Pastor Wayne Cordeiro
January 20, 2002 - W0203

Laws of the Universe

Scripture says that in the beginning the universe was chaos; God had not yet set His laws into motion. Then God spoke and the law of His order went into motion. Hebrews 1:3 says, ìAll things hold together by the word of His power.î He set lawsólike the gravity, light, natureóto keep the universe in order.

For example, the sun is 455 million degrees Fahrenheit. If the sun were any closer to earth, we would burn to death. Or, if the earth rotated any more slowly than it does, we would freeze. If the earthís axis shifted even a little, or if the moon were any closer, it would affect our tides and the earth would be totally inundated with a tidal wave, twice a day. Imagine if God removed His physical laws, there would be a cataclysmic collision and chaos. Thank God that He set physical laws into motion for there to be order.

Along with Godís physical laws, He also has moral laws for man. We call these the ìlaws of relationshipî because they express our relationship with God. The Bible says there is the law of sin and death: Sin is violating Godís law and choosing to separate ourselves from relationship with God. Death is the consequence of breaking Godís law. A small note to make about sin is this: Itís not so much that we are punished for our sins as we are punished by our sins.

As part of Godís creation, we are to obey Godís lawsóboth physical and moral. When we abide in them, they work for us. However, if we go against them, they work against us. Then lawlessness begins and chaos ensues. However, keeping them leads to life in all of its fullness.

Q1: List Godís moral laws (the ìTen Commandmentsî) given through Moses.

The Wages of Sin is Death

In Noahís day, God saw lawlessness taking place so He allowed a terrible flood to wipe out most of mankind. This was just. Why? Because Godís laws were in motion and the consequence of sin was death. Noah and his family were the only ones saved because Noah was righteous. However, following the flood, God made a covenant enacting mercy upon mankind. This covenant is marked to this day by the beauty of a rainbow.

After awhile, man became lawless again, bringing chaos. God saw Abram (or Abraham), and chose speak to him about another covenant. God speaks to you in ways you can understandóin your culture and language. In Abramís day, tribes expanded their territory through fierce warfare. It was winner-take-all and typically none of the enemy was left alive. The winning tribe took over the defeated tribeís territory, expanding their nation and increasing their population.

Once in awhile, there would be a merciful king. When this king wiped out a tribe, prisoners were bound and stood trial before him. These prisoners understood that they were dead men, because it was normal for a prisoner to be run through with a sword. But since the king chose to be merciful, a second chance was extended, allowing the prisoner to live. The only condition was that they had to abide by that kingís laws.

Prisoners would be graphically reminded of how important the covenant was: a cow would be brought in and severed in half, its two halves separated on the floor. The same was then done to goats and smaller animals. This was repeated over and over until a bloody trail of animal parts lined two sides of a narrow path. If the prisoner agreed to the covenant, he had to walk through the gauntlet of blood. This bloodshed clearly impressed upon them that what they had just witnessed would happen to them should they break any law. And it would justifiable because the wages of breaking the law and their covenant was death.

One day God spoke to Abraham because people were moving toward lawlessness again. Although it was just for God to wipe them out, He made a covenant through Abraham that would also be available to anyone else who agreed to this covenant. Like a merciful king who gave second chances to prisoners of war, this was the new covenant offered:

THE COVENANT

ìHe said to him, ëBring Me a three year old heifer, and a three year old female goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.í Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, and laid each half opposite the other... Now when the sun was going down... behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him... And it came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram.î (Gen. 15:9-18)

God laid the sacrifice out and Abram had to walk through it as a gesture of agreement to the contract, or covenant, with the Lord. But Abram was terrified because he knew he couldnít keep the covenant, nor could any of his descendants. God understood that, too, so He Himself walked through (in the form of a pillar of fire) and made the covenant for Abram.

It was Godís faithfulness that paid the price for the sins of man. He made atonement possible for man. A substitute sacrifice was placed in our place. Thatís what communion and this covenant was all about. Instead of us being hacked in half, a lamb was hacked for you and your familyís sins. What does communion mean to us today?

THE COVENANT of the LAW

God makes this same covenant with you and I today. Yes, weíve sinned but He has made atonement for us on the cross. He paid the sacrifice so that by this youíll know that with...

1. EACH SACRIFICE: ìTHIS SHOULD BE ME!î

ìAs a penalty for sin he has committed, he must bring to the Lord a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin.î (Lev. 5:6)

God substituted an animal (a lamb or goat) as a sacrifice for our sins instead of having us paying the price with our own death. And though it was graphic, the more graphic it was, the better, because my family and I need to see the devastating effects of our sins that destroys lives, destinies, promises, families and children. When I violate Godís laws, it brings lawlessness and I deserve to die, but His love for us made a way for us to live.

THE NEW COVENANT of GRACE

Although this new covenant was wonderful, after awhile manís sins and lawlessness grew yet again. Man felt he no longer needed to follow Godís laws. Even as men failed, Godís love became greater still. ìFor God so loved the world that He Himself came His one and only begotten Son, that whomever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting lifeî (John 3:16). God made a new covenant, a new agreement with man, that guarantees manís sins to be fulfilled. This New Covenant was God coming to earth as the Lamb of God, and God Himself took the sacrifice on the cross to pay the price of our sins.

2. WHEN WE FAILED, GOD PAID THE PRICE.

ìThis is love: Not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.î (1 John 4:10) ìHe paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.î (1 Pet. 1:19)

This ultimate sacrifice and New Covenant were both based on Godís performance, Godís faithfulness and His integrity. It was no longer based on ours because we are undeserving and unable. Knowing a price had to be paid (according to Godís laws), it was the Lamb of God who came, was crucified and is the One who died on the cross. His name is Jesus Christ.

Ultimately, it was all our sins that put Jesus on the cross, when it should have been you and I on that cross. It was my sins and yours that put Jesus on the cross, not any ethnic group, race or culture. By His selfless sacrifice and love for man, He ushered in a New Covenant!

Q2: What does Godís New Covenant of grace show about Godís character towards His children? In what practical ways could you apply these qualities as a parent?

3. WE NOW LIVE BY GRACE, REALIZING THE PRICE JESUS PAID TO SAVE US.

ìFor by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.î (Eph. 2:8,9)

By Jesusí performance, we are invited to a New Covenant, but to receive it we must agree to it. What is this New Covenant? Agreeing to believe in Him, to place our lives in Jesus Christ and say He is Our Lord and Savior.

Then what takes place is an exchange: His life for mine, His forgiveness for my sins, His acceptance with the Father for my rejection of the Father. Upon making this unbelievable, incredible exchange, grace overflows our hearts as we realize that we should be dead. If we were to die physically right now, and stand before God (without Christ), we would be seen and judged as guilty. Thatís just because the laws of order were broken. The consequence of our sin would be death. And so, realizing this, our natural response is great gratitude and thankful hearts! With grace given to me, my heart is saved and I proclaim ìHe is my Savior! I live in His grace!î

ìGodís gift [of grace] has restored our relationship with Him and given us back our lives. And thereís more life to comeóan eternity of life!î (Titus 3:7 The Message)

We celebrate communion as a reminder of how grateful we are that He paid the ultimate price. By partaking of the bread and the wine, we are saying, ìI believe in You and I receive and walk in Your grace.î The Bible says, ìWhomsoever will, may come.î And the Lord calls and beckons His people to come and drink freely from the waters of life. If you havenít received Jesus Christ, He invites you to the free gift of life, which He paid in full for you.

ìI have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me. And the life that I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for meî (Gal. 2:20). After receiving Christ, my life is no longer my own, He exchanged His life for mine as a gift. Now I get to live His dreams and His life through me.

Q3: Describe what grace means to you and how it has changed your heart.

Q4: After receiving Christ, share one thing you have been freed of OR one way that your life has been transformed.

A story is told of a merciful king who heard that the people in his kingdom were violating the laws. Worse yet, to get out of punishment they were bribing his officers. The kingdom was falling into chaos and lawlessness prevailed. The king then wrote an edict that whomever was caught violating the law or bribing an officer would be whipped at the stake. He posted the edict everywhere so there would be no question.

One day the officers brought in a woman and threw her before the granite steps of his judgment seat. ìThis woman was caught in adultery, prostitution and she even attempted to bribe our officers to get out of it!î ìIs this right?î the king asked. The woman nodded her head. But as she lifted her face, her hair parted so he could see her and the king realized the guilty woman was his own half-sister who had been banished from the royal family many years prior. She had been banished for immorality and refusal to repent.

When the king saw that it was his own sister, his heart dropped. After not seeing his sister for so many years, he was torn but he had to enact the law. Knowing what he had to do, he nodded. The officers strung her up immediately with leather straps. When the executioner was ready to open her back, the king stood up from this throne and yelled, ìStop!î Puzzled, the officers hesitated but they knew the law had to be fulfilled.

The king had her untied and then he took off his jewel-studded crown, his velvet cloak, walked to the stake and said, ìThe law must be fulfilled. I will take the punishment in order that she may be justified, and in doing so, fulfill the law.î He took off his silken shirt and bore his royal back to the sentence.

This is what Jesus our King has done: Because of His love for you and I, He took the cross and fulfilled the law in order that we would be set free. When you understand this, you wonít ever want to take His grace for granted. We respond with gratefulness, saying, ìLord, You have my heart. I love You because You first loved me. Teach me Your ways, instruct me in Your paths. And should I stumble, Your blood is there to bring forgiveness so I might live under the covenant of grace. My heart will constantly be corrected back to You.î Every time we take communion, we are reminded of this, the New Covenant. Thank you Lord for your precious gift!

Act: In your own words, briefly define ìgrace.î How do you understand it realistically in your life? In your relationship with the Living God?

Q5: What point most impacted you & how will you change because of it?

This summary has been brought to you by faithful Doreen Rabaino.