How To Build A Life – Respect Life

How to Build a Life: Respect Life

When in Doubt, Follow the Instructions.

God’s Commands are Blueprints for Building Our Lives.

Commandment #1: Put God First (Exodus 20:1-3)

Commandment #2: Accept No Substitutes (Exodus 20:4-6)

Commandment #3: Give God the Respect Due Him (Exodus 20:7)

Commandment #4: Take Time to be Holy (Exodus 20:8-11)

Commandment #5: Give Honor to Whom Honor is Due (Exodus 20:12)

Respect in Society begins at Home.

Commandment #6: Respect Life (Exodus 20:13)

Reasons We are Not to Take Life

1. It Usurps God’s Authority (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:7).
2. Human Life is Sacred (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:7).
3. Human Life is Precious above all Other Life (Genesis 9:3-6)

Types of Killing in the Bible

1. Premeditated & Crimes of Passion (Numbers 35:20-21)
2. Accidental (Numbers 35:22-24)
3. Justifiable (Exodus 22:2)
4. Warfare & Peacekeeping (Romans 13:1-4)
5. Capital Punishment (Romans 13:4)

Applications

1. Murder is Prohibited.
2. Abortion is Prohibited.
3. Hatred and Bitterness is Prohibited (Matthew 5:20-21).
4. Failure to Respect Life is Prohibited (Ephesians 4:32).
5. Failure to Love is Prohibited (1 John 4:8, 11).

Are You Harboring Hate & Bitterness in Your Heart?

Are You Kind and Compassionate to All?

Do You Practice Grace (Active Good Will) Toward All?

Remember God will Forgive Any Sin.

Thus far in our series we have discussed five of the Ten Commandments: Put God First, Accept No Substitutes, Give God the Respect Due Him, Take Time to be Holy, and Give Honor to Whom Honor is Due.  This Sunday we will examine the sixth, Respect Life.

Exodus 20:13   You shall not murder.

The Ten Commandments provide a moral blueprint for how to build successful lives. The prohibition of murder should be a given.

I am sure none of us have even contemplated murder; however, Jesus suggests this command is not just about killing.

Matthew 5:21-22  You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’  ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca, ‘is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell

Matthew 5:43-45  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 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Jesus addresses the heart of the matter – anger and hatred. Since murder begins in the heart, Jesus commands us to guard our hearts against the source of all violence – anger.  He addresses character assassination and the killing of the spirit through name calling and insults. He says we should replace hatred with love, even for our enemies.  In so doing we will be true children of God.

The sixth commandment teaches us to respect all life, to “play nice” and be kind to others. This lesson will discuss the reasons we are not to take life and distinguishes between the types of killing described in the Bible and the real meaning of this prohibition. I’ll conclude with some practical applications.  Join us for this message!

Joey