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Definition of coveting: “over-desire” of things we don’t have.  Categories of coveting:

1. Neighbor’s life
2. Relationship
3. Possessions

Many people see “no’s” in the Ten Commandments but there is beauty on the other side such as truth, generosity, rest, trust and honor.  The other side of coveting is to “be content”.

Coveting is misplaced desire.

Our purpose is only in Jesus.  First commandment is to love God.  Result is the 10th – we’re content.

Treasure Jesus.  When we covet we say “I deserve” “You’re not fair’” “You owe me”.

Phil 4:11 contentment must be learned.

Secret is I can do it through Christ.  We need Him alone.  He is sufficient.  When will He be enough?

When is coveting too much?

• Me-focused
• We exalt ourselves, not humble ourselves
• Stimulates evil, not good
• Doesn’t bring God glory

What are we pursuing that will be in the trash can soon?  What do I want and why? Does God want it? 

This one pricked me in the area of possessions and specifically our home.  I always feels like the next picture, chair, wall color, lamp will make it just right.

What is the one thing/person you’re longing for that is keeping you from experiencing God?

When will Jesus be enough?

Sorry I missed 2 weeks of this Ten Commandments series.  It’s certainly not because it’s not good.  Because in reality, it’s kind of kicking my butt.  A reminder today we got of the purpose of the Ten Commandments is one I want to emphasize and that is, these were written and apply to God’s people.  They are not for unbelievers to follow so they can become a child of God. Rather, they are how God’s child should act so that an unbeliever knows that they are a child of God.  And in turn, that they also know what God looks like.

So today is Exodus 20:16 what you would know as Thou shalt not lie.

He shared a Top 10 list of lies people tell including some funny ones like “I’m walking out the door right now”, “It hurts me more than it hurts you” “You look great in that”.  And some serious ones “I’ll be praying for you”, “I love you” “I do”.

Four reasons why we lie

1. Pure corruption – get what I want, however I want
2. Malice – trying to hurt someone
3. Fear – children do this a lot for fear of punishment.  Could be fear of losing marriage, job or friendship
4. Boasting – expand the truth to make you look good

9th commandment is not only about lying.  It’s more broad…do not use words that are damaging or disloyal to someone

Ways we are disloyal or damaging

1. Lying
2. Breaking your word
3. Verbal assassination

Light reveals and darkness conceals.  Truth is light and it reveals.  Lies conceal.  The name Satan means deceiver.  He is the Father of Lies.  We choose darkness so we can hide.  But God calls us to His character.  He is light.  If our word is not trustworthy, consistent, people won’t ever know who God is.

Be honest with yourself.  The battle begins inside.  We lie because we believe the lie that life will be better if we do it.  Satan has deceived us.  Lying only makes life harder and more complicated.

Luke 6:45.  Your words reveal your heart.  Our hearts our corrupt.  We must draw close to God.

Challenge: Measure your words as if God were with you because He is.  We would talk a lot less and listen a lot more.  Ask God to reveal your struggles you may not even see yet.

I’m not a habitual, corrupt liar as is spoken of in reason #1 or lie just to hurt someone in #2 or even boasting in #3 above.  But if there is one area listed I struggle with time to time is lying for fear of someone being upset at me or confrontation.  It’s so enlightening for me to see that even these “white lies” have a root of fear.   Which, if you know me, fear has always been such a struggle.   Even when I think I have it trumped, it still shows up!   I’m still praying 2 Timothy 1:7 “God has not given me a spirit of fear!”

Hear the full sermon at NorthRockHill.com

Today was an introductory sermon for a series on the Ten Commandments.  He began by asking the question what is the purpose of the 10 commandments?

Some feel as if He’s setting us up for failure so why try?

Exodus 20:1-2 – God makes it clear that these commands are for His people NOT “I’m God and this is how I can be your God”.  The 10 Commandments show us our sin.  We can not ever meet these laws and it’s even worse when Jesus came along (i.e. murder is in your heart, not just an action).  It can feel like a hopeless situation and there’s no point on trying.  But..

There is no reason to run from God.

The purpose is to show people their sin and show how holy He is.  Shows us that not only do we need a Deliverer but a Redeemer. 

It’s not a condition but a confirmation!  If you are His, this is how you will look NOT act like this so you will be His.

Purpose is not to run from Him but to Him.  Laws are simply preparing us for our own exodus when we realize we need delivery from our own spiritual slavery.

I have to say this turned the law a bit on its head for me.  It’s so easy to be legalistic but God shows us what holiness looks like simply to show us how much we need Him.  He knows we can’t meet them and He’s not expecting us to be able to follow these rules but He does want to lay out what holiness is so we will see our need for Him.  He wants us to follow Him not rules, however obedience in our thoughts and actions will follow.

Luke 1:1-4 describes several critical relationships

1 – Relationship with Jesus

We know it’s critical but is it really or are we playing church?

You don’t need to be something you just need to be passionate.  We aren’t moving forward because of lack of knowledge or position but lack of passion.  We all have something we are invested in (couponing, baseball, video games).   We need to be that passionate about growing in Christ.

2 – Relationship with mentor or coach

You need someone ahead of you to pull you along.  Luke had Paul.  He saw what he was doing.

Pursue someone.  It’s not just going to happen.

3 – Relationship with a weaker brother

Luke takes the time to pull Theophilus forward.

If you have a transformation story, care enough for others to share it.

Are you leveraging everything for others to know Jesus or just you?

Chris started out talking about practice for a game vs. the actual game.  It was funny and about NFL player interviews and I can’t really do it justice but he used it as a segway to say practice IS the game.  When God speaks, we listen and put it into practice.

Matthew 7:15  This is very practical teaching in Sermon on the Mount.  v24 says we hear AND act.

Big thing: Trust works

1 – Trust works in you

Trust that He will work in you and He will show you what needs changed or what needs done

2 – Put Trust in Practice

What He’s showing you, do it regardless if it makes sense.

3 – Trust works

The outcome may be different that what we thought but it works. 

Read Scripture, listen and put what He is saying into practice.  Be sure to write response steps down during your quiet time.

In corporate worship, go with eager expectation that God will show up.

Sometimes after we have moved past the bondage, we are left with the baggage of our past and feel disqualified to do anything for Christ.  We feel like we have to fix ourselves.  However, the Christian life is impossible without Christ.

Satan would love to give you a worthless identity but everyone has hope because of Christ.  We don’t have to be who we were.

1 Timothy 1 – Paul says he is the worst of the worst sinner and if he has hope, everyone does.

4 Possibilities after Bondage:

1  – Partial Release, Partial Embrace

You may be released from bondage but have not fully made amends, returned something or taken full responsibility.  All must be done to be fully released.

2- Full Releas,e No Embrace

If you let go of your bondage but do not fill it with Christ, it will return or be replaced by something else

3- Full Release Partial Embrace

You must fully rely on Christ, not willpower

4- Full Release, Full Embrace

Break through occurs when we fully release our baggage and fully embrace Christ

Questions to consider:

• What is God saying to me now?
• What does God want me to do?
• What part of your heart does he need to have?
• What could do for Him if your baggage wasn’t an issue?
• How could your story help someone else?

Chris started this morning with an explanation about elephants that have the power to push over trains but can be held in place by a simple stake and chain after a time of conditioning when they are young.  At some point, they quit resisting and accept they can’t go anywhere and quit trying when they are older.   Elephants are capable of freeing themselves but it’s the elephant that does not try to get free.  They are the problem, not the stake.  Some of us are in bondage and we are the issue.

Romans 7:18-25

Some try to use a get out of jail free card by accepting it as “a thorn in your flesh” instead of fighting the sin.

You are not called to make peace with sin but to wage war against it.

Romans 8:1-4

We are free from the penalty of sin

v5

We are also free from the POWER of sin

When we were are in Christ, the chain is broken.   You are FREE, LET IT GO.

v7-9

You become hostile to God when you hold on.  You can not please God.  You can get what life is all about and stills miss your role.  You can not make yourself right.  You must give up your pride and rely on Christ.

1. Learn His word in 15 min/day
2. Memorize verses that relate to your struggle
3. Listen to His voice.  When you know it, you know it.
4. Become accountable
5. RUN from your sin

This morning’s sermon was very powerful and I know so many were empowered to break free from the bondage of sin.  Praise the Lord!

Listen to the podcast this week.

Today finished up this Song of Songs series.  Can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed.  Today was fantastic and really felt God speaking His love to me today.  As always, highly recommend the podcast.

True love doesn’t look for a reason to quit.

You know trouble is coming in your relationship, are you committed to working it out?

Beloved in Song of Songs demands true love.

SoS 8:6 “seal on your arm” is like a wedding band.  She wants him to have an inward commitment as strong as the band is outwardly.  She wants a love as permanent as death…there is no Plan B.

“jealous as the grave” jealousy is to want something that is rightfully yours.  She wants him to be jealous of her and want her.

“fiercest flame of all” speaking of God’s love.  It’s unquenchable.

Temporary love loves out of our needs.  When our needs aren’t being met, we want to move on.

True love loves out of our abundance.  God fills up and we love out of that.

Fairytale love is possible through Him.