Title: God's Request
Contents
Subject: God's request. Verse: Matthew 22:34-40
What can God require of man? Yes, God has a privilege that he can demand of man.
It is so in the relationship of creation, in which God created man out of nothing (Isaiah 43:1), and also in the providential relationship in which he provided mankind (Acts 17:25). He is King and Lord (Mal 1:6,14)
What does God require of man? It is to obey, but to obey unconditionally. Absolute obedience
1. God's Will
God's demands are well expressed in His will. His will is revealed in the moral law. But that moral law is outlined in the Ten Commandments.
In other words, it explains what God wants and what He does not want. It also explains what is good and what is righteous, what is evil and what is injustice.
Early on, God gave a law to the first man, Adam. It was a simple command not to eat the forbidden fruit. If you obey this will, you will enjoy life, and if you disobey this will, you will die.
And this command was given not only to Adam, but also to all of his descendants. Therefore, this is called a contract of conduct. (Romans 5:12-19, Genesis 2:7, Romans 2:14-15, Hos 6:7).
However, Adam disobeyed God's command and fell. Even after the fall of Adam, this law continued as a rule of righteousness.
After that, God's law was codified in the form of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, which is called the moral law. The Mosaic Law is divided into three parts.
(1) Ritual Law: This prescribed the worship of God. It stipulated various rituals and regulations. These include sacrifices, temples, feasts, and rituals.
However, this ceremonial law was abolished because it was the shadow of Christ (Hebrews 10:1) and was no longer necessary because of His cross at the coming of Christ (Colossians 2:14-17;
(2) Social Law: This is a law concerning the political affairs and family affairs of the nation of Israel. Since this social law was given to Israel as a nation, it disappeared with the nation.
At present it is not imposed on anyone other than the general justification in the law.
(3) Moral Law: These are mainly the Ten Commandments. This is commonly referred to as the moral law. This moral law is a law that must be obeyed for all eternity regardless of disbelief in God.
In other words, it is a law that has not been repealed and cannot be repealed (see Matthew 5:19, 23:23, Romans 13:8-10).
2. The need for obedience
Why should we obey God's demands? Why must man obey God's requirements, the commandments?
(1) It is necessary as a standard of living. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet. You are the light of my path. Human life requires certain standards. When there are no standards, people wander.
The law, however, is the norm and standard of life that guides man and guides him to walk according to it. The law is the standard against the wanderings and indulgences of life, but it is by no means a condition of salvation.
(2) It is necessary to discover human nature. Romans 3:20 By the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 7:7 I knew no sin except by the law.
If the law had not said, 'You shall not covet,' I would not have known covetousness. The law is like a mirror (James 1:23-25) The mirror of the law shows human nature.
show sinful nature. It shows the corruption of human nature. Thus, before the law, man humbles himself and develops a hatred of sin. (One)
(3) It is necessary as a school-teacher teacher. For those who face their guilt before the law, the law guides them to the next level. That is, it also shows the solution of sin. shows the way to salvation.
Gal 3:24 In the same way, the law became our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified through faith.
The law leads the guilty man to Christ the Savior. (4) It is necessary for cotton restoration. All human beings should know that they need God's blessing. God's blessing
No luck, no coincidence. God's blessings are entirely moral. In other words, God's blessing is his law itself. The secret to receiving God's blessing is obedience to his law.
3. The Way of Obedience
Can man satisfy God's demands? There are two answers to this. It is impossible to observe outside of Christ, but it is observable in Christ.
(1) Why is it impossible to observe outside of Christ?
Because humans are corrupt. Romans 5:12 As sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so in the same way all have sinned (1 Kings 8:46, Genesis 8:21, James 3:8)
Because humans are fragile. Romans 8:3 What the law cannot do because it is weak through the flesh, human beings are weak, so it is impossible to keep the law on their own. (Romans 7:18)
Because the commandments are holy. Romans 7:12 From this we see that the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good. James 2:10 Anyone who keeps the whole law and stumbles in one of them is a transgressor.
(2) Why is observance possible in Christ?
It is possible through faith in the merits of Christ. Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us (Romans 10:4).
It is possible through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:3 What the law could not do, because it was weak through the flesh, God does. that the requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16 Walk by the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Beloved, I hope that you will live in obedience to the will of God.
(2) 07, 03, 11 Sunday Daytime Worship