The Law, the Church, and You part 2
Matthew 5:17–20 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. … Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”
1 Peter 1:24–25 (ESV) “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
"Good morning, and welcome back to our time together in God’s Word. No matter what kind of week you've had—whether it's been marked by joy or sorrow, victory or failure—we gather now as one body, drawn together not by our circumstances, but by the unchanging grace of God.
Psalm 73:26 reminds us, 'My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.' And so, here we are—some tired, some hopeful, all of us in need of His Word to refresh us, anchor us, and remind us who He is.
Now, I could stand here and talk about the world—its chaos, its confusion, its constant shifting. And it would be true. Isaiah 40:6–8 tells us that 'all flesh is like grass... the grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.' The world is unstable. But our God is not.
Let me give you a picture: imagine a lighthouse on a rocky shore. Storm after storm crashes against it. Waves rise. Winds howl. Ships are tossed about. But the lighthouse remains—firm, unmoved, shining its light. That is our God. Psalm 18:2 declares, 'The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock in whom I take refuge.'
So today, I don’t want to talk primarily about the storm. I want to talk about the Rock. The One who does not change. The One who stands when all else falls. The One who speaks life, truth, and peace into our weary hearts. Let's turn our eyes—and our hearts—to Him."
Prayer
Well, if you weren’t with us last week, we started on a new portion of Scripture in our “Foundations of the Faith” series. With Moses and the Israelites, we left behind, Egypt, and the Ten plagues, the Passover, and we jumped forward to the next foundational event in the life of the Israelites, and ultimately the Church; the giving of the Mosaic law. Once Israel crosses the Wilderness of Shur and arrives at Sinai, they receive the law from God. And it’s not just the 10 commandments. Most of the rest of the book of Exodus, most of Leviticus, large portions of Numbers, and repeated and expanded in Deuteronomy are, by traditional Jewish count, 613 laws. 248 “Thou shalt’s” and 365 “Thou shalt not’s.”
But the question that we introduced last week was, “What does a Christian do with all of these Old Testament laws.” Do we have to abide by all these laws? Do we discard all these laws?
If God is unchanging, then doesn’t that mean that His law is also unchanging? It would seem logical. If God calls murder a destruction of someone made in His image in the Old Testament, that doesn’t change in the New. If God said, “Thou shalt not steal” in the Old Testament, because it violates His standard of “love your neighbor as yourself” then that principle stands throughout time. If God says “Love the Lord your God with heart, soul, mind and strength” in the Old Testament, because God is immutable, you would expect that His standard wouldn’t change from the Old Testament to the New Testament. And you would be right concerning those commandments.
So those of us who call ourselves followers of Christ, continue to believe that we shouldn’t murder, or steal. We strive to love our neighbor, and to love our God supremely. But what about those other laws in the Old Testament? For example, there’s a commandment to put tassels on the corners of your garments as a visible reminder to follow God’s laws. You aren’t to wear clothes with mixed fabrics. What does a Christian do with those laws?
Well, through careful study of the Scripture, from the time of the earliest of the church fathers, it was determined that the law should be divided into three categories; civil, ceremonial, and moral. The civil and the ceremonial were given by God, for the nation of Israel. The moral stands across all time.
Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho, ch. 49, ~mid-2nd century)
“We, however, who are Christians, do not observe those rites which you consider indispensable, such as circumcision, the Sabbath, and the rest, but we keep the commandments of Christ… We observe the commandments of the Lord in sincerity.”
Irenaeus of Lyons (Against Heresies, Book 4, ch. 38, ~late 2nd century)
“All these things were figures and types, and shadows of the truth that was to come, which the Lord afterwards fulfilled and abolished in Himself.”
Tertullian (On the Veiling of Virgins, ch. 1, early 3rd century)
“The law that was given through Moses was not intended to be perpetually binding, but only until the coming of Christ, who fulfilled and abolished the old ordinances.”
Origen (De Principiis, Book 4, ch. 3, mid-3rd century)
“The literal observance of the law was given for a time to the Jews, but the spiritual law is for all times and peoples, which consists in love and righteousness.”
So, we are looking at the Old Testament law over a couple of Sundays, and giving you a template. It is a guide for you to understand where each of these laws fit. We will look at the civil law, the ceremonial law, and the moral law.
We started last time with the civil law. The civil law can be divided into several categories.
Civil (Judicial) Laws
(Laws for Israel’s governance as a nation under God)
Last time we looked at the first two.
And what I pointed out to you about the civil law is that, with each law, there is a principle. The principle behind the law tells you what God says is right and wrong. God’s standards of right and wrong never change. But each of the civil laws also gave a prescription for how Israel was to deal with a violation of that principle. Let’s consider what we talked about last week as examples.
Exodus 22: 1 If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.
6 “If a fire breaks out and spreads to thorn bushes, so that stacked grain or the standing grain or the field itself is consumed, he who started the fire shall surely make restitution.
What is the principle behind these laws? Love and care for your neighbor. If you cause harm to your neighbor, you should restore what they lost. That’s the principle. That’s a principle from God that crosses all time. But the law given to the nation of Israel said that if you steal a sheep you restore four sheep. If you steal an ox, you restore five oxen.
That was the application of the principle, given to Israel, to fit their time, and place.
We also talked about cities of refuge. Cities of refuge were cities where an individual who had accidentally killed someone could flee. The principle behind them was that a person shouldn’t be punished for something that they did not intend. The death was an accident. There is also a principle of “innocent until proven guilty” there. Those are God’s principles. They stand across time. But the principle was applied to Israel, in their place and time by requiring cities of refuge. That doesn’t mean that we should have cities of refuge today. But we do apply the principles of judging intentions, and innocent until proven guilty.
The Old Testament law of the cities of refuge (found in Numbers 35, Deuteronomy 19, and Joshua 20) was a provision of mercy and justice. While it served a specific legal function for ancient Israel, the principles behind the law have deep relevance for how individuals treat others today. Here's how those principles apply to personal conduct:
The law of the cities of refuge teaches us to be people of mercy, fairness, and protection. Just as those cities offered shelter and a fair hearing to those who caused harm unintentionally, we are called to extend grace rather than jump to conclusions, protect the vulnerable from unjust blame, and ensure our responses are rooted in truth and justice. In our personal lives, we can reflect God's heart by being a refuge—someone others feel safe turning to in times of failure, fear, or need.
Let’s continue with our next types of civil law.
3. Punishment for Intentional Murder
Definition: Unlike accidental killing, intentional murder carried the most severe penalty. The laws were designed to uphold the value of human life and to bring justice to victims.
Example: Numbers 35:16–21 lays out specific cases of intentional murder, emphasizing premeditated acts and personal hostility. The punishment was capital execution by the community.
16 ‘But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 17 And if he struck him down with a stone in the hand, by which he would die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 18 Or if he struck him with a wooden object in the hand, by which he would die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 19 The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death; he shall put him to death when he meets him. 20 And if he pushed him of hatred or threw something at him lying in wait and as a result he died, 21 or if he struck him down with his hand in enmity, and as a result he died, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death; he is a murderer; the blood avenger shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.
Application in Ancient Israel: These laws reinforced that life is sacred and that taking it unjustly required the highest accountability. They also protected society from unchecked violence.
Principle for Today: Societies must uphold the sanctity of life through fair, proportionate legal consequences for violent crimes. The underlying principle is justice and deterrence.
And, though this was a law for the nation of Israel, God’s theocratic kingdom, I believe there is a universal principle here for law in all places and times. The principle predates the ten commandments.
Genesis 9:6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image."
The death must be intentional.
Exodus 21:12 "Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death."
Deuteronomy 19:11–13 "But if a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait for him and attacks him and strikes him fatally… then the elders… shall send and take him… and he shall die."
And I personally believe that the reason why our society is becoming more violent, and in some places, the murder rate is out of control is because we don’t have a hard and fast standard like this one.
Thomas Jefferson on Proportional Justice (Aug 26, 1776)
Discussing the form and severity of punishment, Jefferson wrote:
“Punishments I know are necessary, and I would provide them, strict and inflexible, but proportioned to the crime. Death might be inflicted for murder and perhaps for treason…” people.brandeis.edu+12scribd.com+12reddit.com+12en.wikipedia.org+10americancreation.blogspot.com+10reddit.com+10
Like the biblical laws that required examining a person’s intent before judgment, we are called to practice discernment, mercy, and justice in our relationships. This means understanding motives, responding with grace when harm was unintentional, and pursuing accountability when wrongdoing is deliberate. It reflects God’s own balance of justice and compassion.
4. Laws about Debt and Slavery
Exodus 21: 2 “If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment.
Deuteronomy 15: 12 “If your brother, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you, then he shall serve you six years, but in the seventh year you shall [d]let him go to be free from you. 13 When you [e]let him go to be free from you, you shall not [f]let him go empty-handed. 14 You shall furnish him generously from your flock and from your threshing floor and from your wine vat; you shall give to him as Yahweh your God has blessed you. 15 And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Yahweh your God redeemed you; therefore I am commanding you [g]this today.
Definition: There were civil (judicial) laws given by God to Israel that regulated things like lending, borrowing, and servitude. Slavery, or “enforced servitude” existed across all cultures in the world at that time in history. And person could end up in “enforced servitude” for a number of reasons; as a means of restitution for a crime, as a war captive, or a person may put themselves voluntarily in service to pay back a debt.
But here’s something to remember. God gave laws to regulate an existing condition to protect people. He gave laws to protect the poor from exploitation and inhumane treatment. There were provisions for regular release of Hebrew slaves. Exodus 21:2–11 and Deuteronomy 15:12–18 command that Hebrew slaves be freed in the seventh year and not sent away empty-handed. There were also legal provisions to protect all slaves from abuse.
Now, as we have done with each of the two previous categories of laws, we need to answer the question, “do we follow this law today?” Well, here we have again, two things: the law, and the principle behind the law. These laws were laws designed for Israel, in the time of the Old Testament, as a nation occupying the land of Canaan. The law itself had a boundary and an expiration date. But there are principles here that we have applied and should apply to modern society. The principles are basically about how we treat people who are in our service, and how those who are poor should be treated.
Maybe we forget this, but we have people in “enforced servitude” today, in America. It might not look like ancient slavery, but it exists — through human trafficking, forced labor in certain industries, domestic workers trapped by threats and manipulation, and even prison labor under exploitative conditions. These are people stripped of freedom, agency, and dignity — modern echoes of a very old problem."
We have people who are employed in back-breaking labor because they are drowning in debt. We have people convicted of crimes who lose their freedom. We have people who voluntarily conscript themselves into the military or some employment. The laws are different, but the principles behind the laws have no expiration date.
“For they are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves.” — Leviticus 25:42
Whether in employment or servitude, people must be treated as God’s image-bearers, not property. Prisoners, debtors, and workers must be treated with basic respect. No one should be dehumanized, regardless of their legal or social status.
“If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.” — Exodus 21:2
Principle: Justice includes time limits and restoration; bondage must not be indefinite. Avoid predatory debt cycles or lifetime prison sentences for non-violent offenses. Set clear paths to rehabilitation and freedom.
“...then he shall have redemption after he is sold... or his uncle or cousin may redeem him... or he may redeem himself.” — Leviticus 25:48–49
“Proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants.” — Leviticus 25:10
Principle: Systems of justice should allow for redemption, second chances, and new beginnings. Modern Application: Fair bankruptcy laws, Expungement of records for reformed offenders, Forgiveness of debt under certain circumstances.
“If a man strikes the eye of his male or female servant and destroys it, he shall let him go free for the sake of his eye.” — Exodus 21:26
Principle: Physical abuse voids authority; the vulnerable must be protected by law. Modern Application: Enforce worker safety and whistleblower protections, Address abusive prison conditions or domestic labor, Mandate legal protection and freedom for trafficked individuals.
“I love my master… I will not go out free… then his master shall bring him to the door and pierce his ear...” — Exodus 21:5–6
Principle: Service that is freely chosen out of love and trust is honorable. Modern Application: Promote workplaces and ministries where people serve by choice, not compulsion, Encourage systems where dignity and agency are preserved
“You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the Lord your God.” — Leviticus 24:22
Principle: Justice must not discriminate based on race, status, or nationality. Modern Application: Fair labor laws for all, regardless of financial, background or cultural status.
Modern laws and protections around debt relief, labor rights, and social welfare reflect several biblical principles from Old Testament servitude laws. Just as servitude for debt was to be temporary, today’s bankruptcy laws offer relief and a fresh start. Worker protections, such as fair wages and safe conditions, echo Scripture’s concern for humane treatment. Fixed-term labor contracts mirror the biblical limits on servitude duration. Laws against human trafficking uphold the value of voluntary service and personal dignity. Finally, social safety nets aim to support the poor, preventing the kinds of economic desperation that once led to slavery.
5. Requirements for Kings and Judges
Definition: Leadership in Israel was to be marked by humility, righteousness, and fidelity to God’s law. Kings and judges were held to high standards.
God wrote laws for Israel anticipating the day when they would have a King. I think this is a good example of how God was giving them laws to apply to a specific time, place, and nation. This was not God endorsing one form of government over another. In fact, if you remember, Israel at first had no king.
Before Israel had a king, it functioned as a theocratic tribal confederation — a nation governed directly by God, with leadership roles shared among elders, judges, tribal heads, and priests, all under the authority of God’s law (Torah). Giving them a king was an allowance from God granting them what they requested. But God gave laws concerning how the king should reign.
Deuteronomy 17: 18 “Now it will be when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll [b]in the presence of the Levitical priests.
Notice that he was to have his own personal copy of the law that he wrote himself.
19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear Yahweh his God, [c]to carefully observe all the words of this law and these statutes,
The king was commanded by God to read his Bible every day.
20 that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or the left, so that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his sons in the midst of Israel.
Deuteronomy 17:14–20 commands kings to write and regularly read God’s law, avoid pride, and govern justly. Other potions of the law commanded that the king not accumulate vast personal wealth, political alliances, or preparations for war.
And before Israel ever had a king, it had judges. Judges were individuals who helped elders, and tribes apply God’s law to specific situations. You might remember that Moses instituted a system of judges not unlike what we have today. Easier matters went to a judge over a smaller group, a clan. If the ruling was unsatisfactory, it could be taken to a judge over several clans, eventually one over the tribe. And God, anticipating this system gave laws regarding how these judges were to rule. They were to avoid partiality and bribes (Exodus 23:1–8).
“You shall not bear a false report; do not join your hand with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. 2 You shall not follow [a]the masses in doing evil, nor shall you [b]testify in a case so as to turn aside after [c]the masses in order to [d]cause justice to be turned aside; 3 nor shall you [e]be partial to a poor man in his case.
6 “You shall not cause the justice due to your needy brother to be turned aside in his case. 7 Keep far from a [f]false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not justify the guilty. 8 “And you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and [g]subverts the cause of the [h]just.
Application in Ancient Israel: These laws placed limits on power and emphasized that leaders were not above the law but accountable to God. A just society depended on just rulers.
Now, we don’t have a king in this country. Some countries do have kings or sovereigns. Some countries have Parliaments. Most countries have judges. This passage is not a mandate that every country form their government as Israel did. But there are principles here to which we should hold our leaders, and ourselves.
Principle for Today: Leaders in all areas of society should be guided by integrity, transparency, and a commitment to justice. Public service should reflect moral accountability.
The Old Testament laws about kings and judges (see Deuteronomy 17:8–20) were given to ensure that leaders governed with justice, humility, and obedience to God. While most of us aren’t monarchs or judges, the principles behind those laws apply powerfully to how we lead, influence, and make decisions in our personal lives.
Here’s how:
Be Accountable to a Higher Standard
“He shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law... and he shall read in it all the days of his life.”
— Deut. 17:18–19
We are all accountable—not to our own opinions or emotions—but to God’s Word. Whether you're making decisions in your family, workplace, or friendships, regularly seeking Scripture will help you lead with integrity and wisdom.
Make Fair and Impartial Decisions
“You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike.”
— Deut. 1:17
Whether settling a conflict between your kids, mediating a disagreement at work, or choosing how to spend your time and resources—be fair, listen well, and don’t play favorites. Justice starts at home and in everyday relationships.
Avoid Pride and Power-Hunger
“That his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers...”
— Deut. 17:20
When you’re in any position of authority—parenting, teaching, managing—stay humble. Remember that leadership is service, not control. Guard your heart against pride and the temptation to dominate or self-promote.
Stay Grounded in God's Word
“That he may learn to fear the LORD... by keeping all the words of this law.”
— Deut. 17:19
Whether you lead many or influence a few, daily time in God’s Word equips you to lead wisely and walk righteously. God-centered decision-making flows from a God-filled heart.
As we look back on these Old Testament laws—about restitution, justice, leadership, and mercy—we see that God was not merely establishing rules for an ancient society, but revealing timeless principles that reflect His character. He is a God of justice who calls us to take responsibility when we’ve wronged others, to make things right, and to treat every person with fairness and dignity. He’s also a God of mercy, who makes room for grace when harm was not intended, and who calls His people to protect the vulnerable and care for the needy. These laws remind us that righteousness is not just about avoiding sin, but about actively doing what is right for others.
As followers of Christ, we are now led by the Spirit, not under the letter of the Old Testament law—but these principles still speak powerfully to our lives today. God calls us to live with integrity, to lead with humility, to judge with compassion, and to be a refuge for those in need. Whether you’re a parent, a coworker, a friend, or a neighbor, you have opportunities every day to reflect God’s justice and mercy in how you treat others. May our lives be shaped not just by knowing God’s Word, but by living it out with love, truth, and grace.
We started this message by saying that God does not change. We have discovered that God’s standards, His principles remain constant. The application of those principles may change across time, cultures and geography, but He does not change.
James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
Discovering then that He doesn’t change, what remains is how we choose to respond to Him. Will we join Him in agreement with the principles of His law, or will we fight it.
Someone once noted, if you were riding a bike into the wind, then stopped and turned around, you might think that the wind changed because it went from hindering you to helping you. In actuality it didn't change, you did.
Let’s close in prayer,
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. In a world that shifts and stumbles, You remain steady, faithful, and true. Your Word is sure, and Your ways are good. We praise You that Your justice never fails, that Your mercy never ends, and that Your truth stands firm through all generations.
Lord, as we leave this place, help us not to resist Your ways but to walk in step with them. Where our hearts have turned away, turn us back. Where we’ve grown weary, strengthen us. May we not see Your law as a burden but as a reflection of Your heart—a call to live with justice, mercy, humility, and love.
Help us to remember that when it feels like You are distant or against us, it may be that we have turned. Draw us near again. Align our steps with Your truth. Make us people who live by Your principles and reflect Your unchanging character to a world in need. In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.