ITS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD
June 25, 2000 AM
Sermon Outline
Deut 6:20-25
INTRO: One of my parents favorite things to say to me was, Its for your own good, son. It may have been said when they told me there was something they would not let me do. Its for your own good. It may have been said when they told me something they wanted me to do. Its for your won good. It may even have been just before I was punished. Its for your own good. And, you know, I didnt always see the good. Listen to this: Deut 6:24 ... for our good always ...
i SOME ATTITUDES TOWARD GODS STATUTES
A. It is not necessary to do them (Jer 32:23)
B. It is optional - its O.K. if youre into that sort of thing
C. I dont like His way; I prefer my own
D. Ill do it; but I wont like it
E. I delight to do His will (Ps 40:8)
II. HIS LAW IS FOR OURGOOD!
A. The gracious God gave us His law, will
1. Acts 14:3 and 20:32
2. He genuinely cares for us; wants what is best for us; knows what is best for us
3. the last point above is critical to our understanding, acceptance
4. it is Gods grace which makes known that which is essential for our good - Titus 2:11,12
B. So, His law is for our own good
1. Deut 6:24 and 10:12,13
2. consider Ps 19:7-11 and the blessings associated with the law of the Lord
3. ... and in keeping of them there is great reward
4. His law is a blessing; is security; is fair; is just; is equitable; is sufficient
C. Our observing His law is our righteousness
1. Ps 119:172 with Rom 1:16,17
2. Acts 10:35
3. but Titus 3:5 is there a conflict? no, in Titus Paul is showing clearly an immutable fact: our righteousness apart from the grace, mercy of God and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus cannot save us - obedient faith joined with Gods grace is what we must visualize
4. Col 1:10 ... and may please Him in every way (NIV) - here is the point of our Christian life!
III. FOR THOU ART A HOLY PEOPLE (7:6)
A. Permit me to read a bit further - Deut 7:1-6
1. make no covenant with them (2 Cor 6:14ff)
2. they will turn away ... from following me (1 Ki 11:4-6)
3. the ways o the world are not for our good!
4. and there can be no compromising with values, systems, ideals which come from sources other than God
B. Gods purpose? to make of us holy people
1. 2 Cor 7:1
2. our being holy is for our own good
3. Gal 3:19-21 forbidden things - why? they are not for our good!
4. where, then, do we need to be? Ps 37;23,31
CLOSE: 1 Jno 5:3 Perhaps we do not always immediately understand the whys and wherefores of what God commands of us. But we can know this for certain - its for our own good!
Cecil A. Hutson
25 June 2000