• 1 Corinthians 10—as an example and a warning for us
• God leads –how –our part faith
• God supplies – daily – enough
• God is setting the course and supplying for their needs –now He begins to set up a culture –environment based on His standards –the Law
Let’s look at the three categories within the Law of Moses—Exodus 18-24
- Civil/Judicial– Deals with disputes between individuals. (A civil society)
A. The civil law is a cultural set of standards to protect the moral law (the Ten Commandments)
B. The purpose – an ethical and organized way of running the community that reveals Gods heart and Justice to the world
C. Precepts and punishments
Be just with the poor, (Lev. 19:15), Cattle, of neighbor (Deut. 22:1-4), Children, rebellious (Deut. 21:18-21), Debt (Lev. 23:34-43; Deut. 31:10), Divorce (Deut. 22:19), Dress, attire (Deut. 22:5), Do not hate in your heart (Lev. 19:17), Inheritance (Num. 18:26; 26:53-56; 36:8-12), Justice practices (Lev. 24:17-23), Landmarks (Deuteronomy 19:14), Property redemption (Lev. 25), Retain just scales in commerce (Lev. 19:35f), Murder, Robbery, extortion, false witness, and restitution (Lev. 6:1-7), Sabbath breaking punishment (Num. 15:32-36), Theft (Deut. 5:19; Lev. 19:11), Warfare (Deut. 20:1-20)
- Ceremonial – (to set up the coming of the final solution—the Lamb of God)
A. The truth that we are clean and different
B. To reveal the perspective of God –symbols with spiritual meaning replaced with New Testament symbols
C. Circumcision, Sex and children are mine
D. Pointing to Gods way of saving through Jesus
Food, Circumcision—sexual acts –intermarriage—raising children, Festivals (Lev. 23:1-25; Nu. 29:39), Laws on animals for food (Lev. 11:1-47), Law of Atonement (Lev. 16:1-28;17:1-16) Offerings (Num. 29:39), Priest, consecration of (Ex. 29:1-46), Priestly duties (Lev. 7:1-37), Regulations for Priests (Lev. 21,22), Various sacrificial offerings for sin (Lev. 1,2,3,4,5,6)
- Moral Law the Ten commandments – combined with Ceremonial law
• The moral law had two purposes—to give us a right way to live and to expose our need for a savior
Idolatry (Lev. 26:1-13), Love God (Deut. 6:4), Love your neighbor as yourself (Lev. 19:18), Oppress your neighbor (Lev. 19:13), Stealing or lying (Lev. 19:11), Sacrifice children to Molech forbidden (Lev. 20:1-5), Sexual sins: adultery, incest, bestiality, homosexuality, etc. (Lev. 18:20; 20:9-21; Num. 5:12-15), (Matthew 5:21ff)
Exodus 20:1–17 (NIV)
How does this apply today?
1. Civil law –Expired with the demise of the Jewish civil government
2. Ceremonial law –Expired – Fulfilled and Expired with the fulfillment of priestly work of Christ (Matt. 3:15 )
Galatians 3:23–29 (NIV)
3. The Moral law – No Expiration because it is based on God’s character—His view of righteousness and purpose.
• “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy,” (Lev. 19:2)
• How we live it out has changed but the intent and purpose has not – the Sabbath
• We need a right way to live that is in concert with our design
Colossians 2:16–18 (NIV) Mark 7:17–19 (NIV) Acts 10:15 (NIV)
- So, what part does the law play in our lives today?
- Big picture –Understanding – the Exodus story in our context
A. God reached out to us and showed His goodness
B. God gave us the law and sacrifices (fulfilled in Christ)
C. God continues His goodness by giving us a way to live that is good
D. Our response today
Galatians 3:23–29 (NIV) Colossians 1:15–23 (NIV)
What is next for you – are you repentant? Do you have a changed heart towards the Lord?
• The New lifestyle of law abiding looks like: Romans 1:5 (NIV) Galatians 5:6 (NIV) Galatians 6:2 (NIV) Ephesians 2:8–10 (NIV) Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV
For discussion with your small group, family and friends.
Passages: Exodus 18-24.
Sermon Reflection – Share something that challenged you from the sermon.
Questions to discuss:
1. Look Exodus 19:1-15. Describe what is happening in this passage. A) What does God promise to his people? B) What is their part? What is his part?
2. Read Exodus 19:16-24. What does God want his people to understand about their relationship with him? A) How intentional would they have to be to set themselves apart for God as his people according to this passage? What kind of commitment to being in relationship with God would that require to be consecrated that way?
3. How does that challenge you in your own relationship with God? What does being set apart to be in relationship with God mean to you?
4. Take a look at Exodus 20:1-21. What stands out to you from what happens in this encounter with God?
5. Look at Matthew 22:34-40. What are the first and second greatest commandments?
A) How are the instructions God gives at Mt. Sinai reflected in what Jesus said?
What does taking responsibility for the sake of love look like in your relationship with God? And in your relationship with people? A) What is a way you can specifically love your neighbor as yourself this week? B) How can you intentionally set yourself apart and respond in love and obedience to God this week? Is there something he is speaking to you about?
Next week: Delivered! God Commands Passages: Exodus 25-31