Chaplin Gordon James Klingenschmidt is a former elected Colorado State Representative and also a TV show host. He served honorably as a 20-year veteran who graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Political Science and made national headlines as the former Navy Chaplain who dared to pray "in Jesus' name." He is an ordained minister with an earned PhD in Theology, and founded the Pray in Jesus' Name Project. It was 20 years ago on Crosstalk when we first introduced you to Chaplain Klingenschmidt, who came under attack by a commander who punished him in writing on three occasions because he dared to quote Bible verses in church that claim Jesus is the way to heaven. He was downgraded in his evaluations for praying "in Jesus' name" on the ship's microphone, for obtaining Kosher meals for a Jewish sailor, and for refusing to support mandatory attendance quotas for a homosexual church. He was told repeatedly to stop praying in Jesus' name. This left him with a choice; to deny Jesus Christ or to take a stand. He chose to take a stand which cost him his career and related pension. He is now reaching out to President Trump seeking a presidential pardon that could reinstate him to the military for one day so that he can retire and have his pension and back pay restored. Don't miss this opportunity to hear his testimony and learn how these 20 years later, you can push this effort, as Chaplain Klingenschmidt put it, "across the finish line." More Information Resources to help you intervene for Chaplain Klingenschmidt: White House Comment Line—202-456-1111 The Pentagon--703-571-3343 prayinjesusname.org

A teaching on the sixth commandment: you shall not murder.

The Sixth Commandment 1. What Murder Is 2. What Murder Reveals 3. What Murder Deserves Lords Day : 40 Read: Genesis 4 Psalms : 51:1-10; 51:11-19; 52; 53

This sermon explores the Sixth Commandment, expanding its scope beyond physical murder to include internal sins like envy and hatred. It outlines three lawful exceptions for taking life: public justice, defensive war, and self-defense, emphasizing that civil government acts as God's minister in these roles. The preacher argues that true obedience requires actively loving one's neighbor through volitional action rather than fleeting emotions, citing the example of Corrie ten Boom. Ultimately, the message asserts that societal reformation must begin with the gospel and personal regeneration, as only a heart transformed by Christ can truly fulfill God's law.

The kids message explores the Sixth Commandment through the metaphor of a traffic light to teach children how to value human life. It emphasizes that because humans are made in God's image, taking life is strictly forbidden, while preserving it is required. The teaching urges believers to slow down and resist hatred in their hearts before anger leads to sin. Finally, it encourages active protection of others by obeying safety rules and praying for divine help. This approach connects theological principles with practical daily conduct for young listeners.

The sixth commandment calls you to value and protect human life, but it also reaches into your heart—confronting hatred, sinful anger, resentment, and the desire for revenge. God calls you to deal with conflict through forgiveness and reconciliation rather than allowing bitterness to grow. When you recognize how deeply you fall short of this command, you are pointed back to Christ. His righteousness covers your failure, and His grace enables you to increasingly respond to others with patience, mercy, and love.

Text: HC LD 40 1) The Extent of Murder 2) The Origin of Murder 3) The Opposite of Murder

This sermon examines the Sixth Commandment, exploring its statement, extent, and theological basis within the context of Exodus 20. The preacher argues that the commandment prohibits not only premeditated murder but also any unlawful taking of human life, including suicide, euthanasia, and abortion, while acknowledging exceptions for war, capital punishment, and self-defense under divine authority. By referencing Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5, the message highlights that unjust anger and hatred are spiritually equivalent to murder, emphasizing that God judges the heart's intentions. The basis of this prohibition is rooted in the belief that life originates from God alone and that humans are created in His image, making the destruction of life an assault on God's sovereignty. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a profound reverence for human life as a reflection of divine glory and a testament to God's ultimate authority over existence.

Jesus begins His first contrast by showing that the sixth commandment reaches far beyond the outward act of murder. God condemns not only violence, but also sinful anger, contempt, bitterness, and every desire that treats another person as worthless. Christ exposes the false righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, who measured obedience only by visible conduct, while ignoring the heart. He then commands urgent reconciliation, teaching that worship cannot be separated from love of neighbor and that unresolved hostility must not be delayed. The warning of judgment is solemn: every sinner is moving toward the courtroom of God, and no one can pay the debt of guilt. Yet the passage also points us to Christ, the Law-Keeper and Mediator, who bore judgment for His people and reconciles them to God. Those forgiven by Christ are called to put away hatred, seek peace, guard their words, and pursue reconciliation with others.