Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
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Exodus 20:17
The Tenth Commandment: You Shall Not Covet Unlawfully
Reading: Psalm 37:1-40; Proverbs 2:1-5; Proverbs 6:20-35; James 1;13-15

You Shall Not Covet Unlawfully
There is nothing wrong with want or desire, which are simply euphemisms for “covet”. A desire is only as good or evil as that upon which it is set. If one craves something good, coveting is lawful. In contrast, the coveting of that which is unlawful is sin.

The tenth commandment, like the commandment prohibiting adultery, finds its roots in the heart. It condemns the craving of that which is forbidden. This final commandment reminds us that sin involves both outward actions which begin with inward desire. And it is our inner person, with his or her evil desires, which labels us as rebels against God.

God sets the boundaries of holiness. Sin is mankind’s response to exceed the boundaries which God has established. Whenever we set our hearts upon disobedience, we have already transgressed God’s law in our hearts.

Implication
Man cannot serve two masters (Luke 16:13). God’s command to people is that they serve (worship) only Him. It is impossible to worship God if we desire things displeasing to Him. God calls us to let go of everything else we hold dear and love Him above all.

Questions to ask Yourself
1. Are my desires pleasing to God?
2. What do I desire above Christ Jesus?
3. Am I willing to fulfil my desires my way or God’s way?   

​Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:16
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The Nineth Commandment: You Shall Not Bear False Witness
Reading: John 8:31, 32; Colossians 3:8-10; II John 1:4

You Shall Not Bear False Witness
To understand the nineth commandment prohibiting bearing false witness, we must study some word definitions. The words “bear” and “false” merit attention.

The Hebrew word for “bear” obviously refers to the speaking of untruth. Lying is certainly bearing a false witness. But the word for “bear” also means “to heed” or “listen to”. This second meaning of the word opens up a greater understanding of the nineth command. While it is true that speaking lies is bearing a false witness, it is just as true that entertaining untruth also bears false witness.

The word “false” in Exodus 20:16 holds an overt meaning of “untrue”, but a less conspicuous definition points to that which is “empty” or “without cause”. Dishonest speech is empty or vain. But even true words, spoken with the intent to harm, fall into being “without cause”. False talk, as it is found in the nineth commandment, is an utterance which is better left unsaid.

Scripture gives comprehensive examples of bearing false witness. It includes unjustly reporting of another (Deuteronomy 19:15-21), slander (Psalm 16:3), accusatory speech (Psalm 101:5-7), and even defamation (Proverbs 10:18). Active participation, either speaking or receiving such language, counts as a violation of the nineth commandment. A common term used for bearing false witness today is “gossip”.

There are three ways to avoid becoming a false witness. Always respect others (Proverbs 11:12). Keep silent (Proverbs 11:12, 13). Stay away from people who are false witnesses (Proverbs 20:19).

Implication
Falsehood, slander, and gossip are completely incompatible with a life of worship to Christ. We must always deal in truth and love.
 
Questions to Ask Yourself
1. Do I speak words that are true?
2. Do I speak the truth with the intent heal or harm?    

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:15

The Eighth Commandment: You Shall Not Steal
Reading: Matthew 21:12, 13; Ephesians 4:28

You Shall Not Steal
God’s command forbidding theft stands as a pillar which upholds human relationships. This is because honesty and fidelity build trust, a foundational requirement for relating well to another. Without trust, societies, whether they are a large nation or a small household, cannot thrive.
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Honesty is a universal value within every human heart. By this, I mean that no correct thinking individual desires to be deceived or robbed. Theft removes security. And a study of people quickly reveals that most people love security.

Theft comes in many forms. At its core, stealing is the taking that which does not rightfully belong to the taker. Such ill gotten possession requires defrauding or deceiving the rightful owner of whatever is being taken. The Bible lists such acts as borrowing without returning, business deception, and withholding what is due as thievery (Psalm 37:21; Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Leviticus 19:13). There are also less obvious forms of theft. Bribery steals justice (Micah 7:3). Tax fraud steals from civil authority, which is designed by God to serve the public (Mark 12:14-17). Murder steals God’s gift of life from another (Genesis 4:8). Kidnapping is the theft of a human being (Exodus 20:6; I Timothy 1:8). Adultery and fornication steal trust, relationship, and innocence (II Samuel 12:1-9; I Thessalonians 4:3-6). In each case, robbery damages people.
It is even possible to rob God Almighty. He is robbed when we deny Him that which is rightfully His, such as proper worship (Malachi 3:8). Unbelievers rob the Lord of their own heart, a possession of God alone.

Implication
Theft and worship cannot coexist. Since stealing is condemned by God, those who wish to worship the Lord in truth and spirit must put away all deception. The unbeliever should give back his or her own life to the Creator of life. They do so by relying upon Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sin. Believers must not withhold worship of God, which is expressed through obedience to Christ. Believers must never take what is not rightfully their own possession. They must pay their bills and give what they owe to whom it is owed.

Questions to Ask Yourself
1. What am I withholding that God demands?
2. What am I taking that is not lawfully mine to have?

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 

Exodus 20:14
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The Seventh Commandment: You Shall Not Commit Adultery
Reading: Romans 13:8-10; John 8:2-11

You Shall Not Commit Adultery
Our present-day society increasingly dismisses the topic of adultery. More people, both without and within the Church, seemingly accept this behavior as acceptable to God. But we must understand that adultery is never acceptable to God.

Adultery is a breaking of faithfulness. Normally associated with marital infidelity, adultery also occurs when we are faithless to God (Jeremiah 3:6, 8, 9; Isaiah 1:21).

God clearly states His thoughts of faithlessness in His word. He calls it foolish (Proverbs 6:32) and unloving (Romans 13:9). Adultery is a sin (Genesis 39:9; I Corinthians 6:9,10; Hebrews 13:4). But although adultery is abhorrent to God, it is forgivable (John 8:10, 11; I Corinthians 6:9-11).

Jesus tells us that adultery begins within the heart (Matthew 5:27, 28). This is why believers must be careful to guard their hearts against it. We commit unfaithfulness in our hearts when we desire what is unlawful to God and set our hearts upon getting what we should not possess. It begins with a look, which, if not denied, leads to a want. If the desire is not rejected, we develop an intent to get that which God has forbidden. According to Jesus, when we get to this point, we have committed adultery within our heart. If the heart remains unrepentant, logical progression is acting upon that which we desire.

Implication
The battle against unfaithfulness can be won only through Christ. Believers must seek godly things rather than earthly things (Colossians 3:2). Ask the Father to give you a desire for His ways. When your mind takes a turn toward sin, give your thoughts to Christ. Immediately denying your mind to go in the wrong direction keeps you from sin.

If you experience a failure to be faithful to God’s law, change your direction. Confess your failure as sin and turn from it. God, through His Son, forgives and gives mercy (Proverbs 28:13).

Questions to Ask Yourself
1. Do my desires align with God’s desires?
2. Upon what things do I set my heart? ​

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:13
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The Sixth Commandment: You Shall Not Murder
Reading: Proverbs 1:10-16; I Timothy 1:8-11

You Shall Not Murder
Human life, made in the image (representation) of the Divine, is precious and should be preserved at all costs. Murder displays complete disregard for God’s ultimate creation.

The commandment not to commit murder applies to the individual who kills with
intent (Exodus 21:12-14; Numbers 35:17-21). It does not prohibit the justified taking of life by nations at war. We know this because God called Israel to times of war (Joshua 6:1-21). Similarly, justice exacted by government (capital punishment) does not equate to murder (Romans 13:3, 4). This is also true in the instance when taking life is done to protect innocent life (i.e. self-defense) (Genesis 14:1-16).

The Bible defines murder as an evil act which was punishable by death (Genesis. 9:6; Leviticus. 24:21; Deuteronomy19:11-13; Psalm 10:8). Taking innocent life is the opposite of love (Romans 13:9). It is a companion to hatred (I John 3:15).

Murder’s origin does not begin with the taking of physical life. Murder begins within the
heart (Matthew 5:21, 22). Hatred is the seed which, if left to germinate, produces this sinful act. This is why we must be very careful with the emotion of anger. If anger is not checked by love, it can quickly morph into hatred. We know we have fallen into hatred when we abhor or detest another person.

We walk in dangerous territory when we allow our hearts to detest another person. The act of murder follows hatred within the heart; a conviction that another person does not deserve to live and that we should be the executioner. Such activity within the heart must be confessed as sin before it manifests in action.

Implication
God’s people are never called to hatred. It is an emotion which has no rightful place within our hearts. Rather we are called to love…in all circumstances. God command to believers is always love, both for brethren and enemy (I John 4:20; Matthew 5:43, 44). Love is an act worship to God.

Questions to Ask Yourself
Who do you view as less than human?
Who do you view as undeserving of humane treatment? 

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

Honor Your Father and Mother
The word for “honor” within the fifth commandment carries the idea of value. Those things which we value we consider precious and very important. God commands the Hebrews to hold their parents in high esteem.
The Bible offers specific ways to honor our parents. Children show esteem when they obey their mother and father (Ephesians 6:1-3). We obey this command by providing for the physical needs of our parents (I Timothy 5:4-8). Taking time to listen to our parents is also an act of honor (Proverbs 1:8, 9). How we speak to and about our father and mother reveals the level of respect we hold for them (Exodus 21:17).
There is a promise attached to this command. Those who honor their parents are more likely to experience a long and better life here on earth. Wisdom gained from those who have more experience living in this world helps us navigate life’s pitfalls with more success.

Implication
We cannot properly worship God and despise our parents. Even with their sin and imperfections, our mother and father deserve, according to God, honor and value. It is a reasonable act of worship to God to give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7).

Questions to Ask Yourself
1. What are your thoughts toward your parents?
2. If your parents are still alive, how long has it been since you spoke with them or spent time with them?
3. How willing are you to give help to your parents (physical, emotional, spiritual, etc.)?

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

Remember the Sabbath Day
The Jewish sabbath falls on the seventh day of the week, which is Saturday. Here we read that God commands the Hebrews to mark the seventh day, to be mindful of the sabbath. The day is holy or set apart for God, for it was also the day God sanctified to cease from His creation work (Genesis 2:1-3).
The Hebrews were instructed to set apart this last day of the week to make it a day of rest. This certainly meant a rest for the whole of man’s being. Knowing that man is human and not a machine, God gave the sabbath to His people for their benefit. The greatest benefit of rest for the people included taking rest in the person and work of God Himself. They were to take rest in the coming salvation which God would provide through the Messiah.

The early Christians, many of whom were Jewish, substituted the sabbath day with the Lord’s day. The Lord’s’ day fell on the first rather than the seventh day of the week. The Lord’s day was a day of worshipping the risen Christ Jesus. The Christian’s worship included remembering the redemptive work of the Lord. And the Christians relied (took rest) in the salvation God had provided through Jesus.

Implication                                                                                                                                                                       
God’s sabbath rest remains available today and God calls all people to come and take rest. The rest to which God calls us is to cease from our own labor to try to get into heaven and to rest upon Christ for salvation. We take this rest when we understand our sinfulness, that Christ paid for our sin on the cross, that He rose from the dead to give us forgiveness and new life, and we believe in (rest in) Him for salvation.
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A Question to Ask Yourself
1. Upon whom or what am I relying to get into heaven?

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:7

The Third Commandment: Do Not Take God’s Name in Vain
Reading: Matthew 5:33-37; Matthew 7:21-23

Do Not Take God’s Name in Vain
God and the name of God cannot be separated. They are one. Scripture testifies to this truth. Calling upon God’s name is the same as calling upon God Himself (Genesis. 4:26; I Ki. 5:5; Rom. 10:13). God’s name is holy because God Himself is holy (Lev. 22:32: I Chron. 16:10; II Tim. 2:19). God is good and true therefore His name is no less good and true (Lev. 24:16; Dt. 18:22). Since the name of God is the same as the person of God, it deserves the same reverence as God.  

The third commandment is broken when God’s name is used irreverently, without the weighty value worthy of the Divine. The Bible gives examples of misusing the Lord’s name. When we use the Almighty’s name as collateral to make oaths or promises, we take His name in vain (Leviticus 19:12; Hosea. 10:4). We break this command when we proclaim unbiblical doctrine as truth. The Lord’s name is taken in vain when we say that we love Him, but do not obey Him (Isaiah. 1:11, 13; Matthew. 15:7-9; James. 1:26). Any time God’s name is used for purposes other than Biblical purposes, His name, and His person, are taken in emptiness (in vain).

Be careful how you use God's name. Make sure it is only for holy purposes. To use it otherwise invites the Lord's punishment.

Implication
True worship begins with a reverence for God’s high and holy name. We must never invoke the Lord in an insincere or half-hearted manner. God must never be used to peddle falsehood. God’s name must only be used to share His truth which is only found in Scripture.
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Questions to Ask Yourself
1. Do I use God’s name to justify unbiblical doctrine or practices?
2. Do I only use God’s name with reverence and seriousness?

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:4-6

The Second Commandment: Worship No Idols
Readings: Nahum 1:2; Romans 1:18-32; Colossians 1:13-23

Do Not Worship Idols
At first glance, the second commandment seems to prohibit any creative activity.
“You are not to make…
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God sounds unreasonable at the beginning of this commandment. But if we read the commandment in its entirety, we get a better understanding.

“You are not to make…”
“…you may not give them worship…”

The second of God’s commands does not condemn art, imagination, or creativity. It condemns the worship of what man’s hands have made.

The worship of created things is idolatry. Idolatry elevates created things to the level at which only God belongs. Idolatry replaces the Creator with the created.

Idols come in varying forms. They can be manifested in the traditional sense as images made of wood or metal. They may appear in less subtle forms such a person, a material possession or a worldly position of status. But idols can also be manufactured within our hearts and minds. They can be thoughts and desires. It is sometimes these internal idols which are the most difficult to notice. Whether obvious or hidden, idols are those entities to which we bow down rather than God Himself. They are that which we hold as more precious than the Almighty.

Implication
God is a jealous God. He does not allow His honor and glory to be given to anyone or anything else. The Lord Jesus calls us to leave that which we value over Him and to worship only the Creator.

Questions to Ask Yourself
1. What is it that I value over Jesus Christ?
2. What things am I more devoted to than Jesus Christ?
3. Do I have an unquenchable desire for Christ or for other things?

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments Bible Study
Exodus 20:3
The First Commandment: Have No Other Gods
Readings: I Chronicle 16:28, 29; Exodus 20:3-17; Psalm 96:1-13; Deuteronomy 5:1-33

No Other Gods
We must acknowledge that other gods exist. Whether they are other humans, idols of wood, or spiritual beings, they are gods in the sense that they receive worship.
“God” as expressed in the Hebrew word “el-o-heem” can mean different entities. For example, in the Lord’s judgment of Egypt, He also judged their gods (Exodus 12:12; 18:11; Numbers 33:4). The gods of Egypt could refer to human leaders and magistrates. More than likely, these gods are idols worshipped by the Egyptian people who ultimately represented spiritual entities (demons).
In this first commandment, God explains that He is the only true God. He is the God of all gods, who stands supreme (Deuteronomy 4:35; Psalm. 96:5; Isaiah. 44:6). The Lord’s supremacy is evident because He is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:27), the Savior of sinners (Isaiah 43:11; Acts 13:23; Titus 1:4), and the Judge of all mankind (Psalm 50:6; Acts 10:42, 43). Therefore, the Almighty gives this first commandment because He demands and deserves mankind’s sole devotion. (Deuteronomy 6:5; Joshua 23:11; Luke 14:26; I John 2:15).

Implication
There is only one God who exists supremely over all other Gods.  This supreme God names Jesus of Nazareth as His Messiah (Romans 1:4; 10:9; Philippians 2:9-11). This Jesus is declared as both Savior and Lord to whom mankind must submit (Acts 4:12; Romans 1:4; Psalm 2:11, 12; Galatians 2:20). Biblical worship begins when an individual submits to Jesus Christ as the supreme God.

​Questions to Ask Yourself
1. Who or what do I love more than Jesus Christ?
2.  Who or what do I value over Jesus Christ?
3. Who or what do you rely upon rather than Jesus Christ?