15 verses of Genesis chapter 4. Of course, the very start of the Bible, so you'll find this on page 5, page 5 in your pew Bible, page 5, Genesis chapter 4. I'm sure a very familiar passage to most of us. Genesis chapter 4, reading the first 15 verses. And now Adam knew Eve, his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain and said, I have acquired a man from the Lord. Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep. But Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in the process of time, it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but he did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door and its desire is for you, but you should rule over it. Now Cain talked with Abel, his brother, and it came to pass when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, where is Abel, your brother? He said, I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper? And he said, what have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth. And Cain said to the Lord, my punishment is greater than I could bear. Surely you have driven me out this day from the face of the ground. I shall be hidden from your face. I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth. And it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me. And the Lord said to him, therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him. Well, beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, I begin by noting something that is probably not new news. It is this, death is all around us. Death is a universal enemy. We will all face death unless Jesus comes back first. Death and taxes, right? But certainly death. Death, of course, exists because of sin and it is therefore an abnormal situation. This is not the way God made the world. God is the God of life. He didn't make the world this way, but we, through Adam, have corrupted it. But not only do we have sin, or do we have death, but violent death has become prevalent in our society. Murders have become commonplace. Violent crime, which of course often leads to murder and tends toward murder, Violent crime has made people prisoners of their own homes as those people are afraid to venture forth into the streets and parks. Now from our consideration of the positive side of this sixth commandment, thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not murder, we saw that it requires the preservation of life. So positively, the positive side of this commandment is thou shalt resist all tendencies which would unlawfully destroy life. Thou shalt therefore live soberly. That is to say in a way that in which you're under control rather than letting substances or actions control you whether it be drugs or drink or whatever. and also positively by loving life. And ultimately, of course, as we noted, we must be concerned not simply with physical life or life in this world, but we must be concerned about eternal life for ourselves and for others. But now we come to the negative side, what is prohibited by the Sixth Commandment. And we see here that the law forbids the unwarranted destruction of life and all such tendencies. The unwarranted, illegitimate, we'll see, Lord willing, where there might be legitimate destructions of life, but all unwarranted destruction of life and all such tendencies. So first of all then, so we basically have three points today, three major points. Killing, violence, and intemperance. So killing, violence, and intemperance. So first of all, with regard to killing. And of course, as we think about killing, we think first of all of murder. Now there is a distinction in scripture between a murderer and an unintentional killer. And that's what we saw from Numbers chapter 35 today. If you want to turn there, Numbers chapter 35. This, of course, has to do with the establishment of cities of refuge so that someone who has killed somebody, but it's accidental, can flee to one of these cities of refuge. And there could be a court case. There could be a hearing to determine whether he really is a murderer or not. Notice in Numbers chapter 35 verses 20 and 21, one of the ways you determine whether the person is really a murderer or not is whether there has been a prior animosity. Verse 20, if he pushes him out of hatred or while lying in wait hurls something at him so that he dies, or in enmity he strikes him in his hand so that he dies, and so forth, he is a murderer. So you better be careful not to put yourself in hazardous positions with your enemy, you see, because the presumption is going to be this is not simply an accident. Also, is there a search for the intended victim? That's what it says here. Out of hatred or while lying in wait, just like we We sang from Psalm 10, the one, the wicked man who crouches like a lion, waiting for his prey to pounce, if you will. So lying in wait. In other words, premeditation and a search for that person. We find the same in Deuteronomy 19, verse 11. But we also have the use of a murderous weapon, verses 16 through 18. But if he strikes him with an iron implement so that he dies, he is a murderer. Verse 17, if he strikes him with a stone in the hand by which one could die and he does die, he is a murderer. Or if he strikes him with a wooden hand weapon by which one could die and he does die, he is a murderer. And so the use of a murderous weapon. So these are ways by which the Bible distinguishes between a murderer and an unintentional killer. But you know, the Bible regards life so seriously that even in accidental deaths, the one responsible for the death is in danger of losing his own life. That's why you have this avenger of blood, you see, this family member who's coming along. So even if the person actually was only an accidental killer in terms of this legislation, if that avenger finds him outside one of these cities of refuge, he can take vengeance. The one fleeing to a city of refuge had better get there, had better get there ahead of the avenger of blood. In Exodus chapter 21, In Exodus chapter 21, verses 29 through 31, Exodus 21, verses 29 through 31, we read, but if the ox tended to thrust with his horn in times past and has been made known to his owner, and he has not kept it confined so that it has killed a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned, his owner also shall be put to death. Even though that was accidental, but he should have known better. Verse 30, if there be imposed on him a sum of money, then he shall pay to redeem his life whatever is imposed on him, whether it has gored a son or gored a daughter. According to this judgment, it shall be done to him. So in such a case, then, he could redeem his life only by paying a ransom, whatever was demanded. So first of all, Murder. And of course, this is what we see here, is it not, in our text for today, in terms of Genesis chapter 4. Cain killing Abel. There are many things we could talk about in terms of Genesis 4 and what was behind that and the hatred and the despising and so forth, the wrong worship, the improper worship, as well as being offered in the wrong spirit. by Abel or by Cain, excuse me, whereas God accepted Abel's sacrifice but did not accept the worship of Cain. But nevertheless, however we talk about that, here one of the earliest crimes is that of murder. And so it has been throughout the history of mankind. but not only murder, but suicide, which of course is self-murder, self-murder. This, of course, is a statement, many times at least, of lack of faith in God, an act of despair. Matthew 27, Judas, perhaps the most famous person or infamous person, to commit suicide after he had betrayed Christ. It is an act of insanity, of craziness, to rush unsummoned into eternity, deliberately to kill oneself. There's usually no possibility of repentance. Indeed, we need to say it is an ugly, not a beautiful thing. Although today the world wants to pretty it up. I think it's in Switzerland, isn't it, where they have these pods now, these suicide pods. Yeah. And that's where the world is going, you see. Euthanasia with suicide being celebrated, if you will. What wickedness and what insanity indeed. It is an ugly, not a beautiful thing. Let us be clear, it is often associated with drugs. It is a way of death and thus a way of the devil himself, suicide. And murder for hire. This has always been viewed as a particularly evil form of this sin of murder. But notice that in any conspiracy, the guilt is not diluted. Three people conspiring together, it doesn't mean that each one is one-third guilty. They're all equally guilty. And so in any conspiracy, then the guilt is not diluted but is spread equally on all. And then I mentioned a moment ago about euthanasia, euthanasia, so-called good death, mercy killings. These, of course, are wrong. They involve the destruction of human life. They open the door to increasing acceptance of suicide. Now, there are, to be sure, difficult questions at times. Should we make a distinction, for example, between taking a person off life support system and medication and not putting them on to start with? Is there a distinction? between extraordinary or so-called heroic measures and normal necessities of life, such as food and water. In all these matters, we must remember that we do not have the right to take innocent human life. And any decision should not be based on economic considerations, as if there's a price tag on the soul. In general terms, it is better to err on the side of life. So killing, murder, that's number one. But secondly, what is prohibited is violence, violence. And here we can say, what is the root of that violence, the outward expression? Well, it has to do with words and thoughts. It has to do with words and thoughts. You know Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter 5? You remember what Jesus said in the sermon on the Mount, Matthew chapter 5 verses 21 and 22, you have heard that it was said to those of old, you shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, Raka, shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, you fool, shall be in danger of hellfire. The murder, you see, comes out of the heart of hatred, which often is expressed initially by words and thoughts. You know, the same thing we find, for example, in Galatians chapter 5, Galatians chapter 5 and verse 15, Galatians 5, 15. Galatians 5, 15, but if you bite and devour one another, beware, lest you be consumed by one another. And there are many other places. The epistle of James talking about the tongue and being a world of iniquity. So first of all, by way of application here, to hate, let us be clear, to hate is to commit murder in your heart and thoughts. This hatred, of course, can come out to expression in actual violence. It is also wrong, let us be clear, to speak in a hateful way against someone. That is what we call character assassination. It's not literally assassinating the person, but nevertheless, it is character assassination. which of course itself is against one who's made in the image of God. I dare say, I dare say that everyone, in the same way that everyone has violated the seventh commandment about adultery, that is to say violated it at least in his heart, I dare say that everyone has murdered therefore, in the sense that Jesus is talking about. And so to hate is to commit murder in your heart and thoughts. This principle certainly applies with regard to racial hatred. We can also have this in terms of ridiculing someone, perhaps calling upon someone to kill herself. I heard just a few days ago someone who was in a situation in high school where she was in a racial minority. She's white, and she happened to be with Latinos who encouraged her to kill herself. That, too, is wrong, is it not? So words and thoughts. but also deeds, acts. Deeds of bloodshed and violence are condemned in the Bible apart from certain exceptions, which Lord willing, we'll be considering soon. That is to say, next week. All such things tending in that violent direction are condemned also. For example, placing yourself in a situation in which violence is likely to ensue. Back off, right? Don't put yourself in a position where if you know this is going to escalate, get out of there, right? But notice that the magistrates and rulers can themselves create an environment that is ripe for violence. Lord willing, we'll be considering this more extensively. But I will simply note that if you have false views of crime and punishment, that can create a situation in which the society does not take action so as to protect its citizens. or not taking charge of a dangerous situation. And so murder, killing, number one. Number two, violence. Number three, intemperance. We talked about using things soberly or moderately. The good things of creation should be used in a moderate fashion. Whether we talk about food or drink or driving or drugs, but not to use them temperately, but to use them intemperately in a way that's out of control, leads to the destruction of the body. Now, I suppose up until this point perhaps you're thinking, well, of course. You know, this is somewhat obvious. I am reminded, if I can tell an anecdote out of my being a professor of history, about President Calvin Coolidge, who was president about 100 years ago. He was known as Silent Cow. You know why he was called Silent Cow? Because he didn't talk very much. And so the story is told about him of where the press one time saw him walking back to the White House on a Sunday afternoon. And they said, well, Mr. President, where you been? And he said, church. They said, what did the preacher preach on? Sin. What did he say about it? He was against it. Now, I'm sure you might go home to your children or to other people this evening and say, well, what did the preacher preach on? Murder and violence. What did he say about it? He was against it, right? Well, let me say in that regard that I wanted to lay the foundation today in terms of this. But two things, first of all. Lord willing, over the next several weeks, we intend to flesh out some of these things. For example, next week, when is it OK to kill somebody? That should be an interesting topic. You ought to bring somebody next week to hear that, right? When is it OK to kill somebody? Well, we'll see, won't we, next week. And then also going on the whole issue of abortion and murder by government. So stay tuned. It's not just that we're against murder and violence, but we're going to flesh out these things as we go along. But secondly, I want to flesh out today as well by way of application. So first of all, by way of application today, consider how this commandment tells us something about God. It tells us something about God. God is a God of life. In him we live and move and have our very being, Acts 17. But Satan, God's arch enemy, is a murderer and a messenger of death. And so consider then, that this very commandment, thou shalt not kill, tells us something about the nature of our God. Secondly, remember that to live apart from God is to be in a state of death. To live apart from God is to be in a state of death. The external violence The killing in our society today is the natural expression of total depravity. For a society to reject God's law is to be in a way of death. For a society to obey God's law is a way of life. And so the killing that we have is the natural expression of rebellion against God and the total depravity, the sinfulness that we talked about today in shorter catechism question 18. The want of original righteousness and the corruption of man's whole nature. And so this is the outworking of that. to live apart from God is to be in a state of death. And the enemies then of God have hatred in their hearts for him and their fellow human beings. Murder and hatred are not accidental. Neither is suicide. It's because the person has first died inside and is empty there. Those who are spiritually dead and who die in their sins, let us be clear, those who are spiritually dead and die in their sins will experience eternal death. So remember that to live apart from God is to be in a state of death. But thirdly, rejoice in Jesus Christ's provision of escape from the path of death and destruction. Rejoice in what Jesus has done to allow us to escape from death and destruction. He, Jesus, took the wrath of God upon himself at the cross for breakers of this commandment. He died for your and my. not keeping this word of God, thou shalt not kill. He died for King David who murdered the husband of the woman with whom he committed adultery. He can die for, he can pay the price for mass murder. And so Jesus Christ then took the wrath of God upon himself at the cross for breakers of this commandment. He experienced death so that others may live. And indeed, he himself is life. This is what Jesus said in John chapter 10 and verse 10. In John chapter 10 and verse 10. The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly. And in John 14 and verse 6, very famously, Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me to live in Jesus is to put aside the deeds of the flesh, including hatred and violence and murder. Amen. Will you please stand for prayer? And our father, we do pray that this message would resonate in our souls and we pray that it would that it would go forth. Throughout this community. We pray Lord that. As we as we proclaim the gospel, we pray. That men and women and boys and girls in our neighborhood. Would come to faith in Jesus Christ. and renounce the way of death, and embrace the one who is the way, the truth, and the life. For we pray in his name, amen. Please turn to one of our Psalms of the month, Psalm 43, and then at the close,