INTRODUCTION - GOD'S WORD DECLARES THAT GOD IS JEALOUS: THE REASON SHOWN - THAT WE SHOULD BE PROSPEROUS

• All of the word of God is given to guide us to life, and that the life should be full!
• Israel, in spite of God's instruction, missed the way of life, & is under a great curse! Today
• We as a nation are missing the path, and headed to destruction; but you can save yourself!

Like Peter cried at Pentecost- Acts 2:40b "save yourselves from this untoward generation!"

I. THE JEALOUSY OF THE LORD - Deut 4:24b

We must be careful not to add to or take away from God's word- Deut. 4:2 Rev. 22:18

A. GOD STERNLY WARNED ISRAEL TO TAKE HEED LEST THEY FORGET WHAT THEIR EYES HAD SEEN - Deut 4:9

1. God had shown them great power- He had delivered them from Egypt, sustained them in desert-
2. And He had also judged them quickly because of their sin- v.3 at Baal peor -sudden death!
3. But we are so quick to forget the Hell of sin-Hurt of Alcohol- But God is jealous-v.24b

B.  GOD IS WILLING TO FORGET THE PAST IF WE FROM THENCE WILL SEEK THE LORD Beut. 4:29 -ALL HEART

1. God had promised them a great land & future- but sin had cut so deeply they had suffered
2. God sent suffering to turn them back to Himself -& If they would seek Him, turn to Him-
3. With all His wrath-jealousy-fire, still His main motivating attribute is mercy v.31a

C.  THIS IS THE REASON HE GAVE THEM COMMANDMENTS, AND DIRECTED THEM TO KEEP HIS STATUTES- v.40

1. God's promises were supported by His actions- v.33 they had heard Him speak & lived!
2. He wanted things to go well with them & their children so He guided them to fruitful fields
3. But their obedience would prolong their days, their disobedience would bring trouble & death

Though the choice was simple - their memory was short - too much time lag re: punishment

II.  THE COVENANT OF THE LORD Deut 5:1- 

So that all history would know what God expected of His people the way to the fullest life

A.  GOD GAVE US TEN COMMANDMENTS, AND MANKIND TODAY HAS WRITTEN 10,000 TO TRY TO SIDESTEP & SURVIVE

BE TRUE TO GOD

1. No Other Gods (repeated 50 times in N.T.) But America has substituted pleasure
2. Worship no graven image -(12 in N.T.) No idol -thing in God's place -Pictures & Statues?
3. Not take Name in Vain (4 in N.T.) His name sacred, unpronounceable then - slang today!
4. Remember Sabbath Day (0)-Exo 31:17 -Sabbath is Jewish-but principle same! our 4 day week?

BE TRUE TO MANKIND

5. Honor father & Mother-(6 NT) If you don't honor them-God won't honor you!
6. Shalt not kill (6 NT) means MURDER - We worry bout Capitol Punishment-but Abort, Accident-
7. Not Adultery (12 NT) very plain, but we tempt & mock God-exploitation of sacred -marriage
8. Not steal (6 NT) -from man or God! God's word teaches right of private property-& stewardship
9. Not false witness (4 NT) God demands the truth without oath; not gossip, or shady business

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF

10. Not Covet (9 NT) Control your false desires that turn Paradise into Hell!
The confusion of seeking other answers -because we have passed up all the ones that aren't easy

Look at Deut 5:33- Walk in all the ways 6:5 -love the Lord heart, soul, might!

III.  THE BLESSINGS OR CURSES OF THE LORD Deut 28:

The path is marked plainly, there is no way we can miss the way & blame God! - our own sin!

A.  IF YE HEARKEN (v.1) THE LORD WILL MAKE THEE THE HEAD (13) AND WILL BLESS YOU!

1. These are based on 5 conditions- Hearken, Observe, Walk, Not aside, No other Gods -
2. There are 21 distinct blessings of God- but note v. 10-13 Targums of Jonathan-Lord has Keys-
3. God as our heavenly Father is most pleased when we prosper in His way, and abound in blessing

B.  IF THOU WILT NOT HEARKEN (15) THEN THOU SHALT BE THE TAIL (44) AND UNDER THE CURSE OF GOD

1. In this passage there are 6 If's (1,522 in Bible) each one is a door to a monster, savage, cruel or angel, sweet and gentle
2. There are 124 curses here- note v.37, 44, 53, 66 (how many today)
3. We have sown the wind, and are about to reap the whirlwind have sown dragon's teeth-

C.  GOD STILL SAYS I HAVE SET BEFORE THEE LIFE & GOOD, DEATH & EVIL Deut 30:15

1. When we read this, we must wonder why anyone would deliberately choose evil and death-but we do
2. We have the word- but do not use it, Sin has chained us to the habit of death- how freedom?
3. The word is nigh thee- v.14, quoted in Rom 10:8,9,10 If not national Salvation-then personal

You must make this choice- & keep on making the choice for Christian Victory!

CONCLUSION - WILL YOU REACH UP OUT OF THIS AGE OF CONFUSION AND LAY HOLD ON THE ETERNAL GOD? HE SAVES

1. You must be born again- There is no other way that according to God's contract- Accept Jesus
2. You must be obedient- This is why we have Water Baptism- separate decision but IMPORTANT
3. You must have support & help- this is why we have the church- You need membership- Students?