THE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2004

DEUTERONOMY 26

GIVING BACK TO GOD

 

 

 

 

I.     Giving back to God a portion of  your material prosperity serves at least three purposes:   (1-3)

 

A.         It acknowledges that God is the Giver of all things.   (1)

 

-          The Children of Israel were to always remember that God was the source of their blessings.

 

B.         It teaches us to deny ourselves in favor of loving God first.

 

C.         It acknowledges that God is more important to us than the things that He provides.

 

II.                The Children of Israel were to have a place for the worship of God, and the giving of tithes.   (2)

 

III.             The Children of Israel were to profess certain things publicly:

 

     A.     The land was given to them by God   (3).

 

     B.     The Lord saw their past afflictions   (4-7).

 

     C.     The Lord brought us out   (8).

 

     D.     The Lord brought us in   (9).

 

D.         The tithe was a token of thanks for all that God did, and was doing, for the people.   (10).

-          This is a source of rejoicing for the people.

 

IV.              What were the Jews to do AFTER they tithed to God?

 

A.         Verses 12-14 describe a people with consciences free from sin.

 

1.         They have done what God required concerning tithes.

2.         They have not transgressed the commandments   (13).

3.         They keep God’s commandments in their minds.

 

     B.     They are to pray for God’s blessings upon them   (15).

 

1.         Notice that the people meet God’s requirements before they pray for God’s blessings.

2.         They desire to be under the gaze of God.

 

     C.     They are to determine to keep God’s Word with all their hearts and souls   (16).

 

     D.     They are to acknowledge that God alone is their God   (17).

 

     E.     They are to understand that God has called them to be a “peculiar people”   (18).

 

-          Living by the Word of God will make you a peculiar people.

 

F.      They are to understand that this peculiarity separates them from ALL other nations   (19).

 

1.         The Jews represented the praise, name, and honor of God.

2.         They were to be holy (set apart).

 

-          A constant thread from the Old Testament to the New Testament is holiness among God’s people.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion – Please read Deuteronomy 27 for next Sunday.