Exodus 20:1-2, 16; James 3:1-12
Rev. Joel St. Clair

James highlights the reality that words carry power. This means that, regardless of circumstances, our words have the ability to tear down and destroy if misused. Through the word made flesh, we have forgiveness and power to control our words to speak truth and blessing to those around us.

We live in God’s world and He has provided a rule for us to know how to live. This rule for living serves as an ongoing guide for all of us to love God and love one another.

Exodus 20:1-2, 15; Luke 19:1-10
Rev. Joel St. Clair

Zaccheus was a rich tax collector, and was seen as a traitor and a thief. Despite his reputation, Jesus approaches Bacchus and extends grace. Here we see that grace not only calls us to stop our bad behaviors, but to pursue what is good.

We live in God’s world and He has provided a rule for us to know how to live. This rule for living serves as an ongoing guide for all of us to love God and love one another.

Exodus 20:1-2, 14; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Rev. Joel St. Clair

As the Apostle Paul warns against sexual immorality, he addresses common objections raise within the Corinthian church. The good news of Christ’s resurrection helps us turn away from sin, but also find freedom from the crushing weight of the law.

We live in God’s world and He has provided a rule for us to know how to live. This rule for living serves as an ongoing guide for all of us to love God and love one another.

Exodus 20:1-2, 13; Matthew 5:21-16
Rev. Joel St. Clair

Jesus unpacks the deeper heart issue of the 6th commandment. While it is easy to refrain from murder, the corrosive effects of anger is less visible yet equally destructive. In the midst of our sinful anger, we have hope in Jesus, who secured God’s grace for us as he took on God’s just wrath on our behalf.

We live in God’s world and He has provided a rule for us to know how to live. This rule for living serves as an ongoing guide for all of us to love God and love one another.

Exodus 20:1-2, 12; Mark 7:1-13
Rev. Joel St. Clair

The religious leaders sought to criticize Jesus through his disciples because they did not follow the traditions of the elders. Jesus calls out their hypocrisy — though they honored their ancestors with their lips, they did not honor God within their hearts. True honor of our parents, and ultimately our heavenly father, can be accomplished by faith in the Son of God who obeyed to the point of death on the cross on our behalf.

We live in God’s world and He has provided a rule for us to know how to live. This rule for living serves as an ongoing guide for all of us to love God and love one another.

Exodus 20:1-2; Hebrews 3:7-4:13
Rev. Joel St. Clair

Throughout Israel’s history, unbelief had led God’s people away from the true rest in the midst of the unknowns. Yet even in the midst of their doubt, God has continued to be faithful to them, ultimately sending his Son Jesus to secure eternal rest for all who turn to him in faith.

We live in God’s world and He has provided a rule for us to know how to live. This rule for living serves as an ongoing guide for all of us to love God and love one another.

Exodus 20:1-2; Malachi 1:1-14
Rev. Russ Whitfield

The people of God, under Persian Rule, began to question God’s love and turned away from him and his commandments. Though they performed the “right actions,” their heart was far from God and so they took the Lord’s name in vain. In Jesus, we have the hope of forgiveness and the strength to bear the name of the Lord in faith and faithfulness.

We live in God’s world and He has provided a rule for us to know how to live. This rule for living serves as an ongoing guide for all of us to love God and love one another.

Exodus 20:1-2; Exodus 32:1-35
Rev. Joel St. Clair

While Moses was on Mt. Sinai, the people of God were restless and turned to Aaron to make them a statue out of gold. Moses pleaded on their behalf and God relented from judgment. We have a greater priest in Jesus, who not only pleads on our behalf, but leads us in the midst of our fears and anxieties over the uncertainties of life.

We live in God’s world and He has provided a rule for us to know how to live. This rule for living serves as an ongoing guide for all of us to love God and love one another.

Exodus 20:1-2; 1 Kings 18:17-40
Rev. Joel St. Clair

Elijah, a prophet of God, confronts the prophets of Baal on mt. Carmel and calls Israel to turn back to the LORD. Although we may not worship statues in the 21st century, God call us to return to him through the work of Christ, the word of God made flesh.

We live in God’s world and He has provided a rule for us to know how to live. This rule for living serves as an ongoing guide for all of us to love God and love one another.

Exodus 20:1-2; Matthew 22:34-40
Rev. Joel St. Clair

God gives Israel the law to show them what it looks like to be a part of His covenant community. These rules frame up what it means to love God well. As the religious leaders debated about what the most important law is, Jesus sums it up by loving God and loving our neighbor. We obey God through our love for him and for one another.

We live in God’s world and He has provided a rule for us to know how to live. This rule for living serves as an ongoing guide for all of us to love God and love one another.