8. God of gods Deuteronomy 10:12-22 p. 172
Choosing Option: The good of following God & life in Him Do whatever I want - vs - Do what is good Sometimes the same thing Sometimes no moral dimension Sometimes a struggle My choices weave a pattern of life. The good of following God & life in Him
Choosing . . . A high point of the Hebrew scriptures Tells us: Summary of the whole of Torah (the Law) Tells us: Who God is What he has done How we should respond
1. Love God Follows the betrayal of God – golden calf Ends with the God of grace forgiving them Based on this – what does the Lord require? Five simple and straightforward commands: Fear; Walk; Love; Serve; Keep.
1. Love God … FEAR the Lord [YHWH] your God Not terror … reverential awe Appropriate human response to God & salvation “acceptable worship … reverence & awe” (Heb 12:28)
1. Love God … WALK in all his ways Our pattern of life Our “walk” reveals what is important to us Pattern of life is the sum of our choices Reveal exactly how much of a priority God is Pastorates – “Rule of Life”
1. Love God … LOVE Him Not emotive A commitment of absolute loyalty Put God at centre of every choice, action, thought It Matters – “lukewarm” (Laodicea: Rev 3:15-17)
1. Love God … SERVE the Lord with all your heart and soul Covenant obligation – render loyal & devout service Step into our obligations as sons & daughters.
1. Love God … KEEP the Commandments & statutes To create a new society The weakest & poorest are cared for & treated justly As Jesus said (Matt 28:19-20, 7:21, John 15:14)
1. Love God … Five simple words The purpose: Not complicated or hard to understand It may not be easy but it is very clear. The purpose: “For your good” (v 13) So that they will prosper and flourish
2. Because He is God He owns the Heavens and the Earth He is Lord of all He is not partial and takes no bribe He cannot be bought off with less than he requires Everyone is utterly equal before him
3. And He Chose You God owns everything but chose Israel He also cares for the vulnerable & needy God chooses to love us. The only logical response is to love him
– Living It – Choose Life We have received an even greater rescue We have been included in the promises (Eph 2:11-20) We are “fellow citizens” with Israel Their promises have become ours in Christ Setting the pattern of our lives – “Rule of Life” Foundation of our intimacy with God Allow us to teach/show others the “new life”