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3.20.22 Hillside Bible Church Sermon - A Distinct People

3/22/2022

 
Sermon Summary

Deuteronomy 7 records instructions to Israel to conquer the promise land without showing any mercy to its inhabitants. Israel was not to intermarry with them nor make any treaty. The core issue was Israel's status as God's chosen people in covenant relation with him. They were to remove all idolatry and all false religions from the land. In this way they would live as a distinct people among the nations. If they did so, they would experience all the blessings of the Covenant established through Moses. 

Christians are under the new covenant inaugurated by Christ. Christians are not a nation with land and an army. What does Deuteronomy 7 have to do with us? As Israel physically did, we are to ruthlessly remove idols from our hearts. As Israel was, we are to be distinct as Christians by not being spiritually mismatched in marriage. As Israel was, we are a distinct people with a glorious hope for living in God's future kingdom. As Israel was, we are signposts pointing to Jesus and calling others to know him. How might the Lord be calling you to greater faithfulness and distinctiveness this week? 
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3.13.22 Hillside Bible Church - Sermon

3/15/2022

 
Sermon Summary

Israel's situation changed dramatically when they entered the Promised Land. No longer nomads dependent upon God for daily food and water, they would possess homes, crops, and flocks. The temptation was to shift to trusting in their own resources and power rather than God. The temptation was to love the gifts of God more than God and so to make them idols. The temptation was to forget God's goodness and presence in daily living. We who live in a comfortable nation face the same temptations! In Deuteronomy 5 and 6 we are given examples of ways God instructed Israel to maintain their trust and awareness of him. Learning from the example of Israel:
  • Practice intentional disciplines such as mealtime prayers and morning devotions which maintain your awareness of God's presence.
  • Write scripture notes and set them where you will read them often.
  • Talk to one another throughout the day about the Lord.
What steps will you take this week to remember the Lord's goodness and presence in your life? ​

3.6.22 Hillside Bible Church Sermon - Loving God

3/7/2022

 
Sermon Summary

In Deuteronomy 5, the Ten Commandments are restated for Israel. Many feel the commandments are burdensome and may even resent them - though they keep them in a desire to appear good. God, however, sees the heart and desires his people to love him as he states in Deuteronomy 6:4. Obedience is meant to flow from love. The commandments of God give shape and form to a relationship of love. He has shown his love by redeeming a people for himself. Now we love him in return. Our love for the Lord is a matter of delight and will. 
  • When delight is thin, do you choose to act with love to live in relationship with the Lord? Do you hear him in his word and speak to him in prayer even when your emotions do not connect? This is a way we love the Lord with our wills.
  • Do you delight in the Lord? A relationship with the Lord is not meant to be drudgery! If you lack delight, seek to know God more by reading his word, by worshiping, and by being among his people. Pray and ask the Lord to give you a heart that delights in him. 

2.27.28 Hillside Bible Church - Sermon

3/1/2022

 
Israel met God at Mount Horeb (Sinai) where they were given the Ten Commandments. Moses reminds them, in Deuteronomy 5, that they were terrified by God's appearance and speech! God declared this the right response to his holy presence. When it comes to Christians, this event highlights how different our relationship with God is. Through faith in Jesus we are entirely forgiven and freed from fear of punishment. Through faith in Jesus, our hearts are transformed so that we love God and his commandments. Through faith in Jesus, we are brought into a relationship of love with God. Is fear gone? For the Christian, it is not terror of God which we have but respect for our loving heavenly Father and the Lord who died to save us. How will you show the Lord your gratitude for his incredible gift this week? ​

2.20.22 Hillside Bible Sermon - Beware of Idols

2/21/2022

 
God reveals himself to be a jealous god! This means that he is protective of the love and loyalty owed him by his covenant people and that he is protective of those same people. He is not envious but protective. In this context, Deuteronomy 4:15-40 warns God's people to stay away from idols! He is our help and hope while idols are nothing. This calls for us to examine ourselves asking, "Have I begun to follow an idol?"
  • Does the Bible guide my knowledge of God or do I follow a god of my own imagining?
  • What makes me angry or afraid? Does this indicate an idol that is threatened?
  • Where does my time and my money go?
If you find an idol in your life, repent! Give it to the Lord and prioritize HIM. Give the Lord who saved you your love and loyalty this week.
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