No Murder
Scripture: Exodus 20:1-13
I. Don’t murder means no premeditated taking of human life.
A. The command then does not have to do with killing in war or the death penalty for a crime. Genesis 9:6: “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.” What makes every human life precious is that it is made in the image of God. Therefore, to murder a human life is to deface one of God’s masterpieces. We may not be literally murdering people. But in many ways, we devalue human life.
B. Here are three areas where there is a premeditated taking of life. 1) Suicide. Self-murder is still murder. Suicide is a sin of destroying the image of God within you. 2) Abortion. If a child in the womb dies because someone strikes a mother, the penalty for the death of the child is the same as if you had murdered a human being outside the womb (see Exodus 21:22-23). 3) Euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia almost always becomes involuntary down the road.
II. Don’t murder means no anger that leads to murder.
A. Jesus spoke about the sin behind the sin that leads to murder: anger. Matthew 5:21-22: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”
B. The 10 commandments address not just outward actions but also inward attitudes. The Heidelberg Catechism comments on the commandment not to murder by saying, “I am not to dishonor, hate, injure, or kill my neighbor by thoughts, words, or gestures, and much less by deeds.” When we think then about this commandment not to murder, can we really say, “At least I haven’t done that?” No.
III. Don’t murder means we need Jesus to forgive us all.
A. The reality is that according to Jesus we are all murderers. We all need forgiveness. The good news is that Jesus forgives murderers. Remember what Jesus said to his murderers from the cross in Luke 23:34: “And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’” Moses, David, and Paul were all murderers. But do you know what else these men have in common? All three of these men are in heaven. They were all forgiven for their sins by Jesus. When you realize that you have sinned, confess that sin and ask for Christ’s forgiveness.
Application:
Kill your anger idol, and receive Christ’s forgiveness for that anger that leads to murder.
Sources:
The Bible
Books by J.I. Packer, Jen Wilken, Philip Ryken and Kevin DeYoung.
Sermon Discussion Questions
1) Does the Bible forbid any killing of human beings? What is the difference between killing and murder? Why is premeditated murder such a sin in God’s eyes?
2) How do Jesus’ words about murder in Matthew 5 reveal that murder is not just about outward actions but also about inner attitudes? Are we all guilty of murder according to Jesus?
3) What did Jesus say to his murderers from the cross in Luke 23:34? Have you received Jesus’ forgiveness for your murders of the heart?