
Hosted by Pastor Dan Sexton · EN

Our society might benefit greatly if we took on similar rules regarding sex before marriage. As Pastor Dan continues leading us through the book of Deuteronomy today, we’ll examine these archaic-seeming laws. Many today would just scoff and complain over how “irrelevant” these laws seem. But young people took sex seriously because of this. They had a respect for the consequences of their actions, and they knew there was nothing casual about this relationship as God designed it.

Our culture is very divided on this issue. You may have heard Pastor Dan’s words a moment ago and felt either deeply offended or deeply vindicated. The truth is, there are many ways that we defy God’s design as humans, and it’s important to approach the confusion that some experience regarding gender with grace. That doesn’t mean you can’t speak the truth; in fact, you need to. But it’s important that when you do, you do so with love and a desire to point the broken towards our healer, Jesus.

This isn’t a familiar scenario for most of us. Most people don’t have livestock and won’t ever need to track down their neighbor’s donkey. We may have a dog or a cat, or we may have other possessions that are valuable and meaningful to us, though. As Pastor Dan will challenge us in today’s message, we should be generous with our willingness to help others. It can speak volumes to a neighbor in need when we give of our time and resources to help them, with no expectation of payment.

As we study through the book of Deuteronomy, we repeatedly encounter the brokenness of sin and the need for atonement through sacrifice. Our sin separates us from God, and the only way we can draw close to Him is to have our sin removed. Before Jesus, this system required repeated sacrifice. Every new sin required a new sacrifice. But, as Pastor Dan will remind us in today’s message, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was once and for all. When you trust in Him for salvation, He offers eternal atonement.

If you’re a parent, your children need you to be an adult with well-regulated emotions and integrity in your relationships and responsibilities. Today, Pastor Dan will challenge parents to follow Biblical guidance and wisdom in how they treat their children. You’re going to have to say “no” sometimes, and you’re going to have to discipline at times. It’s a crucial element in loving your child and raising them in a way that enables them to have a meaningful life that honors God and respects others.

We’re born sinners, meaning that we’re going to break God’s laws and miss the mark of what He designed us for, but those actions and attitudes aren’t meant to define who we are. Part of being enslaved to sin is that we attach ourselves to it, believing it’s a part of who we are. As Pastor Dan examines today’s passage in Deuteronomy, we’ll be reminded that we were designed for holiness. Instead of clinging to our sin, we need to accept the offer of forgiveness and freedom from it through Christ.

Many Christians mistakenly think that ministry is primarily done by pastors in the pulpit. At some point in their journey, they may even feel a call to ministry and assume that they need to become a pastor or a missionary themselves. As Pastor Dan clarifies in today’s message, all of us are called to be ministers of the Gospel, but in most cases, you don’t need to change jobs or locations. You can minister in your current workplace and home by being diligent and reliable, doing everything as an act of worship.

Satan is the father of lies. His lies are usually subtle, making them easier for well-meaning people to swallow. But, as Pastor Dan will remind us in today’s message, God does not change. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. He doesn’t bend to the whims of our culture. He created humanity, and our design and the laws that govern us are not dependent on how we feel. When we come to Him in repentance, we have to acknowledge that He alone holds this place of sovereignty.

For those who accidentally killed someone in the Old Testament, they could find sanctuary in special cities of refuge”. Here, they were protected from the vengeful desires of the victim’s family. As Pastor Dan will explain in today’s message, these cities serve as a beautiful illustration of the role that Jesus plays for all mankind. All of us are guilty of sin, both purposeful and accidental, and we deserve separation from God because of it. Jesus is our city of refuge where we can find safety and eternal life.

What does Deuteronomy have to do with Jesus? Sure, they’re both in the Bible. That’s an easy answer, but as with this entire collection of inspired books and letters, Jesus is central. When you look at the heart of the Old Testament, including Deuteronomy, you’ll find foreshadowing, prophecy, and symbolism that clearly point to the coming Messiah and His work of redemption. As Pastor Dan examines today’s passage, we’ll find yet another example of this connection.