Old Testament: Deuteronomy 15:12-15 New Testament: Philippians 2:1-7 Sermon Text: Exodus 21:1-11
The Ten Words — universal absolutes The Book of the Covenant ---- application of universal absolutes in some specific situations.
1. Voluntary --- the purpose was debt repayment.
2. Temporary --- limited by Sabbath principle.
3. Constructive --- the slave would be set up to succeed!
4. Marriage --- The Book of the Covenant preserves marriage.
Practical / diaconal- * Employers should not exploit employees, but seek to promote their welfare, even to the point of helping them advance in their careers. * When people are in debt, they should be given an opportunity to pay back what they owe, in a context where they can learn how to be responsible citizens. The lack of such opportunities is a plague upon America and the Government Welfare system makes things worse. * Debtors were not given handouts but opportunities to repay! This requires personal/covenant community involvement! All too lacking!
5. Gospel --- Christ the pierced Servant [5] But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ [6] then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.
Psalm 40:6 Sacrifices and offerings Thou didst not desire; mine ears hast Thou pierced [cf. Psalm 22:16 Orthodox Jewish Bible]
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
Rev. Dr. Edd Cathey earned his Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois in 1985. Ordained by the Siouxlands Presbytery, PCA, on June 23, 1985, he served as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church (PCA), in Hinckley, Minnesota from 1985 until...