Embracing Freedom: The Power of the First Commandment
Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate Pentecost Sunday, a day that marks the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, empowering them to spread the gospel. We began with a joyful reminder that church is a place where we can have fun, dance, and celebrate the goodness of God. We praised God for the Holy Spirit, who not only reproves and rebukes us but also encourages us to live free and victorious lives through Jesus Christ ([31:26]).
As we transitioned into the sermon, I introduced our new series on the Ten Commandments, titled "The Perfect Ten." The focus of today's message was on the first commandment: "You shall have no other gods before me." We discussed the importance of the Ten Commandments, which are foundational principles that have shaped our judicial systems and moral standards. Despite their significance, many people struggle to remember or recite them in order ([35:39]).
To understand the context of the Ten Commandments, we revisited the story of the Israelites, starting from Genesis. God chose Abraham to bring forth a nation, Israel, through which Jesus Christ would come. Despite their initial freedom, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. God heard their cries and chose Moses, an ordinary man with flaws, to lead them out of slavery. This story highlights that God often uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things, ensuring that He alone receives the glory ([37:39]).
Moses confronted Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites. Pharaoh's hardened heart led to a series of plagues, each targeting the false gods of Egypt. The final plague, the death of the firstborn, was catastrophic. However, God provided a way for His people to be spared through the Passover lamb, symbolizing Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice for our sins ([44:17]).
We then delved into the significance of the first commandment. God, who delivered the Israelites from Egypt, declared, "I am the Lord, your God." This commandment emphasizes the importance of recognizing and worshiping the one true God. We discussed how people often create "functional gods" in their lives, such as money, power, or relationships, which can enslave them. True freedom comes from making God the center of our lives and worshiping Him alone ([53:16]).
We explored five reasons why people struggle to live free despite being set free by God. These include believing the lie that we cannot change, fearing change more than slavery, being chained by loyalty to our history, returning to enslaving habits, and having self-deception about past slavery. Each of these points underscores the importance of embracing the freedom that God offers and not allowing ourselves to be bound by our past or false beliefs ([01:11:45]).
As we concluded, we partook in communion, recognizing Jesus as the Passover lamb whose sacrifice sets us free from sin. We reflected on the importance of making Jesus the Lord of our lives and living in the freedom He provides. For those who have not yet accepted Jesus, the invitation was extended to recognize their need for a Savior and to embrace the freedom and victory that comes through Him ([01:16:09]).
### Key Takeaways
1. The Joy of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit's Role: Pentecost Sunday reminds us of the joy and freedom we have in Christ. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live victorious lives, reproving and rebuking us when necessary but also encouraging us to live free. This joy should be evident in our worship and daily lives, as we celebrate the goodness of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. [31:26]
2. The Importance of the Ten Commandments: The Ten Commandments are foundational principles that have shaped our moral and judicial systems. Despite their significance, many struggle to remember or recite them. Understanding and internalizing these commandments is crucial for living a life that honors God and reflects His standards. [35:39]
3. God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Things: The story of Moses reminds us that God often chooses ordinary people with flaws to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. This ensures that He alone receives the glory. We should be encouraged that God can use us, despite our imperfections, to fulfill His plans. [37:39]
4. The First Commandment and Functional Gods: The first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me," emphasizes the importance of recognizing and worshiping the one true God. Many people create "functional gods" in their lives, such as money, power, or relationships, which can enslave them. True freedom comes from making God the center of our lives and worshiping Him alone. [53:16]
5. Embracing Freedom and Overcoming Slavery: Despite being set free by God, many people struggle to live free due to various reasons, such as believing lies, fearing change, being chained by history, returning to enslaving habits, and self-deception. Embracing the freedom that God offers requires recognizing these barriers and choosing to live in the victory and freedom provided by Jesus Christ. [01:11:45]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[27:21] - Celebrating Pentecost Sunday
[31:26] - Joy and Freedom in Worship
[33:51] - Opening Prayer and Introduction
[34:45] - Introduction to the Ten Commandments Series
[35:39] - Importance of the Ten Commandments
[37:39] - Context of the Ten Commandments
[44:17] - Moses and Pharaoh
[53:16] - The First Commandment
[01:11:45] - Five Reasons People Struggle to Live Free
[01:16:09] - Communion and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 20:1-3: "And God spoke all these words: 'I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.'"
2. Exodus 12:29-30: "At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead."
3. Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
### Observation Questions
1. What event does Pentecost Sunday commemorate, and how does it relate to the Holy Spirit's role in our lives? ([27:21])
2. According to the sermon, why did God choose Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt despite his flaws? ([42:59])
3. What was the significance of the Passover lamb in the story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt? ([50:40])
4. What does the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me," emphasize about our relationship with God? ([53:16])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt illustrate God's use of ordinary people for extraordinary purposes? ([42:59])
2. In what ways do people today create "functional gods" in their lives, and how do these "gods" enslave them? ([53:16])
3. What are the five reasons mentioned in the sermon that explain why people struggle to live free despite being set free by God? ([01:11:45])
4. How does the concept of the Passover lamb in Exodus point to Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins? ([50:40])
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Pentecost Sunday, how can you allow the Holy Spirit to bring more joy and freedom into your daily worship and life? ([27:21])
2. Have you ever felt unqualified for a task God has called you to? How can Moses' story encourage you to trust in God's plan despite your flaws? ([42:59])
3. Identify a "functional god" in your life (e.g., money, power, relationships). What steps can you take this week to re-center your worship and focus on God alone? ([53:16])
4. Think about a time when you believed the lie that you couldn't change. How can you embrace the truth of God's transformative power in your life today? ([01:11:45])
5. Are there any enslaving habits or past loyalties that you need to let go of to fully embrace the freedom God offers? What practical steps can you take to break free from these chains? ([01:13:14])
6. How can you make Jesus the true Lord of your life, ensuring that He is the "big G God" and not just one of many priorities? ([01:14:39])
7. During communion, we recognize Jesus as the Passover lamb. How can this understanding deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice and inspire you to live a life of freedom and victory? ([01:16:09])
Devotional
Day 1: The Joy of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit's Role
The celebration of Pentecost Sunday is a reminder of the joy and freedom we have in Christ. On this day, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them to spread the gospel. This event signifies the birth of the Church and the beginning of its mission to the world. The Holy Spirit not only reproves and rebukes us when necessary but also encourages us to live free and victorious lives through Jesus Christ. This joy should be evident in our worship and daily lives, as we celebrate the goodness of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is a source of joy, strength, and guidance, helping us to navigate the challenges of life with a sense of divine purpose and assurance.
The Holy Spirit's role is multifaceted, involving guidance, comfort, and empowerment. As believers, we are called to live in the freedom that the Spirit provides, breaking free from the chains of sin and embracing a life of victory. This freedom is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that should influence our daily actions and attitudes. By allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us, we can experience the fullness of life that God intends for us, marked by joy, peace, and a sense of purpose. [31:26]
Acts 2:1-4 (ESV): "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Reflection: How can you allow the Holy Spirit to bring more joy and freedom into your daily life today?
Day 2: The Importance of the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments are foundational principles that have shaped our moral and judicial systems. Despite their significance, many people struggle to remember or recite them in order. These commandments are not just ancient rules but timeless guidelines that reflect God's standards for righteous living. Understanding and internalizing these commandments is crucial for living a life that honors God and reflects His character. They serve as a moral compass, guiding us in our relationships with God and with others.
The first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me," sets the tone for the rest of the commandments. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and worshiping the one true God. In a world filled with distractions and competing priorities, this commandment calls us to focus our hearts and minds on God alone. By doing so, we align ourselves with His will and purpose for our lives, experiencing the peace and fulfillment that comes from living in obedience to Him. [35:39]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: Which of the Ten Commandments do you find most challenging to remember or apply, and why? How can you make a conscious effort to internalize and live out this commandment today?
Day 3: God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Things
The story of Moses reminds us that God often chooses ordinary people with flaws to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. Moses was an ordinary man with imperfections, yet God chose him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. This ensures that God alone receives the glory for the extraordinary things that are accomplished. Moses' story is a powerful reminder that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or limitations, to fulfill His divine plans.
This truth is encouraging for all believers, as it reassures us that our weaknesses and imperfections do not disqualify us from being used by God. Instead, they can become the very means through which God's power and glory are displayed. By trusting in God's ability to work through us, we can step out in faith and obedience, knowing that He will equip and empower us for the tasks He has called us to. [37:39]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel inadequate or unqualified? How can you trust God to use you in those areas for His glory?
Day 4: The First Commandment and Functional Gods
The first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me," emphasizes the importance of recognizing and worshiping the one true God. Many people create "functional gods" in their lives, such as money, power, or relationships, which can enslave them. These functional gods can take the place of God in our hearts, leading us away from true worship and devotion. True freedom comes from making God the center of our lives and worshiping Him alone.
When we allow other things to take the place of God in our lives, we become enslaved to those things, losing the freedom that God intends for us. By identifying and removing these functional gods, we can experience the true freedom that comes from worshiping and serving the one true God. This requires a conscious effort to examine our hearts and priorities, ensuring that God remains at the center of our lives. [53:16]
Isaiah 44:6-8 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.'"
Reflection: What "functional gods" have you allowed to take the place of God in your life? How can you begin to remove these and refocus your worship on the one true God today?
Day 5: Embracing Freedom and Overcoming Slavery
Despite being set free by God, many people struggle to live free due to various reasons, such as believing lies, fearing change, being chained by history, returning to enslaving habits, and self-deception. Embracing the freedom that God offers requires recognizing these barriers and choosing to live in the victory and freedom provided by Jesus Christ. This involves a conscious effort to break free from the lies and habits that enslave us and to embrace the truth and freedom that God offers.
Living in freedom is not just about being free from external circumstances but also about experiencing inner freedom from the things that hold us back. By identifying and addressing the barriers to freedom in our lives, we can fully embrace the freedom that God offers and live in the victory that comes through Jesus Christ. This requires a daily commitment to trust in God's promises and to walk in the freedom that He provides. [01:11:45]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: What barriers are preventing you from fully embracing the freedom that God offers? How can you take practical steps today to overcome these barriers and live in the freedom and victory provided by Jesus Christ?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You may have your daddy's DNA, but you've got your heavenly father's identity. But too many people have believed the lie. We cannot change. Here's number two. We fear change more than slavery. Can I break it down? Some of us like staying stuck because being set free takes work. So many of us, we like who we are. And to change is hard work. So we're just going to stay the way we are because we don't want to have to do the work necessary to be set free. We fear change more than slavery." [01:11:45]
2. "You cannot live free until you realize there's one God. This is going to blow your mind. Do you mind if I blow your mind with this theological truth? You're like, oh my goodness, Pastor Daniel is the smartest man who ever lived. I've never thought of this before. Are you guys ready to write this down? I mean, it's going to blow your mind. You're probably going to have nothing to say in response to this statement I'm about to make. You ready for it? You're not the center of the universe." [01:07:23]
3. "True freedom is not doing what you want and your ability to jump the fence. True freedom is playing safely in the yard under your father's care and provision. So that is what God is doing with his children when he gives them the law, the 10 commandments. But how should you and I view these 10 commandments in the New Testament age? Well, Jesus tells us in Luke chapter 24, it's echoed in John chapter 5 as well, that everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the law of Moses." [01:03:05]
4. "When God gives laws, if we don't see him as a loving father, sitting with us on the couch, telling us how much he loves us and that every law that he gives is actually a board in the fence. That is not there to limit us, but again, to preserve our life so that we can truly live free without being harmed. Then we will reject a loving father who really wants us to live a blessed life." [01:01:35]
### Quotes for Members
1. "You see, this is not just a story about what happened. It is a story about what always happens. It is a tale as old as time. As I said, the first five books of the Old Testament are known as the Pentateuch, but they're also known as the book of the law. Not surprisingly, they carry with them a whole bunch of laws, 613 to be exact. The Ten Commandments are a summary of those laws." [54:51]
2. "You see, from the table of contents to the maps in the back, we have to agree with all of it or none of it. You can't pick and choose. It is our rule of faith and practice. We cannot change God's word. It is full and it is complete. Moses wrote it, but God spoke it. And folks, this is unprecedented. Because if God didn't tell us who he was, we would not know who he was. And he starts out by saying, I am the Lord, your God. Even though he is supreme." [54:05]
3. "So here's a question I'm going to ask you. As we talk about this first commandment, that's why I have no other gods before me. Have you really made Jesus Lord of your life? The center of your life? Is he the big G God of your life? Do you know him as your savior? Do you know him as your Passover lamb? If you're not a Christian, your biggest problem is not your behavior. It's your God. If you are a Christian, you need to know you've been set free. And today, by the grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, you can live free." [01:14:39]
4. "The lamb was a sacrifice. The lamb was a substitute for the wages of sin. You see, this is all pointing to Jesus, the final sacrifice for our sins, the substitute, the lamb who was slain, and the one alone who would alleviate the wrath of God from coming upon his children. So that night, God delivers his people by passing over them and setting them free. Listen closely. Even though these former slaves were set free, they were not living free." [51:43]
5. "God always chooses to do extraordinary things through ordinary people so that he and he alone can get the glory. Because when God uses somebody like Moses, or he chooses to use somebody like you or me, everybody knows that it's from God. It is not the gift of the servant. And Moses is told this. Moses, I want you to go to Pharaoh and tell him what I tell you. You guys remember the burning bush, right? The burning bush speaks, but though it's not burning up, this is God speaking to him. Go to Pharaoh and tell him what to do. But there's a problem with that. No one tells Pharaoh what to do. Why? Because he thinks he's God." [43:44]
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