As Moses continues to explain the Ten Words of Yahweh, he turns to address the second word - no other gods / no false worship and the third word - do not take the name of Yahweh in vain. These two words, commands, are very similar - they work together nicely and have a bit of crossover as evidenced in this section. Moses charges the people to no idols and not to worship falsely the one true and living God - Yahweh. He is their God, as he has evidenced repeatedly to them. He also charges them not to defame the name of Yahweh by their living. This command includes specifics on what to eat and when. As believers, we must be committed to worship Jesus alone and strive to exalt his name in our daily living. 

Deuteronomy is one of the most significant books in our OT, but one that is often not addressed. Throughout Deuteronomy, Moses will challenge Israel over and over again, to hear the word of Yahweh, and then, to heed it in obedience. Deuteronomy displays the character and attributes of Yahweh in numerous ways, it especially emphasizes the love of Yahweh poured out on Israel. Deuteronomy ultimately sets a choice before us, a choice to prioritize and follow Yahweh, to be right with him through Jesus alone.

Moses continues his explanation of the greatest command, the first command that is highlighted and explained throughout chapters 6-11 in Deuteronomy. In this section, Moses reviews and calls Israel to actively love Yahweh. Moses begins by calling Israel to fear Yahweh, to walk in his ways, to love him, to worship/serve him and to keep his words. Together these five directives give Israel a clear path to love Yahweh with all their heart, soul and mind. As beleivers, we must respond with genuine love for Jesus because he first loved us. God has still shown his love to us, just like he did Israel, but he has clearly demonstrated his love for us through Jesus and all Jesus has accomplished for us. Does your life reflect a genuine love for Jesus?

Deuteronomy is one of the most significant books in our OT, but one that is often not addressed. Throughout Deuteronomy, Moses will challenge Israel over and over again, to hear the word of Yahweh, and then, to heed it in obedience. Deuteronomy displays the character and attributes of Yahweh in numerous ways, it especially emphasizes the love of Yahweh poured out on Israel. Deuteronomy ultimately sets a choice before us, a choice to prioritize and follow Yahweh, to be right with him through Jesus alone.

In this section, John continues his focus on the true children of God and their relationship to sin. John defines sin and offers the solution to sin. John then addresses the fact that genuine believers do not continue in sin, genuine believers have victory over sin. John continues this focus on sin and true children of God by comparing and contrasting true children of God with children of the devil. John is specifically addressing the sin against fellow believers. Jesus came to redeem sinners from sin and genuine believers do not willfully continue to sin against fellow believers. 

1 John has often been described as a letter written to offer assurance to believers. Believers can know that they have indeed been delivered from their sins and stand justified before God, only through Jesus, and a right understanding and belief about him and in him alone. John also makes statements about not living in darkness or continuing in the practice of sin 1 John 1:6-8; 3:9-10; 5:18. These statements can seem confusing and this is one of the elements of the epistles of John that can be hard to fully understand. How can we be sure of our salvation, of our relationship with Jesus, if the measure is not sinning anymore? We can confidently know that we are believers, resting in the finished work of Jesus. John’s epistles are unique, in that, John is clearly addressing antagonists against Jesus, the gospel and these believers (the audience may be the churches of Asia Minor that he addresses in Revelation). No matter the audience, there is clearly antagonism from outside the church, from some who have left the church, but are still causing chaos and confusion for those remaining in the church.  Remember, belief in Jesus alone saves; the evidence of salvation flows from this belief. 

Moses continues his challenge to Israel, offering a third warning when they enter the promised land. Moses warns the people about their own self-righteousness. He challenges them not to think that their own righteousness has brought their success in the land. Moses challenges them three times and offers three reasons they should not be self-righteous. Self-righteousness is still an issue for us today. We are so prone to think that we have accomplished the good things we enjoy, rather than giving God the glory for his obvious work on our behalf. Self-Righteousness prevents us from seeing the faithful power and intercession of Jesus for us through the gospel.

Deuteronomy is one of the most significant books in our OT, but one that is often not addressed. Throughout Deuteronomy, Moses will challenge Israel over and over again, to hear the word of Yahweh, and then, to heed it in obedience. Deuteronomy displays the character and attributes of Yahweh in numerous ways, it especially emphasizes the love of Yahweh poured out on Israel. Deuteronomy ultimately sets a choice before us, a choice to prioritize and follow Yahweh, to be right with him through Jesus alone.

As John continues, he again calls these believers to abide, to remain in Jesus. This command, to abide, comes with a reason for abiding and the results of abiding. John reminds them that God, Jesus, is righteous and we must engage with him based on his character. True believers demonstrate their real faith by living in line with the righteousness of God. John affirms the love of God for believers, as his children. From that affirmation, John builds out the glorious benefits of salvation. One of the glories of salvation is anticipating the return of Jesus. Jesus is coming back and true children anticipate his return and are being transformed because of it. True children remain in fellowship with Jesus and demonstrate that relationship with Jesus by their choices and actions. 

1 John has often been described as a letter written to offer assurance to believers. Believers can know that they have indeed been delivered from their sins and stand justified before God, only through Jesus, and a right understanding and belief about him and in him alone. John also makes statements about not living in darkness or continuing in the practice of sin 1 John 1:6-8; 3:9-10; 5:18. These statements can seem confusing and this is one of the elements of the epistles of John that can be hard to fully understand. How can we be sure of our salvation, of our relationship with Jesus, if the measure is not sinning anymore? We can confidently know that we are believers, resting in the finished work of Jesus. John’s epistles are unique, in that, John is clearly addressing antagonists against Jesus, the gospel and these believers (the audience may be the churches of Asia Minor that he addresses in Revelation). No matter the audience, there is clearly antagonism from outside the church, from some who have left the church, but are still causing chaos and confusion for those remaining in the church.  Remember, belief in Jesus alone saves; the evidence of salvation flows from this belief. 

As Moses begins to apply the greatest command, he has just given to the people of Israel, he challenges them to demonstrate their love for Yahweh in the real situations that they will face in every day life. Two specific issues are addressed by Moses, one is external, the enemies or opposition that they will face as they enter the land. The second is internal, the potential danger of prosperity. As the people flourish in the land, this prosperity can make them complacent and cause them to be self-sufficient and yield to idolatry. Testing is every bit as big an issue for us today. Testing is a part of life. Testing should cause assessment of our love for Jesus and should motivate us to love Jesus more.

Deuteronomy is one of the most significant books in our OT, but one that is often not addressed. Throughout Deuteronomy, Moses will challenge Israel over and over again, to hear the word of Yahweh, and then, to heed it in obedience. Deuteronomy displays the character and attributes of Yahweh in numerous ways, it especially emphasizes the love of Yahweh poured out on Israel. Deuteronomy ultimately sets a choice before us, a choice to prioritize and follow Yahweh, to be right with him through Jesus alone.

Conflicts exist in the church, they are, unfortunately, too often part of the church body. John here addresses the conflict that has confronted this congregation. This conflict has created an ongoing ripple effect, even as the dissenters have left the congregation. John addresses why their leaving evidences their lack of genuine relationship with God. As believers, we must be discerning about conflict and persevere in truth despite conflicts. 

1 John has often been described as a letter written to offer assurance to believers. Believers can know that they have indeed been delivered from their sins and stand justified before God, only through Jesus, and a right understanding and belief about him and in him alone. John also makes statements about not living in darkness or continuing in the practice of sin 1 John 1:6-8; 3:9-10; 5:18. These statements can seem confusing and this is one of the elements of the epistles of John that can be hard to fully understand. How can we be sure of our salvation, of our relationship with Jesus, if the measure is not sinning anymore? We can confidently know that we are believers, resting in the finished work of Jesus. John’s epistles are unique, in that, John is clearly addressing antagonists against Jesus, the gospel and these believers (the audience may be the churches of Asia Minor that he addresses in Revelation). No matter the audience, there is clearly antagonism from outside the church, from some who have left the church, but are still causing chaos and confusion for those remaining in the church.  Remember, belief in Jesus alone saves; the evidence of salvation flows from this belief.

As Isaiah continues to declare the truth about the coming Suffering Servant, he focuses on the rejection that the servant endures when he comes. The Servant Songs in Isaiah prophesy of one who would come to deliver Israel. This messianic deliverer is described several times leading to the climactic description of this servant suffering (42:1-7; 49:1-13; 50:4-11; 52:13-53:12). Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is composed of five stanzas that explain the coming and work of the servant, as well as the response of the people to the servant. In this section, 53:1-3, Isaiah chronicles the rejected servant and all that accompanies this rejection. Jesus is the suffering servant and clearly fulfills this prophesy. Jesus was despised and rejected; as believers, we must daily accept the realities of his sacrifice and follow him. The truth about his life, work and sacrifice should motivate us to live our lives in obedience to him. 

Celebrating the Lord’s Table together as a body of believers affirms our personal testimony of salvation and draws us together in unity around the sacrifice of Jesus. As a church, we strive to exalt him in our gathering and interactions together. Communion reminds us of our reasons for gathering every week – it’s Jesus and his sacrifice for our sins.

In this very familiar passage, John offers the first command of this epistle - do not love the world. What does that mean? It has often been stretched and made to say things John did not necessarily intend. John is still addressing the issues that are confronting this church, but through this command, calls the believers not to be influenced by those who have left the church and by their actions demonstrate a love and commitment for the world that preempts their love for God. True believers must live a life motivated by love for God displayed in obedience to his will. John connects love with obedience again in this text. 

1 John has often been described as a letter written to offer assurance to believers. Believers can know that they have indeed been delivered from their sins and stand justified before God, only through Jesus, and a right understanding and belief about him and in him alone. John also makes statements about not living in darkness or continuing in the practice of sin 1 John 1:6-8; 3:9-10; 5:18. These statements can seem confusing and this is one of the elements of the epistles of John that can be hard to fully understand. How can we be sure of our salvation, of our relationship with Jesus, if the measure is not sinning anymore? We can confidently know that we are believers, resting in the finished work of Jesus. John’s epistles are unique, in that, John is clearly addressing antagonists against Jesus, the gospel and these believers (the audience may be the churches of Asia Minor that he addresses in Revelation). No matter the audience, there is clearly antagonism from outside the church, from some who have left the church, but are still causing chaos and confusion for those remaining in the church.  Remember, belief in Jesus alone saves; the evidence of salvation flows from this belief.

As Moses continues and develops this second sermon on the words of Yahweh and the priorities that those words present, Moses begins by calling the people to genuinely love Yahweh. This initial command, as Moses puts it, is the command - the command that summarizes and encapsulates all the rest of the statutes and ordinances.  For believers, this command translates to loving Jesus, who is Yahweh, come in the flesh. We must love Jesus supremely and live in committed, whole-hearted obedience to him.

Deuteronomy is one of the most significant books in our OT, but one that is often not addressed. Throughout Deuteronomy, Moses will challenge Israel over and over again, to hear the word of Yahweh, and then, to heed it in obedience. Deuteronomy displays the character and attributes of Yahweh in numerous ways, it especially emphasizes the love of Yahweh poured out on Israel. Deuteronomy ultimately sets a choice before us, a choice to prioritize and follow Yahweh, to be right with him through Jesus alone.