Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:3-17

Exodus 20:17 You Shall Not Covet Unlawfully[1]
Reading: Psalm 37:1-40; Proverbs 2:1-5; Proverbs 6:20-35; James 1;13-15

I shall delight in Your commandments, Which I love. Psalm 119:47 NASB

The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.  Psalm 119:72 NASB
I long for Your salvation, O LORD, And Your law is my delight.   Psalm 119:174 NASB
​
I. Do Not Covet Unlawfully.
  A. Covet: Deed cannot be separated from disposition [2]. (Mt. 15:19)
    1. Heb. “khaw-mad”: delight in, desire, lust
    2. Grk. “ep-ee-thoo-meh-o”: set the heart upon, desires, lust
    3. The prohibition is desiring what is unlawful.
      1a. Things which belong to another (v15, 17)
      2a. Things which God has prohibited
        1b. There is proper coveting (Ps. 19:7-10; Prov. 5:15-19).
    4. The same as idolatry (Ex. 20:4-6; Col. 3:5)
    5. Evil (Mic. 2:1, 2)
II. Implication: Do Not Desire What is Forbidden (Gen. 3:6).
  A. Set your heart upon what is good (Ps. 34:8). This is the heart of worship.
    1. Trust (depend) upon the Lord (Ps. 37:3)
      1a. Do the right thing.
      2a. Dwell (lodge)[3] in the land (God’s presence)[4]
      3a. Cultivate (shepherd) faithfulness (faith)
    2. Delight yourself in the Lord (Ps. 37:4).   
    3. Commit (trust) your way (course of life) to the Lord (Ps. 37:5).
    4. Rest (forebear, be still) in the Lord (Ps. 37:7).
      1a. Wait (endure, travail) patiently.
    5. Cease (forsake) from anger,  (Ps. 37:8).
      1a. Do not fret (be angry or jealous).



[1] March 16, 2025 Hall Church and Renewal Bible Fellowship
[2] (Keil, 1891)
[3] (Jamieson, 1871)
[4] (Perowne, 1921)

​Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:3-17
Exodus 20:16 You Shall Not Bear False Witness[1]
Reading: John 8:31, 32; Colossians 3:8-10; II John 1:4
I. Bear No False Witness
  A. Bear (Heb. “aw-naw”: pay attention, heed, utter)
  B. False (Heb. “Sheh-ker”: untruth, falsehood, vain, without cause)
  C. Witness (Heb. “ayd”: witness, recorder)
  D. Neighbor (Heb. “ray-ah”: another)
II. What Does False Witness Cover?
  A. Slander: Unjust reporting of others[2] (Dt. 19:15-21)
    1. “He that raiseth a slander, carries the devil in his tongue: and he that receives it, carries the devil in his ear.” – Joseph S. Exell
      1a. Talebearing: Spreading destructive news (Lev. 19:16)
      2a. Backbiting: Slanderous talebearing designed to assault (Ps. 15:3)
      3a. Accusatory (Ps. 101:5-7)
      4a. Defamatory, evil reporting (Prov. 10:18)
  B. False witness[3]
    1. Lying, Failure to defend another against false report
III. The Depths of Evil from a False Witness
  A. Perverts justice (Ex. 23:6, 7)
  B. Fraudulent (Cf. Ex. 20:15)
  C. Hunts the life of another (Lev. 19:16[4]; Ezek. 22:9)
  D. An evil deserving of punishment   
IV. Implication: Worship is Dealing in Truth and Love
V. How to Avoid Breaking the Ninth Commandment:
  A. Respect[5] others (Prov. 11:12).
    1. Takes wisdom and understanding
  B. Keep silent (Prov. 11:12, 13).
    1. Some things should not be revealed.
  C. Stay away from talebearers (Prov. 20:19).
    1. Talebearers (slanderers) flatter (gossip) to learn secrets to share[6].


[1] March 9, 2025 Hall Church and Renewal Bible Fellowship

[2] (Exell, 1900)

[3] Ibid.

[4] Leviticus 19:16 implies false witness as a way to endanger another’s life (Perowne, 1921)

[5] Respect is the opposite of despising.

[6] (MacArthur, 2005)

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:3-17

Exodus 20:15 You Shall Not Steal[1]
Reading: Matthew 21:12, 13; Ephesians 4:28  
​         
I. You Shall Not Steal.
  A. Steal (Heb. “gaw-nab”: Deceive, carry away, thieve)
    1. Taking away another’s property by force or fraud, against the owner’s will[2]
      1a. The right to private property is important for societal stability[3]
    2. Starts in the heart (Mt. 15:19)   
    3. Types of theft:
      1a. Borrow and not return (Ps. 37:21)
      2a. Business deception (Dt. 25:13-16)
      3a. Withholding earned wages (Lev. 19:13)
      4a. Bribery (Mic. 7:3)
      5a. Not paying civil or ecclesiastical customs or tax (Mk. 12:14-17[4];[5])
        1b. Includes tax, custom, fear, honor (Rom. 13:7)  
      6a. Murder (Gen. 4:8)
      7a. Kidnapping (Ex. 20:16; I Tim. 1:8-10)
      8a. Adultery/fornication (II Sam. 12:1-9; I Thess. 4:3-6)
      9a. Withholding worship of God (Mal. 3:8)[6]
II. Implication: Worship and Theft Cannot Coexist.
  A. The path to stop theft (Eph. 4:28):
    1. Stop stealing.
    2. Earn your property.
III. Challenge
  A. Where are you defrauding God?
    1. By failing to give Him what is due (Mal. 3:9, 10)?
      1a. Everything belongs to God.
  B. Where are you defrauding other people?

[1] March 2, 2025 Hall Church and Renewal Bibel Fellowship
[2] (Gill, 1816)
[3] (MacArthur, 2005)
[4] A Poll tax was a tax imposed upon people enrolled in the Roman census (Jamieson, 1871).
[5] The two-drachma tax was a temple tax (ecclesiastical tax) (Jamieson, 1871).
[6] The people were not giving to God the tithes and offerings as they should (Jamieson, 1871) (Kretzmann, 1921).

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:3-17

Exodus 20:14 You Shall Not Commit Adultery[1]
Reading: Romans 13:8-10; John 8:2-11
​
I. You Shall Not Commit Adultery.
  A. Adultery: (Heb. “naw-af”: break wedlock; fig. apostatize) (Gr. “moy-khyoo-o”)
    1. Intercourse between a man and a married or betrothed woman[2]
      1a. Spiritual adultery included idolatry, covetousness, and apostacy[3]
        1b. Jer. 3:6, 8, 9; Is. 1:21
    2. Foolish (Prov. 6:32)
    3. Unloving (Rom. 13:9)
    4. A sin (Gen. 39:9; I Cor. 6:9,10; Heb. 13:4)
    5. Punishable by death (Dt. 22:22-24; Lev. 20:10)
    6. Forgivable (Jn. 8:10, 11; I Cor. 6:9-11)
  B. The expanse of adultery
    1. Begins in the heart (Mt. 5:27, 28)[4]
    2. Illegitimate divorce causes (Mt. 5:31, 32)[5]
    3. Marrying a woman who is legitimately another’s wife is adultery (Mt. 5:32; 19:9)[6].
II. Implication: Faithfulness is an Act of Worship of God.
  A. A faithful life is one in which we bow (worship) the Lord.
IV. Challenge
  A. Upon what do you set your heart’s desire?
    1. Lawful desire is not adultery.
    2. Unlawful desire is adultery.


[1] February 23, 2025 sermon for Renewal Bible Fellowship and Hall Church
[2] (Easton, 1897)
[3] Ibid.
[4] Adultery in the heart occurs when we lust (Gr. “ep-ee-thoo-meh-o”: set heart upon, desire) for someone or something with the intent to get what is not allowed by God’s law.
[5] A divorced woman would most likely be driven to remarry to survive (Jamieson, 1871).
[6] Jesus condemned frivolous divorce and discouraged divorce (Mt. 19:3-6) (See also I Cor. 7:10-16). “The bond of marriage is to be broken only by death (Rom. 7:2), adultery (Mt. 19:9), or an unbeliever’s leaving. Throughout Scripture, whenever legitimate divorce occurs remarriage is assumed.” (MacArthur, 2005)

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:3-17

Exodus 20:13 You Shall Not Murder[1]
Reading: Proverbs 1:10-16; I Timothy 1:8-11

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 
I John 3:15 NASB

27  "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27, 28 NASB
​
I. You Shall Not Murder.
  A. Murder: (Heb. “raw-tsakh”: Dash to pieces, kill, murder)
    1. Cain the first to be guilty of (Gen. 4:8)
    2. Punishable by death (Gen. 9:6; Lev. 24:21; Dt. 19:11-13)
    3. An act done by wicked people (Ps. 10:8)
    4. The opposite of love (Rom. 13:9)
    5. Linked with hatred (I Jn. 3:15)[2]
II. The Origin of Murder (Mt. 5:21, 22): Hatred
  A. Hatred: (Gr. “mis-eh-o”: detest, abhor) (Mt. 5:43, 44; I Jn. 3:15)
    1. Manifestation of (Mt. 5:22)[3]:
      1a. Anger (Gr. “or-geed-zo”: become exasperated, be angry)
        1b. There is a righteous anger (Eph. 4:26)[4].
      2a. Raca (Gr. “rhak-ah”: empty person, worthless)
        1b. Rachel calls her husband Nabal worthless[5] (I Sam. 25:25).
      3a. Fool (Gr. “moe-ros”: dull or stupid)
        1b. The Psalmist speaks of a fool[6] (Ps. 53:1; Mt. 23:17[7]).
  B. Murder reckons people as less than human; less than the image of God (Gen. 1:27; 9:6).
III. Implication: True Worship of God Excludes Hatred of Any Person.
  A. We are called to love our enemies (Mt. 5:43, 44).
  B. We are called to love the Christian brethren (I Jn. 4:20)[8].
IV. Challenge
  A. Who do you view as less than human?
  B. Who do you view as being undeserving of humane treatment?


[1] February 16, 2025 Renewal Bible Fellowship and Hall Church
[2] Hatred is the beginning of murder (Jamieson, 1871).
[3] The heart behind the words rather than the use of the words is what the Lord condemns (Jamieson, 1871).
[4] Ephesians 4:26 and Matthew 5:22 use the same word for “anger” (Gr. “or-geed-zo”).
[5] Heb. “bel-e-yah-al”: worthless, evil, wicked
[6] Heb. “naw-bawl”: stupid, wicked, vile
[7] Jesus uses the word “Raca” in Matthew 23:17.
[8] Gr. “mis-eh-o” is used for hatred in I John 5:20.

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:3-17
​
Exodus 20:12 Honor Your Father and Mother[1]
Reading: Matthew 15:3-9; Ephesians 6:1-3

Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
Colossians 3:20 NASB

I. Honor Your Father and Mother.
  A. Honor:
    1. Value[2], make weighty, promote
  B. How?
    1. Physically (Ex. 21:15; I Tim. 5:4-8)
    2. Verbally (Ex. 21:17; Mk. 7:10)
    3. Listening (Prov. 1:8, 9)
    4. Honoring property (Prov. 28:24)
    5. Not despising (Prov. 30:17)
    6. Giving aid (Mt. 15:4-6; I Tim. 5:4-8)
    7. Obeying (Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20)
II. Why?
  A. That you may have a long life
    1. Prolonged: (Heb. “aw-rak”: draw out, lengthen)
  B. That you may have a good life
  C. It is right the right thing to do.
III. Implication: Worship of God is valuing parents.
  A. You cannot love God and fail to give what is due to people (Rom. 13:7).
    1. Love those to whom love is due (I Jn. 4:8; Lk. 10:27; Jn. 13:34).   
    2. Honor those to whom honor is due (Rom. 13:7).
  B. What if my parents are (were) bad?
    1. Obey God over man (Acts 5:29).
    2. Honor can still be given to people (I Pt. 2:17).
IV. Challenge
  A. How do you think about your parents?
    1. This is where honor begins.
      1a. Thoughts precede actions.

[1] February 9, 2025 Hall Church and Renewal Bible Fellowship
[2] Greek Septuagint 

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:3-17
​
Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath Day[1]
Reading: Genesis 2:1-3; Psalm 95:1-11; Matthew 11:27-30; John 6:26-29; Hebrews 4:1-11

Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
Psalm 116:7 NASB

I. Remember the Sabbath Day (v8-10).
  A. Remember: to mark; be mindful
  B. Sabbath (Heb. “Shah-bawth”) Day: to cease to do; to rest[2] (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 31:17)
    1. The seventh day of the week (Saturday)[3]
“The Sabbath was the day on which man was to leave off his secular labors and keep a day holy to Yahweh.”[4]
    2. God’s people called to observe
      1a. The Sabbath was made for man (Mk. 2:27).
        1b. It was a day for man’s good, thus needed activities were not a violation of rest[5].
    3. Represents our rest in Christ (Heb. 4:10)[6]
    4. Substituted with the Lord’s day after Jesus’ resurrection (Rev. 1:9, 10)[7]
      1a. The Lord’s day is the first day of the week .
  C. Keep it holy (sanctified: separate).
    1. A day separate from work days (v9, 10)
II. Why? 
  A. Because God rested (ceased) (v11) (Gen. 2:3; Ex. 31:17)
    1. He finished the work[8].
      1a. Rest (salvation) was available at the finish of God’s creation work[9] (Gen 3:15; Heb. 4:3).
  B. Because God commands man to rest (Ex. 20:8; Acts 17:30)
III. Implication: Worship is Entering Into God’s Rest Through Christ.
  A. Rest is offered through Christ (Mt. 11:28).
    1. Rest from the consequences of sin (Is. 1:18).
IV. Challenge:
  A. Obey (trust in) the gospel (Heb. 4:7; Mt. 11:28; Jn 6:29).
    1. This is how we enter God’s rest.


[1] February 2, 2025 Hall Church and Renewal Bible Fellowship
[2] (Smith, 1863)
[3] Ibid.
[4] (Orr, 1938)
[5] (Gill, 1816) (MacArthur, 2005)
[6] (Hawker, 1828)
[7] Ibid.
[8] God’s promises are so sure, it is as if they are already done  when they are given.
[9] (Kretzmann, 1921)

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:3-17

Exodus 20:7 Do Not Take God’s Name in Vain[1]
Reading: Matthew 5:33-37; Matthew 7:21-23

I. Do Not Take God’s Name in Vain (v7) (Dt. 5:11).
  A. God’s name:
    1. God’s name is inseparable from God Himself.
      1a. Calling upon God’s name is calling upon God (Gen. 4:26; I Ki. 5:5; Rom. 10:13).
      2a. God’s name is holy for He is holy (Lev. 22:32: I Chron. 16:10; II Tim. 2:19).
      3a. God’s name is good (Lev. 24:16).  
      4a. God’s name is true (Dt. 18:22).
      5a. God’s name is blessed (Job. 1:21; Ps. 7:17; Ps. 112:4; Ps. 135:1).
      6a. God’s name is powerful (Ps. 20:1; Ps. 102:15; Prov. 18:10; Zeph. 3:12).
  B. Vain (Heb. “shav”: falsely) (Gr. “mah-tey-os”: empty)
    1. A prohibition of irreverent and non-serious worship of God[2]
      1a. Example: Hypocrisy (Is. 1:11, 13; Mt. 15:7-9; Jas. 1:26)
    2. A prohibition of using God’s name frivolously or insincerely[3]
      1a. Example: False swearing (Lev. 19:12; Hos. 10:4)
II. Implication: Worship is Giving Honor to God’s Name.
  A. Obey the Lord in word and in deed.
  B. Do not use God for low purposes:
    1. To peddle untruth
    2. For half-hearted service
III. Challenge
  A. Take God’s warning of punishment seriously (Ex. 20:7).
  B. Treat God’s name as you would God Himself.

[1] January 26, 2025 Hall Church and Renewal Bible Fellowship
[2] (Henry, 1714)
[3] (Perowne, 1921)

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:3-17

Exodus 20:4-6 Worship No Idols[1]
Readings: Nahum 1:2; Romans 1:18-32; Colossians 1:13-23
Responsive Reading: Psalm 145:3, 8, 9, 14, 17, 18, 20; Psalm 115:2-11   

Little children, guard yourselves from idols. 
I John 5:21 NASB
I. Worship No Idol (Image) or Likeness (Form, Manifestation) (v4).
  A. Make with intent to worship (v5)
    1. No prohibition against making of images generally[2]
    2. Not a censure of art, but of idolatry and false worship[3],[4]
      1a. Idolatry and insatiable desire are Biblically linked (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5).
      2a. Idolatry is a work of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21).
    3. God’s word paints pictures (images):
      1a. “The kingdom of heaven man be compared to a man…” (Mt. 13:24)
      2a. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…” (Mt. 13:31)
      3a. “…a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet,” (Rev. 1:10)
      4a. “…like white wool,” “like snow;”, “like a flame of fire.” (Rev. 1:14)
II. Why?
  A. God is jealous (v5).
    1. God is jealous of His own honor and glory[5].
      1a. God will not allow His honor and glory being given to another (Is. 40:18).
  B. God visits (rewards) iniquity on the third and fourth generations:
    1. Each person is responsible for their own sin (Dt. 24:16; Ez. 18:19, 20).
    2. Children can pick up parents’ sinful ways[6].
  C. God is merciful to those who love Him (v6) (Jn. 14:15).
III. Implication: Worship is Living within the Following Truths:
  A. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the only true God.
  B. Only God is to be honored, thanked, adored, coveted, served, and recognized as the true God[7].
IV. Challenge:
  A. What or who do you honor, thank, adore, covet, serve, and recognize as God?


[1] January 19, 2025 Hall Church and Renewal Bible Fellowship
[2] (Keil, 1891)
[3] (MacArthur, 2005)
[4] (Jamieson, 1871)
[5] (Gill, 1816)
[6] (MacArthur, 2005)
[7] It is alright to have an unsatisfied desire (covetousness) for God.

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments  
Exodus 20:3-17

Exodus 20:3 Have No Other Gods[1]
Readings: I Chronicle 16:28, 29; Exodus 20:3-17; Psalm 96:1-13 (Deuteronomy 5:1-33)
Songs: How Great Thou Art; Holy, Holy, Holy; One True God, Psalm 96:1-10 (Met. Psalter)
“That now I say upon which you set your heart and put your trust is properly your god.”
 - Martin Luther, The Large Catechism (Luther)

I. Have No Other Gods (Ex. 20:3).
  A. Exclusive[2]:
    1. Gr. Sept[3]: “Other Gods will not exist among you except Me.”
      1a. Man is to serve the true God only.
    2. Gods (Heb. “el-o-heem”): Supreme God, spiritual beings, invented, magistrates
      1a. Seen in God’s judgment of Egypt (Ex. 12:12; 18:11; Num. 33:4)[4]
  B. Why?
    1. There is no other god besides the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Dt. 4:35, Ps. 96:5[5]; Is. 44:6).
      1a. He is the Creator (Gen. 1:27; Col. 1:16).
      2a. He is the Savior (Is. 43:11; Acts 13:23; Titus 1:4).
      3a. He is the Judge (Ps. 50:6; Acts 10:42, 43).
    2. He demands our sole devotion (Dt. 6:5; Josh. 23:11).
      1a. We are to love Him supremely (I Jn. 2:15; Luke 14:26).
II. Implication: Worship Begins When We Submit to Christ as God.
III. Response: Submit to Jesus Christ as God (Rom. 1:4; 10:9[6]; Php. 2:9-11).
  A. As Savior (Acts 4:12; Rom. 1:4)
  B. As Lord (Ps. 2:11, 12; Gal. 2:20)
III. Challenge: Ask Yourself
  A. Who or what do I love more than Jesus Christ?
  B. Who or what do I value over Jesus Christ?
  C. Who or what do you rely upon rather than Jesus Christ?


[1] January 12, 2025: Hall Church and Renewal Bible Fellowship
[2] This command prohibits idol worship in thought, word, and deed as well as demands  fear, love and worship of the true God (Keil, 1891).
[3] Greek Septuagint
[4] I believe the gods of Egypt, although represented by man and animal, were ultimately spiritual beings (See John Calvin).
[5] The Psalmist calls all other gods idols (Heb. “el-eel”: Good for nothing, no value, vain).
[6] This sounds like a creed of the early Church.