Sixth Commandment (7 Of 12)

But we do not have to read a book to discover that we live in a violent society. Every day we hear news reports of all kinds of violence around the world.

Illus: Death is always sad, but it seems we are troubled the most when a murder has gone on a rampage and shot down innocent people that they did not even know.

God sees every person as His most valuable treasure, and He commands us not to lay a finger on His most valuable treasure in such a way as to destroy it.

The Word of God states it clearly, “Thou shalt not kill”.

We found out in the previous sermon this commandment does not teach that:

1. Manslaughter is not a violation of this commandment.

2. Hunting is not a violation of this commandment.

3. Self-defense is not a violation of this commandment.

4. Capital punishment is not a violation of this commandment.

5. War killings are not a violation of this commandment.

If those things ARE NOT violations of this commandment, THEN WHAT DOES GOD MEAN WHEN HE COMMANDS, “THOU SHALT NOT KILL”

I. WHAT IS THIS COMMANDMENT TEACHING.

A. Murder through negligence is a violation to this commandment.

Look at Exodus 21:29, We read, But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.

Many through negligence have gotten away with murder, but they will stand before the Lord as murderers.

(1) Some Corporations are guilty of murder.

For example, many corporations are guilty of murder as a result of criminal negligence.

Illus: One young man who just nineteen years of age when he just got out of high school. His first job was with a large construction. He was working in an excavation area. The law states that companies are to build supports to hold dirt so it will not cave in. This company was trying to cut corners to save money and did not build the supports according to specifications required by law. The young man was working away when he heard a voice call out, “Watch out!” He looked up in time to see the wall of dirt coming toward him. He ran as fast as he could, but only got a short distance before he was buried alive, crushed beneath tons of dirt. That company, and the man operating the machinery, are guilty of murder, and will stand before the Lord as murderers. Unless they come to the Lord, confess their sin and accept the price He paid for them. That young man was killed because of deliberate negligence.

(2) Liquor store owners are guilty of murder.

People involved in liquor industries are guilty of murder.

A Christian should not have anything to do with this industry.

Illus: A young man was in church requesting prayer for a job. He came back the next service and told the pastor God had given him a job. The pastor said, “What kind of job did you get?” He said, “Pastor, I will be driving a liquor truck.” The pastor said correctly, “Son, you need to continue looking for a job because God did not give you that job.”

And that is true, God would never give a man a job that destroys lives, homes.

Only God know the people have been killed because of alcoholic beverages.

We ought to be ashamed that we are so inconsistent when dealing with the liquor industry.

Illus: We condemn the dope peddler and user, while we sit back and condone beer, wine, whisky, etc. The only difference between these products is that the U.S. government gives them a license and denies licenses to the dope peddlers of this nation.

Those who deal with either or any of these products are as guilty of murder as Adolf Hitler was.

(3) Many car drivers are guilty of murder.

That his, those who drive in a reckless manner and kill someone they are guilty of murder.

Illus: Across this nation you can visit any cemetery and find many graves of people who died premature deaths because someone got into their car and killed them.

We dare not forget that a car can be a vicious weapon that will cause death just as fast as a knife or gun. Some of the most vicious murders in this country have been committed by killer behind the steering wheel of a car and they used their car to kill someone perhaps they never knew. In some cases, they have killed complete families.

Make no mistake about it. The person, or persons, guilty of negligence resulting in a death or deaths, is guilty of murder.