The Love Of Things Series

Sermon #10 of The Ten Commandments:

The Loving Desire of THINGS:

Exodus 20:17 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor thy neighbor’s manservant, nor thy neighbor’s maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s."

I Timothy 6: 5b -12" ....perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, destitute of the truth, suppossing that godliness is gain. But godliness, with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be content. But 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 have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou o man of God, Flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness, Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life....."

-----------------------------------------------------

Introduction:

This morning will bring to a close our study of the Ten Commandments. Many Bible teachers believe that this 10th Commandment may be the hardest of the 10 for us to bring ourselves unto alignment and submission to. It is especially difficult when one lives in a time and a place where "THINGS" are so readily available.

In both of our text scriptures --- Exodus 20:17 and in I Timothy 6: 5-12 --- God is cautioning us of the DANGERS --- OF THINGS ---- IN THE "PILING OF THINGS" --- IN THE "ACCUMULATING OF THINGS" --- OF THE DESIRES AND ATTITUDES THAT TAKE PLACE WITHIN US CONCERNING MATERIAL AND MONATARY THINGS. Jesus spoke more parables concerning either "money" or "THINGS" than anything else in His parables.

God will hold each one of us accountable --- not only for THE DEEDS AND THE ACTIONS that are committed by THE BODY ---- but also for THE THOUGHTS AND THE DESIRES AND THE WANTS AND THE LUSTS AND THE ATTITUDES that are working ---brewing---churning --- on the inside of us.

This 10th Commandment is a reminder for us to continuously keep a check ---- into "WHAT" --- means the most to us. WHAT DO WE VALUE THE MOST IN OUR LIFE?

Matthew 6:21 " For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

-----------------------------------------------------

A missionary from a poor poverty stricken country was visiting many of the churches in the states that were contributing to his ministry on a regular basis. During the services he would give reports of the work there and he would show slides and pictures of the conditions that he and his people were forced to endure.Both the pastor and the congregation were stirred and wept because of the faithfulness of the people, living for Jesus despite such horrible living conditions of poverty.

At the end of one of these services, the pastor of the church walked up to the missionary and said,"My dear Brother, we will be praying for you and your people. It must be so difficult for you and your people to be faithful in living for Jesus when there is such poverty and need all around you. Satan must be working on your people so hard to give up. Our church will certainly be praying for you."

However the poor missionary replied,"My dear pastor, We do appreciate your prayers but it is you and your people that my dear people pray for a daily basis. when we look at the great abundance of "THINGS" all about you, we realize just how hard it must be for you to stay faithful in living for Jesus Christ. My church will be praying that you do not yield to the temptation of THINGS."

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

This 10th Commandment is different from each of the nine Commandments that precede it.

Commandments 1-9 --- when they are "TRANGRESSED" AND "DISOBEYED" --- They are done so by the BODY. The sin and the rebellion --- can be witnessed by people who may be standing close by. When you see someone disobeying these Commandments 1-9 --- then you know they have just committed a SIN.

You may say, "OH BUT PASTOR, YOU ARE JUDGING THOSE PEOPLE AND YOU ARE NOT TO BE DOING SUCH A THING!"

However, that is not JUDGING!

That is Just Knowing a Tree By The FRUIT

It Bears. "Fruit Inspectors"

"Sin is the transgression of the law."

To disobey the word of God -- the Law of God --

Is a Sin!

Suppose you were a highway patrolman sitting by the roadside with a radar gun attached to your dashboard. The speed limit in the area is 55mph. and a car comes zooming down the highway doing 100 mph according to the radar gun. You turn your siren on, switch on the blue lights, pull up beside the driver and motion for him to pull over. You get out of your car and walk up to the driver. You then say something like this."You in a mighty big hurry to get someplace special? Do you know the speed limit here is 55mph and I clocked you at 100mph. You got anything to say before I write you out this ticket for speeding and wreckless driving? As fast as you were going, if someone pulled out in front of you there would be no way you could stop in time."