How the Church Lives: The Ten Commandments
Exodus 20-1-17 (NIV)
For three weeks we’ve focused on what Christians believe, using the Apostles’ Creed. We call that our core doctrine. Now we’ll focus on how Christians can live a holy life, by following the Ten Commandments. Do you know how these commandments were given to us? Moses, a leader chosen by God, spent 40 days on Mount Horeb after leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. God knew the Israelites would begin to take shape as a nation on their journey toward a Promised Land. But they had been deeply shaped by their experiences as captives - not able to make choices for themselves and surrounded by those who believed in multiple gods. When Moses went back down the mountain, he revealed two stone tablets. On each were commandments: God’s own finger wrote 10 holy laws that would guide their relationship with God and also with others.
I read a great true story recently about a pastor dressing up as Moses for Vacation Bible School one summer. He asked one of the younger groups of kids if they knew the 10 Commandments. There was a bit of awkward silence, then a boy blurted out, “Do not lie.” When the pastor praised him, another voice piped up, “Don’t ever run with scissors in your hand!” That made the pastor chuckle. Other kids began to speak up, one after another. “Don’t drink and drive” said one. “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all,” said another. “Never touch the top of the stove.” What those kids came out with that day, they must have heard grownups say to them. Adults, who wanted to protect their kids from harm, gave them rules for their own good and safety.
That is very much what God, in his love, did for the Israelites. They needed guidance and protection. The Ten Commandments were boundaries God in His wisdom established for their own good! And those commandments are ones we’re meant to follow today. They are timeless, not bound by any culture or time period. Jesus said to his disciples in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” That means Christians then and now should know these and follow them. When they’re well understood they aren’t a burden, something reluctantly followed; instead, they shape our thoughts and influence our actions in powerful and life-giving ways.
Let’s get started! The first four we are covering today focus on our relationship with God; the last 6 we’ll consider next Sunday concern our outward behavior and our relationships with others.
You shall have no other gods before me.
“God is first” - that’s how I’ve heard the first commandment summed up. Is God first in your life today? Are you oriented toward God as you move through each day? Some people can easily say “yes”. If you asked them how that came to be, they’d likely tell you something similar to this Friedrich Nietzsche quote, “It was a long obedience in the same direction”. Any devoted disciple of Jesus Christ whom you see putting God first, again and again, will tell you that their relationship with God grew stronger through simple math. First, they asked God to help them subtract, or take away, whatever thoughts, habits, words, or actions that separated them from God. Remember that the Holy Spirit will be our Helper in this. But the other secret involves addition. What we fill our lives with is seen by those who observe us, and especially by those who know us best. So, if you want God to be first in your life, do the math. Subtract what God says needs to go and add in all that God is waiting to put in your life.
You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
The second Commandment says: “Do not make any idols.” On the surface that may seem like the most remote and irrelevant of the commandments. Idols were carved from wood, stone, or even metal and then prayed to and worshipped long ago, when Moses and the Israelites lived. You may assume that idol-making and idol worship are of no concern for a modern-day Western Christian. But pay attention and you’ll discover how the relatively recent spread of Hinduism and Buddhism has meant statues of gods and goddesses are seen in their places of business and in their homes. And have you noticed the growing fascination with Eastern religions in general? In our globally connected world, we encounter people and practices we could never have imagined 75 years ago. There is curiosity and experimentation; figurines of gods and goddesses are bought as charms or to worship. This is something we should be aware of as Christians.
There is a second way idol worship is thought about these days. If you have made anything the center of your life, if much of your time and attention revolves around it – has that become like an idol for you? That’s a pretty good question to think about and answer honestly.
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Now on to the third commandment: “You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain.” This means, don’t use it in a disrespectful or irreverent way. Yet how often have we heard someone say, when angry or frustrated, “Jesus Christ”? They are not speaking to God’s Son; they are using his name in a blasphemous way. They are taking the holiest of names and turning it into a nasty-sounding swear word. I honestly doubt most people hear themselves, let alone stop and think about it. How many times have you heard someone say “God__it.”? They may be plenty mad, but they aren’t praying God will bring destruction down.
Here’s another insight into this commandment. When the Hebrews heard this in their language it came out as, “Do not ever speak God’s name as if He had no substance.” As if he were a vapor, which is what the word vain means. I would not want to be the one saying God has no substance - no real weight, presence, or power. You and I know otherwise.
But, who here who has used some other expression – spewing it out when suddenly hurt? Plenty of words are used as a curse. Profanity is abundant. You might use a word you’ve heard time and again when the hammer hits your thumb, but you wish you hadn’t. God can help you decrease and get rid of that habit.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Our last commandment, the fourth, is called the most joyful of all: “Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy.” Sabbath is the 7th day in a week. We learn this in Genesis when we’re told God rested after 6 days of creating. Does that mean the Almighty got tired; he overdid and needed to lounge around? Not at all. The truer meaning here is that God “ceased” doing things. That was a choice, not a necessity. But we humans have bodies that are not designed to work non-stop. We must cease working.
However, Sabbath-keeping is much more than vegging on a couch all day. It’s meant to be a day of restoration. Some people spend time with family, if possible, perhaps sharing a meal. It can include venturing out to enjoy creation. There should also be time set aside to grow closer to God, strengthening that relationship. To help make the day be all it can be, some people limit things like phone usage and screen time.
If you’ve never taken this 4th commandment to heart, please try taking Sabbath. However you spend it, remember: it is God’s plan and His gift for you. You’ll never know how renewing it can be for your body and soul, your relationships and much more, unless you honor the Sabbath and keep it as a holy day where you cease working! May it be so - Amen.
I read a great true story recently about a pastor dressing up as Moses for Vacation Bible School one summer. He asked one of the younger groups of kids if they knew the 10 Commandments. There was a bit of awkward silence, then a boy blurted out, “Do not lie.” When the pastor praised him, another voice piped up, “Don’t ever run with scissors in your hand!” That made the pastor chuckle. Other kids began to speak up, one after another. “Don’t drink and drive” said one. “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all,” said another. “Never touch the top of the stove.” What those kids came out with that day, they must have heard grownups say to them. Adults, who wanted to protect their kids from harm, gave them rules for their own good and safety.
That is very much what God, in his love, did for the Israelites. They needed guidance and protection. The Ten Commandments were boundaries God in His wisdom established for their own good! And those commandments are ones we’re meant to follow today. They are timeless, not bound by any culture or time period. Jesus said to his disciples in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” That means Christians then and now should know these and follow them. When they’re well understood they aren’t a burden, something reluctantly followed; instead, they shape our thoughts and influence our actions in powerful and life-giving ways.
Let’s get started! The first four we are covering today focus on our relationship with God; the last 6 we’ll consider next Sunday concern our outward behavior and our relationships with others.
You shall have no other gods before me.
“God is first” - that’s how I’ve heard the first commandment summed up. Is God first in your life today? Are you oriented toward God as you move through each day? Some people can easily say “yes”. If you asked them how that came to be, they’d likely tell you something similar to this Friedrich Nietzsche quote, “It was a long obedience in the same direction”. Any devoted disciple of Jesus Christ whom you see putting God first, again and again, will tell you that their relationship with God grew stronger through simple math. First, they asked God to help them subtract, or take away, whatever thoughts, habits, words, or actions that separated them from God. Remember that the Holy Spirit will be our Helper in this. But the other secret involves addition. What we fill our lives with is seen by those who observe us, and especially by those who know us best. So, if you want God to be first in your life, do the math. Subtract what God says needs to go and add in all that God is waiting to put in your life.
You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
The second Commandment says: “Do not make any idols.” On the surface that may seem like the most remote and irrelevant of the commandments. Idols were carved from wood, stone, or even metal and then prayed to and worshipped long ago, when Moses and the Israelites lived. You may assume that idol-making and idol worship are of no concern for a modern-day Western Christian. But pay attention and you’ll discover how the relatively recent spread of Hinduism and Buddhism has meant statues of gods and goddesses are seen in their places of business and in their homes. And have you noticed the growing fascination with Eastern religions in general? In our globally connected world, we encounter people and practices we could never have imagined 75 years ago. There is curiosity and experimentation; figurines of gods and goddesses are bought as charms or to worship. This is something we should be aware of as Christians.
There is a second way idol worship is thought about these days. If you have made anything the center of your life, if much of your time and attention revolves around it – has that become like an idol for you? That’s a pretty good question to think about and answer honestly.
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Now on to the third commandment: “You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain.” This means, don’t use it in a disrespectful or irreverent way. Yet how often have we heard someone say, when angry or frustrated, “Jesus Christ”? They are not speaking to God’s Son; they are using his name in a blasphemous way. They are taking the holiest of names and turning it into a nasty-sounding swear word. I honestly doubt most people hear themselves, let alone stop and think about it. How many times have you heard someone say “God__it.”? They may be plenty mad, but they aren’t praying God will bring destruction down.
Here’s another insight into this commandment. When the Hebrews heard this in their language it came out as, “Do not ever speak God’s name as if He had no substance.” As if he were a vapor, which is what the word vain means. I would not want to be the one saying God has no substance - no real weight, presence, or power. You and I know otherwise.
But, who here who has used some other expression – spewing it out when suddenly hurt? Plenty of words are used as a curse. Profanity is abundant. You might use a word you’ve heard time and again when the hammer hits your thumb, but you wish you hadn’t. God can help you decrease and get rid of that habit.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Our last commandment, the fourth, is called the most joyful of all: “Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy.” Sabbath is the 7th day in a week. We learn this in Genesis when we’re told God rested after 6 days of creating. Does that mean the Almighty got tired; he overdid and needed to lounge around? Not at all. The truer meaning here is that God “ceased” doing things. That was a choice, not a necessity. But we humans have bodies that are not designed to work non-stop. We must cease working.
However, Sabbath-keeping is much more than vegging on a couch all day. It’s meant to be a day of restoration. Some people spend time with family, if possible, perhaps sharing a meal. It can include venturing out to enjoy creation. There should also be time set aside to grow closer to God, strengthening that relationship. To help make the day be all it can be, some people limit things like phone usage and screen time.
If you’ve never taken this 4th commandment to heart, please try taking Sabbath. However you spend it, remember: it is God’s plan and His gift for you. You’ll never know how renewing it can be for your body and soul, your relationships and much more, unless you honor the Sabbath and keep it as a holy day where you cease working! May it be so - Amen.