Introduction

• Matthew 8
• Authority – the right to act or to command others to act.
• Isaiah 45:9

We should respect God’s authority and be thankful that His laws are good for us.

• Hebrews 10:30
• Deuteronomy 4:5-8 – God’s laws were for their good!
• Malachi 3:12
• Deuteronomy 10:12-13
• Acts 2:36-38 – Jesus has authority! He is Lord!
• I John 5:3 – Obedience is how we experience God’s love.
• Philippians 3:1
• II Timothy 3:16-17
• I should submit to God’s authority.

But many reject God’s authority and turn to a different one.

• Colossians 2:8-9, 20-23
• I John 3:4
• I John 2:4
• Matthew 7:21-23, 15, 20
• James 1:26
• Romans 1:21, 25, 29-31

Others attempt to ignore the need for God’s authority.

• Hebrews 7:12-14; 6:20; 8:5
• Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32
• Proverbs 30:5-6 – Do not add to God’s words!
• Revelation 22:18-19

Introduction

• Hebrews 5:11-14

What is I John about?

Determining the meaning

• Commentary, workbook?
• Read, read, read, read, read the text.
• Ephesians 3:4

Gathering evidence: objective, empirical

• Hear, see, looked upon, touched – I John 1:1
  • The best evidence we have for God is Jesus. John 14:9
• Fellowship possible – I John 1:2-4

Sin

• All are sinners – I John 1:8, 10
• What it is – I John 3:4; 5:17 – unrighteousness, lawlessness
• Two types of walking – I John 1:6, 7 – walking in light and darkness
• How to avoid – I John 3:6, 9; 5:18 – get away from sin!
• Provisions for – I John 3:5; 1:7; 2:2; 4:10
• Consequences of – I John 3:6, 8, 10
• When we sin – I John 1:9; 2:1

I Corinthians 14

• I Corinthians 14:2 – Speaking in tongues is only beneficial if the language is understood or can be translated.
• I Corinthians 14:3-5 – Prophecy is seen as the more generally useful gift.
• I Corinthians 14:6-9 – Speaking in tongues is useless unless the language is understood.
• I Corinthians 14:10-11 – See Genesis 11:7-9. Clear communication is critical!
• I Corinthians 14:13 – Apparently it was at least sometimes possible for one speaking in tongues to also interpret.
• I Corinthians 14:14-17 – “Mind” is also translated “understanding.”
• I Corinthians 14:18-19 – Compare Paul’s attitude in I Corinthians 10:33. The emphasis was always on edification.

James 2:14-26

• James 2:14 – This is a rhetorical question.
• James 2:18 – If I truly have faith, it changes how I live.
• James 2:19 – Compare Luke 4:33; Acts 19:15. The demons believe in God also!
• James 2:21-24 – Exhibit A: Abraham
  • Galatians 3:7
  • Abraham was declared righteous because of his works.
  • Titus 3:7; Romans 5:9; I Corinthians 6:11
  • Genesis 22:1-3, 10-12, 15-18
  • Hebrews 11:17 “by faith” vs James 2:21 “by works.” Two ways of describing the same event.
• James 2:25 – Exhibit B: Rahab
  • Hebrews 11:31
  • Joshua 2:1-6 – Rahab was commended for welcoming the spies in peace – not for lying.
  • Joshua 2:8-11

But what about Romans 4?

• Romans 4:1-8
• Romans is using the word “works” in a different way than James 2.
• Romans 4: Works = actions which allow one to “boast” about what he is “due.”
  • Romans 3:23
  • None of us are saved from being perfect!
• James 2: Works = obedient actions which make faith come alive.

Develop a faith that works!

• Hebrews 11:7-9, 23-25, 30
• Joshua 6:1-5, 20 – They did these things by faith.
• Ephesians 2:8 ➡ I Peter 3:21

Treatment of slaves

• Exodus 21:1-11
• Hebrew slaves
  • Temporary servitude – Hebrew – six years
  • Other factors
    • Married?
    • Given to marry?
    • Children?
    • Willing to remain?
  • Selling a daughter
  • Method of early redemption
  • Severe treatment

Did God approve of slavery?

• Did not approve of divorce – stated so
  • Malachi 2:16
  • Mark 10:2-12 (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9) – “from the beginning”
• Where it starts
  • Exodus 21:16 – To forcibly take a slave = death
  • Appears forced slavery not allowed
  • No restriction as to nationality or religion
• Fact of slavery

Tortfeasance

• Exodus 21:12-22:31
• Uhhhh… What?
  • Archaic legal term
  • Twisted conduct
  • Modern version: torts
  • Better known as common law
  • Requires both knowledge and wise interpretation
  • Concerns all varieties of harm caused by imprudent conduct
  • Code of Hammurabi?

Code of Hammurabi

• 18th Century BC
• Legal code in Babylon
• Some similarities with Law of Moses

Justice between Israelites

• Exodus 22:16-23:9
• Specifics and principles of justice
  • “What to do if …” statutes
  • Some capital offenses
  • Usury laws
  • First fruits and first born
  • Perjury and suborning perjury
  • Mob activity
  • Partiality
  • Returning lost property
  • Perverting justice
  • Graft
  • Oppression against foreigners

Sabbaths and festivals

• Exodus 23:10-19
• Sabbaths for land
• Sabbaths for animals
• Sabbaths for servants, slaves
• Feats to observe and some rules
• Appearance of all males before God

The promise of victory

• Exodus 23:20-33
• Guardian angel
  • Obey him
  • Bring you to promised land
• Serve God only
  • You’ll be fruitful
  • You’ll be victorious
  • Enemies confounded, scattered
  • No covenant or service to their gods

The blood of the covenant

• Exodus 24
• Moses comes down
  • Recounts to the people
  • They answer
  • Moses records
  • Makes sacrifice
• Moses takes the blood
  • Sprinkles half on the altar
  • Reads the covenant
  • People respond
  • Moses sprinkles the people
  • Declares it the “Blood of the Covenant”
• Hebrews 9:18-28

Moses and others appear before God

• Exodus 24:9-18
• God appears
• Moses moves up
• After six days, He calls Moses
• Moses remains for 40 days and nights

God instructs Moses

• How to build the tabernacle
  • Contributions needed (Exodus 25:1-9)
  • Ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10-22)
  • Table for Bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:23-30)
  • Golden lampstand (Exodus 25:31-40)
  • The tabernacle structure (Exodus 26:1-37)
  • The bronze altar (Exodus 27:1-8)
• More instructions
  • Tabernacle court (Exodus 27:9-19)
  • The lamp – oil and when to burn (Exodus 27:20-21)
  • Priests’ garments (Exodus 28)
  • Consecrating the priests (Exodus 29)
  • Altar of incense (Exodus 30:1-10)
  • Bronze basin for priestly purification (Exodus 30:17-21)
  • Anointing oil and incense (Exodus 30:22-38)

Filling in the details

• Importance of Oholiab and Bezalel
  • Supply the details
  • Provide excellence in workmanship
  • Put their skill to work
  • Do all under God’s inspiration

Paying the census ransom

• Exodus 30:11-16
• Applied to everyone 20 years and older
• Also called atonement money
• Half a shekel
• Same amount for all
• Went to the service in Tent of Meeting