I Will Obey GOD'S Commandments - Exodus 19 - 20 - July 30, 2006

Sunday School Lesson – I Will Obey GOD’S Commandments - July 30, 2006

This is our final lesson in our series “My Declaration of Dependence.” Also there will be no lessons for the month of August unless my schedule changes.

Our journey has taken us from the Mountain of GOD/Mount Sinai beginning with the call of Moses on the mountain, Moses meeting Aaron on the mountain, their journey to Egypt and their journey back with the Israelites to the Mountain of GOD.

In the three (3) months since they left Egypt, GOD has delivered the Israelites from the bondage of slavery, had Pharaoh to provide them with many provisions for their journey, guided them with a cloud by day and a pillow of fire by night, delivered them from the mighty Egyptian army by parting the Red Sea and provided them with water and food. GOD has revealed Himself to the Israelites through these experiences. GOD has tested them to show them that HE is all powerful and can care for them. GOD makes it clear to them that they must be obedient to HIM and the tests have been designed for them to learn about and practice obedience.

GOD has revealed Himself to them in a real and personal way. He has chosen them as HIS people and HIS nation. They will reveal HIM to the world. The crowning revelation of Himself, HIS love and HIS power will be through HIS ONLY SON JESUS.

This deliverance and journey of the Israelites is a graphic picture of our journey as a Christian.

Before CHRIST, we too were in the bondage to sin and death. But GOD delivered us from this bondage through the shed blood our SAVIOR and LORD JESUS CHRIST. As the blood of the lamb spared the Israelites first born from death, GOD gave HIS FIRST BORN to shed HIS blood so that we too can be delivered and be set free from the bondage and slavery to sin and death, forever.

All each human has to do is ask CHRIST to forgive them of their sins, believe that JESUS died for them, rose from the dead and acknowledge these facts by asking CHRIST to come into their lives.

Once we are born into GOD’S family through the miracle of rebirth, GOD equips us with provisions for our journey. HE equips us with the HOLY SPIRIT WHO is our guide through the brightest and the darkest moments of our lives. The HOLY SPIRIT is with us every moment of our lives and is our complete assurance that we belong to GOD and that GOD is with us. HE gives us the gift of grace because HE knows we will sin but when we confess our sins, HE cleanses us and restores us.

When the enemy pursues us, it is GOD WHO defeats the enemy or opens the path for us to escape. When we thirst, HE provides us with the living water. When we are hungry, HE provides the BREAD of Heaven to sustain us each moment until we safely reach our Promised Land of Heaven. When we arrive safely at heavens door, HE fully redeems us and we dwell with our LORD eternally.

GOD has placed the HOLY SPIRIT into each believer’s heart as a security deposit and as a down payment so that we will know these facts are true and confirms that we are HIS children.

Romans 8:16:

16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children

Our background scripture is Exodus 19:1 – 20:21.

Our focus scripture is Exodus 19:1-6; 20:1-17.

Let’s Read Exodus 19:1-6:

1 In the third month, on the same day [of the month]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. that the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai. 2 After they departed from Rephidim, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness, and Israel camped there in front of the mountain. 3 Moses went up [the mountain]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob, and explain to the Israelites: 4 You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Me. 5 Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is Mine,[1] Dt 26:18; Ps 135:4 6 and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation.[2] 1 Pt 2:9; Rv 1:6 These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”

The Israelites left Egypt three (3) months ago. They have entered the Wilderness of Sinai and camped at the Mountain of GOD or Mount Sinai or Mount Horeb. This is the same mountain where Moses was called by GOD to be HIS representative when HE delivered the Israelites. Aaron met Moses on this mountain before they set out for Egypt.

GOD tells Moses to remind the Israelites how HE delivered them from the Egyptians. Then GOD uses a beautiful example of HIS love, care and purpose. GOD says, “I carried you on the eagles’ wings and brought you to ME.” The mother eagle places the eaglet on her back and then soars with the eaglet upon her back until the eaglet is ready to fly. I think this is so neat.

GOD carried the Israelites and HE carries us as HE builds a personal relationship with each of us as HE reveals Himself as we journey through life with HIM. Then there will be a time when HE will give us the freedom to soar along with HIM. GOD teaches us to follow HIM and to be obedient to all HE teaches us. HE wants us to always look to HIM moment by moment, just as JESUS did while HE dwelt upon earth as a human yet divine. We must keep in our minds that GOD never overrides our right to choose. We are not robots. GOD wants us to be free from the bondage of sin and death and to be free to enjoy our lives fellowshipping with HIM, serving HIM and being obedient to HIM out of our love for HIM while we are here upon earth. This does not mean life will be easy. Life is difficult and GOD knows that. Our choice is do we want to travel the road of life on our own or with our LORD? With freedom comes responsibility.

GOD challenges the Israelites to listen to HIM and obey HIM with the promise that they will be HIS possession, HIS chosen people, a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy nation.

Again let’s look at this graphic illustration in verses 5 and 6 and compare it to our life in CHRIST.

When we ask CHRIST into our lives, we are born into GOD’S family. CHRIST’S sinless life, HIS death and HIS resurrection prepared the human body for all believers to receive the HOLY SPIRIT. When we ask CHRIST into our lives, the HOLY SPIRIT comes into our lives to dwell in us. As a Christian, we have direct access to GOD, our FATHER. We no longer have to go through an earthly priest. We are a priest. A priest represents GOD to the people and a priest represents the people to GOD. JESUS said we are the salt of the earth. Our lives should be so lived that others would see JESUS in us and want what we have.

As Christians we are priests. Paul calls us Ambassadors.

2 Corinthians 5:16-21:
The Ministry of Reconciliation
16 From now on, then, we do not know[6] Or regard anyone in a purely human way.[7] Lit anyone according to the flesh Even if we have known[8] Or have regarded Christ in a purely human way,[9] Lit Christ according to the flesh yet now we no longer know[10] Or regard Him like that. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things[11] Other mss read look, all new things have come. 18 Now everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

1 Peter 2:9:1-5:

1 So rid yourselves of[1] Eph 4:22; Jms 1:21 all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, desire the unadulterated spiritual milk,[2] 1 Co 3:2; Heb 5:12–13 so that you may grow by it in [your]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. salvation,[3] Other mss omit in your salvation [4] Eph 4:15 3 since you have tasted that the Lord is good.[5] Ps 34:8 4 Coming to Him, a living stone—rejected[6] Ps 118:22; Mt 21:42; Ac 4:11; Eph 2:20 by men but chosen and valuable[7] Isaiah 28:16 to God— 5 you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[8] Eph 2:21–22 for a holy priesthood[9] Ex 19:6; Isaiah 61:6; 1 Pt 2:9; Rv 1:6; 5:10; 20:6 to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God[10] Rm 12:1; Heb 13:15 through Jesus Christ.

Let’s read Exodus 20:1-17:

1 Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.[1] Dt 5:6–21 3 Do not have other gods besides Me. 4 Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ sin, to the third and fourth [generations]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. of those who hate Me, 6 but showing faithful love to a thousand [generations]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. of those who love Me and keep My commands. 7 Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will punish anyone who misuses His name. 8 Remember to dedicate the Sabbath day:[2] Gn 2:2–3 9 You are to labor six days and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. You must not do any work—you, your son or daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the foreigner who is within your gates. 11 For the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them in six days; then He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and declared it holy. 12 Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.[3] Mt 15:4; Mk 7:10; Eph 6:2–3 13 Do not murder.[4] Mt 5:21 14 Do not commit adultery.[5] Mt 5:27; Jms 2:11 15 Do not steal. 16 Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.[6] Pr 25:18 17 Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.[7] Rm 7:7 [8] Mt 19:18–19; Mk 10:19; Lk 18:20; Rm 13:9

GOD gives HIS expectations to the Israelites in the form of ten (10) commandments. The first four (4) commandments deal with our relationship with GOD. The next six (6) deal with our relationship with our fellow human being. Number ten (10) highlights our thought life, which is the battle ground for making right choices.

So why the ten (10) commandments?

v GOD with us – GOD is HOLY and when people approach GOD they need not to have unconfessed sin. The ten (10) commandments give GOD’S expectations for human conduct for us to relate to GOD when HE is with us. The commandments are performance based and designed to change our heart, character, nature and attitude toward GOD and our fellow human beings through human effort.
v Obeying the ten (10) commandments help build our relationship with both GOD and mankind externally which in turn helps to form our character and nature internally.
v GOD in us – GOD could not dwell within each believer until CHRIST paid the price for the sin of mankind. Since CHRIST has paid the price for sin, the human body has been prepared to receive the HOLY SPIRIT WHO dwells within each believer. CHRIST gives us a new heart and a new mind. HE shapes and forms our character, nature and attitude from within. This does not mean the ten (10) commandments are no longer relevant. They are still in place to highlight areas in our life that need to be brought under the control of CHRIST. The HOLY SPIRIT brings to our mind the spirit of the ten (10) commandments and reveals areas not under the control of CHRIST.

Even though we are under grace through our relationship with CHRIST and HE fulfilled the law, we are not exempt from the ten (10) commandments.

As mentioned above, there are the ten (10) commandments and then there is the spirit of the ten (10) commandments. CHRIST referred to the spirit of the ten (10) commandments when HE spoke about the need for us to examine our hearts and thought life.

Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28:

21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors,[5] Lit to the ancients Do not murder,[6] Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17 and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. 22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother[7] Other mss add without a cause will be subject to judgment.

27 “You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery.[12] Ex 20:14; Dt 5:18 28 But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

The ten (10) commandments are not ten (10) suggestions but commandments. They are guidelines or limits of conduct. They represent the standards of conduct that GOD expects for worshiping HIM and for living with fellow humans. They are place holders until GOD sends HIS SON to fully redeem mankind from sin and death.

Those worshiping GOD in the Old Testament were looking forward to their day of redemption through the coming of the Messiah. We are looking back to our day of redemption when CHRIST was crucified, raised from the dead and resurrected.

CHRIST’S gift to every believer is eternal life. HE took the sin of the world upon Himself and in turn HE made us righteous when we accept HIM as our SAVIOR. The ten (10) commandments and law are powerless to give eternal life.

Galatians 3:19-26:
The Purpose of the Law
19 Why the law then? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed (JESUS) to whom the promise was made would come. [The law]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. was ordered through angels by means of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not for just one person, but God is one. 21 Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly be by the law. 22 But the Scripture has imprisoned everything under sin’s power,[17] Lit under sin so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. 24 The law, then, was our guardian[18] The word translated guardian in vv. 24–25 is different from the word in Gl 4:2. In our culture, we do not have a slave who takes a child to and from school, protecting the child from harm or corruption. In Gk the word paidogogos described such a slave. This slave was not a teacher. until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith. 25 But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,[19] The word translated guardian in vv. 24–25 is different from the word in Gl 4:2. In our culture, we do not have a slave who takes a child to and from school, protecting the child from harm or corruption. In Gk the word paidogogos described such a slave. This slave was not a teacher. 26 for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 8:6-12:

6 But Jesus[3] Lit He has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree He is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been legally enacted on better promises.
A Superior Covenant
7 For if that first [covenant]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. had been faultless, no opportunity would have been sought for a second one. 8 But finding fault with His people,[4] Lit with them He says:[5] Other mss read finding fault, He says to them “Look, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day I took them by their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. Because they did not continue in My covenant, I disregarded them,” says the Lord. 10 “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” says the Lord: “I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they will be My people. 11 And each person will not teach his fellow citizen,[6] Other mss read neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know Me, from the least to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their wrongdoing, and I will never again remember their sins.”[7] Other mss add and their lawless deeds [8] Jr 31:31–34 13 By saying, a new [covenant]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , He has declared that the first is old. And what is old and aging is about to disappear.

Luke 22:19-20:

19 And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 In the same way He also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant [established by]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. My blood; it is shed for you.[3] Other mss omit which is given for you (v. 19) through the end of v. 20

What a joy it is to be under the new covenant. CHRIST in us! Are you a child of GOD through JESUS? If not ask HIM to forgive you of your sins and ask JESUS to come into your heart at this moment and begin your journey with HIM to the Promised Land. It will not be easy but GOD will be your guide and sustainer until we meet HIM face to face in Heaven. And you will meet HIM one day!