43 min
What's the Use? King's Cross Church
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- Christianity
The 10 Commandments is not merely a list of commands or even principles to be applied - instead, we see the very character of the God we worship. But how is that any help? What is the use of "the Law"? Considering some protesters are currently calling for the defunding of the police, that seems a very relevant question to ask. So, before we go through the 10 Commandments one by one, let's answer that question out of Exodus 33.Discussion Questions:Jesus is not the Law, but he embodies the Law. Police officers are not the law, but they are supposed to embody the law. All analogies break down at some point, but is this a fair analogy? In our democracy, how is the law a reflection of our societal values?John Calvin said the biblical Law exposes our sin, restrains evil, and leads us toward being transformed into God's holiness. Which of these three uses is most or least apparent to you?In our passage, God's holiness gets contrasted with the humanity of Moses. Many in our society think people are generally good and getting better. Do you think that? Is our society progressing or regressing? Are we catching up to the holiness of God or moving further away? How would you explain your biblical view of this with a person who thinks that people are generally good? Why is it offensive to hold a mirror up to ourselves and call out the truth (James 1:23-25)? Are you more inclined to beat yourself up over sin or feel pretty good about yourself - thinking you’re better than most and not as good as some? What does it mean to be conformed to the image (mirror) of Jesus (Romans 8:28-29)?Why might some people be offended by the notion that God puts a "fence" around Moses? How does our society tend to respond to being fenced in? Think about a pet; what is the purpose of a boundary set by love? Give a personal, specific example, where God lovingly gave you a good boundary.Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” How is this image similar to Moses' need? Today more than ever, we need direction, wisdom, and a pathway to a better place. Do we or our leaders have enough light? Do you need more light? What does this really mean for your spiritual life?It takes seeing the One who embodied the law - even dying in our place - to begin to resurrect dead hearts like ours. Is that the fulfillment of Moses’ request to "show me your glory"? Does hope for heaven (1 Corinthians 13:12) and hope in the meantime satisfy you (2 Corinthians 3:12-18, esp.v.18)?
The 10 Commandments is not merely a list of commands or even principles to be applied - instead, we see the very character of the God we worship. But how is that any help? What is the use of "the Law"? Considering some protesters are currently calling for the defunding of the police, that seems a very relevant question to ask. So, before we go through the 10 Commandments one by one, let's answer that question out of Exodus 33.Discussion Questions:Jesus is not the Law, but he embodies the Law. Police officers are not the law, but they are supposed to embody the law. All analogies break down at some point, but is this a fair analogy? In our democracy, how is the law a reflection of our societal values?John Calvin said the biblical Law exposes our sin, restrains evil, and leads us toward being transformed into God's holiness. Which of these three uses is most or least apparent to you?In our passage, God's holiness gets contrasted with the humanity of Moses. Many in our society think people are generally good and getting better. Do you think that? Is our society progressing or regressing? Are we catching up to the holiness of God or moving further away? How would you explain your biblical view of this with a person who thinks that people are generally good? Why is it offensive to hold a mirror up to ourselves and call out the truth (James 1:23-25)? Are you more inclined to beat yourself up over sin or feel pretty good about yourself - thinking you’re better than most and not as good as some? What does it mean to be conformed to the image (mirror) of Jesus (Romans 8:28-29)?Why might some people be offended by the notion that God puts a "fence" around Moses? How does our society tend to respond to being fenced in? Think about a pet; what is the purpose of a boundary set by love? Give a personal, specific example, where God lovingly gave you a good boundary.Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” How is this image similar to Moses' need? Today more than ever, we need direction, wisdom, and a pathway to a better place. Do we or our leaders have enough light? Do you need more light? What does this really mean for your spiritual life?It takes seeing the One who embodied the law - even dying in our place - to begin to resurrect dead hearts like ours. Is that the fulfillment of Moses’ request to "show me your glory"? Does hope for heaven (1 Corinthians 13:12) and hope in the meantime satisfy you (2 Corinthians 3:12-18, esp.v.18)?
43 min