Timeless Truths for Troubled Times #1 The Basis of the Ten Commandments Ex 20:1-2
Introduction: 1. Sunday School teacher teaching on the Ten Commandments ? A Sunday School teacher was teaching the Ten Commandments to her young
students. She thought she would review the commandments that they had
already studied by giving the kids concrete examples. "Early one
Saturday morning Johnny's parents were going shopping," she said to
them. "They asked Johnny to wash the dishes while they were gone. When
they returned, Johnny was watching cartoons and the dishes were still
unwashed." In one accord the class responded, "Honor thy father and
mother." "Good," said the teacher. "Ann went shopping with her
mother but when no one was looking, she slipped a candy bar into her
pocket." Again the class was quick: "Thou shalt not steal." "Great,"
said the teacher. "Andy was a cruel little boy and he had a bad
temper. He got angry with his little sister one day and grabbing her
pet kitten, he threatened to pull its tail off." Now this was a little
tougher example. Every one was quiet for a few moments when one little
fellow spoke up, "What God hath joined together let no man put asunder." 2. What is the basis of morality? a. Who can be absolutely sure what is right or wrong? b. Has it been left up to man to formulate his own values, his own system of morality and ethics? 3. Is there no being higher than man, no being who can give more sure and permanent guidance than the frail human mind? a. Many think that man can believe what he wants. b. Many think that man can do what he wants c .Many think that man can say what he wants d. Many think that man can take what he wants 4. The result has been tragic a. Man is losing control of society and the world b. Sin / evil sweeping through society, running rampant, out of control 5. We see a world of….. a. Lawlessness b. Drugs c. Alcohol d. Violence e. Murder f. Immorality 6. Humanly there seems to be no answer to the problems of society a. The problems of sin and evil seem insurmountable b. The situation appears to be almost hopeless 7. The solution for a world that has gone berserk does not lie with man a. God gave man a plan for order within society b. He gave man a plan for morality and ethics c. God's plan will work today as much as it did centuries ago d. This plan is the Ten Commandments 8. God's Ten Commandments are the most beneficial system of morality and ethics available to man a. They are not based upon the prejudices and morality of men b. They are not based on the worldly desires of people c. They are not based on the most recent popularity polls 9. The basis of the Ten Commandments is God Himself a. Therefore they work b. God knows man and He knows exactly what man needs
The Ten Commandments are Based on… I.God's Eternal Existence - vs 1 1 And God spake all these words, saying, A. The Existence of God is Declared 1. His existence is not argued or debated 2. Let me ask you a question. Now don't answer too quickly. Here's the question. Do you truly believe that God is real? a) There are many people who would never deny the existence of God, who live day after day as if He did not exist. b) They don't talk to God in prayer. c) They don't let God speak to them through the Bible. d) They don't concern themselves with what would bring glory to His name. e) They ignore God. They are practical atheist. They frankly do not want God intruding on their way of living. f) It is time for us who claim to be Christians to boldly....affirm that we believe that God is real. 3. Scripture assumes that everyone is thoughtful and honest enough to know and acknowledge that God exists 4. Scripture declares without hesitation or explanation - "And God"
B. Since God Exists…. 1. He is bound to show man how to live 2. He has a right to make these laws 3. He has a right to demand obedience to the law he imparted
C. The Ten Commandments are the Basic Laws of Society 1. They are the basic laws that govern human relationships 2. They show us how to live 3. They help us live a fruitful and productive life 4. They help us live together in love, joy and peace 5. They are to govern man from generation to generation
The Ten Commandments are Based on… II. God's Authoritative Word - vs 1 1 And God spake all these words, saying, A. God Speaks to Us 1. What a glorious truth 2. Despite our rejection of Him 3. Despite our rebellion, denial, cursing - God cares for us 4. Since God cares for us, He has communicated with us 5. False Gods Cannot Speak – Jer 10:5 5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
B. He has Spoken Through His Written Word 1. God has chosen to speak to us in a way we can understand 2. Ro 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 3. 2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
C. He Has Also Spoken Through the Living Word 1. God sent His own Son to demonstrate and show us how to live out His Word 2. Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 3. Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 4. 1Jo 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 5. God could have left us in the dark 6. We would be wandering in the dark, wondering how to live 7. We do not have to wonder how to please God and how to become acceptable to Him 8. He gave us His Word in written form 9. The commandments were written by the very finger of God - Ex 31:18; 32:15-16
The Ten Commandments are Based on… III. God's Marvelous Name - vs 2 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. A. The Name of God is LORD = Jehovah – Ex 3:14-15 ? 1. This means that He is the great I AM 2. He is the self-existent One 3. He is the God of salvation, deliverance and redemption 4. He is the God of revelation 5. God is the Source of all being a) He created man, He loves man, He saves, He delivers and redeems man b) He reveals and unveils the truth to man
B. God is the Law-Giver 1. A law-giver needs wisdom to make wise laws a) God has a monopoly on wisdom b) Pr 3:19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. c) Da 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: d) Ro 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 2. A law-giver needs authority a) He needs authority in order to enforce his laws b) God has all the authority that He needs c) Ps 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. d) Ps 62:11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. e) Ps 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The Ten Commandments are Based on… IV. God's Relationship with Man - vs 2 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. A. He is the LORD Thy God 1. He is not far off in outer space someplace, unreachable, unapproachable 2. God is near, near enough for us to speak to Him 3. In fact, God wants us to speak with Him 4. God wants a personal, loving relationship with us
B. That is Why He Gave Us the Ten Commandments 1. He wants to nourish the relationship between Him and the people that He created 2. He gave us these commandments to guide us into a closer relationship with Him 3. De 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
The Ten Commandments are Based on… V. God's Salvation - vs 2 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. A. God Himself Rescued Israel From the Place of Bondage, the Land of Egypt 1. "Remember when the water was turned to blood? That was my work!" 2. "Remember the mosquitoes, flies, frogs, lice, and dying cattle, that was my work." 3. "Remember the boils on the Egyptians, the thunder, the hail mixed with fire the locusts that covered the earth, the three days of darkness and the death of the first born in Egypt? That was my work." 4. "Remember the parting of the Red Sea and the dry path that you crossed? How about the destruction of the Egyptian army? That was my work." 5. "Remember that pillar of cloud that cooled you in the day and warmed your desert night? That too was my work." 6. "Remember that manna that was provided for your hunger and the water than came from the rock when your mouths felt like cotton. That was my work." 7. "I brought you up out of Egypt and I have some things to say to you now."
B. Here is the Proof that God Exists 1. What God has done for us in the past is proof that He exists a) We were in the world and in bondage to our sins, but the Lord delivered us and set us free. b) If you know the joy of sins forgiven, if you know the change that comes from trusting Jesus as your Savior then you know that God is real. c) One day a drunk sobered up enough to go to church with his family. He heard the gospel and experienced the conviction of the Holy Spirit. At the close of the service, he went to the altar and the pastor showed him from the Bible how to be saved. He prayed and was saved. He immediately lost his desire for booze, and went home and poured all he had stocked up down the drain. He stopped running around with the guys he drank with. Several weeks later, he ran into one of his old drinking buddies. His old so called "friend" told him that he had heard that he had got religion and that he had quit drinking. The new Christian affirmed that. His friend then asked him, “How do you know God is real?” “The man wisely replied, "I know God is real because he has turned beer and whiskey into clothes and furniture for my family." 2. When David faced Goliath, he remembered what the Lord did for him the past – lion, bear
C. God Gave the Ten Commandments to Save Us from the Evil Effects of the Lawlessness of the World 1. Covetousness Greed Adultery 2. Lying Murder Stealing 3. Cursing God False worship Unbelief or denial of God 4. Violating the sabbath, the day of rest and worship
D. The Commandments Only Help Us If We Obey Them 1. Ps 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 2. Zep 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Conclusion: On Feb. 7, 1996, three teenagers breezed through an intersection and directly into the path of a large truck. These three young men were killed in the wreck. During the investigation it was discovered that the was a stop sign lying on the roadside near the accident scene. Three other young people had thought that it would be funny to go along the roads of Hillsborough County and steal road signs the previous night. These three young people were convicted of manslaughter and each of them faces 27 years of prison time for the death of the three teens. The judge was quoted as saying, "I don't believe for one minute that you pulled up the signs with the intent of causing the death of anyone, but pulling up the signs caused the ramifications that none of you may have ever expected." We have more crime, more divorce, more drug abuse, more alcoholism, more suicide, more children born outside of marriage, more people in prisons, more homes invaded, more cars hijacked, more tourists shot, more children dead because of guns in schools, more gang violence… all because we in our society have removed the stop signs that protect us from such tragedies.