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-[[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/de/jn_de_2019_12_10|Deutsche Version]] [[Start|| Wiki Start]] [[topics_collection_ix|| Themen Kollektion ix ]]
+[[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/de/jn_de_2019_12_12|Deutsche Version]] [[Start|| Wiki Start]] [[topics_collection_ix|| Themen Kollektion ix ]]
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 ====== Starting to listen ... ======
-Thursday, Dez 12, 2019.
+Thursday, Dez 12, 2019. How do you understand God? You could start to read the bible, and
+many of its parts will tell you a lot about the Lord.
+Are there particular starting points, which can help you to learn more about him? Yes, there are
+various such starting points. One of them are the 10 commandments, which are recorded in Mose 2,
+Chapter 20 (and further places). They are the background and basis for many other parts such
+as the Beatitudes of Jesus in Matthew 5-7.
+This morning, I would like to take the first commandment as a discussion point. Of course, there
+have been various books and sermons on the 10 commandments. They are attributed to Moses, which means
+that they have been recorded about 1400 BC. What is their core idea and purpose?
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 ** Only one God ... **
+The 10 commandments start with God himself, and with our relationship to God. It is said:
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+And God spoke all these words, saying,
+“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
 “You shall have no other gods besides me.
 </color> (2 Mose 20, 3)
+God is a liberator. He is a God of freedom. He is a God of dignity. He is a God of historical
+relevance, he is in the middle of our life and our history.
+But the first commandment also comes with a clear order. Do not have other Gods besides me. God
+is the only God. There is no other God. There are things or beings which want to take the role
+of God in our life. But if that takes place, it is very bad for us. Why? Since we are off
+reality. With God not being God in our life any more, we follow illusions and lies. That cannot
+be a good basis for life.
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-** ...**
+** God and Ethics ...**
+It is very interesting to compare the composition of the 10 commandments with the struggle of
+modern mankind with ethics. Here, it is said that the first thing is to realize that God is God.
+Then, it is important to realize that God is good. And with him being love, being truth,
+being faithfullness, also ethical rules come. In him, there is appreciation and dignity.
+Honour your father and mother. Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not
+bear false witness. Do not covet your neighbours house or wife or anything of him.
+The ethics of the 10 commandments reflect who God is.
+The ethics of the 10 commandments come from him. They can also lead us to him. They can tell
+us about him. They can attract us to him. They are his footprint and the desire of his heart.
+Christian faith is more than ethics. It is a relationship. It is about all layers of our life,
+from birth to death to eternity. But as free beings our choices and our desires are important
+to us, and the character of God is important to us. Companionship and fellowship are in the
+center of who we are. And God wants to be our fellow and companion - even if he is a special
+fellow as the eternal creator and ultimate goal.
 (Roland Potthast)