This exposition of Exodus 20:13 by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 24, 2019.
Intro:
Would it surprise you at all if I said, “There is a sinner in the building this morning?” That wouldn’t faze you because you know that we are all sinners. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But what if I told you,
[sections collapse="always"][section title="Read More"] “There is a REAL sinner in our midst?” Ah, now you’re thinking. Your eyes are cutting back and forth as you seek to locate the culprit. “I wonder if he knows about so and so?” “Does he know what happened last night?” Some of you are wondering which sin I’m referring to. I’ll give you a hint…it’s a biggie! In fact it made the top ten. What if I was to tell you – there is a murderer in the congregation? In fact he’s in your section. On your row. In your pew. In your seat!
This morning we are going to consider the 6th Commandment. And we’ll discover it involves far more than just the physical act of murder. One of our problems is that we too often think that our faith is merely a matter of external morality and codes of conduct. It’s all about dos and don’ts rather than understanding it is about how we relate to God and to others. It is about loving God and loving our neighbor. When we think about the Ten Commandments we think of Charlton Heston alone on the mountain with God receiving the Commandments. We fail to remember that God first spoke these words to the people. His voice thundered from the mountain, “I am the Lord your God who brought you up out of Egypt. You are to have no other gods in my presence.” God established this pattern for life. God is declaring, “This is the life that pleases me.” The same God who heard their cries in Egypt and delivered them by His mighty hand, now declared, “Here is how I expect you to live.” This morning we deal with commandment number 6.
Text: Exodus 20:13
This command is just two words in the original text – “No killing.”
It is universally accepted that the best translation is “no murder.”
This is not a blanket condemnation of killing.
I’m convinces that…
Thesis: The sixth Commandment demands that believers be genuinely pro-life.
Now that got your attention. When you hear the term “pro-life” what do you immediately think of? To be genuinely pro-life is to embrace life. It is to be concerned about the hungry, the poor, the oppressed and the unborn. Life is life whether in or out of the womb! Whether in the birth canal or dying in an aids ward. It’s time we in the church embrace life at every stage and in every form.
I want to focus on two things this morning.
- This Commandment prohibits murder in all its forms.
- Homicide
- Suicide/Euthanasia
- Abortion
- Hidden Murder
Now you may be thinking, “I agree with everything you’ve said. You’re right. Those people need to understand this.” But don’t be too quick to let yourself off the hook. Take a look at Matthew 5:21-22.
- This Commandment requires that we value and esteem every human life.
So, how are you doing? You say you haven’t committed a murder. Good. Have you ever fail to see someone as the Father sees them – in need of love and mercy? Do you see them through eyes of evil judgment? Then in your heart you are a killer.
Conclusion:
I’m afraid that catches all of us. What do we do with our sinful hearts? Flee to Christ for forgiveness and cleansing. Come acknowledging your sin and your guilt. Throw yourself on the mercy of God in Christ and experience the washing of regeneration. The law of God is not a ladder on which we climb to reach holiness. It is a mirror in which we see ourselves as we are – dirty, rotten scoundrels in need of cleansing. Come to Christ. Don’t delay.
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