Life-Givers Graphical 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 : “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 : 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 : 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 GodHow 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 punishment With 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 animal To refer to capital punishment With reference to God punishing people with death To address what happens in warfare With reference to accidental death With 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 Murder At life’s beginning – ABORTION Psalm 139:13 You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Spectrum of Murder At 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-Givers  All 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 FORGIVENESS through Jesus Christ, our Savior!

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

The Call to Be Life-Givers  Purge 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-Givers  Purge yourself of seeds of murder A. Ask God for “Reality Checks”: “Show me my anger…show me my apathy” B. Seek forgiveness: From God From 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-Givers  Purge yourself of seeds of murder: A. Ask God for “Reality Checks” “Show me my anger…show me my apathy” B. Seek forgiveness: From God From the significant other people involved C. Ask God’s aid for deprogramming

The Call to Be Life-Givers  Purge yourself of seeds of murder  Pursue 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-Givers  Purge yourself of seeds of murder  Pursue 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-Givers  Purge yourself of seeds of murder  Pursue 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-Givers Purge yourself of seeds of murder Put on positive pursuits on daily life Practice the Golden Rule – Luke 6:31

The Sixth Commandment Life can be lengthened Life can be destroyed