1122. Thou Shalt Not Kill – Sixth Commandment

Welcome to The Daily Platform from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina today on The Daily Platform were continuing a study series entitled. Oh how I love thy law, today's message will be preached by seminary professor Dr. Gary Reamer's four weeks ago today Nicholas Cruz entered a school in Parkland, Florida, and murdered 17 people in hospitals and clinics all across our country. 150,000 unborn babies have been killed in the two months of this year alone and in the safety of their own home.

The average American teenager has already witnessed 80,000 murders by the time is 18 years of age, television and film and in video games and actually the videogames are the highest concentration of murderers reality is that we are in a society that has devalued human life and it's not possible that we are not being influenced by that that's not okay with God. God has made it clear that he is against murder bowl we see all around us tends to do to to Jade our conscience and we can also begin to devalue human life and on a variety of ways as we look at this. The sixth commandment, that it might be helpful for us to understand why this is important to God. He makes it clear in all the passages will look at today.

He'll make it clear to us that human beings are important to him. Genesis 126, God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and he continues in verse 27 so God created man in his own image in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them. Men and women are all in the image of God is clear these verses than that bearing the image of God means that we are representatives of God is good for us to acknowledge that about self.

We also need to acknowledge that about others. Other people represent God in that image and parts inherent value to every person get a little more insight to a few chapters later in Genesis chapter 9 verse six. God also now makes it clear if we couldn't have concluded this ourselves and I think we would have gone makes it clear that harming his image dishonors God. Genesis 9 verse six says this who associate with man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God made he man because God made people in his own image.

Therefore, it is wrong to take the life of someone else, though, even apart from taking a life as an adverse tell us that racism and bigotry are always wrong. You feel that way about somebody that God created in his own image. What shifter the New Testament for a few moments. Matthew chapter 22 is is another point of explanation about the sixth commandment why this is so significant. Matthew 22 beginning in verse 17.

This is one of the encounters that we read about in the Gospels between Christ and his opponents so the opponents speak up first in verse 17, saying, tell us therefore they say to Christ. What thinkest is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not. Jesus perceived their wickedness and he said, why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites show me the tribute money and he brought into unto him a penny. That was the, the, the nares valuable claim not anything equivalent to our current penny I Christ has a question here's the point.

He says under them, whose is this image and superscription at that point he's holding the coin-op and showing them seeing the coin they responded Caesar's Caesar had imprinted his own image and inscription on the denarius. Here's Christ conclusion in verse 21, render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.

That coin had an image in the image identified ownership. Is it okay to pay your taxes with yes it but that claim belongs to the government. We can draw further conclusion than that God has placed his image on people letting us know that every person is God's possession.

How should you treat God's possession with likeness indicates ownership, then no one has the right to destroy God's property and once again backing off a little bit, even from the full destruction of God's property. How do you suppose God feels when he sees people abusing other people or disparaging them in some way. Likeness indicates ownership and ownership indicates control, only God has the right to take human life, and he asserts that by placing his image on every single person so that how you treat other people is a direct reflection on your attitude toward God will find it very easy to say that we love the Lord, the Lord watches us all day long. He sees our interaction with people from that interaction. He learns the truth. Imagine God thinking if they'll treat my image that way. What must they think of me rather than disdain.

People despise them, or even just ignore them, they do ignore somebody else. He's not important enough for my time, my attention see how even that would dishonor God rather than objects of disdain need to look at people as opportunities to honor the Lord because that's how he looks at people. I'm sorry to have to say this even applies to your roommates. They also are important to God. God watches every day in your room to see how you reflect your attitude toward him by the words you say by the attitude that God sees. Even when no words are spoken. Some people try to use the sixth commandment to argue against capital punishment and warfare.

We would need to address that for a few moments this morning and as okay we need to look at. First of all, or ever stole the New Testament, let's shift to Romans chapter 13 as we find elsewhere in Scripture here starting in Romans 13 that the sixth commandment has two exceptions, God gives a general prohibition of killing people, but there are two exceptions to that. In this first one in Romans 13, he tells us clearly that a ruler can't execute criminals. God gives him that authority. Romans 13 verse one. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.

For there is no power.

There is no authority but of God.

The powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisted the power resisted the ordinance of God, and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation condemnation. The government has divine authority and is applies to every government.

Even governments that we might not like there is a government in place as Paul is writing these words that he did like very much at all, but he had to acknowledge and clearly testifies here that I government cannot exist without God's sanction.

The government has divine authority, but something more. In verse four he that is the government authority.

The government personnel. Individuals that carry out that authority any such officer of the government. He is the minister of God to the good. But if I do that which is evil, be afraid, for he barracks, not the sword in vain. What's the significance of mentioning the sword here because that was an instrument of capital punishment. Here Paul is saying that the authority of the government goes all the way to the point of legitimately executing criminals is lots of debate in our world about this, but God has made it clear he stole telling us hear the truth that it is actually right for rulers to execute criminals because government has a divine obligation to do so, go back to the Old Testament.

Exodus chapter 17 for will see that an army also has the right to defeat its enemies. Exodus 17 beginning in verse eight says, then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in ref a Dean redeem is in Sinai Israel was on the way to Mount Sinai and there.

This enemy attacked. How did Moses respond. Verse nine tells us the instructor, Joshua choose out men and go out fight with Amalek.

Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mind fight with him.

Joshua, because it is it is right for a nation to defend itself, even if that means destroying the enemy.

Furthermore, as he says Joshua Newby in the valley below.

I'll be on the mountaintop at night because Moses was afraid because Moses also knew that God had an interest in the battle that was about to take place and you know the story that as Moses lifted his hands as long as he can hold his hands and that was an emblem of dependence on God interceding for the Army fighting in the valley below.

As long as he did so God acknowledging that sense of dependence gave Joshua and the Israelite soldiers.

The victory story also tells us Moses hands were heavy so we had somebody else lift his hands and hold them up to help him to do this assistance in expressing dependence on God by God's grace.

They were able to destroy the Army of Amalek and Army can defeat its enemies defending our country is essential. This would include both self-defense and removal of an imminent threat that also means that serving our country is honorable. We thank God for our military personnel recently to Phoenix police officers were in vehicle pursuit of a of an arm subject wanted on a felony warrant. They began that pursuit. At about 3:20 PM that afternoon.

The suspect and realizing that he was being followed immediately increase the speed collided with some other vehicles got out of his vehicle and began to run when around the corner of a building hid among some cars in the parking lot. These two officers got out of the car chase the suspect into that parking lot and immediately the suspect started shooting at them.

In the ensuing firefight.

The suspect was was shot and killed. Later that day, the police chief in a public news conference explained that one of the officers had also died a few hours later in the hospital and that the other one was still fighting for his life choking with emotion. He called it a tragic and violent day for the people of Phoenix and the police in the Phoenix Police Department. A police spokesman said this these particular detectives are some of the best that we have. Their job is to arrest individuals who are wanted for violent crimes. It is an inherently dangerous job, but as every policeman do his job well. Every soldier fulfill his duty honorably know there are exceptions to recognize that God has ordained the opportunity for us to defend ourselves and that we have individuals who have volunteered to be on those front lines recognizing the danger of what they do. So God's people need to support our public defenders.

Other any other specific ways. The sixth commandment should impact our lives today where in Exodus. Let's look at one more passage in Exodus, this time in Exodus 21 will see that the sixth commandment has two applications, first one is the most obvious and Exodus 21 verse 12.

God says he that smite if a man so that he die, shall be surely put to death.

Thank murder is a direct violation of the sixth commandment. And God has ordained that the response to that be capital punishment.

That's an explicit command. We need to ask God to sharpen our conscience about other direct violations of that command such as abortion, referred to already for all of the arguments we hear in favor of abortion. The reality is no person has the right to end the life of somebody else, even if that person is currently residing in her own body as a matter where that person is that person is still the image of God is also confirmed for us. Another debated issue and that is what about infirm people. What about people that are extremely elderly and unable to function about those that are so extremely ill that their quality of life is very poor here.

Arguments that that would be merciful. That would be kind. The reality is that would be a violation of the sixth commandment, we don't have that right. But we do have is the grace of God that God promises is sufficient to withstand any trial. Another example though, would be suicide somebody my protest, but it's my life. Can't I take my own life.

It's not your life. It's God's life God made you in his image and he is the only one that can decide when it is time to end that life suicide is a direct violation of the sixth commandment about the passage goes on the next few verses to do, indicate there is one exclusion to this and that is in the case of involuntary manslaughter. So we acknowledge that what somebody wasn't intending to kill somebody that just happened that that doesn't require capital punishment, but even then, God designated in the Israelite economy. Cities of refuge and the individual who is guilty of involuntary manslaughter had to go to that city away from where he lived any of the lived there until the next until the current high priest died is very restrictive. That was really unsettling for his way of life. It tells us that will heat. He maybe could've been a little more careful and a human life was lost. That's important to God. We have one passage left that we need to consult though because besides a direct violation of an explicit command. Christ himself tells us in Matthew chapter 5 that anger is an implied violation. Matthew chapter 5 the follow Christ's reasoning here in verse 21 he says you have heard that it was said by them of old time, thou shalt not kill us a little peculiar. Why did he introduce it that way. You've heard that it was said, when in fact he goes on to quote the very thing that God has said this is our sixth commandment, but introduces it as you have heard it said because what people were teaching about this commandment is that as long as you stop short of taking a life. You're good with the six commandment Christ goes on to say is no. That is not all that God meant when he said, thou shalt not kill. So Christ corrects the thinking and he says in verse 22 but I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause. Scripture elsewhere makes it clear that the only acceptable cause for anger is when God's honor is at stake, not our honor. Certainly not our personal preference or pleasure. So whoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother Rocca shall be in danger of the council. But whosoever shall say, thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. That last one is describing Gehenna the lake of fire.

What does anger toward other people deserve it in God's perspective nothing less than eternal eternity in hell that seems kind of harsh, doesn't it. We thought that as long as we don't murder somebody everything is okay. Christ is know you made a mistake all you are paying attention to was that explicit command, but there is an implied prohibition here as well, and given the reality of the punishment that is due for those that are angry. Christ is really telling us here. This is an essential conclusion. You don't get this conclusion you are in violation of the sixth commandment just by being angry and note here that the first instance of this that Christ describes the person hasn't even said anything yet. He says angry in his heart he hasn't called in the name and is already in line for God's judgment. Both the inward attitude of anger is sinful and the outward expression of anger is sinful and the reason we know is because God said, thou shalt not kill is not equating murder with anger.

He saying when God prohibited anger. He also prohibited murder. He also prohibited anger. God does not want us angry with those that bear his image. Even if we think our anger is justified.

The local shoe store. The only checkout lane grew long as the cashier was trying to correct an error. Finally, the transaction was complete, but the customer at the head of the line does continue to chat with the cashier. Finally, a man in the back of the line couldn't take it any longer and he blurted out. Would you please move along. So the rest of us can get a lot get get on with our life and the woman turned around and glared at him and he said I'm not. She said I'm not done with my business yet and I'll move along when I'm good and ready. From there, the conversation degenerated until finally the woman stormed out the door calling back as she did so, what I jerk who was wrong and that episode that you be correct to conclude they both violated the six commandment according to Christ, but I think we can also speculate that perhaps everybody in line violated the sixth commandment that day as well, even if they didn't say anything. Could it be that God is that interested in us getting victory over anger. The six commandment says the only right response to anger, confession and repentance and a request to God to help me do better at obeying the sixth commandment offer prayer father. We are thankful for your word. Thankful for an opportunity to come in line with your word today. Father, we ask for your forgiveness for not having a view of human life that matches yours. We asked father for your grace to see the multitude of situations going on in the world around us going on in our own lives in which we also are in danger of violating your command asked for forgiveness. We asked for grace to change.

In Jesus name, amen. You've been listening to a sermon preached at Bob Jones University by Dr. Gary Reamer's which is part of the study series about the 10 Commandments.

Join us again tomorrow as we continue the series here on The Daily Platform