Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

The Eight Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Steal

Confession: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 42, QA 110-111

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-12, Ephesians 4:25-28, James 5:1-6

Preacher: Rev. David Inks

Sermon Outline:

• Introduction
• 1. What it Forbids 110
  2. What it Requires 111
  3. The Redemption of Thieves
• Conclusion

Sermon Video:

The Heidelberg Catechism:

Lord’s Day 42

Q.110 What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?

A. He forbids not only outright theft and robbery, which governing authorities punish, but in God’s sight theft also includes all evil tricks and schemes designed to get our neighbor’s goods for ourselves, whether by force or means that appear legitimate, such as inaccurate measurements of weight, size, or volume; fraudulent merchandising; counterfeit money; excessive interest; or any other means forbidden by God. In addition God forbids all greed and pointless squandering of his gifts.

Q.111 What does God require of you in this commandment?

A. That I do whatever I can and may for my neighbor’s good, that I treat others as I would like them to treat me, and that I work faithfully so that I may help the needy in their hardship.

Scripture Reading:

Malachi 3:6-12 (King James Version)

6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.

Ephesians 4:25-28 (King James Version)

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

James 5:1-6 (King James Version)

1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. 5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. 6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.

Web Site – www.fresnourc.com
Facebook – www.facebook.com/fresnourc
YouTube – www.youtube.com/user/fresnocurc
iTunes – itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/covenant-urcs/id373736493?mt=2