What's Mine Is... Mine [38 mb]

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This is the tenth sermon in a series of messages on the Ten Commandments. This message discusses the Eighth Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Steal.

Written Excerpts:

Exodus 20:15   Thou shalt not steal.

Introduction:

Today we are going to be discussing the Eighth Commandment, Thou Shalt Not Steal. As we have done with all the previous commandments, I plan to point out the “negative meaning” of the command; followed by the “positive principle” that is emphasized by the command; and then take the time to examine some of the ways the commandment applies to our lives in the “Exposition of the command.” So let us turn our attention now to the eighth commandment as it is given in Exodus chapter 20.

VIII.    Thou Shalt Not Steal

A. Negative Meaning: Do not take anything that belongs to another person without his/her consent.

B. Positive Principle: Personal property is sacred.

If it is wrong to take anything that belongs to another person, then it seems obvious that God recognizes and endorses the idea of personal ownership of private property. This may seem like a pretty simple point to make, but it is very basic to an orderly and civilized society.

(Keil & Delitzsch) “Property was not to be violated just as the sacredness of marriage was not to be violated.”

Let me say here that I do not see how anyone, whether they are a political leader or spiritual leader, can endorse the idea of communism or socialism as long as this commandment is part of the Decalogue. When you get down to the basic meanings of both communism and socialism, there is no true ownership of personal property. In both of those systems, property is ultimately owned by the government or by the community or group not by any person.

This may get me in trouble with some people, but I believe that the eighth commandment applies to governments as well as to individuals. That may be one reason why our founding fathers threw a “Tea Party” over “Taxation without representation.” In my opinion, taxation, without the consent of the governed, becomes a legalized form of theft.

While I’m on this subject, let me warn you of another growing trend in this nation. We are being “bombarded” these days with an orchestrated effort to get low income people to envy and to hate higher income people, and to vote for people and programs that are designed to take more and more money from high-income folk and give it away to the lower-income people.

Let me read a quote to you from a man that is now deceased, but at one time was the President of the Southern Baptist Convention.

You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom.  What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation.

You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."

Dr. Adrian Rogers (1931-2005)

Dear friends, let me warn you today of the general spirit that has swept across this land legitimizing the “theft” of wealth from one person in order to give it to another person. That whole spirit and attitude flies in the face of the principle behind the Eighth Commandment – You Shall Not Steal!

C. Exposition: How does this commandment apply to everyday life?

1. This commandment forbids theft in all its various forms.

It really is very simple. Do not take anything that belongs to another person without their consent. That includes “borrowing” something (with/without permission) then “forgetting” to return it.

a.) Outright stealing personal property belonging to someone else.

Children steal from their parents. Stealing often starts out when we’re children.

People steal from their employers.

Burglars and robbers steal from everybody they possibly can.

Improper use of copyrighted material.

It is actually amazing the rationalization that people go through in order to justify their illegal use or theft of other people’s property!

b.) Stealing by deception, fraud or cheating.

Some writers tell us that there is more than one Hebrew word used in the OT regarding theft. The word “steal” used in the Eighth Commandment represents acts that are done secretly without notice of others. However, other related verbs emphasize the violent aspect of seizing the property of another. (Harris, Archer, Waltke) (Emphasis mine.)

Misrepresenting a product or service in order to get more money than it’s worth.

Lying about age of a child or an adult to get discounts at restaurants and other places.

Refusing to acknowledge or report a mistake when clerk gives you too much change or fails to charge you for a product.

Dishonest reporting on income tax returns.

Dishonest reporting on employee time cards, expense accounts etc.

c.) Stealing by overspending without reasonable ability to repay.

There are many individuals who spend way beyond their income without any regard for the means of paying for the items they have bought on credit. I don’t believe it is pleasing to the Lord for anyone to max out their credit limits on just material stuff and then default on their payments and shrug it off as if it doesn’t really matter.

2. This commandment emphasizes the importance of contentment and stewardship over selfishness.

When we consider the whole issue of personal property and individual ownership along with the legitimate use of work and payment for the things we own, it becomes necessary to talk about the principle of contentment.

The Bible is very clear that contentment is something that ought to characterize the life of a Christian.

1 Tim. 6:6-10 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. ⁹But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

The Tenth Commandment, which we will discuss in a few weeks, emphasizes the matter of contentment with what we have and not envying or coveting the property of another individual. All of these passages point out the destructiveness of a selfish attitude that places our wants and desires over the rights of others, so that we may feel it is okay to take what belongs to them in order to satisfy our desires.

Let’s face it… the temptation to steal what belongs to another person ultimately stems from the discontentment with what we have and from a non-biblical viewpoint of material possessions and stewardship.

The parables of Jesus regarding the Steward (Lk. 16), the pounds (Lk. 19), and the talents (Matt. 25), all stress the fact that we are stewards of the money and goods that God has provided to us. They all emphasize the fact that we need to be more concerned over the proper use and investment of the things God has given to us rather than being so concerned with grasping and grabbing more stuff by whatever means we deem necessary to acquire it.

Proper stewardship also includes voluntary and compassionate giving of our goods and finances to aid and help those in need.

3. This commandment emphasizes the importance of a biblical work ethic.

Ephesians 4:28 states, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Rather than expecting others to simply provide for our needs and our wants, the Bible tells us that we are expected to work for our own needs if we are able. Our culture has certainly emphasized the idea and pursuit of “getting something for nothing.”

4. This commandment emphasizes the importance of making amends for stealing.

The OT requires, and the NT seems to endorse, the whole concept of making restitution for stolen property.

Restitution is a topic that you don’t hear preached about very much at all these days! I will tell you this; I’ve heard some great stories over the years of store owners and merchants that were won to the Lord because of people who came back to make restitutions for things stolen and/or to pay off long-standing accounts after they were genuinely converted to Jesus Christ. Restitution is one of the most effective ways to witness for Jesus!

Various passages in the OT laws required the payment of restitution for stolen property. The required restitution payments ranged from 1/5 of the original value up to 5 times the original value. These varied according to the type of theft and the importance of the item stolen. In every case, the restitution was always more than simple replacement value – it included replacement plus some.

In the NT the best example I know of is the conversion of Zacchaeus. He promises “…if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”  When he says this, Jesus does not respond by saying, “Oh no, that’s not necessary. You need not worry about repaying those folks.” Instead, Jesus says, “This day is salvation come to this house…”

It is almost as if Jesus is saying that his willingness to repay (make restitution to) those he defrauded was evidence that real salvation had taken root in his heart.

I admit that I don’t have all the answers to every question that might arise regarding restitution. For example, what about the individual that stole on a daily basis for years before they came to Christ and they can’t even remember who all they stole from?

Conclusion:

Finally, as we close this message today, I want to touch on the aspect of forgiveness and clearing my conscience before God. There may be some here today that have heard God’s Spirit speaking to your heart regarding some issues that you may have never thought about before. Some of you may have thought of things that haven’t crossed your mind for years.

What to do?

If you’re not currently walking in faith with the Lord, then I urge you to recognize that what you feel is conviction from God’s Spirit and He is trying to draw you to the place of confession and repentance so that He can save you from your sins; including the sin of stealing.

Then, once you have come to Christ, along with those who already know the Lord, if He is reminding you of any specific instances – names, places and images are going through your mind – then by all means, take every effort to clear your conscience by making amends for the things you have stolen.

I can tell you this, if you will do that, God’s sweet presence and blessing will fill your soul as you obey the leading of His Spirit. And, who knows, there may be many people you could witness to for Christ by simply going back to them and making amends.


Next sermon in this series is: Truth or Fiction (link available in blog archive on right)

A Woman Worthy of Praise [29 mb]

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This is a sermon preached on Mother's Day and is based on the text in Proverbs 31:30

Written Excerpts:

Proverbs 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 

Introduction:

My message is based on the 30^th verse of Proverbs 31; particularly the phrase: “…but a woman that fears the Lord, shall be praised.” Notice that this statement is offered in contrast to two other qualities that might describe a woman – favor (charm) and beauty. So God is telling us that charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but in direct contrast to those two qualities, a woman who fears God is worthy of receiving praise.

I want to take a moment this morning to look at two main thoughts that come to mind in relation to this text.

I. The world heaps praise upon women for many reasons.

II. The Lord advocates praise for the woman who fears Him.

I.          The world heaps praise upon women for many reasons.

I know that most of you already know this, but let me remind you again this morning that the values of this world and the people of this world are completely contrary to God and His Word. That is why it is so important for all of us to develop a Christian Worldview; in other words, a Christian way of looking at all aspects of life.

What are some of the reasons that women receive praise from those who do not have a biblical view of life?

A.        Outward Appearance

I have chosen to mention this first because it is the topic that is highlighted in our text, Proverbs 31:30.

This is an area that has affected all people, men and women, as indicated in God’s words to Samuel the prophet when he went to anoint David the new King of Israel. Samuel was judging the sons of Jesse by their appearance, but the Lord told Samuel:

“…man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7)

The reference to charm and beauty mentioned in our text highlights the outward appearance. These are definitely areas that the media and commercial world constantly bombard us with in order to get us to buy into the standards set by the world.

Charm is deceitful. This gives the idea that charm has the ability to hide what is real and promote that which is fake. The use of the word “deceitful” indicates that we are being tricked into thinking we’re “getting” something we really aren’t.

Now, I’m sure the writer here isn’t saying that there is no value at all in having some charm. Certainly a person that is charming is more pleasant to be around than someone who doesn’t have any charm at all. And the Lord knows that some people could stand to use a little charm now and then!!

But, what the intended message or emphasis seems to be is that a charming personality has the ability to cover up that which is undesirable and to promote an image that isn’t real.

Beauty is vain. The word vain can often be translated or understood as “worthless.”  In other words, beauty has no lasting value other than the brief moment of pleasing the eye. It can do nothing to improve character. Beauty alone doesn’t help anyone become a kind, loving or moral person. In fact, many times, it actually hinders the development of good character and moral principles.

In direct contrast to what God says or what God values, our world still promotes and emphasizes outward appearance over many more valuable character traits.

B.        Career Accomplishments

Our society praises women for unusual career accomplishments.

Ladies, it is sad to say, but most of you already know that if you want to get the world to notice you and praise you, it will never happen for the strength of character necessary to faithfully fulfill your responsibilities in the home and caring for your children. If you want the recognition and praise of the world, you must find some career and work your way to the top; especially in a field that has been previously dominated by men. Then you will get the applause and praise of the world.

I’ve listened to so many women over the years speak of the pain they feel when it seems that their commitment and sacrifice they have given for their families goes unrecognized and world tends to treat them as if they are not important because they didn’t make their mark in some distinguished career.

These are the things, as well as many others that could be mentioned, for which the world heaps praise upon a woman.

II.        The Lord advocates praise for the woman who fears Him.

In stark contrast to these reasons that the world may give praise and honor to a woman, God’s Word says that the woman who fears the Lord shall be praised.

A. God is the One to offer praise to the God-fearing woman.

It seems obvious to me that the world is not going to give this woman praise. We’ve already highlighted that fact. So who will? I believe the intended message here is that she will be praised by God Himself. God takes note of the woman whom the world despises because of her piety and devotion.

(K&D) One OT commentary indicates that the proper understanding of the phrase “worthy to be praised” is – “let her be praised.”

This is the attitude of God – i.e. give appreciation and praise to the woman who fears Me and directs her life and actions in a way that honors Me.

B. What does it mean to fear the Lord?

1. It does not usually mean trembling, quaking dread or fear.

There are instances in the Bible where this is evident such as the revelation of fire and smoke at Mt. Sinai and the resulting fear of the Israelites.

2. It does include a wholesome reverence and respect that is accompanied with awe.

Can be illustrated by people who work with high voltage lines. Even though there is no trembling fear that paralyzes them from doing their job, they know what kind of power it has and what one little mistake can do. So, they diligently follow all proper procedures and protocol in order to help guarantee their safety.

People who fear the Lord are not usually paralyzed in dread, but they understand and respect God’s sovereign power and His holiness.

(ISBE) “…it is more the feeling of reverent regard for their God, tempered with awe and fear of the punishment of disobedience.”

3. The fear of the Lord means that we hate what God hates.

See Prov. 8:13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”

4. The fear of the Lord is the beginning point of all piety and godliness.

Proverbs 1:7; 9:10 teach us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom.

The fear of God is usually the starting point for many people when they establish a relationship with the Lord. They fear His judgment and going to hell. So, it truly is the beginning of knowledge. But, as one continues in the relationship with God, he / she finds that God is not only someone to be feared, but He is one to love and adore and share our burdens and concerns with.

A child may fear the judgment of his father when he knows that he has disobeyed, but as the child becomes an adult, he learns to love and respect the father. He learns that his father can be a friend to confide in and to listen to for counsel.

This is the way in which the fear of God can be the start of a relationship that develops into a strong bond of trust and love.

Conclusion:

Dear friends, let me conclude by simply admonishing each of us to hear the words of this King in the proverb we have studied today.

Ladies, don’t allow the world with its values to deceive you into thinking that charm and beauty and all the other glamour of this world is worth seeking after and chasing after.

Men, let us not allow the standards and values of this world trick us into adopting its measure of greatness or worth. We need to be the ones leading the way in praising our wives and daughters for fearing God and obeying His word rather than striving to measure up to the opinions and standards of the world.

God doesn’t see things the way that we do. Let us seek to have His praise in our lives. Let us purpose to honor that which He honors.

The Cure for Post-Easter Distress [34mb]

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This is a sermon based on John 20:19-29 regarding one of the post-resurrection appearances of Christ to His disciples. The message focuses on the three occurances of the phrase, "Peace be unto you" that are found in this Scripture.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

I noticed in these verses that there is a phrase spoken by Jesus three different times. The phrase I am referring to is, “Peace be unto you.”

The repetition of that phrase seems to highlight three different reasons that we human beings need to experience the peace of God that is offered through Jesus Christ.

Transition:

I believe that this passage of Scripture demonstrates that Jesus offers peace to us in times of fear; in times of jubilation; and in times of persistent doubt. All three of these conditions are presented in our Scripture lesson and they occur immediately after the resurrection of Jesus.

I.          Jesus offers peace in the midst of paralyzing fear.

Fear is a crippling emotion. Fear is something that we all experience in one way or another at various times in life.

A. There were at least two reasons for the disciples of Jesus to be filled with fear.

1. Fear for their own safety. “…for fear of the Jews”

In verse 19, we read that the disciples were gathered in a room or place and the door was shut. It also states that they were there “in fear of the Jews.” It is not clear whether the phrase “for fear of the Jews” is meant to explain why they were assembled, or to explain why the “door was shut.” It seems appropriate to assume that it was both.

Some (see Adam Clarke) have proposed the idea that the door was not only shut, but barricaded and / or locked. (IVP Bible Background Commentary) “Proper residences were equipped with bolts and locks.”

Their fear of the Jews is understandable in light of what had happened to their Master in the preceding days. Even though Jesus had commanded on the night of His arrest, “Let these go away.”  (18:8) The grammatical construction indicates He ordered them to let the disciples go, which seems to imply that Jesus would have prevented them from harming the disciples. (Supported by Adam Clarke and others.) However, they could have also recalled the words of the Lord when He said, “…The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you….” (Jn. 15:20)

2. Fear of unexpected and unexplainable phenomena. “… Jesus stood in the midst.”

First of all, they were scared to death that someone would find out where they were gathered and would send soldiers to arrest them. They’ve shut the door and perhaps even barricaded and locked it. Now, all of the sudden, there is a man who has just appeared with them in the room. It looks like Jesus, but all they can think of is a ghost. Luke says that they “supposed that they had seen a spirit.”

For many people, the sudden appearance of a person in close proximity to us when we are not expecting it would be a tremendous fright. So, if you couple these two circumstances together: fear of what the Jews might do to them, plus this sudden appearance of a person in the room when the door is shut and barricaded, you have a genuine recipe for paralyzing fear.

B. Jesus speaks comfort and peace to calm their fears.

“Peace be unto you” - was the standard Jewish greeting, but it was meant to communicate peace… (IVP BBC) The word “peace” carried a full range of meaning from the simple “absence of conflict,” to a rich and complete expression of tranquility, mental health, prosperity and welfare.

Jesus knows immediately and intimately that they are full of conflict; they have no tranquility and no calmness. So He calms them down by pronouncing a blessing of peace upon them that they have undoubtedly heard Him give many times before. And, He reinforces His comforting words with evidence of His identity (hands and side), and with His request for food (to prove He isn’t just a spirit or apparition).

Dear friends, Jesus can enter your chaotic room of fear today and speak peace to your soul too. He who has conquered death and the grave is certainly capable of conquering your “dragons” of fear! Praise God!

II.        Jesus offers peace in the midst of unparalleled jubilation.

After Jesus confirms His identity and confirms His physical reality, the disciples erupt in joy and jubilation.

The KJV says, “Then were the disciples glad.”

(Matthew Henry) The evangelist seems to write it with somewhat of transport and triumph. Then! then! were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord, If it revived the spirit of Jacob to hear that Joseph was yet alive, how would it revive the heart of these disciples to hear that Jesus is again alive?

Luke’s account reports, “They believed not for joy and wondered.” This seems to imply that their joy caused them to have difficulty trying to rationally explain what their eyes were seeing.

I don’t know about you, but I get the impression here that the disciples were beside themselves with joy and excitement. I can’t prove this, but I can just imagine that they are jumping around and hugging each other and hugging the Lord. I can imagine that they are whooping and yelling while slapping each other on the backs.

In John 20:21 it reads, “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” Whoa! Right here in the middle of all their excitement, Is Jesus throwing a “wet blanket” on their celebration? It almost seems that way.

(Matthew Henry) The former salutation was to still the tumult of their fear, that they might calmly attend to the proofs of his resurrection; this [salutation] was to reduce the transport of their joy, that they might sedately hear what he had further to say to them….

I don’t know if you get this impression or not, but I tend to view this second pronouncement of peace to be His way of saying something like this…“Now men, I know you’re delighted and overjoyed, and I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I have something else to say that you need to hear, so calm yourselves and listen up. I have accomplished the mission that my Father has sent me to do, now I have a mission I want you to do. It’s fine and appropriate for you to express all this excitement and this joy, but don’t forget the mission. Don’t get all caught up in celebration and enjoying this moment and end up forgetting about the work that must be done.”

Dear friends, you know how life is. One minute there is unbelievable fear, worry and anxiety, then the next minute there is so much joy and reason for celebration.

Jesus not only offers peace and comfort in the time of fear, but He also offers peace when excitement and celebration threatens to get our focus off of the vital mission He has for us to complete. We need to feel joy and express joy over the resurrection, but we need to get that joy and message out to a lost and dying world; not simply soak it all up for ourselves.

III.       Jesus offers peace in the midst of doubt and uncertainty.

There is one more pronouncement in this report given by John.

It is a different day. In fact, it is now eight days since the last event we just spoke about. The disciples are gathered together again only now there is someone else with them who wasn’t with them before – Thomas.

Jn. 20:26 “And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.”

More than one commentator speaks to the fact that Thomas missed out on the first gathering of the disciples that he should have attended. All of them emphasized the fact that the very meeting Thomas missed was the one in which Christ appeared and gave a special proof of His own resurrection. If Thomas had made it to the previous meeting, he probably wouldn’t be known today as he is known – “Doubting Thomas.”

So, here they are, meeting once again behind closed doors. Again, Jesus just appears in the room. I am confident that Jesus knows already that Thomas is with the group this time. So, Jesus enters the room and speaks the same salutation as before, “Peace be unto you.” (Spoken to all of them , but I believe, with special significance to Thomas.)

It seems as though Jesus is saying, “Peace to you too, Thomas.”

The reason it is so easy for me to draw this meaning is because the very next words of Jesus are also directed specifically to Thomas as He urges Him to verify for himself that He truly is the risen Christ. He grants him “proof positive” in order to eliminate all doubts. When doubts and confusion threaten to overtake us, and we are struggling with faith, the Lord appears with words of peace and assurance. He comes at the right moment and He comes to alleviate our skepticism, doubts, and unbelief.

Peace – the calmness that makes faith suddenly seem logical and reasonable. Jesus knows exactly how to remove all those swirling clouds of confusion and doubt and leave us with the sunshine of love and faith.

Conclusion:

I suppose that I am talking to some people today who have had these same roller coaster emotions; genuine fear and doubt as well as jubilation and excitement. Both of these extremes have the potential to completely rob us of the steady confidence of faith.

But our Lord Jesus Christ understands our plight and offers us His divine solution – the Peace that Passes Understanding; peace in the midst of the storm; peace that only God can give.