SF442 - THE RULES HAVE NOT CHANGED - BE CAREFUL LITTLE EYES WHAT YOU SEE (Exodus 20 17)

SF442

THE RULES HAVE NOT CHANGED

Rule #10: Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

Exodus 20:17

INTRODUCTION

Series Background

The purpose of the law

To reveal man's sinfulness

To expose the awfulness of sin

To reveal the holiness of God

To restrain the sinner and bring him to Christ

To regulate society

Overview

1‑4 are God‑ward

5‑10 are man‑ward

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Sermon Background

This command is different

"The mother of all sins"

This sin produces all of the other sins

The previous nine are outward - inward

The first nine are actions - attitude

The first nine are deeds - desires

The first nine are visible - invisible

The command defined

Combination of two Greek words = have + more

Excessive desire for something you do not have.

Envious desire for that which someone else has.

The key is excessive

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1A.      LET'S EXPLAIN COVETOUSNESS

1B.      It Is A Heart Sin

Mark 7:21-23  "For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, (covetousness) ... 23 All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'""

2B.      It Is A Hidden Sin

Luke 16:13-14  ""No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." 14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus."

3B.      It Is A Hideous Sin

Romans 1:29  "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,"

It is Idolatry of the heart

Ephesians 5:5  "For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

Rich Young Ruler - Matthew 19:16-22

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2A.      LET'S EXAMINE COVETOUSNESS

Luke 12:16-21

1B.      Begins With A Desire (v.17)

"thought to himself"

2B.      Proceeds With A Deed (v.18)

"build bigger ones..."

3B.      Ends In Deception (v.19)

Of Himself...

1C.      Mistook his bankbook for his Bible

2C.      Mistook his body for his soul

"eat, drink, and be merry"

3C.      Mistook time for eternity

"laid up for many years..."

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3A.      LET'S EXPEL COVETOUSNESS

1B.      Recognize It's Presence

Romans 7:7-8  "What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead."

It was this sin he could not shake without Christ!

2B.      Resist It's Pull

Colossians 3:5  "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry."

1C.      Resist by loving your neighbor

Romans 13:8-9  "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself.""

If you love someone you will rejoice in there prosperity! - Our children!

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2C.      With the console of God's Word

Psalms 119:36  "Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain."

3C.      With contentment in Christ

Hebrews 13:5-6  "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?""

4C.      With generosity

2 Corinthians 9:5  "So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given."

APPLICATION

                              Alexander The Great

When he had conquered the entire world he asked that when he died that he hands be left outside the coffin. Because he could carry nothing with him.

No matter what you have if you do not have Christ, you are bankrupt!