Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Sunday’s sermon will bring an end to our study of the Ten Commandments. You will remember that our recent expositions on the Decalogue have been part of our larger study of the Great Events in the History of Redemption. From here we will move forward to some of the other great episodes of the Old Testament and, ultimately, into the New Testament where the shadows and types of the Older Covenant find their blessed fulfillment in the New.
The final Commandment in the Decalogue, found in Exodus 20:17, deals with the sin of coveting. And not only is coveting forbidden, but the Lord specifically lists the things that should not be desired: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
But what is it to covet? Is the Lord forbidding all desires here? Are their things that should be desired? And if so, how do we determine what is a legitimate desire and what is sinful? And then, how does this Old Testament Commandment apply to the New Covenant believer in Christ? These are the questions we will tackle as we gather this coming Lord’s Day.
In preparation for Sunday you’ll benefit from reading Luke 12:13-34. Here we discover a parable told by our Lord Jesus that is specifically aimed at the sin of covetousness (v. 15).
I love you all so much, and can’t wait to see you on the Lord’s Day!
Mike