DESIRING AND COVETING                                Romans 13:1-14 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  (v9) (10) […]

CHARACTER AND REPUTATION                                 Psalm 27:1-14 False witnesses rise up against me (v12) (9)“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.” (Exodus 20:16) The implications of this Commandment are wide and far reaching: but the major principle underlying it is honesty: When we are open and honest we are free to enjoy stronger relationships – […]

INVERTING THE ORDER                                              Romans 17:-29 You who preach against stealing, do you steal? (21) (B) The eight Commandment. “Thou shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15) In some ways this commandment (as well as the two following it) is of lesser importance than the preceding ones, for these reason; first, because as Jesus said, life is more […]

GOD’S FIRST CIRCLE                                                    Proverbs 14:22-35 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people (v34) (7) The Seventh Commandment. “You shall not commit adultery.” It is interesting that immediately following on from the Commandment which declares the sacredness of human life comes the one that declares the sacredness of marriage. It’s […]

THE GIFT OF LIFE                                                                   Genesis 9:1-7 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.  (v6) (6) The Sixth Commandment. “You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13) Enthrined within the four words of this Commandment is a fundamental statement about the first principle of life: […]

GOD’S PLAN FOR THE FAMILY                                            Ephesians 6-18 Honour your father and mother… which is the first commandment with promise (v2) (5) The fifth Commandment falls in the second section of the Ten Commandments that focuses on our relationship to each other. The six Commandments in this section reveal for all time the divine thinking on […]

WORSHIP AND WORK                                                Isaiah 56:1-8 Blessed is the man who does this … keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it (v2) (4) The fourth Commandment; Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God.” (Exodus […]

WHAT’S IN A NAME?                                                           Exodus 22:20-31 “Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people (v28) (3) The third of the Ten Commandments was given at Sinai, “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” (Exodus 20:7) Names […]

IS A PHOTOGRAPH A SIN?                                         Leviticus 19:1-14 “Do not turn to idols or make gods of cast metals for yourselves. I am the Lord your God” (v4) (2) “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath, or in the waters below. You […]

THE GOD WHO IS THERE                                            Exodus 20:1-17 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt You should have no other gods before me” (vv2-3) The Ten Commandments. It is interesting to note that they begin, not with a prohibition – “ you shall not” – but with an affirmation.” (1) I […]