New Calvary Baptist Church
610 South Heald Street - Wilmington, DE. 19801
Introduction - September 4, 2024
The term "Decalogue" comes from the Greek word "dekalogos,” which is a combination of "deka,” meaning "ten,"and "logos," meaning "word" or "saying." So, "dekalogos" literally translates to "ten words" or "ten sayings."
The Decalogue, or the Ten Commandments, refers to a set of biblical principles relating to our worship of God and our ethical human behavior. These commandments were given by God to the Israelites on Mount Sinai and are found in the Books of Exodus (Chapter 20) and Deuteronomy (Chapter 5).
The Decalogue serves as a moral masterpiece, presenting a guide for man’s co-existence with his Creator and fellowman. Contrary to those who seem to think that we have progressed beyond the Ten Commandments, they remain as binding today as the time they were proclaimed to Moses and the Children of Israel. Though Jesus would come later and give new commandments, He never condemned the laws of God. In Matthew 5:19, we hear Him saying, “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” This suggests, as D. L. Moody stated that instead of being pushed to the side or replaced, they must stated and restated in the plainest of language.
Lesson 1 - Commandment One - September 11, 2024
Exodus 20:3 - “You shall have no other gods before Me.”
Introduction
Exodus 20:3 is part of the Ten Commandments, which are fundamental laws given to the Israelites by God on Mount Sinai, according to the Holy Bible. As was stated in the introduction, these commandments are central to Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
Before getting into the meaning of this First Commandment, lets address the framework of the Commandments. The Ten Commandments, which were given in Exodus 20, immediately after the Israelites had escaped slavery in Egypt and were journeying through the desert. They were meant to establish moral and legal guidelines for the newly formed community of former slaves. In addition to outlining duties to God and to fellow humans, the sayings of the decalogue cover a range of topics, including the worship of God, prohibitions against idolatry, murder, theft, and false witness, and guidelines for honoring parents and observing the Sabbath. The commandments remain highly influential in Western legal and ethical traditions.
Lesson 2 - Commandment Two - September 18, 2024
Exodus 20:4 - "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”
Introduction
As we continue our study of the Decalogue, we focus on the second commandment, Exodus 20:4. We are reminded that the goal of these lessons is to explore the meaning, implications, and application of this commandment from a contemporary perspective.
The second commandment is a crucial part of the Decalogue in that it addresses the issue of idolatry. Understanding this commandment helps us to focus on how God desires to be worshipped and what it means to honor Him in our daily lives. Nevertheless, Israel’s repeated failure with this command would plague the people of God for many generations.
Lesson 3 - Commandmenet Three - September 25, 2024
Exodus 20:7 - “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”
Introduction
In the Second Commandment, God instructed Israel’s behavior by forbidding the construction or worship of false idols. This highlighted the importance of worshiping God in spirit and truth rather than through material objects. In the Third Commandment He instructs their attitude towards Him. This commandment emphasizes the sanctity - sacredness of God's name and warns against using it carelessly or disrespectfully. It calls for a reverent attitude toward God's name in speech and action, which underscores the importance of honoring God in all aspects of our lives.
Taking God’s name in vain can include swearing, false oaths, or using God's name to promote deceit or harm. (“The Lord told me to tell you…”) The Third Commandment instructs believers to treat God's name with reverence, reflecting a broader principle of respect and integrity in one's relationship with the Creator.
Lesson 4 - Commandment Four - October 2, 2024
Exodus 20:8 - "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
Introduction
You will notice that the Decalogue, or the Ten Commandments, is divided into two sections based on their focus.
The first four Commandments (1-4) address man's relationship with God.
We have looked at the importance of monotheism (the belief of one, all-powerful God), prohibiting idolatry, honoring God's name, and observing the Sabbath. These commandments establish the foundational principles of worship and reverence toward God.
The remaining six Commandments (5-10) focus on our relationships, treatment of others, and ethical conduct.
The first four highlight devotion to God, while the last six guide moral conduct and relationships among individuals.
Let us examine the Fourth Commandment. We see that it emphasizes the importance of rest and dedicating time for worship and reflection. This commandment is observed in different ways, involving refraining from work and engaging in spiritual practices on the Sabbath. The Fourth Commandment is God’s call to rest and worship, inviting us to step back from the busyness of life and focus on our relationship with our Creator and with each other. There are some biblical foundations, implications, and practical applications of the Sabbath.
Lesson 5 - Commandment Five - October 9, 2024
Exodus 20:12: "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”
Introduction
Having examined each of the four Commandments that address man’s reverence and worship of God, the Fifth Commandment serves as the bridge between our relationship with God and man’s interaction with others. This lesson explores the meaning and significance of Commandment Five and its application in our lives today. Specifically, it emphasizes the importance of family and respect within the family unit.
Lesson 6 - Commandment Six - October 16, 2024
Exodus 20:13: "You shall not murder.”
Introduction
The Hebrew word for murder carries two distinct meanings: 1) killing as in the case of war, self-defense, or as judicial punishment; 2) the intentional taking of another person’s life. That is why most translations render Commandment Six as, “You shall not murder,” as opposed to “You shall not kill.” Commandment Six is the explicit prohibition of the act of murder or the unlawful premeditated taking of someone’s life.
Lesson 7 - Commanment Seven - October 23, 2024
Exodus 20:14: "You shall not commit adultery.”
Introduction
Commandment Seven is a vital part of the Decalogue (the Ten Commandments) given to Moses on Mount Sinai. This commandment addresses the sanctity of marriage and the importance of fidelity. As such, it serves as a foundational principle for marriages, individual relationships and society as a whole.
a testimony of God’s covenant love and a witness to the beauty of committed relationships.
Lesson 8 - Commandment Eight - November 6, 2024
Exodus 20:15: "You shall not steal..”
Introduction
Commandment Eight is brief yet profound. This simple directive from God holds deep moral, social, and spiritual truths. Stealing is taking something that does not belong to you, but this commandment goes beyond just physical theft. It encompasses a broad range of behaviors that violate the trust, rights, and dignity of others. Much like commandments 5, 6 and 7, Commandment 8 guides in our treatment and respect for others.
Let’s look at the commandment’s meaning, its relevance in our daily lives, and how it points us toward deeper truths about God’s justice, holiness, and love.
Lesson 9 - Commandment Nine - November 13, 2024
Exodus 20:16 – Deuteronomy 5:20
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Introduction
As we have learned, the Ten Commandments are foundational principles that outline how God's people should live in relationship with Him and with each other. Commandment Nine is one of the ethical principles given by God to His people to regulate relationships in the community. It speaks directly to the importance of truth, integrity, and justice in society. This commandment's prohibition against "bearing false witness" emphasizes the need for honesty, particularly in legal and personal matters where the reputation and welfare of others are at stake.
In ancient Israel, the justice system deeply depended upon the reliability of witnesses. False testimony could result in the destruction of lives, families, and communities. While the commandment addresses legal matters, its principles apply much more broadly to all areas of life where telling the truth is essential.
We want to look at the significance of Commandment Nine, its implications for daily life, and how it points to a deeper biblical understanding of truth in relation to God and His people
Lesson 10 - Commandment Ten - November 20, 2024
Exodus 20:17: "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."
Introduction
Commandment Ten stands as a unique conclusion to the Decalogue because of how it addresses the issue of the desires of the heart. While the previous commandments focus was on outward actions of dishonoring, murder, adultery, stealing, and lying, Commandment Ten speaks directly to our inner thoughts, emotions, and desires. It reveals an important aspect of sin: it is not only what we do but also what we want. Commandment Ten calls believers to examine their hearts and understand that God is concerned with the desires that shape our actions. So, coveting is not just a matter of external behavior, but it is rooted in the unseen and often unconscious motivations of the heart.