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HopeUC Secunderabad
Tune in each week to the HopeUC Secunderabad podcast for insightful teachings from our pastors and guest speakers featured in our weekend services. Delve into practical and relevant biblical insights on topics that resonate with your daily life. New audio sermons are released every Tuesday, helping you stay connected and grow in your faith.
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HopeUC Secunderabad
How to Affair-Proof Our Relationships
“You shall not commit adultery” isn’t outdated it’s God’s protection over our hearts and relationships. Jesus showed us that purity starts in the heart, not just in actions. In a world of blurred lines and digital temptation, we’re called to flee sin, guard our hearts, and honor God with our bodies. And even if we’ve fallen, His grace offers healing, restoration, and a fresh start.
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so we at hope unlimited church, we are studying the 10 commandments and we have this series going on, called just 10, by canon j john, and it's a series that is transforming our lives. It's a series that is really blessing us. It's a series that is really quickening us in our walk with God. Amen. We just don't want to be normal Christians. We want to be the Christians God wants us to be, amen. So these are the 10 commandments and Canon J John starts in the reverse order, right. So he goes 10, 9, 8, 7, and we are doing the same, all right. So if you've been here the first week we looked at do not covet, all right. But it says how to find true contentment, right. We all long many things in life and we desire things. Sometimes we should not have it and we have it. But the first week we have learned that how to find true contentment. The second week we have learned about do not bear false witness, right? So this topic is purely based on, like when God told them do not bear false witness, because at the time, whoever was in the witness box, whatever they said yes, no the judge who's sitting there, will simply believe his words or her words. There was no other mechanism on that day to find out what is the truth. So somebody comes up into the witness box and says yes, this person has committed the crime, the judge will convict that person, that's it, and the punishment is put upon that person. So God comes and says don't bear false witness, don't talk bad about somebody, don't cross the line and stand against, because probably they are your enemy, probably they have done something to you. You know there is something called sadistic pleasure. You know sometimes we have this Ah good for you, nice happened to you and you didn't do anything, but you're sitting there and you're watching. And Ah, good for you, nice happened to you and you didn't do anything, but you're sitting there and you're watching and saying good, this fellow should have this in his life like that. You know, I like it. You know sometimes we go into that zone and say so God says don't be that person Right, don't be a person who's standing against and giving false testimony.
Speaker 1:So the truth we learned was how to hold on to the truth. Be truthful. It hurts. You may be looked down because you are saying and talking the truth. Right is right, wrong is wrong, but you should not be found that you stand up and gives false witness. Sometimes you don't say but being associated with a group or with a set of people also declares that you are in the wrong company. That's what we've looked at second week. The third week what is it? Do not steal Any Christian in this category, any believer in this category. Do they steal? Yes, everyone. Yeah, there is a possibility. If somebody has taken some money and you did not return it back, what do you call it? But we think it's okay, right, so we learned not to steal.
Speaker 1:And the truth we learned through the life group series was how to prosper with a clear conscience. We should have clear conscience that, yes, I am doing the right thing. We should have clear conscience that, yes, I am doing the right thing, I am on the right path. Amen. If you are not part of a life group, we encourage you to be a part of a life group, because this series is doing a lot in many believers lives. This should really transform us. Right? If you just have the knowledge of these 10 commandments. But the 10 commandments are not in your life. What good is it, my friend? What good is it If the three weeks has not changed you? What are you doing with your life If the three topics has not changed you? What are you doing with your life If the three topics that have been discussed and just say, no, it is not for me, it is for this person, that person? You have missed it, my friend. The Ten Commandments are all for us. We have gone three weeks and now we are in the fourth week.
Speaker 1:This is one of the most challenging and frequently misunderstood commandment. What is it? Everybody want to read it aloud, right? Canon J John, you know, says like this you shall not admit adultery. In a funny way, he says it is very easy for us to be in adultery and not admit it. The whole area is like that. The whole Topic is like that no, I am not an adulterer, I did not commit adultery, I am fine, I go to church, I do my part, I'm okay. So he funnily says there are a group of people who don't admit adultery. So the commandment is not don't admit adultery. The commandment is you shall not commit adultery. The commandment is you shall not commit adultery.
Speaker 1:The commandment is not outdated or relevant in our culture. In fact, in a time of digital temptation, emotional compromise and blurred moral boundaries, it is more important than ever. This commandment confronts us with one of the greatest moral battlegrounds of our time Sexual immorality. I am touching on a touchy subject, amen. But this is all relevant for us. This is for us. It is there in the word of God and the Bible talks about this subject a lot. But people in church have difficulty, christians have difficulty, brothers and sisters have lot of difficulty in understanding this and abiding by this or living by this In a world that normalizes lust and infidelity. God calls us to purity. We live in a time where the line between friendship and flirtation, between faithfulness and fantasy, is dangerously blurred. We interchange these words and sometimes we are walking on the thin line we are not supposed to be in. We are close to all these things, yet we don't admit it, thinking it's all fine.
Speaker 1:Sunday morning there's time of communion. I go to God and tell God. God, I made a mistake. I made a sin. Please forgive me, my friend. Communion is not, for that reason, the communion. The essence of communion is. The Bible is very clear. Do this in remembrance of me. You remember the sacrifice of Jesus. You remember what Jesus has done for you. You remember the pain and agony of Jesus, and then you take part in coming. It is not for you to come and every Sunday say, yes, I will live like the way I want, monday to Saturday, sunday. I have come in a time. That's a wrong way of living a Christianity, my friend. But we have all these things in place. Your mind will tell you. You have communion on Sunday. You can live like the way you want and go to God. Yes, my friend, when you go to God, he will forgive you. Is that the way God has ordained for you to live your Christian life? Think about it.
Speaker 1:God's word calls us not to walk close to the edge, but to walk in purity and in holiness. Let's talk honestly today. Do you all want to smile? Some are very serious. Some are thinking where will he get us to today? He probably has already some agenda on his mind. No, my friend, there's nothing like that. You just want to study the word of God and let the word of God help us, amen.
Speaker 1:So today's topic right, do not commit adultery. How to a fair proof our relationships, how to protect ourselves from this sexual immorality that is prevalent? How can I guard my spiritual life? How can I be a true Christian and please God and walk in the ways of God. How do we build strong, faithful relationships in a world that constantly pulls us the other way? Whether you're married listen to me carefully single, engaged, widowed or divorced, this word is for you and for me too. Amen. This is for all of us, because purity of the heart and loyalty matters to God in every season.
Speaker 1:Canon J John talks about four pillars. In the context of married people, he talks about these four pillars. Right, if you're not married, then you have to adapt these four pillars in the way that relates to you if you're not married. But if you're married, these are the four pillars. He talks about the first one. What is it? What is it? The first one, respect. Alright, ephesians, chapter 5, verse 33. Right, ephesians, chapter 5, verse 33, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Love and respect are mutual things you must have in your relationship as husband and wife. Amen.
Speaker 1:Number two responsibility Philippians, chapter 2, verse 4,. Number two responsibility, philippians, chapter 2, verse 4. Look not on your own interest, but the interest of others. Blaming solves nothing. Be mature to face and fix issues. Take spiritual responsibility. Lead in prayer, worship and discipline. Number three, romance Proverbs, chapter 5, verse 18. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. All those of you who are married, this is for you, right. And those of you who are not married, please go and find a suitable life partner Right. Celebrate milestones, appreciate each other. We just did it yesterday. A couple of days, me and my wife and kids we went out Celebrating each other. Truly amazing work of God over our lives. Amen, amen, yeah, keep the spark alive, all the married couples. Then resolve the fourth one.
Speaker 1:Trying times are not the time to stop trying. Trying times are not the time to stop trying. Commitment says I'm not quitting. Deal with the problems, not with escape plans. If there is any situation, deal with them. Don't look for a way out. Work out, amen. A marriage can survive weakness right if it leans on each other. Learn to be with each other. Help one another to grow right. These are the four pillars Canon J John talks about in the series. For more in-depth detail, you've got to go join the live group and go and find more about this and explore this aspect. But today I'm going to talk about the same topic that is relevant for us, that we understand how Jesus looks at this same topic and he addresses, you know, when he was on this earth. All right, so Jesus raises the standard.
Speaker 1:Matthew, chapter 5, verses 27 to 29. I want all of you to please read the scripture, I want you to open your mouth, and it's good to read the word of God. What does it say? You have heard? Yes, right, exodus 20,. We have looked at the commandment you shall not commit adultery.
Speaker 1:Now Jesus comes and he says you have heard about it, parents would have told you, spiritual leaders would have told you. You have heard about it. You heard that it was said you shall not commit adultery, right? But I tell you, I'm telling you something that you all must understand. What is it that? Anyone who looks at a woman or otherwise man, lustfully, come on already. Somebody say already. Everybody say already, already. Everybody say already, already, right, already, committed adultery within, with her, in her, in his heart. You understand what Jesus says.
Speaker 1:So in the Old Testament, it was the act you understand. So this person, he spends time with this person, and then there is an action that was considered as sin. But now Jesus comes and he says he raises the bar and he says you have heard about this, this is how it is. Act is not just a sin. The very intent, the very imagination, the very thought that is creeping in your mind is actually sin. You know why? Because you already committed adultery. You have already committed adultery. It's a very dangerous thing.
Speaker 1:What Jesus is saying, this is how God views this situation of sexual immorality. This is the view of God. And, mind you, this message is not a message of condemnation. This is not to put you down. This is not to put you down, this is not to disturb you, but this is a message that should encourage you to introspect your heart, your life, and you come to God and say God, I find myself in a position like this. Will you help me? We need to understand what God thinks about this.
Speaker 1:In the old testament, the seventh commandment we understand, do not commit adultery was a physical act of being sexually unfaithful. But when Jesus preached the sermon on the mount, he did not lower that standard, he raised it. He said even lustful thoughts, desires and fantasies are sinful in the eyes of God. Hello church. Sometimes we think, oh, I'm not in that act, I don't do anything like that, I never touched the opposite gender person or anybody like that in that manner. But the very intent is sin. Jesus is concerned not only with our behavior, but he's very much concerned the condition of our heart. How corrupt is it, the condition of our heart?
Speaker 1:Emotional intimacy please let's try to break it down everybody. Please pay attention. Emotional intimacy with someone who's not your spouse, not your spouse, which feels harmless but crosses into dangerous territory. Flirting or suggestive texting with a co-worker or friend, even if there's no physical contact, thinking it's okay because it's just online. How many thought about it like it's just online? How many have thought about it like it's just online, it's just on the mobile, it's just on the computer, like watching inappropriate content, sexting or engaging in virtual affairs, entertaining compromising thoughts or fantasies, believing it's not really cheating.
Speaker 1:This is a real life illustration I'd like to read Is everybody okay? You all want to smile. I said you all want to smile. The secret struggle this is the title of it. Listen to me carefully. A man once shared this story with his accountability group. The Secret Struggle this is the title of it. Listen to me carefully.
Speaker 1:A man once shared this story with his accountability group. So he's in this group, accountable to somebody, right? So there's a group. So in the accountability group he says this he's a married man. I thought I was doing fine. I never cheated on my wife. I went to church, I led worship, I prayed regularly. But then I realized I had built a whole secret life in my mind. I would scroll through the social media and linger on certain pictures. I justified it as harmless, but those glances turned into imagination. Eventually it began to affect how I viewed my wife, how I treated her, how I valued other women. I may not have committed adultery with my body, but my heart was already far from being pure. This is just one story. This guy leads worship, I guess I don't know, I just read it online.
Speaker 1:There are many stories like this and you know what Christians are good at. You want to hide it. This area everybody wants to hide. You know how to go there and then delete whatever those are called cookies and biscuits and everything hide. You know how to go there and then delete whatever those are called cookies and biscuits and everything. You know how to go there, but you also know how to come out of it, because there are some cookies that have been kept over there that another person who comes and accesses it will not find it. This whole area. This, this situation in our lives as human beings is like that. We want to cover it up.
Speaker 1:You know, there is a story in the bible. Who did something like this? Anybody knows, who knows why everybody is so silent today. I am not scolding you all. I asked a question. Do you know anybody in the Bible who was in this was hiding? Brother David, I will call him Brother David, all right. You know what. He tried to hide it. He did his best, man. He did his best. He was longing for other's wife, other person's wife, he's, you know.
Speaker 1:And then suddenly, who came to know? I said who came to know? Huh, huh, you're all in doubt. Who came to know? I said who came to know? You're all in doubt. I said who came to know? God, god and Forget God. We'll deal with him after a thousand years when we meet him. I said God please forgive me. I made a thousand years when we meet him also, god please forgive, I made a mistake. But who came to know? I said who else came to know? Prophet Nathan came to know what was happening in the four walls. Wow, there's a thin line, my friend. There's a very thin line that we all must be very careful. Amen. This is exactly what Jesus was talking about.
Speaker 1:Adultery does not begin in bedroom. It begins in the heart and the mind, with a glance, with a thought, with a fantasy and a lingering look. Lust does not need a bedroom, it just needs a wandering heart and eventually it gives birth to action. You know what this brother David did. Anybody knows the story. How did it all started? I said, how did it all start?
Speaker 1:Wandering? And you're all wondering what is this wandering all about? He's a king man. Go and do your job. Why are you wandering? You, brother and sister? Go and do your job, job in the sense, not just work. Whatever you're supposed to do. What are you doing? Wandering in front of the system or on the mobile phone? No, it's okay. No, just scroll. One day our fingers will pain. We go to see the doctor because our fingers are paining. Why? Because we are busy scrolling. He is wandering on the terrace. Anybody wanderers here? I said any wanderers here, don't raise your hand, I will fall flat on the floor. I guess. Any wanderers here? You will end up in the wrong way and the wrong place. Amen, amen, he was there wandering.
Speaker 1:Jesus calls us to radical purity, not just behavior management, radical purity. That's the call why God does not. God says no to adultery. Why can't I live like everybody else, like the way they are living? Why can't I enjoy my life? Huh, why is God so strict about this adultery? Right, the world is ours. Everybody is ours in this world. Amen.
Speaker 1:We can do what we want. That's the culture we are in. If you question somebody, they will come back at you very strong Mind your business and we live in that society today. We live in that culture today and God comes and says do not commit adultery. But what is adultery? What adultery means to you may not mean to me. That's who. Where we are today. What is good may not be good to you. What is wrong may not be wrong to you. What is wrong may not be wrong to you, it may be good to you. That is the culture we are living in today and if you see what is happening around the world, you will understand what once was called not so good, what once was not accepted in a society, now is accepted, and we fight for it. Right now. The line is very thin, my friend. Now is accepted and we fight for it. Right now, the line is very thin, my friend. Amen.
Speaker 1:Why does God say no to adultery? First one it breaks covenant of marriage. It breaks the covenant. What is the first covenant God established amongst the human beings? The covenant of marriage. It's the highest form of covenant for God. If you really want to understand God, the highest form of covenant is marriage. In marriage, you go in front of God in the holy temple and sometimes even in the lawns. Nowadays it's happening in the lawns. Wherever you are, two or three gathered in my name. He is there, and then you go and say until death. After one month you kick her or kick him. It's over, gone, go now go. It's over, all over. It's over. Oil is not nice, cooking is not nice. It's over.
Speaker 1:We are looking for things to find and we are not working on the plan of God and the covenant of God that he ordained. We don't know the seriousness of the covenant. It's the highest form of covenant. Amongst any covenant God has designed, the highest form is the covenant of marriage. That's the first one he established, and how precious. We should take care of the marriage. My friend, if you are in marriage, keep the marriage, whatever it costs. Work it out. It's not for you to give up.
Speaker 1:Marriage is God's design, a sacred covenant, covenant, not just a social agreement. Number two it shatters trust. You lose trust on one another, amen. Whether emotional or physical, unfaithfulness destroys peace at home. Number three it hurts more than just two people. It affects the children, families, even entire church and communities sometimes get affected when such situation arises, when people are not able to keep marriage and are in adultery. The last one, fourth one it dishonors God. It dishonors God.
Speaker 1:Do you know what the Bible says? Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Somebody say your body, everybody say your body, where is your body? I said where is your body? Come on, everybody do like this. I said where is your body? I said where is your body? Come on, everybody do like this. I said where is your body? I said where is your body Right? What does the Bible say? Your body is a temple, is a temple. It's not a club. Don't make it a pub. Hello church. Your body, your body, is a temple. Please understand what God you know has in his mind and how God created you. You don't think you are a temple, but he says your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, amen. It dishonors God.
Speaker 1:Quickly, I want to show you a few scriptures on sexual immorality that the Bible talks about 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4. It's a violation against God's design. 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4, verses 3 to 8. Are you all there? What does it say? Right, for each of you should learn how to control your body in a way that is, the ball is in your court. Somebody say the ball is in my court, the ball is in your court. To be holy and righteous, don't blame God for the problems that you have. Because of this problem, I am drinking, because of this situation, I am like this. No, take responsibility for your life. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1:Right, and here it says verse 4, each of you, everybody, say each of you. That means everybody, right, should learn. Go and learn. It is not automatic, you are not born with it. Hello church, what, what, what do you have to learn? Controlling, I can control, I can control, I can control. No, no, no, I am strong. You don't know, I am a strong man. Probably David thought the same brother, david, but but he couldn't control himself. God knows, we are weak and fragile. My friend, each one of you should learn, should learn. Let that be embedded in each of you. Should learn. Go to school, bible school, where I don't know. Go to your church. Should learn to control your own body in a way that is only an honorable, not in passionate lust like pagans who do not know God. You want to live like them. Are they your role models? They are living like the way they want and you, you want to live like that. Oh, they are having pleasure. No, I'm not having my pleasure. They're enjoying life. I'm not having my pleasure. They're enjoying life. I'm not enjoying my life. I have so many boundaries. Yes, my friend, it's good for you.
Speaker 1:Verse 6. And in this matter, no one should take wrong advantage of brother, or even online. Hello, because you know Christian. No, no, I'm not adultery, I'm not adulterer. No, no, no, I've never touched anybody. We all think like no, no, I'm safe, I'm safe. No, I lift up my hands. I worship you. Praise you, lord, worship you, lord, great. Don't take advantage of brother or sister. Hello, you all can smile, it's ok. Hello, you all can smile, it's okay. I'm not saying this, my friend. It's not what I'm trying to tell you.
Speaker 1:The Bible is saying this Don't take advantage. What will happen? The Lord will admonish you, oh, praise you. What? Ah? Forget the unbeliever, forget the guy who don't know God. He's not your role model, you don't look at him. But you, a boy in a Christian home, you know the Bible, you know the Ten Commandments. You go to church. What will happen to you? Come on, the Lord will punish such Somebody say such Such sins. No promotion, hello, punishment.
Speaker 1:Verse 7. For God did not call us to impure, but live holy lives, verse 8. Therefore, anyone who rejects this, this rejects this instruction. You are basically rejecting God. I have nothing to do with God, I just want to be in this. I just want. This is my world, this is my life. You are rejecting God. Be in this. I just want. This is my world, this is my life. You're rejecting God. Amen. 1 Corinthians, chapter 6, verse 18. What does it say? Embrace, no, hello, church Embrace. But why are we embracing? Hello, church, embrace, Embrace. The word also is not coming. No, no, no, I am a man, I am under control. Everybody thinks like that. Especially Christians think like that. No, no, nothing will happen. I know so.
Speaker 1:Once their story in Genesis, this young boy, right, this woman, came running after him. You all know the story, you know. And then they caught hold of her shirt. Come, come, come, come. No, it's a beautiful time, come. Nobody was there. So it's a beautiful time too.
Speaker 1:What did he do? Church? What did he do? Oh, if I run? No, everybody think I'm weak, especially this, my friend. I'm weak, I don't go to these places. They will think this fellow is waste. He does not enjoy life. So what does the Bible says so what did he do? Huh, I said. What did he do when temptation came, pulling him? Hello, what happened? You're all so silent. What did he do? But you are sitting nicely. Come on, it's okay. Praise the Lord, come on now.
Speaker 1:Christians know we only get this kind of jargon. What does the Bible say? What does it say? Flee, very clear To the point. If it is sexual immorality, you must do something. Don't pray. Where in the Bible says pray? You show me one scripture Flee, flee man, if there's unwholesome talk going on.
Speaker 1:Flee. If there's something that has been shown to you, flee If it is coming right, popping up, flee. That's your responsibility. That's not's your responsibility, that's not God's responsibility. In the world you will have all these 101 things. You know. God created this garden, Eden garden, right, and he put the beautiful creation. And then he said don't eat one fruit of the tree. But, god, why did you say that? Why it's like that for us. But why God? Why can't enjoy? Why can't be like everybody else? The world is enjoying, it's a pleasure. But, lord, when God created Adam and Eve, he said this tree you will not eat. Everything is not for you, everything in the world is not designed for you, my friend, it is not. There are some things God is telling you don't touch it, don't see it, don't go there. To those places, amen. Flee sexual immorality. And to those places, amen.
Speaker 1:Flee sexual immorality and other sins. Come on, but this sexual immorality, your own body, the other person, never gets affected. You will get affected Mental problems, physical problems, whatever problems. You will go through depression, you will go through a lot of things. Because this is not what I'm saying. This is what the Bible says, amen.
Speaker 1:Galatians, chapter 5, verses 19 to 21. The acts of the flesh are obvious. What are they? Sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery. They will, basically, they will manifest. It says Obvious means they will manifest. So we have to be careful.
Speaker 1:Ephesians, chapter 5, verse 3. What does it say? I want everybody to read, but among you. There must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, even the hint, the smell. Sometimes you get the smell, no, the smell of immorality or any kind of impurity or greed, because this is not meant for you. My friend, world may be in it, but you are not meant to be in it. This is not for you. Amen. What are the consequences? Quickly, 1 Corinthians 6, verse 9 and 10.
Speaker 1:Do you not know that the wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Talking in the context, you will not inherit the kingdom of God. Talking in the context, you will not inherit the kingdom of God. What else does it say? Now, turn to your neighbor and tell them don't be deceived. Come on, tell don't be deceived. Huh, after living everything you know, like the way you want and do everything I know, praise the Lord, hallelujah, I will be in heaven. No, you won't be. What does it say? Do not be deceived, huh, neither, nor, nor, nor, huh, nor Nor Nor, hmm, hmm. Good news, sir. Good news sir. Christians, no, huh, you will not inherit. I'm not saying this. I'm nobody, I include myself with you. You will not inherit the kingdom of God. You may be the greatest person on this earth. You might have done great miracle crusade raised the dead also. But in heaven nobody will recognize you. You know why? Because all these things are in our lives.
Speaker 1:Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 4. Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral people. Amen. This is very important for each of us to understand. Those who are married Marriage should be honored by all, right, and the marriage bed kept pure. Don't allow, cut it off. Cut it off, turn it off, run away those who are married, those who are not married. This is double portion for you. Stay away twice. Amen. In essence, the Bible presents sexual purity as a crucial aspect of Christian lives, emphasizing that sexual activity is a gift intended for marriage and that all other forms of sexual expression are outside of God's design. That's why it's not good for you. Amen.
Speaker 1:All we need to do is to come to the place of cross, a place of forgiveness, exchange and healing. The cross is not a place of condemnation, it's a place of forgiveness. At the cross, jesus bore the shame of our sexual sin, our secret thoughts, our brokenness and our failures. He was pure, but he took our impurity. He was faithful, yet he died for unfaithfulness. The cross is not just where Jesus died. The cross is a place where you come alive, amen. It's a place where judgment meets mercy and the law is fulfilled by love. The law is fulfilled by love, amen. And that's what exactly jesus has done by presenting the 10 commandments. It is law, but it is love of God to cover them, to protect them so that they won't be destroyed. That's why he gave the law Amen. And sometimes we find it difficult with the law, but the law shows the love, amen. And that's what he has done, and quickly.
Speaker 1:I would like to go through the Ten Commandments in the New Testament, as I am coming to a close. All right, uh, where do we find 10 commandments in the new? There are no 10. It's all. It's old test. We're no, no, you know, let's try to find and we'll close with this where you know.
Speaker 1:Matthew, chapter 23, verses 34 to 40, talks about it, but I I'm reading from verse 36. There's teacher of the law. He asked him one of the Sadducees, pharisees, whoever there were, having discussion with Jesus. They're talking about the law right or commandments. He says, teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law Right? Jesus replied love the Lord, your God, with all your heart. Do you all know this? Your soul, your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second one is love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and prophets hang on these two commandments. Let me explain this to you through this chart. If you see this right, the 10 commandments are grouped into two key areas.
Speaker 1:Right, our relationship with God and our relationship with people. Maybe you're saying my relationship with God is great, but what about the relationship with people? Do you view them as God's people? Do you love them as God's children? Amen, that's what the commandment Jesus said, which is the greatest commandment you love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and then love your neighbors as yourself. Do you know what he did? My next slide, please.
Speaker 1:He introduced the cross not in the New Testament, right in Exodus. Right, the symbolism of the cross, our relationship with God and people, was embedded in the Ten Commandments from the beginning. Amen. He put cross in front of them. The cross has a power to forgive you. The cross has the power to cover you. The cross has the power to set you free and give you a new beginning. Amen. What if you have failed? Right, probably all of us have failed in some way or form, especially in this area of life, right? Whether you've fallen into adultery physically, emotionally or mentally there is mercy at the cross. Whether you've been bound in lust or longing for healing from betrayal, there is restoration at the cross. Come to the cross. Where sin is forgiven, chains are broken. Where sin is forgiven, chains are broken and new life begins. Chris, please come. The cross is not just a symbol, it's a place of divine exchange. It's a place of divine exchange.
Speaker 1:The psalmist cried out, said creating me, god, a clean heart. And then, when Jesus and the disciple, or the people, were there and they were questioning this lady, right? He says if you, you know, are without sin, then stone this woman to death because she was found to be in adultery. And what did Jesus do, right? And then he says one thing Sin, sin, no more, sin, no more the same. I tell you, my friend, create in me a clean heart. Oh God, renew a right spirit within me, amen. And then the second one Sin, no more, sin. Never say this was my weakness. Let the weak say I am strong. Your weakness should turn to strength today.