Praise God for the Law! But in Christ we worship in the Spirit and the Truth. The king had to write his own copy of the law, but we have the law of Christ written on our hearts. Hallelujah!
Deuteronomy 17:
1 "You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep in which is a blemish, any defect whatever, for that is an abomination to the LORD your God.
2 "If there is found among you, within any of your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, a man or woman who does what is evil in the sight of the LORD your God, in transgressing his covenant,
3 and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have forbidden,
4 and it is told you and you hear of it, then you shall inquire diligently, and if it is true and certain that such an abomination has been done in Israel,
5 then you shall bring out to your gates that man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you shall stone that man or woman to death with stones.
6 On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.
7 The hand of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
Legal Decisions by Priests and Judges
8 "If any case arises requiring decision between one kind of homicide and another, one kind of legal right and another, or one kind of assault and another, any case within your towns that is too difficult for you, then you shall arise and go up to the place that the LORD your God will choose.
9 And you shall come to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office in those days, and you shall consult them, and they shall declare to you the decision.
10 Then you shall do according to what they declare to you from that place that the LORD will choose. And you shall be careful to do according to all that they direct you.
11 According to the instructions that they give you, and according to the decision which they pronounce to you, you shall do. You shall not turn aside from the verdict that they declare to you, either to the right hand or to the left.
12 The man who acts presumptuously by not obeying the priest who stands to minister there before the LORD your God, or the judge, that man shall die. So you shall purge the evil from Israel.
13 And all the people shall hear and fear and not act presumptuously again.
Laws Concerning Israel's Kings
14 "When you come to the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you possess it and dwell in it and then say, 'I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me,'
15 you may indeed set a king over you whom the LORD your God will choose. One from among your brothers you shall set as king over you. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.
16 Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the LORD has said to you, 'You shall never return that way again.'
17 And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold.
18 "And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests.
19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them,
20 that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.
Things to think about…
1. Offering an ox or sheep with a blemish, Dt 17:1 was offensive to the Lord. As such we should offer the best in our worship without complaining or being disgruntled in spirit. Our worship leaders are wonderful. We have the blessing of faithful preachers. Let’s never speak out against the worship leader, or the person who does the projector or the preacher, but as we communicate may it be seasoned with grace. Let’s offer a right sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Praise God for the unity and joy we presently know. But we should never take it for granted.
2. May I confess something to you. I struggle with some parts of the bible. Dt 17:2-7 is one of those parts. It seems too harsh for me. Surely God is merciful and gracious. Why the need to stone people. Okay they are worshipping false gods, but can’t they be given an opportunity to repent and re-learn. A bit like an alcoholic going to AA or a person struggling with road rage going to anger management classes. The trouble is you can’t get help for a systemic problem. Incorrigible rebellion against God when someone has heard and known the truth and yet continually refuses to embrace grace will never be tolerated by a holy God. The only appropriate thing is judgement. May the Lord have mercy on our families, church, and community by creating in us a clean heart by renewing a right spirit within us. May we all be objects of mercy. Pray!
3. God in His mercy gives us wise and godly judges, Dt 17:8-13. When a decision is too difficult for the judges in a town they could resort to the Levitical priests and a ruling judge, vs 9. Such is the case in Australia – someone may go to from a family court or federal court to the supreme court. If no resolve to the dispute occurs – the High Court of Australia may be approached, and its decision is binding as the highest court in the land. Our God who rules our hearts by His Spirit gives us His wisdom. In the church the elders are to rule well making wise judgements in their administration. Pray for CBC. We thank the Lord for the elders and leaders of CBC. Pray for their continued wisdom and vision as they lead. The whole point of Dt 17:8-13 as that people do not act presumptuously. There is a way in a man’s heart that seems right, but in the end leads to death, Prov 14:12. This is presumption. May our ignorance be exposed for what it is – sin. Pray for myself and the eldership of CBC that we expose such ignorance, in ourselves and others.
4. It seems that Dt 17:16, 17 were written knowing the rule of Solomon would be influenced by these things. Solomon’s first wife was Egyptian. He then acquired many horses from Egypt, and we know that he also acquired many wives. These women would lead him astray and he would seek after foreign gods. This would lead to the beginning of trial for him. Israel would not recover, and the kingdom was split under reign of Rehoboam his son. May we live lives of integrity and holiness before our children so that whether they embrace the Lord or not they will have an accurate example to reflect upon when they are brought to a point spiritual assessment of their lives. We all get to that point sooner or later. Be the example they can emulate.
5. The king was required to write his own book of the law, Dt 17:18 and it had to be approved by the Levitical priests. He was called to read it and apply it. The warnings given in these verses, Dt 17:4-20 as mentioned, were written for the likes of Solomon who fell in all the areas outlined in Dt 17:16,17. Yet he had wisdom from God. Wisdom does not necessarily mean we receive perseverance. Remember it is how we finish the race, not how we start. May we endure and not turn to the right or to the left, vs 20 until we are called home. Even Solomon as an older man reflected on his life and was brought back to the Lord as described in the book of Ecclesiastes. Pray the Lord’s words are spoken every Sunday.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups are encouraged to do alpha at church on Wednesday night 6:30pm at church. Be encouraged and join us.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for Tad and family as they continue life after Andy. The comfort is they know where he is.
2. Pray for the Kids Klub advertising through Chaplain and RI this week. Pray this ministry builds in our community.
3. Pray for alpha course session Wed 6:30pm at Church. Invite non-Christians.
4. Pray about Sunday’s message that it would change lives.
5. That those who are new to the church are encouraged and settle in well into the church.
6. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you saved.
7. Pray for Rosie and Kids@church.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for Andrew Otte’s message. Continue to pray the word of God influences people by the Holy Spirit.
2. Praise God for new life! Jennifer has been blessed with 2 more grandchildren. Twin girls – Aurelia Rose Blackwood and Callista Lily Blackwood – 2kg each. Both healthy and mum as well. Praise the name of the Lord!
3. Great second session at alpha course last night. Had about 20 there.
4. Good start to Kids Klub last week.
5. Give thanks for Sally who has consistently been able to come to church with Richard.
6. Some encouraging signs of those wanting to consider who Jesus was. People asking about baptism.
7. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Alpha Course 3rd session on Wed 2nd Aug – 6:30pm – invite non Christians to this course.
