1. Human life is precious – Ex.20:13; Mt.5:21-26 1. Life is sacred a. God is Lord of life – Gen.2:7; Job 1:21; Ps.139:13. We are accountable to God – Gen.4:10 b. We are made in Gods image – Gen.1:26,27; 9:5,6; Ps.8:3-5 c. We are created for relationship

2. 2. Matters of life & death a. Acts of murder – the unlawful & deliberate killing of another 1. Acts of deliberate killing –e.g. Cain, Herod 2. Abortion 3. Euthanasia

3. b. Roots of murder – Mt.5:21-26 Jesus is:- 1. Correcting misinterpretation –v.21 2. Dealing with internal attitudes a. Anger –v.22 Gen.4:5-7; 1John 3:11-15 b. Contempt –v.22

4. 3. The urgency of reconciliation a. With the wronged person –v.23-26 1. Takes precedence over worship – v.23,24 2. It is urgent – v.25,26 b. With God – we are all guilty

5. The murder of Jesus a. Shows the horror of human hatred, contempt & murder – Mk.3:6;John7:19 b. Displays Gods amazing salvation - Jesus took our sins - Jesus bore our judgment Is.53:5,6; 1Pet.2:24