Message Notes

YOUTH WORSHIP 27 April 2024
Text: Exodus 20:1-11
Title: The Ten Commandments I

INTRODUCTION

1. Different Terms used

a) The Ten Commandments

b) The Decalogue

c) The Moral Law

2. The Ten Commandments

a) They need to be appreciated more deeply

b) They help us understand two aspects of Life:

i) Laws pertaining to God

ii) Laws pertaining to Man

THE FIRST FOUR COMMANDMENTS

1. The LORD is the Focus of these Commandments

a) No other God is to be acknowledged

b) No graven image is to be made for worship (idols)

c) God’s name is to be revered

d) The Sabbath is to be set aside for the purpose of worship

2. Why were the Four Commandments emphasised?

a) The children of God had lived in Egypt for 400 years

i) It was an idolatrous nation

ii) The influence on Israel must be given due consideration

b) What these Four Laws would do

i) To help Israel to stay focused

ii) To help the nation to revere God appropriately

iii) To strengthen the faith of the children of Israel

THE NEXT SIX COMMANDMENTS

1. The focus is to teach Israel how to regard their fellow men

2. These are basic commandments:

a) To honour parents

b) To prohibit murder

c) To prohibit stealing

d) To not engage in immorality

e) To prohibit telling lies

f) To prohibit covetousness

WHY WERE THESE COMMANDMENTS GIVEN?

1. To establish Justice in the land

2. To promote harmony and good will

3. To create a noble society

4. To provide a good environment to ensure a happy family for children to grow up in

THE REALITY OF OTHER NATIONS IN CANAAN

1. Idolatry was widespread

a) Many evil practices

b) Cruelty to children

2. Immorality was a major problem

a) Prostitution

b) Improper regard of weaker people

3. Nations were ruled by tyrants

a) They recognised only the law of the ruler

b) Wars were frequent

c) Murder was rampant

GOD’S GREAT PLAN FOR ISRAEL

5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.

6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

Exodus 19:5-6

1. God wants Israel

a) To obey Him

b) To keep His Covenant

2. God’s relationship with Israel

a) A special treasure to Him

b) A kingdom of priests

c) A holy nation

Israel would be greatly blessed indeed!

DOES THIS APPLY TO US?

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

1 Peter 2:9-10

1. A chosen generation

2. A royal priesthood

3. A holy nation

4. His own special people

5. The people of God who have obtained mercy

6. We are to be His people who will sing praises to God

CONCLUSION

1. Thank God for His Moral Law

2. Let us seek to live for God as His own special people

3. Let us be deeply moved and motivated to keep His commandments