Exodus 20:1-18 - The Decalogue

I.)  Verse 1 – Establishing His authority, origin of what is to follow.  God is setting this up.

II.)  Verse 2 – Suzerainty Treaty (AKA Royal Treaty Format)
     A.)  This is called a historical prologue or preamble to the treaty.  It has two purposes.
          1.)  In the first part, the king identifies himself.
          2.)  Secondly, the he tells the history of how the people got there.
               a.) In this case God takes credit for how they got there.
     B.)  God is in control as a king is. He has the credit for getting them where they are.
     C.)  Why does God set it all up in this way?
           1.)  For us.  So we can understand.

III.)  Verse 3-17 – Lays out the terms of the treaty.
     A.)  Since God did it all, then grace established the relationship.
     B.)  The relationship is set up in terms of laws just as secular kingdoms.
     C.)  Since grace established the relationship, why does it take the form of laws? -or- 
            Grace is associated with freedom, so why did God make these laws/any laws for his people?
     D.)  For us.
          1.)  Ten Commandments are NOT a way to get to heaven.
          2.)  With freedom comes responsibility. 
               a.)  Same in society:  taxes, laws, voting.
          3.)  How we should have relationships with other people.
          4.)  For our spiritual welfare and relationship with God the Holy Spirit uses the law in 3 ways:
               a.)  Curb – Keeps us in the road/narrow way/path/not straying.
               b.)  Mirror – shows us sin and how bad we are
               c.)  Ruler – Guide us, tells us what we should be doing and where we should go.
     E.)  For the world
          1.)  These laws are to make the people holy.
               a.)  Not made righteous, or even more righteous, by keeping them.
               b.)  Holy means set apart.
          2.)  These laws are meant to keep God’s people from living by the world’s standards and morals.
          3.)  We don’t have to obey, we get to obey.
          4.)  We get to show the world what it means to live under God.
               a.)  Pledge of allegiance, God Bless America meant to do just that.

IV.)  Verse 18 – Why does God make such a spectacle?

     A.)  A trumpet and fanfare announces a king.
     A.)  To establish his power

          1.)  They would constantly doubt.  Look at history.  See verse 20.