WHO IS A MURDERER?

The 6^th Commandment (Exodus 20:13)

…When we think about the 10 Commandments most of us have the tendency to __relax__ when we come to this one, thinking, “at least I’ve not broken this one.”

…Today we live in a ‘culture of __death__.’  In our country there were over 25,000 murders committed last year.  If you add __abortions__ to this number the number is staggering.

…The main thrust of the 6^th Commandment is that we are to __love__ all people from conception to the grave…for human life is sacred, made in the image and likeness of God.

THREE CONSIDERATIONS UNFOLDING THE MEANING OF THE

COMMANDMENT PROHIBITING US FROM MURDER.

I.        THE MEANING OF THIS COMMANDMENT TEACHES US THAT  __NOT__ ALL TAKING OF HUMAN LIFE IS MURDER.

A.     This commandment found in Exodus 20:13 consists of only two words, “no murder.” This is a special form of the word, and does not say “kill”.

B.     This commandment, like the rest, is directed to individuals.  This is __not__ given to governments, who have been given the “sword” by God Himself.

C.     This commandment prohibits the premeditated, deliberate murdering of another’s life.  It is not speaking about accidental death, see the “cities of refuge,” not is it speaking about killing in self-defense.  In prohibiting murder, Calvin reminds us that it also prohibits all lesser __abuses__ of people.

D.     There are 4 areas where __killing__ is not murder:

1. Capital punishment (Genesis 9:5-6)

2. Maintaining law and order (Romans 13)

3. __Self defense__

4. The just-war

E.     Remember __God__ Himself attached the death-penalty to murder. (Gen 9:6)

II.       JESUS PROVIDES FOR US HIS OWN EXPOSITION OF THE 6^TH COMMANDMENT.  He deals with the very __seeds__ of murder.

A.     It is possible for you to be a murderer __without__ actually taking a life. (Matthew 5:21-22) If you belittle another by calling them, “idiot”, you have murdered.

B.     In this, Jesus tells us it is far more important to be reconciled to your brother than to fulfill a __worship__ duty. (Matthew 5:23-24)

III.                SOME PRACTICAL WAYS WE CAN KEEP THIS COMMAND.

A.     We are not to practice: homicide, __suicide__, feticide.

B.     We are not to have murderous __thoughts__ about others…hate, etc.

C.     We are not to practice “hidden murder”..__slander__ and gossip

D.     We are to love others by __helping__ them in every way possible.

LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:

1.       Don’t have a false sense of confidence that you’ve never murdered.

2.       When you use your tongue to slander or gossip, you have just committed murder.

3.       We are called to stand for life from conception to the grave.

4.       We break this commandment when we have the opportunities to do good and refuse to do it.

5.       Maybe you realized you are a murderer.  You must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved from your sins.