100:00:00,000 –> 00:00:05,080Think of it this way, it’s rather200:00:05,080 –> 00:00:07,840like a train moving down a track.300:00:08,500 –> 00:00:12,140Murder in any of its forms is at the far400:00:12,140 –> 00:00:14,140end of the track, it’s at the terminus.500:00:14,140 –> 00:00:17,260Many of us will never go near that station600:00:17,260 –> 00:00:19,600at the end of the track, but all of us700:00:19,600 –> 00:00:21,719have ridden the train somewhere along800:00:21,719 –> 00:00:22,639the line.900:00:22,639 –> 00:00:24,980Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin1000:00:24,980 –> 00:00:27,100Smith. I’m David Pick, glad you could be1100:00:27,100 –> 00:00:29,320with us today, and Colin today we1200:00:29,559 –> 00:00:31,400continuing our message, your struggle with1300:00:31,400 –> 00:00:33,980peace, based on the commandment that you1400:00:33,980 –> 00:00:36,439shall not commit murder and I guess that1500:00:36,439 –> 00:00:39,439for most of us that’s easy, I wasn’t1600:00:39,439 –> 00:00:41,740planning to kill anyone but I think you’re1700:00:41,740 –> 00:00:43,660saying hang on it’s not that easy.1800:00:43,660 –> 00:00:45,279I got this one in the bag.1900:00:45,279 –> 00:00:49,000When the Lord Jesus comes to speak about2000:00:49,000 –> 00:00:51,580this in the Sermon on the Mount, he2100:00:51,580 –> 00:00:53,880relates the commandment to not murder to2200:00:53,880 –> 00:00:56,880being angry with your brother, so I’m2300:00:56,880 –> 00:00:58,639using this analogy of being, you know2400:00:58,639 –> 00:01:01,360stations on the line of a train track,2500:01:01,360 –> 00:01:04,019murder may be at the far end and we may2600:01:04,019 –> 00:01:06,040not have been there but all of us have2700:01:06,040 –> 00:01:08,300been on the line somewhere in terms of2800:01:08,300 –> 00:01:10,400getting angry with with another person2900:01:10,400 –> 00:01:12,599and that brings the relevance of the3000:01:12,599 –> 00:01:14,680command home, this is why we keep3100:01:14,680 –> 00:01:16,599finding out that the Commandments take3200:01:16,599 –> 00:01:18,080us from the place of thinking we’re3300:01:18,080 –> 00:01:20,080alright to the place where we say you3400:01:20,080 –> 00:01:21,540know we’re not as right as we thought we3500:01:21,540 –> 00:01:23,440were and we need Jesus more than perhaps3600:01:23,440 –> 00:01:25,519we had imagined. So last time we were3700:01:25,519 –> 00:01:27,559talking about the dignity of human life3800:01:27,559 –> 00:01:30,019and we looked at how we’re created in3900:01:30,019 –> 00:01:32,360the image of God so today we’ll take4000:01:32,360 –> 00:01:34,220that one step further. We talked last4100:01:34,220 –> 00:01:38,139time about how all human life has unique4200:01:38,139 –> 00:01:41,400dignity and value because human life is4300:01:41,400 –> 00:01:44,019in the image of God and I want to say4400:01:44,019 –> 00:01:48,000that to you personally, as you listen to4500:01:48,000 –> 00:01:50,080the program today vertex4600:01:50,080 –> 00:01:52,760someone listening is feeling really down4700:01:52,760 –> 00:01:54,760and you’re saying boy I I don’t know4800:01:55,040 –> 00:01:56,680that my life’s worth anything everything4900:01:56,680 –> 00:01:59,459I touch seems to go wrong I don’t know5000:01:59,459 –> 00:02:01,559what point there is in me living5100:02:01,559 –> 00:02:03,739and I’m saying to you from the Bible5200:02:03,739 –> 00:02:05,699today and I want you to hear it as the5300:02:05,699 –> 00:02:09,380Word of God for you that your life has5400:02:09,380 –> 00:02:13,619unique dignity and worth, God has a5500:02:13,619 –> 00:02:16,880purpose for you, the value He has set5600:02:16,880 –> 00:02:20,399upon you is the giving of His own son5700:02:20,399 –> 00:02:22,320and the shedding of the blood of Christ5800:02:23,179 –> 00:02:26,419that is how much you are loved by God5900:02:26,419 –> 00:02:28,619and He loves you because He has an6000:02:28,619 –> 00:02:32,679eternal purpose for you and I want to6100:02:32,679 –> 00:02:35,240encourage you to lay hold of the hope6200:02:35,240 –> 00:02:38,940that is yours in Jesus Christ today6300:02:38,940 –> 00:02:40,619You know, seeing the value and the6400:02:40,619 –> 00:02:42,660calling of our life really is something6500:02:42,660 –> 00:02:45,639of huge importance and especially when6600:02:45,639 –> 00:02:47,320we face some pretty dark times6700:02:47,320 –> 00:02:49,259It certainly is. So, join us if you6800:02:49,259 –> 00:02:52,139can, in Exodus chapter 20, as we6900:02:52,139 –> 00:02:54,039continue the message, your struggle for7000:02:54,039 –> 00:02:54,559peace7100:02:54,559 –> 00:02:55,179Here’s Colin.7200:02:55,179 –> 00:02:57,759Let me give you 4 examples of taking7300:02:57,759 –> 00:03:00,240the life of another person that are7400:03:00,240 –> 00:03:03,639clearly forbidden by the scope of this7500:03:03,639 –> 00:03:06,119sixth commandment. The first is obviously7600:03:06,119 –> 00:03:07,500murder itself7700:03:07,500 –> 00:03:11,940murder, simply taking the life of your7800:03:11,940 –> 00:03:14,139neighbor. I don’t want to underestimate7900:03:14,139 –> 00:03:17,600this because somewhere in your life you8000:03:17,600 –> 00:03:19,660may come to an experience where you feel8100:03:19,759 –> 00:03:25,960so injured, so outraged that an act of8200:03:25,960 –> 00:03:28,679serious violence would not be beyond the8300:03:28,679 –> 00:03:33,699scope of your thoughts. God says don’t do8400:03:33,699 –> 00:03:38,339that. Vengeance is mine, says the Lord. I8500:03:38,339 –> 00:03:43,119will repay. Secondly, the whole issue of8600:03:43,119 –> 00:03:46,419abortion, taking the life of an unborn8700:03:46,419 –> 00:03:48,380neighbour. You see this is all an8800:03:48,380 –> 00:03:50,639exposition of loving your neighbour as8900:03:50,639 –> 00:03:53,240yourself. If murder is taking the life of9000:03:53,240 –> 00:03:56,000your neighbour, then abortion is taking9100:03:56,000 –> 00:03:58,100the life of your unborn neighbour. Now why9200:03:58,100 –> 00:04:01,279is it wrong to take the life of an9300:04:01,279 –> 00:04:04,699unborn child? The answer because the9400:04:04,699 –> 00:04:08,600unborn child is in the image of God and9500:04:08,600 –> 00:04:11,860God, the Bible makes clear, has an active9600:04:11,860 –> 00:04:15,020relationship already with the child in9700:04:15,059 –> 00:04:20,079the womb. He is actively involved in the9800:04:20,079 –> 00:04:24,600developing life of the unborn child. God’s9900:04:24,600 –> 00:04:28,640hand is on the life of the unborn child.10000:04:28,640 –> 00:04:31,880That is why the unborn child should also10100:04:31,880 –> 00:04:34,320be of great value to us. This is not a10200:04:34,320 –> 00:04:40,459potential life. This is a life with great10300:04:40,579 –> 00:04:45,500and eternal potential. Then there’s the10400:04:45,500 –> 00:04:48,559whole issue of euthanasia. Taking the10500:04:48,559 –> 00:04:51,220life of an elderly or an infirm10600:04:51,220 –> 00:04:55,940neighbor. Euthanasia of course involves10700:04:55,940 –> 00:04:58,739a decision being made by someone that a10800:04:58,739 –> 00:05:00,980person’s life is no longer worth living10900:05:00,980 –> 00:05:03,500and that some action should be taken to11000:05:03,500 –> 00:05:06,739end it. Now of course there is a great11100:05:06,739 –> 00:05:09,260difference between ending life and11200:05:09,260 –> 00:05:13,399ending treatment. And some of us I know11300:05:13,399 –> 00:05:15,940have been in situations that have been11400:05:15,940 –> 00:05:17,820very very agonizing for us in the11500:05:17,820 –> 00:05:20,260hospital. It has become obvious that11600:05:20,260 –> 00:05:23,519life has ended. And that the body of11700:05:23,519 –> 00:05:26,380someone we love is being sustained only11800:05:26,380 –> 00:05:28,739by treatment. And there is no hope of11900:05:28,739 –> 00:05:32,880recovery. Ending treatment at some point12000:05:32,880 –> 00:05:35,880may be a way of handing a life over to12100:05:35,940 –> 00:05:39,779God to whom that life belongs. Now I12200:05:39,779 –> 00:05:41,519found it helpful just to keep in my12300:05:41,519 –> 00:05:43,220mind a very important distinction that12400:05:43,220 –> 00:05:46,380there is a huge difference between12500:05:46,380 –> 00:05:49,779sustaining a life that has been taken by12600:05:49,779 –> 00:05:53,079God and taking a life that is being12700:05:53,079 –> 00:05:57,859sustained by God. Disturbing that line I12800:05:57,859 –> 00:06:02,179know can be horrendously difficult, but12900:06:02,299 –> 00:06:06,119knowing that that line exists is13000:06:06,119 –> 00:06:09,200critically important, desperately13100:06:09,200 –> 00:06:12,760important for our society. We are neither13200:06:12,760 –> 00:06:18,679to sustain a life that God has taken nor13300:06:18,679 –> 00:06:22,619to take a life that God has sustained.13400:06:22,619 –> 00:06:28,079Fourthly, suicide which is taking your13500:06:28,079 –> 00:06:31,880own life. Now you will understand why I13600:06:31,880 –> 00:06:34,000said a few moments ago that this is the13700:06:34,000 –> 00:06:35,660most difficult in many ways and13800:06:35,660 –> 00:06:38,600certainly the most sensitive of all of13900:06:38,600 –> 00:06:40,359the Commandments, because of all that it14000:06:40,359 –> 00:06:42,459touches, it’s, you know, we read it we14100:06:42,459 –> 00:06:44,760think, oh we know what that is, then we14200:06:44,760 –> 00:06:46,239think about it. We say, you know, this14300:06:46,239 –> 00:06:49,579goes everywhere in our society. Some of14400:06:49,579 –> 00:06:53,220us here know what it is to come to a14500:06:53,220 –> 00:06:57,320point where you feel so low that you14600:06:57,320 –> 00:06:59,160actually think the world would be14700:06:59,160 –> 00:07:02,559better off without you, and others of us14800:07:02,559 –> 00:07:04,880have gone through the unspeakable pain14900:07:04,880 –> 00:07:10,480of someone we love coming to that15000:07:10,480 –> 00:07:14,839conclusion. Now I’m conscious, as I’ve15100:07:14,839 –> 00:07:16,760prayed about today and as I speak right15200:07:16,760 –> 00:07:20,239now, that there may be some within our15300:07:20,239 –> 00:07:23,339five congregations today who feel now15400:07:23,339 –> 00:07:27,739precisely at that point, and the thought15500:07:27,739 –> 00:07:30,119of taking your life has crossed your15600:07:30,119 –> 00:07:34,820mind. You feel that even those who love15700:07:34,820 –> 00:07:39,140you, would be better off without you.15800:07:39,140 –> 00:07:49,720Listen up, it’s not true. God has given15900:07:49,720 –> 00:07:55,720you life, and as long as God is giving16000:07:55,820 –> 00:08:02,399you life as he is now, it means he wants16100:08:02,399 –> 00:08:10,619you here. He wants you here. He wants you16200:08:10,619 –> 00:08:17,339here. He really does. And, in the darkness16300:08:17,339 –> 00:08:19,019that surrounds you right now, you need to16400:08:19,019 –> 00:08:20,839hear that and you need to take it into16500:08:20,839 –> 00:08:23,459the very core of your being. Listen, what16600:08:23,459 –> 00:08:25,500you call your life is not yours16700:08:25,600 –> 00:08:27,600to take. It is the gift of God to you.16800:08:27,600 –> 00:08:30,260You’re not the owner of this life. You’re16900:08:30,260 –> 00:08:32,700the trustee of this life. You’re the17000:08:32,700 –> 00:08:34,820steward of this life.17100:08:34,820 –> 00:08:39,799It’s not yours to take. It’s a life that17200:08:39,799 –> 00:08:42,239he’s giving to you to live here and to17300:08:42,239 –> 00:08:50,400live now. Now, there are some moments17400:08:50,400 –> 00:08:52,739where our minds may become desperately17500:08:52,859 –> 00:08:56,059low and very confused. And, you know, that17600:08:56,059 –> 00:09:00,500is precisely where and why we need17700:09:00,500 –> 00:09:05,080clear Biblical principles rooted deeply17800:09:05,080 –> 00:09:07,840into our minds.17900:09:07,840 –> 00:09:11,119There are times when you cannot trust18000:09:11,119 –> 00:09:12,500your feelings.18100:09:12,500 –> 00:09:15,500Don’t trust what you feel right now.18200:09:15,500 –> 00:09:20,500Listen, God will stand with you in your18300:09:20,640 –> 00:09:23,000darkness. You say, I can’t feel him.18400:09:23,000 –> 00:09:24,140Of course you can’t feel him.18500:09:24,140 –> 00:09:26,400That’s the darkness.18600:09:26,400 –> 00:09:29,159But he will stand with you.18700:09:29,159 –> 00:09:31,960He will not forsake you.18800:09:31,960 –> 00:09:34,820He will bring you through.18900:09:34,820 –> 00:09:37,000The life that he is giving to you is of19000:09:37,000 –> 00:09:40,039irreplaceable value.19100:09:40,039 –> 00:09:42,080The fact that it is painful for you now19200:09:42,080 –> 00:09:43,840does not in one degree diminish its19300:09:43,840 –> 00:09:45,219importance to God.19400:09:45,219 –> 00:09:47,599So cherish the life that he is giving19500:09:47,780 –> 00:09:50,000you. And even if you cannot see its19600:09:50,299 –> 00:09:51,700value now, make it an act19700:09:52,640 –> 00:09:54,460of faith that one day you will.19800:09:55,640 –> 00:09:56,700In this life.19900:09:58,960 –> 00:10:00,739Because you don’t want to stand in20000:10:00,739 –> 00:10:03,179the presence of God and there discover20100:10:03,200 –> 00:10:05,520what might have been if you’d hung20200:10:05,739 –> 00:10:07,739on in faith.20300:10:10,059 –> 00:10:12,320There are times when your mind is20400:10:12,320 –> 00:10:13,320not clear.20500:10:14,760 –> 00:10:16,359And especially when a person is in20600:10:16,400 –> 00:10:18,359great pain, give yourself a little20700:10:18,359 –> 00:10:21,239bit of space, trust the principal20800:10:21,239 –> 00:10:23,440that God has rooted from his word20900:10:23,440 –> 00:10:24,799into your mind and into your heart.21000:10:25,039 –> 00:10:26,659This is where you desperately need21100:10:26,679 –> 00:10:27,679it.21200:10:29,080 –> 00:10:30,599You shall not murder.21300:10:31,400 –> 00:10:32,400You’re not to do it.21400:10:34,020 –> 00:10:35,119You’re not to take your neighbors21500:10:35,119 –> 00:10:36,119life.21600:10:37,239 –> 00:10:38,260You’re not to take your own.21700:10:39,960 –> 00:10:41,900And if God will use that word from21800:10:41,900 –> 00:10:42,900his word.21900:10:44,000 –> 00:10:45,640To help one person hold on.22000:10:47,320 –> 00:10:48,659This whole congregation will be22100:10:48,659 –> 00:10:49,659deeply thanked.22200:10:50,679 –> 00:10:52,000You’re listening to Open the Bible22300:10:52,000 –> 00:10:53,859with Pastor Colin Smith and22400:10:54,119 –> 00:10:56,099a message called You’re struggle22500:10:56,099 –> 00:10:56,979for peace.22600:10:57,000 –> 00:10:59,140Part of our series The Ten22700:10:59,140 –> 00:11:00,719Greatest Struggles of Your Life.22800:11:01,059 –> 00:11:02,380And if you ever miss one of the22900:11:02,380 –> 00:11:03,880series. Don’t forget you can always23000:11:03,880 –> 00:11:05,700catch up or go back and listen again23100:11:05,739 –> 00:11:07,599online at our website23200:11:07,859 –> 00:11:08,859open thebible.org.uk23300:11:10,719 –> 00:11:12,640or find us as a podcast on all23400:11:12,640 –> 00:11:13,640the main podcast sites.23500:11:13,840 –> 00:11:15,840Search for open the bible UK23600:11:16,320 –> 00:11:18,559or follow the link from our website23700:11:19,400 –> 00:11:20,880open the Bible is supported by our23800:11:20,900 –> 00:11:22,580listeners and later on in the program23900:11:22,719 –> 00:11:24,799I’ll be talking to Open the Bible’s24000:11:24,880 –> 00:11:26,659Amanda Cunningham about this24100:11:26,659 –> 00:11:27,719month’s special offer.24200:11:27,799 –> 00:11:29,320If you’re thinking of beginning to24300:11:29,340 –> 00:11:31,320give towards the work of Open24400:11:31,320 –> 00:11:32,780the Bible. So I hope you’ll stay with24500:11:32,799 –> 00:11:33,799us for that.24600:11:34,039 –> 00:11:35,599Back to the message now we’re in24700:11:35,640 –> 00:11:37,059Exodus chapter 20.24800:11:37,359 –> 00:11:38,359Here’s Colin.24900:11:38,640 –> 00:11:40,200Suppose you go through your entire25000:11:40,219 –> 00:11:41,219life.25100:11:41,960 –> 00:11:43,559And you never commit murder.25200:11:44,200 –> 00:11:45,400You don’t have an abortion.25300:11:46,119 –> 00:11:47,580You don’t practice euthanasia and25400:11:47,599 –> 00:11:48,679you don’t commit suicide.25500:11:48,739 –> 00:11:49,859Does that mean that you have kept25600:11:49,859 –> 00:11:50,859the sixth commandment?25700:11:52,039 –> 00:11:53,039Answer.25800:11:53,559 –> 00:11:54,559You’ve guessed it.25900:11:55,159 –> 00:11:56,159No.26000:11:56,179 –> 00:11:57,700Jesus makes it clear, and this was26100:11:57,700 –> 00:11:59,340read to us from the New Testament as26200:11:59,559 –> 00:12:01,239he explains the significance of the26300:12:01,320 –> 00:12:02,919Sixth Commandment that its scope26400:12:03,559 –> 00:12:04,820goes far beyond the acts of26500:12:05,359 –> 00:12:06,619murder and that it searches26600:12:07,359 –> 00:12:08,780out the thoughts and the attitudes26700:12:08,780 –> 00:12:09,780of our heart.26800:12:09,919 –> 00:12:11,380Think of it this way it’s rather26900:12:11,400 –> 00:12:12,599like a train moving down27000:12:13,460 –> 00:12:14,460a track.27100:12:15,000 –> 00:12:17,059Murder in any of its forms27200:12:17,219 –> 00:12:19,320is at the far end of the track.27300:12:19,340 –> 00:12:20,400It’s at the terminus.27400:12:20,760 –> 00:12:22,179Many of us will never go near27500:12:22,679 –> 00:12:24,140that station at the end of the27600:12:24,380 –> 00:12:25,960track. But all of us have ridden27700:12:26,280 –> 00:12:28,080the train somewhere along27800:12:28,119 –> 00:12:29,119the line.27900:12:30,000 –> 00:12:32,359There are many stations on this line28000:12:32,419 –> 00:12:33,640of conflict.28100:12:34,619 –> 00:12:36,059And I want to take a moment just to28200:12:36,059 –> 00:12:38,080identify three of them very briefly.28300:12:38,320 –> 00:12:40,119The first is what I just described as28400:12:40,280 –> 00:12:41,299rudeness.28500:12:41,900 –> 00:12:43,140And I’m referring here to Matthew28600:12:43,140 –> 00:12:44,979chapter 5 and verse 22,28700:12:45,260 –> 00:12:46,619where Jesus speaks about someone who28800:12:46,619 –> 00:12:47,659gets very angry.28900:12:48,020 –> 00:12:49,380And he includes this as his29000:12:49,380 –> 00:12:50,760explanation of what the sixth29100:12:50,900 –> 00:12:52,179commandment means to us.29200:12:52,580 –> 00:12:54,260And the person getting angry begins29300:12:54,260 –> 00:12:55,840to speak abusively and he says29400:12:56,059 –> 00:12:58,059RAKKA which means you’re29500:12:58,059 –> 00:13:00,559useless. It’s a term of contempt.29600:13:01,700 –> 00:13:03,080Now, we would call that simply29700:13:03,159 –> 00:13:04,159rudeness.29800:13:05,020 –> 00:13:06,979It’s abusive speech or29900:13:07,059 –> 00:13:09,080insulting speech is the kind of talk30000:13:09,140 –> 00:13:11,280that diminishes the value30100:13:11,340 –> 00:13:12,640of another person.30200:13:13,880 –> 00:13:15,580And Jesus says, you know, another30300:13:15,580 –> 00:13:16,580person may be wrong,30400:13:18,619 –> 00:13:20,020but they’re still made in the image30500:13:20,020 –> 00:13:21,020of God.30600:13:22,700 –> 00:13:24,080And you don’t speak in a way that30700:13:24,099 –> 00:13:26,080diminishes the value30800:13:26,340 –> 00:13:27,859of that person’s life.30900:13:29,700 –> 00:13:31,400Remember in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul31000:13:31,419 –> 00:13:33,380says love is not rude.31100:13:35,460 –> 00:13:37,280If I speak about31200:13:37,619 –> 00:13:38,619or to another person31300:13:39,219 –> 00:13:40,219with contempt,31400:13:41,460 –> 00:13:42,780I am not loving my life.31500:13:43,460 –> 00:13:44,960I am not seeing my neighbour31600:13:44,960 –> 00:13:45,840as myself.31700:13:45,859 –> 00:13:47,479And I am breaking a dimension31800:13:48,479 –> 00:13:49,679of the Sixth Commandment.31900:13:50,799 –> 00:13:50,880I’ve mentioned a couple of times the32000:13:51,859 –> 00:13:53,479Heidelberg Catechism that deals32100:13:53,799 –> 00:13:54,960with each of the commandments.32200:13:54,979 –> 00:13:56,280You can find a copy outside32300:13:56,299 –> 00:13:57,539afterwards if you’re interested to32400:13:57,539 –> 00:13:58,419follow through.32500:13:58,419 –> 00:14:00,020But I find great light in just32600:14:00,020 –> 00:14:01,780reading some of the exposition32700:14:01,900 –> 00:14:03,979in question-and-answer form.32800:14:04,099 –> 00:14:04,820And it goes through each32900:14:04,820 –> 00:14:07,099commandment question 105, says,33000:14:07,099 –> 00:14:08,919what is God’s will for you33100:14:08,940 –> 00:14:10,200in the six commandment?33200:14:10,419 –> 00:14:11,419And here’s the answer.33300:14:11,700 –> 00:14:12,580Not to belittle,33400:14:13,419 –> 00:14:14,419insult,33500:14:15,039 –> 00:14:16,359hate or kill.33600:14:16,440 –> 00:14:17,700You see, there’s the stations along33700:14:17,700 –> 00:14:18,979the track.33800:14:19,260 –> 00:14:21,299Kill my neighbor not33900:14:21,299 –> 00:14:22,780by my thoughts.34000:14:23,580 –> 00:14:24,760My words.34100:14:25,659 –> 00:14:26,659My looks.34200:14:27,859 –> 00:14:29,299Or my gestures.34300:14:29,859 –> 00:14:30,880Oh, we do have that34400:14:31,880 –> 00:14:32,760phrase, don’t we?34500:14:32,780 –> 00:14:34,460If looks could kill.34600:14:36,820 –> 00:14:37,919Some of us have broke the sixth34700:14:37,940 –> 00:14:38,820commandment right there.34800:14:38,820 –> 00:14:39,820We have slain34900:14:40,140 –> 00:14:41,619slain a person35000:14:42,760 –> 00:14:43,760with a look.35100:14:45,419 –> 00:14:46,919The book of Proverbs says that the35200:14:46,919 –> 00:14:48,640tongue has the power of35300:14:48,640 –> 00:14:49,979life and death.35400:14:50,820 –> 00:14:52,280Some of us have said things in35500:14:52,760 –> 00:14:54,239a way and with a sharpness that35600:14:54,539 –> 00:14:56,000has gone right to the soul of35700:14:56,020 –> 00:14:57,440another person in a way that was35800:14:57,440 –> 00:14:58,900destructive, and that was never35900:14:59,219 –> 00:15:00,979the purpose of God and the wounds36000:15:00,979 –> 00:15:01,979are still there.36100:15:03,919 –> 00:15:04,919Rudeness, hatred,36200:15:06,520 –> 00:15:07,940one John chapter three and verse36300:15:08,039 –> 00:15:09,03915, anyone who hates36400:15:09,859 –> 00:15:11,380his brother is a murderer.36500:15:12,380 –> 00:15:13,659But listen to that again.36600:15:13,840 –> 00:15:15,539The Bible says anyone36700:15:15,659 –> 00:15:17,659who hates his brother36800:15:17,700 –> 00:15:19,380is a murderer.36900:15:19,419 –> 00:15:20,780One John 315.37000:15:22,179 –> 00:15:24,320There is no place for hatred.37100:15:25,539 –> 00:15:27,340Towards another person in the life37200:15:27,340 –> 00:15:28,500of a follower of Jesus.37300:15:28,580 –> 00:15:30,340And let’s apply that especially to37400:15:30,400 –> 00:15:32,380racial hatred, which surely37500:15:32,380 –> 00:15:33,400is the single biggest37600:15:34,340 –> 00:15:35,640cause of loss of life in the37700:15:35,960 –> 00:15:36,960history of the world.37800:15:37,140 –> 00:15:38,880Wars begin again37900:15:38,880 –> 00:15:40,440and again and again over issues38000:15:40,840 –> 00:15:42,599of racial hatred.38100:15:44,900 –> 00:15:46,159And then thirdly, what I’ve called38200:15:46,179 –> 00:15:47,619recklessness, this is another38300:15:47,619 –> 00:15:48,859station along the line of38400:15:49,340 –> 00:15:50,340conflict.38500:15:50,500 –> 00:15:52,239Listen again to this from the38600:15:52,239 –> 00:15:53,919Heidelberg Catechism, what is38700:15:53,940 –> 00:15:55,520God’s will for you in the sixth38800:15:55,520 –> 00:15:56,520commandment?38900:15:57,299 –> 00:15:58,520Continuing the answer,39000:15:59,219 –> 00:16:01,580I am not to harm39100:16:01,780 –> 00:16:04,479or recklessly endanger39200:16:05,099 –> 00:16:06,099myself.39300:16:06,640 –> 00:16:07,640Oh,39400:16:08,299 –> 00:16:09,400there’s another dimension.39500:16:11,179 –> 00:16:12,440This is all about loving your39600:16:12,440 –> 00:16:14,260neighbour as yourself and God39700:16:14,260 –> 00:16:16,200has given me the stewardship39800:16:16,200 –> 00:16:18,039of a life in His image39900:16:18,219 –> 00:16:19,739and part of caring for that life40000:16:19,739 –> 00:16:21,400is that I do not recklessly40100:16:21,400 –> 00:16:22,719endanger it.40200:16:24,419 –> 00:16:26,479You can break the sixth commandment40300:16:26,479 –> 00:16:28,140by neglecting proper sleep.40400:16:29,080 –> 00:16:30,380By addiction to work, by40500:16:30,859 –> 00:16:32,320improper use of food40600:16:32,500 –> 00:16:33,919or of drink, by lack of proper40700:16:34,260 –> 00:16:35,099exercise.40800:16:35,359 –> 00:16:37,280Ouch. It’s coming closer to home.40900:16:38,799 –> 00:16:40,179Some of us may be very, very41000:16:40,179 –> 00:16:41,159complacent about the sixth41100:16:41,159 –> 00:16:42,039commandment because we say,41200:16:42,320 –> 00:16:43,760I would never take the life of41300:16:43,760 –> 00:16:45,299another person, and yet all41400:16:45,299 –> 00:16:46,760the time you’re killing41500:16:46,840 –> 00:16:47,840yourself.41600:16:49,919 –> 00:16:51,640A pro-life culture41700:16:52,299 –> 00:16:53,840begins with people who value41800:16:53,840 –> 00:16:55,500their own lives as a special gift41900:16:55,619 –> 00:16:57,460from God and42000:16:57,460 –> 00:16:58,979then discover that the same value42100:16:59,000 –> 00:17:00,239belongs to the life that God has42200:17:00,239 –> 00:17:01,559given to every other person.42300:17:01,799 –> 00:17:03,299Beware of the culture that goes42400:17:03,299 –> 00:17:04,920with slogans like, only the good42500:17:05,199 –> 00:17:06,380die young. You see, that’s a42600:17:06,380 –> 00:17:07,699cheap view of life42700:17:09,300 –> 00:17:10,439and it’s a breaking42800:17:11,560 –> 00:17:12,599of the sixth commandment42900:17:13,400 –> 00:17:14,660in the very form of thought.43000:17:14,760 –> 00:17:16,119Each of us has to make his or her43100:17:16,119 –> 00:17:17,359own decision before God43200:17:17,880 –> 00:17:19,199about these things, but you are43300:17:19,199 –> 00:17:20,640a steward of a life that God has43400:17:20,640 –> 00:17:21,640given to you.43500:17:21,680 –> 00:17:23,280It is of unique and irreplaceable43600:17:23,699 –> 00:17:25,459value. So handle43700:17:25,719 –> 00:17:27,699with care.43800:17:29,260 –> 00:17:30,439Lastly, and very briefly,43900:17:31,079 –> 00:17:32,560how are we to obey44000:17:33,319 –> 00:17:34,319the sixth commandment.44100:17:34,400 –> 00:17:35,439We’ve talked about what it means44200:17:35,439 –> 00:17:36,660to break the sixth commandment.44300:17:37,680 –> 00:17:38,760Want to end up briefly by44400:17:38,760 –> 00:17:39,859reminding us what it means to44500:17:39,859 –> 00:17:40,800keep us.44600:17:40,800 –> 00:17:41,819The commandments, remember, are44700:17:41,819 –> 00:17:43,780warning signs that tell44800:17:43,780 –> 00:17:45,619us where danger is on the road,44900:17:45,959 –> 00:17:47,660but they’re also direction signs45000:17:47,660 –> 00:17:49,260that show us the kind of life that45100:17:49,260 –> 00:17:50,260we should pursue.45200:17:50,859 –> 00:17:52,020Now, on just to say these two45300:17:52,040 –> 00:17:53,420things, then that the obvious45400:17:53,439 –> 00:17:54,739directions in which the sixth45500:17:54,760 –> 00:17:56,359commandment points as our first45600:17:56,520 –> 00:17:58,339that we embrace life and45700:17:58,339 –> 00:17:59,400second that we pursue45800:18:00,160 –> 00:18:01,079peace.45900:18:01,079 –> 00:18:04,079Embrace life when46000:18:04,119 –> 00:18:05,640you’ve seen the magnificence of46100:18:05,640 –> 00:18:07,500what life is, embrace it.46200:18:07,540 –> 00:18:09,180Ask God to give you46300:18:09,180 –> 00:18:11,079a vision of what your life can46400:18:11,079 –> 00:18:11,979be.46500:18:11,979 –> 00:18:13,640Seize every opportunity46600:18:13,660 –> 00:18:15,619to develop yourself.46700:18:16,119 –> 00:18:17,420Don’t let life pass you46800:18:17,420 –> 00:18:18,420by.46900:18:19,260 –> 00:18:20,540Look for ways in which you can be47000:18:20,540 –> 00:18:22,099a good steward of every gift that47100:18:22,300 –> 00:18:23,619God has given to you.47200:18:23,859 –> 00:18:25,140Remember the parable of the47300:18:25,140 –> 00:18:26,540talents. What’s been trusted to47400:18:26,540 –> 00:18:28,020you is not to be buried, it’s to47500:18:28,260 –> 00:18:30,040be used for the glory47600:18:30,040 –> 00:18:31,880of the one who gave it to47700:18:31,900 –> 00:18:32,800you.47800:18:32,819 –> 00:18:34,060Look then for ways in which you47900:18:34,060 –> 00:18:35,619can enrich the lives of others.48000:18:35,739 –> 00:18:37,459Bring blessing from God48100:18:37,459 –> 00:18:39,199through you to whoever you can.48200:18:39,420 –> 00:18:41,339Live life to the full48300:18:42,260 –> 00:18:43,500for God’s own glory.48400:18:43,680 –> 00:18:45,099Remember that Jesus said,48500:18:45,160 –> 00:18:46,599I am come that you may have48600:18:46,599 –> 00:18:48,459life and that you may48700:18:48,459 –> 00:18:49,560have it to the full.48800:18:49,560 –> 00:18:51,380Jesus is the life giver48900:18:51,459 –> 00:18:52,880and there is no greater way to49000:18:53,060 –> 00:18:54,260embrace life49100:18:55,420 –> 00:18:57,359than to embrace Jesus.49200:18:57,540 –> 00:18:59,479The Bible says he who has49300:18:59,479 –> 00:19:01,719the son of God has life49400:19:01,800 –> 00:19:03,660and he who does not have the son49500:19:03,680 –> 00:19:05,500of God doesn’t have life,49600:19:05,619 –> 00:19:06,880you don’t have the life that49700:19:07,199 –> 00:19:08,239God wants you to know.49800:19:08,339 –> 00:19:10,060And till you’ve embraced Jesus49900:19:10,219 –> 00:19:12,260Christ, God wants you to live,50000:19:13,020 –> 00:19:15,099embrace Jesus.50100:19:15,739 –> 00:19:16,839That’s where the Sixth50200:19:16,839 –> 00:19:17,839Commandment goes.50300:19:19,160 –> 00:19:20,579And embracing Jesus pursue50400:19:20,900 –> 00:19:21,900peace.50500:19:23,339 –> 00:19:25,140Settle disputes, Jesus, says50600:19:25,140 –> 00:19:27,300as quickly as you can, that’s50700:19:27,300 –> 00:19:28,300his application of the Sixth50800:19:28,300 –> 00:19:29,300Commandment.50900:19:29,739 –> 00:19:30,819Paul says the same thing in51000:19:30,819 –> 00:19:32,500Romans, Chapter 12, in51100:19:32,599 –> 00:19:33,839as much as it’s possible, as51200:19:33,859 –> 00:19:35,319far as it depends on, you seek51300:19:35,319 –> 00:19:36,439to live at peace with51400:19:36,500 –> 00:19:37,239everybody.51500:19:37,239 –> 00:19:38,280If there’s a way of making51600:19:38,280 –> 00:19:39,920peace with integrity, do it,51700:19:39,920 –> 00:19:40,699pursue it.51800:19:40,699 –> 00:19:41,699Go for it.51900:19:44,060 –> 00:19:45,859Jesus is the Prince of Peace.52000:19:47,660 –> 00:19:48,819And here’s perhaps the single52100:19:48,819 –> 00:19:50,239most important thing that52200:19:50,260 –> 00:19:51,459someone needs to hear52300:19:51,920 –> 00:19:52,920this morning.52400:19:54,180 –> 00:19:55,959He is able to bring52500:19:55,959 –> 00:19:57,900peace in52600:19:57,900 –> 00:19:59,619regard to the deepest wounds52700:20:00,579 –> 00:20:01,819and the worst sins.52800:20:03,099 –> 00:20:04,520And the biggest regrets52900:20:05,180 –> 00:20:06,959of your life.53000:20:09,459 –> 00:20:11,400We all need mercy53100:20:11,400 –> 00:20:12,400and forgiveness.53200:20:14,060 –> 00:20:15,819And God offers that53300:20:15,819 –> 00:20:17,739to you in Jesus53400:20:17,739 –> 00:20:18,739Christ.53500:20:20,400 –> 00:20:21,719He is the Prince of Peace and53600:20:22,099 –> 00:20:23,800he died on the cross, the very53700:20:23,819 –> 00:20:25,500centre of our faith, so53800:20:25,500 –> 00:20:26,780that peace may come from53900:20:27,339 –> 00:20:29,260God, the Father, to you.54000:20:29,260 –> 00:20:30,260He54100:20:31,180 –> 00:20:33,079had to die because we’ve broken54200:20:33,079 –> 00:20:34,079the Commandments.54300:20:35,819 –> 00:20:37,199He died because he wanted that54400:20:37,420 –> 00:20:38,900peace to come to you54500:20:39,280 –> 00:20:40,280and to Me.54600:20:40,900 –> 00:20:42,520And you will receive that peace54700:20:42,540 –> 00:20:43,619as you embrace this54800:20:44,160 –> 00:20:45,160saviour,54900:20:46,500 –> 00:20:48,280and embracing him, pursue55000:20:48,339 –> 00:20:49,540the path of peace55100:20:50,540 –> 00:20:51,540to which he calls you.55200:20:54,199 –> 00:20:55,099Do you know, as I was thinking55300:20:55,099 –> 00:20:57,420about this line of conflict55400:20:57,420 –> 00:20:58,560and thinking of the image of a55500:20:58,560 –> 00:20:59,560train.55600:21:00,640 –> 00:21:01,939My mind went back actually to a55700:21:01,939 –> 00:21:03,160rather beautiful place that55800:21:03,420 –> 00:21:04,479Karin and I go every summer and55900:21:04,479 –> 00:21:05,479we walk there.56000:21:06,500 –> 00:21:07,979It’s a path, it’s a beautiful56100:21:08,140 –> 00:21:09,239path, there are flowers56200:21:09,800 –> 00:21:11,439and there are bushes56300:21:11,439 –> 00:21:12,500and there are trees.56400:21:12,719 –> 00:21:14,239It is a beautiful56500:21:14,239 –> 00:21:15,699path through the mountains that56600:21:15,839 –> 00:21:17,439I don’t have time to describe to56700:21:17,439 –> 00:21:18,439you.56800:21:18,680 –> 00:21:19,760It used to be a railway56900:21:20,719 –> 00:21:21,719track.57000:21:22,359 –> 00:21:23,800But 50 years ago, they took up57100:21:24,000 –> 00:21:25,000the line.57200:21:26,060 –> 00:21:28,020And now it’s the most beautiful57300:21:28,020 –> 00:21:29,699walkers path you could57400:21:29,760 –> 00:21:30,760ever imagine.57500:21:33,339 –> 00:21:35,020One day when Jesus Christ comes57600:21:35,060 –> 00:21:36,859again, He’s going to take up57700:21:36,859 –> 00:21:39,040the whole line of conflict57800:21:39,040 –> 00:21:40,579and He’s going to turn it into57900:21:41,599 –> 00:21:42,599the path of peace.58000:21:43,859 –> 00:21:45,180Under His rule you will be at58100:21:45,180 –> 00:21:46,359peace with yourself.58200:21:46,540 –> 00:21:48,119We will be at peace with one58300:21:48,199 –> 00:21:49,199another. In the full58400:21:50,180 –> 00:21:51,540expression of all that that58500:21:51,540 –> 00:21:53,579means. Nation will speak58600:21:53,579 –> 00:21:54,579peace to nation.58700:21:54,900 –> 00:21:56,359The implements of war will be58800:21:56,380 –> 00:21:57,699obsolete and then in a new58900:21:58,219 –> 00:21:59,339heaven and in a new earth59000:21:59,540 –> 00:22:00,839released from its groaning,59100:22:01,060 –> 00:22:02,719there will be no more59200:22:02,719 –> 00:22:04,520death, no more mourning,59300:22:04,660 –> 00:22:05,859no more crying,59400:22:07,000 –> 00:22:08,000and no more pain,59500:22:09,660 –> 00:22:10,780because the creator59600:22:11,920 –> 00:22:13,680is making everything59700:22:14,599 –> 00:22:15,479new.59800:22:15,479 –> 00:22:16,619You’ve been listening to Open59900:22:16,619 –> 00:22:17,819the Bible with Pastor Colin60000:22:17,819 –> 00:22:19,459Smith and a message called60100:22:19,719 –> 00:22:21,260Your Struggle With Peace.60200:22:21,780 –> 00:22:22,719All about the sixth60300:22:22,739 –> 00:22:24,180commandment and when we look at60400:22:24,300 –> 00:22:25,680that commandment, we have to60500:22:25,819 –> 00:22:27,540admit we’ve all fallen short.60600:22:28,260 –> 00:22:29,540Today’s message is part of our60700:22:29,540 –> 00:22:30,920series, The Ten Greatest60800:22:31,219 –> 00:22:32,400Struggles of Your Life.60900:22:32,699 –> 00:22:33,880And if you’ve missed any of the61000:22:33,900 –> 00:22:35,280series, or if you want to go back61100:22:35,300 –> 00:22:36,719and listen to them again, you can61200:22:36,719 –> 00:22:38,439always do that by coming online to61300:22:38,459 –> 00:22:39,819our website, Openthebible.org.uk61400:22:42,260 –> 00:22:43,140There you’ll find all the61500:22:43,160 –> 00:22:44,359messages which have already been61600:22:44,459 –> 00:22:46,380broadcast and you’ll also find61700:22:46,380 –> 00:22:47,380them as a podcast.61800:22:47,540 –> 00:22:48,660If that’s a better way for you to61900:22:48,660 –> 00:22:49,939keep up with Pastor Colin’s62000:22:49,939 –> 00:22:50,739teaching.62100:22:50,739 –> 00:22:51,800And those are on all the main62200:22:51,819 –> 00:22:52,819podcast sites.62300:22:53,239 –> 00:22:54,959You can find them by searching for62400:22:55,099 –> 00:22:57,020Open the Bible UK, or62500:22:57,020 –> 00:22:57,859following the links62600:22:57,900 –> 00:22:59,319from our website.62700:22:59,920 –> 00:23:01,800Open the Bible is supported62800:23:01,819 –> 00:23:03,660entirely financially by our62900:23:03,660 –> 00:23:05,219listeners, and we’re extremely63000:23:05,219 –> 00:23:06,900grateful for the support that you63100:23:06,900 –> 00:23:07,900give us.63200:23:07,979 –> 00:23:09,160If you’ve been thinking about63300:23:09,160 –> 00:23:10,540supporting us in that way.63400:23:11,020 –> 00:23:12,239And you’d like to begin a new63500:23:12,239 –> 00:23:14,000direct debit to the work of Open63600:23:14,020 –> 00:23:15,880the Bible this month in the amount63700:23:15,939 –> 00:23:16,939of £5 per month or63800:23:17,640 –> 00:23:19,459more, or a one-off gift of63900:23:20,260 –> 00:23:22,219£50 or more, we’d love to thank64000:23:22,219 –> 00:23:24,079you by sending you a copy of64100:23:24,079 –> 00:23:25,380a book by Colin called Drive64200:23:26,420 –> 00:23:27,339Through the Bible.64300:23:27,540 –> 00:23:29,560It’s a thirty-day journey through64400:23:29,560 –> 00:23:30,560the Bible.64500:23:30,579 –> 00:23:32,260Here’s Open the Bible’s Amanda64600:23:32,260 –> 00:23:33,260Cunningham to tell you about it.64700:23:34,000 –> 00:23:35,560Hi David, thanks for having64800:23:35,579 –> 00:23:37,160me. Yes, it may.64900:23:37,180 –> 00:23:38,900We are really excited to be giving65000:23:39,199 –> 00:23:41,199away a brand new book by Colin65100:23:41,219 –> 00:23:43,119Smith called Drive65200:23:43,140 –> 00:23:44,140Through the Bible.65300:23:44,599 –> 00:23:45,780Some of your listeners might65400:23:45,780 –> 00:23:47,260already be familiar with Fly65500:23:47,680 –> 00:23:48,979Through the Bible, our book65600:23:49,339 –> 00:23:50,979and video course, which65700:23:50,979 –> 00:23:52,859was 15 chapters taking you65800:23:52,900 –> 00:23:54,520through the Bible narrative.65900:23:55,000 –> 00:23:56,540Well, Drive Through the Bible66000:23:56,800 –> 00:23:58,000follows on from that.66100:23:58,339 –> 00:24:00,160It’s a 30 day journey66200:24:00,239 –> 00:24:02,260of just five minutes per day66300:24:02,719 –> 00:24:04,199exploring the landscape66400:24:04,219 –> 00:24:06,219of the entire Bible story.66500:24:06,800 –> 00:24:08,479It brings you into the valleys of66600:24:08,479 –> 00:24:10,020the Old Testament with chapters66700:24:10,319 –> 00:24:12,199such as Curse Covenant66800:24:12,260 –> 00:24:13,260and Chaos.66900:24:13,400 –> 00:24:14,939It then moves on to the peaks of67000:24:15,199 –> 00:24:16,699the glory of Jesus.67100:24:16,959 –> 00:24:18,560As we look at how he suffered,67200:24:18,599 –> 00:24:20,540rose and is now waiting.67300:24:21,000 –> 00:24:22,520And finally, the ups and downs67400:24:23,000 –> 00:24:24,239of the Christian life with67500:24:24,439 –> 00:24:26,140chapters such as conflict,67600:24:26,300 –> 00:24:27,520joy and death.67700:24:28,060 –> 00:24:29,520It also includes a short study67800:24:29,760 –> 00:24:31,280guide at the back of the book to67900:24:31,359 –> 00:24:32,900help you apply the truths that68000:24:33,280 –> 00:24:34,280you’ve learned.68100:24:34,380 –> 00:24:35,959You can use the questions on your68200:24:36,000 –> 00:24:37,920own or as part of a study group68300:24:38,199 –> 00:24:39,500sharing the 30 day journey68400:24:39,800 –> 00:24:40,800together.68500:24:41,140 –> 00:24:42,540We are giving you this book for68600:24:42,540 –> 00:24:43,739free in May68700:24:43,979 –> 00:24:45,300when you set up a new direct68800:24:45,579 –> 00:24:47,479debit of at least five pounds68900:24:47,760 –> 00:24:48,959or give a one off gift of69000:24:49,520 –> 00:24:51,099at least 50 pounds.69100:24:51,199 –> 00:24:51,900Thanks Amanda.69200:24:51,920 –> 00:24:53,819So Drive Through The Bible69300:24:53,839 –> 00:24:55,719is our gift to you for setting up69400:24:55,839 –> 00:24:57,439a new direct debit this month to69500:24:57,619 –> 00:24:59,020the work of Open The Bible.69600:24:59,839 –> 00:25:01,380Full terms and conditions are on69700:25:01,439 –> 00:25:02,800our website and you can give69800:25:03,060 –> 00:25:04,060online.69900:25:04,319 –> 00:25:05,540For Open the Bible and Pastor70000:25:05,939 –> 00:25:07,420Colin Smith I’m David Pick and70100:25:07,800 –> 00:25:09,079I hope you’ll join us again next70200:25:09,079 –> 00:25:10,079time.70300:25:19,260 –> 00:25:20,859The Seventh Commandment70400:25:20,939 –> 00:25:22,119You Shall Not Commit Adultery70500:25:22,359 –> 00:25:23,739is for many of us one of the70600:25:23,739 –> 00:25:25,459greatest struggles of our lives.70700:25:25,839 –> 00:25:27,760Find out why that’s so next time70800:25:27,760 –> 00:25:28,900on Open The Bible