SPACE Program, Book 10

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

OUTLINEI.INTRODUCTIONII.THE FIRST COMMANDMENTIII.THE SECOND COMMANDMENTIV.THE THIRD COMMANDMENTV.THE FOURTH COMMANDMENTVI.THE FIFTH COMMANDMENTVII.THE SIXTH COMMANDMENTVIII.THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENTIX.THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENTX.THE NINTH COMMANDMENTXI.THE TENTH COMMANDMENT239

Lesson 1

THE TEN COMMANDMENTSINTRODUCTION:

If God created this world He must make laws to govern it. There is not acountry anywhere in the world that does not have laws. In order to make life more secure wemust have good laws. The Ten Commandments form the only perfect set of laws in existence(Psalms 19:7-8).We sometimes speak of the Ten Commandments as "The Law of Moses" Although thismay be indirectly true, in a very real sense Jehovah Himself is the author of the law (Nehemiah10:28-29) He first spoke the words in the hearing of all the people of Israel (Exodus 20:1).Then He wrote the Ten Commandments on two tables of stone and gave them to Moses (Exodus24:12; 31:18; 32:15,16). When Moses came down from Mount Sinai where the law had beengiven and saw the people worshiping the golden calf, in his anger he broke the tables of stone(Exodus 32:19). God asked Moses to return once again to the top of Mount Sinai with twonewly hewn tables of stone, where for the second time He would inscribe His commandments(Exodus 34:1). These are the only messages to men that God has written with His own hand.The law was given approximately 1500 B.C. or about 3,500 years ago.

I.IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS IN ORDER TO BESAVED

A.Some teach the necessity of keeping the commandments to be saved. We know thiscannot be true because of the many verses that teach to the contrary (Galatians 2:16Ephesians 2:8, 9).The Mosaic law was divided into three parts:1)the Civil or Judicial, which prescribed the manner of administering justice amongthe Jewish people. This law is not binding on Christians.2)the Ceremonial, which prescribed the external rites and ceremonies to beobserved by the Jews in their worship. This also is not binding on Christians.3)the Moral, which tells men of their duty towards God and each other -- in other words the Ten Commandments. Only the Moral law was written in man’s heart(Romans 2: 14,15). This means the Ten Commandments were never outdated or obsolete.

B.Sinners are made to feel their need of Christ as a result of the Ten Commandments

(Galatians 3:24) Although Christians do not keep them to maintain their standing withGod (Romans 6:14), we recognize them as ten essential Life Principles by which our lives are to be governed. 240

Lesson 1 (cont’d)

II.CHRIST DID NOT COME TO DESTROY THE LAW

A.Jesus never condemned the law and the prophets, but He did condemn those who did notobey them (Matthew 5:17, 18). Because He gave new commandments it does not followthat He abolished the old.B.Paul said: “Loving is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10). Does this mean the TenCommandments are no longer in force? Does a father cease to give children rules toobey because they love him? Does a nation burn its statute books because the peoplehave become patriotic? Not at all. Paul said our faith in Christ does not mean that thelaw is no longer in force (Romans 3:31). The Commandments are necessary. So long aswe obey, they do not rest heavy upon us; but as soon as we try to break way, we findthey are like fences to keep us within bounds. Horses need bridles even after they have been properly broken in.

I I I.THE TWO DIVISIONS OF THE LAW

The Commandments fall into two natural divisions.A.The first four Commandants have to do with our duty to God . (Exodus 20:1-11)B.The remaining six Commandments have to do with our duty towards our fellow man(Exodus 20:12-17).These two divisions Jesus Himself acknowledged (Matt 22:36-40).

CONCLUSION

: God is a God of order. With Him there is no confusion. And what Hecommands He does so for our own well-being and happiness, not to make life miserable (I John5:2, 3). Answer the following questions:1. What are the only perfect set of laws in existence today?2. What is the only message to men that God has written with His own hand?3. Is it necessary to keep the Commandments in order to be saved? 4. Do you have to keep the Commandments to maintain your salvation? 5. List the three parts of the law.a.b.c.6. Sinners are made to feel their ______ ___ ______ as a result of the ____ __________.7. What and Whom didn’t Jesus condemn and who did He condemn?8. List the two natural divisions of the Ten Commandments.a.b.241