Commandment #10: Sanctity of Contentment
Exodus 20:17
I. Introduction
-Ill. Saturday AM cartoons.
1. Early on Saturday morn sneaking into the tv room.
2. Cartoons!
3. Commercials of toys!
4. They always seemed so appealing.
5. You remember those toy commercials when going to Wal-Mart!
6. Throwing a fit as you walk by the candy aisle?
-But we're adults... we don't do that do we?
-Ill. Man finds a genie's lamp at the beach.
1. Genie comes out & says you get three wishes, but your worst enemy gets twice what you get!
2. "One million dollars."
3. His enemy got two million.
4. "I want the biggest diamond in the world."
5. He got it but his enemy got two!
6. Genie: "What is your final wish?"
7. "Scare me ½ to death!"
-We are driven by stuff!
1. We bow at the idol of materialism.
2. But no matter how much we have, we want more.
-Ill. Someone asked Rockefeller "How much does the average person need to survive?"
1. "Just a little bit more!"
2. What do you need?
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Catholics combine the first two commandments and divide this one into two.
1. Coveting your neighbor's wife.
2. Coveting their stuff.
-Coveting is based on greed.
-Our society is so prevalent with this that it takes a careful eye to spot it.
-Defined: To ‘covet' is to strongly desire something (person, place, thing, or idea) that belongs to someone else.
-With the exception of the first commandment this is the only commandment that deals with the heart.
1. Not dealing w/ outward, visible things.
2. Motive, heart issue.
-So why does God use this time to deal with something that seems so harmless?
IV. Coveting vs. Contentment
-Ever seen a TV commercial?
-Most of them are tempting you w/ coveting.
-Their desire is to convince you life isn't complete w/out their product!
-That's the fundamental problem w/ coveting!
-Coveting is more than a passing temptation.
1. In a store: "Oh, I'd like to have that."
2. It is a nurtured desire for something that does not belong to you.
-Today, Rene Descartes: "I shop therefore I am."
-The modern Latin conquered might say: "I came...I saw... I shopped."
-Consumerism has become our new religion!
-People in our society today have a negative net value b/c of debt.
1. Home, car, credit card, etc.
2. More, more, more...
-We view luxuries as necessities b/c coveting has twisted our values.
-As rich as our nation is we live in the discontent capitol of the world.
-No one is content with life anymore.
V. Coveting & Idolatry
-Coveting is worshiping someone else's stuff.
-It displaces the Lordship of Christ.
-It is idolatry.
-It is consuming.
-It is destructive.
VI. Thinking Temporary
-Colossians 3:2 "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."
-Coveting brings our thoughts to go no higher than our selves.
-Don't store up treasures here on earth.
VII. Infiltrated the Church
-Coveting says your "wants/needs" are more important than others.
-It has infected the church.
-Prosperity Gospel!
-Name & Claim!
-Healing demands (What is the greatest healing?)
-Self-centeredness driven by greed.
-Also can covet talents, spiritual gifts, and skills other Christians have.
-You do what God wants you to do & stop coveting what He wants them to do.
VIII. What Do You Need?
-Ill. Curly haired ppl want straight hair and straight haired ppl want curly hair.
1. Singer wants to preach.
2. Preacher wants to teach.
3. Teacher wants to sing.
-And no one accomplishes anything good for the Kingdom.
-Do you need anything more than what you have right now?
-Is God enough for you?
-Ephesians 5:5 "For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."
IX. Conclusion
-1 Timothy 6:6 "For Godliness with contentment is great gain."
-Ill. Businessman telling about receiving a gold coin as a child.
1. It was rare in those days and his sister would do anything to hold it for a few moment.
2. She would do his chores, serve him, etc.
3. The man was telling another group of men who were laughing at it.
4. One man said: "Sounds like laugh all we work for and toil for is only to be able to hold onto a gold coin for a just a few moments."
-This life will eventually pass away, what will you be left holding?
Response
Showing posts with label Ten Commandments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ten Commandments. Show all posts
Monday, June 22, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Commandment #9
Commandment #9: Sanctity of Speech
Exodus 20:16
I. Introduction
-"Liar, liar, pants on fire; nose as long as a telephone wire." (Anyone burnt?)
-Truth is a commodity in today's culture.
-Ill. A store manager hears his clerk say, "No, ma'am, we haven't had any for a while, and it doesn't look as if we'll be getting any soon."
1. The manager ran over & said: "Of course we'll have some soon. We placed an order last week." 2. Then he took the clerk aside & said: "Never, never, never say we're out of anything-- say we've got it on order and it's coming. Now, what was it she wanted?"
3. "Rain," the clerk said.
-Ill. A preacher told the church to read Mark 17 for next Sunday's sermon.
1. Next Sunday he asked how many had read Mark 17.
2. Most of the congregation raised their hands.
3. The pastor said: "Good, I am preaching on Liars, and there is no Mark 17."
II. Scripture
III. Background
-It was not too long ago that a man's word was his bond.
1. Yes was yes.
2. No was no.
-High School English teacher: "If a man's word isn't good, then what is good about him."
-Ill. Boston a minister sees a group of boys around a stray dog.
1. "What are you doing, boys?"
2. "Telling lies. The one who tells the biggest lie gets the dog."
3. "Why, when I was your age, I never ever thought of telling a lie."
4. The boys looked and said, "I guess he wins the dog."
-Deception is prevalent!
-Notice this commandment is more than about just lying.
1. It is about bearing false witness.
2. You can bear false witness w/out ever saying a word.
3. You can bear false witness by telling the truth.
-Query: What is the big deal about bearing false witness?
IV. Truth is Truth
-Truth is not subjective.
-Ill. Lincoln arguing with a stubborn man.
1. Lincoln said: "How many legs does a cow have?"
2. "Four, of course."
3. Lincoln agreed, "That's right. Now, suppose you call the cow's tail a leg; how many legs would the cow have?"
4. "Why, five, of course."
5. Lincoln: "Well, that's where you're wrong. Calling a cow's tail a leg doesn't make it a leg!"
-Truth is not open for debate.
1. It is either true or it is not.
2. There is no ‘gray' area or ‘middle' ground between truth and deception!
-Truth cannot be changed.
1. It cannot be bent!
2. It cannot be stretched!
-At the moment it is altered it become deceit!
-John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.""
-So if Jesus is truth, where does deceit have relationship with truth?
1. It DOESN'T!
2. He takes no part in lying.
V. Deception & Relationships
-Deceit destroys relationships we have with God & man.
-Words are the primary connection & communication with others, why would we compromise that, through deceit?
-Deceit is the poison to gossip!
-Half-truths can do full damage.
-Victor Hugo: "Men hate those to whom they have to lie."
1. If you lie about someone, or to someone you will begin to despise them.
2. Lies are corrosive to relationships, b/c they break down trust.
3. Relationships need trust.
-John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
-Satan is the father of lies.
1. Do you speak truth or lies?
2. Maybe that would be an indicator of who your father!
VI. Prevalence of Deceit!
-Deception is accepted in our culture & often in the church.
-Ill. Listen to these quotes...
1. Matthew Lesko: "A degree of lying - you know, white lies - seems to be inherent in all languages and all forms of communication."
2. Clare Boothe Luce: "Lying increases the creative faculties, expands the ego, and lessens the frictions of social contacts."
3. Susan Sontag: "Lying is the most simple form of self-defense."
4. Mark Twain: "Honesty is the best policy - when there is money in it."
-Ill. "The Day American Told the Truth" says that 91 percent of those surveyed lie routinely about matters they consider trivial
1. 36% lie about important matters
2. 86% lie regularly to parents
3. 75% to friends, 73% to siblings, & 69% to spouses.
-Ill. A USA Today poll found that only 56% of American teach honesty to their children
1. A Louis Harris poll showed that 65% of high school students would cheat on an important exam.
2. A physician appeared on a network news-&-talk show and said: "Lying is an important part of social life, and children who are unable to do it are children who may have developmental problems."
-Lying is everywhere so we have accepted it as a fact of life!
-Politicians
1. Bill Clinton: "I did not have sexual relations w/ that woman."
2. Campaign promises!
3. Political debates!
-Ill. Fuller Warren ran for FL governor in 1948
1. Wet/Dry debate came up.
2. He was asked about banning alcohol and he said:
3. "If you mean the demon drink that poisons the mind, pollutes the body, desecrates family life, and inflames sinners, then I'm against it. But if you mean the elixir of Christmas cheer, the shield against winter chill, the taxable potion that puts needed funds into public coffers to comfort little crippled children, then I'm for it. This is my position, and I will not compromise."
4. Ambiguity = deceit.
-Ill. Two men worked on a ship.
1. One day the mate, who normally did not drink, became drunk.
2. The captain, who hated him, entered in the daily log: "Mate drunk today."
3. He knew this was his first offense, but he wanted to get him fired. The mate was aware of his evil intent and begged him to change the record.
4. The captain, however, replied, "It's a fact, and into the log it goes!"
5. So, a few days later the mate was keeping the log, and concluded it with: "Captain sober today."
6. Captain tried to get him to remove it, but the mate said: "It's a fact, and in the log it stays!"
-Mate told the truth, but was still bearing false witness.
-A half-truth is a full lie!
-Lying comes in many forms...
1. White lies.
2. Austin O'Malley: "Those who think it's permissible to tell white lies soon become color-blind."
3. Flattery, false excuses, propaganda, advertising, pleading the fifth amendment, etc.
-Revelation 21:8 "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
VII. The Greatest Lie: Hypocrisy
-Hypocrisy= saying you are one thing and living something different!
-Some here today are living in sin but have continued to deceive everyone around them into believing they are a Christian (when it suits them).
-Sad thing is you have even resorted to lying to yourself.
-Maybe you believe your own lie; that you can continue to sin and be ‘okay' with God.
-You are living a life of hypocrisy. (The lie we hate so much in others.)
-And the world looks at the hypocrisy of the "church" and says: why would I want that?
VIII. Conclusion
-John 8:31-32 "Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
-If you live in deception, you live in bondage.
-Why do we live that way?
1. Why do we try so hard to convince the pastor we are "religious"?
2. I'm slow, but not stupid!
-What if you could be who you claim to be?
1. What if, what you wish you were, you were?
2. What if, the words of your mouth matched the intent of your heart and acts of your hands?
-Truth = freedom!
-Freedom comes from Truth (Jesus)
-This ninth commandment is not about lying.
-This commandment is about the sanctity of truth!
-Are you real?
1. You can be real in a world of cheap imitations!
2. Will you be real with me?
-Are you a person of truth?
-Do you want to be?
-First, you must embrace The Truth!
Response
Exodus 20:16
I. Introduction
-"Liar, liar, pants on fire; nose as long as a telephone wire." (Anyone burnt?)
-Truth is a commodity in today's culture.
-Ill. A store manager hears his clerk say, "No, ma'am, we haven't had any for a while, and it doesn't look as if we'll be getting any soon."
1. The manager ran over & said: "Of course we'll have some soon. We placed an order last week." 2. Then he took the clerk aside & said: "Never, never, never say we're out of anything-- say we've got it on order and it's coming. Now, what was it she wanted?"
3. "Rain," the clerk said.
-Ill. A preacher told the church to read Mark 17 for next Sunday's sermon.
1. Next Sunday he asked how many had read Mark 17.
2. Most of the congregation raised their hands.
3. The pastor said: "Good, I am preaching on Liars, and there is no Mark 17."
II. Scripture
III. Background
-It was not too long ago that a man's word was his bond.
1. Yes was yes.
2. No was no.
-High School English teacher: "If a man's word isn't good, then what is good about him."
-Ill. Boston a minister sees a group of boys around a stray dog.
1. "What are you doing, boys?"
2. "Telling lies. The one who tells the biggest lie gets the dog."
3. "Why, when I was your age, I never ever thought of telling a lie."
4. The boys looked and said, "I guess he wins the dog."
-Deception is prevalent!
-Notice this commandment is more than about just lying.
1. It is about bearing false witness.
2. You can bear false witness w/out ever saying a word.
3. You can bear false witness by telling the truth.
-Query: What is the big deal about bearing false witness?
IV. Truth is Truth
-Truth is not subjective.
-Ill. Lincoln arguing with a stubborn man.
1. Lincoln said: "How many legs does a cow have?"
2. "Four, of course."
3. Lincoln agreed, "That's right. Now, suppose you call the cow's tail a leg; how many legs would the cow have?"
4. "Why, five, of course."
5. Lincoln: "Well, that's where you're wrong. Calling a cow's tail a leg doesn't make it a leg!"
-Truth is not open for debate.
1. It is either true or it is not.
2. There is no ‘gray' area or ‘middle' ground between truth and deception!
-Truth cannot be changed.
1. It cannot be bent!
2. It cannot be stretched!
-At the moment it is altered it become deceit!
-John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.""
-So if Jesus is truth, where does deceit have relationship with truth?
1. It DOESN'T!
2. He takes no part in lying.
V. Deception & Relationships
-Deceit destroys relationships we have with God & man.
-Words are the primary connection & communication with others, why would we compromise that, through deceit?
-Deceit is the poison to gossip!
-Half-truths can do full damage.
-Victor Hugo: "Men hate those to whom they have to lie."
1. If you lie about someone, or to someone you will begin to despise them.
2. Lies are corrosive to relationships, b/c they break down trust.
3. Relationships need trust.
-John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
-Satan is the father of lies.
1. Do you speak truth or lies?
2. Maybe that would be an indicator of who your father!
VI. Prevalence of Deceit!
-Deception is accepted in our culture & often in the church.
-Ill. Listen to these quotes...
1. Matthew Lesko: "A degree of lying - you know, white lies - seems to be inherent in all languages and all forms of communication."
2. Clare Boothe Luce: "Lying increases the creative faculties, expands the ego, and lessens the frictions of social contacts."
3. Susan Sontag: "Lying is the most simple form of self-defense."
4. Mark Twain: "Honesty is the best policy - when there is money in it."
-Ill. "The Day American Told the Truth" says that 91 percent of those surveyed lie routinely about matters they consider trivial
1. 36% lie about important matters
2. 86% lie regularly to parents
3. 75% to friends, 73% to siblings, & 69% to spouses.
-Ill. A USA Today poll found that only 56% of American teach honesty to their children
1. A Louis Harris poll showed that 65% of high school students would cheat on an important exam.
2. A physician appeared on a network news-&-talk show and said: "Lying is an important part of social life, and children who are unable to do it are children who may have developmental problems."
-Lying is everywhere so we have accepted it as a fact of life!
-Politicians
1. Bill Clinton: "I did not have sexual relations w/ that woman."
2. Campaign promises!
3. Political debates!
-Ill. Fuller Warren ran for FL governor in 1948
1. Wet/Dry debate came up.
2. He was asked about banning alcohol and he said:
3. "If you mean the demon drink that poisons the mind, pollutes the body, desecrates family life, and inflames sinners, then I'm against it. But if you mean the elixir of Christmas cheer, the shield against winter chill, the taxable potion that puts needed funds into public coffers to comfort little crippled children, then I'm for it. This is my position, and I will not compromise."
4. Ambiguity = deceit.
-Ill. Two men worked on a ship.
1. One day the mate, who normally did not drink, became drunk.
2. The captain, who hated him, entered in the daily log: "Mate drunk today."
3. He knew this was his first offense, but he wanted to get him fired. The mate was aware of his evil intent and begged him to change the record.
4. The captain, however, replied, "It's a fact, and into the log it goes!"
5. So, a few days later the mate was keeping the log, and concluded it with: "Captain sober today."
6. Captain tried to get him to remove it, but the mate said: "It's a fact, and in the log it stays!"
-Mate told the truth, but was still bearing false witness.
-A half-truth is a full lie!
-Lying comes in many forms...
1. White lies.
2. Austin O'Malley: "Those who think it's permissible to tell white lies soon become color-blind."
3. Flattery, false excuses, propaganda, advertising, pleading the fifth amendment, etc.
-Revelation 21:8 "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
VII. The Greatest Lie: Hypocrisy
-Hypocrisy= saying you are one thing and living something different!
-Some here today are living in sin but have continued to deceive everyone around them into believing they are a Christian (when it suits them).
-Sad thing is you have even resorted to lying to yourself.
-Maybe you believe your own lie; that you can continue to sin and be ‘okay' with God.
-You are living a life of hypocrisy. (The lie we hate so much in others.)
-And the world looks at the hypocrisy of the "church" and says: why would I want that?
VIII. Conclusion
-John 8:31-32 "Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
-If you live in deception, you live in bondage.
-Why do we live that way?
1. Why do we try so hard to convince the pastor we are "religious"?
2. I'm slow, but not stupid!
-What if you could be who you claim to be?
1. What if, what you wish you were, you were?
2. What if, the words of your mouth matched the intent of your heart and acts of your hands?
-Truth = freedom!
-Freedom comes from Truth (Jesus)
-This ninth commandment is not about lying.
-This commandment is about the sanctity of truth!
-Are you real?
1. You can be real in a world of cheap imitations!
2. Will you be real with me?
-Are you a person of truth?
-Do you want to be?
-First, you must embrace The Truth!
Response
Monday, June 8, 2009
Commandment #8
Commandment #8: Sanctity of Stuff
Exodus 20:15
I. Introduction
-Ill. "Jesus is watching you."
1. A burglar heard when robbing a house.
2. He froze for a long time and then heard it again.
3. He realized it was coming from a parrot in a bird cage.
4. "What's your name?"
5. "Moses"
6. "What kind of person names their bird Moses?
7. "Same kind that names their Rottweiler ‘Jesus'!"
-Associated Press (Seattle)
1. Young man tried to siphon gas out of Dennis Quigley's camper.
2. Unfortunately for him he put his hose in the wrong tank.
3. He siphoned from the sewage tank.
4. Mr. Quigley said he would not prosecute the 14 year old b/c he suffered enough.
-Stealing: we all know it's wrong, but it sure is prevalent!
-Ill. Locking your doors.
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Everything you have has been given to you by God.
-You are a steward of what you have been given.
1. Be careful when talking about ownership.
2. What really is mine?
-In all of the commandments God is trying to communicate His order to things.
1. His way of doing things.
2. And His way is different than ours!
-This commandment is probably one of the most universal.
-Ill. Some cultures do not have taboos about immoral lifestyle.
1. Sex between two single, consenting adults is permissible.
2. But they would about adultery, not b/c it was sexual immorality, but b/c you would be ‘stealing' someone else's spouse.
-As in any sin you are assuming the role of God in deciding who has what.
1. Stealing is claiming you are a better decision maker on what you and the person you are stealing from should be stewards of.
2. Therefore it is sin.
IV. Stealing in the Church
-Of course the world steals, just like it murders, takes God's name in vain, commits adultery, etc. 1. Martha Stewart & Enron
2. Movie stars.
-But I am concerned with the church today.
-A recent Gallop Poll shows that ppl are no more likely to trust Christians than they are sinners when it comes to business & money transactions that require ‘honesty.'.
1. In the world's eyes, there is no difference between church & world.
2. There is something wrong w/ that picture!
-Why is that?
V. We've Compromised in the Little Things
-The little things always defeat the church.
-Let me ask you...
1. McDonald's gives you too much change & you keep it
2. You find money and don't try to find who lost it.
3. You take supplies from work home w/ you.
4. You do personal work while on the clock at work.
5. You browse the Internet while you're on the job.
6. You buy the special and your spouse buys the buffet and you eat food off their plate.
7. You have an expense account at work of $30 per day. You spend $15 and pocket the other $15.
8. You take a sick day when you are not sick.
9. You do not report all of your income on your taxes.
10. Purposely writing bad checks.
-This is where compromise begins!
VI. We've justified stealing...
-Ill. Robin Hood is not a hero, but a villain!
1. Stealing is never a virtue in God's book!
2. Of course the Sheriff isn't righteous either!
3. Two wrongs, don't make a right!
4. This is to justify it in our minds.
5. Ill. The government is stealing from me, I have a right to cheat on my taxes.
6. Motive does not determine morality.
-"Finder's keepers, loser's weepers."
1. If you find money, it is your responsibility to do your best to find the owner of that money!
2. Ill. W/ Dad @ Columbia, KY hospital.
3. He made me turn in the money I found.
-"It was a steal..."
1. Maybe it was...
2. Maybe taking advantage of someone's ignorance or desperation is stealing from them.
3. Just because someone isn't a good steward of what God has given them, doesn't mean you can deceive them out of it.
4. Ill. Jacob & Esau birthright.
-Misdemeanor vs. Felon
1. God doesn't distinguish.
2. There is only stealing!
-See how we justify stealing?
VII. Are We Too Attached?
-If we really believed God would take care of us would it be so great a temptation to steal?
1. If we really believed we couldn't take it with us?
2. If we really believed it wasn't worth comparing with knowing Christ?
-Is five bucks worth eternity?
1. Is $5 billion bucks worth eternity?
2. Then what drives us?
-We love our earthly treasures!
-Matthew 5:40 "And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well."
1. Why is that so hard for us to swallow?
2. B/c we are so in love with our ‘things.'
-Ill. Lady in Dyersburg, TN
1. Man jumped in her car to rob her.
2. Elderly lady named Pauline Jacobi told him ‘No, I won't give you any money.'
3. "As quick as you kill me, I'll go to heaven, but you'll go to hell."
4. "Jesus is right here in this car with me and he goes w/ me everywhere I go."
5. He began to cry & she ministered to him for 10 minutes!
6. He said: "I'll go home & pray tonight."
7. "You don't have to wait until tonight, we can pray right here."
8. She gave him all the cash she had... about $10.
9. "Don't you spend it on whiskey either."
10. He kissed her on the cheek and walked away.
-What will love of earthly treasures drive us to?
-Ill. Norman Rockwell picture from Sat. Evening Post.
1. Butcher & lady smiling at each other w/ turkey on scaled in between.
2. Butcher has his thumb on the scales & lady has her finger pushing up.
3. Both seeking to steal.
-Proverbs 20:23 "Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good."
-Ill. Statistics say that 1 of 52 shoppers will steal.
-Ill. USA Today said 48% of employees stole something from their employer last year.
-Not using what God has placed you in charge of for His glory, is stealing from Him.
VIII. Introspection
-Let me ask two questions:
-First, are you content?
1. Not going to deal in depth w/ this today.
2. Has God provided for all your needs or are you on an endless pursuit for more?
-Second, do you trust God?
1. Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
2. Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"
IX. What Do I Do If Guilty?
-First confess to God & repent!
1. Proverbs 28:13 "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."
-Second, make restitution.
1. Ill. Zacchaeus.
-Third, be a giver.
1. Ephesians 4:28 "Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need."
2. John Wesley's classic sermon on money: "Earn all you can, save all you can, & give all you can."
X. Conclusion
-Everything you have is a gift from God.
1. It's temporary.
2. You are the steward of it.
3. It is to be used for His glory!
-Really theft, in any form, is ironic.
-Ill. Taxi driver would wrap up his garbage in a paper bag and leave it in the back seat.
1. By the end of the day someone would steal it.
2. Imagine their surprise.
-Ill. Thief walked into a convenient store.
1. Threw down a $20 bill and asked for change.
2. When the cashier opened the drawer he grabbed at the cash and ran.
3. Later he realized he only got about $15.
-If you steal, you'll always be short changed and end up with garbage.
Response
Exodus 20:15
I. Introduction
-Ill. "Jesus is watching you."
1. A burglar heard when robbing a house.
2. He froze for a long time and then heard it again.
3. He realized it was coming from a parrot in a bird cage.
4. "What's your name?"
5. "Moses"
6. "What kind of person names their bird Moses?
7. "Same kind that names their Rottweiler ‘Jesus'!"
-Associated Press (Seattle)
1. Young man tried to siphon gas out of Dennis Quigley's camper.
2. Unfortunately for him he put his hose in the wrong tank.
3. He siphoned from the sewage tank.
4. Mr. Quigley said he would not prosecute the 14 year old b/c he suffered enough.
-Stealing: we all know it's wrong, but it sure is prevalent!
-Ill. Locking your doors.
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Everything you have has been given to you by God.
-You are a steward of what you have been given.
1. Be careful when talking about ownership.
2. What really is mine?
-In all of the commandments God is trying to communicate His order to things.
1. His way of doing things.
2. And His way is different than ours!
-This commandment is probably one of the most universal.
-Ill. Some cultures do not have taboos about immoral lifestyle.
1. Sex between two single, consenting adults is permissible.
2. But they would about adultery, not b/c it was sexual immorality, but b/c you would be ‘stealing' someone else's spouse.
-As in any sin you are assuming the role of God in deciding who has what.
1. Stealing is claiming you are a better decision maker on what you and the person you are stealing from should be stewards of.
2. Therefore it is sin.
IV. Stealing in the Church
-Of course the world steals, just like it murders, takes God's name in vain, commits adultery, etc. 1. Martha Stewart & Enron
2. Movie stars.
-But I am concerned with the church today.
-A recent Gallop Poll shows that ppl are no more likely to trust Christians than they are sinners when it comes to business & money transactions that require ‘honesty.'.
1. In the world's eyes, there is no difference between church & world.
2. There is something wrong w/ that picture!
-Why is that?
V. We've Compromised in the Little Things
-The little things always defeat the church.
-Let me ask you...
1. McDonald's gives you too much change & you keep it
2. You find money and don't try to find who lost it.
3. You take supplies from work home w/ you.
4. You do personal work while on the clock at work.
5. You browse the Internet while you're on the job.
6. You buy the special and your spouse buys the buffet and you eat food off their plate.
7. You have an expense account at work of $30 per day. You spend $15 and pocket the other $15.
8. You take a sick day when you are not sick.
9. You do not report all of your income on your taxes.
10. Purposely writing bad checks.
-This is where compromise begins!
VI. We've justified stealing...
-Ill. Robin Hood is not a hero, but a villain!
1. Stealing is never a virtue in God's book!
2. Of course the Sheriff isn't righteous either!
3. Two wrongs, don't make a right!
4. This is to justify it in our minds.
5. Ill. The government is stealing from me, I have a right to cheat on my taxes.
6. Motive does not determine morality.
-"Finder's keepers, loser's weepers."
1. If you find money, it is your responsibility to do your best to find the owner of that money!
2. Ill. W/ Dad @ Columbia, KY hospital.
3. He made me turn in the money I found.
-"It was a steal..."
1. Maybe it was...
2. Maybe taking advantage of someone's ignorance or desperation is stealing from them.
3. Just because someone isn't a good steward of what God has given them, doesn't mean you can deceive them out of it.
4. Ill. Jacob & Esau birthright.
-Misdemeanor vs. Felon
1. God doesn't distinguish.
2. There is only stealing!
-See how we justify stealing?
VII. Are We Too Attached?
-If we really believed God would take care of us would it be so great a temptation to steal?
1. If we really believed we couldn't take it with us?
2. If we really believed it wasn't worth comparing with knowing Christ?
-Is five bucks worth eternity?
1. Is $5 billion bucks worth eternity?
2. Then what drives us?
-We love our earthly treasures!
-Matthew 5:40 "And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well."
1. Why is that so hard for us to swallow?
2. B/c we are so in love with our ‘things.'
-Ill. Lady in Dyersburg, TN
1. Man jumped in her car to rob her.
2. Elderly lady named Pauline Jacobi told him ‘No, I won't give you any money.'
3. "As quick as you kill me, I'll go to heaven, but you'll go to hell."
4. "Jesus is right here in this car with me and he goes w/ me everywhere I go."
5. He began to cry & she ministered to him for 10 minutes!
6. He said: "I'll go home & pray tonight."
7. "You don't have to wait until tonight, we can pray right here."
8. She gave him all the cash she had... about $10.
9. "Don't you spend it on whiskey either."
10. He kissed her on the cheek and walked away.
-What will love of earthly treasures drive us to?
-Ill. Norman Rockwell picture from Sat. Evening Post.
1. Butcher & lady smiling at each other w/ turkey on scaled in between.
2. Butcher has his thumb on the scales & lady has her finger pushing up.
3. Both seeking to steal.
-Proverbs 20:23 "Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good."
-Ill. Statistics say that 1 of 52 shoppers will steal.
-Ill. USA Today said 48% of employees stole something from their employer last year.
-Not using what God has placed you in charge of for His glory, is stealing from Him.
VIII. Introspection
-Let me ask two questions:
-First, are you content?
1. Not going to deal in depth w/ this today.
2. Has God provided for all your needs or are you on an endless pursuit for more?
-Second, do you trust God?
1. Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
2. Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"
IX. What Do I Do If Guilty?
-First confess to God & repent!
1. Proverbs 28:13 "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."
-Second, make restitution.
1. Ill. Zacchaeus.
-Third, be a giver.
1. Ephesians 4:28 "Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need."
2. John Wesley's classic sermon on money: "Earn all you can, save all you can, & give all you can."
X. Conclusion
-Everything you have is a gift from God.
1. It's temporary.
2. You are the steward of it.
3. It is to be used for His glory!
-Really theft, in any form, is ironic.
-Ill. Taxi driver would wrap up his garbage in a paper bag and leave it in the back seat.
1. By the end of the day someone would steal it.
2. Imagine their surprise.
-Ill. Thief walked into a convenient store.
1. Threw down a $20 bill and asked for change.
2. When the cashier opened the drawer he grabbed at the cash and ran.
3. Later he realized he only got about $15.
-If you steal, you'll always be short changed and end up with garbage.
Response
Monday, June 1, 2009
Commandment #7
Commandment #7: Sanctity of Sex
Exodus 20:14
I. Introduction
-Our world seeks to influence us... and it does at times.
1. It desires to push its ethic on us.
2. To shape our way of thinking.
-So when we come to the ten commandments they seem odd.
1. Many ppl never move beyond the idea they are only ‘rules.'
2. In reality they are a holiness code.
-They have to do with how to live a holy life.
1. The first two have to do with the holiness of God.
2. The 3rd one has to do with the sanctity/ holiness of His name.
3. The 4th has to do with the sanctity of the Sabbath.
4. The 5th has to do w/ the sanctity of the family.
5. The sixth: the sanctity of life.
6. And now we come to the seventh.
-Let's see what is says...
II. Scripture
III. Sanctity of Marriage/ Sex
-This commandment has to do w/ the sanctity of marriage/ sex.
-"Sanctity of Marriage"
1. Marriage amendment.
2. The enemy of marriage has never been homosexuality.
3. They can't marry.
4. It's been heterosexuals in the context of marriage.
-We need to re-evaluate what marriage is!
1. How easy it is to get married!
2. Ill. Nashville call on Wed. to wed on Sat.
3. I will not marry a Christian and sinner.
4. Marriage is not legalization of sex/ validating lifestyle.
5. God has been taken out of marriage and replaced with some cheap notion of romanticism.
-But God, who created marriage, says it is sacred and not to be desecrated by adultery.
IV. Adultery's Damage
-Adultery is destructive thing.
1. Just as much as murder destroys physically...
2. ...so adultery can destroy w/ in marriage.
-Someone who has an adulterous spouse is hurt deeply!
1. It destroys trust.
2. It destroys intimacy.
3. It destroys identity.
-It hurts the whole family.
1. The children are always innocent victims of adultery.
2. They carry the scars of their parent's sins.
-But even the one who commits adultery ultimately suffers.
1. In doing research, the lie from Satan, is that you will be more happy in your affair.
2. That is a lie!
3. Proverbs 6:32-33 "He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. [33] Wounds and dishonor will he get, and his disgrace will not be wiped away."
-The lie of our society is that you should be happy at all costs.
1. But the true cost of happiness is obedience to God's Word!
2. Disobedience brings heart ache, guilt, and death!
-Ill. Fox News.com
1. Article titled: "Art of Teaching"
2. Description: "Author shares tips and tricks to avoid getting tangled in a web of lies in adultery."
-Ill. "Radio expert" said:
1. "Just do it [adultery]."
2. "What about guilt?"
3. "Guilt is a product of society pressuring you!"
4. No, it's the Holy Spirit convicting you!!
-Our society may accept it, but God never will!
1. We use the word affair instead of adultery, b/c it sounds nicer.
2. You can call it whatever you want it is still sin!
V. Unhappy Marriage?
-Nothing ever gives you a right to commit adultery!
-Even if they don't make you ‘happy.'
1. Your spouse is not responsible for your happiness!
2. If you are not happy before you're married you won't be happy after you're married!
-"I'm just not happy."
1. That's no reason to cause so much hurt in ppl's lives!
2. Adultery is self-centered!
-Robert C. Shannon: "Adam and Eve had the world's only perfect marriage. She couldn't talk about the man she might have married and he couldn't complain that his mother was a better cook."
1. You're gonna have problems.
2. And you're gonna have to work them out!
3. You've made a covenant w/ God, and He is part of keeping the marriage together!
-"We don't have sex enough!"
1. That's no reason either!
2. Marriage is about giving more than it is receiving.
3. Adultery is self-centered!
-1 Corinthians 7:2-6 "Because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. [3] The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights [KJV- due benevolence; NIV- marital duty; literally- marriage debt], and likewise the wife to her husband. [4] For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. [5] Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. [6] Now as a concession, not a command, I say this."
1. Do I need to be more clear than that?
2. Ask your parents if you don't know what conjugal rights are.
VI. Leading to Marriage
-As parents we need to do more about equipping our children for a faithful marriage.
-Talk about sex & marriage.
1. We have allowed the government to dictate to our children.
2. Do we not remember that the world has a different philosophy?
3. The church needs to address these issues.
4. Ill. A father asked his 8-yr-old son at dinner, ‘‘What did you learn at school today?"
5. His son said: "We learned how to make babies."
6. Mom & Dad looked at each other and Dad asked: "And how do you make babies?"
7. The boy said, ‘‘Oh, it's easy, you just drop the Y and add I-E-S."
8. Why are we so awkward when it comes to talking about the truths of God.
-If you don't tell your children about it, the Devil will.
-Today it's prevalent to "try out" your future mate before marriage.
1. It is sin.
2. It is destructive to any possible future marriage.
3. Psychologists & studies agree living together before marriage is always detrimental to future marriage.
4. Don't fall to the lie that this will help prevent a mistake.
5. It is the mistake!
-C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity writes: "The monstrosity of sexual intercourse outside marriage is that those who indulge in it are trying to isolate one kind of union (the sexual) from all the other kinds of union which were intended to go along with it and make up the total union. The Christian attitude does not mean there is anything wrong about sexual pleasure, any more than about the pleasure of eating. It means that you must not isolate that pleasure and try to get it by itself, any more than you ought to get the pleasures of taste w/out swallowing and digesting, by chewing things and spitting them out again."
1. Sex outside of Biblical marriage is sinful.
2. Can I be any more clear?
-Unmarried folk: don't just accept the first guy that shows any interest.
1. If he wants to paw all over you in the back seat in a dark alley, get rid of him.
2. If you are patient God will bring you a Christian man who will truly love you!
-The most valuable thing you have to give to marriage is your virginity.
1. Do not take that lightly.
2. B/c the Christian potential spouses are going to want someone like that to marry.
3. Ill. Sarah & I were virgins.
4. We wanted to get that in the clear before we started dating.
VII. Where Does Adultery Begin?
-Some define it only at the sexual act.
-Jesus defines it Matthew 5:27-30 "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.' [28]But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29]If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. [30]And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell." 1. Lust is adultery.
2. Oldies song: "Standin' on the corner watchin' the girls go by... You can't go to jail for what you're thinkin'."
3. Maybe not, but you can go to hell for it.
4. Pornography
-Jesus is not trying to define a point on a relational line though.
1. He's making this an issue of the heart.
2. I wonder how many wives are unfaithful to the husband b/c they live in a fantasy land of their romance novel or movies.
3. What about spending late hours in the office away from your spouse.
-Martin Luther: "Let the wife make her husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave."
-There are a few issues that we must be a 'feminist' on:
1. Pornography: makes women objects.
2. Immodest apparel: make women objects.
3. Ladies: our society wants to make you into objects rather than ppl.
4. To combat that: take a little extra time to use discretion when you are shopping.
5. Rule of Thumb: "If you've gotta keep pulling your shirt up and pulling your skirt down, get something w/ more material!"
-Hollywood drives our fashion
1. But look at the sorrow & despair in their lives!
2. Do you really want to live that kind of a life?
3. Article I read: "It is no wonder that our society is inundated with messages about sex that is contrary to God's 7th commandment ‘You shall not commit adultery.' Our divorce rate b/c of adultery and the number of married couples in counseling over extra marital affairs has never been higher. It is time we stop listening to Hollywood and listen to God's Holy Will!"
VIII. There is Hope
-There is hope, even if you have committed adultery.
-In John 8 we have the story of the woman caught in adultery.
1. The scribes & Pharisees are trying to test Jesus.
2. But what I want to point out is Jesus' interaction with the woman.
3. He forgives her and says: "Go & sin no more."
4. There is forgiveness in Christ (male or female)!
-That doesn't mean everyone will trust you right away.
1. But it does mean you have established a good place to begin rebuilding w/ the Lord.
2. Wholeness in Christ!
IX. Conclusion
-Adultery is a devastating thing.
-Life is too short & eternity is too long to take part in such a thing.
-Marriage & sex in the right context is a holy thing.
-I'll leave you with God's Word.
-Hebrews 13:4 "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."
Response
Exodus 20:14
I. Introduction
-Our world seeks to influence us... and it does at times.
1. It desires to push its ethic on us.
2. To shape our way of thinking.
-So when we come to the ten commandments they seem odd.
1. Many ppl never move beyond the idea they are only ‘rules.'
2. In reality they are a holiness code.
-They have to do with how to live a holy life.
1. The first two have to do with the holiness of God.
2. The 3rd one has to do with the sanctity/ holiness of His name.
3. The 4th has to do with the sanctity of the Sabbath.
4. The 5th has to do w/ the sanctity of the family.
5. The sixth: the sanctity of life.
6. And now we come to the seventh.
-Let's see what is says...
II. Scripture
III. Sanctity of Marriage/ Sex
-This commandment has to do w/ the sanctity of marriage/ sex.
-"Sanctity of Marriage"
1. Marriage amendment.
2. The enemy of marriage has never been homosexuality.
3. They can't marry.
4. It's been heterosexuals in the context of marriage.
-We need to re-evaluate what marriage is!
1. How easy it is to get married!
2. Ill. Nashville call on Wed. to wed on Sat.
3. I will not marry a Christian and sinner.
4. Marriage is not legalization of sex/ validating lifestyle.
5. God has been taken out of marriage and replaced with some cheap notion of romanticism.
-But God, who created marriage, says it is sacred and not to be desecrated by adultery.
IV. Adultery's Damage
-Adultery is destructive thing.
1. Just as much as murder destroys physically...
2. ...so adultery can destroy w/ in marriage.
-Someone who has an adulterous spouse is hurt deeply!
1. It destroys trust.
2. It destroys intimacy.
3. It destroys identity.
-It hurts the whole family.
1. The children are always innocent victims of adultery.
2. They carry the scars of their parent's sins.
-But even the one who commits adultery ultimately suffers.
1. In doing research, the lie from Satan, is that you will be more happy in your affair.
2. That is a lie!
3. Proverbs 6:32-33 "He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. [33] Wounds and dishonor will he get, and his disgrace will not be wiped away."
-The lie of our society is that you should be happy at all costs.
1. But the true cost of happiness is obedience to God's Word!
2. Disobedience brings heart ache, guilt, and death!
-Ill. Fox News.com
1. Article titled: "Art of Teaching"
2. Description: "Author shares tips and tricks to avoid getting tangled in a web of lies in adultery."
-Ill. "Radio expert" said:
1. "Just do it [adultery]."
2. "What about guilt?"
3. "Guilt is a product of society pressuring you!"
4. No, it's the Holy Spirit convicting you!!
-Our society may accept it, but God never will!
1. We use the word affair instead of adultery, b/c it sounds nicer.
2. You can call it whatever you want it is still sin!
V. Unhappy Marriage?
-Nothing ever gives you a right to commit adultery!
-Even if they don't make you ‘happy.'
1. Your spouse is not responsible for your happiness!
2. If you are not happy before you're married you won't be happy after you're married!
-"I'm just not happy."
1. That's no reason to cause so much hurt in ppl's lives!
2. Adultery is self-centered!
-Robert C. Shannon: "Adam and Eve had the world's only perfect marriage. She couldn't talk about the man she might have married and he couldn't complain that his mother was a better cook."
1. You're gonna have problems.
2. And you're gonna have to work them out!
3. You've made a covenant w/ God, and He is part of keeping the marriage together!
-"We don't have sex enough!"
1. That's no reason either!
2. Marriage is about giving more than it is receiving.
3. Adultery is self-centered!
-1 Corinthians 7:2-6 "Because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. [3] The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights [KJV- due benevolence; NIV- marital duty; literally- marriage debt], and likewise the wife to her husband. [4] For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. [5] Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. [6] Now as a concession, not a command, I say this."
1. Do I need to be more clear than that?
2. Ask your parents if you don't know what conjugal rights are.
VI. Leading to Marriage
-As parents we need to do more about equipping our children for a faithful marriage.
-Talk about sex & marriage.
1. We have allowed the government to dictate to our children.
2. Do we not remember that the world has a different philosophy?
3. The church needs to address these issues.
4. Ill. A father asked his 8-yr-old son at dinner, ‘‘What did you learn at school today?"
5. His son said: "We learned how to make babies."
6. Mom & Dad looked at each other and Dad asked: "And how do you make babies?"
7. The boy said, ‘‘Oh, it's easy, you just drop the Y and add I-E-S."
8. Why are we so awkward when it comes to talking about the truths of God.
-If you don't tell your children about it, the Devil will.
-Today it's prevalent to "try out" your future mate before marriage.
1. It is sin.
2. It is destructive to any possible future marriage.
3. Psychologists & studies agree living together before marriage is always detrimental to future marriage.
4. Don't fall to the lie that this will help prevent a mistake.
5. It is the mistake!
-C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity writes: "The monstrosity of sexual intercourse outside marriage is that those who indulge in it are trying to isolate one kind of union (the sexual) from all the other kinds of union which were intended to go along with it and make up the total union. The Christian attitude does not mean there is anything wrong about sexual pleasure, any more than about the pleasure of eating. It means that you must not isolate that pleasure and try to get it by itself, any more than you ought to get the pleasures of taste w/out swallowing and digesting, by chewing things and spitting them out again."
1. Sex outside of Biblical marriage is sinful.
2. Can I be any more clear?
-Unmarried folk: don't just accept the first guy that shows any interest.
1. If he wants to paw all over you in the back seat in a dark alley, get rid of him.
2. If you are patient God will bring you a Christian man who will truly love you!
-The most valuable thing you have to give to marriage is your virginity.
1. Do not take that lightly.
2. B/c the Christian potential spouses are going to want someone like that to marry.
3. Ill. Sarah & I were virgins.
4. We wanted to get that in the clear before we started dating.
VII. Where Does Adultery Begin?
-Some define it only at the sexual act.
-Jesus defines it Matthew 5:27-30 "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.' [28]But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29]If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. [30]And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell." 1. Lust is adultery.
2. Oldies song: "Standin' on the corner watchin' the girls go by... You can't go to jail for what you're thinkin'."
3. Maybe not, but you can go to hell for it.
4. Pornography
-Jesus is not trying to define a point on a relational line though.
1. He's making this an issue of the heart.
2. I wonder how many wives are unfaithful to the husband b/c they live in a fantasy land of their romance novel or movies.
3. What about spending late hours in the office away from your spouse.
-Martin Luther: "Let the wife make her husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave."
-There are a few issues that we must be a 'feminist' on:
1. Pornography: makes women objects.
2. Immodest apparel: make women objects.
3. Ladies: our society wants to make you into objects rather than ppl.
4. To combat that: take a little extra time to use discretion when you are shopping.
5. Rule of Thumb: "If you've gotta keep pulling your shirt up and pulling your skirt down, get something w/ more material!"
-Hollywood drives our fashion
1. But look at the sorrow & despair in their lives!
2. Do you really want to live that kind of a life?
3. Article I read: "It is no wonder that our society is inundated with messages about sex that is contrary to God's 7th commandment ‘You shall not commit adultery.' Our divorce rate b/c of adultery and the number of married couples in counseling over extra marital affairs has never been higher. It is time we stop listening to Hollywood and listen to God's Holy Will!"
VIII. There is Hope
-There is hope, even if you have committed adultery.
-In John 8 we have the story of the woman caught in adultery.
1. The scribes & Pharisees are trying to test Jesus.
2. But what I want to point out is Jesus' interaction with the woman.
3. He forgives her and says: "Go & sin no more."
4. There is forgiveness in Christ (male or female)!
-That doesn't mean everyone will trust you right away.
1. But it does mean you have established a good place to begin rebuilding w/ the Lord.
2. Wholeness in Christ!
IX. Conclusion
-Adultery is a devastating thing.
-Life is too short & eternity is too long to take part in such a thing.
-Marriage & sex in the right context is a holy thing.
-I'll leave you with God's Word.
-Hebrews 13:4 "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."
Response
Monday, May 25, 2009
Commandment #6
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
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
Monday, May 18, 2009
Commandment #5
Commandment #5: Honoring Parents
Exodus 20:12
I. Introduction
-The first four commandments deal directly w/ our relationship w/ God.
1. No other gods before Him.
2. No carved image or idols.
3. Don't take His name in vain
4. Keep the Sabbath Holy.
-But a relationship w/ God has affect on all other relationships.
-Christianity is not something that works half-way.
1. You can't partially obey God & expect everything to work out.
2. You can't sometimes honor God and be okay w/ that.
-You can't live in sin, but go to church and think you are okay!
-That's why there is no aspect of your life that God does not deal with.
-Let's look at the fifth commandment...
II. Scripture
III. Background
-This is an odd commandment.
1. Children were property.
2. They were not considered people until they came of age (Bar Mitzvah/Mitzah)
3. So why would God speak to someone considered sub-human?
4. B/c they are not.
-But this commandment has to do w/ more than traditional interpretation...
1. It is about more than: Obey your mommy & daddy!
2. It's about honoring them.
-It speaks to more than just children.
1. Teens, young adult, middle aged, & even senior adults.
2. It crosses generations and age groups.
IV. More than Obey
-It has to do with more than obedience.
-You should obey your parents.
-Ephesians 6:1-4 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.' Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
-What about sinful parents?
1. You must obey them unless they tell you to do something wrong.
2. Ill. Nashville Dillards family: Father using child to shoplift.
-The emphasis is on honoring your parents.
1. Not respect, that is earned.
2. Honor comes out of your role or title.
3. It is not earned & it cannot be forced.
-Mark Twain said: "It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them."
-Parents, be worthy of the honor you receive.
1. Just b/c you have the title of mother or father doesn't make you one.
2. I'm tired of hearing about dead-beat dads & messed up moms.
3. Being a parent requires a lot of work and the grace of God.
V. To Teens
-Teens must honor their parents.
-There is something about this age that makes it difficult to honor parents.
1. You're getting closer to the age of independence.
2. You're wanting to try out your wings.
-But you must still honor your parents.
-Sinful: a teenager that treats their parents disrespectful and rude.
1. Disobeys this command.
2. Or a child or a young adult or a middle aged adult that does the same.
3. The older you get the more you ought to honor your parents!
-I know teenagers think they know everything.
1. You don't.
2. Neither do your parents.
3. But they know a whole lot more than you!
4. [Parents will be quoting this sermon for some time to come.]
-You don't pay the bills, have a job that pays the bills, or pay taxes...
1. This world is a whole lot bigger than you think it is.
2. And parents have your best interest in mind.
-Ill. Mark Twain said the older he got the more surprised he was at all his Dad knew.
VI. Aging Parents
-Honoring your parents also has to do with taking care of them when they get old.
-In Biblical times there was no Social Security.
1. No retirement benefits.
2. You only had your children.
-Today we live in an age that is getting closer & closer to euthanasia.
1. The idea that we kill off the elderly is sinful.
2. There is no honor in that!
-The ppl that raised you and provided for you when you were defenseless children are to be honored and not scorned.
-We are called to take care of our parents in their sickness or old age.
VII. Honor Parents in Life
-Honor your parents in the life you live.
-Some Jews had an idea of eternal life being through your children.
1. So if you had no children, it was considered a curse.
2. You lived on through your children.
-Your children would honor you by living for God.
-"He's a good man, but his kids are wicked."
1. Ever heard that?
2. Ever heard of Eli's (Samuel's mentor) sons Hophni & Phineas?
3. They were wicked priests that God killed.
4. Eli was shamed, b/c his sons did not honor him in the way they lived their lives.
-Note: you should live for the Lord, b/c that's the right thing to do.
1. Not to just "honor your parents."
2. Parents, don't just bring your kids to church b/c you know you should.
3. The life has to come along!
VIII. Honor In Spite of Them
-Maybe you have parents that aren't worthy of honor.
-It's a reality today.
-God says to honor them in spite of themselves.
1. It doesn't mean they were good parents, or even tried to be.
2. It doesn't mean that you have to approve of the things they did.
-But God says you must honor them if only out of their biological tie to you.
-Why? B/c you might win them to the Lord.
IX. To Parents
-A good parent desires their children to be more than they are.
1. Go farther, deeper spiritual life, accomplish more, etc.
2. We're too busy making the perfect lives for ourselves when we should be investing in our kids.
-Parenthood is self-sacrifice.
1. It's expensive.
2. It takes up time.
3. It requires emotional energy
4. You'll lose some sleep.
5. You'll miss your favorite TV show.
6. You won't be able to run around & do the things you use to.
-Self-sacrificing parents are ones that are easy to honor.
-Parents, children learn from your example.
1. Not only what you say, but what you do.
2. Actions speak louder than words?
3. Actions mute your words.
-Ill. Warren Mueller conducted a study
1. Results: if both Mom & Dad attend church regularly, 72% of their children remain faithful.
2. If only Dad, 55% remain
3. If only Mom, 15%.
4. If neither attended regularly, only 6% remain faithful.
-The deciding factor in the spiritual life of your children is not going to be...
1. ...the preacher
2. ...the SS teacher.
3. ...the youth leader.
4. It is the parent's example!
-Ill. Farmer lost his crop of grain to a hail storm just before harvest.
1.The entire crop was demolished.
2. After the storm, the farmer, with his son went out on the porch to see the crop.
3. The little boy looked at the destroyed field and began to cry while looking to his father.
4. He expected his father to give words of despair.
5. Instead he began to sing softly: "Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee."
6. That little boy went on to be a great preacher and was quoted as saying: "That was the greatest sermon I ever heard."
7. The father lost a grain crop, but gained an eternal inheritance.
-It doesn't matter if your child is...
1. ...the smartest in their class.
2. ...the best ball player.
3. ...the most talented.
4. ...a college graduate.
5. ...making a lot of money.
6. ...in a good job.
7. ...successful by the world's standards.
-What matters is where they will spend eternity.
X. Conclusion
-Maybe you want to be a better parent...
-Maybe you need help honoring your parents...
-Come receive a touch from God this morning...
-This is the only commandment with an explicit promise.
-...that you may live long[er] in the land the Lord your God gives you."
Response
Exodus 20:12
I. Introduction
-The first four commandments deal directly w/ our relationship w/ God.
1. No other gods before Him.
2. No carved image or idols.
3. Don't take His name in vain
4. Keep the Sabbath Holy.
-But a relationship w/ God has affect on all other relationships.
-Christianity is not something that works half-way.
1. You can't partially obey God & expect everything to work out.
2. You can't sometimes honor God and be okay w/ that.
-You can't live in sin, but go to church and think you are okay!
-That's why there is no aspect of your life that God does not deal with.
-Let's look at the fifth commandment...
II. Scripture
III. Background
-This is an odd commandment.
1. Children were property.
2. They were not considered people until they came of age (Bar Mitzvah/Mitzah)
3. So why would God speak to someone considered sub-human?
4. B/c they are not.
-But this commandment has to do w/ more than traditional interpretation...
1. It is about more than: Obey your mommy & daddy!
2. It's about honoring them.
-It speaks to more than just children.
1. Teens, young adult, middle aged, & even senior adults.
2. It crosses generations and age groups.
IV. More than Obey
-It has to do with more than obedience.
-You should obey your parents.
-Ephesians 6:1-4 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.' Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
-What about sinful parents?
1. You must obey them unless they tell you to do something wrong.
2. Ill. Nashville Dillards family: Father using child to shoplift.
-The emphasis is on honoring your parents.
1. Not respect, that is earned.
2. Honor comes out of your role or title.
3. It is not earned & it cannot be forced.
-Mark Twain said: "It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them."
-Parents, be worthy of the honor you receive.
1. Just b/c you have the title of mother or father doesn't make you one.
2. I'm tired of hearing about dead-beat dads & messed up moms.
3. Being a parent requires a lot of work and the grace of God.
V. To Teens
-Teens must honor their parents.
-There is something about this age that makes it difficult to honor parents.
1. You're getting closer to the age of independence.
2. You're wanting to try out your wings.
-But you must still honor your parents.
-Sinful: a teenager that treats their parents disrespectful and rude.
1. Disobeys this command.
2. Or a child or a young adult or a middle aged adult that does the same.
3. The older you get the more you ought to honor your parents!
-I know teenagers think they know everything.
1. You don't.
2. Neither do your parents.
3. But they know a whole lot more than you!
4. [Parents will be quoting this sermon for some time to come.]
-You don't pay the bills, have a job that pays the bills, or pay taxes...
1. This world is a whole lot bigger than you think it is.
2. And parents have your best interest in mind.
-Ill. Mark Twain said the older he got the more surprised he was at all his Dad knew.
VI. Aging Parents
-Honoring your parents also has to do with taking care of them when they get old.
-In Biblical times there was no Social Security.
1. No retirement benefits.
2. You only had your children.
-Today we live in an age that is getting closer & closer to euthanasia.
1. The idea that we kill off the elderly is sinful.
2. There is no honor in that!
-The ppl that raised you and provided for you when you were defenseless children are to be honored and not scorned.
-We are called to take care of our parents in their sickness or old age.
VII. Honor Parents in Life
-Honor your parents in the life you live.
-Some Jews had an idea of eternal life being through your children.
1. So if you had no children, it was considered a curse.
2. You lived on through your children.
-Your children would honor you by living for God.
-"He's a good man, but his kids are wicked."
1. Ever heard that?
2. Ever heard of Eli's (Samuel's mentor) sons Hophni & Phineas?
3. They were wicked priests that God killed.
4. Eli was shamed, b/c his sons did not honor him in the way they lived their lives.
-Note: you should live for the Lord, b/c that's the right thing to do.
1. Not to just "honor your parents."
2. Parents, don't just bring your kids to church b/c you know you should.
3. The life has to come along!
VIII. Honor In Spite of Them
-Maybe you have parents that aren't worthy of honor.
-It's a reality today.
-God says to honor them in spite of themselves.
1. It doesn't mean they were good parents, or even tried to be.
2. It doesn't mean that you have to approve of the things they did.
-But God says you must honor them if only out of their biological tie to you.
-Why? B/c you might win them to the Lord.
IX. To Parents
-A good parent desires their children to be more than they are.
1. Go farther, deeper spiritual life, accomplish more, etc.
2. We're too busy making the perfect lives for ourselves when we should be investing in our kids.
-Parenthood is self-sacrifice.
1. It's expensive.
2. It takes up time.
3. It requires emotional energy
4. You'll lose some sleep.
5. You'll miss your favorite TV show.
6. You won't be able to run around & do the things you use to.
-Self-sacrificing parents are ones that are easy to honor.
-Parents, children learn from your example.
1. Not only what you say, but what you do.
2. Actions speak louder than words?
3. Actions mute your words.
-Ill. Warren Mueller conducted a study
1. Results: if both Mom & Dad attend church regularly, 72% of their children remain faithful.
2. If only Dad, 55% remain
3. If only Mom, 15%.
4. If neither attended regularly, only 6% remain faithful.
-The deciding factor in the spiritual life of your children is not going to be...
1. ...the preacher
2. ...the SS teacher.
3. ...the youth leader.
4. It is the parent's example!
-Ill. Farmer lost his crop of grain to a hail storm just before harvest.
1.The entire crop was demolished.
2. After the storm, the farmer, with his son went out on the porch to see the crop.
3. The little boy looked at the destroyed field and began to cry while looking to his father.
4. He expected his father to give words of despair.
5. Instead he began to sing softly: "Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee."
6. That little boy went on to be a great preacher and was quoted as saying: "That was the greatest sermon I ever heard."
7. The father lost a grain crop, but gained an eternal inheritance.
-It doesn't matter if your child is...
1. ...the smartest in their class.
2. ...the best ball player.
3. ...the most talented.
4. ...a college graduate.
5. ...making a lot of money.
6. ...in a good job.
7. ...successful by the world's standards.
-What matters is where they will spend eternity.
X. Conclusion
-Maybe you want to be a better parent...
-Maybe you need help honoring your parents...
-Come receive a touch from God this morning...
-This is the only commandment with an explicit promise.
-...that you may live long[er] in the land the Lord your God gives you."
Response
Monday, May 11, 2009
Commandment #4
Commandment #4: A Holy Day
Exodus 20:8-11
I. Introduction
-Part of the hallmark of a civilization is a way to measure time.
1. We measure it in minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, etc.
2. Week = 7 days
3. Universal agreement
4. Basis is creation = Genesis
-Not only our calendar was affected though.
-Ill. Blue Laws
1. Originated in New Have, Connecticut in the mid-17th century.
2. Called so b/c they were written on blue paper.
-Blue Laws have a residual effect today...
1. That's why many businesses were closed.
2. That's why alcohol is not allowed to be sold in some places on Sun (or before noon).
-Let's look at the 4th commandment...
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Time is such an important thing to us today.
1. We live by the clock, calendar, & schedule.
2. We cook, sleep, and work by it.
3. We measure our life by it.
4. Time brings down governments, it cut the Grand Canyon, it builds up mountains, it deposes dictators, and more.
-In the midst of all that, God wants to sanctify time.
-In this 4th commandment it says that God created everything in six days and then blessed the 7th.
1. Notice we are not to make it holy (it already is!)
2. We are to keep it holy!
3. How? By remembering it.
-We characterize days...
1. Monday is the first day of the week (dread)
2. Wednesday is the mid-way mark
3. Friday soon-to-be-over (anticipation)
4. Weekend.
-And in all that we have to do we lay claim to all 7days.
-But God says: "I want 1 day."
IV. Is It Holy?
-Let me ask you: Is the Sabbath a holy day to us?
-Is it just another day?
-Sure we might go to church in the morning, but we can go to church on Wednesday (or any other day).
-The commandment doesn't say He wants one hour on one particular day.
1. It's bigger than a one or two hour commitment.
2. He wants us to keep the whole day holy!
3. There should be something different about this day.
V. What Happened to the Sabbath?
-It's become another work day.
1. We are busy with the wrong things on this day.
2. Our homework, our chores, our projects, our jobs, etc.
3. These things dictate everything we do all week and now we have allow them to take over the Sabbath.
4. We have more leisure time today than we ever have.
5. But we give less and less to God. (post-industrialized)
6. He wants this day to be a holy one.
7. It's just another day to get some work done.
-v. 10 "On it [the Sabbath] you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates."
1. Don't you work or cause anyone else to work!
2. There would be very few businesses open today if all Christians refused to cause anyone else to work.
-I know some have to work out of necessity.
1. I'm glad our military doesn't clock out on Sun.
2. I'm glad the hospital doesn't shut down.
3. Police officers don't quit.
4. These are out of necessity.
-It's become a holiday.
1. Some may not work, but they still don't keep it holy.
2. For them, Sabbath is a holiday.
3. Sabbath is more than not working, it is a holy day.
4. It's more than a family day, a day off, a vacation day.
5. We work six days, and on this day we just want to have fun.
6. Then the Sabbath is no more than an extra day on the weekend.
7. Do you keep the Sabbath holy when you are on vacation?
8. Is it more than a day in the weekend?
9. Is it more than just free time?
VI. How Do We Keep it Holy?
-What do you do on the Sabbath to keep it's sanctity?
-Let me propose a few things...
-(#1) Stop doing all the unnecessary stuff of this world.
1. Sabbath literally = stop.
2. Profit & pleasure have taken away from the holiness of this day.
3. Keeping it holy may be an inconvenience.
4. In six days you have plenty of time to get done everything you need to.
5. Do your homework on Saturday. Get the chores done on Friday night. (TV average= 4 hours/day)
6. Ill. "My ox fell in the well."
a. Luke14:5
b. Has become an all encompassing excuse for any work done on Sunday.
c. Kill the ox or fill in the well.
7. Ill. My family sat around & watched TV... is that keeping it holy?
8. We could do that any day of the week.
9. Plan ahead so you don't run out of milk on the Sabbath.
10. Plan ahead so the laundry is already clean!
-(#2) Keep the Sabbath holy.
1. It isn't so much about not working as it is about worshiping!
2. Make it the day of worship!
3. Go to church, as much as possible.
4. Have family devotions.
5. Pray together.
6. Sabbath isn't just one day in the weekend, it's a holy day we are to maintain!
-(#3) Live out holiness.
1. Jesus always worshiped on the Sabbath.
2. But he also taught, healed, and ministered on this day.
3. Jews had used the excuse of not working to prevent them from doing good.
4. That's why they were upset when Jesus healed on the Sabbath!?
5. Ministry isn't the work we're to rest from.
6. For those that think I only work 1 day a week; I don't even work on that one day.
7. Ministry is the one thing we never rest from, even when we're resting!
VII. Conclusion
-This commandment is about how you worship, love, serve God with your time!
-God created you & I in need of a Sabbath.
-In the NT Jesus & disciples are picking grain as they pass through a field to eat (not harvest for sale).
1. Pharisees accuse them of breaking the harvest.
2. Other laws: No moving a chair on dirt floor.
3. So many steps, no turning on lights.
4. A conservative orthodox Jew who owns a building w/ a elevator...
5. Jesus response in Mark 2:27 "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."
-Don't view it as a hurdle you have to jump through, but something to benefit you.
-We need a holy day, a day of rest from all the stuff we go through.
-You cannot control whether others keep it holy.
1. Don't waste your time trying.
2. But you can control whether you keep it holy.
-"Preacher, that's old fashion!"
1. Maybe, but that's the way it's been since the beginning of time.
2. Since God blessed the Sabbath.
-My prayer is that you would keep this day holy, so that it might be a blessing for you.
Response
Exodus 20:8-11
I. Introduction
-Part of the hallmark of a civilization is a way to measure time.
1. We measure it in minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, etc.
2. Week = 7 days
3. Universal agreement
4. Basis is creation = Genesis
-Not only our calendar was affected though.
-Ill. Blue Laws
1. Originated in New Have, Connecticut in the mid-17th century.
2. Called so b/c they were written on blue paper.
-Blue Laws have a residual effect today...
1. That's why many businesses were closed.
2. That's why alcohol is not allowed to be sold in some places on Sun (or before noon).
-Let's look at the 4th commandment...
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Time is such an important thing to us today.
1. We live by the clock, calendar, & schedule.
2. We cook, sleep, and work by it.
3. We measure our life by it.
4. Time brings down governments, it cut the Grand Canyon, it builds up mountains, it deposes dictators, and more.
-In the midst of all that, God wants to sanctify time.
-In this 4th commandment it says that God created everything in six days and then blessed the 7th.
1. Notice we are not to make it holy (it already is!)
2. We are to keep it holy!
3. How? By remembering it.
-We characterize days...
1. Monday is the first day of the week (dread)
2. Wednesday is the mid-way mark
3. Friday soon-to-be-over (anticipation)
4. Weekend.
-And in all that we have to do we lay claim to all 7days.
-But God says: "I want 1 day."
IV. Is It Holy?
-Let me ask you: Is the Sabbath a holy day to us?
-Is it just another day?
-Sure we might go to church in the morning, but we can go to church on Wednesday (or any other day).
-The commandment doesn't say He wants one hour on one particular day.
1. It's bigger than a one or two hour commitment.
2. He wants us to keep the whole day holy!
3. There should be something different about this day.
V. What Happened to the Sabbath?
-It's become another work day.
1. We are busy with the wrong things on this day.
2. Our homework, our chores, our projects, our jobs, etc.
3. These things dictate everything we do all week and now we have allow them to take over the Sabbath.
4. We have more leisure time today than we ever have.
5. But we give less and less to God. (post-industrialized)
6. He wants this day to be a holy one.
7. It's just another day to get some work done.
-v. 10 "On it [the Sabbath] you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates."
1. Don't you work or cause anyone else to work!
2. There would be very few businesses open today if all Christians refused to cause anyone else to work.
-I know some have to work out of necessity.
1. I'm glad our military doesn't clock out on Sun.
2. I'm glad the hospital doesn't shut down.
3. Police officers don't quit.
4. These are out of necessity.
-It's become a holiday.
1. Some may not work, but they still don't keep it holy.
2. For them, Sabbath is a holiday.
3. Sabbath is more than not working, it is a holy day.
4. It's more than a family day, a day off, a vacation day.
5. We work six days, and on this day we just want to have fun.
6. Then the Sabbath is no more than an extra day on the weekend.
7. Do you keep the Sabbath holy when you are on vacation?
8. Is it more than a day in the weekend?
9. Is it more than just free time?
VI. How Do We Keep it Holy?
-What do you do on the Sabbath to keep it's sanctity?
-Let me propose a few things...
-(#1) Stop doing all the unnecessary stuff of this world.
1. Sabbath literally = stop.
2. Profit & pleasure have taken away from the holiness of this day.
3. Keeping it holy may be an inconvenience.
4. In six days you have plenty of time to get done everything you need to.
5. Do your homework on Saturday. Get the chores done on Friday night. (TV average= 4 hours/day)
6. Ill. "My ox fell in the well."
a. Luke14:5
b. Has become an all encompassing excuse for any work done on Sunday.
c. Kill the ox or fill in the well.
7. Ill. My family sat around & watched TV... is that keeping it holy?
8. We could do that any day of the week.
9. Plan ahead so you don't run out of milk on the Sabbath.
10. Plan ahead so the laundry is already clean!
-(#2) Keep the Sabbath holy.
1. It isn't so much about not working as it is about worshiping!
2. Make it the day of worship!
3. Go to church, as much as possible.
4. Have family devotions.
5. Pray together.
6. Sabbath isn't just one day in the weekend, it's a holy day we are to maintain!
-(#3) Live out holiness.
1. Jesus always worshiped on the Sabbath.
2. But he also taught, healed, and ministered on this day.
3. Jews had used the excuse of not working to prevent them from doing good.
4. That's why they were upset when Jesus healed on the Sabbath!?
5. Ministry isn't the work we're to rest from.
6. For those that think I only work 1 day a week; I don't even work on that one day.
7. Ministry is the one thing we never rest from, even when we're resting!
VII. Conclusion
-This commandment is about how you worship, love, serve God with your time!
-God created you & I in need of a Sabbath.
-In the NT Jesus & disciples are picking grain as they pass through a field to eat (not harvest for sale).
1. Pharisees accuse them of breaking the harvest.
2. Other laws: No moving a chair on dirt floor.
3. So many steps, no turning on lights.
4. A conservative orthodox Jew who owns a building w/ a elevator...
5. Jesus response in Mark 2:27 "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."
-Don't view it as a hurdle you have to jump through, but something to benefit you.
-We need a holy day, a day of rest from all the stuff we go through.
-You cannot control whether others keep it holy.
1. Don't waste your time trying.
2. But you can control whether you keep it holy.
-"Preacher, that's old fashion!"
1. Maybe, but that's the way it's been since the beginning of time.
2. Since God blessed the Sabbath.
-My prayer is that you would keep this day holy, so that it might be a blessing for you.
Response
Monday, May 4, 2009
Commandment #3
Commandment #3: Making the Holy Vain
Exodus 20:7
I. Introduction
-Why preach from the ten commandments?
1. So we will know what God wants from us.
2. When you are born-again, you do not automatically know everything about what God wants.
3. That's why it is so important to study His Word.
4. So important to be in church (SS plug, Sun. PM, & Wed.)
5. Some say, "Get them saved, and the Spirit will tell them everything."
6. That's right, through His Word, through the preaching, & teaching!
-I preach assuming that you are hungry for God's truth.
1. ...that you want to learn.
2. ...that your desire is to be more like Christ.
3. ...that you want to increase your intimacy w/ God.
4. ...that you want to grow!
5. ...that you want to continue to be molded by the Master.
-My preaching (or any preaching) is ineffective if you are no more than a hearer. (vs. doer)
-Time of response (altar) is for Christians (sinners just have the opportunity to begin their journey, Christians have an obligation to continue!
-Otherwise this hour is wasted
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Of all the commandments, it can be argued that this one is viewed as the most frivolous.
1. If God says it, why do we try to change it?
2. Unashamedly proclaim truth.
-Israelites were very serious about this!
-For example:
1. Saying YHWH was punishable by death (even in the temple in a ‘reverent' way)
2. Scribes copying the Bible would have to go through a ritual bathing to be worthy to write the name of God.
3. They would never stop/pause in the middle of writing the name of God.
4. They were to break their writing utensils after writing YHWH.
3. When they wrote YHWH they left out the vowels.
4. If you wanted to talk about God you would say in Greek: Adonai (Lord) or in Hebrew: El, God.
-‘El' or God was used in names:
1. Genesis 32:28 "Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed."" (Strives with God)
2. Genesis 33:20 "There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel." (God, the God of Israel)
3. Elijah, Samuel, Ezekiel, etc.
-Have we lost that respect/ reverence for the name of God?
1. It doesn't matter what about everyone else?
2. Have you lost it?
IV. In Vain
-Most translations will say: "You shall not take the name of the Lord [YHWH] your God in vain."
1. NIV waters it down to ‘misuse.'
2. The problem is far deeper than just misuse.
-Vain means void of meaning, or pointless or empty.
-In other words, do not use the name of the Lord in a way that would seek to make it meaningless.
-Note: You cannot make the name of the Lord vain, only use it in a vain way.
-We live in a time of Shakespeare who said: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
1. That may be true about some things, but not God.
2. He is holy and we are to reverence Him.
-Why is one's name important?
1. You ever had a deep, close, intimate relationship with someone who's name you didn't know?
2. Ever been in the awkward position of forgetting someone's name?
-A name is important!
V. Using His Name in Vain
-How do we take God's name in vain?
-Using it as an exclamation mark!
1. Shock, fright, amazement, excitement, etc. are no reason to blurt out His name.
2. God's last name is not damn.
-Misusing or abusing his name:
1. "I swear to God."
2. Jesus said not to in Matt. 5.
3. God's name is not to be taken in vain by being used as a validation to your claims.
-Christian Hypocrisy
1. Claiming to be a Christian, but not living it is taking His name in vain.
2. Don't use his name for something so vain as trying to make yourself look good!
-Doing our Will in His name!
1. ‘Christian Crusades' and the claims of the popes.
2. Be careful when you begin a sentence with ‘God told me...'
3. Mormons; Jehovah Witnesses claim they are of God.
4. Ill. "God wants me to marry you."
5. Note: God will never contradict His written word!!
6. Everyone wants to use God to bring validity to their actions.
-Preaching (in God's name)
1. False prophets were not dealt w/ lightly.
2. I take preaching seriously (not editorial or soap box).
3. "Thus saith the Lord..."
-Using the name of the Lord for our own gain!
1. Profiting off the name of the Lord.
2. False miracles in the name of the Lord.
3. Acts 19; seven sons of Sceva; v.13b "I adjure by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." v.15 "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?"
4. The evil spirits beat them up and sent them off naked and wounded.
-We must not take the name of the Lord in vain...but why?
VI. A Name to be Hallowed
-His name is to be praised!
-Psalm 135:1 "Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord, give praise, O servants of the Lord"
-His name is not to be used for vain purposes by us, it is to be praised!
1. In reverence we should worship Him!
2. In awe and wonder we should glorify His name!
-Matthew 6:9 "Pray then like this: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.'"
1. Not hollowed!
2. Hallowed!
3. Literally the same root word for ‘to sanctify.'
4. "Sanctified be your name."
-Leviticus 22:32 "And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you."
-The God we serve is holy, so much so that even his name is holy and worthy to be praised!
VII. Power in His Name
-It is so holy that there is power in His name!
-We pray in the name of Jesus
1. You can pray in no other name!
2. No other name has the power to reach heaven!
-We are baptized in the name of Jesus!
-We are healed in the name of Jesus!
-James 5:14-15 "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. [15] And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."
-(Acts 3) Peter heals "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"
-There is power in the name of the Lord!
-Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe."
-There is power in the name of the Lord!
VIII. Conclusion
-Because there is power even in His name we need to be reverent in it's use.
-"God d*mn it!" what a dangerous curse uttered by a Christian.
-2 Kings 2:23-24 "He [Elisha] went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying ‘Go up, you baldhead. God up, you baldhead!' And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys."
-There is power in the holy name of Jesus.
-May we never take that in vain.
-Would you like to call on the name of the Lord today?
-That is the privilege we have.
Response
Exodus 20:7
I. Introduction
-Why preach from the ten commandments?
1. So we will know what God wants from us.
2. When you are born-again, you do not automatically know everything about what God wants.
3. That's why it is so important to study His Word.
4. So important to be in church (SS plug, Sun. PM, & Wed.)
5. Some say, "Get them saved, and the Spirit will tell them everything."
6. That's right, through His Word, through the preaching, & teaching!
-I preach assuming that you are hungry for God's truth.
1. ...that you want to learn.
2. ...that your desire is to be more like Christ.
3. ...that you want to increase your intimacy w/ God.
4. ...that you want to grow!
5. ...that you want to continue to be molded by the Master.
-My preaching (or any preaching) is ineffective if you are no more than a hearer. (vs. doer)
-Time of response (altar) is for Christians (sinners just have the opportunity to begin their journey, Christians have an obligation to continue!
-Otherwise this hour is wasted
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Of all the commandments, it can be argued that this one is viewed as the most frivolous.
1. If God says it, why do we try to change it?
2. Unashamedly proclaim truth.
-Israelites were very serious about this!
-For example:
1. Saying YHWH was punishable by death (even in the temple in a ‘reverent' way)
2. Scribes copying the Bible would have to go through a ritual bathing to be worthy to write the name of God.
3. They would never stop/pause in the middle of writing the name of God.
4. They were to break their writing utensils after writing YHWH.
3. When they wrote YHWH they left out the vowels.
4. If you wanted to talk about God you would say in Greek: Adonai (Lord) or in Hebrew: El, God.
-‘El' or God was used in names:
1. Genesis 32:28 "Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed."" (Strives with God)
2. Genesis 33:20 "There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel." (God, the God of Israel)
3. Elijah, Samuel, Ezekiel, etc.
-Have we lost that respect/ reverence for the name of God?
1. It doesn't matter what about everyone else?
2. Have you lost it?
IV. In Vain
-Most translations will say: "You shall not take the name of the Lord [YHWH] your God in vain."
1. NIV waters it down to ‘misuse.'
2. The problem is far deeper than just misuse.
-Vain means void of meaning, or pointless or empty.
-In other words, do not use the name of the Lord in a way that would seek to make it meaningless.
-Note: You cannot make the name of the Lord vain, only use it in a vain way.
-We live in a time of Shakespeare who said: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
1. That may be true about some things, but not God.
2. He is holy and we are to reverence Him.
-Why is one's name important?
1. You ever had a deep, close, intimate relationship with someone who's name you didn't know?
2. Ever been in the awkward position of forgetting someone's name?
-A name is important!
V. Using His Name in Vain
-How do we take God's name in vain?
-Using it as an exclamation mark!
1. Shock, fright, amazement, excitement, etc. are no reason to blurt out His name.
2. God's last name is not damn.
-Misusing or abusing his name:
1. "I swear to God."
2. Jesus said not to in Matt. 5.
3. God's name is not to be taken in vain by being used as a validation to your claims.
-Christian Hypocrisy
1. Claiming to be a Christian, but not living it is taking His name in vain.
2. Don't use his name for something so vain as trying to make yourself look good!
-Doing our Will in His name!
1. ‘Christian Crusades' and the claims of the popes.
2. Be careful when you begin a sentence with ‘God told me...'
3. Mormons; Jehovah Witnesses claim they are of God.
4. Ill. "God wants me to marry you."
5. Note: God will never contradict His written word!!
6. Everyone wants to use God to bring validity to their actions.
-Preaching (in God's name)
1. False prophets were not dealt w/ lightly.
2. I take preaching seriously (not editorial or soap box).
3. "Thus saith the Lord..."
-Using the name of the Lord for our own gain!
1. Profiting off the name of the Lord.
2. False miracles in the name of the Lord.
3. Acts 19; seven sons of Sceva; v.13b "I adjure by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." v.15 "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?"
4. The evil spirits beat them up and sent them off naked and wounded.
-We must not take the name of the Lord in vain...but why?
VI. A Name to be Hallowed
-His name is to be praised!
-Psalm 135:1 "Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord, give praise, O servants of the Lord"
-His name is not to be used for vain purposes by us, it is to be praised!
1. In reverence we should worship Him!
2. In awe and wonder we should glorify His name!
-Matthew 6:9 "Pray then like this: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.'"
1. Not hollowed!
2. Hallowed!
3. Literally the same root word for ‘to sanctify.'
4. "Sanctified be your name."
-Leviticus 22:32 "And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you."
-The God we serve is holy, so much so that even his name is holy and worthy to be praised!
VII. Power in His Name
-It is so holy that there is power in His name!
-We pray in the name of Jesus
1. You can pray in no other name!
2. No other name has the power to reach heaven!
-We are baptized in the name of Jesus!
-We are healed in the name of Jesus!
-James 5:14-15 "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. [15] And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."
-(Acts 3) Peter heals "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"
-There is power in the name of the Lord!
-Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe."
-There is power in the name of the Lord!
VIII. Conclusion
-Because there is power even in His name we need to be reverent in it's use.
-"God d*mn it!" what a dangerous curse uttered by a Christian.
-2 Kings 2:23-24 "He [Elisha] went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying ‘Go up, you baldhead. God up, you baldhead!' And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys."
-There is power in the holy name of Jesus.
-May we never take that in vain.
-Would you like to call on the name of the Lord today?
-That is the privilege we have.
Response
Monday, April 27, 2009
Commandment #2
Commandment #2: Making a god in Our Image
Exodus 20:4-6
I. Introduction
- Nine commandments?
1. Catholic difference in the 10 commandments.
2. Charlton Heston was against making it nine b/c he would have to change the name of his movie.
3. Catholics combine the first two and split the last one.
4. We could just have 11!?
-Most ppl breeze over the first two recognizing their similarities and ignoring them both.
-Why would God be so specific as to add a commandment that has already been stated?
-He wouldn't, there is something more for us in this 2nd commandment?
-It's more than a plaque on a court house wall.
II. Scripture
III. Background
-1st commandment: You shall have no other gods before me.
-2nd commandment: You shall not make for yourself a carved image.
-There seems to be a redundancy... no.
1. 1st deals with anything before or beside the Lord.
2. 2nd deals with some specifics.
-If you break the 2nd commandment you have broken the first.
1. If you break any other commandment you have broken the 1st.
2. The first two are interconnected b/c of their importance.
-Allow me to make three points this morning: This commandment is about...
1. ...taking something that God created or blessed you w/ and making that the object of your worship.
2. ...what you worship being what you begin to look like.
3. ...bringing God down to our level or making Him in our image.
IV. Perverting a Blessing
-To make an idol or graven image you must use stone, wood, or something you find on earth.
1. An idol usually represents something that you would find in nature (golden calf)
2. How twisted is it to believe that the finite is infinite.
3. "You shall not make..." seems a silly way to start talking about deity and objects of worship.
-People can worship their temporary gods, I will worship the eternal.
1. Muhammed is dead, Joseph Smith is dead, Buddha is dead, Krishna is dead, etc.
2. These had a beginning and an end.
3. But God has no beginning and will know no end.
4. He is eternal
-We tend to worship what has been created instead of the creator.
1. You can worship the trees, the animals, human physique/beauty, the sun, or the moon.
2. But you are only worshiping what God created!
-We worship the blessings instead of the Blesser.
1. Talents, charisma, reputation, fame, money, intellect, are all blessings that are worshiped.
2. You can reverence those things, but I will shout praise to the God that brings such blessings.
-Ill. Israelites complain and God sends poison snakes.
1. Moses intercedes for them & God says to make a bronze snake for them to look at. (Numbers 21)
2. But later Hezekiah had to destroy the snake (2 Kings 18) b/c the ppl worshiped it!
-Ill. Paul in the book of Acts is worshiped b/c God healed through him.
-We do it w/ good things too.
1. Ill. Sacred cows!?
2. Ill. Theological ideas, traditions, ppl.
-By the way, we don't worship...
1. ...the Bible, but the one who wrote it.
2. ...the cross, but the one who died on it.
3. ...the preacher, but the one he speaks for.
4. ...the church, but the one who's body it makes up!
5. ...salvation, but the one provides our salvation.
-St. Augustine said: "Idolatry is worshiping anything that ought to be used or using anything that ought to be worshiped."
V. Worship What You Become
-The problem w/ making an idol for yourself is that you become what you worship.
-Whatever is the recipient of your praise, reverence, worship, or zeal is what you will begin to look like.
-Ill. That's why companies market w/ movie stars, atheletes, singers, etc.
1. Ppl worship these kind of folks and desire to look like them.
2. We are plagued w/ ppl desiring to physically look like the world.
-Ill. You will act like what you worship.
-Ill. Ultimately you will begin to think like what you worship.
1. Music influences the very way you think!
2. Who you hold company with influences your thought life!
3. Ill. Parent & child political leanings similar.
-The problem we have in the church today is that many are making idols to which they are becoming!
1. Bow at popularity & reputation!
2. Bow at booze and partying.
3. Bow at sensuality & sexuality.
4. Bow at money & possessions.
5. And as our life revolves around these things, so does our thoughts, our actions, & even our appearances.
-But it's in the church.
-Ironically, our idols begin to look more like us.
1. It really has to do w/ the first temptation in Eden.
2. Genesis 3:5 "God knows that when you eat of it [the fruit] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God...."
VI. God in Our Image
-Do you know that Christians have minimized God?
1. Or at least tried to in our lives.
-Ill. Joel Osteen "Become a Better You"
1. Christianity is more about temporary things than it is eternal today.
2. Mike Yaconelli "Let's all decide to stop trying to convince the world that Christianity is true because Jesus makes us prettier, happier, thinner, wealthier, bigger, more successful, more popular, healthier, stronger, and more influential than everyone else. Do we actually believe that the world is impressed with our fancy new churches... converted beauty queens and professional athletes, our book sales, or our crusades? The world is laughing at us– mocking us and the Jesus we supposedly are serving."
-We desperately want to "understand" God.
1. W/ understanding comes control.
2. What we don't understand we cannot control.
3. So scholars & theologians spend all day in ivory towers trying to figure our God (some merit in this).
-But we can't figure Him out!
1. He simply wants our praise.
2. Our worship, obedience, & reverence!
-We humans can control an idol or image.
1. So we try to bring God down to our level.
2. A level that is more manageable for us.
3. The problem is we are not worshiping God, we are worshiping our idols.
-Ill. Europeans have brought God down to a theological idea/ historical relic.
1. Very religious, but church attendance continues to decline.
2. Liberalism and moral looseness continues to prevail.
-Bringing God down to our level effectively makes me the object of my own worship.
1. B/c I decide what the nature of God is.
2. I decide what is right and wrong (problem in Judges).
3. Anne Lamott "You can safely assume you've created God in your image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do."
4. George Orwell "When men stop worshiping God, they promptly start worshiping man, with disastrous results."
-Ill. N. America has compartmentalized God.
1. We give God an hour or two in a week.
2. The rest is ours to do as we please.
-We make God stay in his house, and we control what goes on in ours.
-Ill. OT understanding of the temple was that God's name dwelt at the temple.
1. God was not confined there.
2. Acts 17:24-25 "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."
VII. Conclusion
-God does not live in this church, he lives in you.
1. He cannot be created.
2. He cannot be dictated to.
3. He cannot be changed.
4. He cannot be cloned.
-Where we go wrong is trying to do what cannot be done.
-Isaiah 45:20 "They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save."
-We've even gone so far as to believe that God needs us to survive.
-Ill. Bumper sticker: "I support the 10 Commandments."
1. God doesn't need your vote of approval.
2. His Word is eternal.
-Really, His Law is what will support you and I through life.
-Let's stop trying to make God in our image.
-Let's allow Him to make us in His image!
-Do you want a false god you create from your imagination?
-Or do you desire to serve the true & living God?
Response
Exodus 20:4-6
I. Introduction
- Nine commandments?
1. Catholic difference in the 10 commandments.
2. Charlton Heston was against making it nine b/c he would have to change the name of his movie.
3. Catholics combine the first two and split the last one.
4. We could just have 11!?
-Most ppl breeze over the first two recognizing their similarities and ignoring them both.
-Why would God be so specific as to add a commandment that has already been stated?
-He wouldn't, there is something more for us in this 2nd commandment?
-It's more than a plaque on a court house wall.
II. Scripture
III. Background
-1st commandment: You shall have no other gods before me.
-2nd commandment: You shall not make for yourself a carved image.
-There seems to be a redundancy... no.
1. 1st deals with anything before or beside the Lord.
2. 2nd deals with some specifics.
-If you break the 2nd commandment you have broken the first.
1. If you break any other commandment you have broken the 1st.
2. The first two are interconnected b/c of their importance.
-Allow me to make three points this morning: This commandment is about...
1. ...taking something that God created or blessed you w/ and making that the object of your worship.
2. ...what you worship being what you begin to look like.
3. ...bringing God down to our level or making Him in our image.
IV. Perverting a Blessing
-To make an idol or graven image you must use stone, wood, or something you find on earth.
1. An idol usually represents something that you would find in nature (golden calf)
2. How twisted is it to believe that the finite is infinite.
3. "You shall not make..." seems a silly way to start talking about deity and objects of worship.
-People can worship their temporary gods, I will worship the eternal.
1. Muhammed is dead, Joseph Smith is dead, Buddha is dead, Krishna is dead, etc.
2. These had a beginning and an end.
3. But God has no beginning and will know no end.
4. He is eternal
-We tend to worship what has been created instead of the creator.
1. You can worship the trees, the animals, human physique/beauty, the sun, or the moon.
2. But you are only worshiping what God created!
-We worship the blessings instead of the Blesser.
1. Talents, charisma, reputation, fame, money, intellect, are all blessings that are worshiped.
2. You can reverence those things, but I will shout praise to the God that brings such blessings.
-Ill. Israelites complain and God sends poison snakes.
1. Moses intercedes for them & God says to make a bronze snake for them to look at. (Numbers 21)
2. But later Hezekiah had to destroy the snake (2 Kings 18) b/c the ppl worshiped it!
-Ill. Paul in the book of Acts is worshiped b/c God healed through him.
-We do it w/ good things too.
1. Ill. Sacred cows!?
2. Ill. Theological ideas, traditions, ppl.
-By the way, we don't worship...
1. ...the Bible, but the one who wrote it.
2. ...the cross, but the one who died on it.
3. ...the preacher, but the one he speaks for.
4. ...the church, but the one who's body it makes up!
5. ...salvation, but the one provides our salvation.
-St. Augustine said: "Idolatry is worshiping anything that ought to be used or using anything that ought to be worshiped."
V. Worship What You Become
-The problem w/ making an idol for yourself is that you become what you worship.
-Whatever is the recipient of your praise, reverence, worship, or zeal is what you will begin to look like.
-Ill. That's why companies market w/ movie stars, atheletes, singers, etc.
1. Ppl worship these kind of folks and desire to look like them.
2. We are plagued w/ ppl desiring to physically look like the world.
-Ill. You will act like what you worship.
-Ill. Ultimately you will begin to think like what you worship.
1. Music influences the very way you think!
2. Who you hold company with influences your thought life!
3. Ill. Parent & child political leanings similar.
-The problem we have in the church today is that many are making idols to which they are becoming!
1. Bow at popularity & reputation!
2. Bow at booze and partying.
3. Bow at sensuality & sexuality.
4. Bow at money & possessions.
5. And as our life revolves around these things, so does our thoughts, our actions, & even our appearances.
-But it's in the church.
-Ironically, our idols begin to look more like us.
1. It really has to do w/ the first temptation in Eden.
2. Genesis 3:5 "God knows that when you eat of it [the fruit] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God...."
VI. God in Our Image
-Do you know that Christians have minimized God?
1. Or at least tried to in our lives.
-Ill. Joel Osteen "Become a Better You"
1. Christianity is more about temporary things than it is eternal today.
2. Mike Yaconelli "Let's all decide to stop trying to convince the world that Christianity is true because Jesus makes us prettier, happier, thinner, wealthier, bigger, more successful, more popular, healthier, stronger, and more influential than everyone else. Do we actually believe that the world is impressed with our fancy new churches... converted beauty queens and professional athletes, our book sales, or our crusades? The world is laughing at us– mocking us and the Jesus we supposedly are serving."
-We desperately want to "understand" God.
1. W/ understanding comes control.
2. What we don't understand we cannot control.
3. So scholars & theologians spend all day in ivory towers trying to figure our God (some merit in this).
-But we can't figure Him out!
1. He simply wants our praise.
2. Our worship, obedience, & reverence!
-We humans can control an idol or image.
1. So we try to bring God down to our level.
2. A level that is more manageable for us.
3. The problem is we are not worshiping God, we are worshiping our idols.
-Ill. Europeans have brought God down to a theological idea/ historical relic.
1. Very religious, but church attendance continues to decline.
2. Liberalism and moral looseness continues to prevail.
-Bringing God down to our level effectively makes me the object of my own worship.
1. B/c I decide what the nature of God is.
2. I decide what is right and wrong (problem in Judges).
3. Anne Lamott "You can safely assume you've created God in your image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do."
4. George Orwell "When men stop worshiping God, they promptly start worshiping man, with disastrous results."
-Ill. N. America has compartmentalized God.
1. We give God an hour or two in a week.
2. The rest is ours to do as we please.
-We make God stay in his house, and we control what goes on in ours.
-Ill. OT understanding of the temple was that God's name dwelt at the temple.
1. God was not confined there.
2. Acts 17:24-25 "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."
VII. Conclusion
-God does not live in this church, he lives in you.
1. He cannot be created.
2. He cannot be dictated to.
3. He cannot be changed.
4. He cannot be cloned.
-Where we go wrong is trying to do what cannot be done.
-Isaiah 45:20 "They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save."
-We've even gone so far as to believe that God needs us to survive.
-Ill. Bumper sticker: "I support the 10 Commandments."
1. God doesn't need your vote of approval.
2. His Word is eternal.
-Really, His Law is what will support you and I through life.
-Let's stop trying to make God in our image.
-Let's allow Him to make us in His image!
-Do you want a false god you create from your imagination?
-Or do you desire to serve the true & living God?
Response
Monday, April 20, 2009
Commandment #1
Commandment #1: The Number One
Exodus 20:1-3
I. Introduction
-Ill. Roy Moore, former chief justice in Alabama
1. Controversy involving the ten commandments.
2. "More than a plaque on a courtroom wall."
-The best defense of the ten commandments would be to live them out.
-Let's start at the beginning in dealing with them.
II. Scripture
III. Background
-v. 1 "God spoke all these things"
1. Not Moses, not Bro. Henry
2. God's Word
-v. 2
1. Who is He?
2. The one who delivered you from slavery.
-God speaks first to His people.
1. If you are in a relationship with me, this is what I expect.
IV. The Choice
-Why this commandment?
1. There seems to be a choice inherent in this command.
2. But why?
-False Doctrine
1. Some believe God pre-determines where you can spend eternity.
2. He certainly has the ability to do that.
3. There is a difference between pre-determination and pre-destination.
4. There is a difference between foreknowledge and forced action.
-In the commandments God allows for a choice
-Creation was all about a choice.
1. Tree in the garden of Eden was all about choice, not temptation.
2. God wanted ppl to choose to love Him.
-Make no mistake, there will be a day when everyone will be forced to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ.
-Romans 14:11-12 "‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.' So then each of us will give an account of himself to God."
V. The Real Option
-This commandment is not religion vs. atheism.
-Notice the commandment never says there are no other gods.
1. In fact, it presupposes multiple gods.
2. It presupposes that whether or not you will serve the true God, you will serve a 'god.'
-Gerard Reed: "We choose whom or what we serve- but we cannot choose not to serve."
1. You will serve something in life, what will it be.
2. God is saying there cannot be anything before/beside Him.
-Martin Luther says: "Whatever our hearts embrace and trust becomes our God."
-Other objects of worship will fail & pass away!
-1 Corinthians 8:5-6 "For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth– as indeed there are many ‘gods' and many ‘lords'– yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist."
-The important point is that there are no other gods before or beside Him!
-Ill. Plagues against Egyptian gods.
1. Each plague directly defies an Egyptian god.
2. God flexing his muscle.
VI. Other Gods
-Other gods can come from good things.
-Every other god will fall into one of three categories:
1. A god of intellect.
2. A god of sensuality.
3. A god of entertainment.
-A god of intellect.
1. Preoccupied with intellectual ideas and pursuits.
2. Caught up in minors that don't really matter.
3. Ill. PETA
4. Ill. Environmentalists
5. Ill. Darwinianism
6. Even some Theologians can be caught up in worshiping minor stuff.
-A god of sensuality.
1. Preoccupied w/ comfort & appeasing the flesh.
2. From sexual perversion to worshiping convenience & comfort.
-A god of entertainment.
1. Preoccupied w/ entertaining myself.
2. Hollywood. (Enormous revenue)
3. Video games. (Enormous revenue)
4. Sports. (Enormous revenue)
-Are there other gods before Him?
VII. Is God first?
-How do you know if God is first in your life?
-It's not what takes the most time.
1. Then your god would be sleep and your job (those could be gods).
-It's not what you spend the most money on.
1. Then your god would be food and housing (those could be gods).
-Your god is the thing you love most.
-Your god is the thing you serve with joy.
-Your god is the thing that is non-negotiable in your life.
VIII. Conclusion
-This is the choice you have to make.
-It's not so much about making god first as it is filtering everything through Him!
-Notice translations of before/beside.
-The importance & value of things is viewed from a context of the supremacy of Christ.
-Today you have a choice on who you will serve.
-Let me tell you that there will be a day when you must give an account of who you serve.
-While there are many things to serve in this life only one thing will save you: the blood of Jesus.
1. Not your job, your money/possessions, your talents, your family, the preacher, your reputation.
2. Christ alone will see you through this life and eternity.
-God knows best.
Response
Exodus 20:1-3
I. Introduction
-Ill. Roy Moore, former chief justice in Alabama
1. Controversy involving the ten commandments.
2. "More than a plaque on a courtroom wall."
-The best defense of the ten commandments would be to live them out.
-Let's start at the beginning in dealing with them.
II. Scripture
III. Background
-v. 1 "God spoke all these things"
1. Not Moses, not Bro. Henry
2. God's Word
-v. 2
1. Who is He?
2. The one who delivered you from slavery.
-God speaks first to His people.
1. If you are in a relationship with me, this is what I expect.
IV. The Choice
-Why this commandment?
1. There seems to be a choice inherent in this command.
2. But why?
-False Doctrine
1. Some believe God pre-determines where you can spend eternity.
2. He certainly has the ability to do that.
3. There is a difference between pre-determination and pre-destination.
4. There is a difference between foreknowledge and forced action.
-In the commandments God allows for a choice
-Creation was all about a choice.
1. Tree in the garden of Eden was all about choice, not temptation.
2. God wanted ppl to choose to love Him.
-Make no mistake, there will be a day when everyone will be forced to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ.
-Romans 14:11-12 "‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.' So then each of us will give an account of himself to God."
V. The Real Option
-This commandment is not religion vs. atheism.
-Notice the commandment never says there are no other gods.
1. In fact, it presupposes multiple gods.
2. It presupposes that whether or not you will serve the true God, you will serve a 'god.'
-Gerard Reed: "We choose whom or what we serve- but we cannot choose not to serve."
1. You will serve something in life, what will it be.
2. God is saying there cannot be anything before/beside Him.
-Martin Luther says: "Whatever our hearts embrace and trust becomes our God."
-Other objects of worship will fail & pass away!
-1 Corinthians 8:5-6 "For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth– as indeed there are many ‘gods' and many ‘lords'– yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist."
-The important point is that there are no other gods before or beside Him!
-Ill. Plagues against Egyptian gods.
1. Each plague directly defies an Egyptian god.
2. God flexing his muscle.
VI. Other Gods
-Other gods can come from good things.
-Every other god will fall into one of three categories:
1. A god of intellect.
2. A god of sensuality.
3. A god of entertainment.
-A god of intellect.
1. Preoccupied with intellectual ideas and pursuits.
2. Caught up in minors that don't really matter.
3. Ill. PETA
4. Ill. Environmentalists
5. Ill. Darwinianism
6. Even some Theologians can be caught up in worshiping minor stuff.
-A god of sensuality.
1. Preoccupied w/ comfort & appeasing the flesh.
2. From sexual perversion to worshiping convenience & comfort.
-A god of entertainment.
1. Preoccupied w/ entertaining myself.
2. Hollywood. (Enormous revenue)
3. Video games. (Enormous revenue)
4. Sports. (Enormous revenue)
-Are there other gods before Him?
VII. Is God first?
-How do you know if God is first in your life?
-It's not what takes the most time.
1. Then your god would be sleep and your job (those could be gods).
-It's not what you spend the most money on.
1. Then your god would be food and housing (those could be gods).
-Your god is the thing you love most.
-Your god is the thing you serve with joy.
-Your god is the thing that is non-negotiable in your life.
VIII. Conclusion
-This is the choice you have to make.
-It's not so much about making god first as it is filtering everything through Him!
-Notice translations of before/beside.
-The importance & value of things is viewed from a context of the supremacy of Christ.
-Today you have a choice on who you will serve.
-Let me tell you that there will be a day when you must give an account of who you serve.
-While there are many things to serve in this life only one thing will save you: the blood of Jesus.
1. Not your job, your money/possessions, your talents, your family, the preacher, your reputation.
2. Christ alone will see you through this life and eternity.
-God knows best.
Response
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