March 30, 2025
Exodus 20:1-11
“Loving God with All We Are”
Service Overview: What does it mean to truly love and worship God? The first four commandments reveal His heart for our devotion, reverence, and rest. In a world full of distractions and counterfeit gods, these commands call us back to the foundation of faith—undivided worship, holy reverence, and sacred rest in Him.
Memory Verse for the Week:
Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Background & Technical Insights:
- At a comprehensive level, the Ten Words may be divided into two parts: love God, and love people. One way you could summarize them, then, is by arranging them in a four-and-six pattern. The first four hang on the command to love God, since they describe ways to show covenantal loyalty directly to Him. The last six hang on the command to love neighbor as self. The first four are “vertical” commandments, and the last six are “horizontal” commandments. In this way, they express how we fulfill the “Greatest Commands” in Matthew 22:37-40. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 123)
- The “ten words” have a unique status within the book of Exodus, for they alone are proclaimed directly by God to the Israelites. Everything else that God says is mediated through Moses to the people (cf. 20:19). The special status of the Ten Commandments is confirmed by the fact that they alone are inscribed on stone tablets by the “finger of God” (31:18) and recorded twice within the Pentateuch (cf. Deut. 5:6–21). (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 171)
- The introduction to the Ten Commandments says nothing that Exodus has not already said, but repetitions in the Bible are every bit as needful as the parent’s cry, ‘How often have I to tell you . . . ?’ Some truths go beyond ‘bearing repetition’ to ‘requiring repetition’ because of their fundamental importance. (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 203)
- In the Abrahamic covenant, God gave the Jews the title deed to the Promised Land (Gen. 12:3; 13:14–18), but Israel’s possession and enjoyment of that land depended on their obedience to the Mosaic covenant. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 125)
- In Exodus 20, God has led his people to Mount Sinai to give them his law. Here he creates his people as his people. And through his law he orders or re-orders them. The word “justice” or “judgment” was not just a legal term. It also has the sense of restoring everything to its proper place. God is creating the blueprint for his new creation through the law of his re-created people. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 171)
What is it God is conveying through these first four commandments? That loving him…
- … requires utmost devotion to him.
(Ex. 20:3; Deut. 5:7; 6:5; 1 Sam. 12:24; 1 Kings 8:61; Ps. 86:11; Is. 44:6; Matthew 22:37)
“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me” means, Thou shalt have no other object of worship: thou shalt own no other authority as absolute: thou shalt make Me supreme in your hearts and lives. (Arthur Pink, Exodus, Location 5298)
- … means trust and worship of him; over any created thing.
(Exodus 20:4–5; Ps. 115:4–8; Is. 42:8; Hab. 2:18–20; Matt. 4:10; John 4:24; Romans 1:25)
Having other gods and not making idols are two different regulations. The first commandment has to do with worshiping the right God…The second commandment has to do with worshiping the right God in the right way. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 568)
Yahweh is the living God, and any carved statue is necessarily lifeless. Something that can do nothing is no image of the God who can do all things. (Christopher J.H. Wright, Exodus, 362)
An idol is anything, any attitude, any belief, or any god that so captures a person’s attention and allegiance that God does not have pre-eminence. (Richard Mayhue, First and Second Thessalonians, 57)
- … entails carrying his name and reputation with honor.
(Ex. 3:14–15; 20:7; Lev. 19:12; Ps. 8:1; 25:11; 115:1; Is. 42:8; Rom. 2:23–24; 2 Tim. 2:19)
Knowing God’s personal name, Yahweh, was one of the greatest gifts that God entrusted to Israel. This commandment protects the name of God from being used “in vain.” The Hebrew shaw’ signifies something empty or worthless and is often used in association with evil or trouble-making intentions (cf. Ps 12:2; Prov 30:8; Isa 59:4). The commandment, therefore, is about much more than bad language. (Christopher J.H. Wright, Exodus, 364)
- … involves regular time prioritized for worship and rest.
(Gen. 2:2–3; Ex. 20:8–11; 31:15–17; Lev. 23:3; Psalm 92:1–2; Isaiah 58:13–14)
To keep a Sabbath “to the Lord” is to give the day over to God, setting it apart for him and his glory (which, remember, was the whole point of the exodus). (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 592)
To keep something holy in the Biblical sense is to dedicate it exclusively for worship. Whereas the other six days of the week are for us and our work, the Sabbath is for God and his worship. (Ryken, Exodus, 592)
Conclusion… How do we love God with all we are in light of the first four commandments?
- Put God first—always; rejecting all rivals.
(Psalm 73:25; Isaiah 45:5; Jeremiah 17:7; Matthew 6:24, 33; Luke 14:26; Philippians 3:8)
God created you for the first and greatest commandment, to be a lover of God. (Sam Storms, One Thing, 151)
The fundamental response to God’s radical love for us is for us to radically love Him. (Mark Dever, Discipling, 15)
- Trust and treasure the one true Creator, not any created thing.
(Job 12:10; Ps. 146:6; Is. 40:28; Mat. 6:19-21, 24; 1 Cor. 10:14; Col. 3:5; 1 Tim. 6:17)
“Idolatry” is the practice of seeking the source and provision of what we need either physically or emotionally in someone or something other than the one true God. It is the tragically pathetic attempt to squeeze life out of lifeless forms that cannot help us meet our real needs. (Scott Hafemann, The God of Promise and the Life of Faith, 35)
- Carry God’s name like it matters; Living in a way that honors who you represent.
(Matt. 5:16; 2 Cor. 5:20; Phil. 1:27; 2 Tim. 2:19; Titus 2:10; 1 Peter 2:9, 12; 1 John 2:6)
We’re [God’s] image-bearers, made to reflect his glory. We’re his people, called to reveal his goodness. The ESV translates this verse, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain”- the word “vain” can also mean “falsely”- do not carry God’s name in a way that damages his reputation. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 176)
Since, then, God’s desire is that his name should be acknowledged among all nations on earth as the only source of blessing and salvation (Isa 45:5–6, 23–24), then whatever damages or detracts from his name (especially through reprehensible words and behavior of his own people) hinders that universal goal. (Christopher J.H. Wright, Exodus, 365)
- Guard your rhythms— so rest and worship happens regularly.
(Gen. 2:2-3; Lev. 23:3; Mark 2:27; Luke 4:16; Acts 2:42; Heb. 4:9-11; 10:25)
God gives us Sabbath as a gift; it’s an island of get-to in a sea of have-to. He also offers us Sabbath as a test; it’s an opportunity to trust God’s work more than our own. When I go weeks without taking adequate time off, I may or may not be disobeying the fourth commandment, but I’m certainly too convinced of my own importance and more than a little foolish. If my goal is God-glorifying productivity over a lifetime of hard work, there are few things I need more than a regular rhythm of rest. (Kevin DeYoung, Crazy Busy, 91)
Gospel Connection…
Jesus died to set us free, and to free us to love and worship him above all.
(John 8:36; Rom. 6:6–7; 12:1; 2 Cor. 5:15; Gal. 5:1; Colossians 1:13–14; Titus 2:14)
What God said to Israel is essentially the same thing he says to every believer in Christ: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the Egypt of your sin, out of your slavery to Satan.” Through the saving work of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, God is our sovereign Lord and very own Savior, and thus he has the right to claim legal authority over us. The law comes from God, who is our Savior and our Lord. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 525)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- What does it mean to love God with “utmost devotion”? How have you experienced competing loves or loyalties in your own life?
- Why do you think God begins the Ten Commandments by reminding Israel of their deliverance from Egypt? How does this shape the way we view obedience—as response rather than requirement?
- What are some “created things” that subtly take God’s place in our heart or attention? How can we identify and resist modern-day idols?
- In what ways can we “carry God’s name” well—or poorly—in our daily lives? What does it look like to honor God’s name and reputation?
- How might practicing Sabbath (or intentional rhythms of rest and worship) look in your current season of life? What gets in the way of this kind of rhythm?
Quotes to note…
Idolatry may not involve explicit denials of God’s existence or character. It may well come in the form of an over-attachment to something that is in itself perfectly good… An idol can be a physical object, a property, a person, an activity, a role, an institution, a hope, an image, an idea, a pleasure, a hero, anything that can substitute for God. (Os Guinness, No God but God, 32)
Everyone is a worshiper of someone or something. Idolatry is putting someone or something else in the place of God. Idolatry is exchanging the glory of the Creator for the creation, leading to a life of ignorance and moral corruption (Rom 1:18-25). Idols are not just on pagan altars but in the hearts of people (Ezek 14; Gal 5:19-20). (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 125)
The Ten Commandments were written in stone because they would remain in effect for as long as time endured. When would it ever be permissible to worship another god, to misuse God’s name, to lie, murder, or steal? Never, because these things are contrary to God’s very nature. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 528)
The command to rest from work on the sabbath day forces a pause in this compulsive process and reminds us that time, like the earth itself, belongs to God. The sabbath is thus a further bulwark against idolatry, building the remembrance of the true God our creator into the regularity and rhythm of weekly life. (Christopher J.H. Wright, The Story of God Bible Commentary: Exodus, 366)
If an idol is anything that takes the place of God, anything to which we devote our energy and time, or for which we make sacrifices because we love it and serve it, then John’s warning is needed today. The idols that entice God’s people today are things like money, recognition, success, material possessions (cars, houses, boats, collectibles), knowledge, or even other people. (Warren Wiersbe, Exodus, 127)
The people were given the law not in order that they might become the redeemed; rather it was because they had already been redeemed that they were given the law. The law of God is the way of life he sets before those whom he has saved, and they engage in that way of life as a response of love and gratitude to God their Redeemer. (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 205)
While all the Ten Commandments deal with our responsibilities toward God, the first four are particularly Godward while the last six are manward. How we relate to others depends on how we relate to God, for if we love God and obey Him, we’ll also love our neighbors and serve them (Matt. 22:34–40; Rom. 13). (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 127)
As believers in Christ, we are called to live in a way that is pleasing to God, which means living according to his perfect standard. God’s standard has not changed, as if somehow his grace has redefined his righteousness. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 538)