Lead Me to the Cross…Do not hate…Do not lust!
Daily Devotions based the Sermon from March 7, 2021
THIS WEEK: Lead Me to the Cross…Read the Tablets…Find the Cross!
“I’ve never killed someone.”
“I’ve never committed adultery.”
We can “check the box” of the fifth and sixth commandment, right?
Not so fast. Jesus has a few things to say to us:
Matthew 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.
Matthew 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Desiring someone to be eliminated from our life…the thought…is just as sinful as pulling the trigger.
Desiring to be with someone sexually…the thought…is just as sinful as physically committing adultery.
Once sin is on the outside, it is simply a manifestation of what is on the inside. Jesus teaches, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” (Matthew 15:19).
Sometimes we “justify our sin” by saying, “As long as it doesn’t hurt someone else.” I’ve yet to see a secret sin that never has an impact somewhere on someone else. Our hate-filled thoughts turn into rude comments, or short tempers. Our sinful nature loves to think of ourselves better than other people, other skin colors, or other professions. While we may not classify our “looking down on others” as “hate” it certainly diminishes the value of that person’s life in our mind.
And that is what God is protecting in the fifth commandment…the value of life. We could go on with abortions, drug abuse, senseless murders, and more. But let’s not forget what is going on in our own hearts. Martin Luther put it this way: “We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.”
The sixth commandment is like it. Some may argue what I look at on my computer is my business. Yet porn creates unrealistic ideas of what the blessing of sex is to be like, it makes women (or men) into sex objects and leads to the erosion of healthy marriages and relationships. Think you are immune? Just look at the advertising that comes up on your news feed, social media, or TV. Sex sells and advertisers know it. Lust is not innocent and while it is a sin of the heart, it has potential to affect others.
That’s why God gave us the sixth commandment…to protect and value the gift of sex, marriages and committed relationships. He wants couples to enjoy the gift of sex, treasure it and protect it. Yes we could mention here relationships that go against God’s design for one man/one woman committed marriages, but again God doesn’t want us to “look out there” first, but into our own hearts. Martin Luther puts I this way: We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other.
Both of these commandments and their finer points lead us to the cross. We can’t “check the box” and move on because guilt and shame reside in our lives because of the fifth and sixth commandments. That’s why we need Jesus. We need his perfect love to cover our hate and his pure heart to cover our lust. The punishment our sins deserved? Jesus took care of that too…at the cross.
You are forgiven and loved, pure and whole. Enjoy living today as a forgiven, loved, child of God!
Apply: Look for an opportunity today to “help and support” your neighbor in “every physical need” today. Also, if you or someone you know and love is struggling with pornography, check out this great resource: https://conquerorsthroughchrist.net
PRAYER: Lord, empty my heart of hate and lust and fill it with your love for me and strength to always love, value and respect each person. AMEN
Lead Me to the Cross…Honor Those in Authority!
Daily Devotions based the Sermon from March 7, 2021
THIS WEEK: Lead Me to the Cross…Read the Tablets…Find the Cross!
God is a God of order.
“…everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” (1 Corinthians 14:40)
We like to be free and independent.
Which makes following the Fourth Commandment difficult, right? As a child, we balk under the authority of our parents. As a college student, we love our freedom and glad to be out from under the rules of our parents. As adults we struggle to honor the people put or elected in authority over us and simply want to be our own boss.
Our sinful nature loves to be free from authority…even God’s.
The Fourth commandment speaks to a primary order or authority that God has set up: parents and children. However, it is also representative of any authority God allows or puts over us. This can be in our home, in our work place, in our communities and in our churches.
God desires of love a proper relationship and respect between those who have been given authority and those who are under that authority. Here’s a few examples:
In the Church: Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
In the Government: Romans 13: 1-2 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
In our Homes: Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Ultimately God desires that we “enjoy long life on the earth.” This happens when we respect those who hold a position of authority (even if they are imperfect or we disagree with them) and make it easy for them to carry out their role. They also are not to take advantage of that position of authority, but rather use that position to serve the Lord and those they lead in love.
Martin Luther put it this way: “We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.”
How would seeing the blessing and wisdom in this commandment change the dynamics in our homes, in our schools, in our churches, in our communities, in our country? A little respect of authority and proper use of that God given authority will go a long way to bring a blessing of peace to our land. Let it start with us as God’s people.
Apply: How do you struggle to carry out this commandment? Does it help to know every authority is ultimately accountable to God? Would it help to picture God in that position of authority and honor that person because God has allowed them to be in that position? It’s not easy. Ask often for God’s help to do it!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being a God of order versus chaos. Lead me to do all I can to honor, serve, obey, love and cherish those you have placed in authority over me. Amen.
Lead Me to the Cross…Find Rest in the Name of the LORD!
Daily Devotions based the Sermon from March 7, 2021
THIS WEEK: Lead Me to the Cross…Read the Tablets…Find the Cross!
No one likes their name to be misused. We work hard to build a solid reputation. We are pained when false information is spoken about us. We are discouraged when someone gets the wrong impression of us, even when they don’t know us.
Our name is a powerful thing. It is a summation of all we are and what we do.
God’s name…even more so.
Exodus 20:7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Without even thinking we can utter (excuse the phrases to make the point) an “Oh my God!” or a “God damn it” or “Jesus Christ!” and we’re not “calling on the Lord in a day of trouble” or beginning a prayer. We are just flippantly uttering God’s name. (By the way, I challenged my confirmation teacher in 8th grad that “Gosh” was not a name for God. He invited me to look it up…sure enough he was right. “Gosh” is just slang for God.” Dad was right again! J)
Martin Luther put it this way: “We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.”
We love when our name is used to call us to help, affirm our work, or acknowledge with thanks and praise what we’ve done. How much more the name of the Lord.
The name of the Lord represents all he is and all he’s done. The name of the Lord is the center of the salvation story and our personal salvation. The name of the Lord is the one who created and sustains us. The list goes on.
Think of the person you respect most. In no way would you misuse their name. Magnify that thought by 100 and we have reasons to properly use God’s name to pray, praise and give thanks.
Idolatry destroys our loyalty to God. Misusing his name diminishes the power of his name. Avoiding time with his name keeps us disconnected from his name.
Modeled after creation week, God directs his people to a Sabbath rest: (Exodus 20:8): “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
In a 24/7 society this has become increasingly difficult…just to rest, but to rest with the Lord. Remember what Jesus said, “Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Martin Luther helps us understand God’s purpose of the third commandment: “We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.”
A rhythm of physical and spiritual rest is beneficial for our bodies and souls. Long periods of work are not good for our bodies. Long periods away from the Word of God and worship with his people is not healthy for our souls. We have been through a challenging time with CoVid. I am grateful for technology to bring the Word of God to your homes, but let me encourage you to return soon to your community of believers, to find one, or to visit Cross and Crown. God has designed us to be in community with each other. The writer to the Hebrews (10:23-25) encourages us:
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Have a blessed day honoring the name of the Lord and worshipping the name of the Lord!
Apply: Take an inventory of your use of God’s name. Ask someone to help. Are you using God’s name to “pray, praise and give thanks” or for other vain purposes.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your invitation to find rest in you. Lead me to do that regularly and meaningfully. Amen.
Lead Me to the Cross: Read the Tablets…Have NO other gods!
Daily Devotions based the Sermon from March 7, 2021
THIS WEEK: Lead Me to the Cross…Read the Tablets…Find the Cross!
If we could just get this one right.
Like many lists, the first is first because it is most important.
To take this one lightly dooms one to failure on the other nine.
Exodus 20:2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
The Lord knew we would need help to understand what this means, so he continues:
4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them;
OK, got that taken care of. You won’t find any statues to the sun god, or nooks honoring fertility gods, or shrines in my back yard to the rain god. I think I am good with this one.
Or are we?
Tim Keller in his book, “Counterfeit Gods” (good book!) identifies idols this way: “An idol is anything more important to you than God. Anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God. Anything you seek to give you what only God can give. Anything that is so central and essential to your life, that should lose it, your life would feel hardly worth living.”
Wow, this expands the list of things that can become idols (counterfeit gods) in my life. How about yours?
Career, material wealth, our family, experiences, grades, a spouse, our reputation, our home, our vehicles, and more subtly whisper in our ears, “Make me most important.” Even I realize scrolling through Facebook marketplace threatens to absorb my heart in the moment more than it should! Satan loves to put before us things or situations or relationships that he wants us to make more important than God himself.
Don’t dismiss this first commandment…it’s more challenging than we think.
Martin Luther explained it this way, “We should fear, love and trust in God above all things.”
Fear? Have a healthy respect for. The God of the Bible is the Almighty, All –powerful Lord of the universe. A healthy respect is certainly warranted!
Love? Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, All your mind, All your strength. Our whole being is to be captivated by the Lord.
Trust? What happens if I trust wealth…and then it all disappears. My faith is shattered. What if I place my ultimate trust in a person…they will disappoint. Trusting God is putting my full confidence that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that he is the only way to heaven. The God of the Bible is the ONLY one that truly provides a solution for sin and a certain promise of eternal life.
Why put the Lord God first?
for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
The Lord wants to protect his relationship with us. He doesn’t want anything to get in the way of it. Turn your back on the Lord? We face his punishment. Turn to the Lord, and we experience generations of his love and compassion.
The God who promises his love to thousands of generations is the God who invites us to put him first.
Seems like a good place to start.
Apply: What are the “counterfeit gods” in your life? Ask the Lord to remove the temptation to make them gods in your life.
Prayer: Lord God, thank you all you are and all you’ve done for me. Help me by your Holy Spirit to always place you first in my words, thoughts and actions. Amen.
Lead Me to the Cross: Promise of Peace and Perseverance
Daily Devotions based the Sermon from February 28, 2021
THIS WEEK: Lead Me to the Cross…See the Ladder…Find God & His Promises!
No one likes to return to a volatile situation until the situation is stabilized.
No one likes to be with someone who is going to give up before the task is done.
Both take commitment. Not something we all have.
But God does.
Jacob was on the run from home because his life was being threatened. As much as perhaps he wanted to return home, he knew the situation was too volatile.
Imagine what you would have thought when God promised, “I will bring you back to this land” (Genesis 28:15). Maybe I don’t want to come back. In fact 20 years later Jacob was still afraid of Esau and whether the situation was at peace. While hesitant, that encounter went like this:
Genesis 33:4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
God’s promise wasn’t just to bring Jacob back, but by bringing him back meant the relationship with Esau was restored and again at peace. It was safe to be back in the land he had left.
Can you remember what you promised 20 years ago? Perhaps with the exception of your promise to remain faithful to your spouse, not much, right? Many promises we give up on or don’t complete after a much shorter time.
But God doesn’t.
He doesn’t forget or give up on his promise.
“I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15).
God would not forget what he promised and would not fail to fulfill his promise. God doesn’t give up or quit on his promises.
God did bring Jacob back to the land and restore the relationship with Esau. But God didn’t leave Jacob, because he still had the other promises to continue to fulfill. God would be with Jacob for his lifetime.
These final two promises are true for us as well.
We wouldn’t want to return to a situation that is volatile. If our relationship with God was still broken because of sin and we lived under the threat of eternal punishment, would you want to be where God is? Absolutely not! Like a child who knows they are in trouble, we would try to avoid and hide from God.
So when Jesus promises, (John 14:3) “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am,” it means the relationship is not governed by condemnation and punishment, but by love and forgiveness. It’s OK to be in Jesus’ presence because our relationship with God has been restored.
When Jesus promises, “I will be with you always to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20), it tells us God isn’t giving up on us until all his promises have been fulfilled. God will make sure every promise he made to you will be fulfilled.
This is an amazing list of promises. Here’s a chart to remind you, better than that to build up and guide your faith. First given to Jacob, each promise is real for us as well!
| Promise | Jacob | Us |
| Place | I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. | In my Father’s house are many rooms; …I am going there to prepare a place for you. (Jn 14:2) |
| People | 4 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, | …before me was a great multitude that no one could count, …standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. Rev. 7:9 |
| Purpose | All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. | Mt 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, |
| Presence | I am with you and | Mt 28:20 …surely I am with you always, |
| Protection | will watch over you wherever you go | Psalm 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
|
| Peace | I will bring you back to this land. | Jn 14:3 I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. |
| Perseverance | I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” | Mt 28:20 …to the very end of the age.” |
Apply: Which promise do you need most today? Read and reread it. Better yet, live by it!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for all the promises you have made to me. Thank you also committing to never leave me until you have done everything you promised. AMEN.