PRAYER
Gracious God, Creator of the cosmos and the intimate architect of our lives, we gather this morning with hearts full of gratitude. Thank You for the beauty of this day, the gift of this community, State Street, and the simple yet profound act of breathing air in this place, LaPorte.
Lord, we thank You for the incredible gift of Your Word—this library of stories, poems, letters, and even laws, through which You have revealed Your heart and relentless love for humanity throughout the ages.
Today, as we begin this journey of ‘Binge Reading the Bible,’ we turn our attention to the very foundation – what we call ‘The Law’ or the Torah. We confess, Father, that sometimes the word ‘law’ can feel heavy, perhaps distant, or even like a list of restrictions. We might approach it with preconceived notions or a bit of apprehension.
So, we ask You, Holy Spirit, to breathe fresh life into these ancient texts for us today. Open our eyes to see beyond mere rules to the relationship You desire. Help us glimpse Your character as our loving Creator, faithful Covenant-Maker, and wise Guide who longs for our flourishing.
Quiet the distractions in our minds and soften any resistance in our hearts. Grant us ears to truly hear, minds to understand, and wills prepared to respond to the life-giving truth You have for us.
Speak through me, Lord, with clarity and grace. More importantly, speak to each person here today right where they are. May we leave this place not burdened, but lighter; not confused, but clearer. Let us see the foundations of our faith not as confining walls, but as a launching pad for a life lived fully in Your love and purpose.
We pray all this in the strong and loving name of Jesus. Amen.
SERMON
POINT: You were created on purpose, for a purpose.
POINT: We crave both freedom and boundaries. True freedom isn’t the absence of boundaries; it’s flourishing within the right boundaries.
Genesis 1: God the Creator
Genesis 1:1-4 NRSV
When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.
Genesis 12: God the Covenant-Maker
Genesis 12:1-3 NRSV
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
Exodus 20: God the Guide/Liberator
Exodus 20:1-3 NRSV
Then God spoke all these words,
“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.
Deuteronomy 6: God the Center
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NRSV
Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
POINT: God’s Law isn’t primarily about restriction; it’s about relationship.
QUESTIONS:
1. How can I intentionally show love to God in this next part of my day?
2. How can I intentionally show love to my neighbor (family, coworker, stranger) in this next part of my day?
POINT: God invites us to become who we were meant to be.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.