Sermon Study Guide

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Maranatha Bible Church

Chicago

Sermon Study Guide

Exodus 20, 21, 22 & 23 Bible Study (Laws About Altars, Social Justice) | Pastor Daniel Batarseh

Pastor Daniel Batarseh|Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Scripture References

Exodus 20:18Exodus 21Exodus 22Exodus 23Deuteronomy 18:15-17Deuteronomy 5:27-29Hebrews 12:19-21Isaiah 66:2Psalms 25:14Psalms 145:18-19Psalms 147:11Genesis 22:12Proverbs 8:13Proverbs 2:3-5Matthew 5:38-39

Sermon Summary

Pastor Daniel Batarseh explores Exodus 20-23, emphasizing how the fear of the Lord leads to intimacy, the beauty of the bondservant's total surrender, and God's heart for social justice.

Key Takeaways

1Holy fear is not terror; it is a deep reverence that is required for true intimacy and friendship with God.
2True worship must be natural and pure, avoiding human showmanship or reliance on fleshly effort.
3A bondservant of Christ is someone who chooses lifelong submission out of love, rather than temporary obligation.
4God uses our past experiences of suffering (our 'Egypt') to develop compassion and a ministry for others.
5The Old Testament laws reveal a consistent, compassionate God who values justice for the vulnerable and mercy for enemies.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions for small group discussion or personal reflection.

1Why is it significant that God approved of the Israelites' fear in Deuteronomy 18:17?
2How does the definition of 'fear of the Lord' as 'loving God more than anything' change your perspective on that phrase?
3In what ways do we sometimes 'put on a show' in our worship today, and how can we return to the 'unhewn stone' principle?
4What is the difference between a Christian who treats their faith like a 'gym membership' and one who is a 'bondservant'?
5Pastor Daniel mentioned that God uses our past pain for future ministry. Can you share a time when a past struggle helped you comfort someone else?
6How do the laws about enemies and social justice in Exodus 23 challenge the idea that the Old Testament God is only a God of wrath?

Application Points

Practical ways to apply this message to your life.

Desperately seek the fear of the Lord in prayer, asking God to unite your heart to fear His name above all else.
Examine your service and worship to ensure you aren't 'carving stones'—trying to add your own glory to what belongs to God.
Identify a past trial or 'Egypt' in your life and intentionally look for someone currently in that situation to minister to.
Move from a casual commitment to a 'bondservant' mindset, placing your life at the Master's doorpost for lifelong service.
Practice the principle of Exodus 23:4 by looking for practical ways to help even those you consider 'enemies' or difficult people.

Personal Reflection

Take time to quietly reflect on these prompts.

How is the Holy Spirit speaking to me through this message?

What areas of my life need to change in light of this teaching?

Who can I share this truth with this week?

What is one specific action I will take as a result of this sermon?

Prayer Points

Thank God for His Word and the truths revealed in this message.
Pray for understanding and wisdom to apply what you've learned.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live out these truths in your daily life.
Pray for others who heard this message, that they too would be transformed.

Notes

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