Brother Stephen delivered a message emphasizing the significance of God's law and our life in Christ. He began by referencing Deuteronomy, explaining that it restates the law given to Israel at Mount Horeb, highlighting the importance of obeying God's commandments, not to earn salvation, but because of God's faithfulness and mercy. Stephen pointed out that Israel's entrance into the Promised Land was not due to their righteousness but God's love and faithfulness, supported by grace. He stressed that after entering the land, Israel was commanded to obey God's law to remain there, emphasizing that obedience is rooted in love and the Spirit, not mere rule-keeping. In the New Testament, believers are under grace, but still under a law—the law of love, the Spirit of life, inscribed in our hearts. To abide in Christ, we must obey the Spirit within us, which teaches and guides from within, rather than external rules. Stephen also discussed the importance of both corporate and personal life in Christ, illustrating that unity is centered on Christ as the head, and emphasizing the need for assembly, diligence, and variety in service. He concluded by stressing the necessity of living a holy, pure, and separate life, feeding on Christ, avoiding mixture, and living in purity, all motivated by love and the Spirit’s work within us.
Deuteronomy as a restatement of God's law, emphasizing obedience rooted in God's faithfulness and mercy
Israel's entrance into the Promised Land was due to God's love, not righteousness
The new covenant under grace involves obeying the law of love and the Spirit inscribed in our hearts
Abiding in Christ requires obeying the Spirit within, not external rules
Christian life involves both corporate and personal aspects, centered on Christ as the head
Living a holy, separate, and pure life—feeding on Christ, avoiding mixture, and living in purity
The importance of assembly, diligence, and variety in service and life in Christ
Living out love, faithfulness, and obedience through the Spirit’s work in us
1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.
1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. 2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
5 On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying,