Bible Study - GOD'S Own Heart (1) - Place GOD First - Exodus 20:1-6; Psalm 16:1-4a, 9-11 - September 6, 2020

 

Bible Study – GOD’S Own Heart (1) – Place GOD First – September 6, 2020

This is lesson one (1) in our series entitled, “After GOD’S Own Heart: A Fresh Look at The Ten Commandments.”

Our focus scripture is Exodus 20:1-6 and Psalm 16:1-4a, 9-11.

GOD is to have first place in every aspect of life.

Who in the bible do you recall as being “a man after GOD’S own heart?”

Let’s read Acts 13:22 - ²² After removing him (King Saul), he raised up David as their king and testified about him, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart,^[d] who will carry out all my will.’

Was King David always the perfect example? No! He committed murder and adultery. David repented of his sins and GOD forgave him but he suffered the consequence of his sins.

GOD desires for all Christians to seek and have the most intimate, loving relationship with HIM. We must keep in mind that Satan and his evil empire, seeks for that not to happen. As we studied in last week’s lesson, Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that all Christians are in a spiritual battle against the forces of evil and we must suit up every day in our spiritual battle gear. Let’s explore!

Exodus 19 sets the stage for GOD to introduce Himself to the Israelites. GOD chose the Israelites to be HIS people, if they agreed to follow HIS commands. They agreed. GOD wanted to speak directly to them as HE spoke to Moses. GOD established certain criteria for them to hear HIM speak. The Israelites heard GOD speak but they were frightened and told Moses to be their intermediary.

GOD’S desire has been from the beginning to speak directly to people. HE speaks through nature and all sorts of media but since JESUS paid the price for sin, HIS desire is to speak to those Spirit-born directly. Once we have been Spirit-born the Holy Spirit indwells every Christian and as stated in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body ^[a]and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Let’s read Exodus 20:1-6: (Our focus scripture)

20 Then God spoke all these words:

How did GOD communicate to the Israelites? He communicated with “words” that they could hear and understand. This is exactly how GOD communicates with HIS Children today via the indwelling Holy Spirit. When GOD speaks, the person to whom HE speaks knows it. The Prophet Elijah referred to GOD’S voice as a still small voice or a whisper.

JESUS told the Jewish religious leader, Nicodemus, in John 3:

³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. ⁸ The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

⁹ “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.

¹⁰ “Are you a teacher^[b] of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied. ¹¹ “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. ¹² If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven —the Son of Man.^[c]

This is where we are today. JESUS willingly came to earth as GOD in the flesh. HE lived a sinless life and gave it to pay in full for sin. Every person must accept JESUS as his or her Savior by acknowledging that JESUS gave HIS life to atone for his or her sin and ask HIM to come into his or her life. At that instant the person receives JESUS as his or her Savior and is instantly born into GOD’S Family through the miracle of Spiritual birth. At that instant the Holy Spirit comes into the Spirit-born person to guarantee his or her assurance of eternal life. At that instant GOD indwells the Spirit-born person’s life and teaches, enlightens, leads, guides and so much more. There is an intimate, loving, knowing, active relationship that develops.

Our focus scripture is from the Old Testament scripture. It was written by Moses and captured the moment where GOD introduced Himself to the Israelites on Mount Sinai. In essence, GOD said, you Israelites have witnessed MY power and presence from the time of Abram but especially when Moses visited Pharaoh on your behalf while you were in bondage in Egypt. You have witnessed MY power in Egypt and MY presence along our journey from Egypt to this mountain. Just think about it, the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day and the crossing of the Red Sea. You people as a nation have some decisions to make. I am speaking to you in words you can understand because I want you to have a clear understanding of what I am saying to you. I have chosen you to be My people -----

² I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.

“I am the LORD your GOD.” “WHO brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.” Any questions?

  The use of “I AM” certainly resonated with Moses because Moses wanted to know the name of the GOD WHO was sending Moses to free the Israelites.

Let’s read Genesis 3:13-15:

¹³ Then Moses asked God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?”

¹⁴ God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.^[e] This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” ¹⁵ God also said to Moses, “Say this to the Israelites: The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.

GOD has identified Himself. HE is not some myth or made up entity but the One True GOD of all the Heavens, earth and all that resides upon earth. I AM the One True GOD of all, therefore -------

³ Do not have other gods besides me.

 In essence, GOD was saying “I know your nature because I made you. And I created you with a desire to explore. I know you will try to figure ME out but let ME reveal MYSELF to you through an intimate, personal relationship.”

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 Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, ⁶ but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands.

If you will come to ME and trust ME, I will reveal truth to you and will reveal MY love to your future generations.

Let’s read Psalm 16:1-4a:

¹ Protect me, God, for I take refuge in you.
² I^[a] said to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have nothing good besides you.”^[b]
3 As for the holy people who are in the land,
they are the noble ones.
All my delight is in them.
⁴ The sorrows of those who take another god
for themselves will multiply;

This Psalm was written by David. David has experienced GOD in his life and he has an intimate, loving relationship with GOD. This is exactly the relationship GOD desires for all who place their faith in JESUS. So, what happens?

We know that all who seek the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS encounter Satan and his evil forces. Satan does all he can to prevent a person from becoming a Christian or once a person becomes a Christian to do all he can to prevent that person from living the victorious life in JESUS. Fellow Christians we are in warfare and it will get worse as we approach the second coming of JESUS.

David told those in his day who place their faith in the One True GOD are the noble ones.  Those who place their faith in JESUS today are the noble ones. Those who attempt to make some facsimilia of GOD are to be pitied. They only go through the motions and end up with nothing. So, do not waste your human effort but place your trust in the One True GOD, “I AM.” Why? Because we know today that HE sent HIS only born in the flesh SON, JESUS, to earth to show HIS unimaginable love for all people. John 3:16-18 captures GOD’S love for the people of earth through faith in JESUS.

Let’s read Psalm 16:9-11:

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad
and my whole being rejoices;
my body also rests securely.
¹⁰ For you will not abandon me to Sheol;
you will not allow your faithful one to see decay.
¹¹ You reveal the path of life to me;
in your presence is abundant joy;
at your right hand are eternal pleasures.

David expressed his heart toward GOD based upon his experience with GOD.

When we look back to what was recorded about GOD’S intentions as recorded in Exodus 19-20, GOD desires a one on one loving, intimate, personal relationship with HIS Children.

If that is your desire, as a Christian, tell HIM and be honest with HIM. Talk to JESUS, as you would your very best friend and confess any hang-ups you have with HIM. GOD already knows all there is to know about you. What most of us need to do is to open up to GOD and ask HIM to reveal any barrier between us and HIM. It is easy for us to create false notions about GOD. Step one is to be connected to GOD through faith in JESUS. Faith in JESUS establishes the relationship and allows the Holy Spirit to indwell you. The Holy Spirit is your assurance and guarantee that you are GOD’S Child. The Holy Spirit teaches, enlightens, guides, leads, warns, assures and so much more.

It is all about relationship. GOD desires to be your very best friend.

Blessings!!!