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Loving God's Law: The Thread of Reality
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasGod's holy spiritual law, the Torah, encompasses not only the Pentateuch or the Ten Commandments but the entire instruction and counsel of God, referred to in Psalm 119 as His precepts, statutes, commandments, judgments, ordinances, testimonies, and words. God the Father deemed His holy and spiritual law so vital that He sent His Son to pay for the penalties we have accrued against it, providing a model for keeping the law and granting us His Holy Spirit to empower us to observe it both in letter and spirit, leading to spiritual growth and godly character. As God's Holy Spirit displaces our carnality, it prepares us for the DNA of our new spiritual bodies at our resurrection. All the problems in the world stem from breaking God's laws, which include not only spiritual laws but also the laws governing nature, such as aerodynamics, thermodynamics, music, and nuclear physics. These eternal principles, established by God before the foundation of the earth, are ones to which we must conform. God's laws are compact yet infinitely recursive, derived from eternal principles applicable to every conceivable situation in life, as Jesus Christ explained when asked about the greatest commandment, highlighting the profound simplicity and expansiveness of God's law. As God's called-out ones, we must embrace and internalize His holy law, making it an integral part of us. This inner code, illuminated by God's Holy Spirit, guides us through the storms of false doctrine and misinformation, much like a thread of reality leading to safety. By following this internal guidance and holding fast to God's holy law, we are led to the promised inheritance and safety of God's Kingdom.
Our Need for God's Law
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloGnosticism, which had infiltrated the congregations in Galatia and Colossae, has dominated mainstream Christianity, causing it to reject God's law.
God's Law Is Eternal
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod's law embodies the expectations for the moral and spiritual conduct of His people, designed to guide them in living as He intended. It is not temporary but a permanent, perpetual, and eternal standard. The law, described through various terms such as testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, ordinances, ways, and word, is a source of delight and joy, meant to be a counselor, a song, and a lamp to illuminate one's path. It comes from God, is intended for human benefit, serves as a reliable guide to living, and enlightens understanding. Obeying God's law is akin to walking a path that guards life, bringing joy and serving as an object of love. Jesus Christ affirmed its enduring nature, declaring that it would be easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for the smallest part of the law to perish. He did not come to abolish it but to explain and fulfill it, showing how it must be kept in both letter and spirit. Christ emphasized the spiritual character of the law, revealing that even thoughts and desires must align with God's will, thus demonstrating its far-reaching sovereignty. The essence of God's law is encapsulated in the commands to love God with all one's heart, mind, body, and strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself. These principles summarize the Ten Commandments, showing that true obedience involves internalizing the law's spirit, not merely adhering to its letter. Christ embodied this perfect obedience in His life, living in complete conformity to God's law, making it His natural way of being. This sets the ultimate goal for believers—to internalize God's law so deeply that it becomes second nature. God's law remains necessary and useful for living a life in His image, revealing deviations from righteousness and guiding towards holiness. It stands as an eternal standard, never to be nullified or adjusted to human weakness, demanding obedience and defining sin for all time. Through faith in Christ, believers receive the strength to keep this perfect law, aiming to become like Him, with the law fulfilled in their lives as they grow in holiness.
The Beauty of God's Law
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's law embodies a profound beauty that often goes unseen by the worldly, who view it as a curse rather than a blessing. Yet, its harmony, purpose, and outcomes are truly wonderful, reflecting the very breadth and depth of God's truth. This beauty manifests in several remarkable ways, enriching both individual lives and communities. Firstly, keeping God's law is not only personally profitable but also benefits everyone around us, fostering enjoyable and fruitful community living. The commandments, such as remembering the Sabbath, extend rest and renewal to all within one's sphere—family, servants, and even strangers—ensuring communal well-being. Honoring parents strengthens family bonds, while commandments against murder, adultery, theft, lying, and coveting maintain peace, trust, and harmony among neighbors. This communal harmony, a direct result of obedience, is a beautiful outcome of God's instructions, promising a less stressful and more cohesive life for all. Secondly, adherence to God's law brings abundant blessings and His favor. Obedience naturally shields one from the automatic curses of disobedience, which can linger for generations, while blessings endure for thousands, carrying eternal consequences. Beyond avoiding negatives, God promises significant benefits—physical and spiritual—ensuring that the obedient live a life touched by His grace, where endeavors prosper and honor awaits, ultimately in His Kingdom. Thirdly, God's law provides deep insight into oneself and illuminates the path forward. It acts as a mirror, revealing personal strengths and shortcomings, offering guidance on pleasing God and fulfilling His purposes. It shows where one stumbles and how to rise again, lighting the way toward righteousness. Fourthly, God's law revives, strengthens, and encourages, instilling hope, delight, liberty, good judgment, knowledge, and understanding. It builds up the spirit, edifying those who embrace it, and offers a foundation of encouragement through life's trials. Ultimately, the beauty of God's law lies in its expression of His very mind, captured in words that lead to eternal life. Its value is beyond compare, surpassing even the most hyperbolic praises, as it guides humanity toward a divine and harmonious existence.
No Real Love Without God
Sermon by John O. ReidGod's love, as defined in this discussion, is a willful direction toward mankind, involving doing what is best for them, not merely what they desire. This love is reflected in benevolence, kindness, sympathy, and generosity, as God deals with us individually while pursuing a grand, philanthropic plan to elevate humanity into His Kingdom. True love originates from God, and as we exhibit it, we take on the nature of our Father, demonstrating that we are born of Him. Those who fail to reflect this love do not truly know God, regardless of their knowledge. The world often misunderstands love, seeing it as deep devotion, sexual passion, or mere enjoyment of activities, while God's love surpasses these limited definitions. His love is proven by the world He has provided, the patience He shows, and most profoundly, by sending His Son as a sacrifice for our reconciliation with Him. Even when we were ignorant and opposed to His way, He loved us and desired the best for us. We are called to love one another as God loves us, laying down our lives for the brethren, just as He laid down His life for us. By actively using this love in our relationships, it is perfected in us, and we grow in His nature, becoming bold in His presence as we mirror His character. Perfect love casts out fear, and though we may struggle with apprehensions in this world, we must work to perfect our love, faith, and trust in God, knowing He will help us. Jesus Christ taught that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, submitting all our faculties to His will and devoting ourselves to glorifying Him. This love is shown directly through obedience to the first four commandments, which involve having no other gods, rejecting idols, honoring His name in all aspects of life, and keeping the Sabbath as holy time for spiritual refreshment and service. The second great commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves, extending this love to all—family, friends, countrymen, and even enemies. We show this love by not harming our neighbor in body, property, or reputation, by seeking their good, and by being tender and kind, even when their actions do not warrant it, without condoning sin. Attaining God's nature requires keeping His commandments with active faith, trust, and obedience, drawing close to Him through prayer, fasting, and study. Love of God produces a desire to live His way, and His commandments are not burdensome but essential boundaries that train us to become like Him. True love in the heart is reflected in our way of living, showing that we belong to Him. Above all, we must put on godly love, forgiving others as He has forgiven us, uniting all aspects of His calling and opening our minds to emulate Him.
Don't Cherry Pick God's Law
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim MyersWhile many people like some of God's laws, they like to pick and choose, preferring a blend of their own preferences with some of God's laws added in.

God is the Strength of My Heart
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsOnly by combining the head, heart, and will can we attain full growth and maturity, godly character, and a mirror image of Jesus Christ.
By This We Know Love!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAs God's people keep God's law in its spiritual intent, they begin to think like the Father and His Son, both of whom habitually do good.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Five): The Peace Offering, Sacrifice, and Love
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe peace offering teaches many things, but one of its main symbols is fellowship. Our communion with the Father and the Son obligates us to pursue peace.
God's Rest (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLust begets a guilty conscience, agitation, anxiety, depression, grief, torment. Wrong desire leads to lying, adultery, and murder—eventually leading to death.
Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Seven)
Sermon by David F. MaasThe antidote to double-mindedness and distractions is single-minded focus on God's law through meditating God's word, thus guarding our hearts.
Works of Faith (Part Two)
'Ready Answer' by StaffGod's spiritual law, encapsulated in the Ten Commandments and demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ, reveals His way of life, which we must emulate.
Offended By Truth
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamJesus Christ has become a stumbling block to the nations which reject Him, while at the same time becoming the Chief Cornerstone of a spiritual Temple.
The Defense Against Offense
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe Bible states that offenses will come. Here are ways to handle offenses and keep minor irritations from growing into bitterness.
Righteousness from Inside-Out
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasMany people fail to understand the kind of righteousness God is looking for. God wants it written on our hearts—not just a set of dos and don'ts.
Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part Six)
Sermon by David F. MaasAll the New Testament writers warned about false prophets trying to sever the symbiotic relationship between law and grace, law and faith, law and works.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Three): Cultivating Joy
Sermon by David F. MaasStrategies for cultivating joy include developing contentment and gratitude, giving rather than getting, finding pleasure in work, and valuing God's law.
Spiritual Double Agents
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasDouble-mindedness is like being a double agent, serving two masters. As Christ says, one master will be neglected—and unfortunately, it is usually God.
Deuteronomy (Part 4) (1994)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must seek God as ardently as we would a physical love relationship, spending quality time with Him. If we make no effort, the relationship cools.