We will begin a new message series on February 5 about the 10 Commandments. The 10 Commandments are God’s keys for unlocking a well-lived life. They are found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5.
Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Deuteronomy 5:33 (NIV84)
God gives us the 10 Commandments because he loves us and he wants the best for us. God does not give us the Commandments for his benefit. He gives the Commandments for our benefit. They are not given to be a burden, but show us a path to joy.
God says, “Learn them and be sure to follow them.” Deuteronomy 5:1 (NIV84) The first important step is to learn the Commandments. So do you know the Commandments? If someone asked you to list the 10 Commandments, would you be able to do so? Sadly, there are more Christians who are not able to list the 10 Commandments than there are Christians who are able to do so.
It is impossible to obey and to live for God if we don’t now what he expects from us. That is why I believe this message series is so important. It is my prayer that we will learn these Commandments so that we might be able to live them out and experience all that God wants for us.
We have seen how the Commandments have been taken out of classrooms and courtrooms. But many of us have taken the Commandments out of our lives as well. Many view the Commandments more as the 10 Suggestions than the 10 Commandments. Even more import than having the Commandments displayed on the walls of our public buildings, we need the Commandments written upon our hearts and displayed in our lives.
My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 7:1-3 (NIV84)
There is more than meets the eye with these Commandments. Knowing these Commandments is about much more than simply being able to recite them. It takes a lifetime and more to grasp their full meaning, but in February and March we will be taking the first step to discovering the filled full life God lays out for us in the 10 Commandments.
Over the next couple of weeks we will be selling copies of Luther’s Small Catechism to help guide our study. If you would like to purchase a copy they will be available in the lobby before and after worship for $9/each.
