Guiding Principles for Relationships: The Last Six Commandments

Devotional

Day 1: Honoring Our Parents

Honoring your parents means caring for them in their old age, especially in a society without social security or retirement benefits. This commandment transitions us from our relationship with God to our relationships with others, emphasizing the importance of family as a foundational societal unit. Honoring our parents is not just about obedience in our youth but also about ensuring their well-being and dignity as they age. In a world where the elderly can often be neglected, this commandment calls us to a higher standard of love and respect.

In practical terms, honoring our parents can mean providing for their physical needs, spending time with them, and valuing their wisdom and experience. It is a way to show gratitude for the sacrifices they have made and to uphold the family structure that God has designed. This principle is foundational for a healthy society, as it fosters respect and care across generations. [26:38]

Ephesians 6:2-3 (ESV): "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."

Reflection: How can you actively honor your parents today, whether they are living or have passed on? What specific actions can you take to show them respect and care?

Day 2: The Sanctity of Life

The commandment against murder underscores the sanctity of life and the importance of justice. It means not to kill improperly or with malice, highlighting that life is sacred and must be protected. This principle extends to justified killings in war, where the context and intent matter. The sanctity of life is a core value that upholds the dignity of every human being, created in the image of God.

Understanding this commandment involves recognizing the value of each person and the need for justice in society. It calls us to protect life and seek justice in all circumstances, whether in personal relationships or broader societal issues. This commandment challenges us to examine our hearts for any malice or hatred and to seek reconciliation and peace. [32:04]

Proverbs 24:11-12 (ESV): "Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, 'Behold, we did not know this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?"

Reflection: Is there someone in your life you need to forgive or seek reconciliation with? How can you promote the sanctity of life and justice in your community today?

Day 3: Marriage as a Cornerstone

Adultery undermines the cornerstone of the family, which in turn destabilizes society. Marriage, as defined by God, is between a man and a woman, and any sexual relationship outside this bond is considered adultery. Protecting marriage is crucial for societal stability. The family unit is the building block of society, and when it is strong, society thrives.

Adultery not only breaks the trust between spouses but also has far-reaching consequences for children and the community. It erodes the moral fabric of society and leads to various forms of brokenness. Upholding the sanctity of marriage involves fidelity, commitment, and love, reflecting God's covenant relationship with His people. [33:36]

Hebrews 13:4 (ESV): "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."

Reflection: How can you strengthen your marriage or support the marriages around you? What steps can you take to uphold the sanctity of marriage in your community?

Day 4: Respect for Property

Stealing is a complete disrespect of another person's property and dignity. It erodes trust and justice in society, whether through physical theft or scams. Respecting others' possessions is fundamental to maintaining societal harmony and justice. When we steal, we not only take what is not ours but also violate the trust and dignity of others.

This commandment calls us to respect the rights and property of others, fostering a community where trust and justice prevail. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for any form of dishonesty or greed and to cultivate integrity and generosity. [45:33]

Leviticus 19:11 (ESV): "You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have been dishonest or taken what is not yours? How can you make amends and cultivate a heart of integrity and generosity?

Day 5: Cultivating Contentment

The commandment against coveting addresses the attitude of the heart. Coveting what others have leads to a lack of gratitude and contentment, stealing our joy and undermining our relationship with God and others. We must cultivate thankfulness and contentment to live in harmony with God's will. Coveting creates a cycle of dissatisfaction and envy, which can lead to various forms of sin.

Cultivating contentment involves recognizing and appreciating the blessings we have and trusting in God's provision. It calls us to focus on what we have rather than what we lack, fostering a heart of gratitude and peace. This attitude not only brings personal joy but also strengthens our relationships with others and with God. [57:28]

1 Timothy 6:6-8 (ESV): "But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content."

Reflection: What are you grateful for today? How can you cultivate a heart of contentment and gratitude in your daily life?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Bethesda Baptist Church! Today, we delved into the latter six of the Ten Commandments, focusing on how they guide our relationships with others. These commandments are foundational principles for any society, often referred to as the "constitution" of the rest of the law. We began with the command to honor our parents, emphasizing the importance of caring for them in their old age, especially in a society without social security or retirement benefits. This commandment transitions us from our relationship with God to our relationships with others.

Next, we discussed the commandment against murder, clarifying that it means not to kill improperly or with malice. This commandment underscores the sanctity of life and the importance of justice. We then moved on to the prohibition against adultery, highlighting that marriage is the cornerstone of the family, and the family is the cornerstone of society. Adultery undermines this foundation and leads to societal degradation.

We also covered the commandment against stealing, which is a complete disrespect of another person's property and dignity. Stealing, whether through physical theft or scams, erodes trust and justice in society. The commandment against bearing false witness was next, emphasizing the importance of truth in maintaining justice. Honesty is the bedrock of justice, and without it, society falls apart.

Finally, we discussed the commandment against coveting, which deals with the attitude of the heart. Coveting what others have leads to a lack of gratitude and contentment. It steals our joy and undermines our relationship with God and others. We must cultivate thankfulness and contentment to live in harmony with God's will.

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Key Takeaways

1. Honor Your Parents: Honoring your parents means caring for them in their old age, especially in a society without social security or retirement benefits. This commandment transitions us from our relationship with God to our relationships with others, emphasizing the importance of family as a foundational societal unit. [26:38]
2. Sanctity of Life: The commandment against murder underscores the sanctity of life and the importance of justice. It means not to kill improperly or with malice, highlighting that life is sacred and must be protected. This principle extends to justified killings in war, where the context and intent matter. [32:04]
3. Marriage as a Cornerstone: Adultery undermines the cornerstone of the family, which in turn destabilizes society. Marriage, as defined by God, is between a man and a woman, and any sexual relationship outside this bond is considered adultery. Protecting marriage is crucial for societal stability. [33:36]
4. Respect for Property: Stealing is a complete disrespect of another person's property and dignity. It erodes trust and justice in society, whether through physical theft or scams. Respecting others' possessions is fundamental to maintaining societal harmony and justice. [45:33]
5. Cultivating Contentment: The commandment against coveting addresses the attitude of the heart. Coveting what others have leads to a lack of gratitude and contentment, stealing our joy and undermining our relationship with God and others. We must cultivate thankfulness and contentment to live in harmony with God's will. [57:28]
### [57:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:25] - Independence Day Recognition
[08:50] - Opening Prayer
[25:26] - Introduction to the Last Six Commandments
[26:38] - Honor Your Parents
[32:04] - Do Not Murder
[33:36] - Do Not Commit Adultery
[45:33] - Do Not Steal
[49:50] - Do Not Bear False Witness
[57:28] - Do Not Covet
[74:56] - Upcoming Sermon Series on Elders
[76:50] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Exodus 20:12-17 (ESV) — - "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's."

2. Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV)
- "And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Observation Questions

What does the commandment to honor your father and mother entail, especially in the context of a society without social security or retirement benefits? ([26:38])
How does the commandment against murder extend beyond the act of killing to include the intent and context behind it? ([32:04])
What is the significance of marriage being described as the cornerstone of the family and society in the sermon? ([33:36])
How does the commandment against coveting address the attitude of the heart, and what are its implications for our relationships with God and others? ([57:28])

Interpretation Questions

Why is honoring one's parents considered a foundational principle for societal stability, and how does this commandment transition us from our relationship with God to our relationships with others? ([26:38])
In what ways does the commandment against murder highlight the sanctity of life and the importance of justice? How does this principle apply to modern societal issues? ([32:04])
How does the sermon explain the broader implications of adultery on societal stability and the family unit? What does this reveal about God's design for marriage? ([33:36])
How does the commandment against coveting challenge us to cultivate thankfulness and contentment in our lives? What are the dangers of failing to address covetousness in our hearts? ([57:28])

Application Questions

Reflect on your relationship with your parents. Are there ways you can better honor and care for them, especially as they age? How can you apply this commandment in practical ways this week? ([26:38])
Consider the sanctity of life in your daily interactions. How can you promote justice and respect for life in your community? Are there specific actions you can take to support this principle? ([32:04])
Examine your marriage or relationships. Are there areas where you need to strengthen your commitment and protect the integrity of your relationship? How can you actively work to uphold the sanctity of marriage in your life? ([33:36])
Think about your attitude towards others' possessions and achievements. Are there areas where you struggle with covetousness? How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and contentment? ([57:28])
Reflect on your honesty and integrity in your daily life. Are there situations where you have been tempted to bear false witness or withhold the truth? How can you commit to being a person of integrity in all your interactions? ([49:50])
How can you actively show respect for others' property and dignity in your community? Are there specific steps you can take to prevent and address theft or scams? ([45:33])
Consider your overall relationship with God. Are there areas where you need to repent and seek forgiveness? How can you deepen your faith and live out these commandments more fully in your daily life? ([01:05:32])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "So when we're talking about how we relate to God, really in the Ten Commandments, we're going to see how the Ten Commandments really fulfilled the great commandment, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." [25:26] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The penalty and the price of that sin is more than any one of us can pay. And so that's again, why, why we say like, we say, man, you know, well, what, what, what are the 10 commandments have to do with Jesus? What are the 10 commandments have? Here's the reality. While you may not have murdered, you've, you've harbored anger or hate in your heart at some point." [36:51] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Joy isn't found in the possession of things. Joy is being thankful for what God's given you. Amen. It's our connection to our creator, and what a slap in the face to our creator to be coveting what somebody else has. Like what God has given you is just not good enough." [01:00:32] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "If you woke up tomorrow and the only things you have were the things that you prayed for today, how much would you have? And I was like, well, I thanked him for my food, but I already ate it. Not much. And it was, it kind of hit home with me. How much do we take for granted?" [01:03:47] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If you've never experienced the greatest blessing of salvation, of being forgiven of your sins, of knowing that, that you were hopeless and lost without him, but you, you want to experience that salvation, the grace and the mercy and get an, become a new creation. Let's talk." [01:07:10] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "So when we say, what does it, what does it mean to honor someone? We're not talking about just throwing them a party and, and let me say this. I know that as I've counseled with so many people that there's so many people that I've talked with over the years that are like, how do I honor my parents when they blank? How do I honor my mother or my father when they doing this or they've done this or this happened to me? Those are complex issues." [28:04] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When we talk about sin and we're talking about murder and we're talking about theft and we're going to talk about adult, and we talked about, we're talking about adultery and, and all these other things that when we, the weight of that sin is more than any one of us can bear. And the penalty and the price of that sin, of all of these sins, the penalty and the price of that sin is more than any one of us can pay." [36:51] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I want to encourage you to be all the more eager to extend grace and to tell people about Jesus. I find sometimes, I find sometimes that we, we have a tendency to, instead of extending grace, to look down on people who have struggles that we used to have. Isn't that weird? But we sometimes do that. I want to encourage you, grace, mercy, love, Jesus, all of that." [39:40] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "If you say, you're a follower of Jesus, how should you be living with integrity if you are a follower of Jesus? I say I'm a Duke fan, but I haven't watched a game in years. I'm a horrible Duke fan. I've lost my integrity as a Duke fan." [55:43] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Usually if there's a, if there's a sin in our life that is because of how we're treating our brothers and sisters in Christ, it started with our relationship with God and some of the, some of the failures in our relationship with God. And so I want you to think about that." [01:05:32] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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