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The family isn't just a social unit — it's the foundation God built society upon. In this episode, Dr. John works through Deuteronomy 25:5–19, examining four laws designed to protect family life in ancient Israel: caring for widows through levirate marriage, safeguarding future generations, ensuring honest dealings in business, and remembering the ruthless attack of Amalek on Israel's most vulnerable. Ancient laws with a timeless message about why family still matters.

The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John works through the detailed national laws given to Israel, uncovering what they teach us about justice, worship, and holy living — and pointing us to the one who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.

No love is more important to us than the love of God himself. Beyond the love of spouse or parent or friend is the significance of the love of God. Nothing matters more to us than to know that the God of heaven loves us—and that in his character, he is indeed a God of love.

Be encouraged in knowing that your relationship with Christ fuels your ability to succeed in life.

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Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: John 16:7

There are things we will never understand until we lay down our intellectual pride and let the Holy Spirit speak to us. Only when the Spirit speaks can we understand three truths regarding who we are and what God makes us.

John 16:7 says, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”

First, the Holy Spirit teaches the truth about the sinner’s basic problem.

A man is a sinner because of what he is and what he has done. Born into this fallen world, it is in our nature to give in to sin.

A man is also a sinner because of what he has not done. God made us to know, love, and serve Him; when we do not do that, we are refusing Him the glory He deserves.

But our ultimate problem is that we are sinners for not believing, because the greatest sin is unbelief. Unbelief is the parent sin, out of which all other sins come; it is proof of man’s wickedness, and it is what separates us from God forever.

Second, the Holy Spirit shows the truth about the Savior’s bountiful provision.

When we believe in Jesus Christ, He changes what we are at our very core and gives us a new nature. Adrian Rogers says, “Christians are not just nicer people; they’re new creatures.”

He also forgives us for what we have done. Every stain, blot, or blemish of our past is washed whiter than snow, buried in the grave of God’s forgetfulness.

He gives us the righteousness we need in order to be saved.

Finally, the Holy Spirit proclaims the truth about Satan’s broken power.

Jesus’s death on the cross was God’s greatest victory over evil. Satan’s kingdom was crushed; he now sails a sinking ship and rules a doomed domain.

When we receive Christ, we become more like Him every day. That is what our faith is all about, and what the Holy Spirit is working within us.

Apply it to your life

Have you laid down your intellectual pride and allowed the Holy Spirit to impart things only He can show you? Understanding man’s sinful nature and the Savior’s provision, are you becoming more like Jesus?

God had a lot to say about how a society treats its most vulnerable. In this episode, Dr. John works through Deuteronomy 24:5–25:4, unpacking a sweeping set of ancient laws that speak directly to the issues of our day: protecting marriage and family, defending the poor from exploitation, safeguarding public health, extending justice to foreigners, and ensuring punishment never crosses into cruelty. A challenging and timely word for the church today.

The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John works through the detailed national laws given to Israel, uncovering what they teach us about justice, worship, and holy living — and pointing us to the one who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.

Listen to today's Laugh Again with Phil Callaway, "Diets, Teeth and a Heroic Rescue." Enjoy!