Weekly Sunday Sermon - 15 September

 Hello!

This Sunday I am not attending the usual one in GRII Pusat but rather another GRII elsewhere (because I am also elsewhere) which has a different topic in the Sunday School. However, the topic is still traversing through the Bible. They are currently studying the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy.

This week's topic concerns God's Law - His commandments and rules for us to follow. 

The first point in today's theme is something we know from a meticulous analysis: by studying Exodus 19 and Numbers 10:11, we know that the Israelites stayed in Mount Sinai, where the Israelites received God's Law, for slightly more than 11 months - about a year.

And a year is a long time to be waiting for one thing. This means this thing must be important and valuable - God's Law is important and valuable. Furthermore, Moses had to hike Mt Sinai eight times, further proving that statement.

Another point to be mentioned is the route of the Israelite exodus. In the book of Exodus in the thirteenth chapter and in the seventeenth verse, we know God planned the Israelites not to go to Canaan on the shorter way: through the land of Phillistia. But rather to go south through Mt. Sinai. 

It states that God planned this so the Israelites would not go to war and thus become rebellious to Him. (If they went to war with the Israelites, the Israelites might rebel and want to turn back to Egypt) But it is also to show that they should receive His Law first. (They would focus on it more rather than being busy in war)

Let's now study what is God's Law. 

God's Laws comprise of various smaller types of law:

1. Moral Law

Laws that teach us how to act and how to have godly relationships with God and other humans. These laws and principles apply today and forevermore. The 10 Commandments is an example of Moral Law laws.

2. Ceremonial Law

These laws were given by God solely to the Israelites for ceremonies and celebrations such as the Passover and the offerings. These laws are not applicable today. The Law of Circumcision is an example of this type of law.

3. Civil Law

These laws were given by God solely to the Israelites for how to distinguish crime, what is the crime's distinct punishments and consequences, and more. 

When we obey God's Law, we must also see it in a few special ways. Firstly, we must remember/know: 

We shan't obey His Law for the sake of duty. His Law cannot save you. You obey the Law in a sign of love to God. 

Furthermore, we are not saved because of obedience to Law. This view is called Legalism. The Pharisees are examples of Legalists. We are saved from our Faith and His Grace. But don't take the previous statement too far as you'll then become an Antinomian. Antinomianism believes that we should not obey His law. 

But what does God's Law do: It, according to John Calvin:

1. is a Mirror.

When we revise God's Law we can see our own sinful and corrupt nature like how we could spot irregularities when looking at a mirror. God's Law shows our SINFULNESS and God's HOLINESS. 

2. is a Restraint of Evil. 

God's Law opposes evil and wickedness and can restrain us from it, just like how national and legal laws decrease crime. However, we are still sinful even after applying God's Law, just like how crime is still existent even when there are imposed laws.

3. is a Sign of God's Grace

The Law is unable to be fully obeyed by man, but only is by Jesus Christ, yet He died for us, which is a sign of God's Grace. 

That's all for today!


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