A Love For God

Hear in Real Audio format

Or right click Written1.rm and select "save link as" to direct download the file.
You will then need to open it in Real Player.

Download free Real Player G2

---

Exodus 20:1-3 (KJV)

1. And GOD spake all these words, saying,
2. I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

As we begin our study of the Ten Commandments it is important to note the following truths:

1. The Ten Commandments are just a portion of "The Law of God" for Israel.
   The separation of civil, ceremonial, dietary and moral laws is artificial. God gave to Israel laws in the Old Covenant, and all these laws are designated, "The Law of God" in the Bible.
2. God abolished the Old Covenant and its laws at the cross.
   "Old Covenant laws" were "done away with" or abolished (II Corinthians 3:7,11) and Hebrews 7:11-13) so that we no longer sacrifice animals, keep sabbaths, abstain from eating pork, etc.
3. This country was founded on the moral code in the Ten Commandments.
   The supreme court has written above their heads The Ten Commandments, not the code of Hammurabbi or the sayings of Confucius. We should be grateful for the laws of our land.
4. The code of conduct for the believer far surpasses the Ten Commandments.
   The words of Jesus Christ, the teachings of the New Testament and the Spirit within us, lead us to live a life that far surpasses the laws of Israel. God writes these laws on our hearts.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 (KJV)

31. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32. Not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
33. But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Then why study the Ten Commandments if our code of conduct as a believer is different? It is a good foundation at which to begin self-examination. For example, the commandment is "Don't commit adultery" but the Christian feels within his heart the finger of God writing, "don't even look upon a woman with lust." These laws remind us of what God has "written on our hearts."

1. God has the authority to establish laws for His people . . . "and God spake" (v.1).
   Die you know that the Bible never sets out to prove the existence of God? The Bible takes for granted God's existence as Creator of all things -- "In the beginning God created . . ."
   1. God's existence is known by observation . . . Our milky way contains over one billion stars. There are another 100 million known galaxies. Astronomers say that we have discovered only one-billionth of actual space. Is all this created by simple chance?
   2. God's existence is known by investigation . . . one drop of rainwater contains 500,000 infusoria (small creatures with mouths, teeth, muscles and nerves). A piece of skin the size of a stamp has 3 million cells, a yard of blood vessels, 4 yards of nerves, 15 oil glands, 100 sweat glands, and 25 nerve endings. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
   3. But GOD Himself is only known by revelation . . . "And God spake . . ."
      He has spoken through the written Word and through the Living Word (Jesus Christ).
2. God has an attitude of grace toward His people . . . "I am the Lord thy God" (v.2).
   Though we are awestruck by the majesty, power, glory and beauty of God, we must never forget that the God who lives in heaven has chosen to live within our hearts because of grace.

   "The Lord is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works" (Psalm 145:8,9).

3. God has assumed that His people will sometimes seek other gods . . .
   The first commandment is very clear: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). Throughout history people have had their gods. The Philistines had Dago, the Canaanites had Ball, the Romans had Mars, Venus, and Bacchus, and the Greeks had Zeus and others. But God is speaking to Israel! We are "priests unto God." What gods do you and I have? A husband? A wife? Sports? Money? Career? Reputation? "Have no other gods before me!"