The Ten (der) Commandments

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 20:1-17 (day one)

It is our privilege, this week, to reflect on the 10 Commandments.  It is not unusual for moderns to claim that the law is no longer binding on believers,  an “Old Testament thing”.  I disagree.  Jesus said, “Whoever shall break one of the least of these commandments, and shall teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven.”–Matthew 5:17.  God’s law and God’s love are not separate things.  Over and over, God makes the point that they are given “that it might go well with you.” (Deuteronomy 12:28, Ephesians 6:3)  God is not arbitrary.  He is not power hungry.  Why should He be?  He gives laws to live by, because, in the very nature of things, our lives will be better for the following.  None of us can say WE LOVE HIM if we ignore His laws.  All of us can say that HE HAS LOVED US by giving His Ten (der) Commandments.

Merciful and mighty

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 19:1-12, 16-22 (day seven)

“Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. . . the whole mountain trembled violently.”–v. 18.  The true God is both tender and terrifying.  Believers know both sides of our Great God.  His first words to us are grace.  See v. 4.  He offers a life of peculiar blessing/opportunity.  See v. 5.  None of this, however, must be interpreted as weakness. He is fearful, holy, and dangerous!  Just as a child first experiences his mother’s tenderness (first stages of life) only later to experience her firm discipline,  learns to love her and then fear her, so, God is tender with us in salvation and tough on us as we begin to grow into maturity.  “Therefore, knowing the FEAR of the Lord, we persuade men”, said Paul in 2 Corinthians 5.  The God we serve is both tender and terrifying, grace and government, merciful and mighty.  May the Lord restore this balance in every Christian heart.

Bible Togetherness

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 19:1-12, 16-22 (day six)

His nation was in spiritual tatters, the Temple in disrepair, and young king Josiah did not follow in his father’s footsteps. Rather he began initiatives to restore his people. In the process of restoring the Temple the high priest stumbled upon the Book of the Law and brought it to Josiah’s secretary. When Josiah’s secretary began to read to him from the Book of the Law, “he tore his clothes (2 Kings 22:11).” He grieved at the thought of he and his people disobeying God for generations, and he was fearful of God’s wrath. The Book of the Law broke the heart of Josiah.

It was that Law that was about to be delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai. Save for the incarnation their might not be a greater event in human history; God’s inaugural written revelation delivered to humanity. We find the people in Exodus 19 instructed to “consecrate” themselves as they prepare to act as over-hearers at the base of the mountain. This was no small thing; this was not life in the mundane.

When we posture ourselves to listen to God’s revelation; when we yield to the voice of God we can’t help but be transformed. We can’t help but see ourselves for who we are in light of His revealed Word, and that is grace to us. The thunder and lighting, smoke and fire, and the written Law was an extraordinary work of grace that day on Mount Sinai. Even the slightest glimpses of God lay us bare, exposing all our deepest and darkest frailties, and that kind of self-knowledge is the beginning of restoration. Let us expose ourselves to the majesty and glory of the Gospel, that Jesus may lead us in ongoing restoration in all of our life; even the most broken and shameful parts he can redeem! Will you “consecrate” yourselves this week? Will you remove yourself out of the mundane in order to be ready to see glimpses a glorious and majestic God who redeems?

Praying for multitudes of “Josiah” moments in the FBCSA family! Pray with me!

ID

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 19:1-12, 16-22 (day five)

The main task for adolescents is to solve and settle one fundamental question, “Who Am I?”  Identity formation is a long (social scientists indicate longer now than ever) and complex process.   What’s important?  What is true? Who can I trust?

4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. 5 Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’

Throughout Exodus and the Old Testament (for the Israelites) and all through the New Testament (for believers) (see 1 Peter 2) God continues to answer this crucial question.  We best understand and discover our ID (Who We Are) in covenant relationship with God where we value, obey, and trust Him.  As we examine our hearts and lives today, how do our perspectives, personalities, and priorities echo the Character and Promises of God?

Unshaken

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 19:1-12, 16-22 (day four) 

It was a fearsome experience…the children of Israel had never seen anything like it.  The Lord descended on Mt. Sinai with thunder and lightning…smoke and earthquake…trumpet and fire.  The people trembled.  What an awesome display of power!  The writer of Hebrews said, “But you have come to Mount Zion…” (Hebrews 12:18-24)  If you think His warning on earth was fierce, wait until you see His warning from heaven.  You do not want to refuse Him!  (Hebrews 12:25-29)  The earth trembled at Mt. Sinai, but at Mt. Zion, the things that can be shaken will be removed.  The new covenant promises a kingdom that cannot be shaken.  We must serve God with acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.  With gratitude, we serve a holy and omnipotent God!

Almighty

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 19:1-12, 16-22 (day three)

“Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death.”  Here are three things that are true: First, God–and only God–has the original authority to determine who may continue to live; second, human beings will always–always–harm one another when they act according to what is right in their own eyes; and third, we will know God’s goodness when–and only when–we believe his words.

Preparation

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 19:1-12, 16-22 (day two) 

The Lord also said to Moses,“Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments; and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people”. Exodus 19:10-11

The Lord was on the move and about to establish his law for the nation of Israel, but before he spoke to Moses he commanded that all the people should prepare themselves to hear from him. Preparation for anything like a sports season (Go Cardinals) or an event (wedding, birth, meetings, etc.) helps to minimize surprises and make ready for contingencies. This doesn’t mean things always go to plan, but being ready helps to focus on the event itself. It also helps to bring greater satisfaction. When you are prepared you are able to receive a greater blessing.

How much do we prepare ourselves when we meet each week? What is your expectation for bible study or worship? Spend time consecrating your focus on the Lord and expect to meet him. The blessing will be worth the preparation.

Pastors and Teachers

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 19:1-12, 16-22 (day one) 

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish.”–v 21.

“And He gave some as apostles and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers.”—Ephesians 4:11.

One expression of God’s love for the church is to provide leadership.  As Baptist Christ-followers, we believe in the “priesthood of the believer”.  No priest is necessary in order for us to pray.  This does not mean, however, that we do not NEED leaders to teach, strengthen, challenge, correct and warn us.  (One mistake is to make TOO MUCH of leaders.  The other is to make TOO LITTLE.)  Moses is that faithful leader.  He carries the words of God to the people.  Hard words?  Sometimes.  Limits to personal freedom?  Often. “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction.”—2 Timothy 4:2.

Three days

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 15:22-27; 16:1-18 (day seven) 
“For three days they traveled in the desert without finding any water.”—15:22.  Ever wonder why God makes us wait?  Wait in prayer?  Persevere in an unfair situation?  If it is possible for God to provide in an immediate, timely way (and it IS possible), why would He do otherwise?  Part of the answer is that waiting (endurance) is part of the process by which the human heart learns  trust (unlearns sin).  “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation”—Romans 5:3-4 (Living Translation).  Hate to wait?  Want your answers now?  You are headed for difficulty.  A wise and loving God has chosen to ask you, in certain times and seasons, to walk in faith, to wait (without sight) for His promised help.  Hmmm. . . where have I heard “three days” before?

Blood, Sweat, and Grace

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 15:22-27; 16:1-18 (day six)

Exodus 15:25
The Exodus is an expose’ on the human condition. From the beginning it casts the Hebrews as a desperate and sinful people; it makes no effort to paint a romantic or rosy picture. Save the brief moment of worship after crossing the Red Sea, they grumble and complain at every turn, and when given the opportunity they disobey God. Their condition looks bleak.

If you are like me, there is the slightest temptation to pass judgement, but the truth is the Exodus exposes our own frail condition. Try as we might, we are simply unable to faithfully follow God. We are desperate and sinful, and broken and self-absorbed. We don’t need a savior because we struggle getting our act together some of the time, we need a savior because we are unable to do anything at all. Given the test we will fail it time and time again.

“But God being rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4-8),” and full of grace, not only makes provision for them in their most desperate moments but also reveals his glory to them(Exodus 16:10). When we would have long washed our hands of them, God graciously reveals his glory to them. What grace! Ultimately the greatest display of the glory of God is in the resurrection of His Son, which both afforded His grace to His people in the dessert thousands of years ago, and to us today!

What a grand story of blood, sweat, and grace!

Sunday is coming!

Oh and don’t forget about the Unbroken Marriage event on April 10th!
Check the website for more details.