"Be a Faithful Witness"

• SERMON TITLE:   “Ten Commandments 7 &9:  Be a Faithful Witness”
• SERMON TEXT:    Exodus 20:1-17
• PREACHER:           Rev. Kim James
• OCCASION:           February 4, 2018, at First UMC

 
 
INTRODUCTION
 
                Many years ago, before hearing aids were so common, a golden anniversary party was thrown for an [older] couple.  The husband was moved by the occasion and wanted to tell his wife just how he felt about her.  She was very hard of hearing, however, and often misunderstood what he said.  With many family members and friends gathered around, he toasted her:  “My dear wife, after fifty years, I’ve found you tried and true!”  Everyone smiled approval, but his [hard-of-hearing] wife asked, [“What’d you say?”  So the husband] repeated louder, “AFTER FIFTY YEARS, I’VE FOUND YOU TRIED AND TRUE!”  His wife harrumphed and shot back, “Well, let me tell you something—after fifty years I’m tired of you, too!”1
                Ever since the beginning of this New Year, we’ve been working our way through the Ten Commandments.  Last Sunday, I told you that I was mixing them up a bit here at the end.  I wanted to wait until this Valentine’s month of February to talk about matters of love and honesty.  Anyone who’s ever read much of the Ann Landers or Dear Abby columns knows that these two issues go together.  It’s hard to love someone that you can’t trust, and it’s hard to trust someone who isn’t honest.  So, let’s take some time this morning to consider how commandment seven, “You shall not commit adultery,” and commandment nine, “You shall not bear false witness,” can teach us how to “be a faithful witness.”

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