I. We shy away from preaching the Law of Moses (LM)

A. We are afraid of putting believers back under the law

B. Some of the laws seem so bizarre and irrelevant to us today

II. There are three misconceptions about the LM which we must overcome and which we must address in our preaching.

A. The LM was a bad deal for Israel

B. There is a sharp distinction between law and grace

C. The Law’s main or only role in the life of a new covenant believer is to reveal sin

III. There are two ways to preach the gospel from the LM.

A. Focus on the shadow of Christ in the LM (Luke 24:25–27 , 45–47)

B. Use its commands to instruct believers in a lifestyle that is consistent with the gospel

IV. In order to instruct believers, we must understand the 613 in the LM laws relate to each other.

A. Like ancient Hittite treaties, the LM contains both general stipulations and detailed demands

B. The “10 words” in the LM are the general stipulations

C. The various case laws are the detailed demands which flesh out the general stipulations

V. There are a couple of good options for “instructional” sermons.

A. Preach a 10-part series on the “ten words” and incorporate individual case laws

B. Preach groups of case laws which relate to each other

* Exodus 22:1-14 on protecting property
* Exodus 23:1-9 on protecting justice and showing mercy
* Deuteronomy 22:1-12 on protecting the good life in your everyday life

VI. Deuteronomy 22:1-12 is an example of a text we could preach.

INTRODUCTION

I. Protect your neighbor’s property (1-4)

II. Honor gender distinctions (5)

III. Conserve the earth’s resources (6-7)

IV. Safeguard your property (8)

V. Reflect God’s holiness (9-12)

Bottom Line: We can preach the LM in a way that points people to Jesus Christ and to a life of Christian discipleship marked by a love for God and a love for neighbor!

Links to Helpful Resources:

Steve Mathewson's The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative

Vern S. Poythress's The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses

Christopher J. H. Wright's Old Testament Ethics for the People of God

Walter C. Kaiser's Toward Old Testament Ethics

A. J. Jacobs' The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible

Steve Mathewson is regularly featured on PreachingToday.com in the Skills and Sermon Builders sections of the site. To know when new material from Steve is available, be sure to sign up for the Preaching Today Connection newsletter.