Obedience and Blessing

Yesterday evening I spoke at church. My assigned topic was "What did Jesus have to say about Murder?" I struggled a bit with that assignment; but, the more I did the more I discovered some great truths of God's revelation about our humanity and the struggle to contain the wolf within each of us. The following are my notes that I thought I would post for those interested in the passages that we strung together. This post may not make a lot of sense to those who did not hear the lesson; but, this is my attempt at sharing some things with those interested in delving into the Word.

Obedience and Blessing
We Lack What We Desire Most:
Wholeness
Peace
Fulfillment
Joy
Because We Are Not Obedient to God
The Nature of God Is Love With Consequences
Rules are in play to benefit us
Commandments were not given to instill guilt
God’s relationship with his people is a covenant. It is NOT optional
When we learn the rules and obey we discover the simplicity and clarity of life which can lead to unlimited blessing
2 Timothy 2:5
"If anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. "
Hebrews 12:12-13
"Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. "
Proverbs 3:1-2
"My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; 2 for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will they give you. "
Proverbs 19:16
"He who keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises the word will die. [RSV]
He who obeys instructions guards his life. "[NIV]
Tools to Discover Truth
"Great peace have those who love Your law; And nothing causes them to stumble. "Psalms 119:165
"If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land. "Isaiah 1:19
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22 [NIV]
"Therefore to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."
James 4:17
"He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
I John 2:4
What did Jesus say about Murder?
First reaction: I have got this one licked!
This is not a big deal!
I have never murdered anyone.
But wait! What did Jesus say?
Matthew 5:21-22
"You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. "
What is on the inside?
Mark 7:20-21
And he said, "What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man."
Where did it come from?
Original Sin
Genesis 4:5-7: So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is couching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it."
Sin is magnified over time
Genesis 4:23-24 Lamech said to his wives: "Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, hearken to what I say: I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. 24 If Cain is avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy-sevenfold."
The Depravity of Mankind
Genesis 6: 5-8
The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the ground, man and beast …for I am sorry that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
Numbers 35:30-31
If any one kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses; but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness. 31 Moreover you shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer, who is guilty of death; but he shall be put to death.
Hosea 4:1-2
There is no faithfulness or kindness, and no knowledge of God in the land; 2 there is swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds and murder follows murder.
John 8:44
"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. "
Romans 1:29-32
They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them.
I John 3:15
Any one who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
Revelation 21:8
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death."
The Last Words in the Bible
I warn every one who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if any one adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if any one takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
The Last Words in the Bible
20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.