God of Our Relationships

Transcription

1 Session 8 God of Our Relationships THEOLOGICAL THEME: God s law reflects God s intention for human flourishing in society. In 2014, a reality TV series called Utopia premiered. The show s premise was simple put 15 diverse individuals in a rustic setting and watch them live together with, as the slogan said, no leaders, no rules, no plumbing. The show was a $50 million failure, and that shouldn t come as a surprise. Civil society cannot exist without rules and laws. We are created by God to need structure. We crave order because order is a reflection of God s character. His orderly nature is seen in everything from the order of creation to His prescriptions for order in worship. God s orderly nature and how it applies to our lives are often misunderstood. Too many times, Christians see a contrast between the Old and New Testaments as if the Old is only law and the New is only grace. As we saw in the previous session, this is a false dichotomy. Exodus 19 shows that Israel was a delivered people living in covenant with God. God was not telling them to earn His favor through their obedience. He had already chosen and delivered them. In His Commandments, God was showing the people what it means to live in grace. Imagine a society without leaders and rules. What would it be like? What would you like about it? What would be wrong with it? 74 Date of My Bible Study: 2015 LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser.

2 In this session we examine the six Commandments that focus on honoring God in our relationships. We will see that God calls us to honor Him by honoring our father and mother, by loving our neighbors as ourselves, and by cultivating a heart of contentment. One of the primary ways we show our love for God is by loving others who are made in His image. Voices from the Church We are not called to the love of Torah but to the Torah of love. 1 Scot McKnight 1. We honor God by honoring our parents (Ex. 20:12). 12 Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. How we relate to our parents provides a foundation for all our relationships, especially our interactions with those in authority. Authority brings order to society, and God s command to honor our father and mother sets a model for how we are to respond to other authorities in life. God calls us to honor our parents in response to God s redeeming love for us. The Hebrew word translated honor means to make weighty and carries a positive sense of giving respect in abundance. Because all human parents are sinful, they may be worthy of honor in varying degrees. But God does not call us to weigh our parents worthiness and then decide whether or not to honor them. He calls us to honor them as a way of honoring Him, of recognizing His authority in our lives. How does your relationship with your parents impact how you view God? Session 8 75

3 Ultimately, only God deserves to be the object of honor, but God wants us to give honor to others on His behalf. He displayed for us a perfect example of giving honor in His Son, Jesus Christ, when He, as an incarnate human being, obeyed His parents and submitted to their authority. But Jesus not only gave us an example of honoring parents; He also fulfilled this Commandment and then died to pay for the sins of dishonor that we have shown over the years. Throughout His life, Jesus exalted His Heavenly Father as He displayed the power of God. And even as He died on the cross, He committed His mother to the care of one of His disciples (John 19:25-27). If you are a parent, how can you intentionally model for your children what following Jesus looks like? How does the gospel apply to your regrets, either as a child or as a parent? 2. We honor God by loving our neighbors (Ex. 20:13-16). Living in a way that honors God begins in the home, but it extends to other relationships as well. In fact, when Jesus was asked which commandment is the greatest, He summed up the law by calling people to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind and then to love their neighbors as themselves (Matt. 22:36-40). Paul later spoke of the prohibitions against adultery, murder, stealing, and coveting as summed up by the command to love our neighbors as ourselves (Rom. 13:9-10). Voices from Church History Those who have love are children of God, and those who do not are children of the devil. Have anything else you like, but if you lack this one thing, then all the rest is of no use to you whatsoever. On the other hand, you may lack almost anything else, but if you have this one thing, you have fulfilled the law. 2 Bede (circa ) 76 Personal Study Guide Winter

4 13 Do not murder. 14 Do not commit adultery. 15 Do not steal. 16 Do not give false testimony against your neighbor. Do Not Murder God prohibits murder because we are to love and value Him as the Creator of each life and then recognize the worth of each life as a reflection of His glory. When we judge a person s worth by our own assessment of their intellect or lack of ability, we judge them by what they are worth to us instead of by their inherent dignity in reflecting the Creator. We make our own ascribing value superior to God s. In laying down our hatred and seeking reconciliation with those whom we have disregarded, we acknowledge that only God deserves to place value, and we acknowledge our need for Christ s transforming work in our hearts and in our relationships to love and value others like God does. Later, Jesus would address the heart condition that leads to murder (Matt. 5:21-22). Jesus extended the prohibition of murder much deeper. He was even concerned with how we feel about others. When we harbor hatred in our hearts, we disavow the created worth of another person and write them off just as if we have killed them. Why does Jesus connect murder to a hateful heart? 99 Essential Christian Doctrines 5. Authority of Scripture Since the Bible is the inspired Word from God, containing God s special revelation to humanity, the Bible is the ultimate standard of authority for the Christian. Because it is truthful in everything that it teaches, Scripture is humanity s source for wisdom, instructing us on how to live life well to the glory of God. Submitting to the authority of Scripture means that we are to believe and obey God by believing and obeying His Word. What are some ways we express hatefulness with our tongues? Session 8 77

5 Do Not Commit Adultery The prohibition against adultery is rooted in God s original design for sexual expression within the confines of marriage. From the beginning, God saw that it was not good for man to be alone, and He created woman. Adam and Eve together reflected the image of God in their relationship of trust and love. Adultery is the severing of the marriage bond through sexual immorality. It damages the family and destroys the sacred refuge God intends our homes to be. Just as He connected murder back to an angry heart, Jesus connected adultery back to a lustful heart (Matt. 5:27-30). What are some elements of temptation that can lead a person into sexual immorality? In what ways can Christians guard against potentially compromising situations? Do Not Steal The Eighth Commandment forbids stealing taking something that does not belong to us. This command covers a wide range of dishonest practices birthed in a heart gripped by possessions instead of the One from whom all good things come (Jas. 1:17). Anytime we deal dishonestly with others, cheat our employees or employers, or plagiarize, we are engaging in thievery. Why are we prone to steal? Because we do not trust the provision of God. At its core, theft is a form of self-worship. We steal because we prefer self-reliance rather than trusting in others. Jesus, however, put possessions in their proper place by reminding us what really matters (Matt. 6:19-21). 78 Personal Study Guide Winter

6 Can we consider improper stewardship of God s gifts a form of stealing? Why or why not? What are some things we try to find satisfaction in apart from God? Do Not Give False Testimony Against Your Neighbor The Ninth Commandment forbids us to bear false witness against our neighbors. Throughout the Old Testament, God expressed His hatred for lying lips and declared truthfulness to be a requirement for His people (Ps. 5:6; Prov. 6:16-19; cf. Ps. 15). Because He is a God who tells the truth, His people must also tell the truth, always. Jesus addressed lying by stressing our need to keep our word (Matt. 5:37). Only through the power of the gospel can we be remade to love the Truth more than we love ourselves. Because of Jesus Christ, who was falsely accused for our sake, we can be forgiven when we repent (tell the truth about ourselves) and believe the gospel (the truth about Jesus). As a truth-telling people, the church now bears witness to Christ. How can we cultivate truth-telling in our homes and churches? Voices from Church History If you want the truth to go round the world, you must hire an express train to pull it; but if you want a lie to go round the world it will fly; it is as light as a feather and a breath will carry it. 3 Charles Spurgeon ( ) Session 8 79

7 3. We honor God by cultivating a heart of contentment (Ex. 20:17). 17 Do not covet your neighbor s house. Do not covet your neighbor s wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Coveting is not just an obsessive desire to have something. It is being convinced that we can truly delight in someone or something more than God and be fulfilled. It is self-worship by believing that placating our desires will satisfy us. The only cure for coveting is the gospel. Left to our own devices, we will always choose to fulfill our desires over trusting God to fulfill us. We need rebirth through Christ to stop the restlessness in our hearts and to give us peace and contentment. Paul said that we learn contentment (Phil. 4:11-13). That means finding contentment takes work. We need an education in contentment! We have to work in the power of the Spirit to shut out distractions and focus our yearnings on Christ. Only through Christ can we put our selfishness to Voices from the Church Contentment means wanting what God wants for us rather than what we want for us. The secret to enjoying this kind of contentment is to be so satisfied with God that we are able to accept whatever he has or has not provided. 4 Philip Graham Ryken death. Only Christ fills our longing for rest and peace. Only Christ can make us content with God s plan for our lives and His provision. Daily delving into Christ s story of redemption is vital. Focusing on our life circumstances in terms of the gospel is too. Asking questions like these can help us keep our heart on Christ: 80 Personal Study Guide Winter

8 How is Christ getting glory through how I am living in my circumstances? How do my reactions show that I am content and trusting in Christ s provision? Whom has God put in my path for me to show and tell the gospel? What disciplines (prayer, Bible study, etc.) do I need to fill my life with to help me see Christ more fully? How is the community of believers I am part of contributing to my awareness of Christ and His gospel in my life? How can the time I spend with people help me know Christ more? Conclusion How we live with others and value others is a direct reflection of Christ s presence in our lives. The Ten Commandments are not merely a list of don ts. They are an expression of how Christ transforms us to live as citizens of His kingdom. Through all our relationships, we have an opportunity to live for the glory of God and to point people to Christ. CHRIST CONNECTION: As the sinless Savior, Jesus is the only One who has kept the law perfectly. He demonstrated His love for others by laying down His life in their place. Session 8 81

9 HIS MISSION, YOUR MISSION MISSIONAL APPLICATION: Because we have experienced God s great love toward us, we are called to love and seek the good of our neighbors. 1. How will you seek the good of your parents in order to honor God? 2. What are some specific ways we can actively obey the law with a mind-set of love toward others? 3. How is our mission supported by being content and generous? 82 Personal Study Guide Winter

10 About the Writers The Gospel Project Adult Personal Study Guide HCSB Volume 4, Number 2 Winter Eric Geiger Vice President, LifeWay Resources Ed Stetzer General Editor Trevin Wax Managing Editor Daniel Davis Content Editor Josh Hayes Content and Production Editor Ken Braddy Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies Michael Kelley Director, Groups Ministry Send questions/comments to: Managing Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Personal Study Guide, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN ; or make comments on the Web at Printed in the United States of America The Gospel Project : Adult Personal Study Guide HCSB (ISSN ; Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay Christian Resources. For ordering or inquiries, visit or write LifeWay Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For subscriptions or subscription address changes, subscribe@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay s doctrinal guideline, please visit Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Unit 1: Tony Merida is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He also serves as associate professor of preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His books include Ordinary and the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary on the Book of Exodus, among others. He is happily married to Kimberly, and they have five adopted children. Unit 2: Rick Morton (sessions 7-8) is Vice President of Engagement for Lifeline Children s Services in Birmingham, Alabama, where he leads the ministry s partnership efforts to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children around the world. He is married to Denise, and they have two middle school sons and a daughter in college. Kendell Easley (sessions 9-12) is a professor of biblical studies at Union University and is the director of the Master of Christian Studies and Doctor of Ministry programs for Union in the Memphis area. He also serves as pastor of McLean Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Kendell is married to Nancy, and they have one married young adult son. Unit 3: D. A. Horton is currently serving in the Church Planting Residency at Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina. He and his wife, Elicia, and their three children are preparing to plant a church in Los Angles, California. He is working on his PhD in Applied Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. WRITERS

11 Notes SESSION 1 1. Joshua Ryan Butler, The Skeletons in God s Closet (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2014), A. W. Tozer, quoted in 1001 Quotations That Connect, eds. Craig Brian Larson and Brian Lowery (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009), Quotation Christopher J. H. Wright, The Mission of God (Downers Grove: IVP, 2006), SESSION 2 1. Adrian Rogers, in Adrianisms: The Wit and Wisdom of Adrian Rogers, vol. 2 (Memphis: Love Worth Finding, 2007), Billy Graham, in Billy Graham in Quotes, eds. Franklin Graham with Donna Lee Toney (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2011), Christopher J. H. Wright, The Mission of God, Mark Galli, A Great and Terrible Love (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2010), SESSION 3 1. W. A. Criswell, Basic Bible Sermons on the Cross (Nashville: B&H, 1990), John Bunyan, The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate (Minneapolis: Curiosmith, 2010), John Piper, You Will Be Eaten by Cannibals! Lessons from the Life of John G. Paton, Desiring God [online], 8 February 2000 [cited 20 April 2015]. Available from the Internet: 4. Ibid. 5. John G. Paton, John G. Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1891), 376. SESSION 4 1. Martin Luther, quoted in Then Sings My Soul, Special Edition, by Robert J. Morgan (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2003), J. D. Greear, Jesus, Continued (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014), Lesslie Newbigin, The Household of God (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2008), Tim Keller, Getting Out, The Gospel Coalition [online video], 12 April 2011 [cited 22 April 2015]. Available from the Internet: 5. Ibid. 6. C. H. Spurgeon, Israel at the Red Sea, The Spurgeon Archive [online], 30 March 1856 [cited 22 April 2015]. Available from the Internet: SESSION 5 1. C. H. Spurgeon, Marah Better Than Elim, Spurgeon Gems [online], 4 April 1889 [cited 23 April 2015]. Available from the Internet: 2. Clement of Rome, Recognitions of Clement, quoted in The Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. VIII, eds. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and Arthur Cleveland Coxe (New York: Cosimo, 2007), Matthew Henry, An Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, vol. 1 (New York: Henry C. Sleight, Clinton Hall, 1883), Nancy Guthrie, The Lamb of God: Seeing Jesus in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy (Wheaton: Crossway, 2012), 107. SESSION 6 1. Os Guinness and John Seel, eds., No God but God (Chicago: Moody Press, 1992), 23, A. W. Tozer, The Essence of Idolatry, The Alliance [online], 16 September 2018 [cited 15 May 2015]. Available from the Internet: 3. Adrian Rogers, in Adrianisms: The Wit and Wisdom of Adrian Rogers, vol. 1 (Memphis: Love Worth Finding, 2006), Augustine, On the Psalms, in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, ed. Philip Schaff, vol. 8 (New York: Cosimo, reprinted 2007), Douglas K. Stuart, Exodus, vol. 2 in The New American Commentary (Nashville: B&H, 2006), D. L. Moody, Prevailing Prayer, in The D. L. Moody Collection, ed. and comp. James S. Bell Jr. (Chicago: Moody, 1997), 253. SESSION 7 1. Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 1992), Oswald Chambers, in The Quotable Oswald Chambers, comp. and ed. David McCasland (Grand Rapids: Discovery House Publishers, 2008), Timothy Keller, Counterfeit Gods (New York: Dutton, 2009), xix. SESSION 8 1. Scot McKnight, Jesus Creed (Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2014) [ebook]. 2. Bede, On 1 John, quoted in James, 1 2 Peter, 1 3 John, Jude, ed. Gerald Bray, vol. XI in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2000), C. H. Spurgeon, Joseph Attacked by the Archers, The Spurgeon Archive [online], 1 April 1855 [cited 14 September 2013]. Available from the Internet: 4. Philip Graham Ryken, Written in Stone (Wheaton: Crossway, 2003), 212. SESSION 9 1. J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays, Living God s Word (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012), A. W. Tozer, in Tozer on Worship and Entertainment, comp. James L. Snyder (Camp Hill, PA: Wingspread Publishers, 1997) [ebook]. 3. Matt Papa, Look and Live (Bloomington, MN: Bethany House, 2014), 31. SESSION Saint Valentine, Infoplease [online], 2007 [cited 11 May 2015]. Available from the Internet: 2. William Cowper, There Is a Fountain, in Baptist Hymnal (Nashville: LifeWorship, 2008), John Currid, Nobuyoshi Kiuchi, and Jay A. Sklar, in ESV Study Bible (Wheaton: Crossway, 2008), , n. 1:1-17; n. 1:3-4; n. 1:5-9; n. 1: Ibid., 218, n. 2: Holman Illustrated Study Bible (Nashville: B&H, 2006), Cyril of Alexandria, Glaphyra on Numbers 2, quoted in John 11 21, ed. Joel C. Elowsky, vol. IVb in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2007), Matt Chandler with Jared Wilson, The Explicit Gospel (Wheaton: Crossway, 2012), 144. SESSION Elisabeth Elliot, Shadow of the Almighty (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1958), Reformation Study Bible (Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 2005), 160, n. 5: NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995), 1875, n. 13:10; and David W. Chapman, in ESV Study Bible (Wheaton: Crossway, 2008), 2385, n. 13: David W. Chapman, in ESV Study Bible, , n. 9:13. SESSION Graeme Goldsworthy, According to Plan (Downers Grove: IVP, 1991), Charles Spurgeon, The Parables of Our Lord, vol. 3 in Miracles and Parables of Our Lord (Grand Rapids: Baker, reprinted 1989), Paul Barker, in ESV Study Bible, 369, n. 27: Augustine, On Romans, 75, quoted in Romans, ed. Gerald Bray, vol. VI in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 1998), Hilary, On Matthew, 4:16, quoted in Matthew 1 13, ed. Manlio Simonetti, vol. Ia in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2001), 97. SPECIAL SESSION 1. J. I. Packer, Knowing God (Downers Grove: IVP, 1973), Thomas L. Constable, Notes on John, 2015 Edition, Sonic Light [online PDF, 246], 14 February 2015 [cited 17 April 2015]. Available from the Internet: 129