The Beginning of a New Teaching Series Today we begin a new teaching series called “The Royal Family Code” on the 10 Commandments. They have had a massive influence on human history around the world. There are 2.4 billion people who identify as Christians. The commandments stand at the centre of discussions and decisions about how to live. Even when modern societies don’t overtly identify as “Christian,” their code of justice or law often has the 10 Commandments as its template. John Piper: “The time spent on Mount Sinai was an epoch-making moment in the life of Israel—indeed, in the life of the world, in view of how influential the Ten Commandments have been for human history.” (Providence, 111). Lost? The 10 Commandments even have a place in popular culture. Many of you have seen the Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark. Indiana was an archaeology professor. He battled with Nazis and other malicious forces to find a “lost ark.” The original ark eventually made it’s way to the Jerusalem temple. In the 6th century before Christ it was attacked—and the ark has been officially lost ever since. The ark was valuable because it contained the original stone tables with the 10 Commandments on them. Exodus 31:18 says they were written with the finger of God himself. Can you imagine how valuable the tablets would be today, not only spiritually but financially? But maybe it isn’t just the original stone tables that are lost. We know the words, of course, thanks to ancient manuscripts. But what about the original meaning? What about their place in our lives? A man named Andy used to have conversations in the laundromat with a woman named Agnes. She would often say how she kept the 10 Commandments. One day, Andy asked her if she could name them. She replied, “No. But I keep ‘em.” (Stanley, Grace of God, 52). The Big Picture Here are some points to remember as we frame our learning on the 10 Commandments: God is our King, Saviour and Father These are biblical titles God gives us to help us understand who he is and how we relate to him. Kings (good kings) have authority, protect and care for their people, and establish order. Saviours save. They rescue people from dangerous situations. Fathers give life, provide, teach and love. Our God does all these things at once. John F. Kennedy was an American President, a position largely thought to be the most powerful in the world. Apparently, even when he was having important meetings at the White House, his son (JFK Jr, often called “John-John”) would wander in to the meeting and sit on his father’s lap. Who else would have that kind of access to the most powerful man in the world, and could at the same time have that kind of attention and love from the most powerful man in the world? Only someone who was both a child of the President and an American citizen at the same time. This is a helpful way to think about who God is to us: King, Saviour, Father. We are in a Covenant Relationship with God A covenant is a sacred agreement, a contract. It is put in place by God. He agrees to be our God and we agree to be his people. If we are loyal good things happen, if we are disloyal bad things happen. Ancient agreements were not unique to the Hebrews. The Ur-Nammu Law Code, the oldest known law code, is from a place in modern Iraq. Language: Sumerian. Dates to 2112 – 2095BC. When thinking of how to make sense of a covenant, one of the closest comparisons in the modern world is a marriage. It is a “sacred covenant.” It is an agreement between two parties. They take vows to one another. The 10 Commandments are the basic stipulations to our end of the bargain. We vow this in the relationship as a pledge of our love and loyalty. There were two tablets that the original commandments were written on. Which commandments were on which one? We’re not sure. Some people assume 1-4 were on the first and 5-10 were on the second. Some scholars, however, tell us that it may have been the case that both were identical. In some of these ancient agreements two copies were made, kind of like another contract. One copy for each party in the agreement. God Has Liberated Us, And Is Liberating Us The Commands start by saying how God has freed his people from slavery in Egypt. They start like this: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” If you have ever seen the movie The Shawshank Redemption you will remember that feeling of incredible liberation and ecstasy as Tim Robbins’ character, Andy, burrows his way out of prison and finds freedom on the outside. When he finally crawls out of the stinking sewage gutter and lands in the open-air river beyond the imposing walls, he is covered in muck; it is the middle of the night, and it is raining. But he is free and totally alive! He raises his arms in the sky in total disbelief and jubilation, his back arching in victory! In the same movie we meet Brooks, a lifer in the Shawshank prison. He’s been in there most of his life and works inside the prison walls as the gentle, old librarian. As an old man Brooks is finally granted release. But he is totally lost on the outside world. He doesn’t know how to live since he’s been a prisoner his whole life. He can’t even go to the bathroom unless his supervisor at the grocery store gives him permission. Brooks left the prison but the prison didn’t leave Brooks. The bondage of prison has so controlled him and how he understood himself that he no longer knew how to be free. The Hebrews are like both of these characters at once—Andy and Brooks. Liberated but languishing. They are no longer fighting for freedom, but they are floundering in freedom. Kevin DeYoung: “The 10 Commandments are not instructions on how to get out of Egypt, they are rules for a free people to stay free.” They Are Not Called The 10 Suggestions They are commandments, not suggestions. Not sure we need much more explanation than that. The Lord of heaven and earth actually knows best. They Reflect God’s Wonderful Character The commandments are not random; they reflect God’s character. For example, we shall not murder because God is a giver of life. We shall not commit adultery because God is faithful. We shall not steal because God is a provider. We shall not bear false witness because God is truthful… J Alec Montyer: Living by God’s law “triggers in us the image of God which is our real nature. In other words, we live the truly human life when we obey the Lord’s law.” (As quoted by Paul Carter, Into the Word Podcast, Exodus 20.) They Bless and Protect the Whole Community To many modern people who could care less about God—and even many Christians who have been seduced by individualism and comfort—think of the 10 Commandments as restrictive rules that matter to somebody else. Terence Fretheim (OT Scholar): “The focus is on protecting the health of the community, to which end the individual plays such an important role.” (Exodus, 221). The commandments are designed “to protect [the human community] from behaviours that have the potential of destroying it.” Just think of a world where everyone lived like this: Everyone honored God with their whole heart. Where the name of God was revered. Where one full day of legitimate rest renewed and restored us to the very core. Imagine a world where there was no murder, and no threat of murder; where wives and husbands were perfectly faithful all the time; where truthfulness was assumed; where everyone was totally content with what they had and never looked with envy at others. Think back to Abram in Genesis 12: “Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (verses 1-3). The Commandments are a part of how that happens. They Express the Great Commandment We all know the “greatest commandment” as taught by Jesus: to love God with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself. Commands 1-4 are about our relationship with God, and commands 5-10 are about our relationship to other people. Vertical and horizontal. Michael Heiser: “The law was how one demonstrated that love—that loyalty.” (The Unseen Realm, 169). Have you ever wondered, but how can I love God with my whole being? How can I love those around me? Keep the commands. When we don’t serve God, when we misuse his name, when we don’t rest, we are actually showing God we are not loyal to him. When we dishonour parents, murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness and envy, we are actually showing God that we don’t love the people around us. They Still Apply Some Old Testament laws are no longer applicable, like the laws about sacrificing animals and food laws. But others are applicable. These are called “moral laws.” New Testament writers presume their ongoing applicability. Jesus himself quotes or alludes to all ten in various places. Only Jesus Has Kept All The Commandments Matthew 3:15 tells us that Jesus came to “fulfill all righteousness.” He is “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). He came to “fulfill the law” (Matthew 5:17). If you want to know what it looks like to live perfectly, don’t look at yourself; look at Jesus. It’s not even possible for you to keep them. We’re all sinners. We can’t keep all the commands perfectly—only Jesus has done that. This is the good news. Jesus keeps the covenant on our behalf! He fulfills our vows. We are saved not because of what we have done, but because of what Christ has done. You trust in Jesus and ask him to forgive you. He pays the price for your sin through his perfect life and sacrificial death on the cross on your behalf. On the cross he gets what you deserve, and in eternity you get what he deserves. J.H. Hertz: These commandments “bear divinity on its face.” (Pentateuch and Haftorahs, 294.) In Jesus’ perfect life of loving and holy obedience we see the divine face of God. How To Live Rightly You are not made right with God by being a morally wonderful person. You are made right with God through Jesus and what he has done for you. But the commandments still have a purpose. They show us how to live rightly as royal children in a way that not only blesses others, but the wider world. They help us grow in Christlikeness. Approaching the Mountain Let’s examine the lead-up to the commandments. As mentioned, the Hebrews have been slaves for over 400 years in Egypt. God appointed a leader, Moses, to lead them out of slavery. With power and miracles he did so. “Let my people go!” After the mighty plagues and parting the Red Sea, the people are travelling toward the Promised Land. Earlier in Exodus 3:12, God had said they would bring the people back to serve. God has kept his promise and they arrive again at the mountain. Exodus 19:1-25 (ESV) On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 while Moses went up to God. About 7 weeks have passed since the departure from Egypt. The mountain is Mount Sinai. Here’s a picture of Jebel Musa (Arabic: Mountain of Moses), which is the traditional location for this story. Look at how barren it is! The people will stay here for about a year. Prof. Jonathan Lipnik (Israel Institute of Biblical Studies) says this about the dessert. It is “where God takes his children to re-educate them.” The slavery of Egypt his behind them, and they have not yet come to the contaminating influence of paganism and idolatry in the Promised Land. Therefore, it is an area that is “neutralized from outside influences.” The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. God is Saviour. “on eagles’ wings.” They are like baby birds unable to fly yet. Think of Brooks from The Shawshank Redemption. So he has carried them. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” There’s that word “covenant.” The sacred contract between two parties. They will be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” We’ll return to that idea. 7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord. 9 And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” Notice how all the people agree to the covenant—but they haven’t even heard what it entails yet! When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord, 10 the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments 11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot;[a] whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” 14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments. 15 And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.” The people need to “consecrate” themselves—i.e. to be set apart as holy. Michal Heiser: “Having the divine presence with you could be both fantastic and frightening.” (The Unseen Realm, 170). That is what we are seeing here! Three days of preparation for an incredibly holy (and possibly dangerous) encounter. 16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. 19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. The time is getting close. Notice how there are often trumpets whenever God is doing something huge. Trumpets here, trumpets when Jericho falls down, trumpets when Jesus returns! 21 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the Lord to look and many of them perish. 22 Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, lest the Lord break out against them.” 23 And Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, ‘Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it.’” 24 And the Lord said to him, “Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, lest he break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them. The next verse begins the 10 Commandments. Pastor: This is the word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God If you will indeed obey my voice… Today’s specific focus is on verses 5-6: “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ 
Let’s note some essential details. If: Note the word “if.” God says, “If you will indeed obey my voice…” Everything that follows is conditional on obeying God’s voice. Not your own inner voice. Not the voice of popular culture. Not the voice of your favourite actor. Not anyone else’s voice. But God’s voice. If we don’t obey the voice of God we simply will not be successful in what we are called to do. Let’s say you’re a farmhand. You work for the farmer. You can only be successful at that job if you listen to the farmer. If you spend all of your time listening to Penny-Sue who is a quilt-maker from two farms over you’re not going to be successful at a farmhand. Obey God’s voice. Next, you are told three things about yourself. First, you are God’s treasured possession Earlier we highlighted how God is our King, Saviour and Father. You are his treasured possession. In Hebrew, it’s one word “segulah.” The word appears 8 times in the Old Testament—6 of those occurrences are specifically about the special status of God’s people. You are treasured. Think of that word “treasure.” “My precious…” Think of the most valuable thing you have: a family heirloom; a piece of property that has been in your family for generations; a letter from a grandfather from World War Two… no, think higher: a relationship, a person! You are God’s treasured possession. He does things for you because he loves you as King, Saviour and Father for your good. Second, you are a kingdom of priests Priests had access to God and represented God to others. That’s what is being said about you. Because you are God’s treasured possession, and if you keep his covenant agreement—and for us today this happens specifically through our faith in Jesus—you have access to God and represent God to others. Third, you are a holy nation This is to the people as a whole. You are holy. That means to be distinct and set apart for God’s purposes. We reflect God to the world, and we bless the world in his name. Think back to the promise of God to Abram in Genesis 12:3: “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” William Temple, the theologian, is quoted as saying that the church is the only organization that exists primarily for the benefit of its non-members. From slavery to royalty As a final word, let’s think back to the title of this series: “The Royal Family Code.” Earlier, I mentioned two characters from the movie, The Shawshank Redemption. Andy dug his way out through the muck to freedom. He stood liberated on the outside in the rain, arms stretched upward, joyful and exuberant. Brooks, on the other hand, the older man who had spent his time inside quietly as the prison librarian, struggled on the outside. He didn’t know how to be free. Brooks had left the prison, but the prison had not left Brooks. The Hebrews were a combination of these two characters. Freed, but unsure about how to be free. Even though they had left slavery they needed time in the wilderness for the slavery to leave them. The title of this sermon is “From slavery to royalty.” Imagine making that kind of a jump: from slavery to royalty. The 10 Commandments were (and are), therefore, a royal family code. A royal family code for you—princesses and princes—who have been liberated by a King, Saviour and Father to bless the world. Theologian and pastor J.I. Packer says it like this: “In this world, royal children have to undergo extra training and discipline, which other children escape, in order to fit them for their high destiny. It is the same with the children of the King of kings… He is training them for what awaits them, and chiselling them into the image of Christ.” (Knowing God, 248.) Let’s learn about our high and holy calling together, as we follow Christ mindful of our heavenly pedigree. Amen.