Some say that the Tenth Commandment is there to remind us that the Law is impossible to follow. Others (and I'm of this persuasion) say it is God's way of pointing out that if we are truly grateful for what we have, the rest of the commands will be met as we express that gratitude.

To understand that, we're going to need to realize that the word "covet" doesn't refer to a sports car.

Join our examination of the Tenth Word of God! I really covet your attention to this subject - and that's just fine.

A HUGE problem with the way we tend to think about the Ten Commandments as separate rules for how to live our individual lives is that it isn't true. The deeper message behind each of God's utterances is always one of growing a community based on love and care rather than one set on rules and condemnation. That doesn't mean we don't have responsibility to uphold certain things as individuals, but it does mean that we need to stop thinking "What does this mean to me?" and get back to thinking "How do my choices effect the whole community?" And, if you think, "My little thing isn't hurting anyone," or "My thing is only hurting one or two people," or "My tiny, insignificant thing is just a spark that's going to wink out of existence and not matter to anyone," then you're ignoring the reality that even the smallest of sparks can become the largest of conflagrations.

Is the Ninth Commandment about lying? And does it matter? Join our discussion today and find out.

Stealing is a horrific crime of violence, whether its being done by a shoplifter taking a candy bar or a businessperson enriching themselves by taking advantage of their employees and customers. Such things make our souls cry out for JUSTICE to be done!

But do you understand what justice is? Because, in God's view, it doesn't involve punishment or prison sentences. What?! Am I sure? Yes, I am, because Biblical justice is spelled out and it is based on redemption and reconciliation. It provides an opportunity for the offender to be brought into the community rather than removing them from it.

And this is about SO MUCH MORE than taking things....

This week: Another two word commandment: LO NA'AP - Do not commit adultery.

But what does that really mean? And what's the big deal anyway?

Perhaps a better question: Why is this command where it is - in the middle of instructions about maintaining a community of people?

I avoided getting graphic, but this still may not be suitable for those under the age of twelve, so use some discretion when you listen with younger folks nearby.

Here's a fun commandment: You shall not kill.
"Wait!" some of you just said. "It says not to MURDER. It's fine for me to kill people if I use a government to do it. Or if it happens in war. Or if by killing someone I can save someone else from death or mental scars or a bad afternoon at the supermarket. Right?"

Is that right? Or is there some logic being missed or some ideal being ignored here? And is there a list of exceptions to the rules God laid out for his people to follow?

We'll talk through some of this today. I hope you'll join us.

What does it mean to honor your parents? What if they suck? What then? Is this a command which means less or has less value in the modern world than it did when families hung together more cohesively than they do now?

Do we have a proper understanding of this commandment, or has it been twisted and used as a demand for obedience to the whims of people rather than as a directive about how we should choose to trust in the LORD?

You don't want to miss this one, because following this command leads to a full life and better community, when you understand it.

Remember the Sabbath day and use it to keep your yard tended... No, wait, that's not it...

Remember the Sabbath day and keep it by making sure no one else is doing anything resembling work... Hmm... No, that's work, isn't it?

Remember the Sabbath day, but it's not really a big deal if we skip it for a religious retreat or some other task that says it's honoring God... Well, that SOUNDS like it's got some religious function, but is it what the LORD meant when he said that we are to CEASE on that day and that all work should be confined to six days and kept entirely out of the seventh day?

Is any of this even possible in a world that values people based on what they produce? What are we missing when we talk about Sabbath?

Every person you ever meet will remember you by using a label. Could be Doctor or Firefighter or Tim's Dad or Cute Girl Who Works at the Gas Station or Woke Guy or Bigoted Lady. It may or may not be a flattering label, but it will be one they apply to you based on who or what your actions and words make you out to be. These are the names we bear, and the things we do will either honor or dishonor those names.

What label do you WANT to be known by? Why do you do to represent that label? If every thought and action are laid out, who or what do you represent? Because that's the only thing that matters.

Today: What does it mean to obey the Third Commandment?