God, with grace and mercy, gave the people the Ten Commandments, not as arbitrary rules to follow. God gave the commandments as a guide to what it means to be The People of God in a world that worships idols, in a world that is constantly at war, in a world that lives in competition to any and everyone they meet.  God says, in the midst of this unsettling world, "You shall not have to live this way.  You shall be able to live as brothers and sisters.  In community.  One with another.  And so, you "get to" have no other gods before me.  You "get to" not kill or covet one another.  You "get to" honor and be honest with one another.  The Ten Commandments are not simply requirements to tick the boxes.  They are a gift for how to live as God's people together.

This week’s scripture passages include:

Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20;  Philippians 4:1-9

Listen to this week’s message starting at 43:18

https://youtu.be/lEBiJkQ2gFU?t=2598