Commandment #1 | Exodus 20:1-17

Illustration: The Rescued Child

Imagine a child trapped in a burning house. A firefighter runs in, risks his life, and carries that child to safety. Later, that firefighter says, “Stay close to me. Follow my instructions.” The child doesn’t obey to be rescued—he obeys because he already was rescued.

Application Line:

God didn’t give Israel commandments to get them out of Egypt—He got them out of Egypt and then gave them commandments.

I. The Context of the Commandment: A Redeeming God (Exodus 20:2)

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”

A. God introduces Himself before giving commands

The commandments flow from relationship, not just rules.

God reminds Israel of His saving grace before demanding obedience.

Supporting Scriptures:

Deuteronomy 6:20–23 – God delivered Israel so they could live in covenant obedience.

20 In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?” 21 tell him: “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22 Before our eyes the Lord sent signs and wonders—great and terrible—on Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. 23 But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land he promised on oath to our ancestors.

1 John 4:19 – “We love Him because He first loved us.”

Romans 5:8 – God demonstrates His love before we respond. That while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Preaching Insight: Obedience is not a way to earn salvation; it is a response to salvation.

II. The Core Command: Exclusive Worship (Exodus 20:3)

Story: The Marriage Covenant

Tell a brief story about a wedding.

At a wedding, a husband doesn’t say, “I’ll have you as my wife, but I’ll also keep a few other romantic relationships on the side.”

Marriage demands exclusivity.

Preaching Line:

“God is not looking for an open relationship. He is looking for a covenant relationship.”

Illustration: The Throne of the Heart

You can say:

“In every human heart there is a throne, and something or someone is sitting on it. The First Commandment asks a simple question: Who is on the throne?”

(Exodus 20:3) “You shall have no other gods before Me.”

A. What “before Me” means

Not just physically in front, but beside, alongside, or in competition with God.

God demands exclusive loyalty.

Supporting Scriptures:

Deuteronomy 6:4–5 – “The LORD our God, the LORD is one…love Him with all your heart.”

Isaiah 45:5–6 – “I am the LORD, and there is no other.”

Matthew 4:10 – Jesus quotes this command when tempted by Satan. “Worship the LORD God and serve Him only.”

Jesus said you can’t serve God and money (or anything else)!

B. God is a jealous God (in the right sense)

He desires covenant faithfulness, like a husband desires faithfulness in marriage.

Supporting Scriptures:

Exodus 34:14 – “For the LORD…is a jealous God.”

James 4:4 – Friendship with the world is enmity (opposed or hostile towards) with God.

III. Modern Idols: What Are “Other Gods” Today?

Story: The Golden Calf of Convenience

Explain how Israel built the golden calf because Moses delayed. They wanted a god they could control, see, and carry around.

Modern Parallel: “We build golden calves out of convenience—credit cards, social media, busy schedules, and self-reliance—because trusting an unseen God takes faith.”

Illustration: The Idol Detector

Say: “Show me your calendar, your checkbook, and your browser history, and I’ll show you your god.” (Idols are revealed by what gets our time, money, and attention.)

Pastoral Anecdote

Share about a church member (without naming) who chased success or wealth but later testified, “I gained everything I wanted and realized I lost what mattered most (his family).”

Scripture Tie-in: Ecclesiastes 2:11.

Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

Even though we don’t bow to statues, idolatry still exists.

A. Idols of the Heart

Anything that takes God’s place in our lives can become a god.

Possible Modern Idols:

Money and possessions (Matthew 6:24)

Success and career (Ecclesiastes 2:11)

Relationships and family (Luke 14:26)

Power, reputation, or ministry itself

Comfort, entertainment, or self

Supporting Scriptures:

Colossians 3:5 – Greed is idolatry. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

1 John 5:21 – “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”

Ezekiel 14:3 – People can set up idols in their hearts.

Illustration Idea: An idol is not necessarily something bad—it is often a good thing that becomes an ultimate thing.

IV. Why God Must Be First

A. Because He Alone Is Creator

Genesis 1:1 – God created everything; everything belongs to Him.

B. Because He Alone Is Savior

Isaiah 43:11 – “Besides Me there is no savior.”

Acts 4:12 – Salvation is found in no one else.

C. Because He Alone Sustains Us

Colossians 1:16–17 – In Him all things hold together.

Preaching Insight: We are most secure, satisfied, and fulfilled when God is first.

Illustration: The Broken Compass

A compass with a magnet taped to it will always point the wrong direction. When something else becomes our god, our entire life direction gets distorted.

V. Practical Application: Living the First Commandment

1. Examine Your Priorities

Story: The Power Outage

Tell about a power outage in your town or church. Everything stops when the power source is gone.

Application:

“When God is not central, spiritual power fades.”

What gets your time, money, affection, and trust?

Scripture:

Matthew 6:21 – “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

2. Practice Daily Worship

Prayer, Scripture, church, and obedience keep God central.

Scripture:

Psalm 95:6–7 – “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.”

Story: The Relationship Drift | A couple once said their marriage didn’t fall apart suddenly; it drifted apart slowly. The same is true with God—drift happens when devotion stops.

3. Remove Competing Gods

Illustration: The Rival Throne

In ancient times, two kings could not sit on the same throne. Line: “Jesus will not share His throne with money, sports, politics, or even ministry.”

Repent of anything that rivals God’s place.

Scripture:

Joshua 24:15 – “Choose this day whom you will serve.”

VI. Gospel Connection (Christ-Centered Ending)

Story: The Cross and the Idol Factory

Martin Luther said the human heart is an “idol factory.” Jesus came not only to forgive our idols but to replace them with Himself.

Powerful Closing Illustration: The Auction

Imagine an auction where everything you own—house, career, reputation, family—is up for sale. At the end, God asks, “Is there anything you wouldn’t give up for Me?” Whatever that is—that’s your god.

Closing Line: “God does not want to be number one on a list of many. He wants to be the only one on the throne.”

The First Commandment points us to Jesus.

Jesus perfectly loved the Father with all His heart.

He died for our idolatry and rose to restore our relationship with God.

Supporting Scriptures:

John 14:6 – Jesus is the way to the Father.

Hebrews 12:28–29 – Worship God with reverence and awe.

Revelation 22:3–4 – In eternity, God alone will be worshiped.

Conclusion / Call to Response

Big Closing Thought: The First Commandment is not just about rejecting idols—it is about loving God above everything else.

Possible Invitation Line:

“Today the Lord is asking us the same question He asked Israel: ‘Will you have any other gods before Me?’

He is not trying to take joy from you—He is trying to give you freedom. Egypt is behind you. Don’t bring Egyptian idols into the Promised Land. Let us choose today whom we will serve.”

“Who or what sits on the throne of your heart today? Let us return to the LORD, the One who brought us out of bondage and into freedom.”

The First Commandment