Introduction: Let's review what we covered in the past four studies. Some hyper dispensational Bible teacher would have us to believe that we are living in the age of grace while those in the Old Testament times were living under the law. They say that those in the Old Testament were saved by the keeping of the law and that violation that law would mean not only certain death, but also the loss of one's salvation. You see, if salvation is gained by the works of the law, then it can be lost by breaking that law. But, salvation is not gained by the keeping of the law nor has it ever been that way.
- "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:16)
The truth is, salvation has never been by the keeping of the law. It was not that way in the Old Testament, it is not that way now, and it will not be that way in the future or during the Millennium. This is why Hebrews tells us that salvation has always been through Jesus, "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." (Hebrews 4:2)
The purpose for the law was never to save but to show us our need of salvation. It is compared to three things in the Scriptures:
- A schoolmaster; Galatians 3:24-25, The schoolmaster was not the teacher, but brought the student to the teacher.
- A plumbline; Amos 7:7-8, The plumbline did not straighten a wall, but showed its need of straightening.
- A mirror; James 1:23-25, A mirror does not clean a man's face, but shows the need for washing the face.
The Ten Commandments can easily be divided into two groups of five:
- Commandments 1-5 have to do with our relationship to the LORD. The phrase "the LORD thy God" is found in each one. They have to do with piety.
- Commandments 6-10 have to do with our relationship to one another. The word "thou" is found in each one. They have to do with probity.
In the original language of the Old Testament, these 10 commandments were neither numbered nor divided. The Roman Catholic Church has traditionally divided them into two groups, the first of which consists of the first four commandments while the second is made up of the last six. However, the Jews have, from their earliest records, divided them into the two groups of five I mentioned above.
There is another interesting fact concerning these Ten Commandments. All of them deal with three areas; thought, word, and deed.
- Commandments 1-2 = thought; verses 2-6
- Commandment 3 = word; verses 7
- Commandments 4-5 = deed; verses 8-12
- Commandments 6-8 = deed; verses 13-15
- Commandment 9 = word; verse 16
- Commandment 10 = thought; verse 17
** The first commandment is found in Exodus 20:1-3, "And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me." We found that idolatry is a grievous sin and God puts it first on His list of ten commandments. Why first? If our foundation is wrong, our structure will be shaky.
** The second commandment is found in Exodus 20:4-6. The second commandment is not a restating of the first, but rather the stating of another commandment. "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." Not only is it forbidden to have other gods before God, it is equally forbidden to make and have other gods in your possession.
** The third commandment is found in Exodus 20:7, "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." The third commandment goes much further than the mere mispronunciation of His name. Taking His name in vain also included how we use His name and how we live as Christians.
** The fourth commandment is found in Exodus 20:8-11, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." The Sabbath Day of the Old Testament was given as a sign for the people of Israel and was to be observed until was fulfilled in Jesus. There is no Christian Sabbath; never has been and never will be. Today but there is the principle of rest and the example set by the early New Testament believers to meet for worship on the first day of the week. We do not have a Christian Sabbath to observe but we do have a command to not forsake the assembling ourselves together as the manner of some is.
** The fifth commandment is found in Exodus 20:12, "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." This commandment completes the first grouping of five commandments. As I mentioned earlier, the first five commandments deal with our relationship to God and piety toward Him. What is piety? Piety is the state or quality of being pious, especially concerning devotion and reverence to the Lord. It also means a devotion and reverence to parents and family. (American Heritage Dictionary)
Notice that the first commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3), and this fifth commandment, "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." (Exodus 20:12), have to do with giving proper honor to God and to parents whom He honors.
This commandment is mentioned in the New Testament. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)" (Ephesians 6:1-2) How does this fifth commandment apply today? Is it still proper to honor your parents in a day and age when the family is so diversified? According to the Word of God, it is.
To honor one's father and mother is probably best defined by teaching you what its opposite is. "Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen." (Deuteronomy 27:16) He that "setteth light" is one who does not honor his parents. It is the exact opposite of honor. To honor means to make heavy while setting light means to make light of.
One whose parents have lived lives that honor God finds it easy to honor his parents. What better way to not make light of your heritage than to bring honor to whom honor is due!
- Your father worked hard and was an honest man.
- Your mother was a God-honoring woman who feared the Lord and lived in sweet submission to your father.
- God was exalted and your home was truly a Christian home in the realest sense of the word.
But, what about those of you who did not have that kind of upbringing? What if your home was a mess while you were growing up?
- Your father was lazy and dishonest.
- Your mother was not the Holy Spirit in the home but rather an unholy spirit in the home.
- God was everything but exalted in your home and it was everything but truly Christian.
How can a child of God truly honor his parents according to Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:2? The answer is simple and even simpler to obey.
- If your parents were godly parents, honor them by turning out right and become everything they prayed for you to become.
- If your parents were ungodly parents, honor them by turning out right and become everything they should have prayed for you to become.
** Do this by:
1. Knowing and doing the will of God. - Ephesians 2:8-10
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
- What is the purpose for your existence? You are here to do the will of God.
- Notice Isaiah 43:7, "Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him."
- You were created (conceived), formed (your form and features), and made (circumstances) for God's glory!
** If you are not saved, you ought to get saved.
- If you die without Jesus as your Saviour, you will bring the greatest dishonor to your parents.
- No matter how badly you were raised, your parents never intended for you to go to hell.
** If you are saved, seek to do God's will and not your own!
- Give the Lord veto power in your life.
- Make His will first in everything. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
2. Learning and doing the work of God. - Philippians 4:9
"Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
- I live a long way from my parents. I speak with them on the telephone, and send letters and pictures. I tell them that I love them and that I miss them terribly. Dad still says this and so did my mom before she had her stroke, "Son, I'm so happy you serve the Lord. I wish we lived closer, but you are doing the will and work of God and that is most important. We wouldn't have it any other way."
- My parents are comforted in knowing that their son is smack dab in the middle of God's will doing the work that God has called him to do.
- Just how much of God's work are you doing?
- By doing His work, you will honor your parents.
Conclusion: How can you honor your parents whether they are living or dead, dedicated to the Lord or not? You can fulfill the fifth commandment by honoring the folks whom God honors. Do this by doing His will and doing His work. Not only is this commandment in Exodus 20, it is also in Ephesians 6. Let's determine to honor our parents as God has commanded.