Embracing God's Character Through the Ten Commandments

 

Summary

Good morning, Crosspoint. Today, on Mother's Day, I began by acknowledging the mixed emotions that this day can bring, from joy for some to sorrow for others. I expressed gratitude for the mothers among us and recognized the spiritual family that God provides, which can include spiritual mothers and daughters. This introduction set the stage for our continued exploration of God's story through the Bible, specifically focusing on the Ten Commandments as found in Exodus 20.

As we delved into the Ten Commandments, I emphasized that these are not merely a list of do's and don'ts but a profound expression of God's character. The commandments start with God's identity and actions—He is the Lord who brought us out of Egypt, out of slavery. This beginning is crucial as it frames the commandments within the context of God's saving grace, not our merit.

The first four commandments focus on our relationship with God. They teach us about His uniqueness, the importance of worshiping only Him, and the necessity of setting aside time for rest and worship through the Sabbath. These commandments are about honoring God as the central figure in our lives and recognizing His holiness and worthiness of our complete devotion.

The subsequent six commandments govern our interactions with others. They are predicated on the principle that our ability to love others stems from our love for God. These include honoring our parents, which extends to respecting all God-given authority, and commands against murder, adultery, theft, false testimony, and coveting. Each of these is tied back to the character of God—His justice, provision, truthfulness, and contentment in His promises.

Throughout the sermon, I drew parallels between the Old Testament commandments and New Testament teachings, showing the consistency of God's character and expectations across both covenants. For instance, Jesus deepened the commandment against murder to include wrongful anger, and the command against adultery to include wrongful desires, emphasizing that obedience to God involves our hearts, not just our actions.

In closing, I addressed the pressures of perfection, particularly felt by mothers, and pointed out that our identity and worth are found in God's greatness and our relationship with Him, not in our performance or the perceptions of others. This truth is liberating and empowers us to live out the high calling of reflecting God's character in a broken world.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Priority of God's Identity and Actions - The Ten Commandments begin with a declaration of who God is and what He has done, specifically His deliverance of Israel from Egypt. This starting point is essential as it sets the foundation for why we obey: not to earn God's favor but in response to His grace and mighty acts. [11:37]

2. The Depth of the Commandments - The commandments against murder and adultery are not merely legalistic prohibitions but invitations to treat others with the dignity and faithfulness that reflect God's image and loyalty. Jesus deepens our understanding of these laws by addressing the heart attitudes that underlie sinful actions. [44:44]

3. Sabbath as a Reflection of God’s Order and Provision - The Sabbath commandment is not just about rest, but about trust in God’s provision and order. It calls us to break from the busyness that often defines our worth and to find our identity and rest in Him, which is counter-cultural in our productivity-driven society. [26:14]

4. The Role of God’s Character in the Commandments - Each commandment reflects an aspect of God’s character, from His faithfulness and justice to His provision and truthfulness. Understanding this helps us see the commandments not as arbitrary rules but as guidelines for living in a way that honors God and reflects His nature to the world. [38:10]

5. Empowerment through Identity in Christ - Especially relevant on Mother’s Day, the sermon highlighted that our primary identity should be rooted in who we are in Christ, not in societal roles or expectations. This truth frees us from the pressure to perform perfectly, enabling us to live out our God-given roles with grace and strength. [51:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:40] - Introduction and Mother's Day Acknowledgment
- [05:58] - Overview of the Ten Commandments
- [11:00] - God's Character and the Commandments
- [22:10] - Love and Obedience to God
- [26:14] - Understanding Sabbath Rest
- [38:10] - Reflecting God's Justice and Provision
- [44:44] - Deepening Understanding of the Commandments
- [51:10] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 20:1-17 - The Ten Commandments
2. Matthew 5:21-22 - Jesus deepens the commandment against murder
3. Matthew 5:27-28 - Jesus deepens the commandment against adultery

#### Observation Questions
1. What is the significance of God introducing Himself as the one who brought Israel out of Egypt before giving the Ten Commandments? ([11:37])
2. How does Jesus expand the understanding of the commandments against murder and adultery in Matthew 5:21-22 and 5:27-28?
3. What are the two categories into which the Ten Commandments are divided, and what do they focus on? ([16:26])
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the Old Testament commandments and New Testament teachings? ([10:06])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to understand the Ten Commandments as an expression of God's character rather than just a list of rules? ([11:37])
2. How does the concept of God being "jealous for His glory" influence our understanding of the first two commandments? ([18:57])
3. In what ways does the Sabbath commandment challenge our modern, productivity-driven society? ([26:14])
4. How does the sermon suggest that our identity in Christ can free us from the pressures of perfection, especially in roles like motherhood? ([49:19])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the statement, "God's instructions for us are an expression of His character." How does this change your approach to following the Ten Commandments? ([11:37])
2. Jesus deepens the commandments against murder and adultery to include wrongful anger and desires. How can you apply this deeper understanding in your daily interactions and thoughts? ([44:44])
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of Sabbath rest. What specific steps can you take to incorporate a true Sabbath rest into your weekly routine? ([26:14])
4. How can recognizing God as a good provider help you combat feelings of envy or the temptation to steal? ([36:17])
5. The sermon highlights the importance of honoring authority, even when it is difficult. How can you show respect for authority figures in your life, even if you disagree with them? ([31:12])
6. Reflect on the pressures you face in your current roles (e.g., as a parent, employee, student). How can rooting your identity in Christ help you navigate these pressures more effectively? ([49:19])
7. The sermon suggests that our validation should come from our relationship with God rather than our performance. What practical steps can you take this week to shift your focus from performance to your identity in Christ? ([50:15])

Devotional

Day 1: God's Grace Initiates Obedience
Understanding the foundation of the Ten Commandments reveals that obedience to God stems from His prior acts of grace, not from our efforts to earn His favor. The commandments begin by reminding us of God's identity and His liberating actions, specifically His deliverance of Israel from Egypt. This context is crucial because it shifts our motivation from trying to earn God's favor to responding to His grace with gratitude and obedience. When we recognize that God's commands are rooted in His saving acts, our perspective on obedience changes from duty to devotion. [11:37]

Exodus 20:1-2
"And God spoke all these words, saying, 'I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.'"

Reflection: How does remembering God's past faithfulness in your life change your attitude towards obedience to His commands?

---

Day 2: The Heart Behind the Commandments
The commandments against murder and adultery extend beyond mere legalistic prohibitions; they invite us to honor the dignity and faithfulness that reflect God's image and loyalty. Jesus deepened our understanding by addressing the heart attitudes that underlie sinful actions, teaching that obedience involves not just external compliance but internal transformation. This approach challenges us to consider the deeper implications of our actions and attitudes, aligning them with the character and expectations of God. [44:44]

Matthew 5:21-22
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment."

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a heart that reflects God's loyalty and dignity in your daily interactions?

---

Day 3: Sabbath: Trust Over Toil
The Sabbath commandment is not merely about physical rest but about cultivating trust in God's provision and order. It challenges the modern valuation of busyness and productivity, calling us to find our worth and identity in God rather than in our accomplishments. This commandment invites us to embrace a rhythm of rest that acknowledges God's sovereignty and our reliance on Him, providing a profound counter-cultural witness about where true value is found. [26:14]

Exodus 16:23-25
"He said to them, 'This is what the Lord has commanded: "Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord; bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over lay aside to be kept till the morning."'"

Reflection: How can implementing a regular Sabbath practice help you deepen your trust in God's provision and timing?

---

Day 4: Reflecting God's Character in Law
Each commandment mirrors an aspect of God's character, from His faithfulness and justice to His provision and truthfulness. Understanding this helps us see the commandments not as arbitrary rules but as guidelines for living in a way that honors God and reflects His nature to the world. This perspective not only deepens our respect for the law but also enhances our relationship with God, as we see His character in every command He gives. [38:10]

Psalm 119:47-48
"For I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes."

Reflection: How does viewing God's commandments as reflections of His character change your approach to following them?

---

Day 5: Identity Rooted in Christ
Especially relevant on Mother’s Day, we are reminded that our primary identity should be rooted in who we are in Christ, not in societal roles or expectations. This truth liberates us from the pressure to perform perfectly, enabling us to live out our God-given roles with grace and strength. By anchoring our identity in Christ, we find the freedom to embrace our true selves and the unique calling God has placed on each of our lives. [51:10]

Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Reflection: How can embracing your identity in Christ free you from the pressures of societal expectations and empower you to live out your God-given calling?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The beautiful reality of the gospel is this, that even in addition to our earthly families, as believers God places us into a spiritual family as well where we have the opportunity to be spiritual mothers, spiritual daughters with the reality that God is present and if you're celebrating this morning as some are, as this is your first Mother's Day, and maybe you're celebrating children and grandchildren or maybe you're grieving, we know that God is present and so I just want to say thank you for joining us this morning on this Mother's Day." [01:40]( | | )

2. "Busyness has become a form of validation for self-importance, a symbol of prestige. We neglect rest, not just relaxing. We neglect rest and we make worship optional based on our own convenience. And yet people are more unhappy than ever. We make work, we make life about work and achievements and success and the next thing." [26:14]( | | )

3. "God is jealous for his holiness to be remembered. But here's the thing. Busyness has become a form of validation for self-importance, a symbol of prestige. We neglect rest, not just relaxing. We neglect rest and we make worship optional based on our own convenience. And yet people are more unhappy than ever." [26:14]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "God's instructions for us are an expression of his character. They're not just a list of tasks for us to do the Ten Commandments are an expression of his character which are. Reflected. Reflected then we are reflecting his character back when we walk in obedience to them and that is only possible through the transforming power of God in our lives." [07:44]( | | )

2. "The Ten Commandments for many it's kind of it's a familiar passage and it can seem very familiar. So familiar though until if I were to have you say okay write down all ten ten ten commandments. We might struggle a little bit to remember all of them. And unfortunately what has happened for many is the Ten Commandments have become this list of of do's and don'ts." [05:58]( | | )

3. "God is mighty, powerful, holy, merciful, and just. He has saved us. We were dead in sins, and now we're alive. And that wasn't because you followed all day. That wasn't because you followed all day. That wasn't because you followed all day. That isn't because you followed all day. That wasn't because you followed all day. That wasn't because you followed all day. That is because God is great, and He is good, and He is merciful, and He has chosen to love us, and He made us alive in Christ." [46:16]( | | )

4. "Validation comes to the point of how good you are in the role that you're fulfilling. Your identity becomes wrapped around it, how you see yourself, how you think God sees you. And it's that religiosity when we reverse the order, and it becomes the focus. To all the mothers here, I think the greatest thing you can do is to not begin with yourself and how good of a mom you are." [49:19]( | | )

5. "Your validation is not in how good of a mother you are. It is in your position as a daughter of the one true God. And the same is true for everyone else here who's not a mother. Think of your job. Think of the ways that we seek to validate ourselves, that we try to work up towards God. But in reality, there is freedom to know that, we don't have it all together. But we serve a magnificent God who is good and merciful and just and unbiased, who gives life, who transforms us, and who invites us and empowers us now to reflect His glory." [51:10]( | | )

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Transcript
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