22:32 "And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you."
-The God we serve is holy, so much so that even his name is holy and worthy to be praised!
VII. Power in His Name
-It is so holy that there is power in His name!
-We pray in the name of Jesus
1. You can pray in no other name!
2. No other name has the power to reach heaven!
-We are baptized in the name of Jesus!
-We are healed in the name of Jesus!
-James 5:14-15 "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. [15] And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."
-(Acts 3) Peter heals "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"
-There is power in the name of the Lord!
-Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe."
-There is power in the name of the Lord!
VIII. Conclusion
-Because there is power even in His name we need to be reverent in it's use.
-"God d*mn it!" what a dangerous curse uttered by a Christian.
-2 Kings 2:23-24 "He [Elisha] went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying ‘Go up, you baldhead. God up, you baldhead!' And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys."
-There is power in the holy name of Jesus.
-May we never take that in vain.
-Would you like to call on the name of the Lord today?
-That is the privilege we have.
Response
Monday, April 27, 2009
Commandment #2
Commandment #2: Making a god in Our Image
Exodus 20:4-6
I. Introduction
- Nine commandments?
1. Catholic difference in the 10 commandments.
2. Charlton Heston was against making it nine b/c he would have to change the name of his movie.
3. Catholics combine the first two and split the last one.
4. We could just have 11!?
-Most ppl breeze over the first two recognizing their similarities and ignoring them both.
-Why would God be so specific as to add a commandment that has already been stated?
-He wouldn't, there is something more for us in this 2nd commandment?
-It's more than a plaque on a court house wall.
II. Scripture
III. Background
-1st commandment: You shall have no other gods before me.
-2nd commandment: You shall not make for yourself a carved image.
-There seems to be a redundancy... no.
1. 1st deals with anything before or beside the Lord.
2. 2nd deals with some specifics.
-If you break the 2nd commandment you have broken the first.
1. If you break any other commandment you have broken the 1st.
2. The first two are interconnected b/c of their importance.
-Allow me to make three points this morning: This commandment is about...
1. ...taking something that God created or blessed you w/ and making that the object of your worship.
2. ...what you worship being what you begin to look like.
3. ...bringing God down to our level or making Him in our image.
IV. Perverting a Blessing
-To make an idol or graven image you must use stone, wood, or something you find on earth.
1. An idol usually represents something that you would find in nature (golden calf)
2. How twisted is it to believe that the finite is infinite.
3. "You shall not make..." seems a silly way to start talking about deity and objects of worship.
-People can worship their temporary gods, I will worship the eternal.
1. Muhammed is dead, Joseph Smith is dead, Buddha is dead, Krishna is dead, etc.
2. These had a beginning and an end.
3. But God has no beginning and will know no end.
4. He is eternal
-We tend to worship what has been created instead of the creator.
1. You can worship the trees, the animals, human physique/beauty, the sun, or the moon.
2. But you are only worshiping what God created!
-We worship the blessings instead of the Blesser.
1. Talents, charisma, reputation, fame, money, intellect, are all blessings that are worshiped.
2. You can reverence those things, but I will shout praise to the God that brings such blessings.
-Ill. Israelites complain and God sends poison snakes.
1. Moses intercedes for them & God says to make a bronze snake for them to look at. (Numbers 21)
2. But later Hezekiah had to destroy the snake (2 Kings 18) b/c the ppl worshiped it!
-Ill. Paul in the book of Acts is worshiped b/c God healed through him.
-We do it w/ good things too.
1. Ill. Sacred cows!?
2. Ill. Theological ideas, traditions, ppl.
-By the way, we don't worship...
1. ...the Bible, but the one who wrote it.
2. ...the cross, but the one who died on it.
3. ...the preacher, but the one he speaks for.
4. ...the church, but the one who's body it makes up!
5. ...salvation, but the one provides our salvation.
-St. Augustine said: "Idolatry is worshiping anything that ought to be used or using anything that ought to be worshiped."
V. Worship What You Become
-The problem w/ making an idol for yourself is that you become what you worship.
-Whatever is the recipient of your praise, reverence, worship, or zeal is what you will begin to look like.
-Ill. That's why companies market w/ movie stars, atheletes, singers, etc.
1. Ppl worship these kind of folks and desire to look like them.
2. We are plagued w/ ppl desiring to physically look like the world.
-Ill. You will act like what you worship.
-Ill. Ultimately you will begin to think like what you worship.
1. Music influences the very way you think!
2. Who you hold company with influences your thought life!
3. Ill. Parent & child political leanings similar.
-The problem we have in the church today is that many are making idols to which they are becoming!
1. Bow at popularity & reputation!
2. Bow at booze and partying.
3. Bow at sensuality & sexuality.
4. Bow at money & possessions.
5. And as our life revolves around these things, so does our thoughts, our actions, & even our appearances.
-But it's in the church.
-Ironically, our idols begin to look more like us.
1. It really has to do w/ the first temptation in Eden.
2. Genesis 3:5 "God knows that when you eat of it [the fruit] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God...."
VI. God in Our Image
-Do you know that Christians have minimized God?
1. Or at least tried to in our lives.
-Ill. Joel Osteen "Become a Better You"
1. Christianity is more about temporary things than it is eternal today.
2. Mike Yaconelli "Let's all decide to stop trying to convince the world that Christianity is true because Jesus makes us prettier, happier, thinner, wealthier, bigger, more successful, more popular, healthier, stronger, and more influential than everyone else. Do we actually believe that the world is impressed with our fancy new churches... converted beauty queens and professional athletes, our book sales, or our crusades? The world is laughing at us– mocking us and the Jesus we supposedly are serving."
-We desperately want to "understand" God.
1. W/ understanding comes control.
2. What we don't understand we cannot control.
3. So scholars & theologians spend all day in ivory towers trying to figure our God (some merit in this).
-But we can't figure Him out!
1. He simply wants our praise.
2. Our worship, obedience, & reverence!
-We humans can control an idol or image.
1. So we try to bring God down to our level.
2. A level that is more manageable for us.
3. The problem is we are not worshiping God, we are worshiping our idols.
-Ill. Europeans have brought God down to a theological idea/ historical relic.
1. Very religious, but church attendance continues to decline.
2. Liberalism and moral looseness continues to prevail.
-Bringing God down to our level effectively makes me the object of my own worship.
1. B/c I decide what the nature of God is.
2. I decide what is right and wrong (problem in Judges).
3. Anne Lamott "You can safely assume you've created God in your image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do."
4. George Orwell "When men stop worshiping God, they promptly start worshiping man, with disastrous results."
-Ill. N. America has compartmentalized God.
1. We give God an hour or two in a week.
2. The rest is ours to do as we please.
-We make God stay in his house, and we control what goes on in ours.
-Ill. OT understanding of the temple was that God's name dwelt at the temple.
1. God was not confined there.
2. Acts 17:24-25 "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."
VII. Conclusion
-God does not live in this church, he lives in you.
1. He cannot be created.
2. He cannot be dictated to.
3. He cannot be changed.
4. He cannot be cloned.
-Where we go wrong is trying to do what cannot be done.
-Isaiah 45:20 "They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save."
-We've even gone so far as to believe that God needs us to survive.
-Ill. Bumper sticker: "I support the 10 Commandments."
1. God doesn't need your vote of approval.
2. His Word is eternal.
-Really, His Law is what will support you and I through life.
-Let's stop trying to make God in our image.
-Let's allow Him to make us in His image!
-Do you want a false god you create from your imagination?
-Or do you desire to serve the true & living God?
Response
Exodus 20:4-6
I. Introduction
- Nine commandments?
1. Catholic difference in the 10 commandments.
2. Charlton Heston was against making it nine b/c he would have to change the name of his movie.
3. Catholics combine the first two and split the last one.
4. We could just have 11!?
-Most ppl breeze over the first two recognizing their similarities and ignoring them both.
-Why would God be so specific as to add a commandment that has already been stated?
-He wouldn't, there is something more for us in this 2nd commandment?
-It's more than a plaque on a court house wall.
II. Scripture
III. Background
-1st commandment: You shall have no other gods before me.
-2nd commandment: You shall not make for yourself a carved image.
-There seems to be a redundancy... no.
1. 1st deals with anything before or beside the Lord.
2. 2nd deals with some specifics.
-If you break the 2nd commandment you have broken the first.
1. If you break any other commandment you have broken the 1st.
2. The first two are interconnected b/c of their importance.
-Allow me to make three points this morning: This commandment is about...
1. ...taking something that God created or blessed you w/ and making that the object of your worship.
2. ...what you worship being what you begin to look like.
3. ...bringing God down to our level or making Him in our image.
IV. Perverting a Blessing
-To make an idol or graven image you must use stone, wood, or something you find on earth.
1. An idol usually represents something that you would find in nature (golden calf)
2. How twisted is it to believe that the finite is infinite.
3. "You shall not make..." seems a silly way to start talking about deity and objects of worship.
-People can worship their temporary gods, I will worship the eternal.
1. Muhammed is dead, Joseph Smith is dead, Buddha is dead, Krishna is dead, etc.
2. These had a beginning and an end.
3. But God has no beginning and will know no end.
4. He is eternal
-We tend to worship what has been created instead of the creator.
1. You can worship the trees, the animals, human physique/beauty, the sun, or the moon.
2. But you are only worshiping what God created!
-We worship the blessings instead of the Blesser.
1. Talents, charisma, reputation, fame, money, intellect, are all blessings that are worshiped.
2. You can reverence those things, but I will shout praise to the God that brings such blessings.
-Ill. Israelites complain and God sends poison snakes.
1. Moses intercedes for them & God says to make a bronze snake for them to look at. (Numbers 21)
2. But later Hezekiah had to destroy the snake (2 Kings 18) b/c the ppl worshiped it!
-Ill. Paul in the book of Acts is worshiped b/c God healed through him.
-We do it w/ good things too.
1. Ill. Sacred cows!?
2. Ill. Theological ideas, traditions, ppl.
-By the way, we don't worship...
1. ...the Bible, but the one who wrote it.
2. ...the cross, but the one who died on it.
3. ...the preacher, but the one he speaks for.
4. ...the church, but the one who's body it makes up!
5. ...salvation, but the one provides our salvation.
-St. Augustine said: "Idolatry is worshiping anything that ought to be used or using anything that ought to be worshiped."
V. Worship What You Become
-The problem w/ making an idol for yourself is that you become what you worship.
-Whatever is the recipient of your praise, reverence, worship, or zeal is what you will begin to look like.
-Ill. That's why companies market w/ movie stars, atheletes, singers, etc.
1. Ppl worship these kind of folks and desire to look like them.
2. We are plagued w/ ppl desiring to physically look like the world.
-Ill. You will act like what you worship.
-Ill. Ultimately you will begin to think like what you worship.
1. Music influences the very way you think!
2. Who you hold company with influences your thought life!
3. Ill. Parent & child political leanings similar.
-The problem we have in the church today is that many are making idols to which they are becoming!
1. Bow at popularity & reputation!
2. Bow at booze and partying.
3. Bow at sensuality & sexuality.
4. Bow at money & possessions.
5. And as our life revolves around these things, so does our thoughts, our actions, & even our appearances.
-But it's in the church.
-Ironically, our idols begin to look more like us.
1. It really has to do w/ the first temptation in Eden.
2. Genesis 3:5 "God knows that when you eat of it [the fruit] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God...."
VI. God in Our Image
-Do you know that Christians have minimized God?
1. Or at least tried to in our lives.
-Ill. Joel Osteen "Become a Better You"
1. Christianity is more about temporary things than it is eternal today.
2. Mike Yaconelli "Let's all decide to stop trying to convince the world that Christianity is true because Jesus makes us prettier, happier, thinner, wealthier, bigger, more successful, more popular, healthier, stronger, and more influential than everyone else. Do we actually believe that the world is impressed with our fancy new churches... converted beauty queens and professional athletes, our book sales, or our crusades? The world is laughing at us– mocking us and the Jesus we supposedly are serving."
-We desperately want to "understand" God.
1. W/ understanding comes control.
2. What we don't understand we cannot control.
3. So scholars & theologians spend all day in ivory towers trying to figure our God (some merit in this).
-But we can't figure Him out!
1. He simply wants our praise.
2. Our worship, obedience, & reverence!
-We humans can control an idol or image.
1. So we try to bring God down to our level.
2. A level that is more manageable for us.
3. The problem is we are not worshiping God, we are worshiping our idols.
-Ill. Europeans have brought God down to a theological idea/ historical relic.
1. Very religious, but church attendance continues to decline.
2. Liberalism and moral looseness continues to prevail.
-Bringing God down to our level effectively makes me the object of my own worship.
1. B/c I decide what the nature of God is.
2. I decide what is right and wrong (problem in Judges).
3. Anne Lamott "You can safely assume you've created God in your image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do."
4. George Orwell "When men stop worshiping God, they promptly start worshiping man, with disastrous results."
-Ill. N. America has compartmentalized God.
1. We give God an hour or two in a week.
2. The rest is ours to do as we please.
-We make God stay in his house, and we control what goes on in ours.
-Ill. OT understanding of the temple was that God's name dwelt at the temple.
1. God was not confined there.
2. Acts 17:24-25 "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."
VII. Conclusion
-God does not live in this church, he lives in you.
1. He cannot be created.
2. He cannot be dictated to.
3. He cannot be changed.
4. He cannot be cloned.
-Where we go wrong is trying to do what cannot be done.
-Isaiah 45:20 "They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save."
-We've even gone so far as to believe that God needs us to survive.
-Ill. Bumper sticker: "I support the 10 Commandments."
1. God doesn't need your vote of approval.
2. His Word is eternal.
-Really, His Law is what will support you and I through life.
-Let's stop trying to make God in our image.
-Let's allow Him to make us in His image!
-Do you want a false god you create from your imagination?
-Or do you desire to serve the true & living God?
Response
Monday, April 20, 2009
Commandment #1
Commandment #1: The Number One
Exodus 20:1-3
I. Introduction
-Ill. Roy Moore, former chief justice in Alabama
1. Controversy involving the ten commandments.
2. "More than a plaque on a courtroom wall."
-The best defense of the ten commandments would be to live them out.
-Let's start at the beginning in dealing with them.
II. Scripture
III. Background
-v. 1 "God spoke all these things"
1. Not Moses, not Bro. Henry
2. God's Word
-v. 2
1. Who is He?
2. The one who delivered you from slavery.
-God speaks first to His people.
1. If you are in a relationship with me, this is what I expect.
IV. The Choice
-Why this commandment?
1. There seems to be a choice inherent in this command.
2. But why?
-False Doctrine
1. Some believe God pre-determines where you can spend eternity.
2. He certainly has the ability to do that.
3. There is a difference between pre-determination and pre-destination.
4. There is a difference between foreknowledge and forced action.
-In the commandments God allows for a choice
-Creation was all about a choice.
1. Tree in the garden of Eden was all about choice, not temptation.
2. God wanted ppl to choose to love Him.
-Make no mistake, there will be a day when everyone will be forced to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ.
-Romans 14:11-12 "‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.' So then each of us will give an account of himself to God."
V. The Real Option
-This commandment is not religion vs. atheism.
-Notice the commandment never says there are no other gods.
1. In fact, it presupposes multiple gods.
2. It presupposes that whether or not you will serve the true God, you will serve a 'god.'
-Gerard Reed: "We choose whom or what we serve- but we cannot choose not to serve."
1. You will serve something in life, what will it be.
2. God is saying there cannot be anything before/beside Him.
-Martin Luther says: "Whatever our hearts embrace and trust becomes our God."
-Other objects of worship will fail & pass away!
-1 Corinthians 8:5-6 "For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth– as indeed there are many ‘gods' and many ‘lords'– yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist."
-The important point is that there are no other gods before or beside Him!
-Ill. Plagues against Egyptian gods.
1. Each plague directly defies an Egyptian god.
2. God flexing his muscle.
VI. Other Gods
-Other gods can come from good things.
-Every other god will fall into one of three categories:
1. A god of intellect.
2. A god of sensuality.
3. A god of entertainment.
-A god of intellect.
1. Preoccupied with intellectual ideas and pursuits.
2. Caught up in minors that don't really matter.
3. Ill. PETA
4. Ill. Environmentalists
5. Ill. Darwinianism
6. Even some Theologians can be caught up in worshiping minor stuff.
-A god of sensuality.
1. Preoccupied w/ comfort & appeasing the flesh.
2. From sexual perversion to worshiping convenience & comfort.
-A god of entertainment.
1. Preoccupied w/ entertaining myself.
2. Hollywood. (Enormous revenue)
3. Video games. (Enormous revenue)
4. Sports. (Enormous revenue)
-Are there other gods before Him?
VII. Is God first?
-How do you know if God is first in your life?
-It's not what takes the most time.
1. Then your god would be sleep and your job (those could be gods).
-It's not what you spend the most money on.
1. Then your god would be food and housing (those could be gods).
-Your god is the thing you love most.
-Your god is the thing you serve with joy.
-Your god is the thing that is non-negotiable in your life.
VIII. Conclusion
-This is the choice you have to make.
-It's not so much about making god first as it is filtering everything through Him!
-Notice translations of before/beside.
-The importance & value of things is viewed from a context of the supremacy of Christ.
-Today you have a choice on who you will serve.
-Let me tell you that there will be a day when you must give an account of who you serve.
-While there are many things to serve in this life only one thing will save you: the blood of Jesus.
1. Not your job, your money/possessions, your talents, your family, the preacher, your reputation.
2. Christ alone will see you through this life and eternity.
-God knows best.
Response
Exodus 20:1-3
I. Introduction
-Ill. Roy Moore, former chief justice in Alabama
1. Controversy involving the ten commandments.
2. "More than a plaque on a courtroom wall."
-The best defense of the ten commandments would be to live them out.
-Let's start at the beginning in dealing with them.
II. Scripture
III. Background
-v. 1 "God spoke all these things"
1. Not Moses, not Bro. Henry
2. God's Word
-v. 2
1. Who is He?
2. The one who delivered you from slavery.
-God speaks first to His people.
1. If you are in a relationship with me, this is what I expect.
IV. The Choice
-Why this commandment?
1. There seems to be a choice inherent in this command.
2. But why?
-False Doctrine
1. Some believe God pre-determines where you can spend eternity.
2. He certainly has the ability to do that.
3. There is a difference between pre-determination and pre-destination.
4. There is a difference between foreknowledge and forced action.
-In the commandments God allows for a choice
-Creation was all about a choice.
1. Tree in the garden of Eden was all about choice, not temptation.
2. God wanted ppl to choose to love Him.
-Make no mistake, there will be a day when everyone will be forced to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ.
-Romans 14:11-12 "‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.' So then each of us will give an account of himself to God."
V. The Real Option
-This commandment is not religion vs. atheism.
-Notice the commandment never says there are no other gods.
1. In fact, it presupposes multiple gods.
2. It presupposes that whether or not you will serve the true God, you will serve a 'god.'
-Gerard Reed: "We choose whom or what we serve- but we cannot choose not to serve."
1. You will serve something in life, what will it be.
2. God is saying there cannot be anything before/beside Him.
-Martin Luther says: "Whatever our hearts embrace and trust becomes our God."
-Other objects of worship will fail & pass away!
-1 Corinthians 8:5-6 "For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth– as indeed there are many ‘gods' and many ‘lords'– yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist."
-The important point is that there are no other gods before or beside Him!
-Ill. Plagues against Egyptian gods.
1. Each plague directly defies an Egyptian god.
2. God flexing his muscle.
VI. Other Gods
-Other gods can come from good things.
-Every other god will fall into one of three categories:
1. A god of intellect.
2. A god of sensuality.
3. A god of entertainment.
-A god of intellect.
1. Preoccupied with intellectual ideas and pursuits.
2. Caught up in minors that don't really matter.
3. Ill. PETA
4. Ill. Environmentalists
5. Ill. Darwinianism
6. Even some Theologians can be caught up in worshiping minor stuff.
-A god of sensuality.
1. Preoccupied w/ comfort & appeasing the flesh.
2. From sexual perversion to worshiping convenience & comfort.
-A god of entertainment.
1. Preoccupied w/ entertaining myself.
2. Hollywood. (Enormous revenue)
3. Video games. (Enormous revenue)
4. Sports. (Enormous revenue)
-Are there other gods before Him?
VII. Is God first?
-How do you know if God is first in your life?
-It's not what takes the most time.
1. Then your god would be sleep and your job (those could be gods).
-It's not what you spend the most money on.
1. Then your god would be food and housing (those could be gods).
-Your god is the thing you love most.
-Your god is the thing you serve with joy.
-Your god is the thing that is non-negotiable in your life.
VIII. Conclusion
-This is the choice you have to make.
-It's not so much about making god first as it is filtering everything through Him!
-Notice translations of before/beside.
-The importance & value of things is viewed from a context of the supremacy of Christ.
-Today you have a choice on who you will serve.
-Let me tell you that there will be a day when you must give an account of who you serve.
-While there are many things to serve in this life only one thing will save you: the blood of Jesus.
1. Not your job, your money/possessions, your talents, your family, the preacher, your reputation.
2. Christ alone will see you through this life and eternity.
-God knows best.
Response
Monday, March 30, 2009
Who's Responsible?
Ezekiel 18:1-7a, 9b-11,13b-14, 18-32
Who’s Responsible?: Generational Curses & God’s Grace
I. Introduction
-Ill. I have a problem.
1. My wife bought me a bag of jelly beans.
2. I think she’s been giving them to Jacob.
3. "I want beans; I want beans."
-He likes jelly beans, just like me.
-I wonder how much like me, he will be.
1. Will he have my faults?
2. Will he have my strengths?
3. Will he have my mannerisms?
4. Will he be a Christian?
-Long reading this morning, please stay w/ me.
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Powerful chapter in the book of Ezekiel.
-Ill. I look like my father.
1. Cheek pinching old ladies.
2. You’re going to be a preacher... just like him.
3. I am, but that’s not why.
-You’ve heard the saying:
1. "Like father, like son."
2. "A chip off the old block."
-How true is that though?
IV. A Non-Proverb
-God is dealing w/ a common proverb among the ppl of Israel that was not a Biblical one.
1. There is a lot of that today.
2. "God helps those who help themselves."
3. Reality: God causes the rain to fall on the just & unjust.
-"The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge."
1. This proverb is saying more than a parent’s actions will influence their children.
2. It is saying that children will pay the consequences [spiritually] for their parents’ actions.
-God says: Don’t say this anymore.
-Preface: Parents have more influence in your life than any other human being.
1. However, they cannot choose for you whether you will serve Christ.
2. They cannot dictate religious experience.
-Let’s look at four major things God is saying to Ezekiel.
V. #1: Righteous Father & Sinful Son
-First scenario includes a parent who is righteous.
1. Avoids evil & pursues righteousness.
2. A godly parent.
3. He shall live.
-But the son is lost in sinfulness.
1. Participates in the world’s sin.
2. Lost w/out Christ.
3. v. 13b "He shall surely die; his blood shall be upon himself."
-If your parents are saints of God, that doesn’t automatically include you in the hosts of heaven.
-Your parents relationship with God is theirs. You must establish yours.
-"God has no grandchildren... only children."
- There is no salvation by association.
1. You can be related to 100 preachers, 50 missionaries, and the pope, but that doesn’t guarantee you anything.
2. You can go to a good church where God is at work and ppl seek to serve him, but that doesn’t reserve you a seat in heaven.
-The reason the church drifts away from the God’s Word and into complacency is the next generation didn’t really get "it."
-Some good ppl work to convince their kids they are okay.
1. Your responsibility as a parent is not to convince your child they are a Christian!
2. You responsibility is to help convince them they have a sin problem that only Jesus can solve!
-To 2nd generation Christians: Some of you have never experienced a personal walk w/ God.
1. You life is riding the spiritual momentum of those who have gone before.
2. Seek God for yourself!
VI. #2: Sinful Father & Righteous Son
-Second scenario includes the son from the 1st scenario.
-That sinful son become a sinful father.
-v. 14 "Now suppose this man fathers a son who sees all the sins that his father has done; he sees, and does not do likewise:"
-That son will live!
-Good News: Whether your parents choose to live for Christ or not, you still have a choice!
-If your parents are... ...you can still...
1. ...drug addicts ... be sober!
2. ...liars .... tell the truth!
3. ...divorced ... your marriage can last!
4. ...gossips ... speak words that edify & build up.
5. ...sexually immoral ... you can keep sex sacred!
6. ...murderers ... you can preserve life!
7. ...walking on the broad path that leads to destruction ... travel on the narrow path that leads to life!
-Psychological debate between nature vs. nurture.
1. I don’t know anything about all that stuff.
2. All I know is that God’s Word is true and He says you don’t have to continue on in the sinfulness of your forefathers!
-Generational Curses?
God says No.
-Instead: v. 20 "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself."
-Note: The death and life God is talking about is not physical but spiritual. "The soul that sins shall die."
VII. Blame Game
-Ill. John Killinger tells about the manager of a minor league ball team.
1. He was disgusted w/ the center fielder’s playing & ordered him to the dugout.
2. He assumed the position himself.
3. 1st ball came that came into center field took a bad hop and hit the manager in the mouth.
4. 2nd was a high fly ball, he lost in the sun--it bounced off his forehead.
5. 3rd was a hard line drive that he charged with outstretched arms; if flew between his hands and smacked his eye.
6. Furious, he ran back to the dugout, grabbed the center fielder by the uniform, and shouted. ’You idiot! You’ve got center field so messed up that even I can’t do a thing with it!
-We are looking for an out/an excuse for our sins.
-We blame everything on...
1. Our chromosomes/ genes
2. Alcoholism, homosexuality
3. "It’s just my personality."
4. "It was b/c of my raisin’"
-God says you can choose.
-James 1:14-15 "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. [15] Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."
VIII. #3: Sinful Person who Repents
-Third scenario, in v. 21, tells of a sinful person who repents of "all his sins."
-Two-Fold Point:
1. Warning: The path of sinfulness leads to death.
2. Good News: If you turn from your wicked ways & embrace righteousness = life!
-If you are lost today & bearing the condemnation of sin know this:
1. If you repent, turn from sin to walk in righteousness, you will live.
2. v. 22 "None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live."
-A life shift is necessary.
1. More than a good cry at an altar.
2. An encounter w/ the living God that always leads to a life change!
-God’s desire is that the lost would find Him! (v. 23)
-Some ppl expect to continue in sin and God ignore it on judgement day.
1. If you continue in your sin you will go to Hell of your own choosing.
2. This is God’s warning & promise.
IX. #4: Righteous Person who turns to sin
-Fourth scenario, in v. 24, tells of a righteous man who turns to the same abominations as the wicked.
-Note: The church has stopped believing in God’s ability to cleanse hearts of all unrighteousness.
-Some of you think, b/c you are a Christian, you can sin and it is okay... not so!
-We’ve opted instead to try & manage sin in our lives.
-As long as I don’t...
1. ...tell big lies, I can tell small ones.
2. ...murder, I can hate.
3. ...lose my job, I can be an addict.
-Let me get a little closer to home for everybody.
-Some of you are trying to manage your sin instead of being cleansed of it.
-You are managing your...
1. ...pornography addiction.
2. ...alcoholism.
3. ...gambling addiction.
4. ...shopping/spending addiction.
5. ...hateful, unforgiving attitude.
6. ...grudge (divorcees?)
-Some of you haven’t opened in your Bible, except on Sunday, in years.
-Some of you haven’t knelt in prayer since the day you were supposedly born-again.
-Ezekiel 18:24 "But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die." (v. 26 says the same thing)
X. Conclusion
-Understanding God’s work in your life is not as complex as you might believe.
1. There is no trickery here.
2. Just this: He only works as you are obedient to Him.
-What about you?
1. Did your parents eat sour grapes?
2. Did life deal you some sour grapes?
3. Are you willing to turn from sin both great & small?
4. Have you slipped back into who you use to be before you knew Christ?
-Here is the truth:
1. The wages/pay of sin is always death.
2. But the gift of God is eternal life.
-Ezekiel 18:30-32 "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. [31] Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? [32] For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live."
Response
Who’s Responsible?: Generational Curses & God’s Grace
I. Introduction
-Ill. I have a problem.
1. My wife bought me a bag of jelly beans.
2. I think she’s been giving them to Jacob.
3. "I want beans; I want beans."
-He likes jelly beans, just like me.
-I wonder how much like me, he will be.
1. Will he have my faults?
2. Will he have my strengths?
3. Will he have my mannerisms?
4. Will he be a Christian?
-Long reading this morning, please stay w/ me.
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Powerful chapter in the book of Ezekiel.
-Ill. I look like my father.
1. Cheek pinching old ladies.
2. You’re going to be a preacher... just like him.
3. I am, but that’s not why.
-You’ve heard the saying:
1. "Like father, like son."
2. "A chip off the old block."
-How true is that though?
IV. A Non-Proverb
-God is dealing w/ a common proverb among the ppl of Israel that was not a Biblical one.
1. There is a lot of that today.
2. "God helps those who help themselves."
3. Reality: God causes the rain to fall on the just & unjust.
-"The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge."
1. This proverb is saying more than a parent’s actions will influence their children.
2. It is saying that children will pay the consequences [spiritually] for their parents’ actions.
-God says: Don’t say this anymore.
-Preface: Parents have more influence in your life than any other human being.
1. However, they cannot choose for you whether you will serve Christ.
2. They cannot dictate religious experience.
-Let’s look at four major things God is saying to Ezekiel.
V. #1: Righteous Father & Sinful Son
-First scenario includes a parent who is righteous.
1. Avoids evil & pursues righteousness.
2. A godly parent.
3. He shall live.
-But the son is lost in sinfulness.
1. Participates in the world’s sin.
2. Lost w/out Christ.
3. v. 13b "He shall surely die; his blood shall be upon himself."
-If your parents are saints of God, that doesn’t automatically include you in the hosts of heaven.
-Your parents relationship with God is theirs. You must establish yours.
-"God has no grandchildren... only children."
- There is no salvation by association.
1. You can be related to 100 preachers, 50 missionaries, and the pope, but that doesn’t guarantee you anything.
2. You can go to a good church where God is at work and ppl seek to serve him, but that doesn’t reserve you a seat in heaven.
-The reason the church drifts away from the God’s Word and into complacency is the next generation didn’t really get "it."
-Some good ppl work to convince their kids they are okay.
1. Your responsibility as a parent is not to convince your child they are a Christian!
2. You responsibility is to help convince them they have a sin problem that only Jesus can solve!
-To 2nd generation Christians: Some of you have never experienced a personal walk w/ God.
1. You life is riding the spiritual momentum of those who have gone before.
2. Seek God for yourself!
VI. #2: Sinful Father & Righteous Son
-Second scenario includes the son from the 1st scenario.
-That sinful son become a sinful father.
-v. 14 "Now suppose this man fathers a son who sees all the sins that his father has done; he sees, and does not do likewise:"
-That son will live!
-Good News: Whether your parents choose to live for Christ or not, you still have a choice!
-If your parents are... ...you can still...
1. ...drug addicts ... be sober!
2. ...liars .... tell the truth!
3. ...divorced ... your marriage can last!
4. ...gossips ... speak words that edify & build up.
5. ...sexually immoral ... you can keep sex sacred!
6. ...murderers ... you can preserve life!
7. ...walking on the broad path that leads to destruction ... travel on the narrow path that leads to life!
-Psychological debate between nature vs. nurture.
1. I don’t know anything about all that stuff.
2. All I know is that God’s Word is true and He says you don’t have to continue on in the sinfulness of your forefathers!
-Generational Curses?
God says No.
-Instead: v. 20 "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself."
-Note: The death and life God is talking about is not physical but spiritual. "The soul that sins shall die."
VII. Blame Game
-Ill. John Killinger tells about the manager of a minor league ball team.
1. He was disgusted w/ the center fielder’s playing & ordered him to the dugout.
2. He assumed the position himself.
3. 1st ball came that came into center field took a bad hop and hit the manager in the mouth.
4. 2nd was a high fly ball, he lost in the sun--it bounced off his forehead.
5. 3rd was a hard line drive that he charged with outstretched arms; if flew between his hands and smacked his eye.
6. Furious, he ran back to the dugout, grabbed the center fielder by the uniform, and shouted. ’You idiot! You’ve got center field so messed up that even I can’t do a thing with it!
-We are looking for an out/an excuse for our sins.
-We blame everything on...
1. Our chromosomes/ genes
2. Alcoholism, homosexuality
3. "It’s just my personality."
4. "It was b/c of my raisin’"
-God says you can choose.
-James 1:14-15 "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. [15] Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."
VIII. #3: Sinful Person who Repents
-Third scenario, in v. 21, tells of a sinful person who repents of "all his sins."
-Two-Fold Point:
1. Warning: The path of sinfulness leads to death.
2. Good News: If you turn from your wicked ways & embrace righteousness = life!
-If you are lost today & bearing the condemnation of sin know this:
1. If you repent, turn from sin to walk in righteousness, you will live.
2. v. 22 "None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live."
-A life shift is necessary.
1. More than a good cry at an altar.
2. An encounter w/ the living God that always leads to a life change!
-God’s desire is that the lost would find Him! (v. 23)
-Some ppl expect to continue in sin and God ignore it on judgement day.
1. If you continue in your sin you will go to Hell of your own choosing.
2. This is God’s warning & promise.
IX. #4: Righteous Person who turns to sin
-Fourth scenario, in v. 24, tells of a righteous man who turns to the same abominations as the wicked.
-Note: The church has stopped believing in God’s ability to cleanse hearts of all unrighteousness.
-Some of you think, b/c you are a Christian, you can sin and it is okay... not so!
-We’ve opted instead to try & manage sin in our lives.
-As long as I don’t...
1. ...tell big lies, I can tell small ones.
2. ...murder, I can hate.
3. ...lose my job, I can be an addict.
-Let me get a little closer to home for everybody.
-Some of you are trying to manage your sin instead of being cleansed of it.
-You are managing your...
1. ...pornography addiction.
2. ...alcoholism.
3. ...gambling addiction.
4. ...shopping/spending addiction.
5. ...hateful, unforgiving attitude.
6. ...grudge (divorcees?)
-Some of you haven’t opened in your Bible, except on Sunday, in years.
-Some of you haven’t knelt in prayer since the day you were supposedly born-again.
-Ezekiel 18:24 "But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die." (v. 26 says the same thing)
X. Conclusion
-Understanding God’s work in your life is not as complex as you might believe.
1. There is no trickery here.
2. Just this: He only works as you are obedient to Him.
-What about you?
1. Did your parents eat sour grapes?
2. Did life deal you some sour grapes?
3. Are you willing to turn from sin both great & small?
4. Have you slipped back into who you use to be before you knew Christ?
-Here is the truth:
1. The wages/pay of sin is always death.
2. But the gift of God is eternal life.
-Ezekiel 18:30-32 "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. [31] Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? [32] For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live."
Response
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