공동체와 양육

Live as God's sent people (Exodus 20:1~21)

2016.02.28Stephen Cha

God calls us to live as his beloved people, first by remembering who he is and what he has done for us. Loving God and loving our neighbor belong together, so we speak truth, find our satisfaction in God, and serve the people he places around us.

We live out our identity as God's beloved people (vv. 1-2)

God begins the Ten Commandments by reminding Israel who he is and how he rescued them from Egypt, not by demanding more effort. Before any command, he declares his identity as the Lord who brought them out of slavery. We are precious in God's sight, made in his image and redeemed through Jesus' death for us. Because we are his beloved, we can look at others the way God looks at us. Living as God's people means remembering and living out who we already are in Christ.

Speak truth in love, because our God is truthful (vv. 16)

The ninth commandment forbids bearing false witness against our neighbor, which includes lies, exaggeration, gossip, and slander. The strongest reason to be truthful is that our God does not lie or change his word, and Jesus says he is the truth. Satan, by contrast, is the father of lies who twists God's words, as he did with Eve. Our words can build up or tear down, and the speaker confessed his own gossip and repented before God. As witnesses to what God has done, our words must match our lives so that people will believe in Jesus.

Find satisfaction in God, not in things (vv. 17)

The tenth commandment, against coveting a neighbor's house, wife, servants, ox, or donkey, warns against desire that grows into discontent. Desires such as having a family or property to serve God are good, but we must first desire God himself. Jesus pointed to the birds and the lilies to show that we have a heavenly Father who provides for us. Instead of looking at what others have, we should look at God's hand, heart, and promise. A missionary leader's testimony shows that God remains faithful even when we grumble.

Loving God and loving our neighbor belong together

Jesus joined the command to love God with the command to love our neighbor, and the two cannot be separated. In the Good Samaritan story, the question is not who my neighbor is, but whose neighbor I am. Those who know God's love are already placed as neighbors where they live and work, sent to represent him. Without growing in love for God, even our service can come from our own enjoyment rather than from God's love. The speaker admitted a disconnect between serving people and loving God in his own life.

Apply to Life

  • Let us remember who we are in Christ, God's beloved, and live out that identity each day.
  • Let us look at the people around us the way God looks at us, and pray for two people this semester.
  • Let us speak truth in love and avoid gossip, exaggeration, and slander.
  • Let us find our satisfaction in God rather than in what others have.
  • Let us bless our neighbors through a meal, an encouraging word, or practical help as God leads us.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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