Prioritizing Our Relationship with God Above All
Summary
### Summary
Today, we conclude our series on the Ten Commandments, focusing on the first and most important commandment: "You shall have no other gods before me." This commandment is not just about avoiding idolatry but about prioritizing our relationship with God above all else. The Ten Commandments are fundamentally about relationships—our relationship with God and with others. By understanding and applying these principles, we can enhance our connection with God and improve our interactions with those around us.
We explored how the Ten Commandments are more about "who" than "do." God emphasizes His identity as Yahweh, the personal and relational God who brought the Israelites out of Egypt. This relational aspect is crucial because it shifts our focus from merely following rules to cultivating a deep, meaningful relationship with God. We also discussed the concept of "name, image, and likeness" (NIL) in the context of modern college sports, drawing parallels to the commandments that prohibit misusing God's name, creating graven images, and placing anything else before Him.
The principle of priority is central to understanding the first commandment. God doesn't just want to be first among many; He wants to be the only one. This means that our relationship with God should be our sole focus, and everything else—family, work, and other responsibilities—will fall into place when we prioritize Him. Jesus reinforced this idea in the New Testament, teaching that we should love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. This total devotion to God transforms all other aspects of our lives, aligning them with His will.
In practical terms, this means examining our lives for any "both and" arrangements where we try to balance God with other priorities. True worship and devotion require us to put to death any idols or distractions that compete for our attention. By making God our primary focus, we can experience the fullness of His love and guidance in every area of our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Ten Commandments are about relationships: They are designed to enhance our relationship with God and others. By focusing on the relational principles behind the commandments, we can deepen our connection with God and improve our interactions with those around us. [28:58]
2. God's identity as Yahweh is central: Understanding God as Yahweh, the personal and relational God, shifts our focus from merely following rules to cultivating a meaningful relationship with Him. This relational aspect is crucial for truly grasping the essence of the commandments. [39:36]
3. The principle of priority: God doesn't just want to be first among many; He wants to be the only one. Our relationship with God should be our sole focus, and everything else—family, work, and other responsibilities—will fall into place when we prioritize Him. [50:31]
4. Total devotion transforms our lives: Jesus taught that we should love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. This total devotion to God transforms all other aspects of our lives, aligning them with His will and enabling us to live in harmony with His commandments. [52:39]
5. Eliminating idols and distractions: True worship and devotion require us to put to death any idols or distractions that compete for our attention. By making God our primary focus, we can experience the fullness of His love and guidance in every area of our lives. [45:43]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[28:16] - Introduction to the Series
[28:58] - The Relational Aspect of the Ten Commandments
[29:50] - Counting Down to Number One
[30:43] - Upcoming Series: At the Movies
[32:10] - Special Events and Announcements
[33:17] - Reading from Exodus 20:1
[34:09] - Personal Anecdote: College Sports
[35:34] - Name, Image, and Likeness
[36:19] - The Importance of a Holy Day
[37:11] - Misusing God's Name and Image
[37:46] - The Principle of Priority
[39:36] - God's Relational Statement
[45:43] - The Repeated Sin of Israel
[50:31] - The Principle of Priority Explained
[52:39] - Jesus' Teaching on Total Devotion
[55:07] - Abiding in God's Love
[59:12] - Aligning Our Lives with God's Will
[01:00:12] - Jesus' Teaching on the End of Time
[01:01:15] - Self-Examination for Idols
[01:02:50] - Jacob's Pledge to God
[01:04:37] - The Call to Deny Ourselves
[01:05:10] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 20:1-3: "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. You shall have no other gods before me.'"
2. Matthew 22:37: "And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'"
3. Deuteronomy 6:5: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."
### Observation Questions
1. What does God declare about Himself in Exodus 20:1-3, and what command does He give? ([33:17])
2. According to Matthew 22:37, how does Jesus summarize the greatest commandment?
3. In Deuteronomy 6:5, what three aspects of our being are we commanded to love God with?
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the Ten Commandments and our relationship with God and others? ([28:58])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that God introduces Himself as the one who brought the Israelites out of Egypt before giving the commandments? ([33:17])
2. How does understanding God as Yahweh, the personal and relational God, change our approach to the commandments? ([39:36])
3. What does it mean to prioritize God as the only one, rather than just the first among many? ([50:31])
4. How does total devotion to God, as described in Matthew 22:37 and Deuteronomy 6:5, transform other aspects of our lives? ([52:39])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there any "both and" arrangements where you try to balance God with other priorities? How can you shift to making God your sole focus? ([45:43])
2. Think about a time when you felt distant from God. What distractions or idols were present in your life at that time? How can you eliminate these distractions now? ([45:43])
3. Jesus taught to love God with all your heart, soul, and strength. What practical steps can you take this week to show total devotion to God in your daily activities? ([52:39])
4. How can you ensure that your relationship with God is the foundation for your relationships with family, work, and other responsibilities? ([50:31])
5. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to put God first. What changes can you make to prioritize Him in that area? ([50:31])
6. How can you use the principle of prioritizing God to improve your interactions with others? Share a specific example where this principle could make a difference. ([28:58])
7. Reflect on the concept of "name, image, and likeness" (NIL) discussed in the sermon. How can you honor God's name, image, and likeness in your daily life? ([35:34])
Devotional
### Day 1: Relationships as the Foundation of the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments are not merely a set of rules but are fundamentally about relationships—our relationship with God and with others. By focusing on the relational principles behind the commandments, we can deepen our connection with God and improve our interactions with those around us. This perspective shifts our understanding from a legalistic approach to a relational one, emphasizing that God's laws are designed to foster love, respect, and harmony. When we view the commandments through this lens, we see that they are meant to guide us in building and maintaining healthy, loving relationships.
The relational aspect of the Ten Commandments is crucial because it aligns with God's nature as a relational being. He desires a deep, personal relationship with each of us, and His commandments are a reflection of that desire. By adhering to these principles, we not only honor God but also create a community that reflects His love and justice. This understanding helps us to see the commandments as a gift rather than a burden, guiding us toward a life that is pleasing to God and beneficial to others. [28:58]
Bible Passage:
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)
Reflection:
Think about a relationship in your life that needs improvement. How can you apply the principles of the Ten Commandments to enhance this relationship today?
### Day 2: Understanding God as Yahweh
God's identity as Yahweh, the personal and relational God, is central to understanding the Ten Commandments. This shifts our focus from merely following rules to cultivating a meaningful relationship with Him. Yahweh is not a distant, impersonal deity but a God who desires to be intimately involved in our lives. He revealed Himself to the Israelites as the one who brought them out of Egypt, emphasizing His role as their deliverer and protector. This relational aspect is crucial for truly grasping the essence of the commandments.
When we understand God as Yahweh, we see that His commandments are not arbitrary rules but expressions of His character and His desire for a relationship with us. This perspective helps us to approach the commandments with a heart of love and gratitude rather than fear and obligation. By focusing on who God is, we can better understand why He calls us to live in certain ways and how these commandments are designed to draw us closer to Him. [39:36]
Bible Passage:
"And God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And he said, 'Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on your understanding of God as Yahweh. How does this understanding change the way you approach His commandments and your relationship with Him?
### Day 3: The Principle of Priority
The principle of priority is central to understanding the first commandment. God doesn't just want to be first among many; He wants to be the only one. Our relationship with God should be our sole focus, and everything else—family, work, and other responsibilities—will fall into place when we prioritize Him. This means that our devotion to God should be wholehearted and undivided, reflecting the total commitment that He desires from us.
Jesus reinforced this idea in the New Testament, teaching that we should love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. This total devotion to God transforms all other aspects of our lives, aligning them with His will. When we make God our primary focus, we experience His guidance and blessings in every area of our lives. This principle challenges us to examine our priorities and ensure that nothing else takes precedence over our relationship with God. [50:31]
Bible Passage:
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection:
Examine your daily schedule and priorities. Is there anything that you are placing above your relationship with God? How can you rearrange your priorities to put God first?
### Day 4: Total Devotion Transforms Our Lives
Jesus taught that we should love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. This total devotion to God transforms all other aspects of our lives, aligning them with His will and enabling us to live in harmony with His commandments. When we are fully devoted to God, our thoughts, actions, and desires are shaped by His love and guidance. This transformation affects every area of our lives, from our relationships to our work and personal goals.
Total devotion to God means surrendering every part of our lives to Him and allowing His will to guide us. It requires us to trust in His plan and to seek His presence continually. This level of commitment may be challenging, but it leads to a life that is deeply fulfilling and aligned with God's purposes. By loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength, we open ourselves to the fullness of His love and the abundant life that He promises. [52:39]
Bible Passage:
"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30, ESV)
Reflection:
Consider what it means to love God with all your heart, soul, and strength. What changes can you make in your daily life to reflect this total devotion to God?
### Day 5: Eliminating Idols and Distractions
True worship and devotion require us to put to death any idols or distractions that compete for our attention. By making God our primary focus, we can experience the fullness of His love and guidance in every area of our lives. Idols can take many forms, including material possessions, relationships, and personal ambitions. Anything that takes precedence over our relationship with God can become an idol, hindering our spiritual growth and connection with Him.
Eliminating idols and distractions involves a conscious effort to identify and remove anything that competes with our devotion to God. This process requires self-examination and a willingness to surrender our desires and priorities to Him. By doing so, we create space for God's presence and allow Him to guide us in every aspect of our lives. This act of surrender leads to a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God and a life that is aligned with His will. [45:43]
Bible Passage:
"Little children, keep yourselves from idols." (1 John 5:21, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify any idols or distractions in your life that may be competing with your devotion to God. What steps can you take to eliminate these distractions and focus more fully on your relationship with Him?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Now, here's the big thing about the Ten Commandments for us is that we're really not looking at the thou shall nots and these sort of rules that go with everything. Actually, what we said is that there was a set of principles behind everything, that there was some sort of driving relationship that God wanted us to understand, that if we would apply this principle, it would make not only our relationship with Him better, but our relationship with everybody else better as well." [28:58] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Listen, there's only one God. And it is not you. And you are here to worship me and me Verse 3 says this, he says, you shall not have any other gods before me. Or maybe your translation says it this way, you shall have no other gods. So instead of having the not there, it's you shall not have any gods, or you shall have no other gods. It doesn't mean the same sort of a thing." [43:10] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When we focus on our pursuit of who, it changes what in all that we do. I said earlier, you probably heard somebody teach that God is first, family is second, and work is third. But God was saying, listen, I'm supposed to be first, and that's it. Some of you just went, wait a second, Pastor Charles, what do you mean? What about my wife, and my kids, and what about my work? Shouldn't I, like, how am I supposed to keep everything sort of just balanced along the way? And God says, no." [51:05] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus said, to seek first the kingdom of God, and then all of these other things would be added unto you. In other words, he says, prioritize God first. He doesn't say put God first, and then put your family and your work. He says, just prioritize one thing. Seek first the kingdom of God. He says, there's only one thing. And when you get that one thing right, it changes everything else." [51:34] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Listen, it's all about relationship. God one, us zero. When we focus on our pursuit of who, it changes what and all that we do." [01:04:37] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "But what we can do and the way that we should view these is that these determine the depth of the sort of relationship that we do have with God. He opens up all of these commandments. Here it is. This one's number one. And he opens these up with a relational statement. Right? We just saw this. He says, I am the Lord your God, the one who brought you out of Egypt. In essence, what he's saying, actually, really what he's saying, is I am Yahweh. His holy name. His personal name." [39:07] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You see, ten weeks ago when we started this series, I said that God is number one. I said I believe that this entire series was based on a set of principles of relationship. And actually, what I said was exactly this ten weeks ago. I said the ten are all about relationship. And I told you that what we would see as we unpacked that and as they gave us some instructions, that it was not about how to be better in the eyes of God, right? Because that's an impossibility." [38:31] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And so Jesus says, listen, this is what it means for you and I is that we have to stay connected. We have to stay in relationship. Relationship is how we keep the commandments. It's the only way we can possibly do it is if we make a priority out of who God is. Okay, pastor, I think I understand what you're saying, that God is number one, but then how do those other relationships work? You said this is a relationship series. We get all the way to number one, but like, how does making God number one and there is nothing else in my life, how, what does that mean for my family and my work?" [55:39] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And God says, listen, you're not supposed to have anybody else but me. He says, you're not supposed to have any other gods except for me. He's not just saying, you can't have any other gods before me. He's saying, you can't have any other gods period. And since you just came out of a culture with lots of other gods, I'm going to acknowledge that. Since you're going to a culture where there's more gods, I'm going to acknowledge that, but I am the only God. And I want to have a relationship with you." [50:02] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus, when he was teaching about the end of time, this is a lengthy passage, so just hang with me. Here's what he said. He said, when the Son of Man comes in his glory and all of the angels are with him, and he'll sit on his glorious throne before him will be gathered all of the nations, and he'll separate people from one from another, just like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he'll place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. And then the king will say to those on his right, come you who are blessed by my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the very foundation of the world." [01:00:12] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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