Life-GiversGraphical sermon notes by,

Rev. Ed Whitman

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Evangelical Congregational Church in Dunstable Massachusetts

© Copyright 2014 by the author, Rev. Ed Whitman, with permission to freely redistribute.

“Do unto others

as you would have

them do to you”

Luke 6:31

Life- Givers

Luke 6 : 27-31 

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 

Luke 6 : 27-31

 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.

Luke 6 : 27-31

 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 

 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Exodus 20: 13

You shall not murder.

Theological Questions:

Believe in Original Sin?

Believe in Total Depravity?

Brotherly / Sisterly Shove

How to Love God How to Love People

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.

2. You shall not make any image of Me.

3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord, your God.

4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

5. Honor your father and your mother.

6. You shall not murder.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

8. You shall not steal.9. You shall not give

false witness against your neighbor.

10 You shall not covet.

Let’s Pray

The Sixth Commandment

“You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13

“Murder” = no individual is allowed to kill another human

being just because he/she wants to

The word “Murder” is not used in Scripture

To refer to the killing of an animal

To refer to capital punishment

The word “Murder” is not used in Scripture

To refer to the killing of an animal

To refer to capital punishmentWith reference to God punishing people with death

To address what happens in warfare

The word “Murder” is not used in Scripture

To refer to the killing of an animalTo refer to capital punishmentWith reference to God punishing people with death

To address what happens in warfareWith reference to accidental deathWith reference to life-taking in self-

defense

The word “Murder” is not used in Scripture

Pre-meditated, willful killing

of someone because I want to

Spectrum of MurderAt life’s beginning – ABORTION Psalm 139:13 You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Spectrum of MurderAt life’s beginning – ABORTION Psalm 139:13 You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

At the departure end of normal human life -EUTHANASIA-Unassisted or physician-assisted SUICIDE Psalm 31:15 My times are in Your hands

Spectrum of Murder

In between the start and natural close of life: Acts of cruelty and violence which weaken/shorten life for others:

ABUSE… MOLESTATION…

HATE-CRIMES (racism)

Spectrum of Murder

Actions Jesus calls “Murder” HATRED IN THE HEART

(character assassination)Anyone who is angry (harbors enmity

of heart – Amplified) with his brother will be subject to judgment. Matthew 5:22

Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer I John 3:15

Why is this Commandment so Important to God?

All human beings are made in God’s image

Life within all human beings is God’s gift

Human life is precious Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man. Genesis 9:6

Why is this Commandment so Important to God?

The right to end life or

direct it’s ending is God’s prerogative alone!

The Sixth Commandment:

Call to honor God by respecting His image-bearers -- all human beings

Focus is much more than “You shall not…”

Emphasis is positive !Call for us to Become Life-Givers

The Call to Be Life-GiversAll of us have broken this commandment!

God isn’t going to allow any unforgiving commandment-breakers to enter Heaven!

I Corinthians 6:9-11 “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God? And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

The Call to Be Life-Givers

God’s way of dealing with murder of any kind is

FORGIVENESSthrough Jesus Christ, our

Savior!

The Call to Be Life-GiversPurge yourself of seeds of murder A. Ask God for “Reality Checks” “Show me my anger…show me

my apathy”

The Call to Be Life-GiversPurge yourself of seeds of murder A. Ask God for “Reality Checks” “Show me my anger…show me

my apathy” B. Seek forgiveness:

From God

The Call to Be Life-GiversPurge yourself of seeds of murder A. Ask God for “Reality Checks”: “Show me my anger…show me my

apathy” B. Seek forgiveness:

From GodFrom significant other people

involved Make every effort to live in peace with

all men and to be holy…See to it…that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12: 14,15

The Call to Be Life-GiversPurge yourself of seeds of murder: A. Ask God for “Reality Checks” “Show me my anger…show me my

apathy” B. Seek forgiveness:

From GodFrom the significant other people

involved C. Ask God’s aid for

deprogramming

The Call to Be Life-GiversPurge yourself of seeds of murderPursue positives in daily living: 1. Start-up morning prayer

“Lord, I want to be loving, joyful and full of peace today. Help me to be patient and kind, doing good to everyone and faithful. And I want to be gentle and self-controlled.”

The Call to Be Life-GiversPurge yourself of seeds of murderPursue positives in daily living: 1. Start-up morning prayer 2. Ask for quick help when “stuff” happens

Do not give the devil a foothold

Ephesians 4:27

The Call to Be Life-GiversPurge yourself of seeds of murderPursue positives in daily living: 1. Start-up morning prayer 2. Ask for quick help when “stuff” happens

3. Give soft responses to harshness that happens

A gentle answer turns away wrath Proverbs 15:1

The Call to Be Life-GiversPurge yourself of seeds of murderPut on positive pursuits on daily lifePractice the Golden Rule – Luke

6:31

The Sixth CommandmentLife can be lengthened

Life can be destroyed