The Fifth Commandment: Help And Befriend
Sermon
What's That Supposed To Mean?
Using The Catechism In The 21st Century
Object:
The Fifth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we may not hurt nor harm our neighbor in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need.
If anyone deserves to be killed, it's me. "The wages of sin is death." I have sinned in more ways than I care to remember (and members of my family and others can fill you in on sins I have forgotten). Yet, I celebrate life with you today -- you, who also deserve to be killed for your many sins. While some murderous human might walk up to me one day and take my life, I don't have to fear that God will. In fact, because Jesus died for our sins, we are confident that we can't really die. A murderer, or even an executioner, or a car wreck, or disease, or old age or something else may take our life, but God will give it back to us.
God clothed Himself in flesh and blood in Jesus Christ so that we could be His neighbor. Jesus once defined a neighbor as anyone who is in need. We are neighbors to Jesus. Jesus is our Good Samaritan. And because of that, we know that God will not hurt nor harm us in our bodies, but will help and befriend us in every bodily need. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the jobs we hold, the homes we live in -- all are testimonies of the life-giving plans Jesus Christ has for us forgiven sinners.
However, remember that all that we have to support our life comes to us from God through others around us. I don't grow the food I eat. I don't mine the minerals or harvest the trees that make up so much of what I own. I do not have my job by my own willpower. All that I have either comes directly from God, like the air I breathe or the sun that keeps me warm, or comes to me from what people like you do in Christ's name. We take care of each other as agents of life representing the Prince of life, Jesus Christ.
Consider a few remarks made by the Apostle Paul how we can be agents of life in a dying world. "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Jesus did this for us when He laid down His life for us -- total dedication. He humbled Himself so we could be lifted up. He made Himself to be poor so we could become rich. So how can we dedicate ourselves to each other in like manner? First, Paul directs, "Share with God's people who are in need." Christians invented welfare as a way of imitating the generosity of Jesus to us. Let's take it back from the government, and especially look out for those who belong to our church. Many of the church-related fraternal organizations are a start. What about looking out for members who need time, as well as money, to get by? Paul also adds, "Practice hospitality." Jesus has invited us to live and eat with him forever. Why not do the same with each other? Why not open up our homes to each other and those we want to include in the household of faith?
What about those people we don't like, or who hurt us? "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." Forgiveness is the hand that feeds the mouth that bites you. Parents do it with children. Children often bite the hand that feeds them -- by disobedience, hateful remarks, and other acts of rebellion. Yet parents continue to care for their children, hoping that the love they show their children will help a relationship of respect and love to grow from child to parent. Christ does it for us.
"Rejoice with those who rejoice." All good things come from Jesus, even if more comes to you than to me. Forgiveness means being happy when our enemy prospers, remembering that God shows the same mercy to us.
"Mourn with those who mourn." When one of us is a victim of the robbers and killers running loose in the world, the rest of us can join with Jesus in comforting. "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Two wrongs don't make a right. The murder of a doctor who commits murder on unborn children is still murder. We can do more for the victims of evil in this world if we forgive and show mercy on the victimizers, just as Jesus showed mercy on those who murdered him.
"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." Jesus did not tell us to get rid of evil. That's His job. He can do a better job of it, anyway. Remember that Jesus keeps track of the bad that happens to you. He will make it right. And woe to them on whom His vengeance falls for our sake!
"On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Those last words remind us how Jesus deals with evil. The devil uses force to get things changed. Jesus uses goodness. The plan Jesus has for changing the world includes preaching and teaching the good news about the death and resurrection Jesus did for us. The good news we proclaim is amplified when we help and befriend our neighbors. By our kindness to enemies we can do what Jesus does for us.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, help us to be merciful in all that we do. Help us to bring life and happiness to those around us. Forgive us the many times we have made people unhappy or miserable with the anger and hate that is in us. Take that anger and hate away so that we may show kindness, forgiveness, and mercy to all, especially our enemies. Amen.
Object lesson: What's the best way to get rid of an enemy? A gun? No, it's against the law to kill someone. Tie him up? No, it's wrong to hold someone against his will. How about what President Abraham Lincoln did? In the few days between the end of the Civil War and his death, President Lincoln allowed a group of former rebels into his office for a visit. They complained about their harsh treatment. But President Lincoln's gentle, friendly manner soon thawed the ice, and the Southerners left with a new respect for their old enemy. A Northern congressman approached the president and criticized him for "befriending the enemy," suggesting that instead of befriending them he should have had them shot for the traitors they were. Lincoln smiled and replied, "Am I not destroying my enemies by making them my friends?"
The best way to get rid of an enemy is to forgive him so he can become a friend. This is what Jesus did when He forgave us our sins. We show we forgive by doing good things for our enemies. Think how Jesus shows us that He forgives us. Jesus took our sins to His cross. He won the war against the devil for us. He is getting a place in heaven ready for us. What good things can we do to show our enemies we forgive them? How about being polite and kind? Or giving them food and clothing if they need them? Or showing friendliness to them, even when they are not friendly to you?
Thou shalt not kill. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we may not hurt nor harm our neighbor in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need.
If anyone deserves to be killed, it's me. "The wages of sin is death." I have sinned in more ways than I care to remember (and members of my family and others can fill you in on sins I have forgotten). Yet, I celebrate life with you today -- you, who also deserve to be killed for your many sins. While some murderous human might walk up to me one day and take my life, I don't have to fear that God will. In fact, because Jesus died for our sins, we are confident that we can't really die. A murderer, or even an executioner, or a car wreck, or disease, or old age or something else may take our life, but God will give it back to us.
God clothed Himself in flesh and blood in Jesus Christ so that we could be His neighbor. Jesus once defined a neighbor as anyone who is in need. We are neighbors to Jesus. Jesus is our Good Samaritan. And because of that, we know that God will not hurt nor harm us in our bodies, but will help and befriend us in every bodily need. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the jobs we hold, the homes we live in -- all are testimonies of the life-giving plans Jesus Christ has for us forgiven sinners.
However, remember that all that we have to support our life comes to us from God through others around us. I don't grow the food I eat. I don't mine the minerals or harvest the trees that make up so much of what I own. I do not have my job by my own willpower. All that I have either comes directly from God, like the air I breathe or the sun that keeps me warm, or comes to me from what people like you do in Christ's name. We take care of each other as agents of life representing the Prince of life, Jesus Christ.
Consider a few remarks made by the Apostle Paul how we can be agents of life in a dying world. "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Jesus did this for us when He laid down His life for us -- total dedication. He humbled Himself so we could be lifted up. He made Himself to be poor so we could become rich. So how can we dedicate ourselves to each other in like manner? First, Paul directs, "Share with God's people who are in need." Christians invented welfare as a way of imitating the generosity of Jesus to us. Let's take it back from the government, and especially look out for those who belong to our church. Many of the church-related fraternal organizations are a start. What about looking out for members who need time, as well as money, to get by? Paul also adds, "Practice hospitality." Jesus has invited us to live and eat with him forever. Why not do the same with each other? Why not open up our homes to each other and those we want to include in the household of faith?
What about those people we don't like, or who hurt us? "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." Forgiveness is the hand that feeds the mouth that bites you. Parents do it with children. Children often bite the hand that feeds them -- by disobedience, hateful remarks, and other acts of rebellion. Yet parents continue to care for their children, hoping that the love they show their children will help a relationship of respect and love to grow from child to parent. Christ does it for us.
"Rejoice with those who rejoice." All good things come from Jesus, even if more comes to you than to me. Forgiveness means being happy when our enemy prospers, remembering that God shows the same mercy to us.
"Mourn with those who mourn." When one of us is a victim of the robbers and killers running loose in the world, the rest of us can join with Jesus in comforting. "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Two wrongs don't make a right. The murder of a doctor who commits murder on unborn children is still murder. We can do more for the victims of evil in this world if we forgive and show mercy on the victimizers, just as Jesus showed mercy on those who murdered him.
"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." Jesus did not tell us to get rid of evil. That's His job. He can do a better job of it, anyway. Remember that Jesus keeps track of the bad that happens to you. He will make it right. And woe to them on whom His vengeance falls for our sake!
"On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Those last words remind us how Jesus deals with evil. The devil uses force to get things changed. Jesus uses goodness. The plan Jesus has for changing the world includes preaching and teaching the good news about the death and resurrection Jesus did for us. The good news we proclaim is amplified when we help and befriend our neighbors. By our kindness to enemies we can do what Jesus does for us.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, help us to be merciful in all that we do. Help us to bring life and happiness to those around us. Forgive us the many times we have made people unhappy or miserable with the anger and hate that is in us. Take that anger and hate away so that we may show kindness, forgiveness, and mercy to all, especially our enemies. Amen.
Object lesson: What's the best way to get rid of an enemy? A gun? No, it's against the law to kill someone. Tie him up? No, it's wrong to hold someone against his will. How about what President Abraham Lincoln did? In the few days between the end of the Civil War and his death, President Lincoln allowed a group of former rebels into his office for a visit. They complained about their harsh treatment. But President Lincoln's gentle, friendly manner soon thawed the ice, and the Southerners left with a new respect for their old enemy. A Northern congressman approached the president and criticized him for "befriending the enemy," suggesting that instead of befriending them he should have had them shot for the traitors they were. Lincoln smiled and replied, "Am I not destroying my enemies by making them my friends?"
The best way to get rid of an enemy is to forgive him so he can become a friend. This is what Jesus did when He forgave us our sins. We show we forgive by doing good things for our enemies. Think how Jesus shows us that He forgives us. Jesus took our sins to His cross. He won the war against the devil for us. He is getting a place in heaven ready for us. What good things can we do to show our enemies we forgive them? How about being polite and kind? Or giving them food and clothing if they need them? Or showing friendliness to them, even when they are not friendly to you?
