This exposition of Exodus 20:22-26 by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, May 19, 2019.
Intro:
It is an important question. A question not just for religious studies, it’s not just about Sunday School and church, it is about core convictions that touch every area of your life. Did God give the law to Israel or not?
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Did God speak from Mt. Sinai or not? Is this, we are reading in Exodus 19 and 20, actual history or is it religious story-telling? Is this a story to teach some religious truth or are these the very words the God who actually exists and actually makes these demands of his people? Is this book to be taken seriously or not? Can you see that is an important question? Battle lines are being drawn. It is clear to anyone paying attention the culture is becoming increasingly secular. There is the bold, outright rejection of biblical categories and distain for the biblical teaching on morality and cultural issues. Abortion, gender issues and homosexuality are the most obvious but it goes much deeper and we had better be prepared. Already those of us who hold to biblical categories and standards on the issues of homosexuality and gender are being told that we are on the wrong side of history. We are labeled as bigoted and hateful. We are considered a threat to the culture. So, it matters - did God say these things or not? If these are not the words of God then by all means go with the flow, adapt to the cultural times but if these are God’s words, we have no choice but to remain faithful. We must stand our ground and declare the unchanging truth of God whatever the consequence.
I will tell you who never doubted these were the words of God, those who stood at the foot of the mountain that day. Those who saw the smoke and fire, who felt the earth quake beneath their feet, who heard the thunder, the blast of the ram’s horn and whose hearts melted with fear before the voice of God. Thus they cried, “Moses! You speak to us and we will listen but do not let God speak to us lest we die.” They knew, these are the words of God and he is making demands of us. Back in chapter 19 they said, “We will do all you command.” Now, they are in full blown panicked because it is clear, God is demanding total allegiance. He is demanding their heart, their soul, their all. Our text this morning is found in Exodus chapter 20 beginning with verse 22.
Text: Exodus 20:22-26
God spoke to Israel that day from the mountain. He speaks just as clearly to us today through his word. Of course we have the advantage over Israel. “Pastor, how can we have an advantage? They were there. They heard the voice of God. They experienced his presence. How could we have the advantage over them?” We have the witness of the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures. We have what Peter called, “the more certain word” (2 Peter 1:19). Look with me, Exodus 20 beginning at verse 22.
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Thesis: This text powerfully portrays our God as the Sovereign One who demands our absolute obedience and the Gracious One who mercifully provides for our failure.
There is a false perception in the church. That is the notion that in the Old Testament we find God’s law and in the New Testament we find God’s grace. No, law and grace run together throughout all of Scripture. We find the law everywhere God makes demands of his people in both the Old and New Testament. At the same time we find his grace whenever God makes provision for his people. We have a wonderful example of this here in our text.
As we work our way through this text I want to note two pertinent facts and then point to a glorious conclusion.
- Our God sovereignly, and with great force, reaffirms that he alone is God and that he demands our obedience. (20:22-23)
- Our God mercifully makes provision for our utter failure to obey his good and righteous demands. (20:24-26)
With the giving of the Law our God graciously foreshadows his ultimate provision for us in the Lord Jesus.
Conclusion:
The Patriarchs built altars. As did Moses and David. There was always an altar where God’s people made atonement for sin. That was all in preparation for God’s ultimate provision in the Lord Jesus.
Romans 3:20-25
According to Hebrews 13:10, the Lord Jesus is our altar, he is also our burnt offering and our peace offering. There is salvation for all who come to Christ. Every sinner who comes to Christ finds atonement. That is why there are no more altars. When he cried, “It is finished,” all was complete.
Oh friend, God sovereignly demands your heart, your soul, your all. He alone is God and he demands your obedience. Because he is merciful he has himself provided for your utter failure. There is grace, forgiveness and life for you if you will only repent and believe.
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