Outline: Mine! based on Exodus 20:1-17

I. Children and that is mine.

II. Adults can say that, too.

III. Famous words of 9th and 10th Commandments.

IV. Desire vs. coveting.

V. Coveting as opposite of being content and Philippians 4:11–12 “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”

VI. First, we realize the sequence and Genesis 3:6 and Joshua 7:21 and see, covet, take. Usually, we make excuses for coveting. We might say to ourselves, “Coveting is no big deal.” That is what Eve was thinking in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:6 states, “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” The sequence is See. Covet. Take. In Joshua 7:21 Achan admits, “When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” (NIV 84) See. Covet. Take.

VII. Excuses for coveting and James 1:15. Sometimes we make excuses for our coveting. We say, “I was only looking.” Looking can lead to coveting and coveting can lead to taking. What might be next? James 1:15 tells us, “Then desire when (desire) has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when (sin) is fully grown brings forth death.” Realize the sequence and do not make excuses. See. Covet. Take. Then death.

VIII. Coveting can lead to death.

IX. Next, think of your salvation in a personal way and Exodus 20:2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”

X. There was a passover lamb in Christ.

XI. On the third day Jesus arose. There is nothing dead about our Jesus! Jesus was no longer among the dead and the stone was rolled away. Jesus lives so He can speak these words straight from His heart to yours—“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of sin and death, out of the house of slavery. I, the LORD your God. I will do whatever is necessary to save you!”

XII. Being content conquers coveting. The first step to being content is this. Realize the sequence. Realize where this all leads—death! The second step? Don’t think of your salvation only in a general way. Think of your salvation in a personal way. Jesus is the Passover Lamb who saved me!

XIII. Exodus 19:5 and treasured possession. In Exodus 19:5, God said, “You shall be my treasured possession among all peoples.”

XIV. Conclusion. The heart of the Ten Commandments. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.” How does that work? Realize the sequence—see, covet, take, death. Think of your salvation in a personal way. You are God’s treasured possession. Where’s the power to do this? The strength? Jesus says, “I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are now and always lovingly, passionately, eternally mine!” Amen.