Title: Missing the Mark
Text: Exodus 20–23
Introduction
The story so far. Israel is in bondage in Egypt. They cry out for deliverance and God sends them Moses. Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh and exposes the false gods of Egypt as well as the hardened heart of Pharaoh who refuses to let the Israelites go despite the plagues God unleashes on Egypt. Pharaoh finally lets Israel go after the 10th and final plague where every firstborn of Egypt died because they were not protected by the blood of the Passover lamb. Israel was set free but then pursued by Egypt. God miraculously divided the Red Sea for Israel to cross but then the Egyptians were drowned in teh process of going after Israel. Through the plagues, the Passover, and the Red Sea, God makes it clear: salvation isn’t earned—it’s delivered. The people are brought out, but quickly show what’s in their hearts—complaining, doubting, missing the mark again and again. Yet God provides anyway—water from the rock, bread from heaven, and victory over enemies. By chapter 19, they’re standing at Sinai—not as slaves anymore, but as a people set apart.
The message is clear: God redeems first, then calls His people to Himself.
Now, we come to Exodus 20-23 which is known as when God gives His law to His people at Mt. Sinai.
Why Did God Give the Law?
A. To Command — God Establishes the law because He is the authority. He is Righteous and He is Just.
Exodus 20:1–2 — “I am the LORD thy God…”
Deuteronomy 6:4–5 — “The LORD our God is one LORD…”
Ecclesiastes 12:13 — “Fear God, and keep his commandments…”
- Authority starts with God not man. God speaks first.
- The law flows from who God is, not the opinions of man.
- Obedience is a response to redemption (“I brought you out…”)
- Establishes God as the standard, not culture or self
B. To Constrain— (To keep His Children from sin)
Exodus 20:13–17 — Commands that restrain harm
Psalm 119:11 — “Thy word have I hid in mine heart…”
Galatians 3:23 — “Kept under the law…”
- The law sets clear boundaries for behavior and character
- Prevents society from descending into chaos. All out anarchy. It gives a mark. A standard.
- Protects life, marriage, truth, and property
- Functions as a guardrail, not just a rulebook
- Even unbelievers benefit from the law. (The law restrains which protects)
C. To Convict — God Reveals Sin
Romans 3:20 — “By the law is the knowledge of sin”
Romans 7:7 — “I had not known sin, but by the law…”
Galatians 3:24 — “The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ”
- The law exposes not just actions—the Law exposes the Herth
- Shows we don’t just break rules—we fall short of God
- The Law Removes self-righteousness
- ** The Law shows us that we have missed the Mark for Righteousness*
- Drives us to see our need for grace and a Savior
- The law diagnoses—the gospel delivers
God commands what is right, contains what is wrong, and convicts the heart that’s off target.
Do We Still Keep All the Laws?
The Law Is Fulfilled in Christ
Short answer:
- Matthew 5:17 — “I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
- Colossians 2:16–17 — These things were a shadow—Christ is the reality.
Jesus perfectly obeyed the law
He fulfilled its purpose. The law pointed to Him
We Are No Longer Under the Law for Salvation
- Romans 6:14 — “Not under the law, but under grace.”
- Galatians 2:16 — Not justified by the works of the law
- We don’t keep the law to be saved
- Salvation is by grace through faith
- The law cannot make us righteous
God’s Moral Standard Still Matters
- Romans 13:8–10 — Love fulfills the law
- John 14:15 — “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
- God’s character hasn’t changed
- Right and wrong haven’t changed
- The moral law is reflected in loving God and loving people
What No Longer Applies the Same Way
Ceremonial Laws (sacrifices, feasts, rituals)
Fulfilled in Christ
Civil Laws for Israel (nation-specific laws)
Given to Israel as a nation, not directly binding today
The Key Distinction
Moral Law = the principle (the mark)
Civil Law = the application (how Israel handled it)
Example:
Moral: “Thou shalt not steal”
Civil: “If someone steals an ox, repay fourfold” (application in Israel)
Why We Still Obey Moral laws (Commandments)
1. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
2. “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…”
3. “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain…”
4. “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
5. “Honour thy father and thy mother…”
6. “Thou shalt not kill.”
7. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
8. “Thou shalt not steal.”
9. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”
10. “Thou shalt not covet…”
We keep them:
- Not to earn salvation → but because we are saved
- Not external pressure → but internal transformation
- Not fear-based → but love-driven
Clarifying Truth
Israel wasn’t saved by the law—they were saved by God, and the law was given to reveal His standard, guide His people, and expose their need.
Outline: “Missing the Mark”
I. Our Standard (Chapter 20) God sets the Mark
-God establishes the standard—this is what holiness looks like
-1 Peter 1:15–16 — “Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
-God’s standard didn’t change—His holiness is still the mark
-- We miss the mark of God's Holiness. This is why we have Jesus.
II. Our Struggle (Chapters 21–22) We miss the mark
- Life reveals the reality—this is how people actually live (and miss the mark)
- Romans 3:23 — “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
- Real life proves it—we don’t live up to the standard
- Not only do we need Grace to be Saved, we also need Grace to live Holy lives.
III. Our Submission (Chapter 23) Through our yielding and surrender we can live Holy lives through Christ
- God still leads His people forward—this is how they are to walk with Him
- Ephesians 2:10 — “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…”
- We’re not just saved from something—we’re called to walk in something
Conclusion
God sets the standard, our lives fall short, but through Christ we live Holy. We hit the mark because of Jesus. We are declared righteous through him.
A special thank you to my Friend Michael Barnette for the song "All things new" and to my friend Dave Compton for the opening remarks.
To contact me, please email me at preachtheword@zohomail.com
