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Why I need God’s rules for my life

“Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” Exodus 3:10-12 ESV

God’s rules help me put my life in order

Trust God’s call on your life

Serve God with what is in your hands

The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, A staff.” And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” Exodus 4:2 ESV

God’s rules show me how to enjoy my life

After this presentation to Israel’s leaders, Moses and Aaron went and spoke to Pharaoh. They told him, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Let my people go so they may hold a festival in my honor in the wilderness.” Exodus 5:1 NLT

(JESUS) I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. John 10:10 MSG

God’s rules provide me with restraint for my desires

Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18 ESV

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25 ESV

God’s rules teach me how to connect with Him

Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.” Mark 12:29-31 MSG

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, a God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper… Romans 1:28 NASB 1995

God’s rules tell me how to deal with people

Finally, brethren, pray for us…that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 KJV

And pray that we’ll be rescued from these scoundrels who are trying to do us in. I’m finding that not all “believers” are believers. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 MSG

God’s rules reveal my need for a Savior

So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24 NIV

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few minutes to slow down, offering Jesus any burdens or stressors from the day. When you consider God’s rules for living, what feelings or emotions come to the surface for you? Spend time with these before God, inviting Him to speak to these, whether it is through loving encouragement or gentle correction. Next, ask God to reveal any areas where He might want you to step into more of His calling on your life. As you pray this, it might be natural to experience feelings of fear, as sometimes His calling can be scary. Bring these fears to God, asking Him for the courage to take whatever next steps necessary to live out of this calling. Think of one thing you can do this week to take a step, and write it down. Finally, thank God that He is a far better lover than you are a sinner, and ask Him to help you see His love for you as an invitation to serve Him with more of your giftedness. Close your time by thanking God for his care and personal attention in your life, writing down your reflections in the space below and sharing with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

  1. PERSONAL REFLECTION: Begin group time by completing the Personal Reflection Guide, (link found on the top of sermon notes). Use this time to examine your approach to God’s rules and His calling for your life. (Tip: playing some soft background music is helpful here!)
  2. REAL WITH SELF: Generally speaking, how easy or difficult is it for you to follow rules? How has having rules helped or hurt you in life?
  3. REAL WITH SELF: Both the law and love are incredibly important. Do you tend to err on more law and less love or more love and less law? How do you see that play out in your life?
  4. REAL WITH GOD: Read Mark 12:29-31 MSG. When you consider how God says He wants to be loved (with all of our passion, prayer, intelligence, and energy), which would you rank as your strongest? What practical things can you do to grow in those areas that are the lowest for you?
  5. REAL WITH OTHERS: Think back to the game of telephone when you were a kid; when information is passed from one person to another without cross-checking with the source, things can get murky. Describe a time in your life when you found yourself getting life advice that was contrary to scripture. What transpired as a result of that advice?
  6. TAKE ACTION: Spend the last few minutes of group time considering your areas of giftedness. It can often be helpful to have other members of the group share what they see as areas of gifting in each other. Close the time in prayer, inviting God to anoint your individual areas of gifting. Keep these at the forefront of your mind this week, asking God to show you how He wants you to use your gifts to serve Him and show others His love.