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Introduction:
Despite liberal rhetoric, the document having the greatest impact
on western legal culture is the Ten Commandments. These laws have
had such affect because they give the greatest definition of
man’s relationship with God and his fellow man. We are no longer
under the Law of Moses (Galatians
3:24; Romans 10:4). However, these commandments contain
timeless principles which we should learn, even under the new
covenant. Discussion: I.
Introducing the commandments. A.
In a democracy, we choose what laws exist. The Jews had no
choice. God said, “Because I brought you out of the land of
Egypt, you must obey me” (cf. Exodus
20:2). Granted, the Israelites could choose whether or not
to obey the laws, but they could not choose whether or not these
laws applied to them. The same is true today. Because God has
created us and authored our salvation, we must obey whatever laws
He establishes. We must obey the principles we learn from these
commandments, simply because of who God is and what He has done.
As John said in I
John 4:19, “We love God, because He first loved us.” B.
Interestingly, each commandment begins with the singular
“You.” This contains a double meaning. First, God is
personifying the Israelite community as a single individual. While
doing this, there is the constant reminder to each individual Jew
this command is for him, not someone else. Every individual must
obey. The Bible was not written so America might be a Christian
nation. Rather, it was written so each of us, as individuals,
might be Christians. Each of us is under obligation to obey God no
matter what anyone else does (John
21:21-22). II.
Commandment 1: “You shall have no other Gods before Me”
(Exodus
20:3—ESV). A.
Cultures worshipping other gods surrounded the Israelites (Joshua
24:14-15). Jehovah, however, demanded complete devotion.
This command did not concede the existence of other deities.
Rather, it warned against serving any other being as deity. B.
God still expects this exclusive service today. Jesus, when
responding to Satan’s temptation, demonstrated the timelessness
of this principle saying, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you
serve’” (Matthew
4:10). 1.
Venus, Bacchus and Mars are no longer popular. But the sex,
alcohol and power they represent still vie for deity in our lives.
Few would sacrifice to a statue of Mars. But many devote
themselves to the power they believe comes with wealth and
material possessions. 2.
The import of this command is not just to believe in God,
but to be solely devoted to serving Him. Jesus said, “No man can
serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the
other, or he will hold to one and despise the other.” Who do you
serve? III.
Commandment 2: “You shall not make for yourself a carved
image …” (Exodus
20:4-5—ESV). A.
This command is not referring merely to statues, but to
statues of religious significance. The Israelites were not to make
statues representing God. The first commandment forbade
worshipping any but the true God. The second forbade worshipping
any representation of Him. B.
We must not put God on our level. The Israelites were not
to represent with
wood or metal because the material cannot represent the spiritual.
How can the helpless represent the omnipotent? How can that which
decays represent eternal life? How can that which has no
intelligence represent omniscience? How can a speechless,
unhearing, unfeeling, unseeing lump of wood, metal or clay
represent the vital realities of Jehovah God (Romans
1:22-23)? 1.
Few of us would make a statue to represent God. However,
many put God on their level in other ways. When we put our
thinking above scripture, we put God on our level. When we doubt
God’s ability to answer prayer, we put God on our level. When we
get angry with God for not doing what we want, when we want it, we
put God on our level. When we make innovations to God’s plans
without authority, we put God on our level. 2.
Isaiah 55:8-9
leaves no room for doubt, “As the heavens are higher than the
earth, so are my thoughts higher than your thoughts and my ways
higher than your ways.” C.
Secondly, from this command we learn God has never allowed
people to worship Him however they choose. Not only must we serve
Jehovah; we must serve Him His way. 1.
Could you imagine the Israelites arguing with one another
about idols saying, “I don’t believe it matters how you
worship, as long as Jehovah is Lord of your life?” 2.
Have you ever heard, “It doesn’t matter how you worship
as long as Jesus is Lord of your life.” It was not true for the
Israelites and it is not true for us. We must worship God’s way.
John
4:24 says we must worship in spirit and truth. Matthew
15:9 says we worship in vain if we do so by the
commandments of men. Matthew
7:21-23 says many who call Jesus, “Lord,” will be
turned away in the judgment because they did not do God’s will. IV.
Commandment 3: “You shall not take the name of the Lord
your God in vain” (Exodus
20:7—ESV). A.
A name is more than just what someone was called. It
represents a person’s essence or nature, his authority and
power. Thus, the name of God is not a reference to the
appellation, Jehovah, but a reference to God’s being. When
God’s name was taken lightly, He was taken lightly. 1.
“Holy and awesome is His name,” says the Psalmist (Psalm
111:9—ESV). 2.
When we use God’s name to back up a lie; when we use His
name flippantly, idly, irreverently or uselessly, when we use His
name for a wicked purpose we take His name vainly. B.
However, the principle of this command goes deeper than our
speech. It extends into everything we do. Paul said, “Whatever
you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord …” (Colossians
3:17). We also take the Lord’s name in vain when we
claim to be Christians yet treat God lightly: lightly esteeming
His commands; whether His commands to love our wives and respect
our husbands or His commands to not forsake the assembling. Too
many Christians come to church on Sunday but act the part of the
atheist throughout the week. Too many Christians live as though
God does not matter. Ask the following three questions. 1.
What do I think about most? 2.
How do I spend my leisure time? 3.
Upon what do I spend my money? C.
Many Christians rarely think about God and what is
important to Him. Many spend much more time watching TV than
reading their Bibles. As someone has said, “Reading scripture
makes one healthy, wealthy, and wise. Watching television makes
one lazy, crazy, and full of lies.” Many will find they spend
more money on leisure and self than in God’s service. If the
importance you place on God is not evident in what you think
about, what you do, and how you spend your money, then, despite
what you might like everyone else to think, you do not take God
seriously. One day we will all take God seriously. But, for many,
it will be too late. V.
Commandment 4: “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it
holy” (Exodus
20:8-10—ESV). A.
The Israelites were commanded, under penalty of death, to
rest on the seventh day. Rest is a necessary part of life. Thus,
we recognize, this commandment was not for God’s benefit, but
for man’s. Despite this fact, the Jews continually struggled
with keeping this law. B.
While we are no longer under covenant agreement to keep the
Sabbath day, this command contains a timeless principle about our
relationship with God—God’s compassion for us. Just seeing the
first three commandments, we may be subject to despair, believing
God expects more than we can handle. The fourth commandment gives
us comfort. 1.
God knew the Israelites needed a time of rest and commanded
it. God also knows what we need and has commanded it as well. James
1:25; 2:12 refer to God’s law as the “law of
liberty,” because God’s law is based upon what we need. It
gives us freedom from distress, depression, fear, discouragement,
etc. It gives us the freedom to go to heaven. 2.
God knew the limitations of the Jews, compassionately
giving them a day of rest. He knows our limitations. Therefore, He
will not put burdens on us we cannot bear. I
Corinthians 10:13 is abundantly clear. God will not
overburden us. Conclusion: We are not under the Commandments, but the timeless principles woven in them can guide our relationship with God. Never forget the severity and kindness of God, taking Him lightly or believing Him harsh (Romans 11:22). Instead, faithfully serve Him, taking comfort in His compassion.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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