Exodus 20:1-2 Matthew 5:17-20 Restoring the Law's True Intent Summary: Did you know Jesus spoke a lot about God's law? In fact, he wanted us to know that God's law is still important, even though it was given so long ago. If we want to understand why God's commands are important, we need to go to God's Word, and we'll see how they point us to Jesus. Let's think about it: God's law is: 1. Fulfilled by Jesus 2. Upheld by Jesus 3. Enforced by Jesus 4. Clarified by Jesus Verse: Matthew 5:17 (ESV): Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What did Jesus mean when he said

No condemnation in Christ Jesus

John 5:1-18 NRSV

Exodus 20:1-2 What Motivates You to Obey God? Summary: What makes you want to obey? When your parents or your teacher tell you to do something, do you want to obey, or is it usually a struggle? When God gave us the Ten Commandments, he told Israel powerful words to help them obey joyfully and willingly. Let's think about it: 1. God's sovereignty 2. God's covenant promise 3. God's redemption Verse: Exodus 20:2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Questions for Devotions and Family worship: 1. Which one of the truths about God in this passage motivates you the most to obey Him? What aspects of God’s authority, God’s covenant and God’s redemption do you find most compelling? 2. Why is it so important to read and understand these verses before studying the Ten Commandments?

can't do the things I want

Soon after Pentecost , the apostles began to be persecuted for preaching the truth.

Exodus 19:16-25 The Terrors of Sinai Summary: Have you ever been so afraid of something that it made you tremble? Long ago, God came down in fire and smoke on a mountain to meet with his people. When he came down, God's glory was so awesome that the people trembled with fear! And yet, in Jesus, God has made a way for us to draw near and know God. Let's think about it: Outline: 1. A consuming fire 2. A dire warning 3. A better mountain Verse: Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God... Discussion Questions: 1. Exodus 19 shows us a glorious and even terrifying scene when God descended on Mt. Sinai. What does this moment show us about God? 2. Why did God give a second warning for the people to not come on the mountain? 3. Read Hebrews 12:18-29. How does the work of Jesus bring us to a

Exodus 19:9-15 Get Ready to Meet God What do we need to do when we get ready to meet God? When do we do that? We meet God when we first come to faith in Jesus. But then, every week we meet Him in worship on Sundays. And yet we also can meet with God at any moment of the day. In Exodus 19, God's people are getting ready to formally meet with God on Mount Sinai for the first time. How can they do that? Today, let's listen to hear about God's holiness. Let's also listen to hear about how we need to prepare ourselves to draw near to a holy God. The only way we can do that is through Jesus! Let's think about it: Outline: 1. God is coming down- and He wants to meet us 2. His Holiness is dangerous, and our sin puts us at risk 3. We need a mediator so we can draw near to God Verse: Exodus 19:9 And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud...

Judges 4

Exodus 19:1-8 A Kingdom of Priests Summary: Do you know what God thinks of you? Sometimes we might wonder. Especially when we sin, we wonder if God still loves us. When hard things happen, we think God might not care. But the Bible tells us what God thinks of us. When God's people met him at Mt. Sinai in Exodus 19, He told them:

Romans 2:1-11 God's Righteous Judgment Verse: Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)

John 1:19-34 NRSV

The Joy and Pain of Christmas Malachi 3:1-6 Summary: I hope you had a wonderful celebration of Jesus' birth yesterday! Let's keep thinking about the birth of Jesus today, as we look at another prophet from the Old Testament that tells us more about why Jesus came to this earth. Let's think about two things: the joy and the pain of Christmas. Let's listen to God's Word to find out what this means: 1. Christmas is a day of delighting in Jesus 2. Christmas is a day of pain because Jesus came to remove sin from us Verse: Malachi 3:1 Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Questions for Devotions and Family Worship: 1. Is Christmas always a day of joy for you? Why or why not? What pains might it bring up? What are the joys of this celebration for you? 2. How does Malachi announce the coming of Jesus? According to Malachi, who will announce the Messiah's coming? 3. Why is his coming to be a cause for joy? How do you personally seek to make the celebration of Christmas a cause for joy? 4. Why does Malachi 3 call the Messiah a

Isaiah 11:1-9 The Branch Summary: Have you ever pulled up a plant or tree, only to find out that you did not get all its roots? What happens? Eventually a shoot springs up from the tree stump or the ground. As we continue to get ready for the celebration of Christmas we are going to see a picture like this in Isaiah. Isaiah told God's people that a

Isaiah 40:1-5 The Glory Revealed Summary: It is the time of year when we get to think more about the birth of Jesus, and why it is so important for us. We're going to look all the way back to the prophet Isaiah. He lived hundreds of years before Jesus, and yet God used Isaiah to predict so much about Jesus. Let's listen to Isaiah describe the glory of God being revealed in Jesus' coming to save us: 1. Christmas is about God's promise of comfort 2. Christmas is about the revelation of God's glory Verse: Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Discussion Questions: 1. Read Isaiah 40: 1-5 again. What is the word of comfort Isaiah gives to Israel? How does it also apply to us? See especially vv.1-2. 2. What is the

The bodily resurrection of Jesus is the most important event in history.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 NRSV

Exodus 18 Wise Counsel Summary: Today let's listen to God's Word as Moses reunites with his family and gets wise advice from his father-in-law Jethro. Moses was called to be God's mediator. Listen for that word today, as we'll talk about Moses' main job to represent God before the people, and the people before God, much like Jesus does for us. Let's think about it: Outline: 1. Tell of God's work of salvation 2. We need a perfect mediator Verse: Exodus 18:11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods... Questions for Devotions and Family Worship: 1. Describe Jethro's response to the news of God saving Israel from slavery? Why is this so important for us to see? 2. What is a mediator? How did Moses perform this function? How was Moses's job as mediator being hindered in this scene? 3. How does Moses foreshadow our perfect mediator Jesus? How is Jesus the greater Moses? How does Jesus mediate for YOU today before the Father, and how should this build your faith and courage today?

Exodus 17:8-16 Hands Held Up Summary: The Bible tells us that we are at war. It is not waged with guns and tanks, but we are in a spiritual battle against the world, against sin, and against Satan. Today as we see God's people in Exodus battle an enemy, we also see Moses stand and pray for God to give victory in the battle. Let's think about how to depend on God in prayer as we fight our spiritual battles in the wilderness: Outline: 1. We will wage war in the wilderness 2. The true war is waged in prayer 3. The Lord is my banner in the battle Verse: Exodus 17:15 And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How does Israel's battle against the Amalekites reflect the long war against sin and Satan? 2. Israel was already saved from slavery and God vowed to bring them to the promised land. Yet they still had to face these enemies along the way. How might this help us understand our pilgrimage toward heaven? 3. How does Moses' prayer, and the help of Aaron and Hur help us understand what was truly happening in the battle? How does this help us understand prayer, and the spiritual battles we face? 4. What does it mean when Exodus 17:15 says

Isaiah 9:1-7 NRSV