The Book of Deuteronomy is basically a long sermon by Moses to the People of Israel before they cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. It can easily be argued that the major theme of Deuteronomy is: Yahweh God loves you, He chose you to bless you, and has given you a Law to follow that you may know how to please Him. If you follow in faithful obedience all that the LORD commands, He will enormously bless you; but if you disobey (chiefly by going after other gods) He will severely punish you and take you out of the land.
Looking at Moses’ words from Duet. 30, we discover four truths:
1. There are commands from God intended to govern our lives, whether we know it or not, whether we like it or not. (Deut. 6:4-9)
2. These commands are given to us because God loves us and desires that we love Him.
(Deut. 4:5-8)
3. There are real and substantial blessings in living according to God’s commands. (Deut. 6:10-12) 4. There are dreadful consequences for violating God’s commands and living contrary to His will for us. (Deut. 6:13-15)
John wrote in the prolog of the gospel, John 1:17, For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Moses, of course was a type of Christ—pointing to the ultimate Law of grace and truth in the Person of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus. In Paul’s short letter to Philemon we have a great example of a Christian life lived, not by law, but by grace and truth. So, Paul appeals to grace to move his friend—and by extension, you and me—to a life that reflects Christ rather than law.
1. Beloved fellow worker for Christ, grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Love and faith characterize the life of one committed to Christ. (Phil 5)
3. Grace does not appeal to command, but to love born of fraternal, even familial ties through faith in Jesus Christ. (Phil 8-9a)
4. The reward of grace replacing the law is eternal fellowship with God in Christ and power of His renewing love in the Church. (Phil 15-16)
Paul in Philippians 3:7ff.
We will post the weekly sermon outline here for you to review and study at home.
