Commandment #6: Sanctity of Life
Exodus 20:13
I. Introduction
-We come to the sixth commandment today.
-One of the more memorable standard commands.
-One that we often relegate to the very worst sinners.
1. But this command is frequently broken.
2. Especially from the heart's perspective.
-Let's read the commandment
II. Scripture
III. Murder
-Ill. A SS teacher was discussing the 10 commandments w/ her kindergarten class
1. After ‘honor dad & mom' she asked if there was any command that dealt with siblings.
2. One of the children blurted out: "Thou shall not kill."
-KJV says ‘kill'
1. Most modern translations say murder.
2. B/c there is a difference.
-Nearly every form of civilization in history has had some kind of prohibition against murder.
-Here we have one.
-But an important distinction is that this command is more than a "no-no" rule.
1. God is trying to instill a way of thinking.
2. Talking about a heart condition.
-To the Israelites, life was a gift from God.
1. Life was given and ultimately taken by God.
2. From creation when God breathed into the soil that created Adam to the present, God is the giver of life.
-Ill. Scientists cannot create life even on a simple level.
1. Frankenstein
2. God is the giver of life.
-God created life in his image.
1. Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."
2. He is the not only the author and giver of life, but the human life He gives is in his image.
-The Point: For a human to take life, would be to presume upon the role of God.
1. To seek to displace God.
2. To break the first commandment.
-"Sanctity of Life"
1. More than a cliche.
2. It is the foundation this command builds upon.
IV. Life is Not Mine
-But it goes deeper.
-This command seeks to show us that life is not ours.
1. Not even our own.
2. We are stewards of our life.
-Suicide
1. If your last act is murdering yourself, you will go to hell.
2. You are not to decide when your life is over.
3. 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
4. Never allow yourself to be deceived into believing that suicide makes things better... it doesn't.
-Life is not our own, we are stewards.
V. Murder, Killing, Etc.
-This Hebrew word for murder is used only 40 times in the OT.
1. The usage of the word does not include just war or capitol punishment.
2. It does include what we would call manslaughter.
3. Negligent behavior leading to someone's death.
4. Drunk driver kills someone, going 105 mph in a 25 school zone, etc.
5. Ill. TDOT company that put in sub-quality guard rails.
-It can also include negligent behavior on leading to your own death.
1. Unhealthy habits & behaviors.
2. Be a good steward of life.
-Abortion
1. Babies are not just a mass of tissue that a woman can get rid of.
2. They have life.
3. I'm pro-choice, I believe your choice is at the point of sexual intercourse.
-Euthanasia
1. We want to play God with others lives.
2. Nazi's felt they could decide who was worthy to live or die.
3. Our culture is close to that.
4. We claim it in the name of mercy.
5. Dr. Kevorkian is no social hero, he is a murderer.
-What about capitol punishment & just war?
-Let's redefine the real issue.
1. The real issue is not whether they are permissible, that is obvious in Scripture.
2. Real issue is whether or not our government has a right to do them.
3. In other words, do we have Biblical right to do wage war or have capitol punishment when our government participates in things like abortion?
-Abortion Clinic bombers?
1. God is not an anarchist.
2. In the OT the government, not individuals, were to institute the death penalty.
3. God does not approve of vigilantes.
VI. Murder & the NT
-God is trying to deal w/ issues of the heart.
-Unfortunately ppl took this command and made is the bare minimum.
1. It became: You shall not murder, but you can treat them like a dog.
2. So while they may not have ‘pulled the trigger' their hearts were murderous.
-Jesus clarifies in the NT:
-Matthew 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' [22] But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. [23] So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, [24] leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
-Jesus was concerned about the condition of your heart!
1. Murder occurs in the heart before a physical act occurs.
2. Murder sprouts from the heart.
-A murderous heart...
1. ...is full of hate and anger.
2. ...it hurts others but ultimately is self-destructive.
3. It will destroy you!
-Love sprouts from the heart.
-A heart of reconciliation...
1. ...if full of love.
2. ...is not a natural thing.
3. ...is from a divine work of God.
-Ill. A class on loving others won't give you a heart of love
1. A heart of love is not a learned behavior.
2. A heart of love is a work of God.
3. Yes, love is a decision, but a decision you cannot make until God has done a work in your heart!
4. All else is artificial love.
VII. Conclusion
-What are you trying to say?
-In a world of murder, violence, hate, & the wrong kind of anger we are called to be a ppl of love.
-Ill. 1st of Dec. 1997 in Paducah KY
1. HS student, Michael Carneal walked into Heath HS and began shooting teens who assembled every day for prayer.
2. Benjamin Strong, from the prayer group walked toward Michael as he was shooting and said: "Mike, what are you doing?"
3. After firing his 22 ten times he dropped his gun and Benjamin hugged him while urging him to calm down.
4. Three died and 5 were wounded that day.
5. Usually the group has no more than 25 students. The next day there were over 250 students.
6. Melissa "Missy" Jenkins was wounded in the shooting. She was paralyzed for life.
7. She was the first victim of the shooting to get a message to the shooter.
8. She said: "Tell Michael, I forgive him."
-That's not natural!
1. That's the power of God.
2. That's the power of His love born in our hearts.
-The world wants you to believe that a heart of hate & murder is okay.
1. The Bible says in 1 John 3:15 "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."
2. Contradictory
-You can move from a murderous heart to a heart of reconciliation.
-I'm not giving an altar call today.
1. Reconciliation does not begin at the altar.
2. Remember Jesus' words?
3. Matt. 5:24 "Leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, an then come and offer your gift."
-Maybe there is someone...
1. ...you need to go talk to.
2. ...in another church you need to talk to.
3. ...in a place you left or someone that is left here.
4. ...you work with/ a neighbor/ etc.
-God wants to give you a heart of reconciliation instead of hate & murder!
Response
