[In our study of the Ten Commandments we have discovered,] 

• [1^st Commandment – The Preeminence of God - Jehovah God is preeminent because there is no other God.  He, and He alone is God.]

• [2^nd Commandment – The Living God – Jehovah God is the only living God. Because there are no other god’s.  Our Heavenly Father is Jealous for our souls that we might walk with him.  Idols or false god’s will only alienate us from God and rob us of the eternal life He reserves and desires for each of us.]

• [3^rd Commandment – A Worthy God – Jehovah God, as the only living God, is worthy of all my honor, and praise.  He is jealous for me that my soul and spirit might be saved and in eternal harmony with Him.]

• [4th Commandment – A Renewing God – Keeping the Sabbath holy reminds us that our Heavenly Father desires deeply to keep our relationship with Him fresh and intimate.]

• [5^th Commandment – Honor Starts At Home – Honor and respect are the foundation of all of our relationships.  Honor and value your parents and family and you will find it easy to honor the people in your life.]

• [6^th Commandment – The Value Of Human Life – Mankind was distinctly made in the image of God.  We are not highly evolved animals, but uniquely formed by God and for God.]

[We now come to the seventh commandment which simple states,] 

[Exodus 20:14 ¹⁴ Thou shalt not commit adultery. ]

[This command teaches us the faithfulness and fidelity matters to God.  Faithfulness stands at the heart of contentment and fulfillment in life.  Lose your sense of faithfulness and all hope quickly fades away.  If it were not for the absolute faithfulness of God what hope could there ever be for our future.  But because of God’s great, undeniable faithfulness we can have eternal security and hope.] 

[As a matter of fact the faithfulness of God in the midst of sinful rebellion and wickedness gives every human being certain benefits.  The Bible states,] 

[Matthew 5:45 ⁴⁵ . . .  for he [God] maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. ]

[The sun rise each day, and the rain that nourishes the crops that provide food and nourishment for all mankind, even to the wicked and rebellious are constant reminders to the faithfulness of God.  Thus, the faithfulness of God provides hope to every human being that tomorrow will be a better day then today and that there are more opportunities in our future, so long as we live.  Faithfulness provides hope, security, and contentment in life.] 

[Now when we think of Adultery the first things that come to our mind have to do with faithfulness and fidelity in marriage.  When we heard the word adultery we first think of someone, anyone who has been unfaithful to their spouse.  And this is in view indeed. Thus, this command brings God’s plan for marriage clearly into view.] 

Let Us Consider, 

A.     The Word and the Adulterer (Lev 18.20; Deut 17.14-15,17; Gen 39.2,7-12) [– Without any doubt adultery and infidelity are serious issues with God.  The Bible declares,] 

[Leviticus 18:20 ²⁰ Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her. ]

Faithfulness, in contrast to sexual promiscuity or immorality matter to God.  Time and time again God warns us about the seriousness of this sin.  But it seems that many in our day have lost sight of what Godly fidelity is.  So lets make it very clear.

[God intends for one man to be with one woman for the duration of their lives.  In the book of Deuteronomy Moses gives instructions to Israel right before the end of his life.  In those instructions Moses gave some prophetic instructions to the future kings of Israel.  Moses wrote,]

[Deuteronomy 17:14-15 ¹⁴ When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; ¹⁵ Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. ]

[Deuteronomy 17:17 ¹⁷ Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: . . . ]

[God intends for one man to be with one woman in a covenant marriage relationship for the duration of their lives.  ]

[Premarital Sex - There is another confusion that seems to be permeating our culture today.  That is the fallacy of premarital sex.  It wasn’t too long ago when a teenage girl said to my wife, “Well, if someone is faithful to only one other person then sex isn’t really wrong.”  This girl was implying that premarital sex is okay so long as the girl and boy are faithful to one another.  ]

[Folks lets be very clear here.  God intends for young men and young women to be virgins until they walk up on to a marriage altar and say their vows to one another.  Men and Women must be faithful before their wedding day if they will hope to be faithful after their wedding day.  ]

[When I think about fidelity and faithfulness I think of Joseph in Potiphar’s house.  Here is a young man who was sold into slavery in Egypt.  He has been given great authority in his masters house.  His masters wife was a beautiful woman.  And the Bible says,]

[Genesis 39:2 ² And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.]

[Genesis 39:7-12 ⁷ And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. ⁸ But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; ⁹ There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? ¹⁰ And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. ¹¹ And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. ¹² And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. ]

[Joseph understood that his fidelity and faithfulness before marriage was a matter of his faithfulness toward Almighty God.  Joseph absolutely refused to throw away his faithfulness in the sight of God for the great wickedness of premarital sex and adultery.  Purity, fidelity, and faithfulness matter to God.]

[I say it again,  God intends for one man to be with one woman in a covenant marriage relationship for the duration of their lives.]

B.     The Way of the Adulterer (Matt 5.27-28) [– We all need to understand that the way of an adulterer does not just happen.  It grows in a person and grows out of a person.  Our Lord Jesus Christ gives us this insight when He said,] 

[Matthew 5:27-28 ²⁷ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: ²⁸ But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. ]

[In our Lord’s statement we come to discover that adultery, and every other sin, starts in the heart of a man or woman.  The things you do, the sins you commit, are first temptations in your thoughts, that conceive in your mind and desires, and give birth to hideous sins.  It all starts deep inside of you as a matter of how you think.] 

[Therefore, what you think about sin, and about what sin is, makes all the difference in the world for you.  How you think about sin determines what you will do when you are tempted to sin.  ] 

[God does not leave us in the dark about the way of the adulterer, or the way of the immoral.] 

The Bible reveals that the way of the adulterer is, 

1.      A  Foolish Way (Proverbs 6.32-35) [– Our society wants everyone to feel free to live licentious and immoral lives.  The shows on our televisions, the declarations of your friends, even the romantic enticements of your deep relationships call out and ask you, “How can something that feels so right be so wrong?”  But God reminds us,] 

[Proverbs 6:32-35 ³² But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. ³³ A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. ³⁴ For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. ³⁵ He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts. ]

[The immoral have chosen to go in a foolish way.  That foolish way is a way that goes rebelliously against God.  These lack understanding and go in a way that will destroy their own soul.  The promise you life but bring darkness and despair.  Listen to just Joseph and refuse to sin such sins against your God.] 

2.      The Forgetful Way (Prov 6.23-29)[ – Notice what was written just a few verses prior to the verses we just read.] 

[Proverbs 6:23-29 ²³ For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: ²⁴ To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. ²⁵ Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. ²⁶ For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. ²⁷ Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? ²⁸ Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? ²⁹ So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. ]

[Those who go in the way of adultery and immorality have forgotten the Word of God and the promises it give.  Notice that God has given us the light of His Word, and that word promise a way of life.  Then immediately the passage speaks of the evil woman who draw a godly man away from the things of God.  ] 

[Have you heard the Word of God?  Then don’t for get the Word of God and its promises.  It was Joseph’s close relationship with God that gave Joseph the strength to resist his youthful lusts.  Men and women, boy and girls, understand that there is life, abounding life in God’s way and don’t ever doubt the goodness of your heavenly Father.  If you want to have the best possible marriage some day then remain pure until your wedding day.  Husbands and wives if you want to have the best possible marriage today and throughout your lives then remain faithful to your husband or wife.] 

3.      The Forsaken Way (Jer 3.8; Prov 30.20; Rom 1.21-32) [– While the world tries to convince you that their sexual promiscuity is the contemporary way,  God in His Word warns of the end of their way.] 

[Jeremiah 3:8 ⁸ And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. ]

[The fact is that adultery, immorality and every other sin will separate us from God.  It will rob people of the incredible presence of God.  Don’t be like the adulterous woman described in the Bible,] 

[Proverbs 30:20 ²⁰ Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness. ]

[Isn’t this the testimony of our adulterous and immoral society today.  They commit their sexual abominations and then proudly stand up and declare I have done no wickedness.  But they have, and they have chosen to go in a way the stands in stark opposition to Almighty God.] 

[Consider what God says in Romans,] 

[Romans 1:21-32 ²¹ Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. ²² Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, ²³ And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. ²⁴ Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: ²⁵ Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. ²⁶ For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: ²⁷ And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. ²⁸ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; ²⁹ Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, ³⁰ Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: ³² Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. ]

[Many look at our society and say, “If we don’t get right this God is going to judge us.”  The fact of Romans is that when these immoral and wicked things mark a people then it reflects that God has already given them up.  They are already under the judgment of God.  ] 

[So, I ask you, are you caught in this hideous sin of adultery and immorality.  Then you must repent, turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and get your life right with God.] 

C.     The Want Of The Adulterer [– The Bible speaks of two different kinds of adultery.  There is the physical adultery of sexual immorality.  But there is a second kind of adultery spoken of often in the Bible to which this command must also apply.  This is spiritual adultery.] 

[Spiritual adultery occurs when a people or nation who once worshipped and knew God turn away from the one true God and turn to idols.  These idols might be actual physical idols or they might be cultural or conceptual idols.  Humanism is a form of idolatry, materialism is a form of idolatry, and there are many other things that try to find their way into our lives and separate us from the one true God.] 

A Spiritual Idolater 

1.      Has Forsaken God (Jer 5.7) [– Notice how a spiritual idolater forsakes the one true God.] 

[Jeremiah 5:7 ⁷ How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses. ]

[Now, carefully notice that these are not necessarily atheists.  They believe and worship God’s.  They just do not worship the one true God.  Something else, anything else has become their God.  ]

2.      [Has Strengthened the Wicked (Jer 23.14; Rom 1.32) - The Bible states,] 

[Jeremiah 23:14 ¹⁴ I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. ]

[Remember what we read in Romans, ]

[Romans 1:32 ³² Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. ]

[These are those who call wrong right and right wrong.  They strengthen the wicked to continue in their wickedness.  Many who are caught up in some form of spiritual adultery continue in their wickedness because of the many who continually encourage them in their abominations.  They are affirmed and strengthened to continue to reject God, His Word, and His people.  These will all dance their way into the eternal fires of hell together un less something happens to bring them to their senses.]

[So, how should we conclude this message today.  ] 

[From this Seventh Commandment] 

[Exodus 20:14 ¹⁴ Thou shalt not commit adultery. ]

[We have learned the God high values fidelity and faithfulness.  Faithfulness is the source of hope and contentment in life.  Spiritual faithfulness will lead you to fidelity and faithfulness in your future relationship2.  It will also build your spiritual relationship with your Heavenly Father.  ] 

[Matthew 5:5 ⁵ Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. ]

[Psalm 15:1-5 ¹ LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? ² He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. ³ He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. ⁴ In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. ⁵ He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.]

[God has been faithful toward you.  You have life, you have health, you are able to think and make decisions today.  If you are not a born again Christian today then you need to know that God has been faithful toward you for one and only one reason thus far in your life.  Almighty God has faithfully sustained your life in hopes that you would repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.  Will you accept the free gift of eternal life from Him today and then seek to live a life that is faithful toward Him?] 

CrossRoads Baptist Church, October 25, 2009