Exodus: Laws - Who Needs Them?

2/11/2018

This week Pastor Jeremy took us on an overview of several chapters from Exodus called “The Law”, Exodus 21-24.

To begin with, take a look at the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32
Pastor Jeremy pointed out attention to the way we often are able to identify more with the older brother in this story. Take a few minutes to chat about this. Do you agree? Do you more naturally relate to one of the other characters? (the Father, the younger son?)
Jesus boils the law down to 2 essentials; first, love God. Second, love man. Obviously everyone in history has failed at both of these (and failed often). Does this mean that the law was basically Plan A for God’s will, a plan that just never worked out? If not, what was the purpose of the law?
What do you think of how Paul talks about the purpose of the law? Read Galatians 3:19-21.
Yet, Jesus says that he did not come to do away with the law (Matt. 5:17), but to fulfill it. Seemingly opposite to this, Paul writes that now a righteousness apart from the law has been revealed (Romans 3:21). So why does the law still matter today? Or does it even?
Pastor Jeremy highlighted 3 functions of the law.
- It informs us of God's will
- It points us to Christ
- It shows us what Jesus has done.
If that's the case, then do you think we should read the law more regularly than we do, both personally and on Sunday mornings?
Pastor Jeremy offered 4 helpful guides to employ when reading the law.
- How does this law express love for God or love for neighbour? How might the same principles be expressed today?
- How does this law expose my sinfulness and need?
- How did Jesus perfectly keep this law or the principles it embodies?
- Does this law picture his work of salvation in some way?
Try these 4 guides out on a few passages and discuss what you find. How do these point to the good news of Jesus?