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Thomas F. Fischer, M.Div., M.S.A., Editor


Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost 

Option One: Rev. Kelly Bedard

It's (God's) A Good Law! to 
"Commands Performance"

(Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8)

A. Temporal Applications of God's Law
    1. Traditionalism (adding) and modernism (subtracting)
    2. Some parts are transitory and not binding
B. Eternal Applications of God's Law
    1. Fulfilled, though not abolished, through Christ
    2. Principles of righteousness and discernment

Notes
1. "Hear" (verse 1) refers to more than just receiving sounds but, too, to
processing them: obeying'
2. "Decrees/statutes" comes from a root meaning "to engrave"
3. "Understanding" (verse 6)=discernment

Option Two: Rev. Wayne Dobratz

Having Your God Near You
Deut. 4:1-2; 6-8.

I With His word in You--Rom. 10:6-11

A. His Word guides our lives--
1. As in Ps. 119:105
2. As in Prov. 6:23

B. His law convicts and points to the Savior
1. As in Ps. 51:2-5
2. As in Acts 2:37

C. It is all you need--no need to add or subtract

A. The Law smashes our pride and makes us CONTRITE
1. As in Ps. 51:17
2. As in As in Isa. 57:15
3. As in Isa. 66:2

B. The Gospel soothes the smashed heart and lifts up the fallen
1. As in Isa. 40:1-2
2. As in Isa. 61:2
3 As in Matt. 11:28

II. With His works for you
A. O.T. counterparts of N.T. grace
1. The Sacrifice of the Passover Lamb--John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7
2. Being God's children--John 1:12-14, 1 John 3:1-2
3. Having God walk and talk with you--Jesus' words--John 14:8ff.; Lk. 24:15ff.
4. The Light of God's presence in Jesus, the Light of the world--John 8:12, John 9:5
5. Having the Spirit living with in you--John 14:16-17, 26. John 15:26

B. His resurrection
1.Freedom from the slavery of sin--Romans 6:4ff.
2. Freedom from Satan's control--Rom. 6:10-14; 2 Tim. 2:25-26
3. Victory over death--1 Cor. 15:21, 26, 54-57; 2 Tim. 1:7-10

C. The Sacraments bring these benefits to you
1. Baptism saves you--1 Peter 3:21
2. Baptism gives you the new birth and new life--Titus 3:4-7
3. The Lord's Supper makes you a participant in Christ's death--Lk. 22:19, Mk. 14:24-25

From The Disciple's Study Bible: Deuteronomy 4:7...
God is accessible for His people. Israel's neighbors thought of their gods as fickle, asleep, or traveling on a journey (Cf. 1 Kings 18:27). Only the one true God is near and available when we need Him. The teaching here, however, stands in contrast to the feeling noted in Ps 137:2 that they could not sing the Lord's songs in a foreign land. The principle that God is accessible everywhere was one thing, while the experience that God is near in adverse circumstances was quite another matter. Sometimes we do not trust in our hearts what we understand in our minds.  Revelation, Divine Presence-God made Himself available to Israel as a continuous presence in visible signs (cloud, pillar of fire) and in the spoken word.

Bible Knowledge Commentary: One purpose of the Law was to give the Israelites a full life as they obeyed God (vv. 1-4). In verses 5-8 another purpose of the Law is revealed: to make Israel morally and spiritually unique among all the nations and thereby draw other nations to the Lord. In contrast with all other nations Israel was not to be distinguished by her natural resources, wealth, or military might, but by her moral skill and close relationship to God, both of which would come from her obeying her moral constitution. If Israel would obey the Law she would be the envy of all nations. They would see her as (a) being wise and understanding, (b) having a God who is near her, and (c) possessing righteous decrees and laws.

Ministry Health Sermon Starters
Copyright 2000 Ministry Health, LLC All Rights Reserved
http://ministryhealth.net

Thomas F. Fischer, M.Div., M.S.A.

A. Temporal Applications of God's Law
    1. Traditionalism (adding) and modernism (subtracting)
    2. Some parts are transitory and not binding
B. Eternal Applications of God's Law
    1. Fulfilled, though not abolished, through Christ
    2. Principles of righteousness and discernment

Notes
1. "Hear" (verse 1) refers to more than just receiving sounds but, too, to
processing them: obeying'
2. "Decrees/statutes" comes from a root meaning "to engrave"
3. "Understanding" (verse 6)=discernment

Option Two: Rev. Wayne Dobratz

Having Your God Near You
Deut. 4:1-2; 6-8.

I With His word in You--Rom. 10:6-11

A. His Word guides our lives--
1. As in Ps. 119:105
2. As in Prov. 6:23

B. His law convicts and points to the Savior
1. As in Ps. 51:2-5
2. As in Acts 2:37

C. It is all you need--no need to add or subtract

A. The Law smashes our pride and makes us CONTRITE
1. As in Ps. 51:17
2. As in As in Isa. 57:15
3. As in Isa. 66:2

B. The Gospel soothes the smashed heart and lifts up the fallen
1. As in Isa. 40:1-2
2. As in Isa. 61:2
3 As in Matt. 11:28

II. With His works for you
A. O.T. counterparts of N.T. grace
1. The Sacrifice of the Passover Lamb--John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7
2. Being God's children--John 1:12-14, 1 John 3:1-2
3. Having God walk and talk with you--Jesus' words--John 14:8ff.; Lk. 24:15ff.
4. The Light of God's presence in Jesus, the Light of the world--John 8:12, John 9:5
5. Having the Spirit living with in you--John 14:16-17, 26. John 15:26

B. His resurrection
1.Freedom from the slavery of sin--Romans 6:4ff.
2. Freedom from Satan's control--Rom. 6:10-14; 2 Tim. 2:25-26
3. Victory over death--1 Cor. 15:21, 26, 54-57; 2 Tim. 1:7-10

C. The Sacraments bring these benefits to you
1. Baptism saves you--1 Peter 3:21
2. Baptism gives you the new birth and new life--Titus 3:4-7
3. The Lord's Supper makes you a participant in Christ's death--Lk. 22:19, Mk. 14:24-25

From The Disciple's Study Bible: Deuteronomy 4:7...
God is accessible for His people. Israel's neighbors thought of their gods as fickle, asleep, or traveling on a journey (Cf. 1 Kings 18:27). Only the one true God is near and available when we need Him. The teaching here, however, stands in contrast to the feeling noted in Ps 137:2 that they could not sing the Lord's songs in a foreign land. The principle that God is accessible everywhere was one thing, while the experience that God is near in adverse circumstances was quite another matter. Sometimes we do not trust in our hearts what we understand in our minds.  Revelation, Divine Presence-God made Himself available to Israel as a continuous presence in visible signs (cloud, pillar of fire) and in the spoken word.

Bible Knowledge Commentary: One purpose of the Law was to give the Israelites a full life as they obeyed God (vv. 1-4). In verses 5-8 another purpose of the Law is revealed: to make Israel morally and spiritually unique among all the nations and thereby draw other nations to the Lord. In contrast with all other nations Israel was not to be distinguished by her natural resources, wealth, or military might, but by her moral skill and close relationship to God, both of which would come from her obeying her moral constitution. If Israel would obey the Law she would be the envy of all nations. They would see her as (a) being wise and understanding, (b) having a God who is near her, and (c) possessing righteous decrees and laws.

Ministry Health Sermon Starters
Copyright 2000 Ministry Health, LLC All Rights Reserved
http://ministryhealth.net

Thomas F. Fischer, M.Div., M.S.A.

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