You Shall Not
Scripture References
Exodus 20:1-17
The Ten Commandments
1 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
John 2:13-25
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. 23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
Sermon Script
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Amen.
You Shall Not
Don’t do it! From the time of a toddler through adulthood, we are made aware of things we should not do. I remember years ago when our children were young. We told one of our girls that she should not forget to brush her teeth, or they will fall out. Well sure enough, she lost her first tooth… Afraid of getting in trouble, she hid that tooth so good even the tooth fairy wasn’t going to find it. Yes, even though that command backfired, there were many more “do not’s” to follow. A father might tell you “Do not judge others.” From a mother you would expect “Do not neglect your health.” Your teacher might have advised… “Do not give up on your dreams…” I’m sure at one point or another you have been told… Don’t drive too fast, do not stay out late, don’t complain, don’t talk with your mouth full… I could go on and on about things we should not do.
Like you would expect many of these commands are often ignored. I’m sure we all would agree that the things we are told not to do is in fact something we should pay attention too. But why does it seem to stop there? If only the innocence like a child losing a tooth would prevail throughout our lifetime.
Now I admit, not all the “shall not’s” we ignore are sinful… but today in the Old Testament reading we are confronted with the Ten Commandments. These are not just ten suggestions… and ignoring these commands or disobeying them… are sins. “You shall not” comes through very loud and clear. The same God who gives these commands to a rebellious Israelite generation… is giving them to this rebellious generation as well. Therefore, we must keep in mind that even though our Lord and Savior is a God of Love, He won’t make any bones about it when it comes to giving us these laws.
Can I Bear It?
Wouldn’t you agree it’s easier to point at someone else or some group and condemn them for breaking these laws? However, … I must keep in mind, that these commands apply to me us well. But what does this really mean? I read these God given laws… I can hear them… I know them by heart and teach it… but can I bear it? Why should I try?
The passiveness of sin seems to surround us in this world today. We want to scream “do not kill babies, do not allow same sex marriages, do not eliminate prayer in school.” And so much more… Yet this generation is wanting to normalize all these things to the point at which nothing is categorically wrong… except perhaps wrong in the context of just saying something is wrong. In this “feelings” driven society, it seems like the only sin left is found in criticism… If you really think about it, are you and I guilty of this at times?
It makes me wonder if we will ever see the day when the world at large will admit a sin is called just that… A sin? Has this question ever crossed your mind… Where is the sweet message of the Gospel in all this?
Even in the Gospel lesson today, Jesus didn’t have any trouble calling out sin. He said in John chapter 2 verse 16, “do not make my Fathers’ house a house of trade.” This is after He made a whip and drove out the people selling sheep, pigeons, oxen, and then poured out the coins of the money changers, and overturned their tables… “You shall not” once again, was very loud and clear in the temple on this day as Jesus was not afraid to lay down the Law.
Law And Gospel
When I was in junior high, we had a teacher who was not afraid to lay down the law either. Every one of the students feared doing something wrong and having to face the wrath. And when you did something that displeased him, he would get in your face and boy would he ever chew you out. But you know what? When you found yourself in that situation, and believe me I was in that situation more than I would like to admit, you knew these things; First you knew you deserved it, secondly you for sure didn’t want to do that again, and finally, when the smoke all cleared, this man had the personality and resect that you actually really felt renewed when it was all over with. Not just glad it was behind you, but you really felt… well like, redeemed.
Now, let’s take a closer look at what the Law does. I know we do not read the Psalm given to us in the lectionary as part of our order of worship, but today we are given Psalm 19.
Let me share with you verses 7 and 8, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;”
Like my teacher elevated the law in the classroom, this is how Jesus elevates the Law in our daily living and points us to the redemption of the Gospel.
Martin Luther even said, “There were two uses of the law, one to teach civil righteousness and one to condemn us and drive us to Christ.” We must keep in mind that Christ is at work in both the Law and the Gospel. Even though we dare not mix or confuse the two as the Law will always show us our sins, and the Gospel will always show us our Savior, but the wonderful thing about it is that the Law points us to the Gospel. To Christ Himself.
Let The “Shall Not’s” Guide You
Let’s look at Exodus 20 again. Before Moses records the Ten Commandments, he first writes in verse 2 what God says to His people, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” It is hard to see these words when the focus is pointing to “you shall not…” but first He makes sure we are aware that He gives these laws as a loving God who cared deeply for all the Israelites and He cares for each one of us as well… He cares enough to give us these commandments and through these commands we are pointed to Christ. Thus, when we do something that displeases Him… first we know we deserve correction… secondly, we know we should not do that again, and finally through the forgiveness God so graciously gives, we are… Redeemed.
This is what Paul is trying to get across to the Corinthians. The fact that Christ and the cross stand at the center of all Old Testament stories. Yes, the Old Testament “shall nots” can and will direct our hearts and minds to the real hope and salvation found in Christ Jesus.
This same Jesus who delivered the Jews some hearty “shall not’s” in the temple, then replies in verse 19, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up…” Even though we know this statement points to His death and resurrection, it didn’t make sense to the Jewish community… in their minds this statement was foolishness, not only to the Jews in the temple, but to many people Paul was preaching to in Corinth. The point being… sometimes it’s hard to see the trees through the forest.
It is the same blindness prevalent in worldly sin today… hidden in plain sight. Call it what you must, but the fact that the Jews at the Temple and in Corinth could not see who Jesus actually was… is still blindness. Or could it be that both relied on their “all about me” wisdom that Paul addresses in the Epistle lesson? The mentality of citizens from Corinth, or for that matter anyone here today, that views life from their own personal wants and needs… Can you relate…? This is why it is paramount we pay close attention to the commands of our Lord. Listening so we can see clearly… To keep our worldly wisdom from blurring our vision and making us calloused and hard… I know He sees us clearly from heaven above in the light of eternity… but he also sees us when we are foolish, self-centered, or in self-denial.
Christ Crucified
This is exactly why it cannot be stressed enough, as we reiterate time and time again what Paul preaches… “Christ crucified.” Jesus wants everyone to believe in this truth which points us to the cross. That is where we find the solution to our weaknesses. That is where our eyes are opened to the Law that condemns. It is right there at the foot of the cross where we find forgiveness of our sins.
And it was those commandments given to Moses that put Jesus on that cross… the temple that was destroyed and rebuilt in three days… His death and resurrection…. took those sins off my back. Jesus did this willingly to take my transgressions to Himself so in turn He could give you and me His own perfect life. That is… Christ Crucified!!!
“You shall not” deny these truths… That is the message we are asked to tell the world…ok maybe not the whole world, but at least your neighbor, friend, family member, or someone standing in the checkout line.
We are the people Jesus has put in place. Right where you and I are at this moment in time… to open the eyes of others so they may see Jesus as well… But once again, questions arise… Does this really apply to me? Isn’t that Pastors job? I know scripture tells me to do it, I can hear it, I can even teach it…. But once again, can I bear it…? Consider this… Which one of the following are you? There is the person you think you are. There is the person others think you are. And then there is the person God knows you are and what you can become through Christ…
Through the weak and the poor, the old and the grey, He will show His strength and His heavenly treasure in each one of us. In different shapes and forms. We are asked to just do something…
What is going through your mind right now? I’m unqualified… the people I encounter won’t know me… they won’t believe me… I can’t do it… or I don’t want to do it…. Truth to be told, I just give you the five excuses Moses give the Lord as to why he could not lead the people out of slavery in Egypt. It is not about whether I think I can, it is about placing my trust in God and bearing my cross.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 17, the verse right before our epistle reading… “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” Paul tells us that we do not have to be filled with knowledge or wisdom to give the message of Christ crucified. Through our willingness and opportunities, the Holy Spirit will empower our words so that they may awaken new faith in Christ Jesus.
You Shall
With the help of the Holy Spirit, let us, like Paul, tell multitudes the true meaning behind the shall nots. Satan will not prevail. A good reason to shout from the mountain tops how thankful we are for the “you shall not” commandments given to us in Exodus 20. Forever written on our hearts and to point all who believe to the sweet message of the Gospel… Christ crucified. Not only that, as Christians we can transition “you shall not” into “you shall…”
as we proceed to share what Paul asks us to do with the greatest commandments of all… And what might those be…? Jesus says, in Matthew 22, You shall “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it; Love your neighbor as yourself.”
So, as you go home today and wake up the next… to Jesus’ words the evil one will say “don’t do it.” And yes, in our sinfulness we will fail to obey the commandments. But let that turn you to the sweet message of the Gospel. That is what we celebrate this time of year as we continue this Lenten season and approach Good Friday where Jesus died on the cross… And as promised, in three days, on Easter morning, the tomb was opened and He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.
The very truth we base our faith and promise of salvation. Yes indeed, the temple the devil tried to destroy was rebuilt in three days. It is through that truth we get our forgiveness for all the do not’s we do. That my friends is “Christ Crucified.”
That is the sweet-smelling fragrance of the Gospel… From which “You shall not” ever forget that from the cross your sins are forgiven, for “you shall” now dwell with Him for life everlasting.
And may the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Amen