Best Building Blocks Of Nations Series

1. Ted Turner has declared the Ten Commandments obsolete and stated, "We’re living with outdated rules.

The rules we’re living under are the Ten Commandments, and I bet nobody here even pays much attention to them because they’re too old.

When Moses went up on the mountain, there were no nuclear weapons, there was no poverty.

Today, the Ten Commandments wouldn’t go over.

Nobody around likes to be commanded. Commandments are out!"

a. Turner may have been right – we don’t like to be commanded.

b. We are often arrogant and law-less.

2. 10 Commandments are on the doors of the SCOTUS. The doors are left open so people won’t see them.

3. Yet, the 10 Commandments have impacted the world for generations in Human Rights; Women’s Rights; End of Slavery; establishing a parliamentary Democracy;

4. The Jewish people refer to the 10 Commandments as the 10 Words or Statements

5. Imagine for a moment a world without theft and murder – we wouldn’t have to “defund police” b/c there wouldn’t be a need for them; no armies; no weapons; men, women, children could go anywhere any time without fear of harm (we saw children playing without adult supervision in Israel).

I. The 10 Commandments Come from God – Exodus 20:1 Then God gave the people all these instructions (words):

A. These Words Are Not a Government Mandate or Decree of (an Earthly) King

B. Picture the Awesome Setting of Sinai – Exodus 20:18-21 (NLT)

18 When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear. 19 And they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!” 20 “Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!” 21 As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.

II. The Commandments Represent a High Standard of Living

A. No Moral Absolutes Any More

B. God Stays the Same

1. Moral Laws of God do not change – certain specific religious activities may vary

2. The 10 Commandments are embedded in the book of Job (BEFORE Moses)

3. Our God Knows Us and What We Need for a Good Life

4. God is indispensable to the 10 Commandments – If God didn’t say it murder (or any sin) is wrong and only man did, it’s just an opinion.

a. Nazis and Communists killed about 100 million people in 20th century (not counting soldiers in war).

b. We can be easily persuaded by people to rationalize wrongs when God is left out of the equation. [Nuremberg Trials: Just following orders; Nazi Police could kill Jewish babies because they could rationalize that without the mother the child would die anyway.

5. God is necessary even if we know right from wrong – tempted to do wrong when no one is looking – God sees all the time.

C. Following the Instructions of God Brings Joy and Satisfaction – Psalm 19.7-11

7 The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

8 The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living.

9 Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair.

10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.

11 They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.

1. The Statue of Liberty in New York City was and is a powerful emblem. In one hand she holds the torch of freedom and in the other the tablet of law.

2. James Madison, the 4th President of the United States said this, "We stake the future of this country on our ability to govern ourselves under the principles of the Ten Commandments."

3. Someone has made a list of some of our nation’s more famous documents and they found that:

• The Gettysburg address is 286 words.

• The Declaration of Independence is 1,300 words.

• BUT, the U.S. Government regulations on cabbage sales: 26,911 words.

4. By contrast:

• The Lord’s Prayer: 66 words.

• The 10 Commandments: 179 words.

If you notice, God is the master of brevity. It doesn’t take Him long to say what He’s got to say.

5. The 10 Commandments will build a better nation because the One who has given them knows what is best for us.