Ten Commandments 6

Exodus 20:13 CSB

Do not murder.

Matthew 5:21–24 CSB

“You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire. So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

A heart which fears God will value human life.

(CSB) 13 Do not murder.

13 Do not murder.

The command not to murder is a command of value. Do you value men and women created in God’s image.

(CSB) 13 Do not murder.

Illus: When we say that we are created in God’s image, what we are saying is that men and women are specifically created to bear the image of God and magnify his glory in our lives.

When one murders it is more than just taking life. It is extinguishing an image bearer of God. It is killing a person who God created for His glory. Life comes from God.

There is no more blatant act of murder than abortion. Not only is it the taking of life, but it is the taking of life from a person who could not protect themselves. Is there any more wicked act than killing a child who cannot protect themselves.

This is not a political issue, it is a sin issue.

Since 1973, 55 million babies, image bearers of God have been murdered.

Currently one fourth of women have had an abortion.

In the most recent statistics, we are aborting 700,000 babies a year in our country.

I know there is a discussion on when personhood begins, at what gestational age does a baby become a human being. let me make the case for why the bible teaches…

(CSB) 27 So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.

27 So God created man in his own image;

he created him in the image of God;

he created them male and female.

(affirming the sanctity of life after the flood)

(CSB) 6 Whoever sheds human blood, by humans his blood will be shed, for God made humans in his image.

by humans his blood will be shed,

for God made humans in his image.

(so we know when life begins according to scripture)

(CSB) 13 For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

13 For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

(further case law from the Old Testament showing that fetuses receive full rights of children.)

(CSB) 22 “When men get in a fight and hit a pregnant woman so that her children are born prematurely but there is no injury, the one who hit her must be fined as the woman’s husband demands from him, and he must pay according to judicial assessment. 23 If there is an injury, then you must give life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, bruise for bruise, wound for wound.

22 “When men get in a fight and hit a pregnant woman so that her children are born prematurely but there is no injury, the one who hit her must be fined as the woman’s husband demands from him, and he must pay according to judicial assessment. 23 If there is an injury, then you must give life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, bruise for bruise, wound for wound.

If you have had an abortion, let me communicate, it is not the unpardonable sin. Jesus CHrist has died for you, and he has died for your sin. Today, would you give your abortion to Him, allow him to heal your heart, and trust His grace.

The letter of the law says do not murder, the spirit of the law is about the heart.

(CSB) 13 Do not murder.

(CSB) 21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder,, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. 22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire.,

Illus: When Jesus taught at the sermon on the mount, he took the ten commandments and tought God’s intent in the commands.

When it comes to murder it is easy to come in today and think, whew, I’ve got this one down.

God’s intent goes to our heart. It is beyond whether you take life, deep down it is whether you value other image bearers of God, as God does.

When we judge other men by the color of their skin we are committing murder. It is hating a person created in the image of God.

When we hold grudges or allow bitterness against a brother, we are committing murder.

When we look at others on the opposite side of the culture ware with disdain, we are committing murder.

Deep down the question of murder begins in the heart.

(CSB) 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.

20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.

A heart which is transformed by God will love others.

(CSB) 13 Do not murder.

(CSB) 21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder,, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. 22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire., 23 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

MURDER BEGINS IN THE HEART

21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder,, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. 22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire., 23 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

A heart transformed by God will seek peace with others.

(CSB) 13 Do not murder.

-24 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

Illus: God takes the way we treat each other as seriously as any sin.

A heart that is unredeemed will stir strife, cause discord and live angry and bitter with other people.

A heart that has experienced the love and grace of God will give the same love and grace to others.

Remember God gave us love when we didn’t deserve it. We give grace to others because God gave us grace first.

Who in your life do you need to get right with. Deep down who still brings bitterness and resentment to your heart?

If there is anything you do this week, get those relationships right.

(CSB) 31 Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. 32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

31 Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. 32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

A heart transformed by God loves, even when others are unloveable.

(CSB) 13 Do not murder.

So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

(CSB) 13 Do not murder.

Illus: When we talk about reconciliation you might think, ok, I will forgive them if they forgive me.

The call of the bible is clear. Your heart towards others has nothing to do with their response. YOu are to love them, show them grace and rid yourself of bitterness no matter what they do.

The actions of your life are not based on other’s reactions. Your are actions are rooted in God’s actions. If God can forgive you, why can’t you forgive your neighbor.

(CSB) 43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary?, Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary?, Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Has God transformed your heart?

(CSB) 13 Do not murder.

The way we love others is a direct reflection of the way God has loved us.

Illus: Do not murder is about the heart. deep down, does your heart show that you are redeemed, or is your heart wrapped up in bitterness and anger?

(CSB) 34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Question 1: Why does the sanctity of life matter?

Question 2: Is there a deeper meaning to the command, do not murder.