God did not give us ten suggestions; He gave us ten commandments. He stated them negatively to get our attention, but behind the commands are positive concerns. He is showing us how to love God and our neighbors as ourselves. If we are tempted to think the Ten Commandments are out of date, or no longer relevant, we need to reconsider. This series by Stuart will help us do that.
Two things stand out in modern western society: a sense of disorientation and confusion, and a distaste for authority. That the two things are connected is not always acknowledged but a study of the Ten Commandments will show this is the case.
Scripture: Exodus 20:1-20:17
The Lord introduced His rules for living with the dramatic statement, "You shall have no other gods before me!" This meant He was placing Himself above and beyond all human speculations about deities and establishing His claim to be No. 1.
Scripture: Exodus 20:3
Thomas Watson, preaching in the 17th century, said, "In the first commandment worshiping a false God is forbidden, in this (the second commandment) worshiping the true God in a false manner." God's concern is to protect His people from the repercussions of such error.
Scripture: Exodus 20:4-20:6
At first sight the third commandment seems to be banning profanity. But careful study shows that much more is at stake. Juliet asked Romeo, "What's in a name?" Implying "nothing." But she was mistaken.
Scripture: Exodus 20:7
Work and leisure are integral parts of life. The fourth commandment shows how profoundly important they are.
Scripture: Exodus 20:1-20:8, Deuteronomy 5:1-5:15
To honor father and mother presupposes we know them, appreciate their significance and are afforded opportunities of expressing our respect. This requires of course, a lasting, intimate relationship in a suitable environment—we call it the family.
Scripture: Exodus 20:12
"Thou shalt not kill" appears, on the surface, to be an easy to understand Commandment but careful study will show how far reaching it really is.
Scripture: Exodus 20:13, Matthew 5:20-5:26
It is clear from both the prophetic (Jer. 5:7-9) and apostolic (I Cor. 5:1-5) ministries, not to mention the ministry of Christ Himself (Mt. 5:27-32), that ancient cultures had severe problems with sexual immorality. God's obvious concern about this is related to His commandment to the sanctity of marriage. God's Word in this regard needs to be heeded today.
Scripture: Exodus 20:14, Matthew 5:27-5:32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-6:20
George Gallup, Jr. said recently, "It is ironic that while religion in America is growing in popularity, morality is declining." The Wall Street Journal reported recently that a poll showed no difference in attitudes between "churched" and "unchurched" with regard to cheating on expense accounts and tax reporting."
Scripture: Exodus 20:15, Isaiah 10:1-10:4, Malachi 3:6-3:10, Ephesians 4:28
Our judicial system requires witnesses to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Failure to do so is called perjury which is a crime bearing severe penalties. God, who is far more committed to truth than man, expects us to tell the truth too.
Scripture: Exodus 20:16, Ephesians 4:14-4:32, Proverbs 6:16-6:19
The tenth commandment differs from the nine in that they deal specifically with actions, while it deals with an attitude—covetousness. But it is clear that actions originate with attitudes—see Genesis 3:6 and 1 Timothy 6:10.
Scripture: Exodus 20:17, 1 Timothy 6:3-6:21
God did not give us ten suggestions; He gave us ten commandments. He stated them negatively to get our attention, but behind the commands are positive concerns. He is showing us how to love God and our neighbors as ourselves. If we are tempted to think the Ten Commandments are out of date, or no longer relevant, we need to reconsider.
Scripture: Exodus 20
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