Ten Days with the 10 Commandments

By Paul Arndt "To Whom Shall We Go?", Ten Commandments, VlogCast

One Commandment Directed Toward Two

When Jesus was asked about the Ten Commandments, He summarized them with one word directed toward two. (Matthew 22:35-40)

Love God.
Love the neighbor.

Perhaps, the greatest revealer of 2020 and the most disturbing systemic symptom has been our lack of love. Sadly, the worst of the world has brought out the worst in us.

Here’s a brief spiritual assessment:

In 2020, have we (always, perfectly, humbly, daily, faithfully, selflessly and truly) …

  • loved the Triune God with all of our heart and soul and mind? called upon Him in every trouble? honored His Word?
  • loved our neighbor as ourselves? respected God’s established estates of authority? protected life? celebrated marriage and encouraged purity? helped others gain and keep possessions and receive their daily bread? upheld reputations? lived a life of contentment?

Jesus didn’t see the Law as isolated words. He saw them as commandments given in the context of community.  For Jesus, breaking the commandments was the same as breaking community.

The good news is that, in Jesus, the worst of us (and the world) is daily met with the best of the Triune God. Through the person and the work of Jesus the world is redeemed, restored and reconciled.

  • He is the Great Physician.
  • He has diagnosed the spiritual disease afflicting us and our world.
  • He’s given three doctor’s orders:  repent, receive, rejoice ..(and I’ll add a fourth) … repeat.

“To Whom Shall We Go?” Virtual Journey

Starting on Thursday, October 22nd, I’d like to invite you to join me in a ten day spiritual health assessment. Jesus will be the Great Physician and the 10 Commandments will be the Holy Spirit’s spiritual diagnostic tool.

  • The 10 Commandments will reveal the malady and deep cancerous corruption of the devil, the world and our own sinful flesh … “there is no one righteous”, except our Brother, Jesus Christ. (Romans 3)
  • The 10 Commandments will then direct us to the healing medicine of the forgiveness of sins found only in the person and work of Jesus and distributed in the Church through the Word and the Sacraments. We’ll say, like the disciples … “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of life!”
  • After our conscience has been healed with the Gospel, the Holy Spirit will then use the 10 Commandments to encourage and exhort us toward a new way of living toward God and the neighbor. He’ll show us what true love looks like.

More Links, Resources and Next Steps

Here’s some more information, videos, resources, a schedule for this Fall and some next steps to help you enroll in the To Whom Shall We Go? journey. 

Enroll in the “GO?” Journey (Click Here)

Sample of Video Lessons and Content

Below is a sample of the virtual lessons and video content that will be available on the “eXPlain it” (click here) digital platform.

click here for presentation notes

Schedule for Fall of 2020

  • On Thursday, October 22nd we’ll start our “GO?”  journey with the “Ten Days of Preparation”. Each day we’ll walk through and study one of the Ten Commandments.
  • Sunday, November 1st will be a day set aside to go to the Lord’s house. During the time of worship we will repent, receive and rejoice in all of the gifts that only the Triune God can give to us. If you do not have a place to worship, you’re welcome to attend worship at East Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Detroit at 10 am. (click here for website)
  • And then, on Monday, November 2nd we’ll begin a 12 week course, process and experience called “The Receptive Life”.

We belong to Christ!

The Lord bless and keep us and grant us His peace,

Paul

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