Lesson 16: Ten Life Principles

Series: Getting The Faith of Moses Dr. Elmer Towns

Lesson 16: Ten Life Principles October 16, 2011

A. GET READY FOR THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. In a world totally committed to heathen idolatry, God chooses one man Moses to receive His message to give to His people.

The average man with limited resources, in difficult circumstances, against insurmountable odds, can be led of God to do miraculous things.

2. God had to assemble His people in unity before He entrusted to them truths that would define their existence. So perfectly were these truths, that while other nations and tribes disintegrated, the children of Abraham have endured.

3. God revealed Himself first before He revealed ten truths, “I come unto thee” (19:9).

4. God reminded that His power was stronger than the gods of Egypt. “I am the Lord thy God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt” (20:2).

5. God reminded it was better to serve Him than the bondage of sin. “I am the Lord, who brought you . . . out of the house of bondage” (20:2).

6. God reminded them His love and care. “You know how I brought you to Myself and carried you on eagle’s wings” (19:4, LB).

7. These ten truths contain the essential principles of relating to God (1-4) and relating to others (5-10).

B. THE COMMANDMENTS

1. God first. “No other gods before Me” (20:3).

2. No compromise. “Not make . . . graven image, or any likeness” (20:4).

3. Pure mind and speech. “Not take the name of the Lord . . . in vain” (20:7).

4. Worship continually. “Observe the Sabbath” (20:8, LB).

5. Respect authority. “Honor thy father and thy mother” (20:12).

6. Respect life. “Do not murder” (20:13, LB).

7. Sexually pure. “Do not commit adultery” (20:14, LB).

8. Respect other’s rights. “Do not steal” (20:15, LB).

9. Live by the truth. “No false witness” (20:16).

10. Be satisfied with your things. “Thou shalt not covet” (20:17).

C. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD BEHIND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. The exclusive royalty of God. The people became “a kingdom of priests” (19:6). So the king is instructing His people about their attitudes and actions.

2. The unbending majesty of God. “Thunders and lightnings” (19:16). “The whole mountain shook with a violent earthquake” (19:18, LB).

3. The pure spirituality of God. “God is spirit” (John 4:24). “Warn the people not . . . to see the Lord, for those who do will die” (19:21, LB).

4. The positive holiness of God. “Sanctify the people” (19:10). “You shall be a holy nation” (19:8).

5. The negative judgment of God. “The Lord descended . . . in the form of fire” (19:18, LB).

D. THE LAW TODAY

1. To see God, look beyond the Ten Commandments; look at Jesus. “The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth come by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).

2. The law is negative, it kills. “Cursed is everyone that doesn’t obey the terms of the law” (Deut. 27:26, ELT).

3. The law is a mirror that shows us our sins. “I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet’” (Rom. 7:7).

4. The law never saved. “No one is ever made right before God by doing what the law commands” (Rom. 3:21, LB).

5. Sincerity and the law. “The more we know God’s law, the clearer it becomes we are not obeying it” (Rom. 3:26, LB).

6. You must have a new life in order to please God. “Humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls . . . if you keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law . . . do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it” (James 1:21, 25).

7. The Word of God transforms us. “All of us look into the mirror of God’s Word, and His glory is reflected back to us, so that we are gradually changed into His image, ever becoming more like Him (from glory to glory), which is the work of the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18, ELT).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord,

I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.