Who Designed the
Laws, and Why are They Good?
Exodus 24:12
February 15, 2015 AM
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I.
Introduction (Exodus
24:12)
A.
We are learning
about Grace all this year – God’s Amazing Grace!
1.
Our memory verse
says it straight and simple, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ"
(John 1:17)
2.
So, obviously Grace
is better. But that does not mean the Law of God is bad!
3.
So this morning,
let’s focus our attention on What are the Ten Commandments? Who wrote them? And
Why are they good?
B.
Everyone on this
planet desires, wants, and accepts a God of Love; a God of Tolerance; a God of
Grace; a God of Forgiveness. Who could disagree with a God like that?
C.
But almost no one
wants to worship, honour, obey, and fear,
a God of Law!
D.
And yet,
the only God of Love that there is…
the Only God of Grace that exists… the ONLY truly forgiving God… IS THE SAME GOD
who gave us the LAW!
E.
So, Before we can
study and learn to obey the Ten Commandments, we need to know the
God of the Ten Commandments, and
learn why these laws are so good!
F.
It will change our
mind about constantly making new laws today, and get back to living by the
perfect laws of God, and getting our society to do the same too!
II.
Background
A.
There are Different
Kinds of Laws in the Bible
1.
Not just the Ten
Commandments, but…
2.
Laws of Physics
3.
Laws of Morality –
absolute right and wrong
4.
Laws of Government
and Justice
5.
Dietary Laws – Laws
governing health and sanity
6.
Laws of Worship and
Salvation
7.
The Bible has all of
the above!
8.
And they are ALL
good – not one of theme is wasted, or stupid!
9.
As a matter of fact,
you would do well to know every one of them, and live by them
10.
Those who are
ignorant of God’s Laws, or are rejecters of God’s laws, are doomed to a life of
trouble and heartache and sorrow, and regret! Guaranteed!
B.
All of these Laws
are Good
(Romans 15:4)
C.
But, WHO is behind
all these laws?
1.
Laws describe how
things should work. They don’t make things work!
a.
Laws of physics can
certainly explain how a jet engine works
b.
But someone had to
build the thing, put in the fuel and start it up. The jet could not have been
created without the laws of physics on their own
- but the task of development
and creation needed the genius of Whittle as its agent.
c.
In the same way, the
laws of physics could never have actually built the universe. Someone, a
Designer must have been involved.
2.
The beauty and
perfection of the scientific laws only prove that an intelligent, divine
creative force is at work in our universe! The more someone understands science,
the more they will believe in God because of the breadth, complexity and
integrity of everything!
a.
Stephen Hawking,
like so many critics of religion, want everyone to believe we are all nothing
but a random collection of molecules, and the end product of a mindless process.
b.
I say NO! Someone
built everything, and He did it well!
c.
And what He used to
make everything, and what he uses to keep everything going, are LAWS!
III.
Main Message
A.
God GAVE US His Laws
(Exodus 24:12)
1.
You can’t figure
these out all on your own – no one ever has figured a better set of laws!
2.
They are a gift from
God!
a.
It is NOT a bad
thing to have laws and rules and commandments to live by!
b.
They are a great
help from God for sinful men and women!
c.
Thank God we don’t
have to go through thousands and millions of years trying to find out what laws
are good and right, by trial and error (like people are doing today)
1)
Richard Dawkins
believes all laws are man-made, and should change as we adapt! He believes
mankind one day will allow for a family to have several wives, and each having
several husbands, all at the same time!
2)
Atheists will
blatantly tell you that it is okay to steal and lie, as long as no one gets
hurt. It is okay to commit adultery as long as it is consensual with all
involved!
3)
People in general
believe that all laws should be basically to allow someone to be happy. If
anything stops a person from being happy, it is a bad law.
a)
So, make sure all
laws against sodomy are repealed
b)
Make sure all laws
against incest are repealed
c)
Make sure all laws
against pornography are repealed
d.
It is funny how
people are so determined to try and live WITHOUT God’s laws, and yet in the end,
usually come around and discover God was right to begin with!
1)
As with dating! Live
by your own rules, until someone starts dating YOUR daughter!
2)
As with driving –
you drive like a maniac, until someone cuts you off on the highway, driving like
a maniac – that’s when you wish a Garda was around to ENFORCE the LAW!
3.
God gave us His laws
NOT to save us, forgive us, change us, or make us better people…
4.
But to show us what
God expects of people – of everyone!
5.
We NEED Laws
a.
If you want to play
soccer, you have to play BY THE RULES
b.
If you want to play
Rugby, you have to play by the RULES
c.
If you want to play
the stock-market, you have to buy and sell by the rules
d.
If you want to
drive, you have to drive according to the LAWS
e.
How could anyone do
any of those things without rule books, and laws?
f.
WHY WOULD WE THINK
THAT MARRIAGE, CHRISTIANITY, CHILD-TRAINING, doesn’t need rules???
6.
All great societies
and governments exists only by laws, not by the freedom to do as you please (Dt
4:8)
a.
All our rights, come
from God – all European nations used to believe this! See the Magna Carta!
b.
And All our rights
and freedoms are protected ONLY by Laws, and by Law-Abiding People
1)
No one has ever been
freed by a law
a)
It usually takes a
battle, a war, bloodshed, great sacrifice to free people from tyranny, slavery,
bondage! And Jesus was THE great sacrifice, that brought forgiveness, and
freedom – the Lamb of God for all time!
b)
The law never made
anything perfect (Heb 7:19; Gal 3:21; Rom 3:20)
c)
Only the bringing in
of a better HOPE makes someone new!
2)
But freedoms are
protected by laws
c.
Laws are for a free
people
1)
To limit sin – draw
lines, and limits
2)
To protect the weak
3)
Laws allow people to
live, and grow, and enjoy life, not just pleasure
4)
All of God’s laws
help us live free of slavery, bondage, sin, selfishness, and the old nature
7.
Thank God, that He
gave us an instruction Book – a rule book
a.
On the right way to
raise our children (don’t tell me you don’t have a good instruction book on
child training!)
b.
The right way (not
just the best way) to treat each other
c.
The right way to get
money (HARRD WORK)
d.
The right way to
worship and serve God
B.
GOD Actually Wrote
the Laws (Exodus 20:1)
1.
GOD is the Great
Law-Giver – not really Moses
a.
Moses was the
postman. That’s all. Not the author!
b.
I’m glad that God
didn’t leave it up to a Moses, or a king, or a priest, or a pope, a church, a
vote, a Dail, or an army to decide what is right and wrong!
c.
No sinful man or
woman has the right or ability to decide what is right or wrong
d.
GOD did that alone!
2.
And God wrote all
these laws, commandments Himself!
a.
He wrote it is STONE
so it could not be changed!
b.
With His own finger
(Ex 31:18; 32:15,16)
3.
Most of God’s Laws
are Still in Place with Some Exceptions
a.
Some laws were
specific to certain people at certain times - dispensations
b.
Some were temporary
c.
Some were changed
when Jesus died on the cross
d.
But, MOST are still
in place – still to be obeyed – not thrown away because they are unpopular!
e.
All because GOD
wrote them!
f.
Never forget that
4.
NO MAN changes God’s
Laws. They are eternal! It doesn’t matter if governments decide to overrule God
and make up their own laws. God’s LAW still stands head and shoulder above!
a.
So, if something was
wrong in the beginning (like having multiple wives), then it is still wrong
today.
b.
So, if sodomy was
wrong in the beginning, it is and always will be wrong today
c.
So, if adultery,
incest, thievery, lust, sorcery was wrong in olden times, they are still wrong
today!
d.
All because GOD
wrote these Laws!
C.
God is a God OF Laws
(Exodus 20:2)
1.
God is NOT the God
of Chance, Accidents, Luck, or Fate
2.
He is the God of
Laws!
a.
Yes, He has
feelings, and compassion, but He is a God of rules, and Laws
b.
Our generation does
not know this!
3.
The Bible says that
God created everything…
4.
But He didn’t just
create things! He created the Laws that keep everything going!
5.
Every corner of this
universe exists because LAWS are in place, that allow things to exists, and
live, and grow! Without well designed laws… this universe would fly apart!
a.
Gravity
b.
Motion
c.
Friction
a.
Heat - the Laws of
Thermodynamics
b.
Energy Conservation
E=MC2
c.
The Constance of the
Speed of Light
d.
The strong force,
holding all matter together
6.
Notice, evidently,
God has Laws against SLAVERY (Ex 20:2)!
a.
And it was the God
of Laws, that freed His people from Egypt’s slavery
b.
Because HE said it
was wrong!
c.
The Egyptians didn’t
decide it. GOD said it was wrong, and that settles it!
7.
Even God Himself is
subject to His own Laws
a.
He doesn’t change
(Mal 3:6)
b.
He remains faithful
(Deut 7:9)
D.
So, What ARE God’s
Laws?
1.
They are MORE than
just rules.
2.
More than just lists
of Dos and Don’ts
a.
Rules control our
actions
b.
But God’s laws
control and influence our heart and attitudes
3.
They are God’s
absolute conclusions about what is right to do, and what is wrong to do
4.
The perfect
revelation of how things should happen in a thriving, safe, secure society
5.
Nobody, and No
society can exists without laws
a.
Try to live without
laws… Try to live just by “grace” and tolerance, and allowing everyone to do
what they want…
b.
And you will live in
fear of your life as thieves rob your homes, and rape your children, and as even
your best of friends end up ignoring you and living only for themselves
c.
THAT is the result
of living without law
6.
God’s Laws are good
– perfect (Rom 7:14)
7.
Laws are for our
good, to allow God to bless and honour us (Deut 10:12,13)
8.
Without them, we
would live as enemies of God, and of each other! No wonder the world is filling
up with MORE and MORE crime and hatred, and violence!
E.
God is Serious About
His Laws (Deut 11:13-28)
1.
God’s Laws are NOT
His “suggestions”, or recommendations, or opinions for people to vote on, and
choose whether to obey or reject!
2.
They are absolute,
eternal laws
3.
There are blessings
and benefits of knowing, loving and obeying God’s laws
a.
They are GOOD
(Romans 7:12)
b.
They are for our
good (Dt 10:12,13)
4.
And there are
curses, and troubles for ignoring and rejecting God’s laws
5.
People need to FEAR
living without His laws – by your own rules (Dt 11:13-28)
a.
Men need to FEAR
looking at pornography
b.
Men and women need
to greatly FEAR telling a lie – you will get caught!
c.
Every man is doing
that which is right in his own eyes, and ignores the fact that they will reap
for it, ONE DAY!
6.
Fear facing the
Author of these laws
a.
That’s why He
appeared at Mt Sinai (Ex 19:9-13, 16-20)
1)
From the top of a
burning mountain
2)
Thunders
3)
Lightnings
4)
A Think Dark Cloud
5)
Terrifying sight
6)
Constant earthquakes
7)
And THAT was when
God spoke!
8)
OH THAT MEN WOULD
SPEAK AS GOD SPOKE ONCE AGAIN! That men would FEAR HIM!
b.
HE will judge us all
one day by the very words we mock and make fun of!
c.
Hebrews 13:4 is
STILL TRUE!
7.
Thank God for His
Laws!
a.
If you are married!
Thank God that HE demanded your husband or wife stay true to just you and you
alone!
b.
If you are a child!
Thank God that He demands that parents train their children RIGHT and in
tenderness!
c.
If you are a
servant, and an employee, THANK GOD that He demands that employers pay wages,
and don’t take advantage of slavery and slaves
d.
If you are
desperately poor, THANK GOD that He commands everyone, not just the rich, or the
religious to take care of the poor
e.
Thank God that He
commands that no one should lie
f.
That no one should
steal
g.
That no one should
kill
h.
That no one should
gossip about you
i.
That everyone should
keep their promises
j.
That people should
eat healthy foods – clean foods
k.
And so on, and so
on, and so on!
F.
God’s Laws Prove Our
Need for GRACE (Romans 5:20)
1.
“Moreover
the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace
did much more abound”
2.
God’s Laws prove
that…
a.
There is a God – a
designer of life and the laws that allow us to live
b.
And there is SIN in
each and every one of us. Sin that must be punished
c.
And there is no law
that can take away our sin
d.
Only the God who
wrote the Laws, can actually satisfy the requirements of all the laws that
condemn us
e.
That’s where Grace
enters! GRACE makes up for all the times that we fail to do what is right to do!
f.
By becoming
condemned Himself – on the cross – in all of our place!
3.
But God’s Grace is
not found in a church, or in meditation, or in baptism
4.
It is available ONLY
through following the life of Jesus Christ!
5.
That is a life of
transforming faith – saving faith – new life
a.
God commendeth His
love towards us, while we were yet sinners, condemned by the laws we have
broken, Christ died for us
b.
The wages of our sin
is death, but the GIFT, the GRACE of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ
our Lord
c.
Today is a good day
to stop trying to live without Christ, and start following HIM
IV.
Conclusion and
Invitation
A.
God GAVE US His Laws
B.
GOD Actually Wrote
the Laws
C.
God is a God OF Laws
D.
God is Serious About
His Laws
E.
God’s Laws Prove Our
Need for GRACE
F.
Will you believe in
CHRIST’S righteousness?
Or will you still hold onto your failed attempts, and face God as a condemned
sinner?