There's several very important questions that are being addressed and answered in the book of Deuteronomy, and that's what we're studying tonight. Remember, this is just a brief overview of each book, and so we have a few more lessons to go. We're on number five. But the central question being posed in the book of Deuteronomy is about continuance, continuing in the faith, continuing to be faithful. What must Israel do to continue with God in the promised land and in his kingdom? And the answer really is not just for Israel alone, but it's for us as well. It has application, personal application, as well as application for us as a church. What must we do to continue as a church until Christ establishes his kingdom? What do we have to do? Well, we're continuing the Master's Word series and currently exploring the Bible through the lens of the kingdom of God as the overarching theme and looking for the kingdom of God message in each book. And our goal is to master the word of God with a deep and memorable understanding of the gospel message. As Jesus said, he came to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God. Hey, that's what we're looking for. Let's see that message from Genesis to Revelation, from end to end, from beginning to end. the book of Deuteronomy records the farewell address of Moses. So the first five books of the Bible are attributed to Moses and they are called the Pentateuch, the first five books. And the book of Deuteronomy is recording that final book. And so not surprisingly, it contains the farewell message of Moses to Israel. In this book, is about what needs to be remembered for their future existence. That's why the theme is continuance. What do they have to do? What do they have to know? What do we have to know if we're going to continue existing as a church into the future? And it's a question that we ought to be very interested in finding the answer to. The message in Deuteronomy is relevant today because it's timeless. God is timeless. The questions being asked, like continuance, the same question that we ask today is the same question that was being asked by Israel early on. What do we have to do? It's a message that every generation faces. when they're preparing for their future, poised to move forward, carrying the banner of those who have gone before, which this church is carrying the banner that was passed on to us. And Rogers Baptist Church is carrying the banner passed on to them. And then in each of the churches, there's the banner being passed on to the next generation. The theme verse for the book of Deuteronomy is the admonition of Moses to Israel. And here's what it is. Deuteronomy chapter 30, verse 19. It's a great theme verse. Choose life that both thou and thy seed may live. This verse really sums up what is essential for our continuance, Israel's continuance as well, but for our continuance. And what does it say? Choose life. Oh, we need to find out what it means to choose life. But he says, choose life. I'm sure none of us here are thinking about, I'm going to choose death. Well, what does it mean to choose life? That both thou and thy seed may live. Well, obviously, we're here because we have chosen life. Our parents have chosen life. The lost out here are still running around because they have chose to live. So this isn't just talking about choosing physical life. This goes much deeper, doesn't it? Choose life. And we know that 1 John 5, verse 12 defines for us what life is. He that hath the Son hath life. Choosing life is choosing Christ. Now, Israel at this point in the context for the book of Deuteronomy is poised at the River Jordan there, about five, seven miles away up there on Mount Nebo. and they're getting ready to pass into the promised land that they've been hearing about for over 40 years. And going into the land, there will be battles, there will be opposition, there'll be adversity. So the insight to gain from Deuteronomy 30, verse 19, and I might add from the whole book, of Deuteronomy, because that's just the theme verse, is this. Before the battles in the land of Canaan came the battle for the hearts of its future residents. Because God must win our hearts if we're going to have success and continuance into the future. If God doesn't have our hearts, then there is no future for life. Before the battles for the land in Canaan came the battle for the hearts. Ah, but we can also say before the battles for the promised land came the battle for trusting God's promises. And before the battles to possess the land came the battle to be devoted to God, first of all. And the message is rather interesting, because we're talking about the Pentateuch and the last of the five books. This is the fifth book in the Pentateuch. The message in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, and Deuteronomy, make this message of God winning our hearts, us giving our hearts to him. That message is really driven home when you look at the Pentateuch in its entirety. Deuteronomy is the farewell speech, sort of the end point, the period on the Pentateuch. And it's a farewell speech that puts the stories of the first five books of the Bible into perspective. The purpose of Deuteronomy The message that is, the purpose of the Deuteronomy message in the Pentateuch and in the Bible is to explain why and how to enter into God's kingdom. And choosing God's kingdom is choosing to live with him forever. That's choosing life. And choosing life is about choosing to love God. And it's rather interesting in this last book of the Pentateuch, Deuteronomy chapter six, verses four and five, it's called the Shema, the famous Shema. which really captures the heart of the book. And it says this, Hear, hear, O Israel, the Lord your God is one Lord, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul and with all thy might. This is the cry of the farewell speech and the period, the exclamation point put on the five books of the Pentateuch. Here is the message that Israel needed to hear as they're preparing to go into the promised land. Love God with all your heart, soul, and might. The message is make your creator, make God your first love. And this is the first and great commandment that Jesus talked about in Matthew chapter 22, 36 through 40. See, that's why I said at the very beginning, the questions we ask today have been asked since the very beginning. Humanity doesn't ask anything new. They're not asking anything different than they've always asked. And guess what? The same God has the same answer. That's why we can read the book of Genesis and it's just as relevant for today as it was back then when it was written for Abraham or for Joseph or we look at the Pentateuch. It's just as relevant for us today as for Israel or anyone else. It doesn't matter how far back we go. Same questions, same answers. This is referred to as the Shema. Because the verse begins with, hear, O Israel. Well, this comes from the Hebrew word, Shema. And that's why it's called the Shema. And really that's reminiscent of the Shema of Revelation chapter two and three. Does that jog any minds or remembrance there of what the Holy Spirit said to the seven churches? Where he says and admonishes seven times, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. The Shema, hear, O Israel. Well, that message is still being proclaimed to us today. Our Shema, hear. Those who have a listening ear, let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. The question then is, are we listening in like Deuteronomy? These are admonitions. to the seven churches that are essential for our existence as a church preparing to enter into the kingdom of God and prepare others to go into the kingdom of God and prepare others for continuance until the Lord comes back. So let me emphasize the point I made in the statement about God's message. We receive the kingdom of God We do not take it. God gives us a place in his kingdom. We can do nothing to earn it. We understand that here. It's not in our power or our morality or the reason that we deserve a place in his kingdom. That's not why we enter into the kingdom of God. It is given to us. We're not purchasing our place in the kingdom of heaven. We're not working for our place in his kingdom. It's given to us as a gift. And when we grasp this message, we grasp the answer to the question, how do we continue with God, with our creator? How do we do that? What must Israel do to enter into the promised land? And what must we do to enter into the kingdom of God. It's rather interesting. Let's look at the message of the Pentateuch. There's really a five-fold message in the Pentateuch. There's five books. And I thought that would be rather interesting since we're talking about Deuteronomy. How does it fit into the whole context of all five books? Well, this message of continuance, loving God, staying faithful to him, receiving the kingdom of God, rather than taking the kingdom of God, is a message about God's gift that's woven from Genesis into Exodus, into Leviticus, into Numbers, into Deuteronomy. Let's just look at the book of Genesis. What is its message? From Adam to Babylon, humanity proved itself to be incorrigible. That was the message in Genesis. Man is wicked, rebellious, murderous, unrighteous, obstinate, proud, and insistent on following self-will rather than God's will. And they prefer the way, I say they, that's us, they preferred the way of Satan and the kingdom of self-will over the way of their creator. As Abraham asks very humbly before God, what will thou give me? And God's answer was, I will give you an inheritance, a place in my kingdom. Why did Abraham ask that question? Because man without God is doomed. And it was demonstrated in the book of Genesis from Genesis chapter 1 to chapter 11. From the time of the sin in the Garden of Eden to, hey, still at the Tower of Babel, man is still doing his own thing. Self-will over God's will. He's incorrigible. He needs help. What happens in Genesis chapter 12? Abraham, the story of Abraham and the promise of God. That would be a blessing to all the people on earth. And we would see that God chose Abraham and his descendants to be blessed by God's mercy and grace. Now the message of the book of Exodus makes it very clear as well. In the book of Exodus, it makes clear that there is no hope for humanity to be delivered from bondage and suffering except by the gracious mercy of God and his desire to deliver us. Only God can deliver. Humanity is absolutely powerless to liberate itself. Freedom must come from God. It must be given to us by God. Now, you look at the book of Leviticus, and it reveals that righteousness is required in order to enter into God's kingdom. In other words, there's no sin in heaven. The law, with its many commands and applications, shows that it's absolutely impossible for us, on our own efforts, to be good enough to qualify to be citizens in God's kingdom. The law condemns the proud who think, I can be good enough, I can do this. But it enlightens the humble who realize, man, I can't do this, I need help, Lord, save me. The tabernacle design given and described in the book of Leviticus itself reveals God's plan of salvation through sacrifice and cleansing, through new birth, In other words, righteousness must be given to us by God because we don't possess it ourselves. And then that brings us to the book of Numbers, which records the same incorrigible tendency of humanity that we saw in Genesis. For 40 years, The Book of Numbers documents the travels of Israel through the wilderness, demonstrating that humanity cannot overcome its nature to be proud and rebellious, preferring their own will over God's will. And yet, the most important truth that rings out in Leviticus is this. Despite our unworthiness, God is always willing to forgive and restore fellowship. Usually you think about the book of Leviticus and it's all about the law and the judgment of God. But you know, the book of Numbers demonstrates that in spite of all the constant rebellion and complaining and whining by Israel, God was always there ready and willing to forgive. What a God. And he desires that none should perish. And we see the heart of God, his love for us. Romans 5, 8 reminds us. But God commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He still died even though we were his enemies and wanted nothing to do with him. He still went on ahead and died for us. In other words, God must forgive us. We can't force it on him. Fortunately, he desires that. He wants to forgive. And this brings us to the book of Deuteronomy. At the end of Israel's 40-year journey in the wilderness, proving beyond doubt that salvation is offered as an undeserved gift from God and received by those who believe in his promise, not in themselves, but in him, We find a nation on the threshold of its destiny. That's where we are in Deuteronomy now. By this time, most of those who entered into the covenant at Mount Sinai 40 years earlier are dead. And Moses and the remaining elders, except for two, they're going to pass off the scene too. And you might find this interesting, but it's only a few days to a few weeks before they enter into the promised land. They cross the Jordan, so it's not gonna take long. These guys are dying rather quickly after this farewell address. In the plains of Moab is where you got Mount Nebo and about five to seven miles off in the distance, westwardly, you have the River Jordan. And that's where they had to go to enter into the promised land that God had been, that God had promised Abraham and all his descendants. And they knew about that. They knew that's where they wanted to go. And what's, there's an interesting parallel here because just as their parents Here they are at Mount, they're out there in the plains of Moab getting ready to go in, listening to Moses. Just as their parents had received a message from God 40 years earlier at Mount Sinai, they were standing there in the plains of Moab being instructed with the same covenant, the same message. This is what you need to do to be blessed by God. A new generation of Israel was standing there, getting ready to go into the promised land, listening to Moses' farewell speech just days or just weeks before going on and entering in. In light of the Bible's overarching theme of the kingdom of God, Deuteronomy calls God's people, come into my kingdom, is what he's saying. Here's how to do it. And it makes one truth unmistakably clear, and that is, sin has no place in the kingdom of God. That's why we have the dropping off, the death of all the former generation, which represented the carnality and the sin that cannot enter into the kingdom of God. So the new generation that was standing at the edge of the promised land, eager to go in, they were either born during the 40 years while in the wilderness, or they were just children at Mount Sinai. Now as adults, they were poised and ready to inherit what their parents forfeited in favor of sin. You see, that's just like many do today, most do today. They forfeit their gift from God offered to them in favor of sin, saying, no, I don't want the kingdom of God. The new generation was ready to go. And Moses drives this point home in Deuteronomy 5, verse 3. It says, the Lord made not this covenant. This is Moses speaking to Israel. The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us. Us? Who's us? That refers to the idea that this was not a covenant between God and Abraham and one generation of Israel. No, this was multi-generation. It was to an entire nation of Israel for generations to come. It was a covenant passed from generation to generation, binding the people to God's covenant and promises. This point right here, this statement of Moses is very important because this was not a covenant just between God and Abraham, or just between God and Moses, or just between God and Israel, first generation. It was a covenant that God intended to be perpetual with the nation of Israel from generation to generation. And that point explains why the message is about continuance with God. This scene took place in the plains of Moab, as I mentioned, east of the River Jordan. directly across from Jericho in the promised land. And Moses is about 120 years old at this point. He delivers his final words to Israel before his death, which is, if you really wanna see that, you look at Deuteronomy chapter 34. And this message is the heart and soul of the message in the whole book of Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy chapter 34. Unlike the lengthy timelines that we saw in Genesis and Exodus, Deuteronomy is unfolding over just a brief period of time, days or weeks, not much longer than that, and it retells It reviews and expands insights into the law given at Mount Sinai. It was an essential message for a new generation preparing to enter into the land of Canaan, the promised land of God. The book includes a historical review. of Israel's journey, a repetition of the 10 commandments, a covenant renewal and a call to obedience, instructions for life in the land, and then ends up with Moses' farewell and death. So Deuteronomy is considered Moses' farewell speech, but a beginning chapter for a new generation of Israel. It's a commissioning for future responsibilities and expectations with the same message God gave to their parents. Not a different message, the same message. And that is the same message today. Same God, same answers to the same questions. This is a message from the voice of a prophet, a father and a shepherd urging God's people to remember who they are, whose they are, and how they must live as citizens worthy of the kingdom of God. You can break down the book of Deuteronomy into nine sections here. And I'll briefly go through them. Learn from your past, chapters one through four. Learn from your past. Moses recounted the journey from Mount Sinai to Moab, Israel's rebellions and the victories over Sion and Og. He urged new Israel to remember God's past acts, especially those of Exodus, and to teach future generations to do this. Remember God's acts in the miraculous exodus from bondage and his guidance in wilderness. These acts remind us that we need him. He is always with us. He is our solution, our savior, our guide, our source of wisdom. He is everything that we must have. And also we see, remember what happens without him. And remember the consequences of sin, self-will, and rebellion. And remember to teach future generations in order to ensure covenant continuity. And here's the lesson for us. Remember, because memory fuels faithfulness. Forgetting leads to rebellion. God is faithful even when we're not. and we must learn from failure to trust his leadership. In chapters five through 11, we have a second very interesting lesson from Moses, and that is remember the covenant. Moses recounted the Ten Commandments, the Shema, and the warnings against idolatry. And he urged Israel to remember, remember the covenant is not just history, it's inheritance. Own it, live it, and pass it on. And remember that remembering requires repeating the commandments, Deuteronomy chapter five. And then remember, keep and teach the Shema, Deuteronomy chapter 6. Remember from whence come blessings and cursings. And remember your calling to wholeheartedly love and obey God. Moses said, The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us who are all of us here alive this day. And that verse shows Moses was speaking to the current generation as if they were present at Sinai, emphasizing personal ownership and inclusion in the covenant. The lesson for us is this, the lesson to hear, all those who have an ear to hear, God wants full devotion with our hearts, souls, and minds. And then in chapter 6 through 11, the message is, love the Lord thy God. The Shema is an exhortation to wholehearted devotion and warnings against forgetting. In the words of Moses, hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. That's the message we want to remember, not forget. The lesson for us to hear in this message is, love is the foundation of obedience. Make God your first love. That's how you enter into his kingdom, prepared to receive it and enjoy it. Obedience flows from love. Not the other way around. Make God your first love, heart, soul, and strength, and you will obey him. We know that keeping the commands like the scribes and the Pharisees, that didn't make them love God. But it's guaranteed if you love God, you're gonna obey him. And this is the key to resisting sin and desiring the will of God. That's our lesson. And then chapters 12 through 26, live as a holy nation. Moses reviewed the instructions for worship, justice, purity, generosity, and leadership in these chapters. And the lesson for us in these chapters is this. Holiness is essential for entering into the kingdom of God. Let every part of your life reflect God's character and his values. And this admonition serves to remind us in Israel why they were not blessed as often as they were cursed. It wasn't due to God's lack of love for them. It was due to their ungodliness and lack of love for him. Chapters 27 through 30. Think of the consequences. That was his message here. Why? Because our choices determine the blessings and curses we receive. Moses reviewed the covenant ceremony held at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, where the people faced a clear choice between life and death. He made clear that obedience results in prosperity, peace, and divine favor. In contrast, disobedience results in exile, suffering, and loss. So the lesson for us out of this is clear. Our covenant with God is a matter of life and death. Your choices truly matter. Blessings flow from obedience while rebellion leads to ruin. Choosing to obey God's will is choosing to live forever. And that's what the original exhortation was at the very beginning as I started. Choose life. And the most important thing to understand about obeying God is that it all begins with obeying the first and great command, love God. The fact is, you look at humanity and that was demonstrated from Adam to Babylon, man is incorrigibly bent and prone to choosing sin. We're too prone to look to any other commandment, even as Christians, too prone to look at any other commandment to obey other than the first and great command. That's the problem. And this is why that command is so often neglected. So what do you think is the greatest problem in Christianity today among Christians in our churches today? You'll get a dozen reasons. You'll get a hundred reasons. How many actually come up with the first and great commandment? Not many, because it's neglected. And that's why it has to be repeated over and over and over again, because people are not catching it. We are too prone to look to other commands, rather than the first and great command to love God, which as Jesus pointed out, you take care of the first command, everything else is gonna take care of itself. But you neglect the first command and anything goes. And then the sixth point here, just throughout the book, not necessarily just a section of chapters, God commands his people to teach their children, remember his faithfulness, and pass the covenant on from one generation to the next. This is not optional. It's essential for continuance, for survival, and the flourishing of the faith. And here's the lesson for us. Which is very simple, but profound. Faith must be generational. It needs to be nurtured with urgency and joy, not by delay and neglect. Well, they'll get it someday. Our kids will hear it someday. Later on, when they grow up, we can teach them. We can tell them how they need to be with God, and how to love God, and how to think about God. Later, when they're old enough, It's too late. We're called to live as parents and as adults as examples of covenant loyalty so that the next generation can follow faithfully and confidently that example. And this is key to continuance. The future of God's people depends on how well we teach, how well we model, and how well we pass on the faith today. Chapter 17, 18, and 31, not just a continuous package, but in those particular chapters, we have an additional set of general instructions to Israel in which Deuteronomy provides clear guidelines for kings, priests, prophets, leaders, emphasizing the importance of godliness. In other words, The message that we see here is worship God alone. Not all by yourself, but worship God alone, solely. Only Him and no other. Exclusive devotion to Jehovah. And secondly, keep the tabernacle central. Life must revolve around God. not something else, not your job, not school, not recreation, whatever it might be, but revolve around God as the center hub of life. So the lesson for us to remember here is this. Leadership must reflect God's holiness and worship must be directed to the one true God and our lives must center on Him. Amen? That's a tremendous message coming out of Deuteronomy from Moses. And it's a farewell address. So imagine yourself giving a farewell message. You're about ready to die. Would it be important to you? Would you be thinking, what can I pass on? All right, I'm going to sum up. everything I know from life, and what will I say? You might be moved to think, well, this is the most important thing I'm ever gonna say. I wonder if they're gonna remember it, because I'm not gonna be here. This is Moses' farewell address. Do you think it's an important message? We're glad you joined us for our services here at Mission Boulevard Baptist Church. If this program has helped you and you would like to have more information about trusting Christ as your Lord and Savior, or if you would like to have resources to help you in your spiritual walk and growth, please email us at the address on your screen. We look forward to having you join us again online, but you are always welcome to personally attend any of our services at the Mission Boulevard Baptist Church here in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Hi, this is Dr. Patrick Briney. I hope and pray this important lesson has improved your life. For more life-changing lessons, and to get your free book that I've written for you, visit my website at patrickbriney.com. And please share this valuable lesson with at least three of your friends, to enrich their lives in our Lord Jesus Christ. I'll upload my next lesson for you soon. God Bless.