Extraordinary Covenant
Series: ORDINARY PEOPLE, EXTRAORDINARY GOD
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 6th June 2021
00:00:00 --> 00:00:04 There we go. Good morning, everyone. Great to be in church with you this morning.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:12 When I first became a Christian, I was 23. I did a 15-week evangelism training course,
00:00:12 --> 00:00:18 not dissimilar to the one that some of you are doing now with Kel. The training course was
00:00:18 --> 00:00:24 Evangelism Explosion. It was very formative for me in my early days as a Christian, getting clarity
00:00:24 --> 00:00:31 on what it is that I believe and the ability to be able to communicate that to others. I remember
00:00:31 --> 00:00:35 it as a time of very significant spiritual growth. There you go. Another plug for you.
00:00:35 --> 00:00:39 I encourage you to get into that thing with Kel this afternoon or straight after this service.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:50 EE, as it's known, used two diagnostic questions as its foundation, if you like, in terms of
00:00:50 --> 00:00:54 communicating. The first question is, you're speaking to someone, you say, imagine that you
00:00:54 --> 00:01:01 were to die now. Would you be certain that you would go to heaven? Answers, yes or no. The issue
00:01:01 --> 00:01:09 raised how assured you are of your salvation and your eternal future. The second question is,
00:01:10 --> 00:01:15 imagine that you did die and you ended up standing in front of God and he asked you,
00:01:15 --> 00:01:23 why should I let you in to heaven? What would you say? So that question, first question highlights
00:01:23 --> 00:01:28 your assurance. Are you saved or not saved? The second question basically is getting to the point
00:01:28 --> 00:01:35 of where is the basis of your assurance? Where is your confidence for your eternal life?
00:01:36 --> 00:01:44 So armed with that training and those two questions, I found myself in a lengthy discussion
00:01:44 --> 00:01:52 with a guy that I knew from high school and it was late one night and I hadn't seen him for many,
00:01:52 --> 00:02:00 many years and I used those two questions on him and he did not understand the point of them at all.
00:02:01 --> 00:02:06 And I repeated them again and again and again. It just made no difference to the discussion
00:02:06 --> 00:02:14 whatsoever. About a week later, I'm standing in Woolworths lining up to buy some groceries
00:02:14 --> 00:02:20 and across from the other side of the supermarket, this is in a small country town,
00:02:20 --> 00:02:28 across the other side of the supermarket, I hear this guy yell out, hey Fox! Now Fox was the nickname I had
00:02:28 --> 00:02:32 at school because I used to have red hair. In fact, I used to have hair.
00:02:32 --> 00:02:40 Anyway, so from across the supermarket, hey Fox! And of course, all eyes are on the guy who best
00:02:40 --> 00:02:44 suits the description, Fox in that moment. And you know, small country town, the only guy with red
00:02:44 --> 00:02:50 hair, they're all looking at me. So he walks up to me and he says, those two questions you asked me
00:02:50 --> 00:03:00 the other night, what were the answers again? And so I repeated the questions and then talked him
00:03:00 --> 00:03:04 through the answers as this, you know, blip, blip, blip going through the supermarket.
00:03:04 --> 00:03:09 He then said, can I have your, can I have your shopping list? And I grabbed his shopping list,
00:03:09 --> 00:03:14 he pulled a pen out of his pocket and he wrote down, now tell me again, what were the answers?
00:03:15 --> 00:03:19 And you know, I explained to him and he wrote them down, the answers to each question.
00:03:20 --> 00:03:23 He then folded up the piece of paper and put it in his pocket.
00:03:23 --> 00:03:32 And then he, and I'm like, what are you doing? And he said, well, just in case I do die,
00:03:32 --> 00:03:35 I now have the answers when God asked me those questions.
00:03:38 --> 00:03:46 And he said to me, I can't believe it is so easy to get into heaven.
00:03:46 --> 00:03:54 And out he went. And I'm like, you have totally missed the point.
00:03:55 --> 00:04:01 And yet you've got the point. You've totally missed it. And yet you've got it at the same time.
00:04:01 --> 00:04:08 Is it really that easy to be saved? Whenever you hear the radical claims of salvation by grace,
00:04:08 --> 00:04:14 which you should be hearing again and again and again and again from this platform in this church,
00:04:14 --> 00:04:18 which is the DNA of this church, you must be prompted to think at some point,
00:04:18 --> 00:04:22 it can't be that easy, can it? Is it really that easy?
00:04:24 --> 00:04:28 We've been journeying through Exodus this term.
00:04:28 --> 00:04:35 The whole nation of Israel has been rescued from Egypt by God's mighty hand and by his grace.
00:04:35 --> 00:04:39 And we should, again, we should have heard it many, many times already.
00:04:39 --> 00:04:42 Israel has not lifted a finger.
00:04:44 --> 00:04:45 They've done nothing.
00:04:47 --> 00:04:49 Even in the process of rescuing, they've been disobedient.
00:04:51 --> 00:04:55 And God now takes it to Mount Sinai and he gives them this extensive law,
00:04:55 --> 00:05:00 just a little bit of what we've read, but we've got five chapters of it in front of us now.
00:05:00 --> 00:05:02 Where does this law fit?
00:05:02 --> 00:05:08 Where do all these instructions fit to salvation by grace?
00:05:10 --> 00:05:18 Where does the law obedience fit into their salvation and what part does it play in our life as Christians now?
00:05:19 --> 00:05:25 All of our questions about how to live as Christians are linked to that central question.
00:05:25 --> 00:05:30 What is the relationship of the Christian to the law of God?
00:05:32 --> 00:05:35 Now, today what I'm going to do is I'm going to do a helicopter view.
00:05:36 --> 00:05:37 I'm not going to go through.
00:05:37 --> 00:05:40 You'd be glad to know and explain each law and how it fits.
00:05:42 --> 00:05:43 This is a helicopter view.
00:05:43 --> 00:05:45 We're going to dip in and out of Exodus.
00:05:46 --> 00:05:53 But my focus is going to be in Galatians 3 to help us to understand Exodus about the law and the Christian.
00:05:53 --> 00:05:56 So if you've got the St. Paul's app in front of you, it'd be great.
00:05:56 --> 00:05:57 Open that up.
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 Get the app open.
00:05:59 --> 00:06:00 You've got three points there.
00:06:00 --> 00:06:01 What the law does not do.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:03 What the law does do.
00:06:05 --> 00:06:07 And the place of the law in the life of the Christian.
00:06:08 --> 00:06:09 This is a helicopter view across the whole thing.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:13 We're not going to explain why you shouldn't cook a baby goat in its mother's milk.
00:06:14 --> 00:06:14 All that sort of stuff.
00:06:14 --> 00:06:15 We're not going to do all that.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:16 Okay?
00:06:16 --> 00:06:17 This is a helicopter view.
00:06:18 --> 00:06:19 So what the law does not do.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:23 The first thing to tackle is what John tackled last week.
00:06:23 --> 00:06:26 And that is the law does not save.
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 The law does not save.
00:06:31 --> 00:06:34 John took us there beginning of Exodus 20 last week.
00:06:35 --> 00:06:36 Exodus 20 verse 2.
00:06:36 --> 00:06:39 I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt.
00:06:39 --> 00:06:42 Out of the land of slavery.
00:06:43 --> 00:06:46 They're already saved before this moment.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:51 Then in chapter 22 verse 21 and chapter 23 verse 9.
00:06:51 --> 00:06:53 The reason that they are to treat foreigners so well.
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 Is because you were a foreigner yourself in Egypt.
00:06:57 --> 00:07:00 It's because you were a slave in Egypt.
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 They've already been rescued from slavery.
00:07:04 --> 00:07:06 Before they were given the law.
00:07:06 --> 00:07:07 The law does not save.
00:07:08 --> 00:07:08 Secondly though.
00:07:09 --> 00:07:13 The law does not keep you saved.
00:07:13 --> 00:07:18 You don't get in by God's grace.
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 And stay in by your effort.
00:07:21 --> 00:07:22 By your righteousness.
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 And so at this point let's jump into Galatians.
00:07:26 --> 00:07:27 Galatians chapter 3.
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 In his letter to the Galatian Christians.
00:07:30 --> 00:07:32 Paul was addressing some false teachers.
00:07:32 --> 00:07:36 Who were turning back to the law of Moses.
00:07:36 --> 00:07:40 And enforcing it as a guide for Christians.
00:07:41 --> 00:07:42 In the Galatian church.
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 In the Galatians.
00:07:43 --> 00:07:44 These were Jews.
00:07:44 --> 00:07:47 Who believed that Jesus was the Messiah.
00:07:48 --> 00:07:50 They believed that Jesus was the Messiah.
00:07:51 --> 00:07:57 But they still wanted to keep traditional Jewish religious laws and rituals.
00:07:57 --> 00:07:59 As the way to be truly saved.
00:08:00 --> 00:08:01 And that was the problem.
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 The problem was they had the order wrong.
00:08:06 --> 00:08:07 The order was wrong.
00:08:07 --> 00:08:09 The false teachers were saying this.
00:08:09 --> 00:08:10 Step 1.
00:08:11 --> 00:08:13 Believing Jesus Christ.
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 As the Messiah.
00:08:14 --> 00:08:15 Step 2.
00:08:15 --> 00:08:18 Keep the Old Testament law.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:19 And step 3.
00:08:19 --> 00:08:21 Then you can be guaranteed you're truly saved.
00:08:21 --> 00:08:27 And in the first couple of chapters.
00:08:27 --> 00:08:31 The Apostle Paul establishes that we're saved.
00:08:31 --> 00:08:32 We're justified.
00:08:33 --> 00:08:34 We're redeemed.
00:08:34 --> 00:08:36 Only by faith in Jesus Christ.
00:08:36 --> 00:08:39 And not through any law obedience.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:43 And so what Paul does.
00:08:43 --> 00:08:43 He says.
00:08:43 --> 00:08:45 Actually the gospel order is this.
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 Step number 1.
00:08:48 --> 00:08:50 Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 Step number 2.
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 You are saved in that moment.
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 Step number 3.
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 You've now been saved.
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 You've been set free.
00:08:59 --> 00:09:01 To live a life of obedience to God.
00:09:01 --> 00:09:06 One order.
00:09:08 --> 00:09:11 Is a dutiful obedience.
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 It's a religious order.
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 The other is.
00:09:17 --> 00:09:18 I'm loved by God.
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 In Jesus Christ.
00:09:20 --> 00:09:23 And so I delight to obey and serve him.
00:09:24 --> 00:09:25 One's a religious order.
00:09:25 --> 00:09:27 The other's a gospel order.
00:09:27 --> 00:09:32 These are not two versions of the same faith.
00:09:33 --> 00:09:34 These are opposites.
00:09:36 --> 00:09:37 These are opposites.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 Not a different reading.
00:09:42 --> 00:09:43 They are opposites.
00:09:43 --> 00:09:45 They're not compatible in any way.
00:09:48 --> 00:09:50 And Paul pushes this point.
00:09:50 --> 00:09:51 In chapter 3.
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 The bit that Kel read out to us.
00:09:52 --> 00:09:54 Chapter 3 verses 15 to 18.
00:09:54 --> 00:09:56 By revealing to us.
00:09:56 --> 00:09:57 How the Old Testament law actually works.
00:09:59 --> 00:10:01 Just as no one can set aside.
00:10:01 --> 00:10:02 Or add to a human covenant.
00:10:02 --> 00:10:04 That has been duly established.
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 So it is in this case.
00:10:06 --> 00:10:06 He says what I mean is this.
00:10:07 --> 00:10:09 The law introduced 430 years later.
00:10:09 --> 00:10:11 Does not set aside the covenant.
00:10:11 --> 00:10:13 Previously established by God.
00:10:13 --> 00:10:15 And thus do away with the promise.
00:10:15 --> 00:10:17 For if the inheritance depends on the law.
00:10:18 --> 00:10:20 Then it is no longer depends on the promise.
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 But God in his grace.
00:10:23 --> 00:10:25 Gave it to Abraham.
00:10:25 --> 00:10:27 Through a promise.
00:10:28 --> 00:10:31 He's saying they're not compatible.
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 They're two opposites.
00:10:34 --> 00:10:38 The very concept of promise or gift.
00:10:39 --> 00:10:43 And law and works are mutually exclusive.
00:10:45 --> 00:10:46 Paul says they don't go together.
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 Law is not an extension of.
00:10:49 --> 00:10:51 Or a development of a promise.
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 They're opposites.
00:10:53 --> 00:10:58 I think what he's trying to get at here.
00:10:58 --> 00:11:00 Is that for a promise.
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 To bring a result.
00:11:02 --> 00:11:05 It only needs to be believed.
00:11:06 --> 00:11:08 But for a law.
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 To bring a result.
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 It has to be obeyed.
00:11:13 --> 00:11:15 So imagine.
00:11:15 --> 00:11:17 Imagine this scenario.
00:11:17 --> 00:11:17 I say to you.
00:11:17 --> 00:11:20 I've got five dollars here behind this pillar.
00:11:20 --> 00:11:24 And I'm willing to give you that five dollars.
00:11:24 --> 00:11:26 I'm willing to give it to you.
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 That is my promise to you.
00:11:28 --> 00:11:33 The only way you fail to receive the promise.
00:11:34 --> 00:11:37 Is fail to grab the five dollars.
00:11:37 --> 00:11:39 Fail to accept the claim.
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 If on the other hand.
00:11:41 --> 00:11:41 I say.
00:11:41 --> 00:11:43 I've got five dollars behind this pillar.
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 And I'm willing to give it to you.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:46 But the condition is.
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 In order to get your five dollars.
00:11:47 --> 00:11:49 The requirement for you to receive that five dollars.
00:11:50 --> 00:11:52 Is you must give me a foot massage first.
00:11:52 --> 00:11:59 One's a promised gift.
00:11:59 --> 00:12:01 The other is a law wage.
00:12:03 --> 00:12:05 One only needs to be believed.
00:12:05 --> 00:12:07 In order to receive the five dollars.
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 The other one.
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 You must.
00:12:09 --> 00:12:11 Give me the foot massage.
00:12:12 --> 00:12:14 You must achieve something.
00:12:14 --> 00:12:15 You must work at something.
00:12:15 --> 00:12:17 If the law of Moses.
00:12:17 --> 00:12:17 Was intended.
00:12:17 --> 00:12:19 To be a means of salvation.
00:12:19 --> 00:12:22 Or even to maintain salvation.
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 Then the covenant promise.
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 God made to Abraham.
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 Is a lie.
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 It's all false.
00:12:31 --> 00:12:34 Paul also alludes to God.
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 Sealing his promise.
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 To Abraham with a covenant.
00:12:37 --> 00:12:37 So.
00:12:38 --> 00:12:38 In verse 15.
00:12:39 --> 00:12:39 Just as.
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 No one can set aside.
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 Or add to a human covenant.
00:12:43 --> 00:12:45 That has been duly established.
00:12:45 --> 00:12:47 Show it is in this case.
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 Now what Paul's alluding to there.
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 In Galatians.
00:12:50 --> 00:12:53 Is Genesis 15.
00:12:54 --> 00:12:56 Genesis 15.
00:12:56 --> 00:12:56 And.
00:12:56 --> 00:12:58 If you've read through Genesis 15.
00:12:58 --> 00:12:59 You will know.
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 It's a bit of a weird scene.
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 It's an odd thing.
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 In the ancient Near East.
00:13:04 --> 00:13:05 The way they signed off.
00:13:05 --> 00:13:07 In a covenant agreement.
00:13:08 --> 00:13:08 Was.
00:13:08 --> 00:13:09 Slightly different.
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 Than the way we would sign off.
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 On something nowadays.
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 Where you put your signature.
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 On a piece of paper.
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 Back in those days.
00:13:14 --> 00:13:16 They would slaughter animals.
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 Cut them in half.
00:13:17 --> 00:13:19 And lay the carcasses.
00:13:20 --> 00:13:20 You know.
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 In a row.
00:13:21 --> 00:13:23 Half of the carcasses in a row.
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 Two rows.
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 Half an odd side.
00:13:26 --> 00:13:26 If you like.
00:13:27 --> 00:13:27 And.
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 What they would do.
00:13:28 --> 00:13:28 Is.
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 Both parties.
00:13:30 --> 00:13:32 Would walk between the carcasses.
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 The row of the carcasses.
00:13:34 --> 00:13:35 And in effect.
00:13:35 --> 00:13:35 Agreeing.
00:13:36 --> 00:13:38 That may this happen to me.
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 If I break this covenant.
00:13:40 --> 00:13:42 May my blood be shed.
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 If I break this agreement.
00:13:45 --> 00:13:47 In Genesis 15.
00:13:50 --> 00:13:50 God.
00:13:50 --> 00:13:52 Is the only one who walks.
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 Between the carcasses.
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 Abraham.
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 Is asleep.
00:14:01 --> 00:14:03 God commits himself.
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 To his promise.
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 To Abraham.
00:14:07 --> 00:14:09 And is in effect.
00:14:09 --> 00:14:09 Saying here.
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 I will die.
00:14:12 --> 00:14:12 Before.
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 This covenant.
00:14:15 --> 00:14:15 Is broken.
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 This covenant promise.
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 Is broken.
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 The covenant promise.
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 Of salvation.
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 Through Abraham's.
00:14:22 --> 00:14:22 Seed.
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 I will die.
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 Before this is broken.
00:14:27 --> 00:14:29 And what Paul is simply pointing out.
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 Here in Galatians.
00:14:30 --> 00:14:32 Is the impossibility.
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 Of God.
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 Adding obedience.
00:14:35 --> 00:14:37 Demands to his covenant promise.
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 God has guaranteed.
00:14:38 --> 00:14:40 That he will keep.
00:14:40 --> 00:14:40 His promise.
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 His promise.
00:14:43 --> 00:14:43 And so friends.
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 It is essential.
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 That we understand.
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 The purpose of the law.
00:14:47 --> 00:14:47 Otherwise.
00:14:47 --> 00:14:49 We get the Christian faith.
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 Totally wrong.
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 Not just skewed.
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 A little bit.
00:14:52 --> 00:14:52 I mean.
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 Totally wrong.
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 I think Charles Spurgeon.
00:14:56 --> 00:14:56 The.
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 19th century preacher.
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 Had a nice way.
00:14:58 --> 00:15:00 Of capturing this thought.
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 He liked to say.
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 When he talked about the law.
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 And the purpose of the law.
00:15:04 --> 00:15:04 He used to say.
00:15:05 --> 00:15:05 A hand saw.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:06 Is a good thing.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:09 But not to shave with.
00:15:10 --> 00:15:10 A hand saw.
00:15:10 --> 00:15:12 Is good for cutting wood.
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 But not facial hair.
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 And if you put your hand saw.
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 To that sort of use.
00:15:17 --> 00:15:19 You'll wind up losing.
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 More than your hair.
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 A good thing.
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 Is not a good thing.
00:15:23 --> 00:15:25 When it's taken out of place.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 So.
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 What does the Lord do?
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 That's our second question.
00:15:31 --> 00:15:33 And there are three things.
00:15:34 --> 00:15:34 I want to.
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 Touch on here.
00:15:36 --> 00:15:36 Firstly.
00:15:37 --> 00:15:39 It points us to God's will.
00:15:40 --> 00:15:42 God doesn't have one set of behaviors.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 In the Old Testament.
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 And then we get to the New Testament.
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 He goes.
00:15:45 --> 00:15:45 Well that didn't work.
00:15:45 --> 00:15:47 Let me come up with a new set of behaviors.
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 His will is fixed.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:51 And it's eternal.
00:15:52 --> 00:15:54 How his will is expressed.
00:15:55 --> 00:15:55 However.
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 Does vary.
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 The law of Moses.
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 Moses expresses.
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 God's will.
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 To a specific people.
00:16:04 --> 00:16:06 In a specific context.
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 In a specific moment.
00:16:08 --> 00:16:10 The context for Israel.
00:16:11 --> 00:16:13 Is only 50 days.
00:16:15 --> 00:16:17 Before these chapters.
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 They were oppressed.
00:16:19 --> 00:16:21 As slaves.
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 In Egypt.
00:16:22 --> 00:16:24 Just 50 days before.
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 And to former slaves.
00:16:27 --> 00:16:30 The recipient of these laws.
00:16:30 --> 00:16:32 Are like a breath of fresh air.
00:16:33 --> 00:16:35 In our modern context.
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 We read these things.
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 And we think.
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 Oh my goodness.
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 These poor people.
00:16:40 --> 00:16:42 That's not how they receive them.
00:16:43 --> 00:16:45 These here laws.
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 Are liberation.
00:16:46 --> 00:16:48 They are a declaration of freedom.
00:16:48 --> 00:16:50 Under Pharaoh's rule.
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 50 days earlier.
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 The powerful.
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 Had complete power.
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 Over other people.
00:16:55 --> 00:16:57 Under God's exodus rule.
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 We read in Genesis.
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 Sorry.
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 In Exodus 20 verse 3.
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 The very first commandment.
00:17:02 --> 00:17:04 Declaring that God's authority.
00:17:04 --> 00:17:06 Prevents people from claiming.
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 Power over.
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 Other people.
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 Under Pharaoh.
00:17:12 --> 00:17:14 Production and consumption.
00:17:14 --> 00:17:16 Went on unrestrained.
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 Under God's exodus rule.
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 The Sabbath sets limits.
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 To production and consumption.
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 Under Pharaoh.
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 Vulnerable workers.
00:17:25 --> 00:17:25 Are exploited.
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 And overworked.
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 Every single day.
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 Wore them out.
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 Under God's exodus rule.
00:17:31 --> 00:17:33 There is rest for everyone.
00:17:33 --> 00:17:35 Protection for the vulnerable workers.
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 Under Pharaoh.
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 The weak.
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 Are vulnerable.
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 To violence.
00:17:39 --> 00:17:42 And even state organized genocide.
00:17:42 --> 00:17:44 Under God's exodus rule.
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 There is respect.
00:17:45 --> 00:17:47 For every single human life.
00:17:47 --> 00:17:49 I could go on.
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 And on.
00:17:50 --> 00:17:50 And on.
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 And on.
00:17:51 --> 00:17:51 And on.
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 And show you how.
00:17:53 --> 00:17:56 Every single law here.
00:17:56 --> 00:17:58 Is a declaration of freedom.
00:18:01 --> 00:18:03 Where God is putting constraint.
00:18:03 --> 00:18:05 Around human sin.
00:18:05 --> 00:18:10 These laws are about freedom.
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 And liberation.
00:18:11 --> 00:18:11 And love.
00:18:11 --> 00:18:13 The law of Moses expresses something.
00:18:13 --> 00:18:15 Of God's eternal will.
00:18:15 --> 00:18:15 His good.
00:18:16 --> 00:18:16 And perfect will.
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 For his world.
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 And frankly.
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 It is not difficult.
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 To discern.
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 What is timeless.
00:18:23 --> 00:18:23 And universal.
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 In the law of Moses.
00:18:25 --> 00:18:31 The law shows us.
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 What it means.
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 To love God.
00:18:33 --> 00:18:33 And love others.
00:18:34 --> 00:18:34 In fact.
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 That is how Jesus summed up.
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 The whole thing.
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 Mark chapter 12.
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 Love God.
00:18:38 --> 00:18:38 Love people.
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 What the law does.
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 Is it puts.
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 Those two.
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 Key principles.
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 Of loving God.
00:18:45 --> 00:18:45 And loving people.
00:18:46 --> 00:18:48 Which still stand today.
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 Into the context.
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 Of Israel.
00:18:51 --> 00:18:53 At the time of Moses.
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 In an Agarian society.
00:18:55 --> 00:18:55 In an Agarian society.
00:18:56 --> 00:18:58 That is why most of it.
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 Has to do with livestock.
00:19:00 --> 00:19:02 We don't generally need laws today.
00:19:02 --> 00:19:02 In Chatswood.
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 About what to do.
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 When my bull.
00:19:05 --> 00:19:07 Gores your sheep.
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 Don't need that.
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 Maybe a law.
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 If my dog.
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 Eats your cat.
00:19:13 --> 00:19:13 Maybe.
00:19:17 --> 00:19:19 This list of laws here.
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 Is in no way.
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 Comprehensive.
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 For all of life.
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 Although they do cover.
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 All aspects of life.
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 One commentator.
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 Says this about.
00:19:28 --> 00:19:30 Exodus 21 to 23.
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 It makes a very significant point.
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 No attempt.
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 Is made.
00:19:35 --> 00:19:35 To develop.
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 An all.
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 Embracing.
00:19:37 --> 00:19:37 Law.
00:19:38 --> 00:19:38 Code.
00:19:39 --> 00:19:39 For all people.
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 Instead.
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 God provides.
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 Paradigms.
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 Authoritative.
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 Patterns.
00:19:45 --> 00:19:45 Which allow.
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 Israel.
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 And the church.
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 To this day.
00:19:48 --> 00:19:48 Still.
00:19:49 --> 00:19:49 To think through.
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 How to apply.
00:19:51 --> 00:19:51 Basic.
00:19:51 --> 00:19:53 Ethical principles.
00:19:53 --> 00:19:53 In a variety.
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 Of situations.
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 Love God.
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 Love people.
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 The second thing.
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 The law does.
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 Is it reveals.
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 Our sin.
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 The law.
00:20:06 --> 00:20:06 Shows us.
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 Our problem.
00:20:08 --> 00:20:08 Not.
00:20:09 --> 00:20:09 How to solve.
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 The problem.
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 It doesn't.
00:20:12 --> 00:20:12 Attempt.
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 To solve.
00:20:13 --> 00:20:13 The problem.
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 For us.
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 Paul writes.
00:20:15 --> 00:20:15 These words.
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 To the.
00:20:16 --> 00:20:16 Christians.
00:20:17 --> 00:20:17 In Rome.
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 Therefore.
00:20:18 --> 00:20:18 No one.
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 Will be declared.
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 Righteous.
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 In God's sight.
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 By the works.
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 Of the law.
00:20:24 --> 00:20:24 Rather.
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 Through the law.
00:20:25 --> 00:20:25 We become.
00:20:26 --> 00:20:26 Conscious.
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 Of our sin.
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 As we understand.
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 The will of God.
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 What he requires.
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 Of humanity.
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 We realize.
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 We fall way.
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 Short of that.
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 The law.
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 Has the power.
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 To show us.
00:20:40 --> 00:20:40 That we.
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 Are not.
00:20:42 --> 00:20:42 Righteous.
00:20:43 --> 00:20:43 But it.
00:20:44 --> 00:20:44 Cannot.
00:20:44 --> 00:20:44 Give us.
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 The power.
00:20:45 --> 00:20:45 To be.
00:20:46 --> 00:20:46 Righteous.
00:20:48 --> 00:20:48 The first.
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 Commandment.
00:20:49 --> 00:20:49 Is.
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 You shall.
00:20:50 --> 00:20:50 Have.
00:20:50 --> 00:20:50 No other.
00:20:51 --> 00:20:51 Gods.
00:20:51 --> 00:20:51 Before me.
00:20:53 --> 00:20:53 So.
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 I ask you.
00:20:54 --> 00:20:54 Have you ever.
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 Made.
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 Anything.
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 Else.
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 More important.
00:20:57 --> 00:20:57 Than God.
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 In your life.
00:21:00 --> 00:21:00 Have you ever.
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 Loved yourself.
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 First.
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 More than.
00:21:05 --> 00:21:05 Anyone else.
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 More than.
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 God.
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 The second.
00:21:09 --> 00:21:09 Commandment.
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 Not to make.
00:21:10 --> 00:21:10 An image.
00:21:10 --> 00:21:10 Out of God.
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 Have you ever.
00:21:11 --> 00:21:11 Formulated.
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 In your own.
00:21:12 --> 00:21:12 Mind.
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 What you think.
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 God is like.
00:21:14 --> 00:21:14 And what you think.
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 He should do.
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 Ever.
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 Ever.
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 In a moment.
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 Of crisis.
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 Cryed out to God.
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 And said.
00:21:20 --> 00:21:20 What.
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 What are you doing here?
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 This is not how you should do it.
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 Ever done that?
00:21:29 --> 00:21:29 Ever.
00:21:30 --> 00:21:30 Thought.
00:21:30 --> 00:21:30 God.
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 God.
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 God.
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 God.
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 God.
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 Should be like this.
00:21:32 --> 00:21:34 Based on my observation.
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 My.
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 Deming.
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 Ignore.
00:21:36 --> 00:21:36 Ever.
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 Ignored.
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 God's self-revelation.
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 Of who he actually is.
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 Third.
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 Commandment.
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 Do not take the Lord's name.
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 In vain.
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 Have you ever.
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 Damaged.
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 God's reputation.
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 By the way you live.
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 By the things that you've said.
00:21:49 --> 00:21:49 Ever.
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 Damaged his reputation.
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 I'll keep going.
00:21:54 --> 00:21:54 Ever.
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 Got your identity.
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 Or security.
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 From your work.
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 And broken.
00:21:58 --> 00:21:58 In the Sabbath law.
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 Have you ever.
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 Bristled under authority.
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 And rejected authority.
00:22:02 --> 00:22:02 Ever.
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 You know.
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 Rejected your parents.
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 For instance.
00:22:08 --> 00:22:08 Have you ever.
00:22:08 --> 00:22:10 Harbored violent thoughts.
00:22:10 --> 00:22:10 Or plotted.
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 Or imagined.
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 Someone else's downfall.
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 Have you ever.
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 Had a lustful thought.
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 Ever imagined.
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 Sexual intimacy.
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 With another person.
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 Who's not your spouse.
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 Ever.
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 Harbored greedy thoughts.
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 Consumeristic thoughts.
00:22:24 --> 00:22:24 Ever.
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 Decided.
00:22:25 --> 00:22:25 Or told.
00:22:26 --> 00:22:26 Deceived.
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 Or told a lie.
00:22:27 --> 00:22:27 Or even just.
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 The part truth.
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 Or not the complete truth.
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 Ever wish someone.
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 Didn't have something.
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 Because you don't have it.
00:22:34 --> 00:22:34 And the answer.
00:22:35 --> 00:22:35 Of course.
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 Is yes.
00:22:36 --> 00:22:36 Yes.
00:22:37 --> 00:22:37 Yes.
00:22:37 --> 00:22:40 This is who we are.
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 And more.
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 People are capable.
00:22:46 --> 00:22:48 Of great good.
00:22:48 --> 00:22:50 But we are not people.
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 Who just simply slip up.
00:22:53 --> 00:22:53 Occasionally.
00:22:54 --> 00:22:56 We are not good people.
00:22:56 --> 00:22:56 Who occasionally.
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 Who occasionally.
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 Bristle under authority.
00:22:58 --> 00:23:00 Or look at porn.
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 Or feel discontent.
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 In life.
00:23:03 --> 00:23:03 You and I.
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 Are God rejecters.
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 We are God reducers.
00:23:07 --> 00:23:07 We are God.
00:23:07 --> 00:23:09 Are disgraces.
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 We are God.
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 Replacers.
00:23:11 --> 00:23:13 That is who we are.
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 As human beings.
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 We are rebels.
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 We are murderers.
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 We are adulterers.
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 We are thieves.
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 We are liars.
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 We are enviers.
00:23:22 --> 00:23:26 We are sinful.
00:23:26 --> 00:23:26 To the core.
00:23:31 --> 00:23:33 You will never know forgiveness.
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 And freedom from sin.
00:23:34 --> 00:23:36 Until we face.
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 That reality.
00:23:40 --> 00:23:42 Denial is no way forward.
00:23:42 --> 00:23:44 And it's certainly no way out.
00:23:44 --> 00:23:48 I think it's worth quoting.
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 The great John Stott.
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 At length here.
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 After God gave the promise.
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 To Abraham.
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 He gave the law to Moses.
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 Why?
00:23:59 --> 00:24:01 He had to make things worse.
00:24:01 --> 00:24:03 Or he could make them better.
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 The law exposed sin.
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 Provoked sin.
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 Condemned sin.
00:24:09 --> 00:24:11 The purpose of the law.
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 Was not to lift the lid.
00:24:12 --> 00:24:14 Of man's respectability.
00:24:14 --> 00:24:14 And disclose.
00:24:14 --> 00:24:16 What he really is underneath.
00:24:18 --> 00:24:18 Sorry.
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 The law was.
00:24:20 --> 00:24:20 To lift the lid.
00:24:21 --> 00:24:21 Of man's.
00:24:21 --> 00:24:23 Of man's respectability.
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 And disclose.
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 What really is underneath.
00:24:26 --> 00:24:26 Sinful.
00:24:27 --> 00:24:27 Rebellious.
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 Guilty.
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 Under the judgment of God.
00:24:30 --> 00:24:31 And helpless.
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 To save himself.
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 And the law.
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 Must be allowed.
00:24:35 --> 00:24:35 To do.
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 It's God.
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 Given.
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 Duty.
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 Today.
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 We must.
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 Never.
00:24:40 --> 00:24:40 Never.
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 Bypass the law.
00:24:42 --> 00:24:42 And come straight.
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 To the gospel.
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 It is only.
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 Against the inky.
00:24:47 --> 00:24:47 Blackness.
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 Of the night sky.
00:24:48 --> 00:24:50 That the stars.
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 Begin to appear.
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 And it is only.
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 Against the dark.
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 Background of sin.
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 And judgment.
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 That the gospel.
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 Shines forth.
00:24:59 --> 00:25:01 And so the law.
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 Reveals.
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 God's will.
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 It reveals.
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 Our inability.
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 To live up to it.
00:25:07 --> 00:25:09 But.
00:25:09 --> 00:25:09 It also.
00:25:09 --> 00:25:11 Points us to a solution.
00:25:11 --> 00:25:11 A savior.
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 Galatians 3.19.
00:25:15 --> 00:25:15 We read.
00:25:16 --> 00:25:16 What then.
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 Was the purpose of the law.
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 It was added.
00:25:19 --> 00:25:21 Because of transgressions.
00:25:21 --> 00:25:21 Was added.
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 Because of sin.
00:25:23 --> 00:25:23 Until.
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 The seed.
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 To whom.
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 The promise referred.
00:25:27 --> 00:25:27 Had come.
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 In Matthew.
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 Chapter 5.
00:25:32 --> 00:25:34 Jesus.
00:25:34 --> 00:25:34 Jesus.
00:25:35 --> 00:25:35 Gathers.
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 God's people.
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 To himself.
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 On the mountaintop.
00:25:42 --> 00:25:42 Reference.
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 To.
00:25:44 --> 00:25:44 God.
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 And Moses.
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 Right here.
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 In the reparting.
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 Of the law.
00:25:47 --> 00:25:47 And Jesus.
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 Teaches.
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 The people.
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 The word of God.
00:25:52 --> 00:25:53 And he says.
00:25:53 --> 00:25:53 I've come to fulfill.
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 The law.
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 He perfectly.
00:25:57 --> 00:25:57 Embodies.
00:25:58 --> 00:25:58 Love for God.
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 And love for people.
00:25:59 --> 00:26:01 He's the only one.
00:26:01 --> 00:26:02 To completely fulfill.
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 The requirements.
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 Of the law.
00:26:04 --> 00:26:04 Totally.
00:26:04 --> 00:26:05 He's the embodiment.
00:26:05 --> 00:26:06 Of the good life.
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 The reality is.
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 No one.
00:26:08 --> 00:26:09 Ever.
00:26:09 --> 00:26:09 Live.
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 Like Jesus Christ.
00:26:11 --> 00:26:11 Lived.
00:26:12 --> 00:26:12 It is a fact.
00:26:13 --> 00:26:13 Of history.
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 That he has.
00:26:14 --> 00:26:15 A character.
00:26:15 --> 00:26:16 That is.
00:26:17 --> 00:26:17 Untouchable.
00:26:19 --> 00:26:19 Even.
00:26:20 --> 00:26:20 Atheists.
00:26:21 --> 00:26:21 Admire.
00:26:22 --> 00:26:22 The integrity.
00:26:22 --> 00:26:23 And the purity.
00:26:23 --> 00:26:24 Of Jesus Christ.
00:26:24 --> 00:26:26 Even in his own time.
00:26:26 --> 00:26:27 He was regarded.
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 As flawless.
00:26:29 --> 00:26:33 And so.
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 He fulfills the law.
00:26:34 --> 00:26:34 By obeying it.
00:26:35 --> 00:26:36 By completing it.
00:26:37 --> 00:26:37 But he also.
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 Fulfills the law.
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 By meeting the needs.
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 The law exposes.
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 He is God's.
00:26:44 --> 00:26:44 Glorious.
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 Solution.
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 To our sin.
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 Even.
00:26:47 --> 00:26:48 As.
00:26:48 --> 00:26:48 His.
00:26:49 --> 00:26:49 Enemies.
00:26:50 --> 00:26:51 Broke the law.
00:26:51 --> 00:26:53 And murdered him.
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 His heart.
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 Was not filled.
00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 With hatred.
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 And he prays.
00:26:58 --> 00:26:58 Father.
00:26:58 --> 00:26:59 Forgive them.
00:27:00 --> 00:27:01 Forgive them.
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 He was crucified.
00:27:07 --> 00:27:08 Not because.
00:27:08 --> 00:27:09 Of his.
00:27:09 --> 00:27:10 Flawed character.
00:27:10 --> 00:27:11 He was crucified.
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 For his.
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 Claim.
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 To be God.
00:27:14 --> 00:27:14 Himself.
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 Come into this world.
00:27:18 --> 00:27:19 And Jesus.
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 Declares.
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 I'm going.
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 To the cross.
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 My blood.
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 As a God.
00:27:24 --> 00:27:24 Of this world.
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 My blood.
00:27:25 --> 00:27:25 Will be shed.
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 To keep.
00:27:26 --> 00:27:26 My promise.
00:27:26 --> 00:27:30 His plans.
00:27:30 --> 00:27:31 Were dominated.
00:27:31 --> 00:27:32 By his desire.
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 To give.
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 His own life.
00:27:34 --> 00:27:35 In order.
00:27:35 --> 00:27:35 To give.
00:27:35 --> 00:27:36 Others.
00:27:36 --> 00:27:36 Life.
00:27:36 --> 00:27:37 To trade.
00:27:37 --> 00:27:37 His sinfulness.
00:27:38 --> 00:27:39 His sinlessness.
00:27:39 --> 00:27:40 For our sinfulness.
00:27:41 --> 00:27:42 To shed.
00:27:42 --> 00:27:43 His blood.
00:27:43 --> 00:27:45 For our covenant.
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 Unfaithfulness.
00:27:46 --> 00:27:47 For rejecting.
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 God's will.
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 For our lives.
00:27:52 --> 00:27:53 We didn't get to read this.
00:27:53 --> 00:27:55 But this section of the law in Exodus.
00:27:55 --> 00:27:58 Closes with a wonderful scene.
00:27:58 --> 00:28:00 Of covenant confirmation.
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 In chapter 24.
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 So we've got five.
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 Chapters of law.
00:28:08 --> 00:28:09 And it closes in chapter 24.
00:28:11 --> 00:28:13 And Moses relays.
00:28:13 --> 00:28:15 All that God has said to his people Israel.
00:28:16 --> 00:28:18 About his will for them and their life.
00:28:18 --> 00:28:21 And they all declare with one voice.
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 In verse 3.
00:28:22 --> 00:28:25 Everything the Lord has said.
00:28:25 --> 00:28:26 We will do it.
00:28:26 --> 00:28:28 We're going to do it.
00:28:31 --> 00:28:34 We will obey all this law.
00:28:35 --> 00:28:35 Of course.
00:28:36 --> 00:28:37 Next week we'll keep reading.
00:28:37 --> 00:28:39 And we'll see how quickly that unravels.
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 And then.
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 Then in that moment.
00:28:42 --> 00:28:43 The covenant is sealed.
00:28:44 --> 00:28:46 They declare covenant faithfulness.
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 The covenant is then sealed.
00:28:47 --> 00:28:49 As it was with Abraham back.
00:28:49 --> 00:28:51 In Genesis 15.
00:28:51 --> 00:28:52 In this case here.
00:28:52 --> 00:28:53 In Exodus 24.
00:28:53 --> 00:28:54 By the shedding of blood.
00:28:54 --> 00:28:54 God.
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 And in this case.
00:28:57 --> 00:28:58 The people are sprinkled.
00:28:58 --> 00:29:00 With the blood of the sacrifice.
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 Setting them apart.
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 As God's people.
00:29:04 --> 00:29:05 Of covenant obedience.
00:29:07 --> 00:29:10 The covenant agreement is sealed.
00:29:12 --> 00:29:14 And it symbolizes.
00:29:14 --> 00:29:15 What is required.
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 If the covenant is ever broken.
00:29:16 --> 00:29:18 Your life.
00:29:18 --> 00:29:21 If you break this covenant.
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 As you said.
00:29:22 --> 00:29:23 You won't.
00:29:24 --> 00:29:26 Your life will be demanded of you.
00:29:27 --> 00:29:29 Your blood will be shed.
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 You will die.
00:29:32 --> 00:29:34 And what happens immediately.
00:29:36 --> 00:29:38 Immediately after that moment.
00:29:38 --> 00:29:39 Is extraordinary.
00:29:39 --> 00:29:43 Because if you've been reading through Exodus.
00:29:43 --> 00:29:44 You'll notice.
00:29:44 --> 00:29:45 In Exodus 19.
00:29:46 --> 00:29:48 There are dire warnings.
00:29:48 --> 00:29:51 Do not approach the mountain of God.
00:29:51 --> 00:29:53 Do not touch the mountain.
00:29:53 --> 00:29:55 You do not walk into my presence.
00:29:55 --> 00:29:57 Or I will strike you down.
00:29:57 --> 00:29:58 Even if your dog touches it.
00:29:58 --> 00:29:59 The dog must die.
00:29:59 --> 00:30:03 And then.
00:30:03 --> 00:30:04 In Exodus 24.
00:30:05 --> 00:30:07 Having sealed the covenant with blood.
00:30:09 --> 00:30:10 Verse 10.
00:30:10 --> 00:30:10 11.
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 The leaders.
00:30:13 --> 00:30:15 Approach God.
00:30:15 --> 00:30:16 In the mountain.
00:30:16 --> 00:30:17 And they didn't.
00:30:18 --> 00:30:18 Die.
00:30:19 --> 00:30:21 And more than that.
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 Not only did they not die.
00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 They actually.
00:30:24 --> 00:30:26 Saw God.
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 And they.
00:30:27 --> 00:30:29 They drank with him.
00:30:30 --> 00:30:32 The promise of covenant obedience.
00:30:32 --> 00:30:34 And the shedding of blood.
00:30:34 --> 00:30:35 Meant.
00:30:35 --> 00:30:36 That a meal.
00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 Could now be had.
00:30:37 --> 00:30:38 In the presence of God.
00:30:38 --> 00:30:40 They are now communing with God.
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 In his presence.
00:30:44 --> 00:30:46 This extraordinary moment.
00:30:46 --> 00:30:47 On the mountain.
00:30:50 --> 00:30:51 Was repeated.
00:30:52 --> 00:30:53 On the night before Jesus died.
00:30:55 --> 00:30:57 In Luke 22.
00:30:58 --> 00:30:58 It tells us.
00:30:58 --> 00:31:00 That after supper.
00:31:00 --> 00:31:00 Jesus.
00:31:00 --> 00:31:00 Jesus.
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 Took the cup.
00:31:03 --> 00:31:04 And he says.
00:31:05 --> 00:31:05 This cup.
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 Is the new covenant.
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 In my blood.
00:31:09 --> 00:31:10 Which is being poured out.
00:31:10 --> 00:31:10 For you.
00:31:11 --> 00:31:13 It's being poured out.
00:31:13 --> 00:31:13 For you.
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 Not your blood.
00:31:15 --> 00:31:16 For covenant disobedience.
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 My blood.
00:31:18 --> 00:31:20 For your covenant disobedience.
00:31:20 --> 00:31:23 He made a new covenant.
00:31:23 --> 00:31:24 With his people.
00:31:25 --> 00:31:26 His death.
00:31:26 --> 00:31:28 The shedding of his blood.
00:31:28 --> 00:31:28 On the cross.
00:31:28 --> 00:31:29 Would turn the anger of God.
00:31:29 --> 00:31:30 Away from all those.
00:31:31 --> 00:31:31 Sprinkled by.
00:31:32 --> 00:31:33 His blood.
00:31:36 --> 00:31:37 And the shedding of his blood.
00:31:38 --> 00:31:40 Brings us to God.
00:31:40 --> 00:31:41 It draws us.
00:31:41 --> 00:31:42 Into fellowship.
00:31:42 --> 00:31:43 With God.
00:31:43 --> 00:31:43 God.
00:31:45 --> 00:31:45 You see friends.
00:31:45 --> 00:31:47 Salvation is not just having your sins forgiven.
00:31:48 --> 00:31:50 It's being drawn into fellowship with God.
00:31:51 --> 00:31:53 To be brought into his presence.
00:31:54 --> 00:31:56 And every time we celebrate communion.
00:31:57 --> 00:32:00 We look back to the shedding of Jesus blood.
00:32:00 --> 00:32:02 Which reconciles us to God.
00:32:02 --> 00:32:04 And we look forward by faith.
00:32:05 --> 00:32:07 To the eternal feast.
00:32:07 --> 00:32:12 Where we will enjoy the full and glorious presence.
00:32:13 --> 00:32:14 Of God forever.
00:32:15 --> 00:32:18 Described multiple times in the New Testament.
00:32:19 --> 00:32:21 As the feast that will never end.
00:32:25 --> 00:32:25 Okay.
00:32:26 --> 00:32:30 So where does the law fit now for the gospel life for Christian?
00:32:30 --> 00:32:34 Does this mean that we just now to forget the law?
00:32:35 --> 00:32:36 We don't need it now?
00:32:36 --> 00:32:40 And the answer of the New Testament is absolutely not.
00:32:42 --> 00:32:43 Absolutely not.
00:32:44 --> 00:32:49 Nowhere in the New Testament will you read that the Christian no longer has any relationship.
00:32:49 --> 00:32:52 To the values and the principles of God's law.
00:32:54 --> 00:32:56 It is unhelpful.
00:32:56 --> 00:32:58 And hear me say this.
00:32:58 --> 00:32:59 It is unhelpful.
00:32:59 --> 00:33:01 When I hear Christians say.
00:33:02 --> 00:33:02 Well.
00:33:03 --> 00:33:04 The ceremonial laws.
00:33:04 --> 00:33:07 And the sacrificial laws don't apply anymore.
00:33:07 --> 00:33:09 Just the moral laws apply now.
00:33:09 --> 00:33:12 That is a total misunderstanding of the law.
00:33:13 --> 00:33:16 Every single bit of the law still applies.
00:33:19 --> 00:33:23 But every single bit of the law has been fulfilled for us by Jesus.
00:33:23 --> 00:33:23 Jesus.
00:33:24 --> 00:33:31 Jesus has set us free from the slavery to sin by his death and resurrection.
00:33:31 --> 00:33:33 Now that we are set free.
00:33:34 --> 00:33:36 Set free in Jesus.
00:33:36 --> 00:33:40 What is Paul's instructions to the Galatian Christians?
00:33:40 --> 00:33:44 Chapter 5 verses 13 to 14.
00:33:44 --> 00:33:48 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.
00:33:48 --> 00:33:52 But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh.
00:33:52 --> 00:33:55 Rather, serve one another humbly in love.
00:33:55 --> 00:33:59 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command.
00:33:59 --> 00:34:03 Love your neighbor as yourself.
00:34:04 --> 00:34:10 The salvation that Jesus freely brings and offers as a gift to everyone by faith.
00:34:10 --> 00:34:17 Is the freedom to live according to God's will.
00:34:17 --> 00:34:23 It's the freedom to live as God intended.
00:34:24 --> 00:34:30 It's a life in conformity to the character of God and his revealed will.
00:34:31 --> 00:34:32 Love of God, love of others.
00:34:33 --> 00:34:36 All of the Old Testament laws are summed up on those two principles.
00:34:37 --> 00:34:41 Salvation is so much more than just forgiveness of sins.
00:34:41 --> 00:34:47 It is so much more than being able to answer a couple of questions in the right way at the right time.
00:34:47 --> 00:34:55 Grace and the law, grace of God and the law of God work together to allow us to love God.
00:34:55 --> 00:35:00 And enable us to show true love in grateful obedience to him.
00:35:04 --> 00:35:07 And so where is your confidence and where is your assurance?
00:35:09 --> 00:35:12 Right now, some of us are hearing this.
00:35:12 --> 00:35:14 And what you need from the law of God.
00:35:14 --> 00:35:18 God is you need for your sinfulness to be exposed.
00:35:19 --> 00:35:20 That's what you need.
00:35:20 --> 00:35:26 You need for God's word here to shine light on your soul.
00:35:26 --> 00:35:29 To break through the hard heartedness.
00:35:29 --> 00:35:31 To break through the self confidence.
00:35:31 --> 00:35:33 To break through the pretense.
00:35:34 --> 00:35:35 The self righteousness.
00:35:36 --> 00:35:38 The judgmentalism.
00:35:38 --> 00:35:43 And for your life to stand beside Jesus' life.
00:35:43 --> 00:35:45 And to be measured by his perfect righteousness.
00:35:46 --> 00:35:48 And you need to be humbled and broken.
00:35:48 --> 00:35:49 To see that you are flawed.
00:35:50 --> 00:35:50 And you are sinful.
00:35:51 --> 00:35:52 And you need a savior.
00:35:52 --> 00:36:01 In other words, for some of us here, we need the law right now to give us a good solid kick up the butt.
00:36:01 --> 00:36:08 Some of us.
00:36:10 --> 00:36:11 Trusting Jesus.
00:36:12 --> 00:36:15 And we need something different in this moment.
00:36:17 --> 00:36:19 We are so aware of our failure.
00:36:21 --> 00:36:22 So aware of it.
00:36:22 --> 00:36:27 And maybe this week you've tried super hard.
00:36:27 --> 00:36:28 Super hard.
00:36:29 --> 00:36:30 To be a good mother.
00:36:30 --> 00:36:31 And to love your children.
00:36:32 --> 00:36:36 But now you're feeling, right now you're just feeling utterly defeated by that.
00:36:39 --> 00:36:41 Maybe you've accessed porn.
00:36:41 --> 00:36:45 And you hide a deep sense of shame and failure.
00:36:47 --> 00:36:49 You've failed so many times.
00:36:49 --> 00:36:51 And you just think, I've just got to give up on this.
00:36:51 --> 00:36:55 Or maybe you're expressing anger.
00:36:56 --> 00:36:58 And to people that you love.
00:36:59 --> 00:37:01 And it just eats you up inside.
00:37:01 --> 00:37:03 You've failed so many times.
00:37:03 --> 00:37:07 And you feel after decades, you're just feeling defeated by that.
00:37:10 --> 00:37:12 Maybe you're trying to be a good leader of a church.
00:37:13 --> 00:37:15 But it feels so precarious.
00:37:16 --> 00:37:20 And setback just brings you crashing down again and again.
00:37:20 --> 00:37:22 And you're acutely aware of your own failure.
00:37:23 --> 00:37:25 Your own sinfulness.
00:37:27 --> 00:37:28 Maybe you're unsettled.
00:37:28 --> 00:37:29 You're disconnected.
00:37:29 --> 00:37:31 You're envious of the lives of others.
00:37:32 --> 00:37:34 Maybe you don't, in fact, even like your life.
00:37:34 --> 00:37:37 Maybe you feel God has let you down.
00:37:37 --> 00:37:37 Maybe you feel God has let you down.
00:37:39 --> 00:37:44 When you measure your life against God's standards, you know you fail.
00:37:44 --> 00:37:47 And there are plenty of people reminding you of it.
00:37:47 --> 00:37:52 And so acknowledge it.
00:37:53 --> 00:37:54 Feel it.
00:37:55 --> 00:37:57 And then turn to the gospel.
00:37:59 --> 00:38:02 Every act of love.
00:38:03 --> 00:38:05 Every act of obedience.
00:38:05 --> 00:38:09 Every right word he spoke.
00:38:10 --> 00:38:11 He did it for you.
00:38:13 --> 00:38:13 He did it for you.
00:38:18 --> 00:38:24 Our goal over the next five years is to see each one of us grow in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
00:38:25 --> 00:38:25 You know what that means?
00:38:25 --> 00:38:35 It means to grow downward and out of self-confidence and more upward in God confidence.
00:38:35 --> 00:38:36 That's what it means.
00:38:36 --> 00:38:37 That's what our goal is.
00:38:37 --> 00:38:41 For you to grow more in confidence in Jesus Christ and the gospel.
00:38:42 --> 00:38:45 This is what we need to grasp more and more.
00:38:45 --> 00:38:52 If you have faith in Jesus, then God places you in Jesus.
00:38:53 --> 00:38:59 And all of those things that he has done for you are credited to you.
00:39:00 --> 00:39:05 Every time you break God's law, remember that Jesus kept it for you.
00:39:05 --> 00:39:08 Saints reminding you, oh dear, oh dear.
00:39:08 --> 00:39:10 Remember he did it for you.
00:39:10 --> 00:39:16 Every time you fail to do God's will, remember Jesus perfectly obeyed it for you.
00:39:17 --> 00:39:24 God the Father has put you in Jesus and he treats you as Jesus' record deserves.
00:39:25 --> 00:39:28 And the verdict that is written across your life,
00:39:29 --> 00:39:32 you are my child.
00:39:34 --> 00:39:38 You are my child whom I love.
00:39:38 --> 00:39:41 And with you, I am well pleased.
00:39:52 --> 00:39:54 Five dollars.
00:39:58 --> 00:40:03 A promised gift just needs to be received.
00:40:04 --> 00:40:06 Just needs to be received.
00:40:06 --> 00:40:10 Believe it and receive it.
00:40:11 --> 00:40:14 A law wage needs to be earned.
00:40:17 --> 00:40:20 Any of you could have walked up here in the middle of my talk and grabbed that five dollars
00:40:20 --> 00:40:21 and I wouldn't have stopped you.
00:40:22 --> 00:40:26 It just, my word just needed to be believed.
00:40:27 --> 00:40:28 And for you to receive it.
00:40:28 --> 00:40:30 It just needs to be served.
00:40:30 --> 00:40:30 We are TJ
00:40:30 --> 00:40:46 And we are
00:40:48 --> 00:40:50 short-term relationship.
00:40:50 --> 00:40:51 And tonight,
00:40:51 --> 00:40:53 we are
00:40:53 --> 00:40:54 in the next