Three Forms Podcast

Dealing with the 9th Commandment, we are warned about following the pattern of the Devil, the father of lies, and instead challenged to consider how we can better guard our neighbors good name! Lord’s Day 43 Q & A 112 Q. What is the aim of the ninth commandment? A. That I never give false testimony against anyone, twist no one’s words, not gossip or slander, nor join in condemning anyone rashly or without a hearing.Rather, in court and everywhere else, I should avoid lying and deceit of every kind; these are the very devices the devil uses, and they would call down on me God’s intense wrath. I should love the truth, speak it candidly, and openly acknowledge it. And I should do what I can to guard and advance my neighbor’s good name.

The 8th Commandment reflects the necessity of trust in society, but goes far beyond worrying about a pick-pocket. Tax policy, national debt, state lotteries, even seeking higher education all tie in. Lord’s Day 42 Q & A 110 Q. What does God forbid in the eighth commandment? A. God forbids not only outright theft and robbery, punishable by law. But in God’s sight theft also includes all scheming and swindling in order to get our neighbor’s goods for ourselves, whether by force or means that appear legitimate, such as inaccurate measurements of weight, size, or volume; fraudulent merchandising; counterfeit money; excessive interest; or any other means forbidden by God. In addition God forbids all greed and pointless squandering of his gifts. Q & A 111 Q. What does God require of you in this commandment? A. That I do whatever I can for my neighbor’s good, that I treat others as I would like them to treat me, and that I work faithfully so that I may share with those in need.

In the 7th Commandment, we are challenged to think about God's good gift of sexuality, and how it is to be honored and protected. Unchastity is rampant in societies, but God's people are to detest it! Lord’s Day 41 Q & A 108 Q. What does the seventh commandment teach us? A. That God condemns all unchastity, and that therefore we should thoroughly detest it and live decent and chaste lives, within or outside of the holy state of marriage. Q & A 109 Q. Does God, in this commandment, forbid only such scandalous sins as adultery?A. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, body and soul, and God wants both to be kept clean and holy. That is why God forbids all unchaste actions, looks, talk, thoughts, or desires, and whatever may incite someone to them.

Is it ever permissible to kill another human being? Why did the OT have building requirements for roof tops? Is it a sin to ride a motorcycle? Is political speech a violation of the 6th Commandment? We consider these questions and more, as we continue our journey through the Ten Commandments. Lord’s Day 40 Q & A 105 Q. What is God’s will for youin the sixth commandment?A. I am not to belittle, hate, insult, or kill my neighbor— not by my thoughts, my words, my look or gesture, and certainly not by actual deeds— and I am not to be party to this in others; rather, I am to put away all desire for revenge.I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself either. Prevention of murder is also why government is armed with the sword.Q & A 106Q. Does this commandment refer only to murder?A. By forbidding murder God teaches us that he hates the root of murder: envy, hatred, anger, vindictiveness. In God’s sight all such are disguised forms of murder.Q & A 107Q. Is it enough then that we do not murder our neighbor in any such way?A. No. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger God wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to be patient, peace-loving, gentle, merciful, and friendly toward them, to protect them from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.

The 5th Commandment is not just about listening to our moms and dads, but here the Lord is teaching us about the necessity of honoring and submitting to those in authority, as God has given them that position. Lord’s Day 39Q & A 104Q. What is God’s will for you in the fifth commandment?A. That I honor, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and all those in authority over me; that I submit myself with proper obedience to all their good teaching and discipline; and also that I be patient with their failings— for through them God chooses to rule us.

Has the Fourth Commandment been rendered inoperative? #Sundayfunday is a popular attitude in our culture, but is that appropriate for God's people? Today we consider the importance of the Christian Sabbath. Lord’s Day 38Q & A 103Q. What is God’s will for you in the fourth commandment?A. First, that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained, and that, especially on the festive day of rest, I diligently attend the assembly of God’s people to learn what God’s Word teaches, to participate in the sacraments, to pray to God publicly, and to bring Christian offerings for the poor.Second, that every day of my life I rest from my evil ways, let the Lord work in me through his Spirit, and so begin in this life the eternal Sabbath.

The only one of the 10 Commandments the Heidelberg spends two Lord's Days on, we consider why the 3rd Commandment is not an absolute prohibition on taking oaths, but that oaths are a positive way to use God's name. Lord’s Day 37 Q & A 101 Q. But may we swear an oath in God’s name if we do it reverently? A. Yes, when the government demands it, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote truth and trustworthiness for God’s glory and our neighbor’s good. Such oaths are grounded in God’s Word and were rightly used by the people of God in the Old and New Testaments. Q & A 102 Q. May we also swear by saints or other creatures? A. No. A legitimate oath means calling upon God as the only one who knows my heart to witness to my truthfulness and to punish me if I swear falsely. No creature is worthy of such honor.

The Lord cares about His Name and reputation, and expects His people to as well. We should defend and honor it, but that also means using it aright, and not just writing G_d. Lord’s Day 36Q & A 99Q. What is the aim of the third commandment?A. That we neither blaspheme nor misuse the name of God by cursing, perjury, or unnecessary oaths, nor share in such horrible sins by being silent bystanders.In summary, we should use the holy name of God only with reverence and awe, so that we may properly confess God, pray to God, and glorify God in all our words and works.Q & A 100Q. Is blasphemy of God’s name by swearing and cursing really such serious sin that God is angry also with those who do not do all they can to help prevent and forbid it?A. Yes, indeed. No sin is greater or provokes God’s wrath more than blaspheming his name. That is why God commanded it to be punished with death.

Exploring the Second Commandment, we look at how it governs the way we worship, and how the Lord wishes His people to be instructed. And given Biblical examples, the Lord seems pretty serious about these matters. Lord’s Day 35Q & A 96Q. What is God’s will for us in the second commandment?A. That we in no way make any image of God nor worship him in any other way than has been commanded in God’s Word.Q & A 97Q. May we then not make any image at all?A. God can not and may not be visibly portrayed in any way. Although creatures may be portrayed, yet God forbids making or having such images if one’s intention is to worship them or to serve God through them. Q & A 98Q. But may not images be permitted in churches in place of books for the unlearned?A. No, we should not try to be wiser than God. God wants the Christian community instructed by the living preaching of his Word— not by idols that cannot even talk.

Our Thankfulness is to be guided by God's Law. Today we start exploring the 10 Commandments, considering 3 purposes for God's Law, and if an Atheist breaks the First Commandment. The Ten CommandmentsLord’s Day 34Q & A 92Q. What is God’s law?A. God spoke all these words:THE FIRST COMMANDMENT“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.”THE SECOND COMMANDMENT“You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.”THE THIRD COMMANDMENT“You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.”THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT“Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work— you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns.For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.”THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT“Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving to you.”THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT“You shall not murder.”THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT“You shall not commit adultery.”THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT“You shall not steal.”THE NINTH COMMANDMENT“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”THE TENTH COMMANDMENT“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”Q & A 93Q. How are these commandments divided?A. Into two tables. The first has four commandments, teaching us how we ought to live in relation to God. The second has six commandments, teaching us what we owe our neighbor.Q & A 94Q. What does the Lord require in the first commandment?A. That I, not wanting to endanger my own salvation, avoid and shun all idolatry, sorcery, superstitious rites, and prayer to saints or to other creatures.That I rightly know the only true God, trust him alone, and look to God for every good thing humbly and patiently, and love, fear, and honor God with all my heart. In short, that I give up anything rather than go against God’s will in any way.Q & A 95Q. What is idolatry?A. Idolatry is having or inventing something in which one trusts in place of or alongside of the only true God, who has revealed himself in the Word.