The Law(s) Worshiping God. How to Study the Bible Dr. Leon L. Sanders

Transcription

1 The Law(s) Worshiping God How to Study the Bible Dr. Leon L. Sanders

2 Eisegesis Pits Christ against Moses Cherry picked verses Verses are out of context Incorrect conclusion based on poor hermeneutics, very common

3 Mosaic Law Called the Law in NT Usually used as a generic term Must garner its specific meaning from the context Law is foundation for the Bible

4 The Law(s) Civil Law This was given to Israel (theocracy) to promote order and guide behavior according to the moral law it was abolished when Judah eradicated Religious Law Ordinances and sacrifices associated with the Tabernacle (Temple) and flowing from the moral law it was abolished when Judah eradicated

5 The Moral Law This is the bedrock, the foundation for understanding Holiness of God (1Pe 1:13-16) Sinfulness of man (Ro 3:21-26) Necessity of Christ (ibid) The Moral Law has NEVER, will NEVER end (Mt 5:17-20)

6 You and Law? Bad Bible hermeneutics leads to bad theology Few today understand purpose of the Law, the Pentateuch Most use Shrug Your Shoulders hermeneutics

7 Who Uses the Law? Several cults started from not understanding the Law Seventh Day Adventists Many Charismatics misuse the Law to accomplish their agenda Many dispensationalists abolish the law, destroying their foundations

8 Pentateuch Perspective Genesis Explains world before the Law showing its necessity Exodus Describes the beginning of the nation Israel based on redemption, but not freedom Leviticus Great detail concentrating on the civil and religious aspects of the Law

9 Pentateuch Perspective Numbers Describes two generations failure to understand the purpose of the Law Deuteronomy Restatement of the purpose(s) of the Law Described penalty for rejecting the Law Described rewards for accepting the Law

10 How Do We Cross the Bridge? Understanding the purpose(s) of the Law(s) Knowing how the Laws applied to Israel Understanding how the Law applies to us

11 Law & Theocracy All three aspects of the Law applied to ancient Israel (Judah) They were necessary in the building of a nation unique from all others They were necessary in teaching everyone about the holiness of God

12 Man Without Law Abraham and his descendants were nearly assimilated by the Canaanites several times God brought the Hebrews into Egypt to preserve them from being assimilated by the Canaanites Then God allowed them to become slaves to prevent them from being assimilated by the Egyptians, as nearly occurred with Joseph

13 Redemption From or To Exodus was not a story of freedom from slavery, quite the opposite (Ro 6:16-18) They left the slavery of Egypt to learn the slavery of God freed the from the burden of sin (Mt 11:28-30) First, they had to appreciate the holiness of God, hard lessons for them, and us (Le 11:44)

14 Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:21-47) This is how to understand and apply the Law God is giving us a lesson in hermeneutics How to properly understand and apply the Law to the Bible

15 Lawful Hermeneutics Old Testament Law Do not commit adultery (Man) Do not murder less you face God s judgment Eye for an eye never ending hostility Christ s Application Lust in heart is adultery (God) Anger brings God s judgment Hell Turn the other cheek for the true enemy is Satan

16 Underlying Conflict in Bible Antagonist Protagonist Satan Lost man is slave to Satan Learn to see him behind all works in the Bible Warfare is against spiritual forces (Ep 6:10-13) Trinity (Christ) Saved man is slave to Him Learn to see Him behind all grace in the Bible Therefore we pray for those who persecute us

17 Warning! Much of the Old Testament does not apply directly to Christians Israel has been, and will be, the only theocracy Incorrect understanding of the Old Testament (Law) will damage your understanding of the Bible

18 Relationship of Law to the Old Testament Without understanding the Law the Old Testament is meaningless Without understanding the Law the New Testament is meaningless Without the Law there would be no Christ, no Grace, no Salvation Christ did not end the Law, He completed the Law

19 Lessons for Christians Old Testament Ceremonial Law in minute detail showed the holiness of God Civil Law enforced separation between the Jews and surrounding nations New Testament Points to the required holiness of our relationship with God, esp. in worship Points to the required separation we are to practice as people of God in the world

20 Another Feature of the Moral Law All people in the Bible, as in life today, have violated the Moral Law Demands penalty for violation of even the tiniest rule Penalty is the same for any violation Hell The Moral Law would point to the Savior, the Messiah, Who would be the only Man to keep the Moral Law in every point

21 The Basis of Conflict Civil/Ceremonial Law Outward behaviors but no inward change (Mt 23:27) Promotes worship of the flesh d/t moral law ignored Sadducees and Pharisees (Ga 3) Moral Law Inward change shows in outward behavior Humbles the flesh and refuge sought at the Cross Christ and all saved (Ps 51; Ga 3; Ja 2:18-24)

22 One Last Thought on Moral Law When Lost, the Moral Law certainly, justly condemns all violators Christ paid the penalty for those who are saved When Saved, the Moral Law is the measure by which we understand spiritual maturity Thus, the Moral Law guides us towards Christlikeness