The KJV translates the 6th commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.” In early 17th century England, that translation is consistent with their word usage, but it is more consistent with the Hebrew to translate it in today’s English as “You shall not murder.” The meaning is you shall not take life unlawfully. Exodus 21:12 states, "Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death.” Scripture gives the State the authority after a just trial with witnesses to execute someone who has committed a capital crime. Soldiers and officers, in justifiable cases, are allowed to take life to protect the life of others. The Bible allows for lethal force to be used against an attacker to protect innocent life (Ex. 22:2-3; Gen. 9:5-6). The positive side of the commandment is to protect life. God commanded the Israelites to build fences or parapets around their roofs so that when entertaining guests on their rooftops, someone would not accidentally fall to their death. We put fences around swimming pools so children will not accidentally fall in and drown. God cares so much for human life that He makes laws to prevent the intentional taking of human life but also laws designed to prevent the loss of life by accident (TableTalk). He does this because He is a just God and because we are made in His image.
NCF Sunday Worship
August 21, 2022 • Pastor Bob Becker • Exodus 20:13, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 27:1–8, Matthew 5:21–26
NCF Worship 6/12/22 - Graduate Sunday
June 12, 2022 • Pastor Bob Becker • Exodus 20:1–2, Matthew 5:17–18, Psalm 118:14–21, Galatians 4:1–7
“The Holy God Saves His People” One mistake we often make in studying the Ten Commandments (Ten Words) is we fail to see the Gospel in them. We fail to see the good news of the Law. Therefore, we should not skip over the first two verses of Exodus 20. God reminds Israel that He is the God who brought them out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. God saves us to give us the ability to obey His Law. We, as Paul reminds us in Galatians 4, must never believe the Law saves us or make the Law a burden by adding to it. The Law shows us we need Someone else to fulfill it since we cannot fulfill it ourselves but are condemned by it. The freedom to obey the Law was given to us by God saving us through Christ Jesus. This should bring us great joy because even when we fail in our obedience we are still saved through Christ’s obedience.
NCF Sunday Worship June 19, 2022
June 19, 2022 • Pastor Bob Becker • 1 Corinthians 8:4–6, Exodus 20:3, Isaiah 45:22, Psalm 50:1–6
“The Only True God” We cannot have faith in faith. Most people have faith in something or someone. Some people believe it is not so much what or who you believe in as it is about just believing. There are people who worship sincerely, intensely, but are worshiping the wrong god. The first commandment puts that falsehood to rest. The first commandment is foundational to all the rest. If any moral Law is going to be binding on us, there must be a divine lawgiver. The Ten Commandments were not written up based on some internet poll. The question is, “Who has the right to tell us how to live?” The majority? God has the right to tell us how to live because He created us and knows what is best for us, what brings true freedom. “Which God?” someone might ask. Exactly says Exodus 20. There are not many gods. The only true God is the God of the Bible.
NCF Sunday Worship
October 16, 2022 • Pastor Bob Becker • Exodus 20:18–21, Psalm 111:10, Psalm 34:7–11, Matthew 10:24–31
What did the Israelites fear in hearing God speak His Law? Was it the Law itself or God’s judgment if they broke His Law? It was both. However, the latter was primary. God cannot look upon sin, that is, He cannot leave it unpunished. Heb. 10:31: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” However, perfect love casts out fear. We find joy in fearing God not just because we find joy in His holiness, but also His holiness drives us to our need for Jesus Christ. The Law after condemning us drives us to Jesus Christ when the Holy Spirit gives us the eyes to see how holy our God is and how sinful we are. He reveals to our hearts we need a mediator between us and God and that mediator is Jesus Christ. Therefore, there is joy in fearing our Lord. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15).