The Ten Commandments (1 & 2)

Exodus 20:1-6

1Then God spoke all these words, saying,
Commandment 1
2"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3"You shall have no other gods before Me.
Commandment 2
4"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.
5"You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,
6but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
By the Ten Commandments, true theology and true worship, the name of God and the Sabbath, family honor, life marriage, and property, truth and virtue are well protected. God starting at “You shall have no other gods before Me” is very appropriate. It begins and directs the path of the rest of the Ten Commandments. Without the God of the Bible what then would the Ten Commandments would mean? A failed attempt to morality? A way of life? You figure that one out. Okay, I’ll just say it, nothing. Yes morality is good, but what are the attempts of being good with out a moral law giver…God? With out God what accountability does one have to hold these Commandments?
“Before Me,” meaning “over against Me.” No pagan god is incompatible with Adonai, Yahweh, Jesus Christ. When Israel worshiped a pagan god it plummeted into religious confusion (Judges 17, 18).
New Testament
In the New Testament this Commandment is found when Jesus firmly stated.
Matthew 4:10
Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"
God commanded us to place Him in the center; “You shall not make for yourself an idol.” In the Old Testament it was common that they would fashion an idol to worship. What is amazing is that we still do it today. Although we don’t build many idols today we do create a god in our minds. These gods are often called “my-god(s).” For example; my god wouldn’t send anyone to hell. My God isn’t an angry god. I’ll respond to that with; of course your god wouldn’t send anyone to hell, because he doesn’t exist. What kind of God would He be if He only new love. He would not be taken seriously. He would be a push over, but He is not I’ll assure you.
It is simple and very easy to create a god, because we don’t want to be accountable when we die. It’s best we face it now because we can be forgiven if we REPENT AND PUT OUR FULL TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST.
New Testament
1 Corinthians 10:14
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
It is very easy to want to worship another god. We all have done it before. As I mentioned…we don’t want to be accountable. On the Day of Judgment God will ask you if you held His Commandments. Have you placed God before all things? Have you created a god to suit your needs and wants? Breaking these two Commandments will cast you to the pits of Hell. We have no right to enter Heaven, but there is good news. God came in the form of a man, Jesus. He was fully God and fully Man (Hypostatic Union, Colossians 2:9). He lived a perfect sinless life and died on the cross for your sins, so that you may be forgiven. Christ died and resurrected three days latter. In His death we are forgiven. Through Christ’ death He was able to impute us with His righteousness if we repent. We have no righteousness of our own. We can’t earn salvation. It comes in the form of the cross and resurrection. When we trust Him He will count you righteous. What a beautiful thing, God will not only forgive you, but He say “You’re not guilty.” What a beautiful testimony to live with. Please repent and put your full trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is that simple. Please consider these words.

We are the laborers and God is Sovereign

Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:1-17
1Then God spoke all these words, saying,
2"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3"You shall have no other gods before Me.
4"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.
5"You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,
6but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
7"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.
8"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9"Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
10but the seventh day is a Sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.
11"For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
13"You shall not murder.
14"You shall not commit adultery.
15"You shall not steal.
16"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
17"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

I am going to teach on the Ten Commandments in 5 parts. I’ll teach two Commandments a week. The Ten Commandments are vital to know.
Galatians 3:24 says “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.” The law was our tutor which, by showing us our sins, and leading us to Christ. It is only the Law that shows us our sins. It is only the Law that brings out our sin.
In witnessing the Ten Commandments are important. Psalm 19:7 “The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” The Law shows the sinner they are not saved. The Law shows them they need a Savior.
This teaching shouldn’t be taken lately. This study will make you reexamine yourself. And so it should. Again, please don’t take this lightly. God’s Word is important and strong. Hold fast to ever Word that God speaks through His Word.

We are the laborers and God is Sovereign

Fall 2008 at Davenport

God has done some awesome things on campus. It is a privilege to even be a part of CCN.

This is a glimpse of Fall 2008 at Davenport.

We are the laborers and God is Sovereign.

Jesus Christ: The Only Way to Heaven

Here is what I taught for my final. I loved it. Oh, I was nervous at first. Well off and on. I still got the Gospel said. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed preaching/teaching.

The editing process was long. I edited it the same way as my evolution vs. creation presentation. I edited them so you see what the students and receivers saw. I want to bring the class room to you. It is not funny or relaxed like my evolution vs. creation presentation. This had to be a persuasive speech. Enjoy it.

Although no one asked questions after class, I know God's Word will not come back to Him void (Isaiah 55:11).

……For some reason they are not allowing me to upload my video(s). Here are the links to:

Jesus Christ: The Only Way to Heaven Part 1 of 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh5LL-fCPM4

Jesus Christ: The Only Way to Heaven Part 1 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIfoMQosBpU

We are the laborers and God is Sovereign.

!MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas!

Remember it’s not all about the manger.

It’s about the cross.

Happy New Year!

I pray that both holidays have been and are good.

Be Safe!

We are the laborers and God is Sovereign!

Finals or more like FINALLY!

Well…for most of us finals were this week. I know it was tiring, but keep on pushing. For some of us, like me, had to keep on pushing threw the snow.

It may be easy to put homework before God and before reading the Bible.

I know you just want to hurry up and get this done. Remember you have to do everything for the Glory of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (Emphasis added)

Keep this in mind during the break and when you start the next semester.

Congratulations and keep running the race.

1 Corinthians 9:23-25
I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things they then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (Emphasis added)

“We are the laborers and God is Sovereign”

God’s Grace

Romans 2:4
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

In this context kindness refers to “common grace,” the benefits God gives all people. In Romans 2 Paul was taking about God’s Righteous Judgment to all the Jews first and then to the Gentiles. Paul talked about how Jews practice the law and hold themselves righteous because of pridefulness in the law.
I love what Paul says later in the chapter:

Romans 2:25-29
25For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
26So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
27And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law?
28For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
29But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

Even though we hold our self highly esteem and we are nothing without the Grace of God. The kindness of God that leads to repentance is a gift. It’s not a gift what we hold in terms of today. It’s not an interchangeable gift. The Gospel is a proclamation and a command. It’s repent and trust in the Saviour, it’s not open me up. The way we think of the word “gift” today is we’ll use it until we find something better. There’s nothing better than the Gospel. Yes, it’s a gift, meaning free.
No matter if you feel that you are good enough or your works are good enough. Until you realize the Gospel is not about happiness and self-works. You will not understand the fullness of God’s kindness, His Grace. The Gospel is not about happiness, it’s about righteousness.
I thank the LORD for the LORD! His Grace is everlasting.

“We are the laborers and God is Sovereign.”