Archive for the ‘10 Commandments’ Category

Promise #4 – Take a Day Off!

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Promise #4

Take a Day Off!

 

How cool is God? There’s 10 commandments. You’ve got just a few commandments or promises to show them the new life you want to give them. With only 10 of these; it’s awesome to me that right in the middle, God has this awesome promise! “You will take a day off!”

The fourth promise says in Exodus 20: 8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.”

In other words, TAKE A DAY OFF!

This is so like God! It’s His method of operation from the beginning of our little world! God, who can speak and things pop into existence takes 6 days to create the world; and then, takes a day off and says, this is the day to quit working!

Genesis 2:2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.

God believes in taking a day off?

Could this be because He knew we’d obsess and work hard?

Could it be that He knew we’d pack our lives with more and more stuff?

Could it be that He knew we wouldn’t stop to enjoy life sometimes?

Could it be that He knew He could pack 7 days of productivity into 6?

Could it be that He knew He could help us realize we were trying to do too much anyway?

The beauty of the Sabbath – the day off – is that it’s a great metaphor of salvation. Where do we mess up too easily on the issue of salvation?

1. We won’t let go and let God take care of our salvation. This is legalism – if I work I’ll get or keep my salvation.

2. We easily forget that God can actually change anything… We start to believe we receive salvation and then stay stuck in our life and sin.

The Sabbath faces both of these lies head on.

Hebrews 4:9 says, “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.”

The writer of Hebrews is saying, look, salvation is is your rest! You stop worrying about your salvation and transformation and leave it in the hands of God!

And to take a day off of work of all the normal stuff of life – the things that make your life work – means that God has to help make it all work – and we trust Him to actually change things.

The Israelites got a great example of this right before God have them the 10 Commandments. They needed food, so He provided food for them. They called it manna. You can read this story in Exodus 16. Every day God gave them enough food for the day. If they collected too much it went bad overnight.

However, when it came to the day before the Sabbath, they were to collect twice as much so they could rest on the Sabbath. He provided for them… He made them more productive! It’s a promise about the Sabbath encased in a story!

It’s God saying, TAKE A DAY OFF!!! Do you need a day off?

And look at the wording! “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work.” This is talking about the stuff that makes life work; the stuff you are called to do; this is the stuff that makes life continue. You get to stop for a day and relax!

So, God both saves us -and gives us rest – and provides for us in the process!

This is salvation! You have rest – and I’m going to change your life! Complete salvation!

Now, here’s where people get stuck… It’s the first part of the promise:

You will remember the Sabbath day…. but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.

What day is the seventh? Saturday. This day has been kept faithfully by Jews for thousands of years. The calendar has been revised, but the days of the week have not changed. Saturday is the Sabbath.

And Jesus kept it – read through the gospels. And He expected people after He was resurrected to keep it as well. How do I know? In Matthew 24 Jesus is talking about persecution to happen after His resurrection and he says, “18 A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. 19 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. 20 And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. “

So, He is anticipating that His followers would be keeping the Sabbath after His ascension!

You might ask where did people worshiping on Sunday come from then? Well, that’s a whole study in and of itself, however, to give you a quick view- after Jesus ascension Christians started to celebrate His resurrection on Sunday. They kept the Sabbath (you can read this throughout Acts). However, when persecution of the Jews became more and more intense, Christians started to compromise and wouldn’t worship on Saturday to keep a distinction between themselves and the Jews. As political power united with religious power, worshiping on Sunday became the enforced norm.

But, the bottom line is, Jesus never stopped the keeping of the Sabbath on Saturday.

The next easy question is simple… Why does it matter? Shouldn’t I just keep one day as a day off? I would say yes – except that God Himself said, “Remember… to keep the Sabbath day…. but the Seventh is the Sabbath.”

If your job has you working on Saturday or you have other activities on Saturday, then obviously, this is going to be a big faith risk for you… Will God take care of you if you fulfill the promise He has for you?

It all goes back to salvation? Can you trust God with your life? Can you trust Him your time and your money? Yes. Yes you can!

And more than that, you get a DAY OFF!

 For more on this, listen to my sermon on this promise at http://livetheexperience.org/media/listen-online-september-13-2008/

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Promise #3 – You’re going to have a passion!

Monday, February 16th, 2009


Ten Promises of a New Life

Promise #3 – Exodus 20: 7 “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.”

 

Growing up in church, I heard this was all about swearing. Don’t say, God, Jesus, and so on as swear words.

 

But, that is just a small part of not misusing the name of the Lord. When the Bible is talking about “name” it’s not just talking about a word – it’s talking about a lot more. It’s talking about the reputation, the fame, and the persona of a person.

 

When I worked at summer camp one summer there was another guy named Brian there. Problem was, he was a bad worker and didn’t get along with the other staff very well. And it started to effect MY reputation. MY name got rubbed in the mud. Once I complained to some friends that he was messing up what people thought of me because the name Brian was getting a bad reputation!

 

That’s what the Bible is talking about in a name…

 

So, this promise is really about living life about something different!

 

The first promise is that God is it! There’s nothing greater than Him in your life.

 

The second promise is that God is going to rock your world and take you on an adventure that’s completely outside of what you can imagine!

 

The third promise is God is going to give you a passion and a mission in life! It’s the passion for God’s reputation in the world! Nothing else matters except that God is glorified:

 

            Isaiah 26:Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws;

      our heart’s desire is to glorify your name.

            1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,

do it all for the glory of God.

 

God says, your life is about something totally new! It’s about living for God’s reputation!

 

For more on this, check on my sermon on this subject at http://livetheexperience.org/media/listen-online-september-6-2008/

 

I would like to make a brief mention of a movement among some that stems from this commandment, as well as other thoughts. Some call it the Holy Name Movement; some may call it different things, or nothing at all. But, it’s the idea that it is improper to use the names God, Jesus or Lord when talking about God.

 

Here are a few thoughts on this:

 

  • First, to think that we fully understand the name of God is a big presumptuous of us as humans. We must realize that we are not divine, the Bible is not written in some Biblical language – it was written in the language of the people! So, to think that humanity can contain the name of God is crazy!
  • Secondly, when God did name Himself to Moses, He said, I AM. He’s saying, you can’t define me! This is the issue of the second commandment – you won’t understand me! You can’t put me in a box!
  • Third, the Bible uses the generic name that would be translated “God” in both the Old and New Testaments. In the New Testament the Greek word is Kyrios that both Jesus and the apostles use for God. It’s used for human authority and for deity – false deity AND true deity. The Old Testament uses elohiym – and it’s used for the true God and for gods and goddesses as well as rulers and judges.
  • Fourth, Jesus is the English transliteration of Iesous – which is the Greek transliteration of Yeshoua. The New Testament writers use it consistently.
  • Fifth, there might be those who then say, well, the Bible is corrupt. This is a false theory for several reasons:
    • First, we have New Testament manuscripts to within about 30 years of when the original books were written – and they are consistent with what we have now.
    • Secondly, the Old Testament was preserved with incredible accuracy – as was found with the revelation of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
  • Yahweh may not even be the name of God. The Israelites were so careful to not harm the name of God that they took the vowels out! Scholars have guessed at what those vowels probably are, but we don’t actually know. So, we don’t really know what the name actually is!

 

This is a very surface review of why this belief system is in error. There’s nothing WRONG with using Yahweh or Yashua, but it is not a requirement or obligation to use those names and NOT the names of God, Lord, Jesus, etc.

 

You see the name is not a magic potion. If Mike Agee, KTSY general manager sends me to a Christian Book Store in the area and asks me to pick up tickets for a concert we’re helping promote, the name Mike Agee has no power. It’s the reputation that Mike has; it’s the position, authority and history that Mike’s name carries that moves people to do what I ask…

 

The same with the name of God. Acts 19 tells a great story of people who tried to use the name of Jesus like a magic potion. The demons came and beat a guy up! It’s about the power of the person behind the name; it’s the reputation, history, position, and authority of the being WITH the name.

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Promise #2 – American Idol?

Monday, February 9th, 2009


The second promise of a new life at first may sound like it has nothing to do with us. When’s the last time you knelt in front of an idol?

 

Exodus 20:4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.

 

However, the promises of a new life go so much farther than that. You see, making an idol was a way for people to understand their god. We want something that we can understand – that we can wrap our minds around.

 

This is the power of the second promise for a new life: You will not control me! I am going to take you on an adventure – a life that is outside of the box that you live in.

 

If I can understand God; if I can wrap my mind around Him; if I can define Him then I am at the same level of God- and I keep a huge level of control in my life. I am at the level of God!

 

But, when we see what God has taken us through; when we see that God has given us freedom; when God has taken us out of our own Egypt, we simply say, “WOW! I want nothing else! And not only that, but I give control up to God… Take me on this adventure!”

 

This is the power of the second promise!

 

Now, some of you may have read to the end and are saying, but Chaplain Brian, “What about that ending and the sins of the fathers on the children?”

 

Well, Let me just make it simple… When we try to control the adventure, we mess up our own lives – AND the lives of other people. We don’t just live for ourselves – we affect others.

However, the great thing is, we can effect positive change! The second part is that God lavishes His love for a thousand generations. You are receiving blessings from people you have never known in your family tree who loved God! And that power is greater than the power you have to hurt someone by your actions!

 

God is promising you the most incredible adventure! You will not try to box God up and He’s going to take you on an incredible adventure!

 

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10 Promises for a New Life

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

I’m a little behind in my blogging on the 10 Promises of a New Life… We’re much farther on the radio than I am on the blog.

However, let’s take a quick jump back to slowly catch up…

The First Promise is powerful: (Exodus 20:1-3)

Then God spoke all these words, saying,“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before Me.”

Can you imagine standing in front of Mount Sinai? There’s an amazing special effects show blasting over the mountain. And you are hearing the voice of God!

Not just that – but they’ve just witnessed God pick them up out of Egypt and take them out. They’ve seen God show in a literal way that the God’s of Egypt are ridiculous. They’ve seen Him do spiritual butt-kicking on the Egyptian religion, culture, and government.

Then, they’ve faced the Egyptian army and seen God take them through the Red Sea on DRY GROUND – and then that army get swallowed up by crashing walls of water…

They’ve had God feed them and give them water on their journey.

And then they in front of this mountain and hear God say, “I’m it! I took you from Egypt! I delivered You! You’re not going to have any other gods than me!” And the people said…. “Duh! Ya think?! Who else would we want?”

You see, this first commandment; this first promise only comes after they have been delivered. It only comes after they have seen God take care of them – they have seen their own weakness and are excited to be free!

And when that happens to you – you say, “I don’t want anything else except Him! He’s IT!”

What role does a god play in our lives?

  • From our “god” we find out who we are
  • From our “god” we find out our purpose
  • From our “god” we have a reason to live
  • From our “god” we are given structure to our life
  • From our “god” we find what is important
  • From our “god” we find our own identity
  • From our “god” we are filled emotionally

This is the first promise – and it is – when you have been delivered, then nothing else matters but Him.

And, as we’ll see, all of the other promises hang off of this first promise. If you have this promise, you almost don’t need the others. They are simply expanding and defining this promise!

For you, God is saying, “Look – I’ve given you a new life- and when you see that you won’t want anything or anyone else to be in the place of giving you your identity. You won’t have any other gods but me…

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Three Things To Remember About the Great Ten

Monday, October 6th, 2008


I grew up in a tradition that valued the 10 Commandments. The 10 Commandments were important – they were the basis of sin, God’s expectations on us, and all kinds of fun stuff.

 

A few years ago, the 10 Commandments got a lot of press time here in the Treasure Valley. The 10 Commandment Monument; 10 Commandment signs on people’s lawns; the list goes on.

 

There are three things that most 10 Commandment conversations miss completely.

 

1)      I talked about this in my last blog post – the Ten Commandments are based in God saying, “I am the Lord YOUR God!” We can’t forget the relationship that God puts Himself into with us!

2)      He then says in Exodus 20:2, “who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.” Notice when the Ten Commandments are given – AFTER the Israelites have been rescued from Egypt.

 

You see, the Ten Commandments are given for saved people! They don’t make much sense until you realize the God has taken you out of the Egypt of your depression, pain, bondage, addictions, mediocre life, and passionless existence. Remember, God has given you freedom already!

 

Beyond that, the Ten Commandments are not given as conditions of acceptance. They are given because you are accepted! You are already accepted! You are already chosen and loved. You are the beautiful bride that God saw and chose and said, “YES! You are MINE!” You have been picked, loved, and freed!

 

Then, it’s time for the third truth we often miss about the 10 Commandments:

3)      The Ten Commandments are written as promises! I’ve always believed they were things I HAD to do and NOT DO! Don’t swear, don’t kill, don’t kill, etc, etc. But, they are actually PROMISES! Check this out:

To my surprise I found that the Ten Commandments in Hebrew grammar (lo’ plus the imperfect tense of the verb) can either be translated as negative commands—prohibitions, or the same Hebrew grammar—those same words—can be translated as emphatic promises.  Even the fourth and fifth commandments, that are not in negatives when it says, “Remember the Sabbath,” it doesn’t use the imperative, which is the normal way of giving a command.  Those of you that are Hebrew buffs, the fourth (as well as the fifth) commandment uses the infinitive absolute which is often used for a promise in the Hebrew Bible.  “You will remember, I promise you, you will remember the Sabbath.”  And so it could be translated either way …

 

As a child I was taught the Ten Commandments starting with verse 3, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”  That’s not where the Ten Commandments start.  That’s not where God starts speaking.  It starts in verse 2 where He says, “I am the Lord your God who has brought you out of the house of bondage.  I’ve redeemed you by the blood of the Lamb.  You’re already saved and now I’m going to promise you power to keep My law.”  And if you start in verse 2, the rest of the commandments are promises.  I promise you, you won’t want to have any other gods before you.  You won’t want to take My name in vain.  You’ll want to remember the Sabbath.  You’ll want to honor your father and mother.  There is not a negative in that law! – From Love Song for the Sabbath, pages 36-37, by Richard Davidson

 

These are PROMISES! This is the same thing that is meant throughout the Bible:

·        Jeremiah 31:33
“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

·        Ezekiel 11:19
And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, 20 so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.

·        Romans 3:31
Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.

 

As we look at God’s heart through the Ten Commandments, we’ll be looking at them with new eyes – we’ll be looking at them as Ten Promises of a New Life!

 

 

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10 Commandments – The Beginning…

Monday, September 29th, 2008

We’re going to start a new series here on the chaplain blog and radio spots.

I believe the 10 Commandments are very important. They are talked about all through the Bible. However, they have often been more of a curse than a blessing. Which is weird, when you think of how David talked about them:

Psalm 119:97 – Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.Psalm 119:163 – I hate and abhor falsehood but I love your law.Psalm 119:165 – Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

How is it that David can say – I love the commandments? I mean, I hate rules! I don’t want someone telling me what to do!

One of missing component for most of us in thinking of the 10 Commandments is that Christians have traditionally IGNORED the first part of the 10 Commandments – it’s verse 2 of Exodus 20,  “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.”

The first part of this is, “I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD!”

Now, if I were God, I would say, “I am the LORD, and you are MINE!” This is my basic attitude toward a lot of stuff in my life. I have MY bike – it’s there to serve me; it’s there for me to ride on. I have MY computer which I take everywhere and beat to death. I have MY IPOD that I use all the time and is scratched. That’s what I might expect from God.

In fact, that’s kinda the way many people – including myself – have at times felt about the law. It’s God USING us. And yes, it’s for our good, and it’s wonderful, but in the end, it’s God telling me what to do – and I don’t always like that.

So, when I hear, I am the Lord YOUR God – that’s huge! That’s God putting Himself into relationship, accountability, and connection with ME! Not that I am equal, but He is putting Himself into a give and take relationship with ME!

This is a lot more like my relationship with my wife. More than 6 years ago I stood before her and committed to her that I was hers – end of story. I am hers – and she is mine. That’s amazingly powerful to me! It’s similar to the way – at the beginning of the 10 Commandments God says, “I am YOURS!!!!!!”

Let’s journey in these commandments together – I’d love to hear your thoughts – even your frustrations or misunderstandings about them! Post your comments here! If you’d like to hear a sermon I did on this, check this out:
Listen Online — July 26, 2008

Posted in 10 Commandments, Chaplain Rambling, Spirituality | 7 Comments »