Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, I introduced the idea of grace with a diagram.  We will build on that now, so if you missed it, go back and watch Tuesday and Wednesday’s content.

You may be familiar with the Ten Commandments.  They are an important part of the tracks that God has created for our lives, the guidelines that keep us from self-destructing.

Where did they come from? They are over 3400 years old.  God led the Israelites out of danger and slavery, then gave the laws by which this newly freed people were to organize their life together.  Of all these laws, the Ten Commandments come first and take most important place.

In a few minutes, please watch the attached video to hear the commandments in detail.  But first we need to know purpose first, to understand the commandments in their proper place…lest you come away from this thinking that Christianity is all about following a bunch of rules.

A common misconception is to make “Obey God’s laws” #1 as if it could qualify you for a life of knowing God.  Sometimes Christians communicate the rules like they are number one, having forgotten how they came to know the God who helps them keep those commandments.  Knowing God qualifies you to try and follow these commandments…God is working in and through his followers to help transform their lives from the inside out.

This was certainly true for Israelites.  God, in his love for the Israelites, saved them from slavery in Egypt by parting the red sea.  Only once they were safely on the other side of the sea from the Egyptians did he give them the commandments, and call them to live by those commandments in thanks for the gift he’d given them.

The 10 commandments answer the question: “How can I live to thank the God who has loved me so much?”  Not how can I behave to earn God’s love, or avoid his hate.  Not how can I get others to live by my rules?

Take a quick run through these commandments.

The Commandments deal with two things:

  1. Relationship with God
  2. Relationship with One Another.

The last commandment is unique, since it talks about contentment.  This one may seem a bit different from the others, and it is.  The others focus on our outward actions, what to do and not do, while this one focuses on our hearts, what to want and desire, and what not to.

God is in the transformation business.  He not only wanted to see the Israelites as a transformed society, but also to see the minds of all his created human beings transformed in this way.

The Bible contains many other guidelines, principles and laws.  We don’t have time to go through them all here.  Life is complex, and there is not a specific rule for everything.   But these principles, the 10 commandments, or even just the 2 commandments to love god and neighbour, or the principle of grace behind them all, can apply to any area of life.  I am happy to help you interpret and apply if you have a specific question.

Watch the 10 Commandments here: https://vimeo.com/8439038

Challenge: Show grace to someone today.  Give them a gift they don’t deserve.

Reminder:  Last week we talked about worship, and asked you to complete our online survey about worship here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8TS7K93

Reminder: Earlier in this series, we saw the importance of reading the Bible together in sync, so our new daily bible readings start today in our mobile app and web site.

Read the Bible in Sync Today

Ryan Sim - May 8, 2013

Wednesday - Change It - Self Denial

Jesus talked about fasting, or intentionally denying ourselves for a greater good. The Pharisees were advertising their supposed humility to the world. So Jesus’ challenge is this: “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18 ESV) Jesus wants his followers to fast for God alone. This is different from a hunger strike, like the one Theresa Spence engaged in. She put herself in the most conspicuous place possible – an island - and had staff dealing with her media relations. All about advertising her fasting, to make a political message. Jesus doesn’t want his followers fasting to make a point, force change, or advertise their religiosity. He wants them to fast privately, for God. If his followers can fast, and look and act ordinarily, God will see their humility, and no one else needs to know. And that was meant to be the point, right? What about today – why would anyone fast? We see three reasons people fast in the Bible, same today: 1. Prayer – Particularly for making special decisions. To turn to God for direction, we turn away from something else that might try to direct us. 2. Self-discipline – Our bodies can cause us to sin, they are broken versions of what God created them to be. We want not just our wills to align with God’s will, but all of us, including our bodies. 3. Care for the Poor – I have a friend who intentionally lived on Ontario Works level of income. She decided to live more simply than necessary, to give that money to others, or in the case of fasting, food. These are all reasons to fast for God: prayer, to be self-disciplined in avoiding sin, and to care for others. These are great reasons for self-denial – all ways to turn away from sin in our world, and towards God. John Stott: We have to become so conscious of God we cease to be self-conscious. Question: What are you self-conscious about? When do you pay the most attention to what others will think?

Related Topics: Humility, Self-Denial | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio

From Series: "Sermon on the Mount"

Discuss the Daily Challenge

More From "Sermon on the Mount"

Powered by Series Engine