The Law of God

1. Deuteronomy 4:1-9 The Law of God

2. In this morning’s text, the Israelites were preparing to enter a new country.

3. In this morning’s text, the Israelites were preparing to enter a new country. • They had spent over 400 years in Egypt & 40 years in the wilderness.

4. In this morning’s text, the Israelites were preparing to enter a new country. • They had spent over 400 years in Egypt & 40 years in the wilderness. • God, through Moses, is giving them the Law for the new country.

5. In this morning’s text, the Israelites were preparing to enter a new country. • They had spent over 400 years in Egypt & 40 years in the wilderness. • God, through Moses, is giving them the Law for the new country. • Of course, God has already given the Law.

6. In this morning’s text, the Israelites were preparing to enter a new country. • They had spent over 400 years in Egypt & 40 years in the wilderness. • God, through Moses, is giving them the Law for the new country. • Of course, God has already given the Law. • In Deuteronomy, God reiterates how important that Law is.

7. In this morning’s text, the Israelites were preparing to enter a new country. • They had spent over 400 years in Egypt & 40 years in the wilderness. • God, through Moses, is giving them the Law for the new country. • Of course, God has already given the Law. • In Deuteronomy, God reiterates how important that Law is. • “Deuteronomy”=“Second Law.”

8. Deuteronomy 4:1-9

9. “Law” is quite unpopular.

10. “Law” is quite unpopular. Since “law” is unpopular, why even discuss it?

11. One: it’s biblical.

12. One: it’s biblical. • Even the New Testament speaks of “law.”

13. One: it’s biblical. • Even the New Testament speaks of “law.” • “Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty” (Js 2:10-12, ESV).

14. One: it’s biblical. • Two: obeying the law grants eternal life.

15. One: it’s biblical. • Two: obeying the law grants eternal life. • “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 Jn 2:17, ESV).

16. One: it’s biblical. • Two: obeying the law grants eternal life. • “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 Jn 2:17, ESV). • Therefore, we need to think seriously about “law.”

17. A SUCCESSFUL LAW • A SUPREME LAW • A SAPIENT LAW • A SUITABLE LAW • A SPANNING LAW

18. A Successful Law v 1

19. “And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you” (v 1, ESV).

20. If the Israelites kept the Law, they would be successful.

21. If the Israelites kept the Law, they would be successful. • The land promises to Israel were tied up in obedience to the Law.

22. If the Israelites kept the Law, they would be successful. • The land promises to Israel were tied up in obedience to the Law (Deut 30:15-18).

23. If the Israelites kept the Law, they would be successful. • The land promises to Israel were tied up in obedience to the Law (Deut 30:15-18). • The people learned that lesson the hard way.

24. If the Israelites kept the Law, they would be successful. • The land promises to Israel were tied up in obedience to the Law (Deut 30:15-18). • The people learned that lesson the hard way. • Achan.

25. If the Israelites kept the Law, they would be successful. • The land promises to Israel were tied up in obedience to the Law (Deut 30:15-18). • The people learned that lesson the hard way. • Achan. • Assyrian Captivity.

26. If the Israelites kept the Law, they would be successful. • The land promises to Israel were tied up in obedience to the Law (Deut 30:15-18). • The people learned that lesson the hard way. • Achan. • Assyrian Captivity. • Babylonian Captivity.

27. God blesses his people for obedience to his law.

28. God blesses his people for obedience to his law. • “The one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (Js 1:25, ESV).

29. God blesses his people for obedience to his law. • Js 1:25. • “Whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him” (1 Jn 3:22, ESV).

30. God blesses his people for obedience to his law. • Js 1:25. • 1 Jn 3:22. • “Being made perfect, [Jesus] became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” (Heb 5:9, ESV).

31. Are you obeying God?

32. Are you obeying God? Is God blessing you for your obedience?

33. A Supreme Law v 2

34. “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you” (v 2, ESV).

35. God’s law is A SUPREME LAW—man cannot improve upon it.

36. God’s law is A SUPREME LAW—man cannot improve upon it. • The Israelites are not to add to nor take from God’s law.

37. God’s law is A SUPREME LAW—man cannot improve upon it. • The Israelites are not to add to nor take from God’s law. • God is concerned that man obey his will as given.

38. God’s law is A SUPREME LAW—man cannot improve upon it. • The Israelites are not to add to nor take from God’s law. • God is concerned that man obey his will as given. • “Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar” (Prov 30:6, ESV).

39. God’s law is A SUPREME LAW—man cannot improve upon it. • The Israelites are not to add to nor take from God’s law. • God is concerned that man obey his will as given. • Prov 30:6. • “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book” (Rev 22:18-19, ESV).

40. There is no changing God’s law!

41. God’s Law is a Sapient Law v 6

42. “Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people’” (v 6, ESV).

43. God’s law is A SAPIENT LAW—it makes its followers wise.

44. God’s law is A SAPIENT LAW—it makes its followers wise. • “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov 1:7, ESV).

45. God’s law is A SAPIENT LAW—it makes its followers wise. • “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov 1:7, ESV). • “Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me” (Ps 119:98, ESV).

46. When others hear God’s law, they will recognize these statutes as sapient.

47. When others hear God’s law, they will recognize these statutes as sapient. • No other nation had a God to come to their aid when they called.

48. When others hear God’s law, they will recognize these statutes as sapient. • No other nation had a God to come to their aid when they called. • Why would God come to his people’s aid?

49. When others hear God’s law, they will recognize these statutes as sapient. • No other nation had a God to come to their aid when they called. • Why would God come to his people’s aid? • Deut 30:1-5.

50. When others hear God’s law, they will recognize these statutes as sapient. • No other nation had a God to come to their aid when they called. • Why would God come to his people’s aid? • Deut 30:1-5. • The people would recognize God’s laws as righteous.