The 1st Commandment - Exodus 20:3 - Sermon Series "The 10 Commandments"

The First Commandment: No Other Gods Before Me

Around 3,500 years ago, God did something remarkable. He rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and brought them to Mount Sinai. It was there that God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, inscribed by the very finger of God on two stone tablets. 

This was an incredible document, perhaps one of the most fascinating ever written. At that point in history, most societies were governed not by written laws but by the whims of tyrant kings. The Ten Commandments established the Israelites as one of the first peoples governed by a codified law from God himself. 

The very first of these commandments sets the foundation: "You shall have no other gods before me." This commandment gets at the core of who we are and what we ultimately worship and serve. Whether we realize it or not, we all serve some sort of "god" - money, careers, impulses, or something else that we prioritize above all else.

The first commandment makes it clear - the one true God, Yahweh, should be our sole object of worship. No other priorities, desires or false gods should take his place. As Jesus summarized, the greatest commandment is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength."

However, the sobering reality is that we have all broken not just this commandment, but all of the Ten Commandments at some point. Like the apostle Paul said, the main purpose of the law is to show us our desperately sinful condition before a holy God. Going down the list, we've all coveted, lied, dishonored our parents, taken God's name in vain, and valued other priorities above God himself.

On our own, there is nothing we can do to make ourselves right before God and keep the commandments perfectly. This is where we desperately need a Savior. That's why Jesus came - to obey the laws we could not and pay the penalty for our disobedience on the cross. When we put our trust in Jesus, we are forgiven and no longer condemned for breaking God's laws. The penalty has been paid.

But that's not the end of the story. Now, instead of being harsh commandments looming over us, the Ten Commandments become opportunities to experience fullness of life in Christ. We can joyfully follow God's ways, knowing we don't have to fear punishment. When we worship and serve Jesus alone, we are keeping the greatest commandment of all - no other gods before Him.

So if you've never put your trust in Jesus before, I encourage you to do so today. Admit your inability to follow God's laws perfectly and your need for His forgiveness. Then receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus, the one who makes it possible to love God wholeheartedly and experience true life.

Get more on the Ten Commandments, and tons of other great sermon series, when you subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Click HERE to Visit Our YouTube Channel!