A. INTRODUCTION
A line is drawn through the ages; it extends from Heaven to man and reaches around the earth. The line crosses the deserts of North Africa, and is drawn on the sand at the foot of Mount Sinai. On one side is God and the blessings of Heaven. On the other side is Satan with all the false religions and idols of Hell. That line is the Ten Commandments. Which side of the line will you choose?
FIRST OF 10 COMMANDMENTS
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).
JESUS GREATEST COMMANDMENT
“Teacher, what commandment is the greatest in the law? And I answered, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind . . . the second is like it, you must love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:36-39).
B. WHY 10 COMMANDMENTS?
1. To reveal God. “I am the Lord God.” Reveals My self-existing nature.
2. To separate us from the world. “I am the Lord God, which have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage” (20:2).
3. To help us live right. “Showing mercy . . . unto them that love Me and keep My commandments” (20:6).
4. To keep from being punished. “Visiting the iniquity . . . of them that hate Me” (20:5).
5. To prosper. “That your days may be long” (20:12).
6. To test us. “For I am come to prove you” (20:20).
7. To seek forgiveness. “An altar of earth you shalt make unto Me, and shall sacrifice” (20:24).
8. For worship. “I will come to you, and I will bless you” (20:24).
C. WHAT DOES EACH PHRASE MEAN?
1. Thou shalt -
? Why didn’t the Father force you to worship only Him? You are given a free choice.
? Why does the Father give you the opportunity to worship other gods? So you can demonstrate your choice to love Him.
? The Father has given you the free will to obey His commandments; what does it mean? You are accountable to Him.
2. Have -
? Why didn’t the Father say own? Borrow.
? Why didn’t the Father say make? Buy.
? Why didn’t the Father say worship? Not even have another god in our possession.
3. No -
? What does the word “no” mean? Never, none, not any.
? How much time does this mean? Not 50-50, but all.
? What does “no” imply? I want all of you.
“Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matt. 23:37).
4. Other gods -
? Why didn’t the Father say “no other thing”? Because a god elicits passion.
? Why didn’t the Father say idol? The idol only represents the false god.
? What is a demon idol? To the spirit(s).
? What is a Christian idol? Worship God with world’s means.
WHY DO I RECOGNIZE OTHER GODS?
Because I recognized man’s rebellion.
Because satan has a false religion.
Because I created you as a worshipper.
5. Before -
? Does “before” mean in front of the Father’s space? No, I am everywhere.
? Does “before” mean in priority of time? No time with Me.
? Does “before” mean in My attention? No, I knows all.
? What does “before” mean to you? Don’t bring a false god into any place of your life, at any time, for any reason.
6. Me -
? How do I feel about other gods? Abomination.
? What’s left? You and Me.
D. WHAT DOES THE FIRST COMMANDMENT TELL YOU TO DO?
1. You are free to worship other gods, but accountable to Me, your Creator, the Lord God.
2. You must make a choice to worship Me your Creator.
3. You must come in My presence. Just as I don’t want false gods in My presence. I don’t want you in their presence. I want you in My presence.
4. You must realize your weakness and self-deception. Man is an incurable “idol-maker.”
5. To realize you have an obligation to please Me. All law is an extension of My nature. To violate My law is to disobey Me.
6. You must seek forgiveness when you break My law. “The law was your schoolmaster to bring you unto Me, that you might be justified by faith” (Gal. 3:24).
7. You must be grateful for forgiveness. The First Commandment teaches you to come into the My presence with thanksgiving.
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.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
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