Walls of the Playground // Rev. Matt Kennedy // Jul 12 2026

Historians sometimes observe a kind of see-saw in the life of societies and nations. In one era, a culture may become permissive and libertine. Once this gives way to anarchy, the pendulum swings back towards the rule of law in response. In some ways, we might be seeing this in our moment. An increasing number of people who have grown up with lawlessness are growing curious about tradition, religion, and moral order. There are signs that "rules" are coming back in fashion, and a good number of these people are growing curious about what the Bible teaches about morality.When the Bible lays out it's most famous set of rules, it is interesting to note the setting and context. Moses delivers the Ten Commandments to a people recently liberated from Egyptian slavery and tyranny (Exodus 19:1-6, 20:1-21). Newfound freedom is guarded by a call to law and obedience. But it's essential to note the order of things: God does not first give the Hebrews a list of rules and then offer liberation as a reward. God liberates first, then in response invites his people to live lives ordered around God's character.Historic Christian theology has always been careful to say that the Law does not save God's people. The Law shows us our need for the Gospel (God's grace in Christ) and upon the freedom we find in unconditional love, a new kind of moral order follows. This summer we'll examine the Ten Commandments not as more rules to follow for the sake of our salvation, but as insights into God's character-- leading us out of slavery and into the freedom of his love and grace.