The Ten Commandments -The Ultimate Guide on the Narrow Road

Sermon Notes 07-28-21

 

 

The Ten Commandments

The Ultimate Guide on the Narrow Road

 

This lesson is the beginning of a series I’m going to teach on the 10 commandments. I want to encourage you to tune in every Wednesday night as I continue the study.

 

The 10 Commandments are the ultimate guide that we should use as we travel on the narrow Road to eternal life. Remember what Jesus said

Mt 7:13–14 (NKJV) — 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. 

 

We will do a full exposition weekly on each commandments beginning next week 7pm on our YouTube channel and Facebook page. In the future, I am working to also get us streaming on Instagram.

 

The commandments represent what every human being needs to do when they have decided to walk the walk that God has called them to. These commandments, the word of God, make the road narrow and difficult for an individual. A person who is submitted to God has to conform to a different set of rules than the world in general. Their life is guided by the word of God not the word of the world.

 

It is sad to say many people are not familiar with all of the commandments. Oh yes, we might give them lip service, but rarely do we keep them before us as the law of our God. We will entirely go against God’s commandments when we choose. Every man indeed tends to do what is right in his own eyes. I want to show you that the 10 Commandments are not 10 recommendations. They are 10 obligations, for everyone who seeks to please the Lord.

 

The 10 Commandments are not 10 recommendations. They are 10 obligations!

 

NOW SAY THAT!

 

No one who says he loves God will continually violate any of the commandments. Jesus has said if we love him, we will keep his commandments. How many of us knowingly continue to disregard what God has said? 

 

Let us begin our study by remembering where we were this Sunday. The people had gathered around Mount Sinai. God had prepared them by instructing Moses as to what they were to do.

 

Ex 19:16 (NKJV) — 16 Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 

17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 

 

19 And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice. 20 Then the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to gaze at the Lord, and many of them perish. 22 Also let the priests who come near the Lord consecrate themselves, lest the Lord break out against them.” 23 But Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai; for You warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain and consecrate it.’ ” 24 Then the Lord said to him, “Away! Get down and then come up, you and Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, lest He break out against them.” 

 25 So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them. 

 

Now we see something unique and unusual that had never happened before in the history of mankind. God speaks to thousands of people at the same time. No other religion can make this claim. Think about it. All other religions have a prophet that God spoke to, but in this case, the God of Israel spoke to a whole nation, and all the people heard him. Remember, they were gathered at the foot of the mountain! This is an important point to remember thousands of people heard the voice of God. Nowhere else in the history of mankind has this ever been done.

 

Ex 20:1 (NKJV) — 1 And God spoke all these words, saying: 

 

With this phrase, we see that the 10 statements are not the words of Moses. These words are the words of God! They did not come out of the mind of Moses or any man. These are the words of the creator of the entire universe stating his expectations of the people he created. Those he delivered from bondage in Egypt. These are not the laws of men.

 

There are no founding fathers of the 10 Commandments. This comes directly from the mouth of God.

 

Regardless of whatever laws men may come up with, this law is the supreme law!

 

This is also one of the reasons why secular society does not want the 10 Commandments being displayed in public areas. The 10 Commandments, at the core, are clearly stated as being given by the creator, God.

 

Though we may have the Bible that is given to us by men of God, 2 Pe 1:20–21 (NKJV) — 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 

These words come directly out of the mouth of God! No wonder they are hated by people who do not want to acknowledge there is a God. No wonder they do not want the 10 Commandments represented anywhere. We must eliminate any reference to God in our society. Many of our elected officials agree.

 

The spirit of this world, the antichrist spirit, is against the spirit of God. For this very reason, I have continually caution you not to embrace the teachings of the world. Reminding you as often as I can,  this world is not your home.

 

Now, God enters a covenant with the nation of Israel corporately and individually. It is a covenant that can be agreed to by anyone regardless of nationality. He defines the relationship that he will have with the people individually and the relationship he expects the people to have with one another. These were not statements made to the politicians, religious leaders, or any specific group. They were made for every human being. They are the expectations that God has upon all.

 

Paul also tells us that these commandments, otherwise known as the moral law, are already written upon our hearts. Rom 2:15. No man is without excuse for violating any one of them.

Ro 1:20–32 (NKJV) — 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. 

 

God further introduces himself in verse two.

 

Ex 20:2 (NKJV) — 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 

 

Notice the first two words: “I am”. 

 

He is using the words that he gave Moses as his name. Then, he clarifies he is the one that brought them out of the house of bondage. He is saying he has a right now to define his expectations of the people he has delivered. He removed them from being servants to Pharaoh and has now made them his servants. 

 

Jesus has said Mt 11:28–30 (NKJV) — 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 

 

And John says 1 Jn 5:3 (NKJV) — 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 

 

This reveals to us that our God is a God of liberty. Our God does not believe in slavery nor injustice to any man. Our God is a righteous judge and deliverer! As his children we should always stand for righteousness and justice!

 

To the children of Israel, he tells them to remember I, am the one who set you free. You would not be free if it were not for me. We would do well to remember this phrase when we think in terms of how many things God has delivered us from. We think of the trials and tribulations that we were in, and God delivered us. Truly, if it had not been for the Lord on our side, where would we be?

 

God shows here, I am the one who takes care of you. You are the sheep of my pasture. It is I who have made you and not you who have made yourself. Psalms 100:3

Now, as my children, this is what I expect of you.

 

When God speaks and says, I am your God, who brought you out. The word “you” here is not plural. By this, I mean he is speaking to a group of people, but he speaks the singular “you”; meaning each individual. This singular you is used throughout the 10 Commandments. Thus, when you read the 10 Commandments, God is speaking to you personally! 

 

By going over the 10 Commandments, you are listening to the voice of God speaking directly to you. You want to know how to know him better, make yourself familiar with these commandments. They are the direct words out of the mouth of God to you as an individual.

 

Now our initial reading of the first commandment.

 

Ex 20:3 (NKJV) — 3 “You shall have no other gods before Me. 

 

When you read the first word, since I have told you it is for you personally, you should place your name where you have the word “you”. Therefore, read the first commandment using your name. Truly, God is speaking to you when he says, “you shall have no other gods before me”.

 

Do it now! Said the first commandment!

 

If you say that God is your God, then you can rejoice because your God is a deliverer. He is an awesome God! 

 

A few Scriptures for us to rejoice over!

 

Ps 96:5 (NKJV) — 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. 

2 Sa 22:32 (NKJV) — 32 “For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? 

1 Co 8:4 (NKJV) — 4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 

Je 14:22 (NKJV) — 22 Are there any among the idols of the nations that can cause rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are You not He, O Lord our God? Therefore we will wait for You, Since You have made all these. 

2 Ki 19:15 (NKJV) — 15 Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said: “O Lord God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 

Ps 46:10 (NKJV) — 10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 

 

If you say that God is your God, you also must recognize you shall have no other gods before him.

 

Now when he says “before me”, he means before my face! Think of what that means.

 

What can you do that is not before the face of the Lord? Dt 27:15 (NKJV) — 15 ‘Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ “And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen!’ 

 

This speaks to the secret sins you may have that are your gods. You know what the word of God says, but there is another God that you submit to. These are things that you do in secret. The world may not know that you have another God, but guess what, God knows. Notice also he says, “cursed”. 

 

Remember the teaching regarding the tithe?

 

Mal 3:8–11 (NKJV) — 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; 

 

Many of us have made a god out of money. For the Scripture says 1 Ti 6:10 (NKJV) — 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

 

Think about money. How many of us trust more in our ability to manage our money and trust our God to open up the windows of heaven?

 

Riches are deceitful. You may make money, your God, but money won’t love you! The Bible says money is deceitful. Why trust in what is demonic? Mt 13:22 (NKJV) — 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 

 

Solomon said, Ec 5:13–15 (NKJV) — 13 There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. 14 But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand. 15 As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand. 

 

If we put our trust in something other than the word of God, we have made that thing a God. Then we have made ourselves out to be a fool. Ps 14:1 (NKJV) — 1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. 

 

Think of how often we vote against the word of God. Think of the abominable things we support by the people we vote for. Think about the people we support that promote those things that are against the word of God. We all know that murder is wrong, but we support people that endorse murder. We have made a God out of our political beliefs. They displace the word of God. God will judge us for that

 

If God says something is wrong, it is always wrong. It doesn’t matter who wins the election and how our laws are changed. The moral law of God never changes.

 

There are so many different things we have made idols out of. We have placed other gods in front of our God. Things that we do that we know are contrary to the word of our God. In fact, as we read further, surely many of us will recognize that we have made gods that we will obey rather than obey the commandments of God.

 

Some trust in their knowledge of science, philosophy, who they know, and other things of the world. God says Je 17:5–8 (NKJV) — 5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord. 6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited. 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. 8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. 

 

We must remember that God said he is the deliverer! He can deliver us from all types of trials. We must learn to trust in him and not our own understanding!

 

Some people trust in their education. They have become wise according to the world and rejected the wisdom of the word. They will read book after book to learn the knowledge of men, but of the knowledge of the word they give scant attention. They truly have no understanding, yet they rely upon their wisdom about things they don’t know. 1 Co 1:20–21 (NKJV) — 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 

 

1 Co 3:19–20 (NKJV) — 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 

 

 

The Scripture says all of us can worship God and then slip into having other gods at the same time. 2 Ki 17:33 (NKJV) — 33 They feared the Lord, yet served their own gods—according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away. 

 

When we look at the commandment, if we will be honest with ourselves, we all know that we serve a different God when we violate the word of the true God.

 

Sometimes our culture causes us to go against our God. Society tells us what is right even though it is contrary to the word of God. We would fear man more than we fear God. Many of us have been convinced to follow after our culture, denying the reality of who we are as children of God.

 

The Scripture tells us that this is common. Jdg 2:11–15 (NKJV) — 11 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Baals; 12 and they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the Lord to anger. 13 They forsook the Lord and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. 14 And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. 15 Wherever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for calamity, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn to them. And they were greatly distressed. 

 

Brothers and sisters, listen to me. I have said we are all children of God. Indeed we are if we keep his commandments. But the word of God has also said if we disown him, he will disown us. If we dishonor him, we will be lightly esteemed. Look at what God said to Moses when the children of Israel set up the golden calf to worship it;

Ex 32:7–10 (NKJV) — 7 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’ ” 9 And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! 10 Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.” 

 

See! God had previously called the children of Israel his people, but when they cheated on him, they were no longer his people but Moses’ people. Look at verse seven again. 7 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves.

 

God does not play when he says you shall have no one before him. Now, what can you do you can hide from the face of God? God considers that anything you place above his word, you have made an idol out of it. You have made it superior to him.

 

I told you, God will disown you!

 

Mt 10:32–33 (NKJV) — 32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. 

 

The indictment to the nation of Israel was also an indictment to the individuals of Israel.

 

Ho 13:2–13 (NKJV) — 2 Now they sin more and more, And have made for themselves molded images, Idols of their silver, according to their skill; All of it is the work of craftsmen. They say of them, “Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves!” 3 Therefore they shall be like the morning cloud And like the early dew that passes away, Like chaff blown off from a threshing floor And like smoke from a chimney. 4 “Yet I am the Lord your God Ever since the land of Egypt, And you shall know no God but Me; For there is no savior besides Me. 5 I knew you in the wilderness, In the land of great drought. 6 When they had pasture, they were filled; They were filled and their heart was exalted; Therefore they forgot Me. 7 “So I will be to them like a lion; Like a leopard by the road I will lurk; 8 I will meet them like a bear deprived of her cubs; I will tear open their rib cage, And there I will devour them like a lion. The wild beast shall tear them. 9 “O Israel, you are destroyed, But your help is from Me. 10 I will be your King; Where is any other, That he may save you in all your cities? And your judges to whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes’? 11 I gave you a king in My anger, And took him away in My wrath. 12 “The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; His sin is stored up. 13 The sorrows of a woman in childbirth shall come upon him. He is an unwise son, For he should not stay long where children are born. 

 

 

 

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