TITLE: Rules for Living
TEXT: Jeremiah 31:31-32
PROPOSITION: God give us rules because we need them.
QUESTION: Why?
KEY WORD: Reasons
SCRIPTURE READING: Same

INTRODUCTION:

1. Here are some statistics:

   1. Every 23.1 seconds: One Violent Crime

   2. Every 32.6 minutes: One Murder

   3. Every 5.6 minutes: One Forcible Rape

   4. Every 1.3 minutes: One Robbery

   5. Every 36.9 seconds: One Aggravated Assault

   6. Every 3.1 seconds: One Property Crime

   7. Every 14.7 seconds: One Burglary

   8. Every 4.5 seconds: One Larceny-theft

   9. Every 25.5 seconds: One Motor Vehicle Theft

2. Many people are hostages of fear. Triple lock doors, bars on windows.

3. We lock our car, house, briefcase, garage, lawnmower, bicycle

4. What has gone wrong?

   1. Some say – “Can’t legislate morals.”

   2. Morals is all that CAN be legislated.

   3. The real issue – WHOSE morals will be legislated?

   4. It is true – “You can’t force people to obey moral values.”

   5. Laws are the fixed standard for our lives.

5. What is threatening our society is lack a clear moral standard.

We must get back to the Word of God

1. Problem: Our self-chosen way – leads to destruction

2. Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

3. Solution: Get back to the Bible and obey it.

4. Psalm 119:172 - My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.

You are made in the image of God and I owe you respect.

God’s rules are good, and good for me.

1. We often challenge God’s rules.

2. We often disobey and defy His rules.

3. But, breaking them is always bad for us.

Sin is the breaking of God’s rules.

1. 1 John 3:4 – Sin is the transgression of the law

2. Romans 6:23 – Wages of sin is death

3,500 years ago – God delivered some basic rules.

1. 10 Commandments – to Israel

2. Special covenant to Jews – Exodus 34:27-28

3. Temporary – Jeremiah 31:31-34

4. Jesus fulfilled them – Galatians 3:24-25

5. The fundamental principles are eternally relevant.

Our world needs rules.

1. Law (rules) and Love and not opposites.

2. John 15:10

3. Legalism – rule-keeping to earn heaven

4. Our salvation is not based on legalism.

5. It is based on the redemptive acts of Jesus.

6. Ephesians 2:8-9