| Dr. Terry E. Zebulske Grace Community Church February 13, 2005 |
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THE 8TH COMMANDMENT: GOD’S PROTECTION OF PROPERTY
Exodus 20:15
…Stealing is epidemic in America. Property is __not__ safe even
if it is secured with concrete, barb wire, steel, and all sorts of systems.
Larceny is the order of the day…
…The
Super D Drug store chain began to do integrity __testing__ after
what they termed a dramatic rise in “shrinkage.” The huge survey taken in 1990
and later printed in 1991 in “The Day America Told The Truth,” revealed that the
Protestant work ethic is long gone from today’s work place…employee __stealing__
is rampant.
…God has
not changed His mind, in fact He carved it twice in stone with His own finger.
For us, loving our neighbor means that we will not steal his life, his wife, or
his __property__.
FOUR
QUESTIONS HELPING US TO LOVE OTHERS ENOUGH TO RESIST STEALING THEIR POSSESSIONS.
I. WHAT
DOES IT MEAN WHEN WE ARE PROHIBITED FROM STEALING?
A. The
Hebrew version of this verse is __one__ word, it has the negation
prefix…
B. This
command forbids any act by which we __dishonestly__ obtain the
goods of another. “There is no difference to rob a man by fraud or force.”
(Calvin)
C. This
then forbids: robbery, __extortion__, embezzlement, graft, and
bribery.
D. This
verse, by inference, tells of the validity of __private__
property.
II. WHAT
ARE SOME COMMON WAYS WE ARE GUILTY OF STEALING?
A. __Tax__
theft…
B. Borrowing
theft…
C. Computer
theft…
D. __Employee__
theft…
E. Employer
(management) theft…
F. Plagiarism…stealing
__ideas__
G. Tithes
and offerings (Mal 3:8)
H. __Cheating__
in school…steals the time spent…
I. Reputations
can be stolen by the tongue
J.
A virgin’s __innocence__
can be stolen…
K.
Borrowing something without permission…
L.
Receiving too
much __change__ and keeping it.
III. WHAT
ARE THE MOTIVES THAT PROMPT US TO STEAL?
A. We
really to not __trust__ God to meet our needs…(Matt 6:25-33) The
Lord tells us, “don’t worry and don’t steal or spend all of your energy trying
to scheme and manipulate things to your own advantage. Because if you obey my
Word, I’ll provide for your __every__ need all the days of your
life.”
B. We
think that stolen thing will give us satisfaction…it __never__
will.
C. We
are __lazy__ and not willing to work for whatever…
D. We
want what we want now! Instant happiness…
IV. WHAT
IS GOD’S REMEDY TO OUR INCLINATION TO STEAL?
A. __Work__..”stop
stealing and work” (Eph 4:28) Find satisfaction in it (Eccl 5:18-)
B. Give…give
to the Lord’s work, give to those in need. Giving is a family trait in God’s
family. He is the Great Giver, and if you know Him you too! (2 Cor 8:9)
C. Trust
God and be content, be __satisfied__ with His provision. (Heb
13:5-6)
D. Confess
any sins of stealing, repent, and make __restitution__ (Exodus
22:1-4)
E. Regeneration…perhaps
you steal because you are not saved? Today!
F. Positively,
we are to seek the benefit, care for, and help our neighbors.
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1.
Obey God’s
word and He promises to meet your every need.
2.
Remember our
security is not in money or possessions.
3.
Don’t take
anything that is not yours.
4.
Be honest in
all your dealings with others.
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