WORSHIP ONLY GOD

“THE FIRST COMMANDMENT”

(Exodus 20:3)

…The pollster, George Barna, told that __76%__ of Americans “consider themselves completely true to the first commandment.”

…Modern educated men and woman are __idol__ worshipers.

…Since God is who He is, He will tolerate __no__ competitor or rival, hence the first commandment

“You shall have no other gods before me.”

THREE OBSERVATIONS REGARDING THE FIRST COMMANDMENT

WHICH DEMANDS OUR LOYAL-LOVE FOR GOD ALONE.

I. THE PREAMBLE TO GRACE: THIS WAS GIVEN TO KINDLE IN GOD’S PEOPLE A DEEP LOVE, GRATITUDE, AND __MOTIVATION__ TO KEEP HIS “10 WORDS.” (vv 1-2)

A. God’s gracious nature. (v 2)

1. “I am the Lord your God.”

a. He was “I” not “__it__.” He has personality.

b. They were “you” not “__them__.”

2. The Lord’s personal name, “I am” coupled with “the Lord your God.” God had brought them into an intimate __relationship__. God did it!!

B. God’s gracious __actions__ on their behalf. (v2b)

1. “I brought you out of Egypt.”

…This summarized Israel’s experience during the preceding months. God pried open Pharaoh’s iron grip with the 10 plagues.

2. The Red Sea, and His provision of quail, water, and manna.

(God’s __grace__ was all there in living color!!)

II. A PROHIBITING GRACE: THIS FIRST COMMANDMENT WAS AN EMPHATIC PROHIBITION. (v. 3)

A. Nothing is to be placed __before__ God, no person, thing, or ideology.

1. This command is quite a general one and prohibits polytheism and idolatry, the worship of idols in __thought__, word, and deed.

2. Nearly all of the 10 commandments are couched in the negative form of prohibition because they presuppose the __sin__ and evil desires in the human heart.

3. Worshipping false gods would be setting up rivals to Him.

B. This commandment is an __individual__ appeal: “You, Terry Z. shall have no…”

…It is important that we individually receive each of the “10 words.”

C. The __depth__ of the prohibition is apparent when we understand that every human being has a god. All worship. Only two categories of mankind:

1. __True__ worshippers, or

2. True __idolaters__.

D. Common idols worshipped:

1. Appetites 2. __Recreation__

3. Money 4. ____Self______

III. A __POSITIVE__ GRACE: THE FIRST COMMANDMENT’S FLIP-SIDE CALLS US TO __LOVE__ THE LORD WILL ALL OUR BEING.

A. Not having any other gods, positively means we __possess__ God.

1. You shall have __me__!!

2. Like a bride and groom who vow, “__forsaking__ all others,” they give themselves exclusively to each other. This is a __whole__-hearted life-long love.

B. More, it means we shall __love__ God.

1. Deut. 6:5 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.”

a. All our __energy__ must be devoted to loving God.

b. This is what we must inculcate into others.

2. Learn to __say__ to the Lord: “I love you.”

3. According to Jesus, loving God is the single __greatest__ thing we can do.

“What is the greatest commandment? Love the Lord with…”

…I John 5:21 “Little children, keep yourselves from __idols__.”

LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:

Examine yourselves for any idols.
Beware of sinful tendencies in our hearts to make idols.
Pray for yourself, your family and your church that they don’t make any other gods but that they make the Lord to be above all others.
Use your occasions to express your love for the Lord. Say “Lord I love you”