Stranger on the Road to Emmaus lesson 4 (c. 8-9)

[disciple]

Session 4 The Helplessness of Mankind
(We can’t help ourselves. We need God’s help.)

The Ten Commandments - The Tabernacle - The Bronze Serpent

The Stranger On The Road To Emmaus
Chapters 8 & 9

Scripture
Exodus 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 39, 40
Leviticus 1
Numbers 21

Perspective for the teacher:
In the previous lessons, we have emphasized the sinful condition of people and God’s provision for people. We have talked mostly about “sin nature”.
Now, we want to look at sin in a more personal way. Not only MAN has sinned, but YOU and I have sinned. Each of us is responsible for our actions. Each of us needs God’s grace.

LESSON OUTLINE:

I. Preparation for the Giving of the Ten Commandments
a. God brought Israel to Mount Sinai (Ex 19:1-2)
This is where Moses had seen the burning bush and God had promised to bring the people back to this area.
b. God made a promise to Israel (Ex 19:5-6)
If they obeyed Him, He would give them all that they needed.
c. They all agreed. They would do whatever God wanted (Ex 19:7-8)
But, could they do it? Every detail?
God demanded perfect obedience.
They thought that they knew what it took to be holy and righteous. Did they have the same ideas as God?
d. God gave some visual aids to help them understand more about Himself.
They must wash their clothes before coming to God (Ex 19:10-11)
Purity was necessary.
They weren’t to go up the mountain or touch it (Ex 19:12)
Illustrates separation from God.
Punishment for disobedience is death.
The people were frightened as they heard and saw thunder, lightening, a thick cloud, a loud trumpet, smoke, and fire (Ex 19:16-19)
Illustrating God as a holy God.
He’s a God of wrath who hates and punishes sin.

II. God Gave the 10 Basic Rules (The Ten Commandments)
Rule #1 No other gods: Exodus 20:3
He should be everyone’s God.
Rule #2 Don’t make and worship idols: Exodus 20:4-6
He is greater than all that He created.
Rule #3 Don’t use God’s name in vain: Exodus 20:7
God deserve and demands respect.
Rule #4 Keep the Sabbath day holy: Exodus 20:8-11
A special day of rest in honor of Him
Rule #5 Honor your father and mother: Exodus 20:12
Order in the home is important.
Rule #6 Don’t murder: Exodus 20:13
God gave life. He’s the only one who can take it away.
Rule #7 Don’t commit adultery: Exodus 20:14
God said that Adam and Eve were no longer two people but one. That relationship must be honored.
Rule #8 Don’t steal: Exodus 20:15
God has given each person the right to own and keep his own property.
To take from that person is sinning is disobedience to God.
Rule #9 Don’t testify falsely against someone else: Exodus 20:16
Always tell the truth.
God never lies and he expects us not to lie.
Rule #10 Don’t covet what other people have: Exodus 20:17

III. The Courtroom - The purpose of the Ten Commandments
a. How important are the Ten Commandments (the law)?
James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
One commandment, disobeyed one time is too many.
God gave the law so that ALL people will know that they are sinners.
It is impossible for anyone to make himself/herself presentable to God.
The scale of more good than bad doesn’t work (draw scale)
b. Some examples:
A chain - What happens if there is ONE broken link?
A rope or vine: cut it in just ONE place
c. A mirror
Do you see your dirty face?
Look at yourself in the mirror.
But the mirror won’t clean your face.
d. The gulf between God and Man
See the picture on Page 151
The law doesn’t bridge the gap between God and Man.

Review-Conclusion
Our hopeless condition - Without the law, we wouldn’t know how hopeless we are.
What happens if there is only one sin in a lifetime?
What can we do about it? We can do nothing to help ourselves, but God has promised help.

IV. The Tabernacle
a. Introduction
In the last session we saw that we were unable to meet God’s standards.
This lesson is about God’s holiness and His mercy.
b. Moses was again called by God up into the mountain (Exodus 24:12)
God wanted to give him the ten commandments.
He wanted Moses to teach them to the people.
Joshua went with Moses up into the mountain (Ex 24:1-8)
c. God commanded Moses to build the tabernacle (Ex 25:1-8)
The tabernacle had to be built exactly as God commanded Moses (Ex 25:9)
It was to have two rooms.
The first room was called “The Holy Place”. It was used only by God and His chosen priests when they served Him.
The second room was called “The Holy of Holies”. It was set apart for God except for once a year when the high priest would enter.
d. There were seven primary pieces of furniture. (See pages 146-147) We will describe some of the basic features important in the parallel of redemption:
The ark and the mercy seat
Build a box and place it in the second room (Holy of Holies) Ex 25:10-11
Make a lid of pure gold and place it on the top of the ark in the inner room (Ex 25:17)
Make two gold cherubim at each end of the mercy seat (Ex 25:18) God had put cherubim outside the Garden of Eden so that Adam and Eve would not be able to return to the tree of life. Those were live cherubim. These were made of pure gold.) The cherubim were to face each other, looking down at the cover of the box. (Ex 25:19-20)
The two tablets of stone on which God wrote the Ten Commandments were to be place inside the ark (Ex 25:21-22)
The veil (Ex 26:31-33)
Hanging between the rooms
Showing the Israelites that they were separated from God because of sin.
e. Offerings were to be made in the tabernacle as a visual aid (Lev 1:1-5)
Livestock (specific animal) 1:2
Perfect animal. 1:3
The person must offer it of his own free will. 1:3
Rom 4:3 "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
He must place his hand on the head of the animal 1:3
Identifying with the animal that is to die in his place
Asking God to accept the animal’s death instead of his own.
The innocent animal had to die as a substitute.
Heb 9:22 “..without the shedding of blood there is no remission.”
f. The tabernacle was finished and erected, and God came to live in it as His house.
Ex 39:42-43; 40:17
The people would come to God only the way that He had instructed.
A cloud was above the Holy of Holies to signify God’s presence (Ex 40:34-35)
g. Conclusion - The people were like us - sinners.
They needed God’s mercy.
God made a way for them to come to Him.
God will accept us if we come to Him in the way that He tells us in His Word.

V. The Bronze Serpent
a. Introduction
God had met the needs of the people as they traveled in the wilderness. Now, they were approaching the Promised Land.
b. Israel murmured once again (Numbers 21:4-5)
God had provided well for the needs of the people. Were they thankful?
God was tired of their grumbling.
c. God sent fiery serpents (Num 21:6)
The snakes bit the people and many died.
All people have been “bitten” by Satan and sin, and die to God.
No one could escape from the poisonous snakes that were sent from God.
d. The people realized that they were wrong and that only God could help them (Num 21:7)
God is the only one who can help us with our problem of sin.
They asked God to help. He did.
God provided a solution for their problems…and ours!
They didn’t deserve God’s help but He helped them anyway.
e. The Brazen serpent (Num 21:8)
If they looked at the snake on the pole, they were healed.
There was no other way.
Example of Christ on the cross.
People try many other ways to win God’s favor but He is the ONLY way.