The Gift of the Torah: Moving from “commandments” to faithful obedience
October 22, 2023
Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV) “11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
The word for
Acts 20:28 “28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
Exodus 19:4-6 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
You are not your
John 14:23 - “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
You have been saved to obey and follow the king and his edicts.
Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.””
“We miss the grace because we too often see the Ten Commandments without the glorious context of deliverance. We miss the grace because we read the judgment stories in isolation, without the long litany of second chances.” —Dr. Carmen Imes
The love for the Law
- Psalm 119:1 “Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.”
- Psalm 119:13 “With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.”
- Psalm 119:20 “My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.”
- Psalm 119:34 “Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.”
Exodus 20:1-17 (NIV)
“And God spoke all these words: 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery.15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Do not carry, lift, or bear God’s name for
Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
We follow a different King and our King has better edicts.
- You are not your own… we belong to the King so follow the King’s edicts.
Ephesians 4:1 “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”