TEN COMMANDMENTS on SermonAudio

This sermon provides a detailed exposition of the Ten Commandments as recorded in Exodus 20, moving from the first four commandments concerning one's relationship with God to the final six regarding interpersonal conduct. The speaker clarifies common misinterpretations, such as the nature of divine judgment on generations and the specific meaning of taking God's name in vain, while emphasizing the theological significance of the Sabbath as a memorial of creation. The discussion highlights the societal stability derived from honoring parental authority and the sanctity of life, marriage, and property. The sermon concludes by analyzing the tenth commandment against coveting, identifying it as the internal root of external sins and affirming the continued relevance of these moral laws in the New Testament context.

In Matthew 15:1–20, Jesus directly confronts the scribes and Pharisees for elevating human traditions above God's commandments. Their religious system looked spiritual, but it produced empty worship, hypocrisy, and disobedience. In this message, Pastor Brandon examines the Pharisaic traditions surrounding ritual handwashing, Corban, and the principle of eruv. These practices show how religious leaders could combine biblical concepts with human reasoning to create legal loopholes that let people appear obedient while avoiding genuine surrender to God. The same danger exists within Christianity today. Believers can misuse grace, Christian liberty, prayer, ministry, personal feelings, and even biblical truth to excuse disobedience. Saying, "God knows my heart," "I prayed about it," or "I'm serving God" cannot replace submission to the clear teaching of Scripture. Jesus called the Pharisees "blind leaders of the blind." When human tradition replaces divine revelation, both the leaders and those following them eventually fall into the ditch. Truth has no sacred cows. Genuine spirituality does not ask, "How can I appear obedient without surrendering?" It asks, "What does God's Word require, and how can I faithfully obey it?" #SlayingSacredCows #TruthOverTradition #Matthew15 #TraditionsOfMen #WordOfGod #ChristianLoopholes #BiblicalTruth #JesusChrist #Pharisees #Corban #ReligiousHypocrisy #ChristianObedience #BibleTeaching #Sermon #RockHarborChurch #BrandonHolthaus

The Israelites stand at the base of Mt. Sinai as God continues to arrest their attention with shocking sights and sounds. There is thunder and lighting. There is fire and smoke. There are many sounds of loud trumpet blasts. The mountain is quaking...and the people are quaking too. In that intimidating and impressive environment, God articulates His righteous ten commandments. These commandments outline what relating rightly to Him and others looks like. With great fear and trembling, the people receive the commandments and begin reckoning with God's standards and their accountability for them. This passage provides another brilliant foreshadowing of the Gospel as it begins to outline the Law through which God's people will be both governed--according to the enforcement of it--and exposed as in need of deliverance--since they will all be in violation of it, in one way or another. They need a substitute, one who can keep the Law, not just the letter of it, but the spirit of it. They also need one who can absorb their penalty for failing to keep it. They need an "Exodus," a "Way Out," and that way out is Jesus. As Galatians 4:4-5 says, "When the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law." Jesus is the fulfiller of the Law and the one who sets us free from its demand and curse. He is the one we can trust as we endeavor to love God and others and yet fall short over and over again. He is the Commandment Keeper.

PAINT WITH WHAT YOU'VE GOT!["Stop Looking at What You're Missing and Start Using What God Gave You"] Exodus 4:1-5 KJV Sarah Biffin was born in England in 1784 without arms or normally developed legs. As a young girl she entered the world of traveling exhibitions, where audiences watched her demonstrate remarkable abilities. Sarah learned to paint intricate miniature portraits by controlling her brush without hands. Her artistic talent eventually received serious recognition, professional instruction and royal patronage, and her work was exhibited at the Royal Academy. Her remarkable life provides the backdrop for a biblical question God asked Moses: "What is that in thine hand?" — Exodus 4:2 KJV My prayer is to challenge believers to stop concentrating on what they lack and surrender what God has already given them. I. STOP CRYING OVER WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE Your Limitation Does Not Have to Become Your Excuse. II. DON'T LET SOMEBODY ELSE'S LABEL BECOME YOUR LIMIT They Saw an Attraction—Somebody Else Saw an Artist. III. GIVE GOD WHAT YOU'VE GOT A Little Becomes Much When It Is Surrendered. Moses had a rod. David had a sling. A widow had a little oil. A boy had five loaves and two fishes. Sarah Biffin had a paintbrush she couldn't hold in a hand. What has God put in your life? Stop waiting until you have what somebody else has. PAINT WITH WHAT YOU'VE GOT!

Look • Remember • Do Numbers 15:37–41 Central Truth: God has redeemed us to belong to Him, remember His Word, and walk in obedience so that His life may be manifested through us. This message explores how God instructed Israel to live as His redeemed people while journeying through the wilderness. Despite witnessing His deliverance and provision, they repeatedly allowed their fears, desires, and circumstances to become more authoritative than His Word. In Numbers 15, God instructed the Israelites to place tassels with blue threads on their garments. These were visible reminders with a specific purpose: Look upon them, remember His commandments, and do them. This simple progression was intended to keep their hearts directed toward the Lord rather than following the natural inclinations of their own hearts and eyes. The message develops several important truths: • Our choices affect future generations. Although each person is accountable for their own sin, the consequences of our decisions can reach far beyond our lifetime. We must demonstrate God's faithfulness and teach the next generation to trust Him personally. • Faith trusts God's report above circumstances. Ten spies allowed what they saw in Canaan to determine what they believed. Joshua and Caleb allowed what God had spoken to determine how they understood what they saw. • Obedience requires submission to God's Word. Israel refused to enter Canaan when God commanded them to go and then attempted to enter when He commanded them not to. Both decisions revealed the same self-directed rebellion. • God's Word establishes enduring hope. Caleb held to the promise God spoke through Moses for forty-five years. His

The following stories highlight this edition of the Friday News Round-Up: --The Iranian government organized a massive rally in Tehran in an attempt to stress national unity during the war against the U.S. --An Iranian nuclear official declared that Iran has sufficient cards and options available despite its nuclear program facing pressure from the U.S. during Operation Epic Fury. --The U.K. Maritime Trade Operation Center said in a report that commercial shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains heavily reduced. --The Saudi's are facing a potential energy crisis after an attack knocked out much of its critical East/West oil pipeline. --A building housing displaced Palestinian families collapsed in Gaza City Wednesday killing at least 20 people. --A funeral for Muhammad Abdul Saman Al-Yazouri, commander of Hamas' Kahn Younis brigade, erupted in chants threatening Israel and openly declaring that another October 7th attack would come. --The Trump administration is preparing a 2.8 billion dollar arms package for Israel, including several thousand 2,000 pound bombs in what could be the largest single U.S. sale of powerful munitions to Israel in recent years. --The House on Tuesday voted to approve a measure that would require President Trump to end the war with Iran --The U.S. military planned to completely withdraw from Iraq by the end of the month. --The U.S. military moved a step closer this week to acquiring a significant fleet of artificial intelligence enabled, pilotless fighter jets to fly right alongside human pilots in combat.